The Crazy Pricing Of Photography Books

[@JakeHalfDone]

Thank you for being real and saying you "don't get it". Adds credibility to your videos.

[@OlivioSarikas]

I understand what you mean and yes, you don't have to like certain works of art - but they are not made for the liking. To say you look at a artwork, without considering the artistic concept behind it, is like to listen to music without considering it's cultural background. In that case it's reduced to it's entertainment value. But that, for all means and purposes, is merely the surface. It's the cover of the book, without the story. The artistic concept gives the work meaning and purpose and as such unlocks things you can not see with your eyes or feel with your senses. They are not there until you put them there through understanding. That is why art is more than just it's parts.

[@marcayres8635]

Just gone through my collection, am flabbergasted at what some are going for. Marc Lagrange 20 is now going for over £1,000, it's beautiful but can't imagine someone paying that for it. But loads in my collection are now going for over £400. think I'll just stick to collecting and enjoying them for now.

[@ADF_Cable]

Hey Alex, love this video! Hey I heard of a great technique years ago - put some tape over the screen of your dslr and go and shoot! You can't chimp until you're back home and downloading........ I get that same sense of anticipation as when finishing a roll of film 😎

[@250157andyw]

Thanks for your interesting contemplation of these three books. I bought a number of photo books when I first became interested in photography in the 1970s - Litchfield, Snowdon, Bailey etc Partly as a result of your earlier videos I have started to buy more so that I can really study the masters of the genres which inspire me - Lindbergh, McNally, McCurry, Wolfe, Helmut Newton. Some perhaps less well known - Edward Curtis, Pete Souza, Jason Bell, Jane Bown & KZbinrs Sean Tucker & Thomas Heaton. Also some of the classics - Strand, Stieglitz, Steichen, Hurrell, Man Ray, Horst, Heisler. They all add to my appreciation of photography & inspire me to improve. Of your three I prefer Hal Eastman.

[@julianray]

Alex, another strong video. I know it is very tempting and nearly irresistible but try to be careful for the click-bate bug that seems to infect almost all KZbinrs sooner or later. It only diminishes the honesty and tru value of your channel.

[@dee.other.artist8091]

Great video! While it is true, that for some photo books, price can go up massively as soon as they go out of print, it remains to be seen, whether these high prices can actually be achieved in a real sale. Don’t get tricked by the high ask prices on ebay or amazon. Btw. The Sugimoto book seascapes is still available at Damiani in a set of 5 (with other works of Sugimoto).

[@michaelheaton3396]

I believe a photographer’s dedication to an image has to be considered when they value their work. When you spend an entire day taking one image with expensive film, this has a value attached. Certainly when trying to recoup such costs then a printed work or produced book are justified. Like you said, the price someone will pay and they will if they see the value. Not something I can do, like yourself but McCaw was my preferred artist in this comparison. Outstanding images!

[@stephenward5133]

I agree but what I don’t understand is that if there is demand then the only way a photographer benefits is if they have more copies printed. The people benefitting are the “collectors” or the 2nd hand book dealers.

[@hoagyguitarmichael]

Great video. So much to ponder. I once saw printed on a coffee shop's bathroom wall, "modern art= I could do that + yeah, but you didn't. Both Sugimoto and McCaw's work are about time itself. Sugamoto's is saying something about the nature of imagery as well. I agree that I would rather have a McGraw print than a Sugimoto but the value difference probably has less to do with any intrinsic value to the work or fame of the photographer than the number of the books printed and in circulation.

[@locker1964]

A great video, holding a photo book in your hand and viewing the work of the photographers / artists is a distinctly different experience than watching videos on this. Where I think it's important that the photographer also writes something about his intention when photographing. Especially the works of Chris Mccaw are really exciting when you know what effort was made here. Hal Esterman has designed his pictures in the style of impressionism, the color scheme is really beautiful. With Hiroshi Sugimoto, his sculpture-like images are very present (even the blurred images) composed. 3 artists whose works are only tangible through the books, when just clicking through the pictures you find difficult access.

[@SebastianWilsonswlfoto2014]

Infinite focus in the case of Sugimoto's pictures, is that in his camera, he was focusing past the infinite point of the lens, which gives a special kind of "out of focus" that's different from the one you get when you focus closer. Or at least that's what I read once.

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

I've finished the video. If there's one thing I know about reproducible art, it's that the fewer copies there are, the more valuable each copy may eventually become. If the object is a oner like a painting (or an NFT 👀), the sky may be the limit if the creator gains a high reputation. So I ask, do you know how many editions of that McCaw book there are, and how many copies are known to exist? The scarcity of the book, combined with the artist's renown among the cognoscenti, is what likely drives that book's value so high. [Edit: if the original photos or negatives have been lost, that's another factor as the books may be the only remaining high-quality record of the images.]

[@lucasleonardo2111]

Wonderful video! The Chris McCaw images remind me of this cool technique I recently learned called Solarigraphy, in which you expose darkroom paper (inside a can with a tiny hole) for weeks, even months. The result is amazing and otherwordly, with the sun leaving a long trail over the sky.

[@NexVoidGaming]

Because of the "other" type of photography channels, I actually expected this to be a video comparing getting one's own photographs printed and the quality difference between $20 and $2,000

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

I'm jumping in mid-video to comment about Sugimoto. His work is largely "conceptual"; that is, they represent an idea rather than a physical thing. I commented in a recent video of yours that conceptual art generally leaves me cold, unless there's something visually arresting about the art object itself. So we're agreed on the seascapes, which have a haunting minimalist quality about them. The others depend on liking the idea as much as, or more than, the execution.

[@floppywonka]

i feel like hiroshi sugimoto's wax figure photography is more conceptual than just like hey look portraits of wax figures of people from history. yes, a student could probably take the same photographs, but the concept of taking photos of these figures that an artist or artists have painstakingly built to represent these people and photographing them as if they are portraits of the actual people gives the work a kind of renaissance portrait painting kind of vibe to me. i'm not very good at articulating my feels but yeah. i dig those shots.

[@lindsaywebb1904]

They also fit the context of his other works

[@petemc5070]

Worth mentioning also, Chris McCaw builds his own cameras and they are huge with gigantic lenses from WWII reconnaisance planes. I think he uses paper inside them, rather than sheet film. Not sure if he's still making pictures : ( Coincidentally Hans Christian Schink did a series called '1 h' which is remarkably similar.

[@ThePuddlediver]

Oh... and the difference is (drum roll) $1980. :-) That's it... fundimentally the difference between a paperback trade edition and a signed first edition... depends on whether you're after form or substance, IMO. Love your program... it makes me think.

[@kaziushioda5929]

I think the infinite focus might refer to the fact that to achieve out of focus he focuses the lens beyond infinity to achieve supposedly a different quality of out of focus. I think I remember seeing something about focussing at a theoretical twice infinity. Most out of focus / bokeh is achieved when the lens if focussed shorter than a subject at "infinity". ref. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZ6mk4OrgZ11qtU see around 7:20

[@solomongilbert3186]

At the time of writing I haven't yet finished the Video, but Sugimoto's work in architecture I think is based on the understanding that good architecture and recognisable architecture survives really harsh degradation. He's trying to show that good art stands and becomes easily recognisable beyond reprieve. I would personally hesitate to call that 'arty farty' purely because the message is clear, well understood, obvious, and effective in a way other art photog books aren't.

[@wojciechstanczak5069]

I like the work of Hal Eastman the most

[@marypinkerton3290]

Please keep up such fine work.

[@NickBarang]

I quite liked the Sugimoto material but wasn't keen on the waxwork portraits either. (Though if he made the waxworks, they're very good). Yes, I like the McCaw too, very much, though I am not sure that I'd be happy to pay $2,000 for it. (I thought my recent purchase of a Bruce Gilden book was expensive and it wasn't anywhere near that). And unlike some of the other commenters, I quite like the Eastman book too. In fact, there were a couple in there that I'd be happy to put on the wall. :-)

[@susiemuller391]

Thank you very much for your inspiration. Never heared of Chris McCaw. He is great!

[@terrywbreedlove]

“The sheer ease with which we can produce a superficial image often leads to creative disaster” Ansel Adams

[@championthewonderhorse9733]

I love collecting photo books, but good Lord, some are eye-wateringly expensive, and if you don't get them quickly, they have such a short publication run they sell out and double in price on eBay. As for being collector's items, I seriously question whether anyone is spending £1,600 on Sunburn.

[@Sven-R]

We live in a world, where people spend several hundred, if not thousand £/$/€ on virtual items in computer games, just because they can (and I'm not talking about addiction here). I would not be surprised to see someone spend £1,600 on a photo book.

[@stinkyfj60]

McCaw's images are poetic.

[@philmartin5689]

Well I guessed correctly. I think what you have to realise with photography books, they often have very short print runs, sometimes in the range of 2000, so when their gone, they're gone and that will rapidly increase the price once new copies are sold out. Having said that, I couldn't justify spending £1600 on any book but wouldn't pay £5.00 for the Eastman. Way too cheesy for my taste. Unlike Sugimoto, who is one of my faves.

[@philmartin5689]

Somebody ThePigvincent, appears to have taken exception at me expressing my opinion but the remark appears to have been deleted. I wonder what they said?

[@TimberGeek]

Today Natural Dance (Hardcover) just dropped ~$50 to $7.40 on Amazon in the US!

[@250157andyw]

Dropped from £45 to £28 in the UK - considering that now ;)

[@ThisLifeQuest]

I prefer Hal Eastman's work. Just paid $20 for all four of his books on eBay! The set includes a signed print!

[@TimberGeek]

@@ThisLifeQuest Nice, that's a steal! I've already got 'Dream Riders' and added used copy of 'Vanishing Venice' to my Amazon order but didn't pull the trigger on his newest.

[@Beatsy]

Thought provoking. Thanks.

[@oliverfox838]

The Eastman book is pointless, feels like an act of cruelty to include it in this video. The Sugimoto book looks like a collection of a life’s work, not a single project. Some amazing images in there tho. Maccaw’s book is a coherent project that is an object in its own right hence why so highly valued. That and a very original concept and execution of vision.

[@fotoplaf7702]

Another great video. Thank you

[@marcp.1752]

Some Pro Photographers, i did know from Online Sites, told me the same - A "Pro" Photographer is about 70-90% self esteem, self marketing, and about 10-15% being "artsy"...into their own way. I really dislike the self marketing, -esteem part. And that typical behaviour, most of the people working into the creative business are, and their behaviour. I simply couldn't stand it. No rant, but i really dislike that kind of posing to the general public.

[@stanb.5261]

Brand name fame combined with rarity account for high prices in just about any genre of collecting- if you're into collecting, as opposed to... photography. Those interested in the latter will be more than satisfied with a well reproduced book of images they appreciate for the sheer artistry- especially at an economical to moderate price range, even from someone who's... a relative unknown.

[@andrewlowe4911]

Really interesting video, thanks. Please excuse this little plug, but I’d like to recommend an autobiographical photography-related book called Life Lit Up, by a friend of mine called Mike Hartley. I found it very entertaining and incisive regarding how different kinds of photographers approach the craft.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thanks for sharing!

[@andrewlowe4911]

@@ThePhotographicEye Thank you for all the great videos.

[@adrianlong6701]

The work I’ve Eva Polak reminds me of the third artist covered in this video.

[@ThePuddlediver]

Thou shalt not crop. Thou shalt compose in camera. Digital editing bad. Thou shalt not blur images and shall not put things dead center... etc. Who makes up all these "rules"? The beauty of art is that, like culture, diversity is the heart of it's vitality. I love curry... but sometimes salad hits the spot better. :-) My two pence...

[@mohammadkaaki2941]

McCaw's for sure!!

[@tranetime1]

Chris McCaw doesn’t shoot on film. He uses expired photo paper. So all his photos are one offs. I don’t know why you would pay $2000 for that book when I got it for $350 and, unless it’s a forgery, it’s autographed by McCaw. The original price was $55 USD. BTW, thank you for your excellent channel. I’m a hobbyist, not a pro, but your comments have given me much to think about. You’ve also turned me on to some artists I probably never would have heard of!

[@Rodrigo-fq3vq]

Great Video!, Rodrigo Augusto

[@chrispietryga8710]

Another good value and intelligent video.

[@erichstocker8358]

I guess that with regards to cost a monograph is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. I would NEVER pay $1600 for book that sold for $25-40 when it was first published. Of course I wouldn't pay 100s of thousands of dollars for a painting of a Campbell's soup can either. Yet, people have done both--suum quique!

[@petemc5070]

Photo book prices have been affected by supply/demand. During the 2020 lockdowns a lot of people clearly spent their time online buying them! Before that prices were reasonable. I doubt anyone's paying the stupid prices you see now, though.

[@paulroyle-grimes]

Long exposure was more fun back when we had 25 asa film. Why can’t we have ISO 25 on our sensors?

[@washingtonradio]

McCaw's long exposures reminded of some of the original photographs that took hours to take. The arc the sun made in the images was interesting. Sugimoto strikes me as erratic, some interesting ideas done well but some ideas not particularly well executed. Eastman leaves me meh; interesting ideas but not exciting. As far as long exposures, often I think most photographers do not explore the possibilities of some really long exposures like these 3 did. Most long exposure work I have seen has been at most a few minutes not a couple of hours.

[@filibertkraxner305]

I have a healthy aversion towards nonsense and bruhaha. That's probably why I value photography based on how it 'grabs' me emotionally. In this case, Chris Mc Caw wins hands down. Having said that, I'd never buy a book that's incredibly expensive. An original print that the photographer made him- or herself would be a different proposition altogether.

[@richardstollar4291]

Oops - you forgot to link in the video at the end ;)

[@stuartbaines2843]

Those book prices are into ‘Collectors’ arena as ‘Investments’. My Monograph would be worth .. £..1600 😂

[@dankoons5577]

maybe big money for an albumen print of Crazy Horse. Something that could be mass produced never

[@Rob.1340]

Thank you 👍📷😎

[@ralfjansen9118]

"everyone could do it" - yes, but not everyone has the idea and IS doing it. Or only as an accident and not intentionally this way.

[@kevins8575]

Liked your video. Hated the photographs. I wouldn't give you a penny for all three.

[@peterreber7671]

In general I dislike long exposure images especially of water but other subject also. IMO it robs the subject of character, the longer the exposure the more so. At first sight none of these pictures evokes a wow! in me. Burning holes into the plate is technically interesting but a whole book of it? Not for me.

[@Liisa3139]

There are few things that I hate in photography, but I can't stand it when a stream looks like milk. Hate hate hate it!

[@theuktoday4233]

you could sell it as an NFT?

[@slarti42uk]

Well, to go out on a limb here but I personally don't enjoy any of the three books. I get no reaction at all to the Chris McCaw book. I think the concept has originality and maybe the "one off"ness of the original is something interesting and more collectable, but visually they do nothing for me. As for the value of books, I think it's the same as the value of anything, supply and demand, but what drives the demand can sometimes get into a feedback loop where the price ends up artificially spiralling, in a bubble through perceived worth as an investment. I think worth and value are different, another person might buy it as an investment, but not value it in the way you do, because it moves you and isn't that it's purpose?

[@thomaseriksson6256]

can it be pinhole photo

[@rossawilson01]

McCaw's work is accessible, beautiful, original and layered without being convoluted. It's everything that makes art desirable. The Eastman book is beautiful but it's falling into the decorative art category, there's not much behind it - Sugimoto has gone the other way, with perhaps too much reliance on concept.

[@marilyngiannuzzi9867]

I would never pay $2000 for any book,that is just plain nuts.These photographers charge this amount because they know some people are willing to pay these prices,not I !

[@ThomKurve]

The photographers are not charging this amount - The book dealers/sellers are. A photobook is often published in an edition of 1000 copies or less. The books are then sold at a retail price. Two years later 20,000 people discover the title and want the book.

[@erichstocker8358]

It is interesting. McGraw doesn't, to me, appear to be doing anything new. Every child has used a magnifying glass (i.e. a lens) to burn a hole in paper. I'm not sure why burning holds into photo plates would be considered art but burning a hole into paper by a child is not art. Of course, I'm mostly a representational photographer so that the avant garde style doesn't appeal to me much. Again, shows the importance of everyone recognizing the wide scope of art photography and that its appreciation is always individual. None of these photographers really appealed to me although I can appreciate the efforts of all 3 photographers. This even though I don't care for the results.

[@911TruthFighter]

Your previous comments were deleted out of petty greed, so as not to distract from … here… has happened to me several times. It’s sad, really.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

I'm not following? Who are you replying to?

[@marcp.1752]

I'd never pay 1600 GBP or 2000$ for a photography book, that price seems way over-hyped, and over-rated. No offense.

[@garywoodard6693]

Alex, I had just watched your video Are All Photographs Bad Until They’re Not. In it you made some interesting points about the viewer being the one that determines whether your photography is bad or good. I do not deny that the points you made may be absolutes for you. But they are not for me. We both viewed the photographs and we each came to our own opinion and we disagreed. Personally, I feel that applying the terms good and bad is detrimental to art in general. However, I do find interesting juxtapositioning not the images but the commentary of the two videos. In this video I find individual images of the first and last photographers interesting-but not their entire portfolios. To me $20 would be on the steep side for any of the three. The first two are very gimmicky. I find the theatre the most interesting of all the work, the seascapes are a current, well last twenty years, gimmick that has for me played out. The infinite focusing is a “look at me, ain’t I clever” gimmick. The middle photographer seemed to me to be spending a lot of time on gimmickry. I knew sixty years ago that the sun would burn film, not that I ever wanted to try it then or even now. I did that with a magnifying glass seventy years ago. They have no value to me visually, or actually conceptually. They are a gimmick I might enjoy discovering one time. No, I would not hang them. The work of the third comes squeaky close. The movement of dance is beautiful, shame he didn’t see that. Each of the three strikes me as working much too hard to find a niche that will be gushed over in the art world more than creating photographs that I can find pleasurable to view. So if the viewer determines whether their photography is good or bad we come back to the point that I had started to address on the first video.

[@John.Cameron]

Can't wait to try those long exposure photo's of the sun on my brand new hasselblad h6d 100c!

[@prs26]

Japanese photographers are more of philosophy than photography

[@andrewgallup3890]

Thanks for using the term arty-farty. May you not get the negative return I have received when I have used it. I wonder if airey-fairy would be better but I am not sure it means the same thing. I appreciate your effort presenting these topics/photographers although I could not like any of this work (I don't like watermelon either). It does serve to help define what I do like and why I like it.

[@willparsons32]

A $2000.00 book? Seriously??

[@kevinhanley3023]

Why are some more expensive? I'll pass on this one. I know already. Enjoy.

[@jerzyjablonski1432]

I suppose I am down to the earth technical guy, but I have not liked those images at all. Same way I do not like Picasso works, but can stare like an idiot for hours at small dutch landscapes. Same with photography, I like more "moment catching" photography (documentry, landscapes, technology etc) and the artistic one is of little interest to me. Well, I would pay lots for good landscape photography book :)

[@jamesoliver6625]

If it has to be explained, if the emotional response isn't relatable without additional intellectual input, it doesn't really work.

[@RS-Amsterdam]

I don't like either of those books cause my taste is somewhere completely different. E.g. That experimental stuff in the second book of Chris McCaw, every page it is about (what you called hole) but the rest of the image doesn't matter, so there is no best photo in that series. Hal Eastman, wow here is my shutter speed trick and I made a book full of it, boring ! I have to agree with you, wouldn't waste the energy to pick one up hehehehe. Based on pure logic, the one that burns the longest ;-)

[@alnwick00]

Personally, I liked the photos in Natural Dance the best and bought the last copy on Amazon for less than $14.00 including shipping. As a fan of soft focus and Lensbaby products I can't want to review this book.