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About: Photo and illustrated books

The emergence of image-/photobooks is closely linked to the development of printing techniques and photography. Until around 200 years ago, photographic prints were produced and sold individually and were therefore accessible to the wealthy. From the middle of the last century, color printing became more and more widespread, illustrated books became cheaper and thus became increasingly popular.

What makes an illustrated book?
Illustrated books mainly contain photographs and illustrations. They usually have a hard cover, are printed on high-quality paper, and are large-format. An illustrated book is always a special gift. Frequent topics are art and culture, individual countries or regions, means of transportation such as trains or cars, or even catalogs and special events such as the Olympic Games.

Some key points about the images in early photography books include:

• Anna Atkins' "Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions" (1843-1853) is considered one of the first photography books. It contained cyanotype impressions of actual algae specimens pressed onto light-sensitive paper.
• William Henry Fox Talbot's "The Pencil of Nature" (1844-1846) was another very early photography book. It contained calotype photographs, which used the negative/positive process Talbot had invented.
• Julia Margaret Cameron created photographic illustrations for an 1874 edition of Tennyson's "Idylls of the King", though these were reproduced as wood engravings rather than actual photographs. She later published a version with original albumen print photographs.
• Early photo books often contained tipped-in photographic prints rather than images printed directly on the pages. This made them fragile and vulnerable to damage.
• The images were often scientific, documentary, or artistic in nature. Atkins' book was meant to assist in identifying marine specimens, while Cameron's work illustrated literature.
• Due to technical limitations, early photography books tended to have relatively few images and small print runs. The technology for mass-producing books with photographic images developed gradually over time.

So in summary, the earliest photography books contained a limited number of carefully produced photographic prints on scientific, documentary, or artistic subjects, often tipped into the books by hand rather than mass-printed.

1. Aperture Foundation
   Founded by renowned photographers including Ansel Adams, Aperture is a premier publisher of photography books, focusing on both contemporary and historical works.
2. Phaidon Press
   Known for its high-quality art and photography books, Phaidon publishes works by leading photographers and artists, emphasizing visual storytelling and design.
3. Steidl
   This German publisher is recognized for its fine art photography books, collaborating with prominent photographers and artists to produce high-quality publications.
4. powerHouse Books
   Based in Brooklyn, powerHouse Books is known for its distinct taste in fine art photography, pop culture, and fashion books, publishing works that resonate with collectors and art enthusiasts.
5. Chronicle Books
   Chronicle is a well-regarded publisher that produces a wide range of photography books, including those focused on art, design, and lifestyle, often featuring innovative layouts and high production values.
6. Damiani
   An Italian publisher specializing in art and photography books, Damiani is known for its beautiful publications that showcase both established and emerging photographers.
7. Nazraeli Press
   This independent publisher focuses on fine art photography and is known for its limited edition books that highlight the work of contemporary photographers.
8. Thames & Hudson
   A leading publisher of art and photography books, Thames & Hudson produces high-quality publications that cover a broad spectrum of visual arts.

Famous Photography Books About Nature and Animals
The world of nature and wildlife photography has produced numerous stunning and influential books. Here are some of the most celebrated:

1. Wildlife Photography
2. The Last Great Wild Places by Thomas D. Mangelsen: A breathtaking collection showcasing Earth's most pristine environments.
3. Remembering Great Apes by Margot Raggett: A poignant tribute to our closest living relatives.
4. Shark: Portraits by Mike Coots: Stunning underwater photographs of these often-misunderstood creatures.
    

Nature and Landscape Photography

1. The New Big 5 by Graeme Green: A fresh perspective on African wildlife photography.
2. Asia's Greatest Wildlife Sanctuaries by Bjorn Olesen and Fanny Lai: A visual exploration of the continent's biodiversity.
3. Marvellous Malta, Where Wild Orchids Grow by Johan Siggeson: A celebration of the island's unique flora.

These books offer a glimpse into the incredible talent and passion of nature and wildlife photographers.