Which of the three books would you get if you could only get one

[Karl Beath]

Hello from Karl again.

I would like to thank all those woh gave me information on my last two questions . I have recently recieved Using the View Camera from Amazon. But still have t o find a camera, in this country (South Africa) second hand LF cameras are like hens teeth.

Similar question. Which of these three books would you get to cover technique, equipment and good pics with a how I took the image explanation, if you could on ly get one of them?

Profesional Architectual Photography - Michael Harris Photographing Buildings Inside and Out - Norman McGrath How to Photograph Buildings and Interiors - Gerry Kopelow

Second question. B&H mentions the use of a centre lens for the Grandagon 90mm f or critical work. What do they mean by critical work, will it affect scenic and architectual images?

Thanks for all your help Cheers Karl

[Stewart Ethier]

Which of these three books would you get to cover technique, equipment and good pics with a how I took the image explanation, if you could only get one of them?

Profesional Architectual Photography - Michael Harris

Photographing Buildings Inside and Out - Norman McGrath

How to Photograph Buildings and Interiors - Gerry Kopelow

I have all three books and each is good in its own way. McGrath has the best photos. Harris is very good on general principles, but he has a separate book for interiors. Kopelow uses mainly a Fuji MF camera and shoots quickly and often, so is not as useful for LF shooters as the other two. In summary, get McGrath.

[David R Munson]

Just bought these three myself, and my vote goes for McGrath.

[dave bulmer]

I work for the British Library and have access to many photography books of all styles. I am most interested in landscape, but one of the photographers that I constantly revisit is Ezra Stoller, an architectural photographer who can span many decades. Not too much on technique in the books I've seen, but the pictures speak for themselves. Regards...

[Jonathan Brewer]

I have a book I've had for years that is my photographic favorite. It is the "The Keepers of Light, A History & Working guide to Early Photographic Processes". It's a history book with representative images of the alternative processes and it delves fairly deeply into the technique behind each of those processes.

I've read and reread this book for over a dozen years and every time I pick it up I learn something new. It gave me the inspiration and courage to finally jump into Lf(the thought of which is, in spite of the fact that I'm a seasoned photographer still a bit intimidating). I've made the jump because I was excited by the idea of contact printing with POP paper.

It was all inspired by this book. This book may be of significant value to the longtime users of LF or "Old Hat", I don't to profess to know being new to LF myself, but I would strongly recommend the "Keepers of Light" to anyone interested in photographic history, the images of the old masters, and the technigues of the alternative processes. It's by William Crawford and I originally got from Photographers Formulary.

Ciao

[Ellis Vener]

Having read all three, my vote goes for Photographing Buildings Inside and Out , Second edition by Norman McGrath

[Bob Kramer]

Don't only get one book! The Michael Harris book on interior photography and the McGrath book are both very good in different ways. The Harris book is great with very specific recommendation for lighting and exposure set ups that, as a beginner at architectural photography, I found very helpful. For me, I find learning how to shoot interiors much more difficult than exterior architectural photography.

McGrath doesn't go into that same level of detail for the novice, but his book shows many more examples of how he solved complex shooting situations, both interior and exterior. If you are a beginner you will benefit greatly from both of these books. I do however agree that if you are only going to get one book, get the McGrath book.

[James Meckley]

I don't know exactly what B&H means by "critical work", but it's my opinion that with a 90mm lens on 4x5, when using the extreme movements often required by architectural photography, you will definitely need a center filter; it makes a big difference. With landscape photography using more modest movements, the center filter is probably not necessary. The Heliopan center filters tend to be more attractively priced than the others.

[Kevin J. Kolosky]

Well I might as well jump in and say that I have read all three myself and I would also vote for McGrath. I would also say that if you are having a difficult time buying a used camera in South Africa, try looking at Ebay and buying one used. Ihave purchased much equipment on Ebay and have been very happy with all of it. All you need to do is take a precautions and you can be up and running in no time. kevin

[montespluga]

good morning

there is also Julius Shulman with some books, or look at:

http://www.usc.edu/dept/architecture/shulman/image_collection/index.html

http://www.esto.com/ (Ezra Stoller?s wife is leading this architectutal picture agency)

http://www.architekturphoto.de/

Does anybody knows more links, or a architectual forum (net) ?

[montespluga]

sorry, I', looking for a architectual photography forum

[Snowy Smith]

Karl, I am a Large Format Photographer in South Africa. I can try and find you a camera. My main subject is Mountain Landscape Photography. Cameras 6x7cm, 6x17cm, 4x5inch also 8x10inch. There are very few Large Format Photographers in SA. I am not a dealer. Best Regards, Snowy.