Photo No-Nos: Meditations on What Not to Photograph

Admirers of Tamara Shopsin (see above) are likely aware that Jason Fulford is her husband and collaborator, a photographer and fellow designer who shares her sideways view of things, a viewpoint in full evidence in his latest book, which gives new meaning to the term "photographic negative." Many books will tell you what photos to take, but few will consider what not to take. But this isn't a book of strict rules: he's gathered alphabetical entries from dozens of fellow artists about subjects they try not to shoot, for ethical ("People Praying") or aesthetic ("Anything at 1 P.M.") reasons, or from boredom ("Men with Snakes") or anxiety ("Faces") or disgust ("Feet"). One avoids "Asking Permission," another photos taken "Without Asking Permission." It's a loose and challenging book of personal, idiosyncratic choices that will provoke you to think about any creative choice you might be faced with.