Each month I will list one of my favourite photobooks.
JUN
2026
I'm not sure I have time to read all these!
I love these Phaidon 55 series box sets of 5 books relating to great photographers of our present and past times.
I already have the set 5 Experimental photographers and a single book on Nan Goldin. So, I was really pleased to come across this set.
Each book contains a 4000-word essay by an expert in the field, 55 photographs presented chronologically, each with a commentary, and a biography of the featured photographer. These Phaidon 55 books are excellent little 'sampler' books on some of the world's top photographers. I really enjoy reading these over a nice cup of coffee and they regularly find their way to the coffee shop with me. Can thoroughly recommend these if you can find them.
MAY
2026
Not one, but three books this month!
What a great start to May. I have been lucky enought to find three great photobooks all related to trees and forests.
Cubby's Tarn by Joseph Wright, Woodlands by Nigel Danson and Gathering Time by Simon Baxter.
I have always been fascinated with trees, but have never really spent any serious time in trying to photograph them.
These three books, which are all beautifully presented, have inspired me to go out into the woods and countryside to see if I have any talent in photographing them.
I'll let you know how I get on.
If you are interested in landscape photography, then I thoroughly recommend get a copy of these books if you can. You will not be disappointed.
APR
2026
Brassai - Paris by Night
My grandchildren very kindly bought me a copy of this book for my Christmas present and I have now read it a number of times.
Now I have the LeicaLux app on my iphone, I will try to take some good night time photographs. So far, I am finding it difficult as we now have modern streetlighting, so not able to achieve anything as good as these, but I will keep trying.
MAR
2026
Paul Sanders -
Still
I will normally only write about one book each month and technically this is not a photobook.
But, having just finished reading this, I felt that I had to let you know how much this has helped me with my photography.
As I have said elsewhere on the website, I had lost my way with my photography, trying to work out what to photograph and why I was doing it.
I had come to a lot of conclusions on my own at the end of last year and reading this book has reinforced those decisions.
I am now more mindfull of how and why I am making photographs and it is to please me first and then hopefully other people.
I'm just of to start reading this again and I can't recommend this highly enough if like me, you have lost your way slightly.
MAR
2026
Daido Moriyama -
Record
I heard about Daido Moriyama towards the end of last year and decided to try and find a book of his work to read. Luckily, the University of Portsmouth library has a very good selection of photography and photobooks and they had a copy of this that I could borrow.
I loved his work and the fact that he will photograph anything, nearly always black and white, high contrast and as he says, anything you photograph is a photograph.
This freedom from rules really resonated with me and I then decided to get hold of a copy of Record 2 and then the new book Quartet, which I am also enjoying just as much.
I cannot recommend these books enough, if like me you have slightly lost your way.
An amazing story and amazing photographs.
FEB
2026
Ragnar Axelsson-Faces of the North
I first met Ragnar Axelsson at the Photo London fair two years ago and the first picture I saw on his display was a large print of the front cover of this book, which blew me away.
I spent a long time looking at all his photographs which were truly amazing.
I returned to the stand later in the day and was looking at a display copy of this book, which unfortunately, was out of print and extremely hard to find. I did try to buy one of the smaller books that were available, but Ragnar insisted on giving me a copy. It was a very enjoyable train journey home indeed.
This is the 2nd version of the book, updated and with the stories of each photograph given.
I never tire of reading this book and would thoroughly recommend getting a copy if you can. Well worth the money!
JAN
2026
Dan Winters - Road to Seeing (Voices That Matter)
I came across this book towards the end of 2025 and whilst I didn't know a great deal about Dan Winters, I decided to read the book.
At just under 700 pages, it took some time and was very heavy to hold in your hands when doing so.
it is beautifully written and produced and will hopefully be on my shelves for many years.
Whilst I am do not like all of his photography, I do like this book and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone interested in photography.
DEC
2025
Sergio Larrain - Vagabond Photographer
This is certainly one of the more interesting photobooks that I have read lately. I love the photographs and the story behind them.
I find that reading a selection of books has helped me to realise what type of photography interests me personally.
Unfortunately, I don't think I will ever be this good, but I can keep trying.
This is one for your bookshelves.
NOV
2025
Michael Kenna - Japan: A Love Story
I was lucky enough to go and see this exhibition in London earlier this year and to meet Michael Kenna and get a signed copy of the book.
I love his photography, especially the Japan series and could happily have spent all day there.
The book is excellent and each photograph has space to breathe and would be a worthy addition to any collection of photobooks.
OCT
2025
William Fortescue -The Last Stand
I have long been a fan of Nick Brandt and the photography he produces.
So, I was very interested to see this book of photographs by William Fortescue who was not someone I was familiar with.
The photographs are superb and if you get a copy of this, you will not be disappointed.
I preferred the black & white images over the colour ones, althogh they are just as good, but I think that'sjust my personal preference.
My copy also came with a print, so very pleased.
This is certainly a photographer I will keep my eye on.
