Photography books at Bowdoin College Library

 

I recently had the opportunity to visit the Bowdoin College Library's Special Collections, where they have an enormous and impressive catalog of rare books, including limited-edition artists' books. I only had the time to study few books, including Maine photographer Cig Harvey's The Hope Chest, which was assembled in 2011 as an edition of only 15. It was an incredible experience to be able to interact so intimately with these prints, and the worded sleeves they were in.

I highly encourage allocating a few hours to visit Bowdoin's library and see what they have to offer.

There is a link to the catalogue of photography books here.

Photo shows at the Boston MFA

The Boston Museum of Fine Arts is currently exhibiting two fantastic photo shows.
The first is
"Modernist Photography: 1910-1950"

(from mfa.org)

A new camera "vision"

"Modernist Photography 1910–1950" features approximately 40 American modernist photographs representing highlights from the Museum's own collection as well as The Lane Collection. Complementing the work displayed in several of the other Level 3 galleries in the new Art of the Americas Wing, this exhibition focuses on the concept that the camera was, in many respects, the ideal tool for modernist artists of the day and that this new camera “vision” resulted in some of the most truly groundbreaking work to have been produced in any medium.

 This show has been up since last July, and will close April 1.

Also in the MFA you can  visit
"Silver, Salt, and Sunlight: Early Photography in Britain and France"

(from mfa.org)

Celebrate the golden age of early photography

The invention of photography in 1839 was a pivotal achievement that changed the course of cultural history. The early years of the medium were rich in experimentation. As each process and technique was invented, artists enthusiastically explored new possibilities for visual recording and expression. This exhibition celebrates the golden age of early photography in France and Britain, the two countries in which the medium was simultaneously invented.
Arranged according to theme and exploring a range of photographic approaches, “Silver, Salt, and Sunlight” features some rare early photographs from the Museum's collection. Among the photographic pioneers included are William Henry Fox Talbot, Hill and Adamson, Roger Fenton, Edouard Baldus, Gustave Le Gray, Nadar, Julia Margaret Cameron, and Francis Frith.

 This show is in exhibition February 7 - August 5.