Best photography equipment books according to redditors
We found 82 Reddit comments discussing the best photography equipment books. We ranked the 37 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 82 Reddit comments discussing the best photography equipment books. We ranked the 37 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
The Camera, The Nevative and The Print by Ansel Adams. The Camera in particular is still relevant today; and these three books are essential reads for anyone who still shoots film.
Ansel Adam's books are amazing. The Camera and The Negative are really good. The Print is also good but not really relevant to a hybrid work flow. Still neat reading though.
"The Photographer's Eye" has been suggested quite a few times here, for good reason I think. Quite enjoyable and informative.
If you really want to know about HDR, go pick up copies of Ansel Adams' The Camera, The Negative, and The Print. I'm not even a big Ansel Adams fan, but the dude understood HDR before it was 'cool.'
And I agree with goose_of_trees: The HDR technique here is mostly used to take boring shots and make them look terrible. Good HDR should be invisible to the viewer - they should be captivated by the content first, and if extending the dynamic range of the image will enhance that, then it is appropriate to do so.
There's a lot to learn, most of it trial and error, but I'll give a few stepping stones, and one piece of advice.
Start here as far as lighting goes: Strobist
For more lighting, look up people like Joe McNally, Chase Jarvis, Zack Arias, and Dan Winters.
As far as posing goes, skim through various fashion magazines—there are lots of books out there about it as well. Any magazine that has quality portraits will help with posing, and lighting. But I wouldn't really spend any money on them.
If video training is more your thing (it is with me), then check out Kelby Training, and CreativeLive. Kelby Training is a subscription based model with some pretty big name photographers, and subjects that range from portraits, weddings, landscape, Photoshop, and copyright law. CreativeLive however, is a free live viewing, with a paid viewing later. Pretty similar to KT, but the one-time price can be a bit steep.
There are obviously A LOT of photographers out there so the few I mentioned just happen to be some of my favorites. And even though you mention portraits specifically, I highly recommend all three of [Ansel Adams' books.](
http://amzn.com/0821221841)
As far as models go you can check out Model Mayhem, but quality can vary... I don't know of any more professional services. I'd imagine people that cosplay would also be available regular modeling as well. This is one area I'm not too familiar with, except for MM.
Now for my advice: 1) Don't get caught up in the gear and 2) copyright your photos!
Buy what you need, one piece at a time. You might think that you need three lights; four different light modifiers; the latest Pocketwizards; a carbon fiber tripod; etc., but you really don't. One light, one shoot-through umbrella (you'll learn why shoot-through), and you'll be fine.
Copyright is a huge deal. If someone uses your photo without permission, and you didn't copyright, tough. The licenses can get pretty complicated, but as you begin going down the path of learning the legal side, you'll definitely learn more and more. Sadly, the legal issues are rarely talked about when people first start taking photos, but they end up being the most important.
Anyway, with any creative endeavor: have fun!
After you figure out how to work your camera, Michael Freeman's The Photographer's Eye is an in depth book about composition. It takes you through dividing the frame, locating your subject within the frame, how color affects how people view your photos, etc. He has written several photography books. I have most of them, and they are all very good books.
After that, get books about whatever genre of photography you are most interested in. I like The National Audubon Society's books on Landscape, and Nature photography. I really haven't read or shot enough portraiture to have an opinion about books on the subject.
The A to Z Guide to Creative Photography has several fun photo ideas in it. Some are kinda gimmicky, but they get you thinking of shooting opportunities you probably wouldn't have thought of otherwise.
If your town has a big library, I'm sure you can find several books on different areas of photography. You can also try your local junk stores. Most of the time they're terribly organized, but I've found a few books for 50¢ in thrift shops.
Get a book.
After almost 2.5 years of owning my 7D. I cant tell you how important it is to read the Manual. I will also recommend 2 books that I found very helpful . [Magic Lantern Guides: Canon EOS 7D] (http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Lantern-Guides-Canon-EOS/dp/1600596649/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331264288&sr=8-1) and [Canon EOS 7D Digital Field Guide] (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-EOS-Digital-Field-Guide/dp/0470521295/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331264410&sr=1-1)
The Ansel Adams series
Camera
Negative
Print
Learn how to use the camera at your own pace then learn about processing at your own pace. And finally printing if you want to do that at your own pace.
http://ctein.com/PostExposure2ndIllustrated.pdf - Chapter 6 on enlarging lenses is good info to read up on.
The Kodak Color Print Viewing filters are a good way to dial in color balance. https://www.amazon.com/Kodak-Color-Print-Viewing-Filter/dp/0879857919
Everybody knows it but it still needs to be said: shoot, shoot, shoot.
Willief is spot-on in my opinion. An exercise I think you might find helpful is to give yourself assignments. Just like practice, or buying books about photography, it only works if you stick to it. You have landscapes, and your still-life work is coming along well too. I would say that in addition to portraiture (both studio and candid), you should consider other genres that 'put you out there' more, that are less under your control than your current work. Street photography instantly springs to mind - you don't have to live in NYC or LA to have amazing opportunities at street photography. If you're in a more rural locale, consider work like Frank's "The Americans," or Bruce Davidson, or even combine what you can do with what you want to learn, something like R.E. Meatyard.
When you want to push your landscapes farther, I would send you in two directions: Ansel Adams for technical mastery (if you haven't, read the holy trilogy, Camera, Negative, Print), and Minor White for artistry/composition.
You're already doing great work, keep on keeping on, never settle.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d7000/users-guide/http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Nikon-D7000-Darrell-Young/dp/1933952806
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D7000-Snapshots-Great-Shots/dp/0321766547
http://www.amazon.com/David-Buschs-Nikon-Digital-Photography/dp/1435459423
http://www.amazon.com/The-Photographers-Mind-Creative-Thinking/dp/0240815173
Here to second The Camera.
Each scanner comes with software which will do color correction. As with cameras, there's usually an 'auto' mode which will try to adjust the brightness and color balance to an average scene. This can be fooled by scenes where one color predominates, or by a very bright or dark scene. There's usually an advanced mode that will allow you to tweak color and brightness. Some scanning software has profiles built in for different film types.
The resulting scans can be used as-is, or can be further tweaked. There are some purists who wouldn't modify the scans from the lab and there are people who like to do a lot of post-processing.
While each film does have certain characteristics the final image depends on how it's scanned. The same negative can look very different depending on the equipment, software, and person running it all.
In the days of optical printing color balance was done by changing a set of color correction filters in the enlarger. Home printers used print viewing filters to judge color balance. Higher end darkrooms used a color analyser, a machine that could recommended color filtration settings. Minilabs have a color analyser built in.
This might be a good starting place.
http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Flash-Photography-Photographs-Electronic/dp/0817439560
My favorite educational book on photography is probably "The Art of Photography: An Approach to Personal Expression" by Bruce Barnbaum.
My favorite book on portraiture is "50 Portraits" by Gregory Heisler and for landscapes it's "Treasured Lands" by Q.T. Luong.
All of these have a big focus on film photography.
Another good set is Ansel Adams trilogy, The Camera, The Negative and The Print, which you can get used on Amazon for about $20 for all three books. However, they focus primarily on large format cameras, black and white negatives, and darkroom printing, so unless you're doing specifically that, I'd go with The Art of Photography above.
The Olympus 25mm (if that's what you have) is really, really great. I spent a year shooting almost exclusively with that for a 365 project, and came to love it (just wish they made a 17mm of the same quality).
There are two books I always recommend to anyone just starting out, as they really helped me: Understanding Exposure and The Photographer's Eye. Might be worth a look!
Well, I'd suggest not limiting your search to books strictly about DSLRs, since photographic lenses and the theory behind them were around for a century or more before digital SLRs came along. Your points of information are applicable to all lenses, not just those designed for DSLRs, so books about lenses and theory for film cameras (SLR, rangefinder, etc) will have the required info as well. Expand your search. There really is nothing that new, here.
Ansel Adams' The Camera has an excellent section on lenses that covers most if not all of the info you're looking for. There are also sections on different camera formats, different shutter types, etc. Adams was the original camera nerd, and the book is pretty detailed on all the subjects you mention.
Past that, ask your specific questions here. There are lots of us who know the answers or can direct you to a reputable source.
What is it you want to know? Hell, I've got a copy of The Camera on the table in front of me right now. Can transcribe if you want. Just let me know what you're looking for.
Edit: If you want to get really technical, look for a copy of Applied Photographic Optics by Sidney Ray
The classic textbook series is by Ansel Adams. I'd recommend The Camera, although there will be more information in there about large format cameras than you will probably need. It's still useful to understand the concepts, so i'd skim those sections.
The series continues with The Negative and The Print, i believe. I took 3 semesters of photo in school, so i was comfortable enough with that to skip it since i mostly shoot digital and have my wet process done in a lab anyway. For someone who doesn't have a firm grasp of photographic processes, i'd recommend these books.
Lighting is going to be pretty important. Prep-work really helps out. Talk to them before, and see if they can get you some examples of what effect they are looking for. There are often pretty good tutorials online that can allow you to replicate almost any shot.
The key as Tyler5280 said, is that you have to make your models comfortable, its helpful that they are already your friends, but don't rely on that to make it natural. Often the best looking shot is not the most comfortable.
Now as for actual technique, experiment! Make it clear that you've never done this before, and you welcome all suggestions. Don't use really wide angles unless you want distortion, but otherwise go for it. I personally use a 50mm f1.8 for most portraiture, and its a pretty good combo. Since you have a 18-55 zoom, your f-stop will not go that low. One thing that might help, don't shoot on the same line as your subject. If shooting the face, shoot from slightly below, and slightly from an angle. Take a look at most head shots, you'll see what I mean.
Phew, this is a long one.
I've included a link for the guide that I personally recomend. It's a bit outdated on equipment, but the technique and composition won't ever go out of date. Its $4, and worth many times that amount. I'd buy it used, since who cares if it's a little beat up. There is a chapter on every type of photo you'll ever try to take, and a fair bit on set up and preparation for any shot.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0679742042/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used
You should try 'The Photographer's Eye' by Michael Freeman.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Photographers-Eye-Composition-Photographs/dp/1905814046
Thanks man - "The Command to Look" is really interesting, though more apt for formal posing, and the author has a pretty dark sort of goth-ey style. I think it's an interesting philosophy of the "stop 'em in their tracks" idea. Just going to a good museum always inspires me (I'm a freak for renaissance religious paintings, I'm a believer that a lot of the really intense ones were a way to express sexual desire when it would have been taboo), but again, that's more formal posing. The biggest thing to me was learning to see the whole frame quickly, and look at negative space that frames the subject, things that pull you in or push you out. Even just grabbing snapshots I'll end up flat on my belly sometimes (the way the foreground grass frames her looked cool to me, and it raised the background foliage above her head - a lot of people would have shot it standing or crouching, but at this angle I'm "in her world" and not superior or above her, and so the viewer is too; to me it makes it more kind of "iconic" vs. a snapshot). I think you just have to shoot and shoot and then critique your own stuff, and eventually you learn to see things in the moment of shooting vs. days later.
Looking at what photos you like to see how they're composed is a useful plan. Finding some pictures online and trying to emulate them might also help.
The Photographers Eye is also a fantastic book on composition ideas.
> See above point. Also if there are cases in the courts that counter my points, provide evidence to them. I doubt sincerely that any prohibit the actions or protocols followed by the government and guards here.
Okay, here's a list.
I could keep going but those are literally the first three links on Google. These all include links to case law.
> I understand that its meant to be seen, but there is an inherent security risk associated with the building and grounds, thus its not seen as an "art installation," and to view it as anything less than what it is would be ignorant and dangerous.
This entirely contravenes its point as an art installation. From 30+ years ago. NPR even points this out from 13 years ago, which was post-9/11, pre-this actual incident. That aside, there is still legal precedent stating you can take pictures of private property if you are on public land, e.g. a sidewalk. It's how papparazi can take pictures of people in (or around) their homes without getting sued into oblivion, they're taking the photos from a public place. In fact, many times, unless otherwise specified, you can take photos of private property from private property, unless specifically posted signs contravene this or you are asked not to. Mr. Prigoff was asked to not photograph the LNG tank and he did not do so, according to his deposition, therefore no laws were broken. A lawyer has conveniently compiled all such legal-related information in a book specifically to educate photographers. Carlos Miller has been writing about this specific issue for almost 8 years. As a photographer, I'm highly invested in keeping myself abreast of such legal issues.
>Did you ask the guards this?
Read the article, that's exactly what the guards told the old man. What he said wasn't just something he wrote for ACLU.org, it's from his sworn deposition in Gill v DOJ.
>This entire sentence is semantics, and you could not possible have any factual evidence to support this.
[Hmmm, really] (https://www.google.com/#q=see+something+say+something&safe=off&search_plus_one=form)? Where do the first two links point? Right to DHS. Also, when was DHS officially put into action as a full-fledged agency? 2003. This incident happened in 2004. That's not semantics, that's fact.
If you are on facebook, become a member of Medium&Large film photography, and find Stephen Dirado's posts. Watch, read, learn. He's a master in using the 8x10.
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Or if you prefer paper: https://www.amazon.com/Using-View-Camera-Creative-Photography/dp/1626540772/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?crid=15TLX5YSZGE0&keywords=using+the+view+camera+steve+simmons&qid=1557356929&s=gateway&sprefix=steve+simmons+v%2Caps%2C232&sr=8-1-fkmrnull
Browse around, you may find it cheaper somewhere. Amazon co uk, maybe.
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I find such view cameras easy to use. The camera demands that you put though into each shot. You'll need a loupe to check your focus on the ground glass.
Do check if your shutter works properly. Get newer filmholders. I started with fomapan + rodinal. You'll need trays, and a completely dark room to develop in.
Can the back stand tilt backwards? There seems to be an axis in the middle of the stand, and a screw at the bottom for it. That is very very useful on such a camera. It allows you to get front to back in focus. Maybe the film plane can also swing, useful when shooting two people, or people that are looking away from your camera.
The lens stand seems to be able to let the lens rise and fall. This will allow you to get the vertical lines in the frame actually vertical. Useful for architecture, but I also use it to tweak the relation of my subjects to their background. Maybe the film plane can also shift sideways.
A reason to shoot 8x10 is that you can make 1 to 1 contact prints of them, and end up with photos of a decent size with tremendous details and tones.
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These are my notes going into large format: https://www.thephoblographer.com/2019/01/04/medium-format-slr-large-format-view-camera/
Side note: one of my favorite books I read in college when taking film courses was Ansel Adams the Camera. I learned heaps about what's really happening in a camera and how to control it.
Full Moon is a good one.
Ansel Adams "The Camera" is pretty neat.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0036FTNZY/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
I have read the Ansel Adams books, I liked them a lot. I currently shoot in digital, but the knowledge from those books will always be applicable no matter what you shoot. The first one in the series is: http://www.amazon.com/Ansel-Adams-Camera-Photography/dp/0821221841/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374611977&sr=1-3&keywords=ansel+adams
I have also taught a few people how to shoot, my suggestion, whatever book you choose, is to learn each topic separate from each other, take some time to practice it, and understand the concept completely before moving on to the next. Don't be afraid to shoot, you will take some crappy photos (I still do my self), learn from them, delete them, and try again. That is the nice thing about digital cameras. More importantly have fun with it. Cheers
I've read the 'holy trinity' (The Camera, The Negative, The Print) but I've found that I like Way Beyond Monochrome (second edition) much more. It's more modern and covers why multigrade papers are so awesome, Ansel only covers this slightly in The Print while WBM covers in in detail.
Also, for printing in general, Larry Bartlett's B&W photographic printing workshop is the best piece I've ever written. The technical side of things is covered better in other books (and here it's only covered in a few pages in the introduction chapter), but this book is a description on how a master printer approaches and prints several tricky images, as well as more normal images. I've read it several times and will most likely read it several times again.
The technical bits are easy, however. Better read photography books, for portraiture I really like the work of Inta Ruka (People I know is...magic) and Gregory Heisler (50 portraits).
Let's see, there was Understanding Exposure, which is especially helpful for people who have only ever shot digital b/c it explains so much of the basic functions of the camera that most people take per granted and can improve your pictures dramatically, another one of Peterson's books, Learning to See Creatively is also really good, I also like The Photographer's Eye. Another really good book if you're into B&W is Black & White: Photographic Printing Workshop, which was written for using enlargers in a darkroom but can equally be used with basic Photoshop technique, shows how to convert blah pictures into really amazing imagery using basic dodging and burning techniques. I'll post some examples of his later when I get home.
You have zero understanding of privacy laws regarding photography and videography.
I recommend this book to get you up to speed.
Ansel Adams: The Camera
Ansel Adams' Autobiography
A preview of his book is available on amazon and if you look at pages 24, 29, and 35 you can see how he describes it. Basically he sets up a scene, determines proper exposure on his camera, then inputs the aperture he wants to use into his flash and it tells him how far away from his subject to hold the flash (or vise versa). The "try it and adjust" method is what I use now too, but if I'm understanding what he's saying, it seems like a faster and more accurate way to do it
One of the canonical books on large format photography is The Camera by Ansel Adams.
I'd recommend brushing up on your legal duties while taking photos:
http://www.amazon.com/Legal-Handbook-Photographers-Rights-Liabilities/dp/1608954757
And the plethora of resources online. Wikipedia has some info, some states have more specific codes regarding photography, Google shines here.
Once you know your in the right you can start being more assertive and taking the photos you want to take. If things take a turn remain calm, don't escalate, and call the cops if it looks like it has even a chance of going sideways.
But other than that, ask permission if a street portrait is what you want, otherwise just take the photo. Believe me, as an introvert, it get's easier with every frame...
Personally I aggressively assert my rights when questioned but I don't linger either. It's lead to some captures I am very personally pleased with. The Irate Banker being my fave: https://flic.kr/p/jZLdqx
Amazon has a digital version of a book called Supercharging the EM10, it's for the Mk 1, but a lot of that functionality should transfer over.
It's only $8, and you can put it on your smartphone or tablet if you don't have an ereader.
https://www.amazon.com/Supercharging-Olympus-OM-D-M10-powerful-ebook/dp/B00PKA3LCE
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I have the E-M1, so not everything is going to be the same. But I can help with some things. Also, I would recommend flipping through the manual. I did, and I found so many things!
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Okay, so someone already showed you how to set up the super control panel. You can change a lot of settings there. Play around with them, and have the manual on you.
As for the ISO, by default Auto ISO is set to max at 1600 I believe. If you want to change that here is what I suggest you to. Open up the super control panel by clicking OK. Go to the ISO option in the top left, click OK. Then you can use either the front or rear dial to scroll through the ISO levels, you'll see it change at the bottom, eventually you'll see the word "Extension" appear. On mine, it is ISO 6400, and the level below it is ISO 5000. "Extension" simply means that the camera is doing software trickery to get higher than that value, and the camera can only handle to the point below it natively. Yours might be higher, maybe not. I can't say, the E-M1 is an old camera now (2013).
Anyways, with the level below "extension" (i.e. ISO 5000 for me) in mind, press the menu button. Scroll down to the gears. Click right, and go down to Exp/(Meterbox)/ISO (aka Gear E), Click OK, scroll down to ISO-Auto Set, Click Right, and change the High Limit to that value, for me it is set at 5000. I leave Default at 200.
Protip, if you are in the menu system, you can press the Info button, and it might give you an explanation of the item you have currently highlighted.
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When in Shutter Priority mode, the rear dial will adjust shutter, the front dial will set EV compensation, this is telling the camera you want it to automatically change settings to get a certain exposure, in shutter priority mode, that means it will automatically adjust the aperture and the ISO if it is set to automatic.
Aperture priority mode is the opposite, rear dial is aperture, front dial is EV compensation and will change shutter speed and ISO.
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For fireworks, look into using LiveComp mode. You need to be in manual mode for that, you'll need a tripod, and you'll probably want a remote or to use your smartphone to control the camera. But, what it does is it will take 1 picture as a reference, and then start taking multiple photos after that, and anytime there is a new light source, it will composite that new light onto the first frame. So only positive changes in brightness appear in the image. It's very cool. I've never used it for fireworks, but there are lots of examples of it online. And its "Live" so it shows you it on the back of the camera.
It's great for fireworks, it's great for star trails, or vehicle headlight/taillight trails. I've watched a ton of videos on youtube, Olympuses video on it.
Sometimes. Some military areas can't even be legally photographed from publicly-accessible areas. From Your Rights and Remedies When Stopped or Confronted for Photography, by Bert Krages, an attorney specializing in photography law who literally wrote the book on this subject:
"The general rule in the United States is that anyone may take photographs of whatever they want when they are in a public place or places where they have permission to take photographs... There are some exceptions to the general rule. A significant one is that commanders of military installations can prohibit photographs of specific areas when they deem it necessary to protect national security."
Has anyone ever read Complete Photography: Understand Cameras to Take, Edit and Share Better Photos by Chris Gatcum? Would you recommend it for someone with little knowledge on photography? Is there better ones out there?
Like this one: 'The Camera' by the one and only Ansel Adams. It's a fantastic intro to the theory and basics
https://www.amazon.com/Ansel-Adams-Camera-Photography/dp/0821221841/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502140237&sr=8-1&keywords=ansel+adams+the+camera
This is where I'd start. I still keep my copy on my nightstand and go back to it constantly.
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https://www.amazon.com/Photographers-Handbook-Third-Revised/dp/0679742042
The same author of the Photographers Eye will have one on Black & White Photography later this year. Book
DO NOT buy the 50 mm. not yet at least. its too long for dx.
first thing you need to do is to get this.
http://www.amazon.com/Ansel-Adams-Camera-Photography-Series/dp/0821221841
study this book. don't even bother with lenses unless you want something for low light. in that case you might want to get this
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/606792-USA/Nikon_2183_AF_S_Nikkor_35mm_f_1_8G.html
but get the book first.
some info about zoom vs prime
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHDEA7jEkoY
So browsing the web since creating this post I've come across the following non-introductory options:
So basically nothing directly competing against the course, except maybe for the last book. Anything I missed?
I have this: http://www.amazon.com/Photographers-Handbook-Third-Revised/dp/0679742042
It's not very useful with things like exposure, and surprisingly it completely glosses over a few important things like the zone system or even really how to deal with exposure, but it's a good general-purpose reference manual for almost everything related to film photography.
...my whole point of making sure I get the right subreddit in the first place is I'm not big on reposts. I just went through literally 5 binders of 35mm slides and, even with just the 5-star culling, could submit one photo a day to Reddit and not run out for about a year and a half. And that's before I get to the 6x7. And before I get to the stuff I shot on a 5D. And I'm probably moving up to a D800 in a couple weeks. I could Mind_Virus the fuck out of you people and nobody wants that.
I appreciate your compliment. Fireworks shots are excruciatingly simple once you figure out the trick. I didn't invent the technique; I simply do as suggested by Lee Frost and tweak to fit.
The Print, The Negative, and The Camera by Ansel Adams.
This is 110% Native American Fetishism. It's like the guy who made the Boy Scouts:
>The culture and civilization of the White man are essentially material; his measure of success is, "How much property have I acquired for myself?" The culture of the Red man is fundamentally spiritual; his measure of success is, "How much service have I rendered to my people?
Founder of the Boy Scouts and writer of the so-called "Indian Bible": https://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Red-Man-Indian-Bible/dp/1585092762
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Thompson_Seton