May 2018 Recommended Reading for Serious Photographers
The great thing about photography - well, one of the great things - is that there are so many different resources that you can use to develop your skills and learn new ones.
That includes thousands of excellent photography books that run the gamut from learning what camera settings to use to diving deep into how to process images to focusing on how to compose a great photo.
This month, we've got a collection of recommended reading for photographers that covers all those bases, and more.
If you're looking for ways to learn more about photography, these books are an excellent place to start!
Into the Great White Sands
In this breathtaking collection of photos of one of New Mexico's most incredible landscapes, award-winning photographer Craig Varjabedian demonstrates the raw visual power of the snow-white sand dunes, desert plants, and the people of this area.
With incredible full-color images to delight the eye, Into the Great White Sands serves as a testament to the power of photography to inspire.
Enriched with essays written by noted authors and experts on the White Sands area, this book will motivate you to grab your camera and go explore the beauty of the world around you.
Digital Photo Assignments: Projects for All Levels of Photography Classes
The key to becoming a better photographer is to simply practice the craft and develop the knowledge and skills needed to produce improved photographs.
If you're a photography teacher and need fresh ideas for helping learners, the collection of more than 40 photo assignments in Digital Photo Assignments will provide you with ample opportunities to help your students develop to their full potential.
Written by internationally published photographer and author Steve Anchell, this working guide will help you develop solid lessons on everything from learning how to use a camera to lighting to building a portfolio, and more. In that regard, this text is the ultimate guideline for you to create a meaningful photography class for your students.
Mastering Photographic Histograms: The Key to Fine-Tuning Exposure and Better Photo Editing
One of the most powerful tools photographers have at their disposal is the histogram on their camera, yet many photographers don't utilize it, and furthermore, don't know how to utilize it to improve their photography.
In Al Judge's Mastering Photographic Histograms, you get a detailed guide of three histograms - RGB, Colors, and Color Channel - that will help you get a proper exposure, and a more impactful image as a result.
If you've struggled to get well-exposed photographs or if you shudder at the thought of what camera settings to use, this book is for you!
The Photographer's Eye
In The Photographer's Eye, John Szarkowski provides an introduction to the visual aspects of photography.
This classic book - first published in 1966 - offers detailed lessons on how to develop one's eye for photographs by using 172 example images from the breadth and depth of the history of photography.
This book is not only an inspirational text that's still relevant to photographers today, but it is also a classic look at the artistic elements that are hallmarks of creating compelling photos.
Digital Landscape Photography: A Guide to Better Landscape Photos
As one of the most popular genres of photography, landscapes offer photographers all sorts of fodder for gorgeous shots.
But one must learn how to overcome the challenges of photographing landscapes to create images with the most impact.
You can do that in Digital Landscape Photography: A Guide to Better Landscape Photos by Kim Rormark.
From the basics of how to compose a great photo to learning what camera settings to use to exploring the best gear for landscape photography, this book offers a complete guide for mastering landscapes.
The Short Story of Photography: A Pocket Guide to Key Genres, Works, Themes & Techniques
Authored by Ian Haydn Smith, The Short Story of Photography offers an interesting introduction into photography as a medium for artistic expression.
Featuring 50 seminal photographs from each era of photography, you can explore how photographers captured their subjects, how theme is important for an impactful photo, and examine photographic techniques.
Additionally, this concise text explains why particular photos have been so successful and how they have changed the world as a result.
Exposure Mastery: Aperture, Shutter Speed & ISO
One of the most complex and technical aspects of photography is exposure. What exposure settings to use can give even experienced photographers fits, which is why Exposure Mastery: Aperture, Shutter Speed & ISO is a must-read book.
Written by Brian Black, this is more than just a book - it's a comprehensive guide on everything you need to know about exposure.
With detailed lessons on the physics of photography, how aperture works, how to use a light meter, and the dynamics of light, you'll develop an understanding of what it means to control the exposure of every image that you take.
Learn the Art of Bird Photography: The Complete Field Guide for Beginner and Intermediate Photographers and Birders
In Learn the Art of Bird Photography, Tim Boyer provides a detailed outline of how to get started in bird photography - and develop into a solid bird photographer at that.
Each chapter in the book is dedicated to a seminal subject in bird photography, like setting up your camera, what settings to use for specific situations, how to take sharp images, and so forth.
Interspersed throughout the text are Tim's sample images which not only provide instruction on how to take bird photos, but will also serve to inspire you to grab your gear and head out to take pictures.
With an outline of the best bird photography areas in North America, you can even plan where to take the best photos!