Let's face it...
There are TONS of photography resources out there, including plenty of articles and tutorials right here on this very website!
But I enjoy learning from a book now and then.
As antiquated as books might seem to some people, there's just something about holding an actual book in your hands, turning the pages, and highlighting important passages.
If you're after a similar learning experience, check out this list of recommended books for photographers.
Learn the Art of Bird Photography: The Complete Field Guide for Beginner and Intermediate Photographers and Birders
Tim Boyer's Learn the Art of Bird Photography offers a comprehensive tutorial on becoming a master bird photographer.
With chapters that dive deep into every aspect of bird photography - from setting up your camera to the ideal camera settings for different situations to the fundamentals of exposure, depth of field, and so on, this book will help you gain the skills you need to take jaw-dropping photos.
This text even comes with a complete list of bird photography hot spots in North America, so you know where the best opportunities are for bird photography any week of the year.
Advancing Your Photography: Secrets to Amazing Photos from the Masters
In Secrets to Amazing Photos from the Masters, Marc Silber helps you learn the skills needed to take your photography to the next level.
This handbook offers easy-to-understand photography tips from some of the best photographers in the world, making it a master class in how to take photos.
Get an inside look at the workflow of accomplished photographers, learn their secrets to success, and get the inspiration you need to find your photography voice.
BetterPhoto Basics: The Absolute Beginners Guide to Taking Photos Like a Pro
BetterPhoto Basics: The Absolute Beginners Guide to Taking Photos Like a Pro might not be the newest book on this list (it was published in 2010), but it still offers incredible tips and tricks for beginner photographers that will help anyone become a better photographer.
If you're a brand new photographer and simply don't know where to start with learning how to take photos, this book is an ideal companion.
Jim Miotke shares his inside tips that will help you improve the quality of your images, no matter what photography gear you use.
From composition tips to how to take family portraits to controlling exposure and everything in between, this book is a one-stop-shop of recommended reading for photographers.
Mastering Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO and Exposure
One of the most difficult tasks in photography is learning how to use your camera's exposure settings to get a well-exposed image.
In Mastering Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO and Exposure by Al Judge, you get all the guidance you need for minimizing your frustration with exposure settings and maximizing your ability to build a solid foundation of understanding about the elements of exposure.
With tons of illustrations and easy-to-read passages, this is an excellent book for photographers that are ready to learn the more technical aspects of this craft.
Adobe Photoshop CC Classroom in a Book (2018)
If it's post-processing tips that you're after, look no further than Adobe Photoshop CC Classroom in a Book 2018 by Andrew Faulkner and Conrad Chavez.
The great thing about this book is that it truly is like a photography course, with 15 project-based lessons that take you step-by-step through different processes of editing images in Photoshop.
There's even an online companion with image files and other assets you can use to complete the projects at the end of each chapter!
Zen Camera: Creative Awakening With a Daily Practice in Photography
The great thing about Zen Camera: Creative Awakening With a Daily Practice in Photography, is that it teaches you how to hone your creative vision and take beautiful photos, no matter if you shoot with a point-and-shoot camera, a smartphone, a DSLR, or something in between.
The text, written by David Ulrich, utilizes Zen practice to help you develop your path to photography self-discovery.
With daily practice and visual journaling, you'll get in touch with your creative side that will help you compose beautiful photos.
Ansel Adams: 400 Photographs
It's hard to find more inspiring photos than those taken by Ansel Adams, which is why this book is a must-have for photography enthusiasts.
Ansel Adams: 400 Photographs offers a look at the full spectrum of his work and will inspire you with the creative vision and incredible work ethic that was required to create such an impressive collection of images.
The photos are arranged into five major periods that span his life, and with brief essays on selected images, you can gain insights into the man, his processes, and the techniques he used to create his photos.
Photographs from the Edge: A Master Photographer's Insights on Capturing an Extraordinary World
Art Wolfe is a legendary nature photographer, and in his Photographs from the Edge: A Master Photographer's Insights on Capturing an Extraordinary World, he offers behind-the-scenes tips that helped make him one of the most accomplished photographers of all time.
Filled with gorgeous images to inspire your work, this book also features photography tutorials that drill down to the most pertinent subjects - camera settings, gear, creative choices, and so forth, that help you take better images.
If you need to know how to learn photography, these photography books should certainly be on your bookshelf!