Recommendations sought: Photography of life and style 1930-1960

[Metatron]

Hello, being that I've started properly 'immersing' myself in mid 20th century stuff, I would be grateful if you would recommend your favourite books and blogs with profound photography of the life and style of the time.

In particular I'm interested in the often overlooked subjects: Spanish Civil war volunteers, Home front during world war two and post war(both axis and allies), workers, everyday folk going about their daily business, and especially anything in colour.

Names of relevant photographers, authors etc also welcome. I've recently become familiar with Robert Capa and his images of the Spanish civil war.

Please note that I've already waded through plenty of stuff on the forum, so apologies if there is a near identical thread, I didn't miss it for lack of trying.

 

[Chasseur]

Beyond some of the main internet sources: Shorpy and Life, etc. I normally look for books with photos from France from about 1930 to 1950s.

Brassai's work is great for the 1930s and 40s, Doiseau as well for the 1940s and 50s, and there are several excellent French books with photos like Paris annees 1950 http://www.amazon.com/Paris-années-...=1342843188&sr=8-1&keywords=paris+annees+1950

 

[scotrace]

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?9795-The-Spanish-Civil-War&highlight=Spanish

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...about-the-Spanish-Civil-War&highlight=Spanish

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...vil-War-photo-archive-found&highlight=Spanish

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...ay-Women-of-the-Golden-Era&highlight=Everyday

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...y-pictures-from-30s-to-50s&highlight=Everyday

 

[Metatron]

Thank you! Just the sort of thing I was looking for.

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

Not about the spanish civil war but homefront and second world war I recomemnd Lee Miller. A beautiful woman, model for Edward Steichen, Man Ray and Hoyningen Huene in the 30s and war reporter in the 40s.

Here she is having a bath in hitlers home after the victory

One of her photographs of the british homefront

She really was an extraordinary woman. I adore her.

Last picture is by Hoyningen Huene in the 30s.

 

[Two Types]

"Picture Post" Album: A 50th Anniversary Collection by Robert Kee.

It has page after page of fashion, including those from all levels of societty and all age groups. Manily British, but there is some European.

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

Also try to get this book:

Least Wanted- A collection of mugshots. Poeple from all classes ...some of them might even be innocent. Quite the opposite of hollywood glam.

Mike Disfarmer- rural portraits of farmers and other people from his hometown. the studio is minimalistic but the portraits look very intense

The book "FSA: The American Vision" about the farm security administration with photographs of Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange, Arthur Rothstein, Jack Delano and Gordon Parks. But you could look of for book from each of them and find similar topics

 

[DamianM]

Lee Miller is a Favorite And Walker Evans.

 

[Metatron]

Thanks again for the recommendations.
I just ordered the Picture Post album and a book about the Wehrmacht magazine Signal. Both can be had for peanuts from amazon. I'll move onto your other recommendations soon, starting with Brassai. Love that French working class look since I saw the movie Le Jour Se Lève.