Best architectural photography books according to redditors
We found 220 Reddit comments discussing the best architectural photography books. We ranked the 135 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 220 Reddit comments discussing the best architectural photography books. We ranked the 135 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
For those that don’t know - Humans of New York is about a guy that goes around the city every day and finds one person to talk about their life. It’s almost always eye-opening, and an absolutely incredible Facebook page to follow.
He has also written a book, which can be found here for $16.
https://www.amazon.com/Humans-New-York-Brandon-Stanton/dp/1250058902
I can’t express how incredible this page and book are. For what it’s worth, this redditor gives it a 10/10 and recommends it to EVERYONE!
Edit: For those of you without Facebook, here’s a website! http://www.humansofnewyork.com
I recently read a book from the architecture library where I work on Torre David that provided great analysis on how the vertical community came to be, etc. I highly recommend it.
Torre David: Informal Vertical Communities https://www.amazon.com/dp/3037782986/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_u-91AbHF7AS8V
It’s kind of expensive, but if one can track it down through their library, I highly recommend it.
I'm getting my SO's mom this book: Humans of New York: Stories. One of the things I like about her is that she really cares about people and their stories, so I thought I'd write that in a card to go with it. :)
In case you're interested, these are from the book called 'City of Shadows', a collection of police photographs out of Sydney. Great book, you can get it here though Amazon's price is way high. I think I got it for about $40-$60 from book depository though they're out of stock.
Here's a few:
Mid-Century Modern: Interiors, Furniture, Design Details (Conran Octopus Interiors)
Making Midcentury Modern
Mid-Century Modern Furniture: Shop Drawings & Techniques for Making 29 Projects
Handcrafted Modern: At Home with Mid-century Designers
Only wrong size in the sense that they don't accommodate low floor model trains and have station platforms built several feet off the ground. Cincinnati's subway was built to accommodate trains similar to those found on Boston's Green Line. They could always be adapted for light rail trains similar to our streetcar vehicles, but it would be at great expense and require ADA accommodation.
EDIT: Meant Red Line, not Green Line. There's more in this book about how Cincinnati's was modeled after Boston: http://www.amazon.com/Cincinnatis-Incomplete-Subway-Complete-History/dp/1596298952
So I ended up going on an Internet dive because I’ve been on an architecture kick lately. “How to build Japanese without looking like a weeb” was an interesting topic.
This book looks really promising though I haven’t read it. I think you can probably apply a lot of the proportions and materials to a Western style home.
French doors instead of paper screens. While clearly traditional, this interior doesn’t require a traditional Japanese exterior. From the outside, that window configuration could be any American sunroom.
And I think that a U-shaped house plan would do miracles, since you could have a fairly inconspicuous ranch exterior but stick a Japanese garden in the center courtyard, with all interior spaces open to it.
If anyone's interested, this book is a pretty interesting rundown on Torre de David, though it's not quite as in-depth as I'd like. I guess like Kowloon, it'll be history now...
> 'Subway' by Bruce Davidson
http://www.amazon.ca/Bruce-Davidson-Subway/dp/1597111945 ?
That app came out a few years ago (2011), when anti-hipster sentiment was pretty close to a fever pitch. e.g.
Things have died down a bit since then.
The irony is, I'd be willing to bet that the guy who made the Punch a Hipster app is probably a hipster by some people's definition. Culture is weird. I wouldn't worry too much about people getting their feelings hurt over the app, though.
This is the work of photographer Bruce Davidson! Find his book here. Just wanted to get visibility for him :)
> the tunnels are fit to a unique train car gage
This is false. Check out this book, which debunks this myth, as well as others (like "the turns are too tight" and "the city ran out of money").
This and many like it are featured in a collection at the Sydney Police and Justice Museum after being lost for many years. I forget the exact context but my neighbour worked on the initial collection and many of the old police files were lost due to buildings being transferred between departments. Eventually a building, then belonging to the Historic Houses Trust, was flooded and boxes of hundreds upon hundreds of these glass negatives were found in original condition however the attached notes were destroyed. Peter Doyle has (I'm sure along with many other people) worked for a number of years to put together information on these and created a book called City of Shadows which we gave to our neighbour last Christmas and was captivating just to look into these people's faces, stories, and I really loved the emotion in their eyes.
We went there back in Year 12 a few years ago and they were telling us how the criminals were allowed to adopt any pose they desired, but with the photography at the time (early 1900s) were essentially long exposures so some have blur as one of the men in the picture. Other images can be found here including the man who refused to open his eyes . Doyle has also noted that many faces appear several times with differing names and outfits showing the success of their alias'. Cool Stuff.
http://www.amazon.com/Sleeping-Beauty-Memorial-Photography-America/dp/0942642325/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251470070&sr=8-5
>"I always felt I'm more Betty than Veronica, myself." Nobody gives a fuck, lady.
Aw.
>When we wake up to a certain degree, we tend to shuck and chuck lots of things from our lives. We purge. The purging feels so good, we look for what else can be purged.
I called the disposal company today to get a roll-away for this yard ancient yard-waste we keep finding around the field and brush. We've probably done three rounds of purging useless crap and stuff over the past two years. There was a book we had, lent it to friends and it never made it's way back, BUT, it's called: Life at Home in the Twenty-First Century: 32 Families Open Their Doors.
Description:
>Life at Home in the Twenty-First Century cross-cuts the ranks of important books on social history, consumerism, contemporary culture, the meaning of material culture, domestic architecture, and household ethnoarchaeology.
>Using archaeological approaches to human material culture, this volume offers unprecedented access to the middle-class American home through the kaleidoscopic lens of no-limits photography and many kinds of never-before acquired data about how people actually live their lives at home.
This book was repeatedly shocking to see how much people own, and how much time they really spend outside, even though they talked about how much they valued nature. They talked and acted like...2D people.
Purging is hard with kids. But necessary. Who needs 22 pairs of pants, honestly?! We're grateful because we get so much second hand stuff, but it builds up quickly. Purging helps reduce the time I spend with stuff management and organization.
Thanks for sharing your day in Big Sur. That water and forest look amazing. Ever hike around in that beautiful greenery here or find any hidden treasures?
FYI that book was redacted quite a bit. Proenneke had a lot to say about the various government shenanigans that affected the Twin Lakes park and much of it was taken out by the publishers. More Readings... gives the full story straight from the horse's mouth.
It's also not his voice narrating the video, despite the impression it gives.
Humans of New York is a wonderful book. It also happens to be a blog and an Instagram account. By interviewing his subjects, Brandon Stanton brings an interesting sense of reality to his photographs.
Maybe a book? I think the Humans of New York book could pretty much be given to everyone, it's all happy and uplifting and cool.
You said she's on her feet all day so maybe something to help relax a little like a foot spa? Otherwise they make these little balls that you roll under your foot (my grandma used to do this with just a tennis ball) and it's supposed to good for your muscles and kind of like a mini massage.
Does she use anything to help treat her bunions? They make some cool products like this and this that might be helpful! They have some really good reviews, she may already have something like this though?
Not the best ideas haha but maybe it will help! Good luck with shopping! :)
Monument is what you're looking for. Best DM book out there period.
https://smile.amazon.com/Depeche-Mode-Monument-Dennis-Burmeister/dp/1617755931/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499365772&sr=8-1&keywords=depeche+mode+monument
Your wish is my command.
Book 1
Book 2
There is Engel's [Measure and Construction of the Japanese House] (https://www.amazon.com/Measure-Construction-Japanese-Contains-Sketches/dp/0804814929).
five minutes of research tells me it isn't an "internet myth". the burns archive, for one, not to mention the 3 volume Sleeping Beauty book series, which was published in 1990 and is what brought post-mortem photography back into the public consciousness.
I mean it wasn't beanie baby levels of popular, but I feel like you're downplaying what it actually was.
that said, I absolutely agree that this woman likely isn't dead, but I can see why people would make the comparison.
I recently got the book "Monument" which is pretty good.
https://www.amazon.com/Depeche-Mode-Monument-Dennis-Burmeister/dp/1617755931/ref=asc_df_1617755931/
A friend of mine owns this wonderful book. It has pics and descriptions of all 254 county courthouses!
I think this book will be right up your alley! I’m pretty sure it has pics of Metro North in it as well.
Autopsy of America: The Death of a Nation https://www.amazon.com/dp/1908211490/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_535VCbC80BAXW
Here you go.
https://www.amazon.com/Humans-New-York-Brandon-Stanton/dp/1250038820
Amazon link for those who are interested.
He also makes these sweet 3D Victorian historical picture books
All by Bruce Davidson from his book 'Subway'
http://www.amazon.com/Bruce-Davidson-Subway/dp/1597111945/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382469250&sr=8-1&keywords=bruce+subway
There are lots of options - I'm not quite sure if they all transfer over to Europe but I'll give it a try.
Hope this helps!
Wow, OP, this is a seriously impressive chair. You really did a great job of balancing an elegantly designed form with thoughtful details. I've been waffling on the idea of building an armchair recently and seeing your rocker is very inspirational.
If you haven't already read it, can I recommend Handcrafted Modern by Leslie Williamson. It's a great look into the homes of some influential 20th century designers, I've found it a great inspiration for design.
Taschen makes some wonderful budget photo book options. They have this one on New York which is $10. Bernice Abbot's Changing New York is a wonderful book but is most likely out of your price range unless you're willing to buy used. Diane Arbus' Revelations also falls into that category. There is also Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton though I don't find the photography particularly compelling.
I bought a book about this a few weeks ago for like 3 bucks plus shipping on amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Drainspotting-Japanese-Manhole-Remo-Camerota/dp/0982075472
not as cheap now though sadly. sick little book though
I'm in the block of acknowledgements at the end of John Dies at the End and I'm mentioned in the album liner of In Evening Air by Future Islands. Also, I'm in a picture in Look at this Fucking Hipster (technically in the background, but it's an iconic picture that the author wrote a paragraph about).
It's nice (although a bit narcissistic) to be able to walk around a book store and point out random things with my name or image in them. Also, I've been recognized on the street several times for various reasons.
EDIT: Oh, and I wrote a song that has over 31,000 YouTube views. However, I don't think anybody actually watched the video for the song. And the "song" is actually a minute long clip looped several times.
EDIT EDIT: I also sent in a correction to Mental Floss's daily fact newsletter thing. I'm not sure how many people actually subscribe to Watercooler Ammo, but I got mentioned by name.
My brother just finished a book on the abandoned subway of Cincinnati. He had to sneak down there to get shots for the cover and insert. Check it out, we're finishing up a promo video today that will have more of the photos that didn't make it into the book.
http://www.amazon.com/Cincinnatis-Incomplete-Subway-Complete-History/dp/1596298952
EDIT
Here's the video we just finished about an hour ago.
Brian May also has a very good book about a lost collection of stereoscopic photos that he and his co-author reassembled. It also goes into detail about stereoscopic photography and includes a stereoscope so you can view all the pictures. It's amazing!
A Village Lost and Found
I picked up the book a couple of weeks ago. Many giggles were had.
check this : https://www.amazon.com/Autopsy-America-Nation-Seph-Lawless/dp/1908211490
My friend (Cincy native) just wrote a book about it. It's really comprehensive. If you're into this sort of thing pick up a copy, he could use the support!
http://www.amazon.com/Cincinnatis-Incomplete-Subway-Complete-History/dp/1596298952
I've wanted to buy this book for ages, it's called City of Shadows: Sydney Police Photographs 1912-1948 by Peter Doyle.
It's on Amazon here but it's rather expensive.
This pic is from a great book called City of Shadows: Sydney Police Photographs 1912-1948. seems all these guys were freshly arrested and these special photos were made allowing them to pose as they wished.
The reason I bothered writing a long comment was because I got the general sense from what you've posted that you were passionate about what you were trying to do, and working it out/improving and not just an asshole. Glad I was right.
See if you can get a copy of this book from your school or local library: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1597111945/ref=s9_simh_gw_g14_i1_r?ie=UTF8&fpl=fresh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=1VBT2F8340N6KEZVM8KK&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2079475242&pf_rd_i=desktop
or any Bruce Davidson book for that matter. I think he manages to capture 70s/80s NYC, which was arguably a far worse place than current Baltimore, in all of it grit/grime/crime/drug use. Try to understand what about his photos works, and what doesn't. What compositionally elevates his subjects of helps you connect with them, then go out shooting with that in mind. To be honest, I think the biggest thing you can do to help yourself is to edit yourself much harder. I think a class where you are getting ripped apart can be good for teaching you to be even harder on your photos than anybody else. This will also make you shoot more because fewer things will make it past your cuts, and shooting more will always make you better (though, for me at least, posting more can sometimes be a negative to me getting better). I think if you can learn to see your photos in the harshest of lights then the good ones that are left will really be great.
Read Jake’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Cincinnatis-Incomplete-Subway-Complete-History/dp/1596298952
Fun little book about this: Drainspotting
Pretty sure they're taken from here or here.
the book is 400 usd and up on amazon. it's from australia. however, if you go to australia, the book is much, much less.
http://www.amazon.com/City-Shadows-Sydney-Photographs-1912-1948/dp/1876991208/
http://shop.hht.net.au/Home/Catalogue?productid=e5ebe56a7a9ed9a6
San Diego Then and Now is great for San Diego itself, but I'm not sure of anything similar for the county.
Really reminds me of this
https://www.amazon.com/Look-This-cking-Hipster-Mande/dp/0312624972
I was given this book on one of my first dates with my now husband. It's still one of my faves.
Also, I love to give the book "Humans of New York" to people who don't live here.
Those are photographs by the well known photographer Bruce Davidson.
On the Blu-ray, or perhaps it was the DVD since I rented it, The Haunting In Connecticut is a short documentary about how it was once normal in America to keep deceased relatives in the home for a funeral and it was common to take photos with them. The author that narrated the short had done a picture book on the topic, now out of print and selling for astronomical prices on Amazon used. The documentary is only available on one version of the film, not sure which, and IMO it's better than the film. Here's the description.
Memento Mori: The History of Postmortem Photography" (10:26) has author Stanley B. Burns talking about this odd practice.
Here's the book. http://www.amazon.com/Sleeping-Beauty-Memorial-Photography-America/dp/0942642325?ie=UTF8&keywords=Stanley%20b.%20Burns&qid=1465467096&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1
Here's someone looking at the photos online describing the once popular phenomena.
https://youtu.be/UTMUjAvEFho
I wholeheartedly agree.
Did some research!
The photographs were exhibited at the Historic Houses Trust, and taken down on Sunday 11 February, 2007. A 239 page book was later formed called the City of Shadows: Sydney Police Photographs 1912-1948, though a little out of my price range. Fortunately there are tons more mugshots floating around for those interested.
Cheers.
Agreed, though it's not really written by him and he wasn't too stoked on the eloquence with which his story got told. Check out the original journal. It's so bad, it's actually really good: http://www.amazon.com/More-Readings-From-Mans-Wilderness/dp/1616085541/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_y
That is amazing! So weird, but amazing!
I would love to be able to shape shift. It's the perfect power. Need to be invisible? Cool, become a tiny insect or something instead. Need to fly? No worries! Bird! Need to walk through walls? Easy, become a ghost! (I'm sure that counts as shape shifting, right? Right. ¬_¬)
Failing that, I would love to have the power, that when I go to buy anything, I have the exact amount of change in my pocket (or if it's bigger, the exact amount needed in my bank account). Think about it, if you just had a load of money, you would run the risk of running out, this way, you will always have enough for what you want/need. Fabulous.
If I win, I would very much like you to surprise me. Or, failing that, I would really like this, this, this or this. I'm sorry, I couldn't decide D: (all are in my wishlists)
We are RAOA. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.
Edit: words
Are you looking for a novel or a non-fiction book? If it's the latter, maybe this one? It's about the Torre David in Caracas, Venezuela. I'm sure there are other books about it as well.
Keep in mind, termites are normally just below the house. If they are up high it's most likely wood worms (thats what a termite hunter here in Japan told us).
Also check this book regarding general symmetry of japanese houses: https://www.amazon.com/Measure-Construction-Japanese-Contains-Sketches/dp/0804814929
born november 14th and girl.
$20 $40
May also co-authored a stereoscopic book called "A Village Lost and Found" which depicts scenes from a small English village ca. 1850. The cool thing about the book is that it uses a stereoscopic viewer to make the scenes appear to be 3D. http://www.amazon.com/Village-Lost-Found-Brian-May/dp/0711230390
He's an interesting guy
He's also an avid fan of stereoscopic (aka "3D") photography and has a published collection of Victorian stereoscopes.
You might enjoy this book too: https://www.amazon.com/San-Diego-Then-Nancy-Hendrickson/dp/1592231268
Shows old and new photos side-by side.
It's a set of images from a Bruce Davidson book - "Subway". First published in 1986.
Anyone interested can have a look at amazon.
I'm betting you already own this book https://www.amazon.com/Courthouses-Texas-Mavis-Kelsey-M-D/dp/1585445495
One for the team at Shit London
He also co-authored this book.
Here are some links for the product in the above comment for different countries:
Amazon Smile Link: A Village Lost and Found
|Country|Link|
|:-----------|:------------|
|UK|amazon.co.uk|
|Spain|amazon.es|
|France|amazon.fr|
|Germany|amazon.de|
|Japan|amazon.co.jp|
|Canada|amazon.ca|
|Italy|amazon.it|
|China|amazon.cn|
This bot is currently in testing so let me know what you think by voting (or commenting). The thread for feature requests can be found here.
http://amzn.com/1931745617
Make it something related to what she likes related to, but outside of interior design. First thing that comes to mind would be travel and fashion:
Worlds Greatest Trips
Humans of New York
Paris in Color
This is actually a death photo (it's the last example in the work Sleeping Beauty : Memorial Photography in America) which used to be a tradition. You'll notice that the woman lying down looks more pale and rigid (you can see the obvious rigor mortis in her legs and feet), and has much more makeup on her face. The radio was placed where it is to hide the base of the wire scaffolding that is used to frame her body as if she's playing cards. The work was commissioned by her husband who couldn't accept his wife's sudden death.