Photo Books That Have Influenced My Journey in Photography: Book One

The Family of Man

The first photo book that I can recall is The Family of Man. This

book was a catalogue from the legendary exhibition curated by photographer and director of photography at MOMA, Edward Steichen in 1955. I was 11 years old when I came upon this paperback book sitting on the bookshelf in the living room. On the first page was an inscription written in my mother’s Palmer- method cursive; Happy Birthday, Jim. On your 23rd birthday ~ Mom. I thought it was an odd gift to give my brother. As far as I knew, he did not have the slightest interested in photography. I, on the other hand, was intrigued by the book and spent quiet times after school pouring over this paperback filled with black and white photographs. I had no idea or knowledge of the history or context of The Family of Man at that time. I just know that I was mesmerized by the beautiful tones of light to dark, black and white of these photographs. Two images that I found especially mysterious, and haunting were on the first pages of the catalogue: Let there be Light, an abstract study of light on water and the enigmatic photograph, Child in Forest both photographs by Wynn Bullock.

Let There Be Light Wynn Bullock

Child in Forest Wynn Bullock