Photography
Books
“A Selection of Good Buys”
If you were to read all the photography books
available, you would have no time to take photographs.
How do you pick a
few which will help you?
The books listed here have all been read and
recommended by visitors to better-photographs.com.
Some of them cover a broad range of topics and techniques whilst others
specialize
on specific areas and subject
types.
General
Technique Photography Books
Landscape
Photography Books
Underwater Photography
Books
Wildlife
& Nature Photography Books
Wedding
and Portrait Photography Books
They have all
helped their readers to improve and progress.
If you have read one which is not on the list and
you would recommend it, then please spare a minute to help your fellow
photographers by completing the short
form at the bottom of this page.
General
Technique Photography Books
Olympus
Handbook on Digital Photography - Free Download
If you have any questions about Digital
Photography - What to
look for when buying a digital camera? - How to get the best out of my
camera? - How does a digital camera work? - What is a Histogram? - then
this free book is for you.
Photography Books
Because thousands of digital camera users have wanted to know the same
things, Olympus have compiled the most frequently asked questions into
this concise, easy to read book. At the back, there is a comprehensive
glossary of all the terms used in digital photography so you never need
to be concerned about buying or using products without understanding
the facts.photography books
Click here for the Free Download
Points of View: Capturing the 19th Century
in Photographs - John Falconer and Louise Hide
From its beginnings in the 1840s up to the mass
democratisation of photography as a widespread leisure pursuit, the
development of the medium was swept along by a tide of artistic and
entrepreneurial activity that gathered pace throughout the 19th century.
Since the first public announcement of the
invention in 1839, photography has both reflected and shaped society.
Science, government, industry and a growing media quickly recognised
its value as a documentary tool, a shaper of opinion and a potentially
lucrative profession. Both as art form and social document, the
photograph has played a critical role as the primary means of visual
expression in the modern age.
"Points of View" brings together, for the first
time, a selection of images from the British Library's collections,
examining the history, diversity and influence of photography from its
invention and early years up to the growth of a popular amateur market
in the early 20th century. Beginning with the work of William Henry Fox
Talbot and other influential pioneers, the book includes many of the
most celebrated names in 19th century photography from across the
world, including Francis Frith, Felix Teynard, Samuel Bourne and Peter
Henry Emerson, as well as numerous lesser known names who made
significant contributions to the medium.
Organised by subject matter in a broadly
chronological arrangement, it asks: who was taking the photograph and
why? Section by section, items are presented within their cultural,
contexts, exploring some of the major themes of the 19th century, from
imperial expansion to industrialisation and the emergence of new
scientific and social disciplines in an era of rapid social
change.
The final sections of the exhibition will examine
the ways in which the development of simplified cameras and accessible
technology responded to the demands of a developing mass market for
photography, which continues up to present day.photography
books
Available from amazon.co.uk and amazon.com
The Photographer's Eye: Composition and
Design for Better Digital Photos - Michael Freeman
Design is the single most important factor in
creating a successful photograph. The ability to see the potential for
a strong picture and then organize the graphic elements into an
effective, compelling composition has always been one of the key skills
in making photographs.
Of course, digital photography has brought a new,
exciting aspect to design first because the instant feedback from a
digital camera allows immediate appraisal and improvement; and second
because image-editing tools make it possible to alter and enhance the
design after the shutter has been pressed. This has had a profound
effect on the way digital photographers take pictures.
The Photographers Eye shows how anyone can
develop an eye for seeing great digital photos. The book explores all
the traditional approaches to composition and design, but crucially, it
also addresses the new digital technique of shooting in the knowledge
that a picture will later be edited, manipulated, or montaged to result
in a final image that may be very different from the one seen in the
viewfinder.photography books
Available from amazon.co.uk and amazon.com
Guide to Great
Photography - Peter Bargh
This high quality book presents hundreds of truly
amazing images, along with the secrets behind their creation. Prepare
to be stunned, inspired and provoked. It's much more than just a
showcase of great images though.
Photography Books
Inside, you will find a wealth of useful tips to help you take better
photographs, along with step-by-step guides to advanced photographic
techniques. Whether you are still a film user, or have fully embraced
the world of digital, this book has something to offer, regardless of
your level of experience.photography
books
Available from amazon.co.uk
Digital
Photographer's Handbook - Tom Ang
If you're a beginner and new to ISO's, Spot
metering and Apertures, its really good. But it's not just that. It is
full of really good advice, tips and maybe more importantly, ideas.
Every photo in the book has an explanation of how it was taken and what
equipment was used etc...
Photography Books
This is invaluable stuff to beginners. But the best aspect is the fact
that it attempts to get you thinking. It talks about project ideas and
basically "getting you out there" taking pictures. As for covering film
as well as digital!?! Surely this is a good thing as digital
photography is based on film technology, where did the ISO come from
after all… It's a great companion and a great starting point in
photography.photography books
Available from amazon.co.uk and amazon.com
Digital
Photography Masterclass - Tom Ang
It's easy to see
why digital photography has overtaken analog in popularity-it's
affordable, convenient, versatile, and, above all, it makes photography
more fun than ever before. Tom Ang's latest book is an in-depth,
inspirational, and uniquely practical guide to every aspect of digital
photography.
There are assignments and analysis spreads, and step-by-step tutorials
to help you hone your skills. He teaches you to look at the world with
a photographer's "eye" and shows you how to get great shots every time.
In short, this book shows you how to master your camera to ensure the
best results in every situation and how to push the computer to keep up
with your vision. photography books
Available from amazon.co.uk and amazon.com
The Art of
Digital Photography - John Hedgecoe
Need
inspiration? Get the best out of your equipment and explore your
creative side with this practical guide. Still life or action, portrait
or abstract - whatever your subject, discover how to take amazing
digital images with this expert photographer and inspiring teacher.
Photography Books
Learn
the fundamentals of composing an image - from lighting, camera angle,
drama, colour, time of day, style to subject matter. Get the most out
of your camera, so whatever moment you are capturing: from stunning
landscapes, action-packed sport, beautiful weddings to playful
children, you'll be picture perfect, again and again. We'll show you
what others only tell. Enjoy 500 breathtaking photos and learn how to
take great pictures every time.
Available from amazon.co.uk
Understanding
Exposure - Bryan Peterson
More
than 100 vivid, graphic comparison pictures illustrate every point in
this classic and can help any photographer maximize the creative impact
of his or her exposure decisions.
Photography Books
Peterson
stresses the importance of metering the subject for a starting exposure
and then explains how to use various exposure meters and different
kinds of lighting. The book contains lessons on each element of the
triangle and how it relates to the other two in terms of depth of
field, freezing and blurring action, and shooting in low light or at
night.
A section on special techniques explores such options as
deliberate under-and over-exposures, how to produce double exposures,
bracketing, shooting the moon, and the use of filters. Understanding
Exposure demonstrates that there are always creative choices about how
to expose a picture - and that the decision is up to the photographer,
not the camera.
Available from amazon.co.uk and amazon.com
Adobe Photoshop
CS4 One-on-One (Digital Media) - Deke McClelland
Master the fundamentals of Photoshop CS4 and then
some with One-on-One, Deke McClelland's unique and effective learning
system. Adobe Photoshop CS4 One-on-One includes step-by-step tutorials,
more than five hours of DVD-video demonstrations, and hands-on projects
to help you improve your knowledge and hone your skills. Once you read
about a particular technique, you can see how it's done first-hand in
the video. The combination is uniquely effective.
Whether you're new to Photoshop or a creative professional interested
in the groundbreaking features of CS4, Deke's conversational style and
carefully structured lessons guide you easily through the program's
fundamental and advanced concepts and techniques. More than 850
full-color photos, diagrams, and screen shots illustrate every key
step. With this book, you will:
- Learn at your own speed with 12 self-paced
tutorials
- Master Photoshop's workflow and file handling
features
- Try out techniques and best practices with
engaging real-world projects
- Discover how Bridge and Camera Raw can help you
optimize digital photos
- Create beautiful multilayered documents,
including posters and flyers
- Test your knowledge with multiple-choice
quizzes in each chapter
And more. Written and produced by a Photoshop
expert with well over 20 years of experience, Adobe Photoshop CS4
One-on-One simulates a classroom environment that provides one-on-one
attention as you proceed from lesson to lesson. You'll learn to use
Photoshop faster, more creatively, and more efficiently than you
thought possible.
Available from amazon.co.uk and amazon.com
Recommend Photography
Books
Please note: I
have a zero spam tolerance policy.
Be assured that I do not share
your personal details with anyone else, nor will you ever receive
unsolicited e-mails from me. I absolutely respect your privacy and will
not, for any purpose, give your e-mail address to anyone.
If you have yet to subscribe to my Better Photographs Blog
or set up your RSS feed then click
here to add this page to your favourites and return to it to find out
about more books as they are added.
Return from Photography Books
to Better Photographs Home Page


|