THe one film photography related book you would keep

[Chazzy]

Most people seem to be choosing "how to do it" books, but my choice would be Edward Weston, Forms of Passion. Unfortunately, I think it's out of print. I think the most beautifully made and printed photography book I own is F. Holland Day, Suffering the Ideal; it's great to see those prints in color.

[frednewman]

Hi Christopher

Good question. The one film photography book I would keep is a paperback book titled Oliver Gagliani. It has 42 photographs by Oliver and was published in 1975. I was fortunate to take a workshop with Oliver in 1990. He is my favorite photographer and is mostly know on the west coast.

Fred Newman

[Ektagraphic]

The Making of Kodak film. Eventually, I could figure out other things through experimenting that a book would have told me but I can't see inside of Kodak!

[Christopher Walrath]

And, to answer a few questioned, if it can be called a photography book (pictoral, technical, textbook or otherwise) it is included. Simply, a book that regards any aspect of photography. Getting there or the finished product.

[zenrhino]

If it's a tech book, I'd have to go with Horenstein's "Beyond Basic Photography." Nothing flashy really, but good solid fundamental stuff.
If it's a book of photos, Elliot Erwitt's "Snaps" by far. Seeing those photos was like discovering I had a brother I'd never met (and sadly, probably never will).
If it's a coffeetable book, "Looking at Photographs" by John Szarkowski. Every time I read through that, I feel like I know a little bit more about images.

[Hexavalent]

Photography: Art & Technique by Alfred A. Blaker
There are so many excellent 'technique' books, it is hard to choose, but this one is quite well rounded.

I'd have to agree with Horenstein's "Beyond Basic Photography" being on the top of the list.

[anon12345]

The Practical Zone System, Third Edition by Chris Johnson

One of the only photography books that actually helped me see.

[Andrew K]

reference book - my Mc Keowns price guide - best book for all the cameras I come across

photography book (and I don't even own a copy - we are talking hypothetically..) - Minamata - Gene Smith

[Trevor Crone]

Edward Weston - Life Work.

[c6h6o3]

A worthy choice, to be sure. I almost picked it. It's certainly of the best printed photo books ever.