best books

These are the best books I’ve read on the subject of photography. They cover the range of novice to pro, and practical to over-the-top extravagant.

But this is not an all-inclusive list, just the exceptional.

Oh, and I’m putting the newer (to me) stuff at top. So check back to see the latest!

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The Speedliters Handbook
by Syl Arena

Canon flashes are just as good as Nikon flashes. But Nikon has done a great job marketing their flashes’ potential through ad campaigns and easy on-board menus. Oh, and they have Joe McNally. That pretty much wins the game.

Well, Syl Arena–an extraordinary photographer in his own right–has put out an encyclopedia, no the encyclopedia, on the Canon flash.

It seemed a little pricey at first, but due to the shear volume of knowledge this book packs, it’s worth every penny.  I find myself looking up different topics or how-to’s, and just not putting this thing down. It’s everything Canon flash.

Buy it here.

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One Light Field Guide
by Zack Arias

What you’ll find most useful about this book is the directness in which Zack Arias shows his light set-ups.  He tells you what equipment he uses, what all the settings are, and then gives you a clean, top-view diagram. Then he shows you the final images. It’s like, photography for dummies.  I guess that’s why I love this books so much.

Zack originally created this in conjunction with his One Light Workshop, but having never been to it or even seen the DVD, I had no loss in following this book. Actually, I want to get the DVD now.

You can see the entire book in thumbnail portions here and buy it here.

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VisionMongers
by David duChemin

Maybe I’m just a little narrow-sighted, or maybe he just caught the market at the right time, but it feels like David duChemin has single-handedly introduced the value of having a vision behind your photography. He seems to be the go-to guy to talk about putting vision behind your photography. And like so many clever ones before him, his message isn’t anything new.  It’s simple and to the point.

He’s also very practical, which I, personally, find makes for a great read.

Great for beginners (and pros looking for a fresh look).  Get it here.

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Periodical Photographs
by Dan Winters

Normally I don’t buy pictures books until they’re on the 80% discount rack. And then, well, you know, they’re probably not that good because they’re on the…well, you get it.

But Dan Winters is the exception, hands down. I paid full price for this baby. As a portrait photographer, I will pull this book out and scour it for inspiration, both visual and technical. The last time I liked a picture book this much was because the cut-out dinosaurs popped up as you turned the pages.

This book doesn’t even have dinosaurs.

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Shooter
by David Hume Kennerly

I think I first heard about this from David Hobby’s blog. He threw out some stern warnings about the dangers of reading this and then immediately quitting your job to become a photojournalist. I ignored all of that silliness.

He wasn’t joking.

I struggled to keep my job, because I would probably not end up as a photojournalist, but just an out of of work photographer. I still have a twitch.

Written as an autobiography of a long and colorful life. Kennerly talks about shooting (pictures) in Vietnam, being the first official White House photographer (Gerald Ford), and many other real-life adventures.

It was hard to find. I think I got it on eBay, but if you’re looking for a really good, non-fictional read. Well, those are hard to find, too.

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The Hotshoe Diaries
by Joe McNally

I bought this book because of Joe’s blog. No matter if he’s mourning his cat, breaking down his latest shoot, or doing super-human things with iTTL flash–Joe is a great writer.

Oh, and he’s a fantastic photographer.  He breaks it down, gives us some insight into each picture. It’s not always the straightforward “here’s what I was doing”, “here’s what I was thinking” breakdown, sometimes he just talks. But it’s worth it. Every picture.

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Best Business Practices for Photographers, 2nd ed.
by John Harrington

Fun? No.

Interesting? Uh, not really.

Important? Only if you’re the type of business that files taxes each year.

The title kind of sums this up. If you’re making any money at photography, I’d recommend you keep this as a reference guide. It bridges the photography side of things with the business (aka: the keep-me-out-of-trouble) side of things.

I have the second edition. Not sure what the current is, but I’d say don’t go more than one edition back if you’re trying to save some dollars.