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Photography books - recommended by Mpix Users!

Last post 02-07-2007 6:18 AM by Larry H. 7 replies.
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  • 02-05-2007 11:27 AM

    Photography books - recommended by Mpix Users!

    I thought this might be an interesting, and useful diversion.  How about if those of us who have a few favorite books on photography post them here for others to check out.  The books can be on ANY aspect of photography, just be sure to let us know what to expect.  For example, you might post one book that you think is really good for beginners.  Another book may be on how to do black and white photography with a digital camera.  But mostly, it should be a book you liked and thought helped you become a better photographer.  (Also, if we TAG each of these with the words "books, and photography books" it will make the thread easy to find for quite some time to come).  I'll start with a couple...

    FOR BEGINNERS: (and even people who have been shooting for a while, but aren't sure they understand all the technical aspects of the camera)

    This is a very good book for starters...  It is easy to understand, covers the basics very well, is up to date and will get you to the next step where you can say you know more than most people with a camera in their hand.  From there, you can read plenty of others.  But this is a good starting point:

    The Photography Bible


     

    FOR EVERYONE:

    A tried and true classic.  This is a great book to help anyone take better pictures...

    Understanding Exposure

     

     

    FOR EVERYONE: 

    This is a different approach, more about composition than anything else.  It has some good rules of thumb that will help you improve your technique.  This is not a book that will help you understand your camera, but more about composition.

    100 Ways To Take Better Photographs

     

    -Tom Steele

    EOS30D w/580 EX II
    EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5, EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS
    24-70mm f/2.8L, 50mm f/1.4, 100mm f/2.8 Macro,
    70-200mm f/4L IS, 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS

  • 02-05-2007 7:22 PM In reply to

    • Cherish
    • Top 500 Contributor
    • Joined on 11-20-2006
    • Dallas, Texas
    • Posts 424

    Re: Photography books - recommended by Mpix Users!

    What a great idea Tom!

    Here is my suggestion: Very easy to follow tutorials!

    The Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers
    by Scott Kelby


    1, 2, buckle my shoe...3, 4, buckle my shoe. 5, 6, buckle my shoe...
  • 02-06-2007 1:10 AM In reply to

    Re: Photography books - recommended by Mpix Users!

    Tom-I have the "Understanding Exposure" book and it's an absolute MUST if you don't understand exposure or you're just starting out.  When I read it, I had a few of those lightbulb moments, when things just became so clear to me!  I would also agree about the Scott Kelby book--anything Scott does is fantastic!
  • 02-06-2007 9:00 AM In reply to

    • Sweet D
    • Top 500 Contributor
    • Joined on 09-14-2006
    • Columbus, OH
    • Posts 333

    Re: Photography books - recommended by Mpix Users!

    Understanding Exposure is MUST - I just wasn't getting it when I started my photo classes a few weeks ago, as soon as I started reading this one - it clicked, I got it! 
    I draw pictures all day.

    Looking for templates or a custom logo?
    http://neilcreative.blogspot.com
  • 02-06-2007 7:35 PM In reply to

    • Mike R
    • Not Ranked
    • Joined on 01-06-2007
    • Connecticut
    • Posts 55

    Re: Photography books - recommended by Mpix Users!

    Another vote for Understanding Exposure, also Learning to See Creatively by Bryan Peterson
    Mike

  • 02-06-2007 9:47 PM In reply to

    Re: Photography books - recommended by Mpix Users!

    My mom got me The Book of Photography by John Hedgecoe about a year ago and I have learned a lot from it.

    www.rainlilyphotography.com (under construction)
    http://rainlilyphotography.blogspot.com/
  • 02-06-2007 11:08 PM In reply to

    Re: Photography books - recommended by Mpix Users!

    Closeups in Nature - John Shaw (film based and somewhat outdated, but fundamentals don't change...still the best closeup/macro book I have read)

    Mastering Black & White Digital Photography - Michael Freeman  (excellent info on color mixing strategies...only falls short on fact that the pics in book printed with marginal contrast...ironic actually, given the subject matter...his techniques are still sound.)

    Photoshop CS2 for Digital Photographers - Scott Kelby

    Fine Art Flower Photography - Tony Sweet (more imagery than technique...most of his shots were probably <10 miles from his home...lesson in there: beauty is all around us) 

    Photoshop Color Correction - Michael Kieran  (not just correction but color modification w/ low noise introduction, very technical) 

     

    On my wish list: 

    Photoshop Artistry: For Photographers Using Photoshop CS2 and Beyond - Haynes, Crumpler, Duggan (highly reviewed, and Sean Duggan has some of the best columns in Photoshop User magazine...beautiful final products from straightforward approach)

     

    Nice idea Tom!

    Jim
     

    "Civilization began with distillation." - Mark Twain

    "There is very little that good wine and dark chocolate won't fix." - Me

    Canon 20D, Canon 20D-IR
    Canon 17-40 f/4L, Canon 24-70 f/2.8L
    Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro, Canon 200mm f/2.8L II, Leica 50mm f/2 Summicron R, Canon 1.4x Extender II, 580 EX
    Tons-o macro goodies
    Gitzo 1340 tripod w/ multiple columns
    Manfrotto 3275 Geared Head
    Manfrotto 488RC2 Ball head
    Manfrotto 685B Neotec Monopod

  • 02-07-2007 6:18 AM In reply to

    • Larry H
    • Not Ranked
    • Joined on 01-05-2007
    • Council Bluffs, Iowa
    • Posts 229

    Re: Photography books - recommended by Mpix Users!

    Some of my favorites:

    Photography: 

        Complete Guide to Digital Photography - Rick Sammons

        The Digital Photography Book - Scott Kelby

        Photography - by London - Upton - Stone - Kobre' - Brill

        Understanding Exposure - Bryan Peterson

        The Photoshop CS2 Book for Digital Photographers - Scott Kelby

        Camera Raw With Adobe Photoshop - Bruce Fraser

    If Your Inerested in Retouching and Restoration: 

        Photoshop Masking & Compositiong - Katrin Eisman

        Photoshop Restoration & Retouching - Katrin Eisman

        How to Wow Photoshop for Photography - Ben Willmore

    Larry

    Larry

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