Books – In Photos dot Org

MOSTLY FALSE REPORTS

A few days ago, I received my copy of MOSTLY FALSE REPORTS. It’s a book I funded through Kickstarter by Stephen Leslie.

It’s a book of street photography, but if that genre doesn’t interest you, you’ll probably still be interested in this book. Stephen has included a story alongside each photo. They’re inspired by the accompanying photo, and some are hilarious. I love the ones about the hedge animals. You’ll find a few more of his photos on this page. Stephen is on Instagram too.

The question prompted by the photo above is one I think about a lot. “Do people mind you taking their photos?”

The Kickstarter campaign is over but, Stephen has a few extra copies and I can recommend buying a copy for the photographer in your life, or indulge in a copy for yourself.

While you’re here, have a look at Stephen’s website for several galleries full of photos, including a few from the book.

In Ler Devagar

Ler Devagar is a bookshop in the LX Factory in Lisbon. Books line the walls on shelves too far up to reach, and of course, most of them are in Portuguese. There are a few in English, and even a few photography books. Unfortunately, many of them concentrate on architecture, but there was a really nice book on shopfronts in Paris.

A man with a dog in a bookshop, with a woman walking up the stairs, looking at the books as she goes.

A dog in a bookshop! Try that in Ireland and the staff will chase you out of the shop. It was lovely to see dogs allowed in shops and some restaurants.

Two people looking at their phones in a bookshop. Shelves of books line the wall.

When in a bookshop, look at your phone. Oh, here’s a fire extinguisher too!

Aperture	ƒ/2.2
Camera	Galaxy S23 Ultra
Focal length	2.2mm
ISO	800
Shutter speed	1/25s

All you need is love, JFK

A shop front: a table with a sign that says "All you need is love", a statue of an ange, a cherub statue and the book, "The Kennedys Portrait of a family" by Richard Avedon.

Late last year I visited Youghal on a Sunday. Most of the shops were closed, including this one but the display in front caught my eye.

JFK is still highly regarded by many people who don’t know how unfaithful he was to his wife, and maybe they do know and ignore that part of him. I thought the juxtaposition of a sign saying “All you need is love” right next to a photo of a famous philanderer and his wife was delicious.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	ILCE-7M3
Focal length	24mm
ISO	4000
Shutter speed	1/500s

RIP Kirstie Alley

Close up of Kistie Alley looking up at another person.

Kirstie Alley waiting to sign books at Borders in Chicago, surrounded by staff and security

I saw this morning that Kirstie Alley passed away last night at the age of 71. She was great in Cheers, but I barely remember Veronica’s Closet and I’m not familiar with her roles in other shows.

In 2005, my wife and I were in Chicago, and we happened to go into a Borders bookshop there. Kirstie Alley was signing copies of her book upstairs, and a pretty good crowd had gathered. I declined to buy the book but got a few photos of what happened, even though I think staff were unsure of why I was there.

This was 2005, 2 years before the iPhone, and the only other person recording the event was somebody with a big camcorder. No selfies with the celebrity, either!

Aperture	ƒ/5.6
Camera	Canon EOS 20D
Focal length	300mm
ISO	1600
Shutter speed	1/100s

Books in Bristol

A book stall in Bristol, by the river. Some good stuff here!

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	Canon EOS 6D
Focal length	17mm
ISO	125
Shutter speed	1/250s

Kathleen Watkins Signing Books

Kathleen Watkins signing her book Pigín of Howth in Waterstones, Cork. November 2016.

Aperture	ƒ/3.5
Camera	Canon EOS 6D
Focal length	28mm
ISO	6400
Shutter speed	1/320s

Fire and Fury

Waterstones, Patrick Street, Cork.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	Canon EOS 6D
Focal length	28mm
ISO	12800
Shutter speed	1/160s

The Us Book Launch Party

How did you celebrate your 30th birthday? I still am! I’ve hit the ripe ol’ age of 30 years and it’s come in the best year of my life. The last few days have been very exciting and ending my 20’s by going to the Us book launch party was the perfect end of one decade and the start of another even better one. The party doesn’t end yet, roll on the weekend!

Ray and Jenny

It was long speculated that Ray and Jenny were an item, and people wondered, “why aren’t they together?” Last summer they announced that yes, there is a romantic link and it was plain to see last night!

Dave and Deirdre

Dave and Deirdre were another couple invited to the party because they contributed in a big way to the book – Dave came up with the name!
There’s a camera phone picture of Dave in the front of US, taken by Deirdre, but here they are in a slightly clearer picture! We had a greattime chatting to the two of them and I signed their copy of US. I wonderif that’ll be worth something in the future?
There is some noise in the photo because light was terrible and I shot at 3200 ISO. I should have used the flash but them’s is the way!

Donncha and Dermot

Dermot Heaslip is the chief designer behind the book. It was his idea that “US” be called “US” because, well, the book is about us isn’t it?

He was responsible for designing the book, and laying out the photos. When you look through it, it’s obvious that a lot of thought has gone into the organisation. It can be as simple as displaying baby photos on a double-page spread or the complexity of surrounding clothes and shoes with pictures of people and activity.
He did a great job!

Jacinta and Ray

My fiancée, Jacinta, has been a huge fan of Ray D’Arcy’s for years and if it’s possible, she was more excited about going to the book launch than I was!
Sometimes it’s not a good idea to meet your heroes or people you admire because they’ll only disappoint you. Ray’s easy-going and confident manner from his radio programme comes across as soon as you meet him and we were not disappointed!
Nice guy and a gentleman.

Ray thanking people

Ray thanked several people, although he forgot to thank Pat Balfe which he rectifed the day after on the radio! I was flabbergasted when he mentioned me, i’m sure I went red, but I know I had a big smile on my face!
I had a great chat with Pat, but unfortunately didn’t get a decent photo of him.

Quenten Fottrell, Jacinta and Donncha

I had the pleasure to meet the not so world weary Quenten Fottrell! I didn’t recognise him at first but he introducted himself and we spoke at length and I even signed his copy of US for his niece!
He’s an interesting character, has a lot to say, and a good listener, although I think he was collecting material for a future article.. I’ll keep you posted on that.

Ray signing US

Ray spent a large part of the evening signing books!
I still don’t know why I didn’t buy a copy and ask people to sign it. Oh well!

Jenny, Jacinta and Mairead

Jenny and Mairead are part of the team that make up the Ray D’Arcy show.
I didn’t see Will anywhere! Sorry Will, Jenny and Mairead are much easier on the eye but I would have got a snap if I had seen you!
They were as friendly as Ray, and quickly posed with Jacinta as we were the last out the door!

Get your camera books here!

Ted Leung offers advice on what camera books to buy. I’ve read two of them, both books by Bryan Peterson:

I have to echo Ted’s sentiments. “Understanding Exposure” was an eye opener for me, but “Learning to see Creatively” taught me that lying down on the job can get some interesting shots! He recommends a few other books too which I may look into.

What photography books do you recommend?