AUTO Focus 2
Stephen Vanasco's Favorite Photography Books
Stephen Vanesco is a visionary photographer known for his stunning aerial landscapes and captivating portraits, uses his photography as a powerful medium for storytelling. With a keen eye for detail and an ability to evoke emotion through his images, Vanasco has built a unique artistic voice that resonates with audiences worldwide. We sat down with Stephen and he shared some of his favorite photography books that have shaped his creative journey and inspired his work.
We recommend checking out Stephens amazing work @stephenvnasco and www.stephenvanasco.com
Ari Marcopoulos Stoopz
Stoopz was published in 2010 by OHWOW. The publication coincided with Marcopoulos's solo exhibition titled "No Cause" at the OHWOW Gallery in Miami
This book offers an intimate portrait of New York City through the lens of Ari Marcopoulos. With his signature style of candid and raw photography, Marcopoulos captures the energy, youth, and gritty urban landscape of the city. Stoopz showcases moments of street culture, offering a glimpse into the lives of everyday people with a sense of authenticity and rebellious spirit.
Robert Cameron Above Los Angeles
Above Los Angeles was published in 1984 by Cameron & Company. The publication coincided with a broader series of aerial photography books by Cameron, capturing iconic cities from a bird’s-eye view.
This book offers a breathtaking portrait of Los Angeles from above through the lens of Robert Cameron. With his signature style of vivid, high-altitude photography, Cameron reveals the vast sprawl, architecture, and dynamic topography of the city. Above Los Angeles showcases the city’s grandeur and contrasts, offering a unique perspective that highlights both its natural beauty and urban complexity.
Martine Franck One Day to the Next
Franck’s D’un jour, l’autre was first published in 1998 by Éditions du Seuil in France. This French-language edition presents a selection of Franck’s black-and-white photographs, exploring a range themes such as childhood, old age, the arts, and everyday life. It features an insightful introduction by acclaimed writer and art critic John Berger, highlighting Franck’s humanist vision and quiet observational style.
That same year, the English-language edition titled One Day to the Next was published by Thames & Hudson in London and Aperture in New York.
Martine Franck was a renowned French-Belgian documentary and portrait photographer known for her humanist approach and work with Magnum Photos. Her photography focused on capturing quiet, intimate moments of everyday life with empathy and sensitivity. In her book One Moment at a Time, Franck presents a powerful collection of black-and-white images that reflect her deep interest in human dignity, culture, and the passage of time. The book showcases her talent for observing fleeting yet meaningful instances, offering viewers a thoughtful meditation on life and humanity through the lens of her camera..
Ernest Cole The True America
The True America was published in 2024 by DelMonico Books. The publication builds upon Cole’s historic legacy and follows the rediscovery of his previously unseen work documenting life in the United States during the 1960s and 70s.
This book offers a powerful portrait of America through the lens of Ernest Cole. Known for his fearless and humanistic approach, Cole captures scenes of race, class, and everyday struggle with stark clarity and emotional depth. The True America showcases moments of resilience and injustice, offering an unflinching look at a nation in transition with the insight of an outsider and the soul of a visionary.
Fred Lyon San Francisco Then
San Francisco, Then was first published in 2010 by Modernbook Editions as a limited edition release. This special edition featured 70 duotone plates, bound in cloth and presented in a clamshell box with a signed gelatin silver print, limited to 100 copies. A mass-market edition followed in 2014, published by Princeton Architectural Press, expanding the reach of Lyon’s iconic images to a broader audience.
This book offers a timeless portrait of San Francisco through the lens of Fred Lyon. With his elegant, noir-inspired photography, Lyon captures the city’s fog-shrouded streets, distinctive architecture, and colorful characters. San Francisco, Then showcases the spirit of mid-century San Francisco, offering a nostalgic yet vivid glimpse into a city alive with charm, mystery, and resilience.
Imogen Cunningham A Retrospective
Imogen Cunningham: A Retrospective was first published in October 2020 by Getty Publications. This comprehensive volume was released in conjunction with a major exhibition at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles and the Seattle Art Museum, marking the first full retrospective of Cunningham’s work in over thirty-five years.
This book offers an in-depth exploration of Imogen Cunningham’s illustrious career through the lens of Paul Martineau and Susan Ehrens. With nearly 200 color images, the retrospective showcases Cunningham’s versatility—from intimate portraits and botanical studies to modernist nudes and street photography. The essays draw from extensive primary sources, including letters and family albums, providing a nuanced understanding of Cunningham’s motivations and work.
Ralph Gibson The Somnambulist
The Somnambulist was first published in 1970 by Lustrum Press, marking the inaugural release of Gibson’s own publishing venture. The book was produced at a time when Gibson was financially strained, reportedly spending $4,000 to produce the book while being months behind on his rent.
This book offers a surreal portrait of the unconscious mind through the lens of Ralph Gibson. With his signature high-contrast black-and-white imagery, Gibson captures dreamlike scenes that blur the boundaries between reality and imagination. The Somnambulist showcases a series of photographs that invite viewers to explore the mysterious and often ambiguous world of the subconscious.
In 2020, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the book's publication, a special edition was released. This edition featured a unique cover and was limited to 50 copies, reflecting Gibson's enduring influence and the timeless nature of his work.
The Somnambulist remains a seminal work in the field of photographic art, demonstrating Gibson's innovative approach to visual storytelling and his ability to evoke the enigmatic qualities of the human experience.
Irving Penn Moments Preserved
Moments Preserved was first published in 1960 by Simon & Schuster. This landmark monograph marked Irving Penn’s debut as a published photographer, featuring an introduction by Vogue art director Alexander Liberman. The book was produced with meticulous attention to detail, reflecting Penn’s commitment to high-quality craftsmanship.
This book offers a rich portrait of Irving Penn’s early work through a curated selection of photographs taken during his first seventeen years of assignments for Vogue. With his signature elegance and precision, Penn captures a diverse array of subjects, including portraits, still lifes, fashion, and travel scenes from locations such as France, England, Italy, Spain, Peru, and Morocco. Moments Preserved showcases Penn’s versatility and keen eye for detail, providing insight into his creative process and the world of mid-century fashion and portrait photography
Andre Kertesz Diary Of Light
Diary of Light 1912–1985 was first published in 1987 by Aperture in association with the International Center of Photography. This definitive monograph was released in a limited edition of 3,000 copies, featuring over 175 black-and-white tritone photographs, including 152 full-page plates, and a facsimile signature of Kertész on the cover. The book includes a foreword by Cornell Capa and an essay by Hal Hinson, providing insight into Kertész's contributions to photography.
This book offers a comprehensive portrait of André Kertész’s illustrious career through a curated selection of photographs taken during his lifetime. With his signature elegance and precision, Kertész captures a diverse array of subjects, including portraits, still lifes, fashion, and travel scenes from locations such as Hungary, France, and the United States. Diary of Light showcases Kertész’s versatility and keen eye for detail, providing insight into his creative process and the world of mid-century photography.
