Uncle Jonesy's Cameras Podcast #80: Everyday I Shoot the Book

 by Kevin Lane

Recently I was watching a YouTube video by a young film photographer named Robbie Maynard, whose channel I find both enjoyable and inspiring. In this particular video, Robbie relates finding a book of photographs by the American photographer, Robert Adams, titled Summer Nights, Walking in a thrift store  and how the book influenced him to go out in the late part of the day with his camera and make pictures that evoke some of the same emotions that Adams' book produces. As the video ended, I came away with two impressions. First, I definitely felt a connection with the photography of Robert Adams, so much so, in fact, that I immediate began to seek out and eventually purchase my own copy of Summer Nights, Walking. Additionally, I began to do research on Adams' life and work and found more connections with his art. I will be writing a blog post soon on how I am drawing inspiration from his life and work, but let's just say that he has a new fan.

The second impression i had from watching Robbie's video concerns the role that finely produced books of photography can play in the lives of photography enthusiasts like me. When I say 'finely produced,' I refer to books with faithful renderings of the original prints, printed on high quality paper, hardbound to last, with the entire process overseen (or at least approved by) the photographer responsible for the work itself. Such a book should in every way be a representation of how the photographer desired the public at large to not only view his or her work but also how to own it. Think of the original mono LP release of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Club Band from 1967. If you are fortunate enough to own a copy, you are able to experience what The Beatles intended you to experience, from the sound of the music to the design of the jacket and sleeve, as they were involved with every aspect of this monumental record. 

For the photography enthusiasts who also is a photographer, photo books can be instrumental in how we grow as photographers. Of course, owning (or even simply viewing) photo books will not be as helpful as studying the photography itself and asking questions like, "What makes this a good photograph?' and "What does the photographer want me to take away from the photograph?" I have to confess here that I have not allowed photo books into my life as I would have. When I go to the local, I am most likely to look for a book about creative processes in photography. Maybe it's time to allow actual photography to inspire me and help me grow as a photographer, so I will be checking out more photo books going forward.

Furthermore, I am wondering about the possibility of a publishing a photo book of my own. After all, I have an Etsy shop where make my prints available for sale, although I rarely make a sale. Perhaps publishing my best photographs in book or zine form would make them more accessible to potential buyers. And then there is the idea of thinking in terms of a theme or project that eventually exists in book or zine form. I find that both appealing and motivating. What about you? 

And speaking of prints, we have some listeners who, like Wayne and I, love to spend time in the darkroom making prints. One of those listeners, Todd Barlow, also makes the effort to send small prints to me through the mail, and now i have a small collection of his photography, which makes me very happy. What better way to share your photography than by sending a print through the mail? I plan to do more of this in 2025.

These excellent darkroom prints were sent to Kevin by listeners Todd Barlow and Jason Priebe. 
Jason's is the one bottom row center.

And speaking of spending time in the darkroom, lately I booked a session at our Chattanooga community darkroom, Safelight District, for the purpose of revisiting some negatives that I had already printing but failed to make satisfactory prints. After some time and effort, I was able to make a print that represented what I intended when I snapped the shutter. This got me asking the question, "Why was I not able to get the prints right the first time?" My first thought was that perhaps I had to make a print, successful or not, so that I could work out exactly how a fine print should look. Another thought was that with some negatives, it simply takes time, perhaps a lot time, to arrive at a finished photograph. And sometimes even that doesn't work. Sometimes the subject itself has to be revisited. And let's not leave out a change in gear or film. 

This photograph from my recent trip to Old Car City near White,
Georgia, had to be 'revisited' before I arrived at this fine print.

This Minolta Maxxum XTsi could be yours.

Meanwhile, back to show #80. Have you heard that we're giving away a camera? It's true. I'm offering up my Minolta Maxxum XTsi 35mm SLR with a Minolta AF 35-70mm f4 zoom lens to a lucky listener, and all you have to do to have a chance to win is to send us an email to unclejonesyscameras@gmail.com. We will announce the winner on show #81.

Finally, Wayne and I have been given thought to possible locations for our 4th Annual Photowalk with the Shutter Brothers, and think we have decided on a great choice:  Fall Creek Falls State Park is one of Tennessee's most beloved state parks for good reason, with one of the grandest waterfalls in the state plus a number of cascades, streams, gorges, and stands of virgin forest. We're still working out the details, but it will be held on a Saturday in October 2025. Stay tuned.

As always, we greatly value the feedback we get from our listeners. You can enter the contest and/or send us comments, questions, tips, reviews, and stories to unclejonesyscameras@gmail.com.  You also can find us on Facebook and Instagram, and feel free to leave your feedback there. Until next time . . .

Happy Photography!