Book recommendations- what's next?

cuezombies · Jun 14, 2011

So far I've got three of Bryan Peterson's (Understanding Exposure, People In Focus and Beyond Portraiture) and am looking to grab a few more. Amazon's pretty well saturated with books on photography, and I'd hate to- as a beginner and a broke-ass pre-college student- waste funds, so I thought I'd ask you all for recommendations.

Right now I'm looking for technical information more than anything (so less history and "learning to be artistic" if that makes sense, heheh).

What beginning photography books did YOU find the most useful?

Thanks!

analog.universe · Jun 14, 2011

Next you go out and shoot eh? With the amount of information in those books you've already got? I'd go take 10,000 frames and then see about more books... that to me is the best way not to waste funds, exhaust what you've already got. ymmv

cuezombies · Jun 14, 2011

Oh, no worries, I'm shooting plenty!

Great advice- thanks!

But I love to read and have been sick a lot lately (read: stuck on the couch), so I'd like to add to my collection.

Bitter Jeweler · Jun 14, 2011

You should go with more "how to be artistic" books. An artistically good / technically poor shot will win out over the technically perfect / artisically boring shot everytime.

:lmao:

Ryan L · Jun 14, 2011

Well you're missing a good one from Peterson, "Learning to see creatively".

I also liked the Digital Masters series, "People Photography" by Nancy Brown in particular.

Ryan L · Jun 14, 2011

Also I love Professional Photographer Magazine. www.ppmag.com Its the only US based magazine that I enjoy really.

Derrel · Jun 14, 2011

I found this great bookstore called the Local Library. From what I hear, they have outlets all across the USA, Canada, and Europe! Of course, one has to become a member,and that means you need to share some intensely personal data with the Library management, like your D.O.B., name, and street address, and after all of that rigamarole is done, they send you a personalized membership card in the mail. It costs a lot per year (the price of taxes and library levies, divided among the entire region's population),and the selection of books is rather skimpy, with most Local Library outlets housing only between 45 and 350 books on photography. I know it's tough being a poor high school kid these days. I used to have to make a 35 minute walk to my home-town Local Library outlet and hope that they had some good books when I got there. Today, a person can log on to the Local Library card catalogue and reservation system using a computer (as long as it has a modem and internet connection) and peruse the list of books available, as well as to sign up to register for books that are currently out on loan.

As to your question about which books I found most helpful, the The Amateur Photographer's Handbook was #1 for me, followed by the Time-Life Library of Photography book series, followed by Beaumont Newhall's The History of Photography, among about 100 other titles.

Kerbouchard · Jun 14, 2011

Light, Science, and Magic and/or Digital Photography Masterclass.

2WheelPhoto · Jun 14, 2011

I'm enjoying right now:

"Minimalist Lighting: Professional Techniques for Location Photography" by Kirk Tuck

Kerbouchard · Jun 14, 2011

2WheelPhoto said:
I'm enjoying right now:

"Minimalist Lighting: Professional Techniques for Location Photography" by Kirk Tuck

Sounds intriguing. I'll have to check that out. Thanks for the heads up.

MWG · Jun 14, 2011

Not sure if your a Canon or Nikon shooter, but if you happen to be a canon shooter..."speedlighters handbook" by Syl Arena is a GREAT read if you ever plan on getting into flash photography. Just thought i would mention that one.

cuezombies · Jun 15, 2011

Thanks everyone! There are some great suggestions here that are definitely going onto my list.

Derrell, a family member of mine works at our local library, so the joint's a no-fly zone. Also I'm one of those weirdos who likes to own her books (I plan to die in a tragic bookcase collapse).

Bitter Jeweler said:
You should go with more "how to be artistic" books. An artistically good / technically poor shot will win out over the technically perfect / artisically boring shot everytime.

:lmao:

I guess I could learn both. SIIIGH. Will you teach me to fart rainbows, Bitter?

Actually, I was considering PMing you and asking if you had any input on the book front. About things other than the artistic framing of a rainbow fart at sunrise.