The photobook is more than just a way to showcase a substantial body of work – it’s a treasure trove for collectors and a timeless keepsake for photography enthusiasts.
From fresh releases to cherished secondhand finds, this two part article will dive into a selection of remarkable photobooks on the market.
You can read part one of the article here.
11) Bill Cunningham: On The Street (Potter)
On the Street by Bill Cunningham was a long-running photo column in The New York Times that captured candid, stylish moments of everyday people in New York City.
Cunningham showcases his unique perspective on fashion, capturing the evolution of trends and individual style over 50 years, often taken while cycling around New York.
Sectioned by decade, his images highlight fashion, vibrant personalities and cultural moments he encountered on the streets. On the Street serves as both a historical record and a celebration of the diversity and creativity found in everyday fashion.
12) Please don't smile by Frank Horvat (Hatje Cantz)
Horvat, known for his bold and individual approach to photography, transgresses boundaries across multiple genres, often ignoring conventions in fashion photography.
His work, usually shot with a 35mm Leica and a natural unposed style, has graced major magazines like Vogue and Elle. What truly sets Horvat apart is his unique sensitivity toward his subjects, resulting in sensual and elegant images that stand out in the world of fashion photography.
13) Martin Parr by Val Williams (Phaidon)
Since the mid-1980s, Martin Parr’s sharp wit and use of colour have made him a leading contemporary photographer and a prominent member of Magnum.
His naturally friendly, humorous demeanour enables him to get up close and personal with people from all walks of life. Primarily renowned for documenting and parodying ‘English life’ in a colourful, satirical way – this comprehensive monograph of his career features his work in photography, filmmaking, curating, and collecting.
14) Cocaine True Cocaine Blue by Eugene Richards (Aperture)
This book offers a view of communities devastated by the cocaine and crack epidemics in US housing projects.
Through stark B&W photos and interviews with dealers, users, and police officers, Richards highlights the failure of the "war on drugs" – sparking dialogue that needs to be had on the issues of addiction, poverty, and systemic neglect.
15) At Water's Edge – Paul Backmore (T&G Publishing)
Sydney-based photographer Blackmore explores the deep connection between humanity and water, documenting its role in daily life across 14 countries over 11 years.
The striking photographs highlight both the global water crisis and the essential, yet often overlooked, relationship between people and nature, capturing the unfolding social challenges with fine-art sensibility.
16) THE PHOTO BOOK (Phaidon)
This compendium has to be one of the most renowned photobooks of the past 25 years, with the first edition being published in 1997 and the second in 2014.
It features over 550 stunning images, showcasing the best photographers from the mid-19th century to today. It also came in hardcover (approx A4 size 29.49 x 25.65 x 5.41 cm @ nearly 3.4kg) and 'mini' versions (approx A5 size @ 500g)
It covers diverse genres – fashion, documentary, art, and more. It includes concise insights into each work and its creator.
17) Imagining a Real Australia by Stephen Zagala (UNSW Press)
From the 1950s to 1970s, Australian documentary photography thrived, capturing a time of social, political, and cultural change.
Influenced by post-WWII American documentary styles and new technologies like handheld cameras and Polaroid film, photographers like Max Dupain and Carol Jerrems portrayed raw, real life. This book celebrates this era when photography powerfully depicted authentic Australian experiences.
18) William Eggleston: Chromes (Steidl)
Chromes features a selection from over 5,000 Kodachromes and Ektachromes found in a safe at the Eggleston Artistic Trust.
Showcasing Eggleston's early Memphis work, it highlights his exploration of colour, composition, and the evolution toward his ‘poetic snapshot’ style. This collection captures the emergence of a master photographer.
19) Vanishing Cuba by Michael Chinnici (Red Octopus Publishing)
Vanishing Cuba captures the country's transition after over 60 years of isolation and decay.
Through 24 visits, Michael documented 1000’s of images and stories, building deep connections along the way.
The collection reflects Cuba’s past, present, and future while seeking to preserve its soul.
20) Life Library of Photography (LIFE)
The renowned and inspirational LIFE Library of Photography is a 17-volume series exploring photography's key aspects. It covers equipment, printing, technology, shooting techniques, film developing, photographic history, theory, as well as the aesthetics of photography as an expressive art form.
Though out of print, you can pick the series up on eBay for $200-$300+ depending on the condition (freight may cost $100+). Or you may see them pop up from time to time in Op-Shops.