The best book to learn photography?
I’m really getting into photography. What book should I get to get some great pointers to start?
You learn by shooting not by reading. Make sure you know what all the buttons a dials on your camera do and then SHOOT. digital cameras have taken the cost of film away and the only thing that limits your shooting is the size of the memory card. When I was 11 my UNcle gave me 3 rolls of film and his olf Nikon FM2 and after he showed me the basics of f/stops and shutter speeds and how to ficus the lens he turned me loose. 25 years later I am a USAF Combat Aerial Photographer and have won many awards and have had my images pubished worldwide. How many classes have I taken, books have I read? Not many. The Air Force didn’t even send me to school for photo because of my portfolio and the books I have read I can count on 1 hand. Once you know your camera go shoot. Shoot shoot shoot. Look at magazines and see different angles and views and try to make replicate them and when you have the technique down make your own images. Shoot what you see then try different angles and speeds. Look at a scene and thnk of how you can show that to someone who wasn’t there and have them understand what was there and what happened. You are the story teller, you just use images to tell the story.
Posted in learn photography
December 29th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Go to the store and browse some.
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December 29th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
I really liked the "National Geographic Photography Field Guide" when I was starting out. It has a lot of good tips, explains the basics, is short and to-the-point, plus it contains a lot of good inspiring photos! I also enjoyed the interviews it contains with some of National Geographic’s photographers explaining their photography tips (learn from the best!).
I also really enjoyed the Ansel Adams series: "The Camera", "The Negative" and "The Print". They are more technical and mainly cover black and white photography but they are classic introductions to the art and technique of photography, and should be available in your local library.
The books by Freeman Patterson, like "Joy of Photography" and "Photography of Natural Things" are also quite good, especially if you are ready to move beyond technique and are beginning to be interested in the artistic side of things. Everytime I read one of his books, I want to put down the book, and go out and take photos!
That should be plenty to get you started. Hope you’ll have as much fun shooting photos as I do…
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December 29th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
The previous two are VERY good answers, but your best book for taking great photographs is your camera instruction manual.
Taking a good photo is more than capturing a moment in time, it comes from knowing how to work your camera.
I have seen people using the newest thing on the market take some of the worst photos I have ever seen because they rely on the camera to do all the work. . . on the other hand, I have seen some great shots using a 30 year old Olympus or Canon (back in the day when your camera didn’t do squat for you).
Not to say that it is the camera, but the best way to learn is to play.
I read my camera instruction manual every couple of months. I also keep notes about questionable exposures and keep those notes and the image in a "learning" binder where I can reference them when needed.
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December 29th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
These are just personal favorites, I hope it helps
"Digital Photography for Dummies" (we’re all stupid about some things at some point)
"Complete Guide to Photography" by John Hedgecoe
"Photography" by Ailsa McWhinnie and Philip Andrews
"Photographer’s Market Guide to Building Your Photography Business" by Vik Orenstein (this book is my bible)
Amen to whoever said the camera manual!
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December 29th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
You learn by shooting not by reading. Make sure you know what all the buttons a dials on your camera do and then SHOOT. digital cameras have taken the cost of film away and the only thing that limits your shooting is the size of the memory card. When I was 11 my UNcle gave me 3 rolls of film and his olf Nikon FM2 and after he showed me the basics of f/stops and shutter speeds and how to ficus the lens he turned me loose. 25 years later I am a USAF Combat Aerial Photographer and have won many awards and have had my images pubished worldwide. How many classes have I taken, books have I read? Not many. The Air Force didn’t even send me to school for photo because of my portfolio and the books I have read I can count on 1 hand. Once you know your camera go shoot. Shoot shoot shoot. Look at magazines and see different angles and views and try to make replicate them and when you have the technique down make your own images. Shoot what you see then try different angles and speeds. Look at a scene and thnk of how you can show that to someone who wasn’t there and have them understand what was there and what happened. You are the story teller, you just use images to tell the story.
References :