by Norman McGrath
Amphoto Books, 2009
Comments: I just finished reading the new book by Norman McGrath, Architectural Photography. McGrath is a well known and highly regarded photographer whose work as an architectural specialist spans several decades and includes images of many notable buildings. He is also the author of Photographing Buildings Inside and Out, published in 1987 with a revised edition in 1993, and considered by many to be the definitive work on this subject, particularly with regard to the pre-digital era when large-format film dominated the field.
Although the new book stands on its own as a good overview of the subject in general, it also serves as a kind of addendum to the first book by focusing more on current digital practices. While the first book provided somewhat more technical detail -- much of which is still applicable to digital practices -- the new book does not quite venture to the same technical depth. Instead, it provides a good blend of basic information about tools and techniques, along with many case study examples of McGrath's own work. Architectural Photography is richly illustrated with many high-quality color images that directly support the text and clearly demonstrate McGrath's considerable experience and talent. The images alone would be worth the price of admission, but coupled with the author's shooting notes they greatly enhance the book's instructional utility.
My only nits are minor have little to do with content and more with the book production details. There are enough typos to make it obvious the proofreading workflow was not quite what it should have been, and the book is apparently only available in a paperback edition. But these do not detract from what is a very enjoyable and informative read for anyone interested in the craft of architectural photography. I highly recommended it.
Copy Notes: Softcover
