The list of items you can wrap now moves into a more classical vein. A book!
You may learn from them, be inspired, be moved, motivated, or just enjoy the images that you share without being logged on.
I’m a voracious collector of books, and have just one pet peeve: when images are split between 2 pages and the image ends up cut in the “gutter” or center of the book. My feeling is either make the image smaller or the book bigger.
Most of these books pass that criteria, but there will be image exceptions.

For the photographer on your list who could use a jump start in the personal assignment area. If you have a series you are shooting, you focus your attention in that area in your world The Photographer’s Playbook: 307 Assignments and Ideas It will lay out, in one page suggestions, ideas from photographers & educators to get you on a path.
This is one of my fave books this year,for 20 bucks
,

One of the treasures in the world of photography is Douglas Kirkland. An iconic photographer, a teachers, and probably one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. His retrospective covers a 50 year career, that shows no sign of slowing down. This book will be enjoyed by a huge range of your gift list and it is a great collection by a lighting master. As affable as he is, this book should be in your collection as well.About $93. A Life in Pictures: The Douglas Kirkland Monograph

The wanderlust of the photographic mind is captured in the collection called The Open Road. you may have seen the mages before, or have them in monographs from other photographers, but the spirit of this books makes it special as the turning of the pages, could put you in the mindset of the freedom of the journey. It did for me.
The book features David Campany’s introduction to the genre and 18 chapters presented chronologically, each exploring one American road trip in depth through a portfolio of images and informative texts. This volume highlights some of the most important bodies of work made on the road, from The Americans to the present day.
For about $43, you can get that roadtrip feeling from your couch The Open Road

You know Chuck Close as one of the best portrait artists living today. This collection of his work as a photographer, claiming to be the first comprehensive look at his decades with photography, will cross over on your gift list for those who love modern art AND strictly photography. A great introduction to his body of work, and only about $45.Chuck Close: Photographer

Chuck Close: A Couple of Ways of Doing Something
While we’re here in the Chuck Close vibe, treat yourself, or someone you know to this book.
Originally published as a 75 copy run with original daguerreotypes, this book is printed in rich tritone, and contain portraits of contemporary artists on one page, and poetry on the facing page.
Simply, a beautifully produced photography book. Only $41.

When color photography was in it’s infancy, Robert Capa was given some of the first emulsions to experiment with. As one of the 4 founders of Magnum Photo Agency, and a world renown photojournalist, he was able to put a hint of different reality, to contrast the primarily B&W reportage style. Withe advent of the color push of Life magazine, he felt the need to explore.

At an exhibit earlier this year at ICP, this collection will give a unique perspective in the history of photography. Many of the images have not been widely seen.
$41 for Capa in Color4 Capa in Color

I always want to recco books that warrant more than one viewing. Duane Michals has just come out with 2 new books, and if you are not familiar with him, it’s time.
ABCDuane: A Duane Michals Primer is a sweet introduction to this storytelling photographer. His early work was famous for the handwritten captions and the internal dialogue, as he eschewed the fine art photo formats of the time.
I have already gone back to this book multiple times, as I work my way through the alphabet, and a ready for another round.
There is an almost light touch to his work, while delving deep into a common psyche.
$30 will get you this unique artists scrapbook style themed look at the influences in his life and the photos that have resulted.ABCDuane: A Duane Michals Primer

Maurizio Cattelan is one of the coolest image makers today. He has teamed up with Pierpaolo Ferrari to create a random publication called Toilet Paper: Issue 9, and it publishes on no particular time frame, containing no text, only full spreads of color photographs that appropriate the slick production values of commercial photography to deliver dreamlike (or nightmarish) images.
Admittedly not for everyone, some images are NSFW, still it’s a magazine with no words. Only images.
There was a collection put out in 2012, but you can have a look for about $12.
This is one give for your more forward thinking friends.

OK, this is one book that should be in everybodys library.

I can tell you that this book, made my 8 year old self want to be a photographer.
The human condition is illustrated by over 250 photographers, and to this day, is the most well attended photographic exhibition in history.

Hailed as the most successful exhibition of photography ever assembled, “The Family of Man” opened at The Museum of Modern Art in January 1955. This book, the permanent embodiment of Steichen’s monumental exhibition, reproduces all of the 503 images that Steichen described as “a mirror of the essential oneness of mankind throughout the world. Photographs made in all parts of the world, of the gamut of life from birth to death.” This is a classic and inspiring work, in print for more than fifty years.

“Symbolizes the universality of human emotions,” The New York Times. The book, in which all of the photographs from the exhibition are reproduced, was first produced by a magazine publisher and sold in hundreds of thousands on newsstands and in airport shops. In more recent years, the book has been published by the Museum. The present Thirtieth Anniversary Edition was prepared from original photographs with all new duotone plates in 1986.

Pick it up from MOMA for only $20

And if you want some extra special gifts, like signed books or original prints, contact our friends at ICP or Aperture and they will hook you up.
Personally, I have picked up 2 WeeGee prints from ICP, as they have the control over the original negs.

Since moving to NYC, my book shelf space has dwindled. Each book purchase is carefully considered. I hope this list helps you make some thoughtful purchase as gifts or for yourself.

Next up Photoinduced Holiday Gift Guide Part #4!