Bookshelf: Fascinating photographer Stuart Griffiths shares his influences via his Bookshelf

We featured photographer Stuart on the site a few weeks back when he brought out Pig’s Disco, a book of photographs depicting British army soldiers going to raves in the late 1980s. His work often covers the gritty subjects that are more often than not swept under the heavy carpet of time, which is all the more interesting when you see his top five selection. Expect Diane Arbus, Hunter S Thompson and Henri Cartier Bresson in this fascinating collection of documentary-photography publications – a must-read for any budding photographer.

Dianne Arbus: Revelations

Diane Arbus is my greatest influence in photography and this book has everything you need to know about this great female artist who tragically took her own life. Along with her most well known photographs, there is much information never seen before and plenty of words to keep you going. I would recommend this book to anyone who takes photography seriously.

Will Bingley & Anthony Hope-Smith: GONZO: A Graphic Biography of Hunter S. Thompson

Hunter S. Thompson complained many times when he was alive about being typecast as a cartoon character, but if he saw this book, I think he would have been pleased. GONZO is a great illustrated biography of the legend that is HST. It deals with Thompson the journalist, the highs and lows of being such an influential writer and the tragedy that surrounded him.

Henri Cartier Bresson: The Mind’s Eye

This book is handy to put in your camera bag and take with you when travelling with your camera. Reading the philosophy of HCB improves the way you see things every time you open this book. Here you will get the true meaning of what is a “decisive moment.”

Philip Jones Griffiths: Vietnam Inc.

This is the most important photographic book on war ever made. Griffiths is an amazing photographer and writer and how he combines image with text is greatly influential on any photographer interested in covering conflict. This is goes beyond being “embedded” and is a deeply personal account on how a huge corporate super-power tried to destroy farm people with machines, technology and nerve agents and then ultimately failed.

Gareth McConnell: Gareth McConnell

As the title suggests, this book is about the photography of Gareth McConnell. His powerful portraits of drug addicts, Ibiza ravers and treatment centres are both passionate and thought provoking. He is a true master in his field and a photographer to really take note of.