I know there's a collage art thread here, but I don't see one for sources.
I'm interested in finding more sources, not just online, but books that would be good to cut up/xerox/etc.
I'm personally into collaging from faces, so I'd love to find a book of just old photographs of wrinkled peoples' faces.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
(https://media.istockphoto.com/photos/wrinkled-old-man-faces-the-world-in-black-and-white-picture-id627918446)
I have recently been collecting a lot of collage materials from newspapers. They are full of interesting pictures (often great action shots or dramatic overviews) of a wide range of subject matter. They would be especially good for finding pictures of faces as well, which, if you are intending to make work that expresses social or political commentary, regularly include images of world leaders and criminals.
I have mostly been cutting out a variety of pictures of the Hong Kong protests. The dynamic of police versus protesters is an idea that I find really interesting, and many of the pictures that are coming out bristle with the energy of the situation.
Nothing too specific, but there's a chain called Half Price Books that deals in used texts. Some locations sell magazine bundles for big discounts since they try to get rid of that stuff. Chains aside, a lot of second-hand bookstores tend to have basement collections that may have some surprises. I've come across a couple that have had boxes of LIFE Magazine issues which tend to have a lot of various pictures and are physically large compared to other periodicals.
If you're looking for old peoples' faces specifically, then you might have some luck at antique stores. Most of them usually have photo or picture collections left over from estates and the like.
I've definitely plumbed these territories, although I've never found a store that would give me a stack of LIFE magazines for cheap, that's for sure!
That said, I am not a big book store person. I might see about the local places that aren't chains.
Antique stores are good for small portraits, maybe, but I've had to spend a bit too much on good sized antique ghostly portraits on Ebay.
Plenty of Oxfam charity bookshops across the UK. There's a Christian charity bookshop in a town near me that had some weird / older religious books
I used to be very into National Geographic but am currently focusing on full color books I scavenge from used book stores/magazines. Those are proving to have the best for me.
Another idea is to go and look through local libraries near to where you live. The ones in my area have small bookstores inside of them that sell used books and magazines at extremely low prices. I know that I have found lots of great books in them.
Check out the used record stores around. They might have some stacks of old concert flyers that they'd be willing to give away for free. Or even get some ancient records with large photos on the covers, cut the covers up, and use the records for noise.
Quote from: Balor/SS1535 on October 18, 2019, 12:49:09 AM
Another idea is to go and look through local libraries near to where you live. The ones in my area have small bookstores inside of them that sell used books and magazines at extremely low prices. I know that I have found lots of great books in them.
That is a great idea! I was actually at the library for a completely different reason yesterday, and was just too tired to go further by the time my little project was done.
For this thread, I wonder if anyone can actually just recommend specific books, that would be good. I know I had a few books on WWII that were great, and I made use of almost every page. It was a generic title and I don't really remember specifics, no longer in my possession, but in general, I'm fascinated with the collage artist's ability to be a packrat/clutterbug and find all of this crazy source material in physical format. I have had my share of luck, but I have no room in my apartment for shelves of books that I might cut up one day. My books are already piled up everywhere, and they only have (mostly) text in them!
Can anyone recommend picture/photo books prior to 1960 that I might be able to find online for cheap?
Why would you want to use something that someone else already has though?
I'm just looking for books. If there were a book of vintage, full size face portraits, I'd buy it and use it in a way that would probably stand apart from what other people would do with it. But in general, I'm always up for discussing possible source material. For instance, how the fuck all of these people get cheap porn mags!? Obviously, they are not in America.
Quote from: NO PART OF IT on October 19, 2019, 06:51:20 PM
I'm just looking for books. If there were a book of vintage, full size face portraits, I'd buy it and use it in a way that would probably stand apart from what other people would do with it. But in general, I'm always up for discussing possible source material. For instance, how the fuck all of these people get cheap porn mags!? Obviously, they are not in America.
Fair enough. Just keep checking thrift stores and such constantly. There is always stuff coming and going. Try science text books for some portraits, there are usually a bunch in them. Also, people tend to give up old school yearbooks where I'm at it seems. Probably not as many in Chicago. Which, actually, might not be the best place to look. Mom and pop suburban thrift stores are always better than in the/a city.
As far as porn mags, porn stores often sell back issues in bulk for cheap and ebay is super cheap.
Thanks! I spent a few hours copying photography books at the library the other day. I have no had luck at thrift stores. I know a few people who make a living re-selling books that they found in thrift stores, but that just isn't me. I had two friends who worked at porn stores, but those places didn't have back issues. I might call around first.
Another place to look is recycling yards. A family friend used to go and bring huge boxes of books on pretty much whatever subject matter you would be interested in - photo books of WW2, Soviet propaganda literature, birding guides, etc. Plus, they are usually pretty beat up, so you never feel that bad about cutting them up. I think that they just get sets of books from people who do not want them any more, so they can't cost that much (if anything)!
Quote from: Balor/SS1535 on October 21, 2019, 05:08:07 PM
Another place to look is recycling yards. A family friend used to go and bring huge boxes of books on pretty much whatever subject matter you would be interested in - photo books of WW2, Soviet propaganda literature, birding guides, etc. Plus, they are usually pretty beat up, so you never feel that bad about cutting them up. I think that they just get sets of books from people who do not want them any more, so they can't cost that much (if anything)!
Yes, good call.
There is a scrappage / reclaim yard near us that often has house clearance stuff for sale. I have found record collections, tape players, an old casio keyboard, and indeed plenty of books. A goldmine.
"recommend me specific books of pictures of old people that i can find in the garbage." what the fuck
Quote from: Balor/SS1535 on October 21, 2019, 05:08:07 PM
Another place to look is recycling yards. A family friend used to go and bring huge boxes of books on pretty much whatever subject matter you would be interested in - photo books of WW2, Soviet propaganda literature, birding guides, etc. Plus, they are usually pretty beat up, so you never feel that bad about cutting them up. I think that they just get sets of books from people who do not want them any more, so they can't cost that much (if anything)!
I have never thought of that!
Quote from: NO PART OF IT on October 22, 2019, 11:48:46 AM
Quote from: Balor/SS1535 on October 21, 2019, 05:08:07 PM
Another place to look is recycling yards. A family friend used to go and bring huge boxes of books on pretty much whatever subject matter you would be interested in - photo books of WW2, Soviet propaganda literature, birding guides, etc. Plus, they are usually pretty beat up, so you never feel that bad about cutting them up. I think that they just get sets of books from people who do not want them any more, so they can't cost that much (if anything)!
I have never thought of that!
The recycling yard has been the source of some of the weirdest/most interesting books that I own. It is not everyday that you come across American anti-communist textbooks!
Quote from: Balor/SS1535 on October 24, 2019, 09:35:18 PM
Quote from: NO PART OF IT on October 22, 2019, 11:48:46 AM
Quote from: Balor/SS1535 on October 21, 2019, 05:08:07 PM
Another place to look is recycling yards. A family friend used to go and bring huge boxes of books on pretty much whatever subject matter you would be interested in - photo books of WW2, Soviet propaganda literature, birding guides, etc. Plus, they are usually pretty beat up, so you never feel that bad about cutting them up. I think that they just get sets of books from people who do not want them any more, so they can't cost that much (if anything)!
I have never thought of that!
The recycling yard has been the source of some of the weirdest/most interesting books that I own. It is not everyday that you come across American anti-communist textbooks!
I've never been able to find recycling yards. When you say that, I think of "scrap yards" or junk yards, and even those, I don't know where to look unless I am looking for car parts... But that's an interesting approach worth exploring. Thanks!
Quote from: NO PART OF IT on October 25, 2019, 03:25:44 PM
Quote from: Balor/SS1535 on October 24, 2019, 09:35:18 PM
Quote from: NO PART OF IT on October 22, 2019, 11:48:46 AM
Quote from: Balor/SS1535 on October 21, 2019, 05:08:07 PM
Another place to look is recycling yards. A family friend used to go and bring huge boxes of books on pretty much whatever subject matter you would be interested in - photo books of WW2, Soviet propaganda literature, birding guides, etc. Plus, they are usually pretty beat up, so you never feel that bad about cutting them up. I think that they just get sets of books from people who do not want them any more, so they can't cost that much (if anything)!
I have never thought of that!
The recycling yard has been the source of some of the weirdest/most interesting books that I own. It is not everyday that you come across American anti-communist textbooks!
I've never been able to find recycling yards. When you say that, I think of "scrap yards" or junk yards, and even those, I don't know where to look unless I am looking for car parts... But that's an interesting approach worth exploring. Thanks!
Trash is pretty cool to mess around with also. I have made some interesting collages that incorporated discarded plastic wrap and a piece of a broken wooden pallet.
Quote from: NO PART OF IT on October 15, 2019, 10:45:21 PM
I'm personally into collaging from faces, so I'd love to find a book of just old photographs of wrinkled peoples' faces.
not only old people, but Ken Ohara's "ONE" is a phone-directory sized.... wait, that analogy doesn't work any more... but anyway a huge book of nothing but full-page extreme closeups of random New Yorker's faces in the 60's. - https://amzn.to/2PZTMSD
i got my copy for £1 in a remaindered bookshop years back :D a friend got one too and wallpapered their practice room with it. looks like it's still possible to find a copy at collageable prices.
Quote from: l.b. on October 21, 2019, 06:21:59 PM
"recommend me specific books of pictures of old people that i can find in the garbage." what the fuck
:D well, it beats vaporwave / dungeon synth kids constantly asking 'WHAT SPECIFIC SECOND HAND TAPE PLAYER SHOULD I BUY?'... uh whichever of the 3 tape players you can even randomly find in your town
QuoteTrash
Some of my best collages have been made using the unintentional offcuts from the 'good' collages i was trying to make :D
Quote from: NO PART OF IT on October 25, 2019, 03:25:44 PM
Quote from: Balor/SS1535 on October 24, 2019, 09:35:18 PM
Quote from: NO PART OF IT on October 22, 2019, 11:48:46 AM
Quote from: Balor/SS1535 on October 21, 2019, 05:08:07 PM
Another place to look is recycling yards. A family friend used to go and bring huge boxes of books on pretty much whatever subject matter you would be interested in - photo books of WW2, Soviet propaganda literature, birding guides, etc. Plus, they are usually pretty beat up, so you never feel that bad about cutting them up. I think that they just get sets of books from people who do not want them any more, so they can't cost that much (if anything)!
I have never thought of that!
The recycling yard has been the source of some of the weirdest/most interesting books that I own. It is not everyday that you come across American anti-communist textbooks!
I've never been able to find recycling yards. When you say that, I think of "scrap yards" or junk yards, and even those, I don't know where to look unless I am looking for car parts... But that's an interesting approach worth exploring. Thanks!
They are also great places to snap photos. You often get weird / broken things sat next to each other that you wouldn't normally find.
Quote from: Cementimental on November 05, 2019, 06:11:07 PM
Quote from: NO PART OF IT on October 15, 2019, 10:45:21 PM
I'm personally into collaging from faces, so I'd love to find a book of just old photographs of wrinkled peoples' faces.
not only old people, but Ken Ohara's "ONE" is a phone-directory sized.... wait, that analogy doesn't work any more... but anyway a huge book of nothing but full-page extreme closeups of random New Yorker's faces in the 60's. - https://amzn.to/2PZTMSD
i got my copy for £1 in a remaindered bookshop years back :D a friend got one too and wallpapered their practice room with it. looks like it's still possible to find a copy at collageable prices.
Quote from: l.b. on October 21, 2019, 06:21:59 PM
"recommend me specific books of pictures of old people that i can find in the garbage." what the fuck
:D well, it beats vaporwave / dungeon synth kids constantly asking 'WHAT SPECIFIC SECOND HAND TAPE PLAYER SHOULD I BUY?'... uh whichever of the 3 tape players you can even randomly find in your town
QuoteTrash
Some of my best collages have been made using the unintentional offcuts from the 'good' collages i was trying to make :D
Bought it for $8.25 ppd! Thanks!
I have also found some good shots in the library from books about the history of photography... I need to find a junk yard still!
By the way, I meant for this thread to be about finding source material in general, not just faces, if that's not obvious already. I appreciate the input from the people who are quick enough to contribute something other than an unoriginal man-grunt.
I realized today that ads for dental surgery can provide some great images of rotting teeth. They are all clear, evocative pictures that I am sure will go to good use. I will have to look more closely at the advertisements that I come across.
I don't think I've ever seen an ad for dental surgery that ever had anything beyond someone with a generic pearly white smile...
Quote from: NO PART OF IT on November 21, 2019, 11:57:04 AM
I don't think I've ever seen an ad for dental surgery that ever had anything beyond someone with a generic pearly white smile...
The ad had that too, but only in the context of a before and after comparison. I guess they are trying to scare people into using their services!
In all seriousness, though, the pictures were really good, and will definitely prove useful in some form. I need to spend some time looking more closely at other advertisements as well.
In the USA, those scare tactics are no longer appropriate! I don't think I've seen before/after photos of any kind since the 90s? At least not in magazines.
Science Journals would be a good source - specifically dentistry journals!
Quote from: Soloman Tump on November 22, 2019, 04:43:58 PM
Science Journals would be a good source - specifically dentistry journals!
Great idea, will have to look into those. I imagine any journal discussing disease would be a great source.
Quote from: NO PART OF IT on November 22, 2019, 02:48:36 PM
In the USA, those scare tactics are no longer appropriate! I don't think I've seen before/after photos of any kind since the 90s? At least not in magazines.
I found them in an ad in my local newspaper (in the US)!
Here in the UK at least, cigarette packets are pretty much readmade goregrind album covers
Quote from: Cementimental on December 03, 2019, 07:29:50 PM
Here in the UK at least, cigarette packets are pretty much readmade goregrind album covers
Genius! Too bad the same is not the case in the US.
Hey guys, don't know if this is the right topic for it but I've been working on some collage work being on downtime during the crisis and enjoying it but I have trouble finding an adhesive that is to my liking. Regular glue sticks and creative glue is terrible to work with for layering and thin newspapers, and I'm using double sided tape now wich works great, but is more costly than it should. What do you use, or are there other kinds of adhesives that are good for layering newspaper articles?
Spray on adhesive works well. Stinks but works!
Maybe dilute some white glue with some water and paste together the collage like paper mache?
3m 90 spray glue cannot be beat. works for collage or handmade packaging!
Quote from: Eigen Bast on May 06, 2020, 12:50:16 AM
Spray on adhesive works well. Stinks but works!
Tried it today. Seems to works pretty great for larger (cut-out) pieces. Fast, quick and no sticky mess. Thanks!