The short answer is I don’t know.
I recently purchased a few more monographs to fill some important holes concerning photographers I admire and I believe to be important including Bruce Davidson, Eugene Smith and George Krause. Currently I have nearly one hundred and sixty monographs and related books (e.g., Magnum Contact Sheets and several fine books containing the work of the great Life Magazine photographers). And these don’t include other photography books I have that cover craft and other technical areas. There are perhaps a few others I would like but they’re not mission critical. So I think I am closing in.
Some might think you can never have enough good books so I am sure that my home library may be small compared to others, but I have worked for many years to curate a group of books that gives me continued enjoyment, inspiration and teaches me new things.
I’m also running out of dedicated space, just as I am with my record collection. I have nine empty cubicles remaining in my IKEA Kallax shelves and I think 6,000+ LPs are probably enough! But is one hundred and sixty books give or take enough? I think so, with maybe a couple of gems to be added if stumbled upon, or I come up with the extra cash to by the nineteen volume The Portfolios of Brett Weston, published by Lodima Press. Currently the remaining hardbound copies go for a cool three grand and the softbound ones can be had for $895.
Oh well … but I don’t think about that very often as I have some other wonderful Brett Weston monographs.
So I am pretty happy. I have a great collection of books and a wonderful space to enjoy them in. What could be better? A few things, but not too many. What could be worse? Not having a them!
What is enough for me may not be for you. But you do need some kind of a library of books by the photographers you admire, whatever amount is. And the number isn’t important at all. The only thing that’s important is that you have books. If you don’t you’re really missing out something truly important and in my opinion absolutely necessary! In a perfect world I/we would own the many photographs we love, but that really isn’t feasible for most of us. Either because they’re not affordable or they’re pretty much unobtainium. But books aren’t a bad alternative, and besides, they take up a lot less space!
I’m very happy with my library. If you don’t have a photographic library get started putting one together ASAP with whatever amount makes you happy.
Just do it!
Stay well,
Michael
Rockefeller was once asked how much money was enough. His answer? “Just a bit more.” That’s pretty much how I feel about the photography library: just one more! These monographs are created for people like us, who can truly appreciate them and for whom shelf space and finances aren’t disqualifying factors. It’s funny you mention that Lodima Brett Weston set as I’ve been close to pulling the trigger on the softcover version a couple of times. I’ll grab it eventually.
Mark,
Thanks for weighing in. Yes, we’ll see how my self control holds out. I just bought a first edition of the Bruce Davidson three volume ” Outside Inside”.
Best,
Michael
I think the only answer to how many photobooks is enough is always “juuuuuust one more and I am done!” 🙂 I love photo books and it is my favourite way to enjoy still photography. I only have 1 Kallax + some in storage because space is very limited in my studio flat so fortunately that means I have to carefully choose what I buy or I’d go broke 🙂 I do also take out a lot of photo books at the library, they have a good collection. My latest purchase is Denis O’regans photobook about Duran Duran called Careless Memories, features a lot of gorgeous black and white photo from Denis on tour with Duran Duran in the 80s.
Flemming,
Great to hear from you! I hear what you’re saying and often think the same way. Then I buy more books and records. Oh well …
Best,
Michael