A century of National Geographic's best US photography, gathered together in one beautiful volume, makes me want to go out and shoot on film again
Timed for the USA's 250th birthday, TASCHEN's new 700-image retrospective is an intoxicating read
A century of National Geographic's finest US photography has been compiled into a stunning book, reigniting my passion for film photography. The book, titled "National Geographic: The United States of America" by TASCHEN, is an exhaustive exploration of American photojournalism from 1957 to the present, showcasing over 700 images.
The collection begins with B. Anthony Stewart's 1957 cover shot of the Mayflower II sailing into New York Harbor and ventures across the nation and decades, showcasing a range of photographic techniques, from early 20th-century autochromes and black-and-white plates to the digital age.
The book provides a grand sweep of American history, culture, and geography, with images capturing everything from the early automobile production at the Ford River Rouge Plant in Michigan to the resilience of New Orleans' jazz scene after Hurricane Katrina. The photography from the 1950s to the 1970s, known as the Kodachrome years, is particularly stunning, with vibrant colors and hard-edged detail that only that film stock could deliver.
While I don't plan to rush out and purchase a vintage camera, the book has certainly reignited my desire to shoot on film once more.
Written by urgent.news from Digital Camera World's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
