USA. Baltimore, MD. October 31, 1964. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. being greeted on his return to the US after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. Leonard Freed USA. Baltimore, MD. October 31, 1964.

You have 4 days left to pick up some of the finest photography by the luminaries of the Magnum Photo world.

OK, not to dwell on the hyperbole, but these images are just the right size to sprinkle about your house. Gems fro the artists that you admire, for the price of $100.
And after you buy, get them framed and place them where you eyes will catch them in the special place on the wall.
The quality is spectacular, and they are either signed or estate stamped.
One of my friends has about 40 of these.
Time to spruce up your collection! Only available til Friday 6/8/2018!

The sale is now live through Friday, June 8, 2018

Signed or estate-stamped, museum quality, 6×6” prints for $100. For five days only.
The Magnum Square Print Sale takes place at the Magnum Photos Online Shop: shop.magnumphotos.com

These are a few of my faves:

Steve McCurry Rabari shepherd. Rajasthan, India. 2009.

Bar girl in a brothel in the red-light district. Havana, Cuba. 1954. © Eve Arnold/Magnum Photos

Ernesto “Che” Guevara, Argentinian politician and minister of industry for Cuba (1961-1965), during an exclusive interview in his office. Havana, Cuba. 1963 © Rene Burri / Magnum Photos

1968 was a seismic year of deep societal and political shifts – all in the name of freedom. International issues of freedom from oppression, freedom of speech, political, sexual and religious freedom all came to the fore as student protests racked cities, declarations of independence were made, and in America particularly, the civil rights movement took hold, Martin Luther King was assassinated, whilst anti-Vietnam war protests concurrently emerged.

Fifty years on, the Magnum Photos June 2018 Square Print Sale examines both the definition of freedom, and the legacy of this quest for freedom through the work of Magnum’s photographers. Inviting a wide interpretation of the theme, the project includes iconic images that have defined and documented humanity’s quest for freedom over the past 70 years, and the deeply personal images that symbolize creative freedom.

From Stuart Franklin’s photograph of Tiananmen Square in 1989, to Bruce Davidson and Leonard Freed’s images of the US civil rights movement, and Robert Capa’s photograph of the liberation of Paris in 1944, the project creates a potted history of the 20th century. These well-known works are presented alongside personal images that demonstrate photography itself is a tool of freedom – symbolizing freedom of speech and subjectivity. Photography can document the quest for and limitations of freedom, and as a medium has enabled many artists to find a voice and an identity through unhampered creative practice.

When Magnum was founded, in 1947, one of its core principles was to enable photographers to take back control over the copyright to their work while simultaneously giving them freedom over the choice of stories they wanted to cover. Ever since, Magnum photographers’ work has been imbued with a sense of freedom, both in the personal approaches to their work and in the themes and subjects they explore.

For the first Square Print Sale of 2018, Magnum’s photographers and estates have responded to the theme in images and texts, exploring their own relationship to freedom and what it means to them.

ABOUT MAGNUM
Magnum Photos was founded in Paris in 1947 as an artists’ cooperative by four pioneering photographers, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, David “Chim” Seymour, and George Rodger. The legendary photo agency continues to shape photographic practice and maintains its original values of uncompromising excellence, truth, respect and independence, representing an idiosyncratic mix of journalist, artist and storyteller. Magnum photographers share a vision to chronicle world events, people, places and culture with a powerful narrative that defies convention, shatters the status quo, redefines history and transforms lives.

It is open from Monday, June 4, 2018, at 8AM EST until Friday, June 8, 2018, at 6PM EST.

During the sale, and for five days only, over 70 archival-quality prints, signed by the photographers or estate-stamped by the estates, are available for just $100.

Magnum Square Prints are printed on 6-by-6-inch (15.24-by-15.24- cm) archival paper. They are not editioned by quantity, but editioned by time, as these items will not be made available outside the sale window. The images in each sale are always different, and will never be available in this format again.

W. Eugene Smith, Pride Street, 1955
© 2018 the heirs of W. Eugene Smith, courtesy of Etherton Gallery, Tuscon

It’s a strange time in the world of photography.
Instagram has taken over, and Facebook is already passe.
So when a venerable photo art fair like AIPAD, The Association of International Photography Art Dealers, comes to town, the question becomes will it look forward, or honor the past?

William Klein, Anne+Isabella+Mirror+Taxi, Courtesy Howard Greenberg Gallery
This weekend, April 7 & 8, Pier 94 NYC, NY http:/AIPADShow.com/Tickets
And when you are a collector, what zone should you be shopping in? Love or investment?
First and foremost, I have always believed in buying what you love. Maybe that’s why my walls are filled, and I have 40 + pieces still to frame!The overall look of this show is definitively classic. The investment aspect is intrinsic, but what photos would I part with in the collection?
Not one.
Continue Reading »

Sure, you may have hit some sales, and had the basics, well now we bring you some things that have been tried and tested for your gifting pleasure.
Apple AirPods

First thing I said when i saw these was that I didn’t even own them, and I’ve already lost them!
OK, So I bought them, and they are outstanding! There are other options, but the Apple elegance of the buds and the charging case is phenomenal.
With 5 hours of life, plus the case holds another 24 hours and they recharge fast in :15 min.
Also, the phone capability is so good, all of the folks I chat to while walking down a NY street, are amazed at the quality.
And depending on your photo group affiliation, you can get a discount at Apple. Stay away from the knock-offs. Cheaper, and there is a reason for that.
Continue Reading »

Oh, sure, we all have them, and most of us have multiples. Do you need another? Probably.
So what was new this year?Plenty.
So here are some of the faves from Peak Design, ThinkTank, SKB, Tenba, and BlackRapid (check out BR special 20% discount code below!)

Peak Design has been coming on strong with 2 great walk-around bags
Everyday Sling 10L and now the Everyday Sling 5L, a smaller version, perfect for the DJI Mavic Pro and when you just want to carry a little less. Here’s the larger size-
And the smaller, with a look inside so you can see the great design elements.

Continue Reading »

There is nothing more satisfying than sitting down with a book of great photographs. The stories, the inspiration, the common thread for all of us here.
And of course the books that help teach us what is within us to make better photographs.
I had the list all ready and then today, I was startled by a new entry:
Nothing Personal by Richard Avedon and James Baldwin

Out of print since 1964, this cult classic is being reprinted by Taschen, including a supplemental 72 pg catalog. (I’m told)
I was just at the Pace Gallery in Chelsea NYC, when I saw this showing of original prints, contact sheets, correspondence, pertaining to the book. Before I left the gallery, I bought one,pre-order. Should be shipping beginning of Dec. so you should be good. about $55.

This just in: New Avedon bio coming – Something Personal

In the pure fun category, is the Martin Parr coloring book. Yep, line drawings of his most iconic photos for you to color in. Bt wait…you also get a couple of pages of stickers of his photos. about $15.( $12 at Aperture!)

Next up, is the new Helen Levitt book, One, Two, Three, More
A smallish book, which when I first saw it, was underwhelmed by the size.
However the print quality, and the images are superior. Mostly unseen images, the title refers to how many people are in the photographs. A perfect addition to your collection.

Looking for inspiration? Know a photographer on your list who could use some assignments to kick start some visual projects?
This book by Aperture, again, is one of my favorite gifting ideas.
,
With an assignment per page, it is a fun, way to focus (sorry) your photographing non-paid gigs. With assignments from people like John Baldessari, Tina Barney, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, Jim Goldberg, Miranda July, Susan Meiselas, Stephen Shore, Alec Soth, Tim Walker, and many more. How about $18?

Of course, Lauren Greenfield’s Magnum Opus “Generation Wealth“ is a masterpiece as a culmination of insights and images from a 25 year search for answers in what drives the human spirit to strive for wealth. Told from a primarily female perspective, the urge to achieve wealth, or keep the legacy of the money,is a fascinating book, you will look at again and again.Large and in charge, this 6lb tome will run you $56. from Amazon.

A throwback to the 70’s is this collection of goodies from Mike Mandel: Good 70’s
Look at all of the things you get in the Agfa like box!
One of my favorites is the collection photographer baseball cards, complete with stats on the back. Set you back about $88, and well worth it!

and of course, the book I feel should be in everyone’s library: The Family Of Man– the most well attended photo exhibit to this day. Illustrating the human condition, 256 photographers from around the world, showed in the 1955 exhibition at MOMA.

Splurge on the hardbound 60th anniversary edition. Or you are good with the paperback as well. You will not be disappointed. I usually have at least 5 copies of this around to hand out. $35.

Yes, there more this year, but I’ll just trim the initial list to this.
More gift guides coming! Gonna get all gear-y on you as well.