Since starting 365 I have developed an interest and passion for photography that I never realized I even had.
Up to this point, everything Ive learned about my camera and composition has been trial and error. I would love to sign up for a photography course at our city college in the future to get a little training but until then i was wondering if anyone could recommend some good books to learn the technical aspects of photography in place of a class.
I had no idea how much photography would consume me and I just want to get better! I have so much to learn and want to get to it.
So, any recommendations on books, websites to check out? I'll take anything, How the camera technically works, best ways to use it, understanding things outside the camera light lighting, composition, etc!
If you're keen to get into the nuts and bolts it's hard to go past Langford's Basic Photography for an all round introduction to pretty much everything photographic. If you're interested I'd suggest looking for a cheap second-hand copy of the 7th edition (it's up the 8th now). For digital-specific resources it's probably better to look online, as books on digital photography end up dating rather quickly...
The Photographer's Mind: Creative Thinking for Better Digital Photos of Michael Freeman.
The Hot Shoe Diaries of Joe McNally (about 0ff-camera flash)
In fact i am after books that are not about technique.
I recently read the Composition book by David Prakel. It was very good. About training the eye instead of how do deal with the camera.
@beautifulthing well shoot, maybe I should have done my research before I posted a new thread! Thanks for all the info. @rbowphotography do you like it beyond the basics of understanding how the triangle works together? I want to get into DOF charts and lighting technique, those kinds of things.... @dieter I found it on amazon pretty cheap so Im going to look into that one further. thank you! @gabrielklee I just checked out the composition book on amazon too. That's sounds great. I also saw the lighting book? Have you read that one as well? Both sound very intriguing. I want technique information to improve my DOF focus, focus in general, etc, but I also love the idea of learning to see things differently and training myself to take advantage of the opportunities around me!
If you want in-depth practical stuff, lynda.com and kelbytraining.com are fantastic (these are video training sites, both about $29/month - not books, but thought I'd mention anyway). Particularly the latter one. Lots on lighting and post processing, but also lessons on food, sports, fashion, landscape photography and so on.
Are you able to use a library? If so go and get a pile of books and dip in and out until you find the stuff you need at the level of understanding you have. Lots of basic books cover essentially the same ground but even this can be good to read to help consolidate your learning. Also consider taking out picture books, photography based and otherwise and figure out what makes the picture work / not work. Books about specific/famous photographers work can be interesting in learning about how their skill developed and how they created what ever they did. e.g. David Bailey breaking the conventions of fashion photography at that time. Have fun
@gurry@beautifulthing well crap. Guess that means I best be learning photoshop. Can you add any books for that one? @daviddobedoe yes I can get to the library. I'll just start hitting up the section to see what I come up with. Thanks for the suggestion! Youre right though, that would be a great place to start as far as starting to really examine what works/doesnt work about a photograph because I can train myself to really pick those things out before I even angle my camera, (well that's the goal anyway)
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http://365project.org/discuss/tips-n-tricks/5552/book-recommendations
http://365project.org/discuss/general/2655/tips-for-beginners
http://365project.org/discuss/general/4083/reccomend-me-a-book
http://365project.org/discuss/tips-n-tricks/11361/books-and-dvds-about-photography
http://365project.org/discuss/tips-n-tricks/11551/free-photography-e-books
http://365project.org/discuss/general/9168/photography-books
http://365project.org/discuss/general/3000/what-are-your-essential-photography-books
The Hot Shoe Diaries of Joe McNally (about 0ff-camera flash)
In fact i am after books that are not about technique.
I recently read the Composition book by David Prakel. It was very good. About training the eye instead of how do deal with the camera.
@rbowphotography do you like it beyond the basics of understanding how the triangle works together? I want to get into DOF charts and lighting technique, those kinds of things....
@dieter I found it on amazon pretty cheap so Im going to look into that one further. thank you!
@gabrielklee I just checked out the composition book on amazon too. That's sounds great. I also saw the lighting book? Have you read that one as well? Both sound very intriguing. I want technique information to improve my DOF focus, focus in general, etc, but I also love the idea of learning to see things differently and training myself to take advantage of the opportunities around me!
Step 1. Camera on.
Step 2. Press button.
Step 3. Photoshop.
There are a few other mini-steps in between, but they're really not important. I'm sure you'll figure those out on your own.
@daviddobedoe yes I can get to the library. I'll just start hitting up the section to see what I come up with. Thanks for the suggestion! Youre right though, that would be a great place to start as far as starting to really examine what works/doesnt work about a photograph because I can train myself to really pick those things out before I even angle my camera, (well that's the goal anyway)
http://365project.org/search?q=Photoshop+book
http://365project.org/search?q=Learn+Photoshop