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Masters of Photography

I stopped in at my favourite Brisbane bookshop, Folio Books the other day looking for a gift for a friend. I always visit Folio first when I decide to buy a book as a gift and I always walk out of Folio with an armful of books for myself, and none for the intended gift recipient. I have very little self control when it comes to books. One of the books I bought is called Masters of Photography – classic photographic artists of our time (it was at least on special…) and flicking through it I noticed many wonderful shadow shots. So being obsessed with shadow photos and books, I thought I'd share a few of my favourite shadowy images from some of the photographers featured in this publication. Hope you enjoy these as much as I do.


Afghanistan (1996) by James Nachtwey


Wall Street, New York City (1915) by Paul Strand


The Fork (1928) by Andre Kertesz


Horst Torso with Pole (1930) by George Hoyningen-Huene


Under the El at Battery, New York (1936) by Berenice Abbott


Eiffel Tower 100th Anniversary (1989) by Elliott Erwitt

The last photo is more about the silhouettes than the shadows but I included it simply because I adore it!

Oh and I finally found that gift from my second favourite bookstore. Just in case you were wondering...

"Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints. Kill nothing but time."
- Motto of the Baltimore Grotto
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High Desert Diva said…
I absolutely love that first photo!

Thanks for sharing all of them...
March 04, 2009
Victoria said…
These are all fabulous! I think my favorites are the fork and bowl, man with the pole and the joyous Eiffel tower pic. Great finds, thanks for sharing them! (Bookstores are my weakness, too. I can resist buying clothes and other items, but resisting a book... very hard to do!)
March 04, 2009
Anonymous said…
my parents sent me a postcard of the eiffel tower photo last year while they were on holidays in france. if i'm not mistaken, that photographer also takes very interesting photos of dogs. love the baltimore grotto motto! now to check out your shadow sunday post. missed it on sunday!
March 04, 2009
please sir said…
Wow such inspiring photos - stunning. I'm amazed!
March 04, 2009
keiren said…
Great photos! I've always loved the fork image. I'm the same with obsessive book buying and need to start using my library card!
March 04, 2009
Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said…
I especially love that last one!
March 04, 2009
Unknown said…
These photos are fabulous and I absolutely love the first one!!! I am a sucker for books too, I dont buy toys for the kids so they loved the bookstore and spend hours reading there. As usual, instead of buying one book each for the kids, they get a few and I get even more..unfortunately, many are only read half or a few chapters, most are in the car..that's where I read. In between picking them from school or traffic jam, I know, it's pathetic...but that't the only time I have to read :D Great photos and shadows T.
March 04, 2009
Anonymous said…
Those photos are beautiful. I love the singing in the rain, that's my fave!

I'm not game to set foot in Folio books anymore. Once I'm in there I seem to get swallowed up and fail to leave. My children will get hungry ;)
March 04, 2009
Lisa's RetroStyle said…
Those are all wonderful photos!! I feel rather sheepish about my own shadow shots now. I guess I'll have to step up my efforts.

I love the fork. And the torso...mostly I love the jaw on the torso;)

Thanks for sharing your book with us:)
March 04, 2009
Catherine said…
That first shot plus the fork are both perfect...indeed did the fork photographer invent the shadow shot supreme??
March 04, 2009
Hey Harriet said…
Donat -

Yes, you're right, I have seen some of those Elliott Erwitt dog photos & I love them. So very cute & unique!
March 04, 2009
XUE said…
I love that first pic too. This reminds me of a similiar one of construction guys, dangling high up on a scaffolding, in the midst of the Empire State Bldg construction.
March 04, 2009
Chrisy said…
Some damn fine shadow shots there! Have the same problem with book buying...
March 04, 2009
Anonymous said…
Aw yes! That last one is amazing!
March 04, 2009
Anonymous said…
Fabulous photos! I especially love Afghanistan (1996) by James Nachtwey. There's so many scenarios happening throughout the picture
March 04, 2009
Rosebud Collection said…
What wonderful pictures..Beautiful.
The motto is great too..The last picture reminds me of different prints of paintings my daughter collects.
March 04, 2009
Celtic Cat said…
You have a wonderful blog with awesome
photographs!
March 05, 2009
Chubby Chieque said…
I do love all the shadow photos you share.

Everything's cool.

Hugs to you on a great Thursday!
March 05, 2009
Anonymous said…
beautiful photos!!
March 05, 2009
Unknown said…
Thanks for sharing! Great photography always inspires me. Love your blog!
March 05, 2009
Unknown said…
hey hey ... you're ducked up. send me your address and I'll post him out to you :)
March 05, 2009
Beth said…
What great photographs! I do like the last one best. It just looks so happy!
March 05, 2009
Anonymous said…
I got that book from my parents for Christmas, it really is packed full of wonderful images!
March 05, 2009
PJ said…
Tracy, anyone who is a friend of yours would totally understand your feebleness in the face of such temptation. Thanks so much for sharing with us. I'll have to keep my eye out for that wonderful book. And I'm learning a lot by committing to SSS every week. I'm really excited by what I got today. I know I might wake up tomorrow and wonder "What was I thinking?" but I was very intentional in my work and learned some valuable lessons today. See you on Sunday!
March 05, 2009
Anonymous said…
FAB! Love the second photo it looks so surreal.
March 05, 2009
Ali said…
oooh, lovely photos! Enjoy your new book Tracy ... and I can totally understand the lure of Folio ;)
March 05, 2009
ninja said…
The first one is my favourite.
March 06, 2009
Chris said…
This is too funny because
1) I have seen that Paul Strand picture 3 times this week (was reading about composition) and
2) I did shadow shots for the first time ever (intentionally, at least) tonight.

I need to score some photog books!
March 06, 2009
NONtRENDY said…
Those are awesome photos!
March 07, 2009
dianasfaria.com said…
these are all beautiful. Thanks for sharing them Tracy!
March 07, 2009
Gemma Wiseman said…
Like the others, I adore the dual shadow effect of the fork. Such a small moment with huge artistic impact!

But I must admit to lingering over the last photo. Reminds me of a movie I saw years ago and now the name totally escapes me. Don't you hate that!
March 07, 2009
Shannon said…
Leaves me with something to strive for! That FORK, LOVE it! And the last pic with the silhouettes... that is just BEAUTY!
March 07, 2009
Gina said…
Amazing images!...the last one is my fave but also love the wall street and the horst one reminded me of a Max Dupain :D
March 07, 2009
littlebird said…
all of the photo's are lovely and i very much like the motto at the end ; )
March 07, 2009
Anonymous said…
wonderful gift. love the photos!

paz
March 08, 2009
maryt/theteach said…
Harriet, the shots are incredible! :) Thanks for sharing them!
March 08, 2009
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