Photo Book Reviews

Yves Saint Laurent was born in Oran, Algeria in 1936 and by the time he was a teen his artistic passion lead him to leave his home for Paris to begin a career in fashion design. Working for Christian Dior allowed his talent to blossom and grow and it wasn’t long before his creations began to attract attention making his name synonymous with style, elegance and high fashion.

Author, pro photographer and educator Jeff Smith owns and operates two successful portrait studios and has written a number of helpful photography guides. In this book titled Portrait Pro: What You MUST Know to Make Photography Your Career, Smith uses his years of experience and expertise to help others learn the best ways to build and grow a successful business as a portrait photographer.

Focal Press recently introduced the comprehensive photography book, Twentieth Century Photographers: Interview on the Craft, Purpose, and the Passion of Photography, by Grace Schaub, edited by George Schaub.

Nearly every culture holds the horse in high regard. Symbolic of strength and freedom, these majestic and intelligent animals strike a certain cord with people. We all seem to have an almost instinctive bond with them even if we’ve never been in close contact with a horse before. Renowned equine photographer, Tony Stromberg became aware of the phenomena after the publication of his first books Spirit Horses and The Forgotten Horses. The feedback he received was filled with glowing praise for his work and expressions of deep feelings of respect (and even love) for the horses. This information amazed Stromberg and inspired him to explore the healing aspect of this relationship through the art of photography.

Moving far beyond the accepted norm, Brad Wilson put a fresh and unique twist on wildlife photography. Wilson wanted to capture the beauty of wild animals outside of their usual natural environment—or even the safe confines of a zoo enclosure. He wanted us to see the animals (including lions, owls, elephants, chimps, bulls, jaguars, cheetahs, alligators and more) in a setting that he had total control over, his own studio. 

It is said that everything is big in the great state of Texas and that certainly includes the rugged sense of individualism and the independent spirit of those who live there. Michael O’Brien is well known for being one of America’s top portrait photographers. In his latest book, The Face of Texas, he presents us with a wonderful collection of finely crafted portraits featuring unique Texans (both native and naturalized).

The Terminal Bar opened its doors in New York City for the first time in 1958 and was located just across the street from the Port Authority bus terminal, near (world famous) Times Square. In 1972, Sheldon (Shelly) Nadelman began working there as a bartender and stayed for the next ten-years until it closed in 1982. Featured in the iconic Scorsese film Taxi Driver, at that time the Terminal Bar was know for being one of the roughest dive bars in the city.