Photography book recommendations

[JoeDif]

As the others said....a fantastic book for anyone who is looking for simple expanations of how aperture, shutter speed and ISO work together.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I'd suggest the manual that came with your camera first.

As for Understanding Exposure, I'm not a huge fan. It's OK, but I don't have the same love for it that others here have. I prefer Scott Kelby's The Digital Photography book.

I think the best way to learn is playing with your camera. It also helps to have someone knowledgeable to shoot with that can guide you. The basics of exposure are really simple. The cool thing is that you can spend a lifetime learning the subtleties of photography.

 

[boBQuincy]

Another "NO" vote for "Understanding Exposure", I sent it back for a refund. A "YES" vote for the camera manual, when it is dark and "Wishes" is about to start it is good to have a clear understanding of where the controls are and what they do.

Since some on this board would think I am slipping if I did not mention my favorite photography books (for the technical aspects), I like Ansel Adams "The Camera" and "The Negative". If we learn everything that is in these books (a tall order) we will be ready for any dSLR (or any other camera). We could skip the parts on film developing but even they still have value as related to post-processing.

 

[jann1033]

He comes across as a pleasant jokester.

birds of a feather?
thanks for the review, i've picked his book/s up a few times at barnes and noble but never ended up buying it cause it seemed very basic.....but now i realize that was only the first volume, didn't realize there were others.

 

[sdshutterbug]

Santa brought me this book...can't wait to read it, it looks great! I just got my first hot-shoe flash too so I'm hoping to find some tips in it!

 

[NostalgicDad]

Well, I lucked out and got the book for Christmas. I also got Joe McNally's Hot Shoe Diaries so I have some quality reading ahead of me......

 

[ssanders79]

The Kelby books are a great retreat from the run of the mill overly technical photography books on the shelves.

 

[boBQuincy]

DW got me some photography books for Christmas, including "Hot Shoe Diaries" and "Light - Science and Magic". Both are interesting and helpful but oh so different.

Hot Shoe Diaries reminds me of the Star Trek movie where they travel to Earth in our time and Kirk uses lots of "colorful metaphors" to blend in. Spock tries it and fails miserably since he is not used to using foul language. Kirk tells him to forget the metaphors.

Joe McNally should heed Kirk's advice, he knows the words but that doesn't mean he can carry the tune (ref Mark Twain). His incessant need to use colorful metaphors adds nothing to the book and takes plenty away. It's a shame because the information is good but the presentation is really poor. Maybe there is another book on the subject that presents the information without being stupid about it. I hope so.

"Light..." is a wonderful book, not the easiest to go through but if we can remember the information we will be ready for whatever light the scene throws at us. The book is to the point, factual, and extremely helpful. This is one I expect to refer to often and for a long time, *highly recommended*!

 

[GrillMouster]

Bob, I agree 100% with what you said about both books.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

What are your favorite photography books? I went on a hunt in the sticky'd theads and couldnt find any reccomendations. I wish there was a sticky on this. So what books would you reccomend?

 

[Icemann]

Bryan Peterson Understanding Exposure or Understanding Close up Photography both good books.Scot Kelbys Digitial Photography Vol.1.You might want to go the library and check them out and read them before you decide if you want to buy them.Good Luck

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

What are your favorite photography books? I went on a hunt in the sticky'd theads and couldnt find any reccomendations. I wish there was a sticky on this. So what books would you reccomend?

 

[boBQuincy]

Ansel Adams "The Camera" and "The Negative". Also Alain Briot's "Mastering Landscape Photography".

 

[JoeDif]

I'm currently reading "On Camera Flash" by Neil van Niekerk. If you want info on how to use an external flash this book is very good.

 

[Daisy57b]

Just wondering how the quality was. You can use your photopass pics as well as your own pics. Anyone made one yet?

Thanks!!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Many people suggested Understanding Exposure to me and I love it. (I am a newbie to SLRs)

 

[saturndb]

I like Understanding Exposure and understanding photography both by Bryan Peterson


Dave

 

[spinetnglr]

The Photographer's Eye

 

[Mckymousefn]

Hello... i am trying to move from my auto mode to other modes, but never sure which settings are good for each situations. Is there any good books or websites that will help me in this? I was told by another Disboard member to get: Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson..... is there any others out there that i should check into?

I really want to be able to get this somewhat down pat before our trip to Florida in April. Some stuff i know i will be shooting is: at the beach, sunsets, rides at Magic Kingdom & parades at MK.

I have a Canon EOS 50D. I just got it recently and ready to learn how to do more with it... other than auto.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[boBQuincy]

The mode (and settings) really depends on the effect we are trying to create. Selective focus or deep depth of field, motion blur or frozen action, expose for highlights or shadows (or both), etc.

I am not a fan of "Understanding Exposure" greatly preferring other books like Ansel Adams "The Camera" and "The Negative". Peterson's book is probably easier to understand, just not as good. Btw, there is no inherent advantage to any particular exposure mode, all of them can do pretty much the same thing and it mostly depends on how we want to get there.

***Except "Auto" does not allow RAW and that should be our first upgrade!