Read a good book lately?

[kball]

Hi folks,

I've been lurking around this board for a while now, and the main thing I've determined is that I have a LOT to learn. The images I find here are truly inspiring and I've gotten a lot on composition, lighting, just a whole range of ideas on different subjects.

The main thing I've found is that I need to learn a lot more about the nature of the images I want to capture. I think I have a fairly good eye for what looks good, but I'm clueless about the basics on imaging, especially digital. White balance is a perfect example. What the hell is that?

So, being an IT geek by inclination and trade, I learn a lot off how-to's and such. I'd like to find "the definitive" book on the nuts and bolts of photography, especially digital. Just got a sweet D50 for Christmas and I find that I want to learn enough to make decent use of it. I have an N65 that I got a few years ago, so all my lenses, remote trigger, tripods, that sort of thing carry over. I've really been having a lot of fun with photography since the mid-70's, but never really got into the rest. I also have Photoshop V7, so I have the ability, if not the expertise to do digital manipulation.

So, read a good book lately? Please share.

Thanks

Ken

[almo]

I rarely read anything about the digital aspect of photography that isn't posted on this or a few other boards. When I read a photography book it's usually one that focuses on the film side of things, because those are the books that talk only about the basics of capturing the image.

Of course I came from the world of film, so the basics to me are "very" basic.

What kinda of stuff do you like to shoot? It would be easier to help guide you if we had an idea of where it is you want get to.

[megan]

While not new to photography, I'm new to digital, which is a whole new animal. It's hard for my creative brain to wrap itself around taking photos with histograms and noise and all this other stuff in mind. I haven't read a book, however - I've found a lot of great information just picking up magazines from newsstands as well as my subscription to a few photo mags such as "Outdoor Photographer." IMHO, since periodicals are published more often than books, while they won't have many different chapters on different things, I think the information is more up-to-date with the latest software and cameras. Good luck!

[drg]

Ken,

A belated welcome to Photography Review.

John(almo) and Megan made some very worthwhile comments including checking out the latest publications, after all this is a quickly changing field.

You may really be looking at two slightly different topics, one being the technical aspects of the camera and computer, and the other being about 'construction of the photograph'.

The latter falls in the realm of subject, composition, medium, intent of use, etc. There are books and references numerous beyond imagination about photograph with generic titles about "How to take better (fill in the blank on type) photographs", How to better portraits and so on and so forth. There are books about commercial photography, lighting, composition, color, nudes, wildlife, children and on and on.

In the technical realm, the number of choices is also quickly growing. The two recent titles that have found their way onto my shelf are -

"Pro Digital Photographer's Handbook" by Michael Freeman, Lark Books 2005-2006.

"Stephen Johnson On Digital Photography" by Stephen Johnson, O' Reilly 2006.

They both provide technical information. The Johnson book, though self-serving and aggrandizing in places, does venture farther into some of the aspects of making photos than Freeman. The Michael Freeman book is better I feel as a general book for the broader range of the photographer's needs commercially/professionally.

Numerous handbooks for phases of the biz exist including various encyclopedia's, handbooks, pocket guides and so forth. None of those currently stand out for me.

One other author to consider is John Hedgecoe (I think I spelled that right).

National Geographic has put out a series of books over the years including Field Guide to photography (the most recent has digital in the title) that have been excellent.

Best wishes and if you want to know what White Balance is, there are several posts here at PR that go into laborious detail one way or the other. If you can't find what you are looking for, don't hesitate to post.

[kball]

Thanks for the replies folks. I really appreciate it.

Good suggestion on the mags Megan. I've been looking through them since I got the camera trying to decide on one to subscribe too. I tend to shoot mostly outdoors, but will do indoors on occasion. I used to subscribe to outdoor photographer a while back. Might have to try that one again. This D50 works a lot better for me indoors than anything else I've used. I suspect it's because the auto settings work better.

I'll take a look at those titles DRG, thank you. I have a gift certificate from Amazon burning a hole in my pocket

Again, thanks folks. Love the site.

[almo]

Ken,

A belated welcome to Photography Review.

John(almo) and Megan made some very worthwhile comments including checking out the latest publications, after all this is a quickly changing field.

You may really be looking at two slightly different topics, one being the technical aspects of the camera and computer, and the other being about 'construction of the photograph'.

The latter falls in the realm of subject, composition, medium, intent of use, etc. There are books and references numerous beyond imagination about photograph with generic titles about "How to take better (fill in the blank on type) photographs", How to better portraits and so on and so forth. There are books about commercial photography, lighting, composition, color, nudes, wildlife, children and on and on.

In the technical realm, the number of choices is also quickly growing. The two recent titles that have found their way onto my shelf are -

"Pro Digital Photographer's Handbook" by Michael Freeman, Lark Books 2005-2006.

"Stephen Johnson On Digital Photography" by Stephen Johnson, O' Reilly 2006.

They both provide technical information. The Johnson book, though self-serving and aggrandizing in places, does venture farther into some of the aspects of making photos than Freeman. The Michael Freeman book is better I feel as a general book for the broader range of the photographer's needs commercially/professionally.

Numerous handbooks for phases of the biz exist including various encyclopedia's, handbooks, pocket guides and so forth. None of those currently stand out for me.

One other author to consider is John Hedgecoe (I think I spelled that right).

National Geographic has put out a series of books over the years including Field Guide to photography (the most recent has digital in the title) that have been excellent.

Best wishes and if you want to know what White Balance is, there are several posts here at PR that go into laborious detail one way or the other. If you can't find what you are looking for, don't hesitate to post.

Hey dude,

One of my favorite books is by Mike Freeman. The 35mm Handbook. I have two different editions of that book.

[kball]

Thanks Almo. I'll check that what out too

[mjs1973]

I just read The Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby. It is a very simple to follow book, and there isn't any technical info in it. It's more like Scott telling you what you need to do to get a certain type of shot, without going into the technical aspects of the shot, such as using a larger aperture to get a shallow depth of field, and that sort of thing. There are lots of good tips in the book.

That being said, I think you need to have a pretty solid understanding of the technical aspects of photography such as aperture, depth of field, and exposure to get the most out of the book.

[MarcusK]

Ken,

i agree with most that has been said so far, but being a Graphic Designer first, and now soon to be full time pro photographer, i'll add the following:

1- There is no "THE ONE" book out there... any book is good, as you never know what will be a source of inspiration... trust me on this one... its an investment i know.... but go out and get them... (Excellent comment on the mags)

2- The internet is full of both crap and good stuff... To learn about digital, will take a lot of research, which i presume is not an issue, seeing as you are an IT whiz

3- http://www.photoshopforphotographers...2/purchase.htm is one book i looked upon, haven't read or gotten yet though.... but is probably one additon you do not want to miss on!

4- With digital, IMHO, the most important thing to know, is how the settings are affecting your image... back in the film day (which still is today somewhat...i still use film) you had to know and understand the film itself... to understand its colors.... now, its the same thing, only it uses different terms...

hope this helps...Marc

[WesternGuy]

Ken, one of the best ones I have read (my wife gave it to me as gift), and don't laugh, is Digital Photography for Dummies. It is well written and is an easy read, and covers everything from basic concepts to taking the picture(s) and some aspects of processing in the digital darkroom. I would also say that anything you read about technique (e.g., composition) for film is just as applicable to digital (at least in my experience). If you are looking for stuff on composition, rather than the technical side, then anything by Freeman Patterson (I think he has four or five books out) is excellent. Learning to see Creatively by Bryan Peterson is also an interesting read.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

WesternGuy

[kball]

Hey, thanks for all the replies. A lot of great information. I'm thinking that the dummy book might be a good place to start. I used to use them a lot till I got so smart I didn't need them for IT anymore

You've all been a great help. Thanks again.

[Speed]

You, me and several million more just like us!

:-D

The "National Geographic Photography Field Guide" is a good one for overall concepts, hints and tips.

"John Shaw's Nature Photography Field Guide" is my favorite as far as learning and using your camera. He really has a way of making concepts like working in stops understandable.

"Lighting for Glamour Photography" by Duncan Evans is the best book on lighting I've found so far, from using natural light, to flash, to reflectors, to studio lights. For a beginner, this is a great book to help get a handle on lighting for any type of photography.

When you find "the definitive" book, please let us know. I've got close to 50 photography books already, and if one will do it all, I'd love to have it!

[kball]

LOL I hear ya Speed. I've got quite a list to peruse now.

Thanks!!