Sources of Inspiration: Images and More

The other day someone told me that buying photography books makes no sense as you only look at them once or twice. I was rendered speechless (that happens a lot to me lately and not only 'cos I have caught some cold). I had nothing to add in my defense. Not that I really needed to defend myself. I consume images. That's that. In all forms. I cannot really explain it. They inspire me.

I have mentioned some cool exhibitions and one of my favorite books on art on this blog. This time I wanna share a sneak peek into what I consider totally worthwhile storing on my bookshelf (you know, next to those other books - with many words in them). Some, but not all, you can see on the photo above.

• Books filled with amazing images (basically anything by Taschen, really). It's like having mini art galleries at your own house, why would anyone not love that?! Plus they a lot of really well priced books.
• Books about the technical side of photography. Frankly, I don't own that many. I used to borrow them from library back when I lived in Finland (you know a dorm with no computer and no TV, you end up reading a lot more books). However, if you can find something at good price (and with good content) it's worth having it. I am not particularly obsessed (but possibly a little obsessed) with the technical side of photography, but it helps to know it, to remind yourself of it. Plus it's kinda cool to know why colors of film/memory card look different from what you see with your eye. Etc.
• Books that combine amazing images and a tiny bit of technical data, so you really see how some of the coolest images have been created. Like the combo of art books and theoretical books. 
• Magazines. Mostly fashion magazines. Best cheap source of high quality photography and inspiration. Nope, I don't dress according to the latest fashion. But I "steal" ideas and inspiration. Fancy brands and magazines have a lot of fancy money to invest into high quality images.

Okay and I have a book on photography which has almost no images - Camera Lucida by Roland Barthes. It speaks images tho. And it's a bit scary. 

I do believe that images tell stories as much as words, maybe even more so. 

Any inspirational (art) books on your book shelves? 

xoxo

Sources of Inspiration: "Ways of Seeing" by John Berger

Last December I made a day trip to Paris. I wrote a bit about it in January (click to read more). Among other things I also managed to visit the famous (I think it's famous, it must be) Shakespeare and Company bookstore. 

Olympus E-420, 25mm

It was the coziest place with tons of cool books. I couldn't help, but get some (because who wouldn't want to walk around the whole day with backpack filled with books). One of the books I got was called "Ways of Seeing" by John Berger. I liked the front cover.

iPhone 4S, Afterlight (aka Afterglow)

And I liked what it said on the back cover:

"...Berger argues that when we see, we are not just looking - we are reading the language of images." 

If you in your life would only read one book on art this should be the one. It provokes thinking, it provokes seeing and re-evaluating what you already have seen or have been told.

Look, inside my book there's a stamp. So my copy of the book is also a special travel memory. 

I was one happy tourist with an inspiration-filled shopping bag. 

iPhone 4S, fisheye lens by Photojojo

I find the fisheye lens by Photojojo so cool when traveling and in desperate need for a photo of me and some cool location. Ever so often I travel alone and usually when I strangers to take my photo I end up with even more awkward shots than those mobile "selfies". However, I am a bit of a memory collector, I like having a visual "note" of having been somewhere. 

Any inspirational book recommendations?

xoxo

Week 5: Modern Times

I love modern times. I love pre-modern times, too. So I decided to throw together the present and the past. Thankfully modern times have not taken over completely, there's still a bit of old school touch to life. At least at my house.

The idea for this week was to present modern times and well, I found it the easiest to get my point across by putting modern and a little less modern things side by side.

The Economist in my living room, The Economist on the go.
Olympus E-420, 25mm

I think this book would be extra awesome on an iPad (bigger screen, you know). It sings, it moves, it's interactive. As much as I adore books on paper I think this e-book does The Beatles and Yellow Submarine a lot more justice than the book on paper (that is pretty, too).

Olympus E-420, 25mm

Whisking has gone all electronic.
Olympus E-420, 25mm

However, coffee making is all old school at my house. I don't have any of the modern Nespresso etc machines. 

Olympus E-420, 25mm

All that and tons more all squeezed into this small fella. Almost too weird to be true. Still love the sound of CDs and vinyls. More than all those iPod friendly files. Don't get me wrong, I adore the portability of music we have in those modern times. 

Olympus E-420, 25mm

Let's hit the road!
Olympus E-420, 25mm

More phones, more portability, tons less phone calls... also, had to throw in my new blue shoes. Timeless.

Olympus E-420, 25mm

So, almost anything in my life could be replaces by an iPhone! A bit scary, so I intend to hold on that "old stuff" for a little variety. However, I do wish my iPhone would do the ironing for me... laundry has been piling up for weeks now. Oops. 

xoxo