2010 Book Report

Bruce Davidson. Outside Inside © Allison V. Smith

Michal Chelbin The Black Eye © Allison V. Smith

Gus Van Sant One Step Big Shot & Daniel Gordon Flying Pictures© Allison V. Smith

Jim Marshall Proof© Allison V. Smith

Inspired a recent tweet about an Eggleston book that sits on my wish list & a request from my uncle for a favorite photo book list, I decided to do a small book report of my favorite photo books from this year. 


In no particular order:


1. Outside Inside, Bruce Davidson
This heavy three-volume box set of 800 photographs is almost too beautiful to open. However, inside are Davidson's most famous images from his stories that he committed to for so long, including East 100th Street, the Brooklyn Gang. I'm a big fan so I'm especially thrilled that my first edition copy is signed!
2. One Step Big Shot, Gus Van Sant
All of the photos printed in this gorgeous orange Nazraeli book are printed true to the Big Shot size. The Big Shot, is one of my favorite Polaroid cameras in my collection and is simply a one step process. The portraits are simple, head shots from Van Sant's movie casting. That's all.
3. The Black Eye, Michal Chelbin
Twin Palms Publishing printed this haunting book of portraits of young wrestlers from the Ukraine and Russia. It's not for everyone, but if you enjoyed Chelbin's book  Strangely Familiar , portraits of contortionists, dwarves & ballroom dancers, then add this one to your collection as well. I love a simple but complicated portrait. Chelbin has nailed it.
4. Flying Pictures, Daniel Gordon
I briefly mentioned this book earlier this year and it's still one of my favorites.This quirky, funny & fantastic book is filled with portraits of leotard-clad Gordon flying through the air. He is more often than not off in the distance but quickly identified. I first saw Gordon's photos at Angrstrom Gallery in Dallas 10 years ago  & was thrilled to see his work so beautifully published!
5. Proof, Jim Marshall
This was a birthday gift this year, to myself. I am a long-time fan of Jim Marshall's. This book pairs his classic rock and roll photography next to the contact sheet from where it came. This book gives the reader an opportunity to watch the moment develop before the great photographer's eyes. Cool.

Reflection of a Man

reflection of a man © Stanley Marcus

  reflection of a man © Stanley Marcus

  reflection of a man © Stanley Marcus

 reflection of a man © Stanley Marcus

 reflection of a man © Stanley Marcus

I am still so proud of Reflection of a Man, the book my mother and I published of my grandfather's photographs. I can honestly say it's a great gift for someone interested in photography, travel, style or kodachrome. The book is available for a short time on One Kings Lane website! See it here. Reflection of a Man is alos available here and here.

inside Earl + Leo's action figures

 inside Earl. december 2010. dallas, texas © Allison V. Smith

Leo's action figures. december 2010. Dallas, Texas. © Allison V. Smith

I have had a fun weekend full of commissioned family portraits.
Above are a few of my favorite outtakes from today's shoots.

Fraction Magazine holiday print sale

Maine Anjou princess. October 2010. State Fair of Texas © Allison V. Smith

I am pretty happy to be included in the Fraction Magazine Holiday Print Sale. For the sale, I am printing a small edition of the above image as an 8x10. I photographed this young girl at the State Fair of Texas in October as part of an ongoing series of portraits from the SFOT. If I were going to fill my cart with prints from the holiday print sale, they would be by some of these awesome photographers: Kevin Miyazaki, Tom Leininger, Aline Smithson, Matt Eich, Noah Beil, Taylor Glenn, and Norman Mauskopf. Thanks Fraction Magazine for this opportunity.

scenes from Mockba

red pumps on red square. november 2010. Moscow, Russia © Allison V. Smith

red square. november 2010. Moscow, Russia © Allison V. Smith

red square. november 2010. Moscow, Russia © Allison V. Smith

black lillies. november 2010. Moscow, Russia © Allison V. Smith

This was my 4th trip to Moscow to visit my sister and her family. I feel very lucky to get a behind the scenes view of this complicated and crowded city. This trip made me curious about some of the photos I shot on previous trips. Specifically my visit in 1992 when I photographed the amazing outdoor swimming pool which was built by Stalin on the site of a demolished church. Future blog post alert. Above are a few of my favorites from a super cold afternoon visit to Red Square. I loaded a few more on my photoshelter archive.