This is a compilation of essays by 21 internationaly known authorities in the field, that cover many facets fo the history of photography. (from the inside cover) It was put together to honor Beaumot Newhall, a preeminent photographic historian.
This book was copyright 1975 by Van Deren Coke and Printed in Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.
Listed are the Essays as I have read them. Each is followed by own thoughts and further research of my own:
'Emile Zola, Photographer' by Jean Adhemar, Chief Curator, Cabinet des Estampes, Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris
Emile Zola was actually a famous French writer I found out.
This blog mentioned a book with some of Zola's photography - Truth, Beauty, Freedom and Books
'Three Photographers And Their Books' Thomas Barrow, Associate Director, University Art Museum and Associate Professor of Art, University of New Mexico
It seemed to be a critique of three books by three different photographers, Henri Cartier-Bresson 'Man and Machine', Elliott Erwitt 'Photographs and Anti-Photographs', Duane Michals 'The Journey of the Spirit after Death'.
Bresson's book was not given high praise at all in this particular essay. It states in regard to the photographs with in it, 'I think what is so disappointing is that Cartier-Bresson has made most of these pictures before and, almost without exception, much better.' Previous to this in the text it discusses the book itself saying, 'It is of the usual "ignore the image in the name of book design" guttered nonentity.
After that critique he moves onto Erwitt's book stating, '[it] has many of the same failings as Man and Machine, compounded by Sam Holmes's some-what embarrassing biographical essay.' As far as the photos go he states, 'The pictures are very much in the tradition of Dois-neau-witty quickies, flash observations that are not quite so profound at second glance but leave one with a sense of being a harmless voyeur on the human comedy.'
Last it continues with the third book. 'Finally, we come to what is, for me, the most exasperating book of this group: Duane Michals's The Journey of the Spirit after Death.' The text states that its book design is the least pretentious. He then explains ' The current popularity of Michals's sequential storytelling may be symptomatic of what appears to be an increasing tendency to confuse photography with a religion, mystic power, or a profound message-bearer that transcends all other forms in our time. The ultimate manifestation is Photograph as Magus or an even more primal yearning than this, as fundamental as the closing words of Michals's book, "Oh, to be the Light."'
The author of the essay does mention other work by the photographers that is better and then reflects on why these particular books failed and gives examples. In the end he states
'Despite the preceding negative comments on three disappointing books it should not be thought that photographic books are a useless or atrophied method of exhibition. In fact, they remain the most convenient way for a photographer to expolore a variety of sequential ideas as well as the most permanent method of preserving a retrospective collection of his work.'
I really appreciated the incite that is gained by this essay onto how he viewed the works. I would next like to find these works and decide for myself if they are disappointing. Even if they are there may be something to be learned here for the future of Artist books being made.
'Notes on the Early Use of Combination Printing' James Borcoman, Curator of Photography national Gallery of Canada.
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