Photography books

If those three three simple words don’t get you excited, then there’s no amount of convincing that will otherwise. Some things in life simply sell themselves, and for most people that something is adorable animals, especially if they’re in cars. Photographer Lara Jo Regan has a knack for these cutesy coffee table books starring adorable pups, but Dogs in Cars uses her schtick in a way that’s clever and delightful.

Reuel Golden’s New York: Portrait Of A City takes readers on an epic journey through the Big Apple’s past and present. From photographs to portraits to jaw-dropping aerial shots, all fluctuating eras of the city are given equal representation. Readers can get a bird’s eye view of the glittering, glitzy Jazz Age, the dark days of the Great Depression, and the heartbreaking tragedy of 9/11 and its grim aftermath. The first chapter goes in-depth on New York’s emergence as America’s hottest metropolis, while the next few chapters examine the ‘20s, the Great Depression, and so on until readers get to the modern era. Then the tone shifts as readers learn more about New York from the 1960s until today.

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It seems hard to believe looking at New York City and the surrounding boroughs that there was once way more farmland than there were skyscrapers. However, in Old Queens, New York In Early Photographs, authors Vincent F. Seyfried and William Asadorian combined their massive collection of rare photographs of early Queens to show just how visually striking the difference really is.

Old Queens also includes an introduction that regales readers about the history and neighborhoods of the borough. Each of the 27 neighborhoods is highlighted so that readers can gain a new appreciation for the beginnings of the area. Meanwhile, the photos show the rural history of the borough and include photos of pre-1939 World’s Fair Flushing Meadow, a panoramic photograph of the new IRT Flushing line, and the different rural roads that used to dot Queens neighborhoods. Click through the gallery above and travel back to a different time.

Whether you’ve studied ballet or simply just enjoy watching talented dancers strut their stuff onstage, there’s no denying that the dancers who are part of the New York City ballet are the crème de la crème of the dance world. However, unless you’re a professional ballerina yourself, it’s difficult for the general public to imagine just how much time and effort a show takes to produce.

Not anymore, thanks to ballet dancer Kyle Froman who diligently takes us through the life of the corps de ballet in his photography book In The Wings: Behind The Scenes At The New York City Ballet. Presented in a diary format that preserves both the descriptions of what’s going on and the beauty of the photographs, Froman’s book gives a behind-the-scenes look at the endless rehearsals, warm ups, and physical therapy that make up the world of a professional dancer. Although he allows readers to get a view of what’s going on backstage, the book is really more of a glimpse into the physically demanding world of the corps de ballet. Whether it’s vividly capturing the frenetic energy that rises just before a show or the anguish of nursing an injury, the book forces us to redefine our misconceptions about being a professional dancer.

In the digital age, it’s hard to imagine what our ancestors did without having Facebook or Twitter as a news source, and while journalism on the whole is changing, historian Michael Carlebach allows his readers to travel back in time to a simpler era.

Bain’s New York: The City in News Pictures 1900-1925 (New York City) is a collection of 83 of the most compelling pictures from the Bain News Service that offers startling new insight into the lives of early twentieth century New Yorkers. Although some of the pictures show glimpses of a lifestyle that seems foreign to our digital-obsessed selves, some things never change—especially our passion for celebrity portraits.

Whether it’s breaking news stories surrounding politics to our unchanging devotion for celebrity news and gossip, each photograph still retains its urgency as a headline, and it’s a wonderful way to learn more about journalism in that time period. From mundane events to the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire that occurred in 1911, Carlebach painstakingly describes each photographic and historic event down to the detail. To see some of these retro photos of old New York, browse the gallery above.

Whether you’ve been taking ballet since you were a child, enjoy shimmying your heart out in belly dance classes, or simply enjoy Dancing with the Stars, the stunning photographs of dancers in mid-motion will delight all who decide to pick up this book!

Photographer Jordan Matter originally got the idea for Dancers Among Us when he asked if one of the members of the Paul Taylor Dance Company could do a little routine for him in a place that was unexpected. After seeing how stunning the photograph of the dancer in the suit and tie spinning around in a Times Square subway platform was, Matter found his inspiration. The photography book was created in an attempt to express how dancers are fully alive when they’re dancing and only conscious of the present moment at hand.

Each of the photographs are organized around such themes like dreamers, exploration, working, relaxing, and of course, love. Thanks to the talented dancers each picture celebrates life. Plus, there’s absolutely no “extras” to these pictures either. Matter ditched the PhotoShop and took away tools such as trampolines—what you see is what you get, which is a fresh look at the universal love for dance and movement.

So, blast your favorite song, get a little sway in your hips, and click through to see a sample of amazing dancers strutting their stuff in the most random places!

Murals Of New York City: The Best Of New York’s Public Paintings From Bemelmans to Parrish is a colorful stroll throughout the crème de la crème of the Big Apple’s artistic underground and features stunning photographs taken by Joshua McHugh. More than 30 of the most influential and important murals are featured in this weighty tome and they can be seen in places that range from hotels to libraries.

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