Best books for learning photography

18 Best Photography Books for Beginners (5 Categories) • PhotoTraces

If you are looking for the best photography books for beginners, you are in the right place.

You don’t need an academic degree to become an expert in the art and practice of photography. There are numerous resources on the internet, in shops, or in libraries that can teach you everything you need to know about it. The rest is, of course, practice.

The internet is full of forums, blogs, and websites where you can learn about photography and gather everyday inspiration. I myself have dedicated a great part of my website to sharing my experience with the aim of helping those who are just taking their first steps as photographers.

To me personally, though, nothing can beat the feel of a well-designed photography book. We just tend to examine images deeper when we see them on paper. When we can touch them.

The same applies to text – reading on paper is much more pleasing to the eye. And we also tend to read in a more focused way from a book where there are no hyperlinks or instant messages popping up on the screen.

So I think books are an invaluable source of knowledge and inspiration for photographers. But in a market full of photography books it’s difficult to figure out where to start. That’s why I decided to offer you a list of titles that can be really beneficial to all of you who have taken the long but exciting way to become photographers.

Table of Contents

Best Photography Books for Beginners

I have divided the books into 5 categories depending on their subject matter. This way you can easily pick the title you need the most at the current stage of your photographic journey. Many of these are also available as e-books if you really prefer digital over traditional media.

Photography Basics

1. Understanding Exposure, Fourth Edition

Watson-Guptill Publications
Peterson, Bryan (Author)
English (Publication Language)
176 Pages – 03/15/2016 (Publication Date) – Amphoto Books (Publisher)

The iconic book by Bryan Peterson is a long-time companion to each aspiring photographer. In a very clear and detailed way, it introduces the reader to the concept of exposure. Here you’ll learn anything you will ever need on the topics of aperture, shutter speed, and light so that you can take full control of your camera and get the desired image in all kinds of circumstances.

The latest fourth edition of this classic includes new information on using flash as well as tips on astrophotography. Peterson’s language is easy to understand which makes the book suitable not only to complete beginners but also for starting photographers for whom English is a second language.

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2. Photography Demystified: Your Guide to Gaining Creative Control!

McKay, David (Author)
English (Publication Language)
140 Pages – 05/09/2016 (Publication Date) – McKay Photography Inc (Publisher)

David McKay’s book is perfect for everyone who’s fascinated by the world of photography but also overwhelmed by all its technical aspects. It takes the reader on a journey from fully automatic to fully manual shooting mode with the goal of allowing him to turn the pictures in his head into reality.

The book introduces the reader to all important photographic concepts such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, explaining the effects that can be achieved by each. Part of the book is also dedicated to composition as the most creative aspect of a photographer’s work. McKay’s goal is to teach the reader to take photos that are not just technically perfect but also have a unique feel.

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3. Light Science & Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting

Fourth edition
Hunter, Fil (Author)
English (Publication Language)
328 Pages – 09/08/2011 (Publication Date) – Focal Press (Publisher)

Light Science & Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting is a comprehensive guide to understanding light in photography. It contains everything you will ever need to know about the physics of light and its creative use if you’re someone who wants to specialize in studio photography.

The book is full of useful tips on how to photograph difficult objects such as glass, metal or textured surfaces. The latest fifth edition also contains an expanded chapter on taking powerful studio portraits. There’s also a list of trusted gear that would be of great help to photographers who are yet to equip their new studio.

The language of the book might be difficult at times but if you really want to become an expert in studio photography, sticking to it is definitely worth it.

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Artistic Side of Photography

4. The Art of Photography: A Personal Approach to Artistic Expression

ROCKY NOOK
Barnbaum, Bruce (Author)
English (Publication Language)
408 Pages – 04/12/2017 (Publication Date) – Rocky Nook (Publisher)

Bruce Barnbaum’s well-known book The Art of Photography: A Personal Approach to Artistic Expression takes the reader on a journey deep into the art of photography. What makes this title unique is that it goes from technical to philosophical smoothly and organically, emphasizing the importance of both aspects of photography.

This book will help the beginning photographer to learn how to add his personal touch to the images he takes. It deals both with film and digital photography and includes a section on printing and presentation of the final photos.

If you are ready to go deep into the philosophy of photography, then this book is for you. Its language will surely inspire you to get your work to a brand new and higher level.

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5. Learning to See Creatively: Design, Color, and Composition in Photography

Amphoto Books
Peterson, Bryan (Author)
English (Publication Language)
160 Pages – 08/04/2015 (Publication Date) – Amphoto Books (Publisher)

Another book by Bryan Peterson that just must be included in this list. The author shares his rich experience in composing photographs that strike the viewer. It proclaims that what makes a photograph unique is not so much its object of interest but the way the photographer has seen it himself. In this sense, even a simple object can make a stunning photograph.

Peterson’s book gives us the tools to create such photographs, focusing on their composition. The latest edition of the book contains a section dedicated to color and its creative use in photography. Learning to See Creatively will help the beginning photographer to gain a new perspective on the world through the viewfinder of his camera.

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6. Within the Frame: The Journey of Photographic Vision

Duchemin, David (Author)
English (Publication Language)
264 Pages – 07/03/2016 (Publication Date) – New Riders Pub (Publisher)

David duChemin’s iconic book is for all those who are looking for their unique photographic vision. The author helps the reader figure out what exactly he wants to tell with his images and then gives him useful tips on how to achieve and maintain that.

Of course, the book discusses the technical aspect of photography too but its main goal is to make the starting photographer look deeper and think more before pressing the shutter button. DuChemin explores some of the most important tasks each photographer has such as finding the right location, approaching people for a portrait, or telling a whole story with a single image.

The newer edition of the book includes creative exercises, expanded chapters, and new discussions and tips on landscape photography.

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7. The Photographer’s Eye Digitally Remastered

Freeman, Michael (Author)
English (Publication Language)
192 Pages – 11/21/2017 (Publication Date) – Routledge (Publisher)

Is the “photographer’s eye” something anyone can develop? Michael Freeman argues that it is in his popular book The Photographer’s Eye which has already celebrated its tenth anniversary. The author dives deep into composition – perhaps the most important aspect of photography altogether.

The book will teach you how to look for interesting objects and figure out when it is the “decisive moment” to press the shutter button. The author presents successions of photos, explaining what makes just one of them better than all the rest. This is something that can help every photographer not only during the final selection of images but also before actually shooting them.

Dedicated specifically to digital photography, the book discusses in detail purely digital techniques such as HDR or stitching.

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8. The Photographer’s Eye

Szarkowski, John (Author)
English (Publication Language)
156 Pages – 03/01/2007 (Publication Date) – The Museum of Modern Art, New York (Publisher)

Another great book was written by this important figure of the photography universe. This book includes a breakdown approach of 172 curated photographs. The selection includes work from the all-time masters, as well as amateur work and even vernacular snapshots. The purpose behind this juxtaposition is to analyze almost in a SWOT-style text, the challenges, and opportunities that all photographers endure in their careers.

The reason why I think this is an important book for you to become better is that it can be seen as an inspiration, or even as a scale, that will ease the emotions of all photographers that want to be great fast, and think that this joy happens spontaneously.

When I read this book, I felt like I was been drawn back to earth, but with parental care, it was an awesome experience for sure.

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9. Photography Changes Everything

Aperture
Author: Marvin Heiferman and Merry A. Foresta
English (Publication Language)
263 Pages – 06/30/2012 (Publication Date) – Aperture (Publisher)

This book is an important reminder to all us photographers that we are the carriers and protectors of great responsibility. Photography changes everything in an innovative compendium of essays that speak about photography changing the way of doing, perceiving and understanding almost everything.

This is a great book for every photographer to read in order to become better because it awakes us that hardly ever see the truth about photography in our minds.

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10. Composition: From Snapshots to Great Shots

Excell, Laurie (Author)
English (Publication Language)
258 Pages – 11/15/2010 (Publication Date) – Peachpit Pr (Publisher)

Every camera comes with a decent User Manual that will teach you very little about how to take meaningful images that will go beyond mere snapshots. Composition is the best tool you have for creating visually attractive images, and now that you have invested in some gear, you need a book that goes along with that piece of gear. In this book, you’ll find a friendly road into composition. Learn the best ways to compose images while getting great detail in every image you capture.

The book has an innovative way of combining the best of the two worlds (digital and analog experience of books) by offering a simple to access Flickr group dedicated to the book readers for them to share their work.

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11. Creative Composition: Digital Photography Tips and Techniques

Davis, Harold (Author)
English (Publication Language)
242 Pages – 10/09/2009 (Publication Date) – Wiley (Publisher)

Another great book on composition speaks of the importance of mastering rules before breaking them. Cameras are great tools filled with desirable technology, but they don’t take photos unless they have their shutter buttons pressed down.

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When I was starting to take photographs, a friend of mine lent me this book. I was using a small point and shoot camera, and thanks to this book, I surely made that camera count until the very last day it was taken away from my hands by a robber on the street.

I don’t consider myself a master of composition, therefore I’m still learning different ways of rendering my own vision of the world through photography, but this book was indeed a great way to start.

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Photo Techniques

12. Expressive Nature Photography: Design, Composition, and Color in Outdoor Imagery

Tharp, Brenda (Author)
English (Publication Language)
240 Pages – 07/25/2017 (Publication Date) – Monacelli Studio (Publisher)

Brenda Tharp’s book is the ultimate guide to everyone whose desire is to explore the outdoors with his camera. It uses the author’s rich portfolio of outstanding nature images to give clear and useful tips on shooting all kinds of objects a photographer can come across outside. You’ll find directions on how to shoot the stars at night, create really long exposures using filters, or capture fast-moving objects.

Tharp also invites the reader to sometimes break the rules in order to achieve a more interesting or emotive composition. A section of the book is dedicated to the art of “visual flow” – the deliberate arrangement of elements in a way that naturally draws the eye of the viewer to the object of interest.

While giving detailed technical information, the book is all about infusing our landscape photographs with more than just “truth” but mostly with emotion.

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13. The Moment It Clicks: Photography Secrets from One of the World’s Top Shooters

Author: Joe McNally

Joe McNally is a well-known name in the photographic industry and this book is a gift to everyone who’s taking his first steps in the trade. The book contains tons of useful tips and “behind the scenes” information that will teach you a lot about composition, the creative use of lights, or the effects you can achieve with various types of equipment.

McNally’s language and the style of this book make it both light and informative. While it requires a certain level of experience and knowledge, it’s written in a very positive way that will make even the ultimate beginner feel welcome “to the club”. This way it inspires and motivates rather than mystifies the process of taking great photographs.

With a specific focus on using light, this book is for all who want to learn how to take great portraits, inside or outdoors.

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14. Photography Q&A: Real Questions. Real Answers.

Arias, Zack (Author)
English (Publication Language)
299 Pages – 06/14/2013 (Publication Date) – New Riders Pub (Publisher)

Imagine you could sit down with an established photographer and talk about your shared passion until all your questions are answered. This is exactly the feeling Zack Arias’s book gives you. It will answer all your queries about the practice and business of photography and much more.

The book will not give you detailed explanations on how to shoot a specific photograph. It will, however, “fill all the gaps” in the knowledge and experience you’ve had so far. In this sense, it is not suitable for a perfect beginner but is definitely something you will want in your collection of books later on.

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Arias’s answers are straightforward but their tone is always supportive and ultimately motivating, so even a photographer who is just starting will not be discouraged by all the problems discussed there. On the contrary, he’ll learn invaluable things that, if he’s willing enough, might change the quality of his work forever.

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15. The Digital Photography Workflow Handbook

Hardcover Book
Gulbins, Juergen (Author)
English (Publication Language)
552 Pages – 11/07/2010 (Publication Date) – Rocky Nook (Publisher)

Workflow, workflow, workflow. We all have heard the word; I even mentioned it in this article introduction, but really, what is the Photography Workflow? Thanks to this book I’ve finally got to define it as the replicable and structured process of doing images from start to finish. Such scope spans from preparing the equipment to the final deployment of the print, and the internet version publication of the image.

I haven’t got an official medical statement about me having OCD, but this book really fed my obsession for structures and archive organization.

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Film Photography

16. The Film Photography Handbook: Rediscovering Photography in 35mm, Medium, and Large Format

Hardcover Book
Marquardt, Chris (Author)
English (Publication Language)
282 Pages – 05/06/2016 (Publication Date) – Rocky Nook (Publisher)

Due to the curious behavior of our human race, film photography has witnessed a significant renaissance, which is not necessarily happening because of the people that had previously shot film. Younger generations are getting interested in the format for various reasons (curiosity, nostalgia, pride, etc.)

The Film Photography Handbook offers an easy-to-understand and pretty complete resource for shooting film. The book is definitely not a stubborn position in photography. In fact, it fits perfectly in today’s working climate because it includes topics such as the hybrid film/digital workflow, digitization of negatives, and even working with smartphones for light metering and to assist in film processing.

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Here you will learn various important aspects of film photography. From the obvious and not-so-obvious differences between film and digital photography, how to buy a second-hand film camera, film formats, and everything you need to know regarding film development as well.

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Printing

17. The Print (Ansel Adams Photography)

Little Brown
Adams, Ansel (Author)
English (Publication Language)
210 Pages – 06/01/1995 (Publication Date) – Little, Brown (Publisher)

Ok, this is not a single book but three great treasures of photography in technical terms. The summit of Ansel Adams was his easy to recognize direct photography; but the unseen rocky road, are the technical aspects he speaks of in this series.

I need to be honest with you, I have only been able to read “The Camera”, which is a text that explains the tool in a way that allows the reader to predict the results of the final image while still setting up the camera’s parameters. “The Negative” and “The print” are books that I have only read slightly, but are considered to be as great as the Camera. Many of the themes he discussed are still valid since we have only substituted emulsions for sensors.

Having such a vast amount of knowledge written down by The Master is a complete treasure that needs to be on your bookshelf for sure.

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18. Fine Art Printing for Photographers: Exhibition Quality Prints with Inkjet Printers

Hardcover Book
Steinmueller, Uwe (Author)
English (Publication Language)
356 Pages – 10/25/2013 (Publication Date) – Rocky Nook (Publisher)

The Rocky Nook have books for everything when it comes to photography, but with this one, they really nailed it. Many of today’s photographers have little interest in making prints of their images because of several numbers of reasons we are just not going to discuss.

This book gives the necessary assets for doing print right, which is an important part of the photography workflow. Such assets cover color management, profiling, paper, and inks.

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Best Photography Books for Beginners | Conclusion

Now that you know where to gather knowledge and inspiration, all you need to do is pick the title that speaks to you the most. The most important thing is to try and test everything you’ve learned as soon as possible.

This is by no means a comprehensive list of titles. Photography is a journey that takes a lifetime and that will always teach you something new. That’s why, even after all those years of experience, I am still curious and excited, and inspired to do photography. And I very much hope you will be either.

Articles Related to “18 Best Photography Books for Beginners (5 Categories)“

Best Photography Books Beginners — The Beginner Photography Podcast

February 22, 2021Raymond Hatfield

There is no shortage of ways to learn photography. From Photography tutorials on Youtube, Photography Podcasts, and Photography courses and workshops it is easy to forget about the golden standard and the way many beginners learned photography for a century before the internet, BOOKS!

It may seem weird learning photography from books which are traditionally full of text but the truth is books cost a lot of money to produce and therefore the content in them is much higher quality than the majority of free resources. I can tell you first hand these are the best photography books for beginners and if you are serious about learning photography these books will guide you wherever you want your camera to take you.

This article contains affiliate links to the books listed and if you purchase one of the photography books below I may receive a small commission but this has in no way influenced my real world experience using each and every book listed below.

Understanding Exposure, Fourth Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera

By Bryan Peterson

Buy on Amazon

Veteran photographer Bryan Peterson explains the fundamentals of light, aperture, and shutter speed and how they interact with and influence one another. With an emphasis on finding the right exposure even in tricky situations, Understanding Exposure shows you how to get (or lose) sharpness and contrast in images, freeze action, and take the best meter readings, while also exploring filters, flash, and light.

Authentic Portraits: Searching for Soul, Significance, and Depth

By Orwig, Chris

Buy on Amazon

Taking a portrait is not an easy task. In fact its an art form of its own and Chris Orwig has mastered this art and shares his wealth of knowledge with you. The techniques are refreshingly simple and quickly build confidence. From finding subjects to preparing your own self and how to encourage your subject, this book filled with more than 400 pages of portrait photography tips and education has it all. If you want to take soulful photos full of meaning and not just snapshots, this is the book for you.

The Photographer's Eye: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos

By Michael Freeman

Buy on Amazon

Design is the single most important factor in creating a successful photograph. The ability to see the potential for a strong picture and then organize the graphic elements into an effective, compelling composition has always been one of the key skills in making photographs.

In this book, Photographer Michael Freeman teaches how digital photography has brought a new, exciting aspect to design with instant feedback from a digital camera allows immediate appraisal and improvement. This has had a profound effect on the way digital photographers take pictures.

Advancing Your Photography: Secrets to Amazing Photos from the Masters

By Marc Silber

Buy on Amazon

Marc Silber has not only been a guest on the Beginner Photography Podcast but has interviewed some of the world's best photographers and learned their secrets for stunning composition. Now he passes their wisdom along to you in an easy to understand handbook. Too many photographers get to a certain level and find it hard to advance. We're bombarded with so many videos, books and people telling you what to do it can be overwhelming. Marc wrote Advancing Your Photography so you could have one easy to read handbook to carry with you. All his tips are based on decades of photography and the deep wisdom of the fantastic photographers he's interviewed.

When I attended film school, our education was broken up into two main themes. Technical and theoretical.
The technical was obvious and anyone could learn it quite easily.
The theoretical is what fascinated me.
After graduating I transitioned into photography. All the technicals remained the same as cinematography but I always felt I was missing the theoretical lessons of photography and what happened in the past to get us to where we are today.

Good Pictures by Kim Beil provides a fascinating look at how we got to where we are today in photography and why we use the tools we do.

Before reading the book I had never given the question of why do we have vignettes and where did they come from, a single thought. I feel much more connected to photography after reading Good Pictures. Highly recommended.

Good Pictures: A History of Popular Photography

By Beil, Kim

Buy on Amazon

Picture Perfect Practice: A Self-Training Guide to Mastering the Challenges of Taking World-Class Photographs (Voices That Matter)

By Roberto Valenzuela

Buy on Amazon

If you’ve been frustrated and overwhelmed by the challenges of real-world locations and executing a great image–or if you simply want to become a better shooter but don’t know where to start– Roberto Valenzuela’s Picture Perfect Practice gives you the tools and information you need to finally become the kind of photographer you’ve always wanted to be: the kind who can confidently walk into any location, under any lighting condition, with any subject, and know that you can create astonishing photographs that have a timeless impact.

The Photographer's Guide to Posing: Techniques to Flatter Everyone

By Lindsay Adler

Buy on Amazon

When photographing people, you can have a great composition, perfect light, and the right camera settings, but if your subject doesn’t look right―if the pose is off―the shot will not be a keeper. Posing is truly a crucial skill that photographers need to have in order to create great photographs. If you’re looking to improve your ability to pose your subjects―whether they’re men, women, couples, or groups―best-selling author and photographer Lindsay Adler’s The Photographer’s Guide to Posing: Techniques to Flatter Everyone is the perfect resource for you.

Fast Track Photographer, Revised and Expanded Edition: Leverage Your Unique Strengths for a More Successful Photography Business

By Dane Sanders

Buy on Amazon

Competition in the photography industry has never been fiercer. But in this empowering guide, acclaimed photographer Dane Sanders reveals that the key to success is to stop worrying about what everyone else is doing and start focusing on your most powerful resource: you.

9: How I Make Photographs by Joel Meyerowitz

With nearly 60 years of photography experience, Joel Meyerowitz knows his way around the camera and shares some of his best tips to creating compelling and beautiful images in this book, How I Make Photographs. Joel Meyerowitz has been called one of the most respected street photographers of all time and in this book he breaks down 4 key concepts that will help you to better capture your world.

How to use a camera to reclaim the streets as your own
Why you need to watch the world always with a sense of possibility
How to set your subjects at ease
The importance of being playful and of finding a lens that suits your personality.

Joel Meyerowitz: How I Make Photographs

Laurence King Publishing

Buy on Amazon

Magnum Contact Sheets

By Kristen Lubben

Buy on Amazon

This groundbreaking book presents a remarkable selection of contact sheets, revealing how the most celebrated Magnum photographers capture and edit the very best shots. Addressing key questions of photographic practice, the book illuminates the creative methods, strategies, and editing processes behind some of the world’s most iconic images. The book is a bonus because it is less actionable than others on this list and focuses more on the stories from the photographers who took the photos. This is a must read.

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In Tutorials

7 books for beginner photographers

Do you have a good camera but lack the knowledge to take beautiful pictures? It is very important to learn how to take photographs that can tell the story themselves. To find your author's style and impress the viewer, you need to study the composition, the history of photography, learn from the classics of photography. We have compiled a selection of books for beginner photographers that will help you turn an ordinary photo into a real masterpiece. Shall we start?

nine0004 Photographer's view. How to learn to understand photography, understand and appreciate good photos

Freeman M.

To understand an image, you need to go beyond it. In The Photographer's View, Michael Freeman provides instructions for understanding photography of any genre, from everyday sketches to art experiments. As examples, 200 universally recognized world photo masterpieces are given.

The Art of Color

nine0002 Itten I.

Johannes Itten is an artist and teacher at the Bauhaus design school. The book "The Art of Color" contains lecture notes that Itten gave to students. Despite the fact that about 100 years have passed since then, these principles are still relevant today. The idea of the color wheel is used constantly and everywhere: in paints, in the selection of color combinations in clothes and in graphic editors.

How people see

Chernyshev D.

Working as a creative director, Dmitry looked through 40-50 thousand photos a week. Then he wondered why some photos are remembered for a long time, while others fly out of memory instantly. After analyzing his experience, the author offers exercises to develop creativity and the ability to see. In addition, the book contains many interesting stories about painting and photography. nine0003

Photography. World History

Hacking J.

You will get acquainted with the most iconic photographs in world history. Period by period, the book traces the evolution of creative photography, reveals its historical and cultural context.

The art of looking. How to Perceive Contemporary Art

Ward O.

This book will become a guide to the world of contemporary art, including photography. How to properly perceive what we see? You will find detailed instructions, thanks to which you will learn to understand unrecognized masterpieces. nine0003

The golden ratio in painting

Kovalev F.

The book deals with the basic compositional rule - the golden ratio. You will learn about its role and construction methods. The above recommendations will be useful to photographers when creating a full-fledged image plot.

Photoshop Portrait Retouching for Photographers

Kelby S.

A popular modern author of manuals for photographers in his book reveals techniques for working with the Photoshop program. You will learn how to work with portraits: smooth skin, create luxurious lips, enlarge eyes, eliminate defects and retouch photos while maintaining naturalness. nine0003

Tips for beginner photographers:

✾ Always take your camera with you

You never know when you will see the picture you want to capture. It's better to always be ready.

✾ Shoot regularly

Capturing a beautiful picture depends on constant practice.

✾ Write down your ideas

Ideas for photography can come up at any moment: while walking, while watching a movie, and even in your sleep! In order not to forget, write it down in a notebook or in notes on your phone. nine0003

✾ Learn from others

Do not stand still, but always develop. The world is full of great photographers and their beautiful work. Learn from their example.

✾ Shoot for yourself

Remember that for photography to be successful, you must like it. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

Get inspired!

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15 best books for beginners and professional photographers

Do you have a good camera but lack the theoretical knowledge to take great pictures? There is a set of books that every self-respecting photographer should read. They are time-tested and tested by thousands of experienced photographers. The Kabanchik.ua service has created a selection of specialized literature that will allow you to understand the camera settings, learn the features of genre photography, build the composition correctly and significantly improve your level.

1. Photomaster

Author: Svetlana Pozharskaya

The most detailed book (at least in the Russian version) about the history of photography. The publication contains a large number of illustrations, including restored images taken by the first prototype cameras. History is very important for any photographer, because, despite changing technologies, the basics of creating a picture remain the same.

2. Fundamentals of composition and artistic photography

Author: Mark Geiler

Almost all aspects of photography are covered in the book: from the artistic value of images to the processing of finished images. The main advantage of the publication is a large number of exercises for photographers after each section. By doing them, you can increase professionalism as you read the book and bring many skills to automatism. nine0003

3. The Tao of Digital Photography: The Art of Taking Good Pictures

Author: Michael Freeman

Despite the rather poor translation of the title, the book turned out to be remarkable - the material in it is presented in an accessible language, with a large number of author's examples. This is literally the ABC of a modern photographer, with which it is worth starting to delve into art. It teaches to be not just technical, but also develops the artist's eye, to take photos with meaning and emotions.

4. A New History of Photography

Edited by Michel Friso, Volume I

Another wonderful history book covering the time from the birth of automatic drawings to pictoralism. The book was created with the involvement of the best historians and scientific research. The work rethinks many stereotyped approaches to art.

5.

Photography as…

Author: Alexander Lapin

One of the best books for photographers. She teaches not to mindlessly “click”, but to plan, feel, fill each shot with meaning. The author of the book is sure that photography is hard work, a whole philosophy that needs to be mastered for successful work. Along with the development of technology, you need to read this textbook. nine0003

6. Photographer's view

Author: Michael Freeman

The book discusses a lot of questions: how and why photos are recognized as works of art, how to correctly evaluate the cost of images, how to understand the styles and trends of modern photography. Detailed attention is paid to genres, creative means and techniques, secrets of photographers. 200 universally recognized photographic masterpieces are given as examples.

7. Emotional photo

Author: Tracey Clark

The book contains more than 230 photos with detailed analysis of technical and compositional techniques. An overview of the methods and tools used by the world's best photographers is given. The reader will be able to learn to see interesting objects for shooting, build a convincing composition, take great pictures even with a “soap box”, and edit photos with high quality.

8. Living Digit

Author: Pavel Kosenko

The book is dedicated to color in digital photography. Its author is a photographer-colorist who uses knowledge of color and the capabilities of modern computer tools in his work. All aspects of working with color are considered: features of perception by the human eye, the relationship between composition and color, correct technical color correction. The book will appeal not only to photographers, but also to designers. nine0003

9. Hot Shoe Diary

Author: Joe McNally

The author of the book is a world famous photographer from the USA. His main talent is the ability to work with light. He knows how to describe it, how to shape it, how to control lighting. The master can create optimal lighting conditions, even using a standard hot shoe type flash. The book contains many personal reflections and examples that will be useful to all photographers.

10. Wedding photography

Author: Michelle Turner

The book reveals the secrets of creating great wedding pictures. Examples of 350 photographs with a detailed technical and compositional analysis are given. Revealed a lot of secrets and professional "chips".

11. Portrait retouching with Photoshop for photographers

Author: Scott Kelby

The most popular modern author of manuals for photographers in the next book reveals several techniques for working with image processing software. In particular, readers will learn how to work with portraits: smooth skin, create luxurious lips, improve eyes, eyelashes and eyebrows, eliminate skin defects, retouch photos while maintaining naturalness. nine0003

12. Model. Posing problems

Author: William Mortensen

The author does not limit his students and does not fill their heads with prohibitions and dogmas. He only points out the most common mistakes and teaches you to look at the world in a new way. If the photographer discovers this talent in himself, he himself will avoid many mistakes when working with a model and will be able to work in any style.

13. The Art of Digital Landscape Photography

Michael Fry

With the help of this book, you can learn how to create breathtaking landscape shots. The author teaches how to work with composition, lighting, color, describes in detail all modern methods of landscape photography and gives more than 300 photo examples with detailed analysis. Bonus - the most complete collection of professional secrets from modern photographers. 14. 101 secrets of digital photography It provides tips on exposure and composition in an accessible language, gives definitions of basic terms, tells how to properly handle the technique. nine0003