Best Street Photography

Now an instant #1 New York Times bestseller, Humans of New York began in the summer of 2010, when photographer Brandon Stanton set out to create a photographic census of New York City. The Top 5 Humans of New York Brandon Stanton's thousands of not-quite-candid street portraits of New Yorkers (and accompanying captions, usually from the subjects themselves) have made his Humans of New York blog both poignant and extremely popular--as well as garnering him recognition as one of Time magazine's "30 People Under 30 Changing the World." This book of the same title collects 400 of his best portraits, telling small stories that are outsized in their humor, candor, and humanity. Normally I'm a bit downtrodden if I'm unable to interview a subject, but I thought her 'brush-off' was the perfect complement to the photo. I found these kids in the Lower East Side, making the most of a hot summer day. But his shyness ended up coming through beautifully, creating a portrait of the relationship between mother and son.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Over the past 40 years I have been traveling around the US and the globe I have been doing this in my mine and sometimes by interviewing the people I meet."
"They had no clue where it came from till I called and asked how they liked the book."
"Everything about this book is amazing."
"I see so many photographs everyday but just don't have what it takes to approach random strangers without feeling creepy."
"Now in addition to looking at their photographs, I’m thinking about the people that Brandon Stanton captured through his camera lens. (1) There’s the elderly lady with soft silver hair and a beautiful smile whose caption says, “Every time I force myself to go outside, something wonderful happens.” Great advice! After looking at it, you’ll know for certain that there are no uninteresting people and that Stanton is a gifted photographer who’s found his niche."
"That's what I got when I bought Humans of New York, which I think is the most exciting and one of the best photography books I've ever seen. When Stanton labels a photo, he gets it just right with a few words, or he let's the subject explain him or herself, such as the pretty girl with an attitude and fabulous hair, who says: "I'm going to let you take my photo because you seem like a genuine person."
"I was just disappointed at a plastic semi- see through cover with the title."
"I can see that he will enjoy this book for many years to come, and hopefully, make up his own stories and tell them to me."

A good street photographer must be possessed of many talents: an eye for detail, light, and composition; impeccable timing; a populist or humanitarian outlook; and a tireless ability to constantly shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot and never miss a moment. It is hard enough to find these. qualities in trained photographers with the benefit of schooling and mentors and a community of fellow artists and aficionados supporting and rewarding their efforts. "Her work alternately brings to mind Lisette Model, Leon Levinstein, Harry Callahan, Garry Winogrand, Weegee, Helen Levitt and Robert Frank. - The New York Times Style Magazine “An undiscovered artist whose photography is now being compared to the giants, a reclusive woman who, in death, is attracting the kind of attention and acclaim she would have shunned in life.” -The Huffington Post. "A combination of straight forward portraits, mirrored reflections and abstract self-portrayals, the collection...attempts to put a face to the name that's most recently captured the photography world's attention" -The Huffington Post.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"One of the best natural Street Photographer of all times, considering the time she lives in."
"what beautiful pictures, this can be enjoyed over and over."
"Such an awesome book about an amazing photographer."
"interesting seeing the her world through her eyes."
"Amazing book that really captures the essence of this complicated photographer."
"The photos are generally full page, very clear, and are of the quality that could be framed."
"I saw the movie and was amazed by Vivian Maier's story - You can look at them over and over again - just wish there were more of her photographs - love the use of the blank page."
"Prompt delivery."

It covers an incredible array of talent, from the unknowns of the late 19th century to the acknowledged masters of the 20th, such as Atget, Stieglitz, Strand, Cartier-Bresson, Brassai, Kertesz, Frank, Arbus, Winogrand, and Levitt to name just a few. This ambitious effort is perhaps most successful in bringing together the work of these classic photographers in a thoughtful, coherent study of this fascinating genre of photography.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"A possibly distinguished book marred by page layouts with inside margins so close to the binding that the essays,set in small type on grey background, are unpleasantly difficult to read.."
"Trying to follow Meyerowitz's & Westerbeck's conversation, both obviously deeply emotional about the subject of street photography, simply went over my head in a rush of technical details & passionate positing as to why which photographer did what."
"TABLE OF CONTENTS. Part One: Eugene Atget & the 19th Century. - Before Photography. - In the Beginning. - The View from Abroad. - Busmen's Holidays. - Art for Art's Sake. - Documents for Artists. Part Two: Cartier-Bresson & Europe in the 20th Century. - Children of the Century. - The Decisive Photographer. - Hungarian Rhapsody. - Foreign Correspondents. - The Fourth Estate. Part Three: Walker Evans & America Before the War. - Social Uplift. - Collective Vision. - American Classic. Part Four: Robert Frank & America Since the War. - Displaced Persons. - Naturalized Citizens. - An American in Paris. - In the American Grain. - The Chicago School. - Still Going."
"first off, the authors do a fine job presenting to the reader an insightful history of street photography."
"Great history of street photography!"
"Had those interesting bits been retained, much of the rest of the text eliminated and more images included, it would be a 5-star book."
"A substantial and essential overview of the history and development of street photography."
"How can this book be a revised history of street photography when it fails to address and include some of the most important street photographers that have lived or currently living?"
Best Travel Photography

Now an instant #1 New York Times bestseller, Humans of New York began in the summer of 2010, when photographer Brandon Stanton set out to create a photographic census of New York City. The Top 5 Humans of New York Brandon Stanton's thousands of not-quite-candid street portraits of New Yorkers (and accompanying captions, usually from the subjects themselves) have made his Humans of New York blog both poignant and extremely popular--as well as garnering him recognition as one of Time magazine's "30 People Under 30 Changing the World." This book of the same title collects 400 of his best portraits, telling small stories that are outsized in their humor, candor, and humanity. Normally I'm a bit downtrodden if I'm unable to interview a subject, but I thought her 'brush-off' was the perfect complement to the photo. I found these kids in the Lower East Side, making the most of a hot summer day. But his shyness ended up coming through beautifully, creating a portrait of the relationship between mother and son.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Over the past 40 years I have been traveling around the US and the globe I have been doing this in my mine and sometimes by interviewing the people I meet."
"They had no clue where it came from till I called and asked how they liked the book."
"Everything about this book is amazing."
"I see so many photographs everyday but just don't have what it takes to approach random strangers without feeling creepy."
"Now in addition to looking at their photographs, I’m thinking about the people that Brandon Stanton captured through his camera lens. (1) There’s the elderly lady with soft silver hair and a beautiful smile whose caption says, “Every time I force myself to go outside, something wonderful happens.” Great advice! After looking at it, you’ll know for certain that there are no uninteresting people and that Stanton is a gifted photographer who’s found his niche."
"That's what I got when I bought Humans of New York, which I think is the most exciting and one of the best photography books I've ever seen. When Stanton labels a photo, he gets it just right with a few words, or he let's the subject explain him or herself, such as the pretty girl with an attitude and fabulous hair, who says: "I'm going to let you take my photo because you seem like a genuine person."
"I was just disappointed at a plastic semi- see through cover with the title."
"I can see that he will enjoy this book for many years to come, and hopefully, make up his own stories and tell them to me."
Best Architectural Photography

Now, Brandon is back with the Humans of New York book that his loyal followers have been waiting for: Humans of New York: Stories .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"~~~~~~~~~It appears Amazon posted my review under both books Humans of New York and HONY Stories. If you are deciding on whether or not to buy the book, consider the following, which Brandon posted on the HONY facebook page: "I want to take a quick opportunity to remind everyone that HONY is advertisement free and almost entirely financed by book sales. By purchasing a book, you can help HONY continue to grow in a way that remains focused on telling people’s stories--- and nothing else."
"I've purchased all three Humans of New York books and have loved them all, but in Humans of New York - Stories, it all comes together. Even something went unspeakably wrong and against all odds the book was garbage (it isn't) you STILL should buy it, if for nothing more than to cast a vote of support for the JOY, LOVE, and EMPATHY that HONY provides."
"It makes a great coffee table book and everybody that has come over has picked this up and started reading it."
"An amazing collection of photos and personal stories."
"I follow the Facebook page but there's something about holding a tangible book and reading through all the stories in 2 nights that make it better."
"Love this book."
"In the midst of ISIS, corruption, American elections, tanking economy and a degree of narcissism that boggles the mind... another great bit of sanity, sharing, true storytelling and remembering what it is to be human."
Best Individual Photographer Monographs

Harry Benson is the author of 16 books including Harry Benson: Photographs (powerHouse Books, 2009), Bobby Fischer (powerHouse Books, 2011), and with Hilary Geary Ross, New York, New York (powerHouse Books, 2011, and Palm Beach People (powerHouse Books, 2014). Harry marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the civil rights. movement, photographed the Watts Riots, was embedded in the Gulf War, and was next to Senator Robert Kennedy when he was assassinated. He has photographed countless luminaries including Muhammed Ali, Sir Winston Churchill, Jackie Kennedy, President Charles de Gaulle, Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones, Elizabeth Taylor, Jack Nicholson, Andy. Warhol, Francis Bacon, Kate Moss, and the British Royal Family, including a. private sitting with Queen Elizabeth II in Buckingham Palace.There have been 40. gallery/museum solo exhibitions of his work, and sixteen books of his. photographs have been published.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Another hit-it-out-of-the-ballpark book by Benson, one of the world's most respected photojournalists."
"Wonderful addition to my collector's art books."
Best Wedding Photography

In Picture Perfect Practice, photographer Roberto Valenzuela breaks down the craft of photography into three key elements–locations, poses, and execution–that you can use to unlock the photographic opportunities lying beneath every challenging situation. If you’ve been frustrated and overwhelmed by the challenges of real-world locations, posing your subjects, or executing a great image–or if you simply want to become a better shooter but don’t know where to start– Picture Perfect Practice gives you the tools and information you need to finally become the kind of photographer you’ve always wanted to be: the kind who can confidently walk into any location, under any lighting condition, with any subject, and know that you can create astonishing photographs that have a timeless impact. Roberto Valenzuela is a Beverly Hills-based photographer, specializing in wedding photography.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Certainly blows the myth that a good expensive camera makes one a great photographer (usually they end up with "high definition snapshots") this book stresses the need for attention to detail and practice and shows one how to develop those skills."
"This guy leaves nothing untold and you really do feel like he's giving you all his little secrets to making great photographs (props to you Robert). Highly recommended and if you are just getting into photography scott kelby books are easy and informative reads too."
"I've read many photography books , different authors, just to gain a little more information, but Roberto's books share what a best friend would share with you."
"Yes, he is a wedding photographer and the book contains lots of photos pertaining to wedding but it does not in any way detract from the photographic and artistic concepts that may appeal to broader audience."
"Roberto teaches you how to see things differently - metaphorically and physically. If you can only buy one book on photography make sure it's one of his."
"Roberto points out that the "posed session" is the one when you start sweating, AND IT IS TRUE. If you are like me, that started (notice the past tense now) panicking when it comes to pose people and give them directions well, do yourself a favor and grab one of this at your earliest convenience."
Best Lifestyle Photography

A battered town left for dead, one that almost a million people abandoned and where those who remained had to live behind triple deadbolt locks, was reinvigorated by the twinned energies of starving artists and financial white knights. Covering culture high and low, the drama and scandal of politics and finance, through jubilant moments and immense tragedies, the magazine has hit readers where they live, with a sensibility as fast and funny and urbane as New York itself. From its early days publishing writers like Tom Wolfe, Jimmy Breslin, and Gloria Steinem to its modern incarnation as a laboratory of inventive magazine-making, New York has had an extraordinary knack for catching the Zeitgeist and getting it on the page. It was among the originators of the New Journalism, publishing legendary stories whose authors infiltrated a Black Panther party in Leonard Bernstein’s apartment, introduced us to the mother-daughter hermits living in the dilapidated estate known as Grey Gardens, launched Ms. Magazine, branded a group of up-and-coming teen stars “the Brat Pack,” and effectively ended the career of Roger Ailes. “When New York magazine began in 1968, it was unique: a brash conglomeration of ingenious writers, editors, and graphic designers who generated narrative journalism that was so classic it became new again. Highbrow, Lowbrow, Brilliant, Despicable: 50 Years of New York encapsulates those five convulsive decades in lavish illustrations, vivid oral histories, and evocative recreations by, among others, Tom Wolfe, Jimmy Breslin, Nora Ephron, Nicholas Pileggi, Julie Baumgold and Gael Greene from the magazine’s more than 2,300 issues.” —Sam Roberts, The New York Times. “A delicious compendium of the magazine’s coverage from the half-century of its existence, this is the kind of book that incites nostalgia even for the moments you didn’t live though (there’s the original Tom Wolfe “Radical Chic” cover!). The editors reproduce material that speaks not just to passing moments and fashions, but also to constant editorial emphases, such as high-quality artwork and portraiture.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I gave this to a former New Yorker for Christmas."
"excellent in any ways - great design, great texts, it is a heavyweight champion."
"Bought it for a gift to a friend of mine who reads the NEW YORK all the time, so why not!"
"The unhelpful index indicated that my favorite cover, Gerald Ford ( as Bozo) to city, Drop Dead is in here, but I have yet to spot it."
"A fascinating look back at the past 50 years through the eyes of New York magazine."
"If you love the NYM, you'll love this book!"
Best Celebration & Event Photography

Based on the hit website, AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com (“painful, regrettable, horrifyingly awesome snaps of family bonding, you will laugh so hard that people in adjoining offices will ask what’s wrong with you”â Esquire ), this full color book features never-before-seen photos and hilarious personal stories covering everything from uncomfortable moments with relatives, teen angst, sibling rivalry, and family vacations from hell.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Bought this for a white elephant gift."
"This was for a White Elephant gift exchange at work."
"Great Christmas gift fr someone who has this kind of sense of humor."
"It was a gift for a relative for Christmas."
"Great gag gift at a party!"
"So funny and you wonder what were these people thinking."
"Just so much fun and full of good belly laughs."
"I wouldn't waste my money."