5 Outstanding Photography Books
admin | Dec 21, 2009 | Comments View Comments
In keeping with the whole year in review lists I wanted to go back over the many photography books we’ve reviewed here at Your Photo Tips. While we, as a society, are moving more and more to the digital realm of everything (music, movies, photography) I’m not heading into getting my photography books in 1′s and 0′s. Not just yet. I’m not ready to abandon my love for books in their physical form. I want to feel the texture and be able to flip through the pages at my leisure. Having them sit on a book shelf for me to grab at a moment’s notice for quick reference is still vital to my growth as a photographer.
Besides, I like my photography books in the bold and rich color that the photographer wanted them to be seen in.
I suppose if Apple or some other company comes out with a full color digital book reader I may have to revisit these thoughts, but until that time, I want my old fashioned books. There…I said it. I feel better.
We reviewed tons of books throughout the year and while I could rank all of them I just wanted to recap a few that really stood out to me. These are in no particular order and the links point to the full reviews.
5 Outstanding Photography Books
Within The Frame by David duChemin – Within The Frame is about finding and expressing your photographic vision. A rare book on the why, rather than the how, of finding, chasing, and expressing your vision from with a camera from your eye.
I know I said that these were in no particular order. I lied. This was the best book on photography I read this year. The rest are in no particular order.
The Hot Shoe Diaries by Joe McNally – The specialty or niche of this book is centered around hot shoe flashes, speedlights, or strobes if you will. It’s not all off-camera lighting and it runs the gamut from deceptively simple applications of light and exposure to very complex setups involving multiple flashes, reflectors, flash accessories, and man power.
The Art of Black and White Photography: Techniques for Creating Superb Images in a Digital Workflow by Torsten Andreas Hoffman – Over the last few years, most books on photography emphasized explaining the new breed of cameras and how to master the digital imaging workflow. In the Art of Black and White Photography, Torsten Andreas Hoffman takes a different approach as he focuses on image compositon and image capture, with an emphysis on the creative aspects of black and white photography, as well as on the digital workflow.
The Photographer’s Survival Guide by Suzanne Sease and Amanda Sossa Stone – The reading is fundamental and filled with so much information it could actually make your head spin (this is a good thing). There are real resources and examples throughout the book of where you can find tried and true vendors sure to help your career.
The Digital Photography Companion by Derrick Story – A book to help novice and hobbyist photographers get a handle on digital photography. The images presented throughout the book are beautiful and shot using various cameras using different techniques. Chapter 2 and the size of this book really make it a great reference book that should fit in any medium or larger camera bag.
All of these books cover a different area of photography and excel at hitting thier target audience.
What were your favorite photography books you read this year?
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I haven't read it yet, but it's on my “Must Buy” list is “The Moment It Clicks” by Joe McNally. Apparently, it's one of the best selling photo books of the year, and kind of turned up in the top books list of the year of non-photog books.
Visionmongers, by du Chemin, is also one of the must-reads, as far as I can tell. These two books will be xmas gifts to myself this year.
I actually got VisionMongers for my Birthday yesterday. Only had a couple minutes to flip through it but am pretty stoked to read it and review it for you guys.
Awesome, can't wait to hear what you think.
One of my friend who is photographer. I'll gift this photography book on his b'day.
Damien,
Great list. I really have to agree about the digital vs 'analog' thing when it comes to books. Like reading newspapers, I like to be able to turn a book's pages, smell that 'new ink' smell….I'm old school on this one.
Andrew
TheDiscerningPhotographer
I do not agree that “book learning” is the hard way to go, only if your mind does not learn best from what you read. Typically, I am not much of a reader in that my attention span doesn't allow for just reading text, I'm more of an auditory learner. But, I love the books I mentioned (links posted below) because they are easy to read and understand and full of photographs and illustrations.
Hello Damien,
Thanks for the list, I have been looking for a good photography book for some time.
Regards, David Pagotto
Really great list. It would be great to have and read them…
hilarious i don't know much about photography but i really likes your experience!
Great list Damien, though I can't say I have a favorite since I am no expert in this arena but next time I am at my local library I will definitely be on the look out for these books
Till then,
Jean
Nice tips for the beginners. I think that it is nice to help all those people that start working on their own art.
Its probably one baby and a yolk sac. They are good with telling if there is multiples. At your next u/s when your farther along you should be able to tell if there is 2 cause the yolk sac will be gone by the 2nd trimester. My u/s picture from 8 weeks 2 days looks like 2 heads, but it is actually the yolk sac! Good luck!
The Moment it Clicks has been highly recommended to me, and I'm getting it for myself as a New Year's present! Amazing all the words written about creating wordless imagery. There is some form of oxymoronic poetry at work here.
I guess digital photography for dummies doesn't make the cut…
Hello Damien, Let me know your throughts on VisionMongers when you are done with it. I have been told good things about it.
Although i get most of my information / inspiration online now, there's nothing like reading a physical book, but they do tend to be expensive.
Hello
Its really very interesting to know about those 5 Outstanding Photography Books.You have given good enough review about it.I am more interested in that last book.Thank you very much for this information about books.
I'll but this book.
I agree. I would much rather get information from a physical book than reading online. I spend enough time in front of a computer as it is. It's nice to be able to get away from it and still learn something.
Thanks for the book list. I must say that Your writing style is perfect for those looking for fascinating insights without getting caught up in technical detail.
We have a New York after the 9/11 disaster photo book that is incredibly touching to see the pain and sacrifice from so many survivors and rescue workers. I'd suggest it for any photography aficionado.
Thanks for book recommendations
Thank you for the list
The survival guide is a great time saver. Good resources listed.
The Digital Studio: 3D for Photographers, Illustrators and Graphic Designers provides creative professionals with ideas for how incorporating 3D, specifically Maya, into their toolkit can help them to achieve stunning, original and affordable illustrations. With a concentration on the introduction of 3D into photography and illustration, this book will provide tutorial projects presented in an easy-to-follow step-by-step manner.
Great list for photography books. Thank you very much for this information
I want to feel the texture and be able to flip through the pages at my leisure. Having them sit on a book shelf for me to grab at a moment’s notice for quick reference is still vital to my growth as a photographer.
I want to feel the texture and be able to flip through the pages at my leisure. Having them sit on a book shelf for me to grab at a moment’s notice for quick reference is still vital to my growth as a photographer.