PhotographyTalk’s Top 10 Recommended General Photography Books
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Digital Photography: A Basic Manual by Henry Horenstein
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The Art of Photography: An Approach to Personal Expression by Bruce Barnbaum
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Complete Digital Photography by Ben Long
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Scott Kelby’s Digital Photography Boxed Set, Volumes 1, 2, 3 and 4
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25 Lessons I’ve Learned About (Photography) Life! By Lorenzo Dominguez
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Bryan Peterson’s Understanding Photography Field Guide: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera
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Learning to See Creatively: Design, Color & Composition in Photography by Bryan Peterson
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Digital SLR Photography All-in-One For Dummies by Robert Correll
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Photography: The Whole Story
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LIFE Guide to Digital Photography: Everything You Need to Shoot Like the Pros by Joe McNally and the Editors of LIFE
Whether you’re new to digital photography, an enthusiastic hobbyist with some experience, a serious amateur or even a professional, there is always more to learn. PhotographyTalk wants to help you find the best resources to improve your skills, be inspired by the most accomplished photographers on the planet and achieve your photographic vision. That’s why we are starting this series of recommended photography books articles. The first group below contains general information to give the beginner an excellent start or the experienced photographer comprehensive references.
Henry Horenstein has an outstanding reputation as a photography teacher, having helped many aspiring photographers to grasp the fundamental concepts, and then successfully put them into practice. Digital Photography: A Basic Manual is the first book where he presents a comprehensive array of information on both film and digital photography, which will be particularly useful to photographers moving from film to the digital medium. Organized like a textbook, Digital Photography: A Basic Manual is easy to use, as it clearly guides any photographer to acquire the skills necessary to succeed.
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Originally published during 1994, The Art of Photography is a classic book based on Bruce Barnbaum’s more than 35 years of experience as one of the world’s most highly recognized landscape and architectural photographers and highly respected instructors. It is generally considered as the most comprehensive photography book; plus it is easy to read and understand. Barnbaum explains both “hands-on” techniques and the philosophical and aesthetic foundation of photography, which is often missing from so many photography books.
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Now in its 7th edition, Complete Digital Photography by Ben Long is the perfect book for absolute beginners with no knowledge or experience with photography or the camera. It’s also an excellent companion for experienced photographers who want a single source to check on the details of a shooting technique or an editing step. You’ll learn camera operations, the skills of the digital artist and how to edit and prepare your images for printing.
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As editor and publisher of Photoshop User magazine, Scott Kelby has become one of the true masters of Photoshop; which has also led to this much-heralded series, The Digital Photography Book. Now, all four volumes are available in this encyclopedic set with hundreds of the pros’ secrets presented with exact instructions about which settings to choose and buttons to push on your camera. It is one of the most-complete sources of information to help you transform casual pictures into high quality photos.
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Not all the great photography books are filled with concepts and technical information. Some like 25 Lessons I’ve Learned About (Photography) Life! are treasured because they show how photography and life mirror each other. This is what Lorenzo Dominguez discovered when his life was turned upside down…and photography saved him. Now, he shares these personal and inspiring thoughts with everyone, photographers and non-photographers, in the #1 best-selling photo essay book on Amazon.com during 2010 and 2011.
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Bryan Peterson is one of PhotographyTalk’s favorite photographers. You can find many of his instructional videos in our Forum Section. He is also author of many outstanding books and he wrote Understanding Photography Field Guide, so you can take it with you on any of your photography adventures. If you feel as if you can’t advance any further with your photography, then this is the book for you. Peterson makes it easy to understand what gear and equipment are best for specific types of photography, and helps clear any confusion you may have about exposure, composition and post-production.
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Another Bryan Peterson book that PhotographyTalk highly recommends is his Learning to See Creatively. Few concepts are more of a challenge for beginners, amateurs and professionals than developing a photographer’s eye, or a manner of “seeing” that reveals the best combinations of design, color and composition. Peterson teaches this skill by presenting detailed analysis of many of his best photos, so you will learn the steps to take from a vision in your mind to a photographic image.
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Here is the book that will help you maximize the return on your investment in a DSLR camera. In Digital SLR Photography All-in-One For Dummies, Robert Correll guides you from being just another “dummy” with a camera to a confident photographer that knows how to use it to create amazing photos. Learn at your own pace with the 10 separate sections that focus on exposure, lighting, editing and video and many other essential topics you must know to become an excellent DSLR photographer.
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Becoming a better photographer is not just creative concepts and technical knowledge. It’s also acquiring an understanding of the history and the progression of photography from scientific experimentation to a form of artistic expression for anyone. Photography: The Whole Story traces every step in the development of photography, providing you with the background and context in which to place your unique pursuit and passion for photography. The book’s more than 500 images serve as inspiration and a record of the individuals who invented the equipment and methods you enjoy today.
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For many decades of the 20th century, no other magazine was more responsible for showing the world the best photographs of the age than LIFE. The magazine may no longer be printed, but the last of its famous staff photographers, Joe McNally, and the editors of LIFE bring you much of what was learned during the era of the magazine that applies equally to the digital age. The camera may be important, but it is what you do with it that transforms snapshots into spectacular images. You’ll also enjoy the unique, conversational tone of McNally’s writing and how he eases you into a better understanding of how to become a magician with your camera.
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