Photography books. Another recommendation please.

[Bisquitlips]

With a new camera on the horizon I would like to invest in a good book on photography.

I am researching them now on Amazon and using their reviews, but would like to hear what some of the photographers have to say here.

[esm]

Richard, can't really help you with the book, but I know there is a Canon didicated magazine in the UK, so that was handy for me (I have a canon DSLR). It has different features every months on things like outdoor photography, wedding shoot etc. as well as product review.
I have also signed up a couple of online photography tutorial site. I usually get an email once a week with units and tips on various subjects.

Hope this helps.

[Evan614]

Nikon use to have online lessons on using their camera. Not sure if it still exists. Some photography forums similar to creative cow have free online lessons/ tips & tricks.

[TheDude]

It depends what you want to learn and what you already know.


Do you know the basics of operating a camera and taking a picture? Are you familiar with composition and basic shooting methods?

Are you familiar with using Photoshop, RAW converters, etc...? Digital imaging workflow, printing, etc...?

[Gladius]

http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-.../dp/0817439390

Probably the best written photography book published.

[Thurnau]

This book helped me be a better photographer.
http://www.google.com/products/catal...CAgQ8wIwADgA#p
It is basically about light. If you have problems lighting your subject it will get you up to speed on the basics. Highly recomended on DPreview.com forums.

[TheDude]

Again, I'd say we need to drill down.

What are basics these days?

Basics of artistic vision and composition?

Basics of photographic concepts?

Basics of camera operation?

Basics of digital photo processing?


You could easily buy books dedicated to each subject and still not be where you want to be.

I have an entire book on exposure. An entire book dedicated to working in a specific colorspace. An entire book dedicated to retouching skin.

I could go on.

[Gladius]

With him saying he has a new camera on the horizon and he's looking for a good book on photography, I'm assuming he's a novice looking for a place to start. I could be wrong of course.

But assuming my assumption is correct, it's probably best to learn the basics behind exposure, camera operation, various settings and how they impact your images, flash, ect., hence my recommendation. I don't think a novice needs a book about color space or editing skin when they don't even understand the basics of photography such as aperture, shutter speed, exposure compensation, white balance, etc.

[TheDude]

It should have been obvious that I wasn't suggesting advanced books.

The first part of my post was dedicated to pointing out that there are several very distinct "basic" areas of study.

These areas all represent ground that a learner needs to cover.

[Letsgodiving]

Originally Posted by Gladius

http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-.../dp/0817439390

Probably the best written photography book published.

That is by far the most recommended book on a photography forum I frequent although I haven't read it myself.

[calvinlgoh]

Some good reading while you shop for a book :)

http://photoinf.com/