Gear is exciting but fleeting. Photo books offer lasting inspiration and deeper creative engagement.
Coming to you from Matt Day, this insightful video pushes back against the temporary thrill of buying new cameras and lenses. Day argues that although new gear feels exciting initially, the inspiration fades quickly and leaves you chasing the next gadget. He instead recommends turning to photo books to reignite your creativity because they offer a more meaningful and deliberate experience. Through books, you interact with photography exactly as the artist intended, seeing their vision unfold in a thoughtfully designed sequence. It’s not about quick scrolling or fleeting images but a deeper, focused appreciation.
Day emphasizes how photo books also expand your understanding of photography itself. By discovering new artists and immersing yourself in their printed work, you engage in a richer experience compared to digital consumption. Day recounts stumbling upon Elliott Erwitt’s work at Barnes & Noble and being instantly captivated, noting how serendipitous finds can become lifelong influences. He also mentions Mary Fry and Sage Sohier as examples of photographers whose deeply personal work might not resonate as strongly on social media but profoundly impacts you when viewed through photo books. Exploring the printed works of artists allows you to grasp the intent behind each photograph more clearly, without algorithmic distractions.
What sets photo books apart, according to Day, is the purposeful craft behind their creation. Every detail, from photo sequencing to book design, reflects conscious decisions made by photographers. This adds layers of depth that can be overlooked in online galleries or Instagram feeds. Day compares discovering new photographers through books to finding an unheard-of music album—exciting, personal, and deeply satisfying. The physical nature of books also matters, allowing you to slow down, pay attention, and genuinely connect with the work, uninterrupted by notifications or screen fatigue. He shares how certain photo books like Leonard Freed's Black in White America offer not only aesthetic pleasure but historical and cultural insights, broadening your perspective far beyond photography itself.
Day further highlights how spontaneous discoveries in second-hand bookstores can become unexpectedly influential. He recounts buying Dog Run by Michael Crouser purely by chance, attracted initially just by the cover and its stark, high-contrast images. Such discoveries underscore the uniquely rewarding experience of exploring photography through print, unmediated by trends or lists. Engaging with photography in this way keeps your inspiration fresh and personally relevant, helping you avoid creative stagnation. Unlike online platforms, which often serve random content, photo books provide intentional experiences shaped by artists themselves. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Day.
If people really are more excited about photography gear than photographs, they are not really serious photographers but gear heads.