Annuals. Photography Annual 1963. A Selection of the Worlds' Greatest Photographs by the Editors of Popular Photography Magazine.

Edited by Bruce Downes. Ziff-Davis, 1962. Featuring portfolios or other photographs by Sanford Roth; Dave Heath; Howard Sochurek; Lawrence N. Shustak; Mark Shaw; Tokutara Tanaka; Sam Haskins; Burt Glinn; Raymond Jacobs; Marvin Koner; Harvey Zucker; George Tice; Charles Harbutt; Horst Fisher; David Attie; Walter Chappell; Eliott Erwitt; Philippe Halsman; et al. Includes "What They Said About Photography," with quotes by Cuthbert Bede, Ray Metzker, Francois Gouraud, Bruce Downes, John Canaday, Lewis Mumford, James McNeill Whistler, Imogen Cunningham, Ansel Adams, Ben Shahn, Paul Valery, Margaret Bourke-White, Walker Evans, Irving Penn, Wright Morris, Charles Sheeler, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Edward Weston, L.J.M. Daguerre (first announcement, 1839), Minor White, William Henry Fox Talbot, Edgar Allan Poe, Charles Baudelaire, Mark Twain, Gertrude Stein, Berenice Abbott, Jacob Deschin, George Bernard Shaw, Henry Peach Robinson, et al. VG- with cover crease, chipping at top and bottom of spine.  Summary:

Photography Annual 1963, compiled by the editors of Popular Photography, is a landmark edition that captures a critical turning point in the history of the medium. It documents the transition from the post-war "Golden Age" of photojournalism to a more introspective, stylistically diverse era of artistic photography.

The "Golden Age" of the Magazine

This volume reflects the peak influence of the large-format picture magazines. The selection emphasizes the "Picture Story" and the power of the lens to act as a social witness during a decade of massive cultural upheaval.

Key Features and Portfolios

• The International Portfolio: A curated selection of work from global masters, showcasing a move away from static "salon" photography toward more dynamic, candid, and often gritty imagery.

• Special Feature on Color: The 1963 edition highlights the increasing technical and aesthetic sophistication of color film (specifically Kodachrome and Ektachrome), moving it beyond the commercial realm and into "serious" art.

• The New Realism: The book features early examples of what would become the "Street Photography" movement, emphasizing raw, unposed moments captured with 35mm cameras.

Technical and Editorial Rigor

Consistent with the Popular Photography brand, the annual serves as both an art book and a technical manual:

• The "Technical Data" Section: One of the most valued parts of the book, it provides a meticulous breakdown of how each "great photograph" was made—listing the camera, lens, film speed, exposure settings, and specific darkroom manipulations.

• Equipment Trends: The 1963 edition serves as a record of the industry's shift toward the Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera, which was beginning to challenge the rangefinder's dominance in professional work.

Significant Contributors

While the annual features numerous photographers, it includes work by particularly renowned Dave Heath; Sam Haskins, Burt Glinn, George Tice, Charles Harbutt, David Attie; Walter Chappell, Eliott Erwitt, and Philippe Halsman. 

Significance

The 1963 Annual is a vital historical document that captures the "Modernist" peak of photography. It stands as a testament to a time when photography was the dominant visual language of the world, providing a sophisticated look at how the camera was being used to interpret everything from the Space Race to the quiet, private moments of human existence.