jennh Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Does anyone have a suggestion on a book for beginners? I have very recently started to take photography very seriously. I have no formal training and consider myself aquick learner, which is why I am doing my best to learn as much about photography from various mediums, includingthis site. My biggest teacher has just been hands on. Meaning I just go outside with my camera and just startshooting while changing the settings and seeing what happens. However, I still need help. While I go through this site I do find very educational information but am very unfamiliar with a lot of theterms, so I am looking for suggestions on a great book to go over the basics of photography. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James G. Dainis Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Kodak <I>How to Take Good Pictures</I> <P> My old copy has all the basics of aperture control, shutter speed, composition etc. I don't know if it has been updated to include digital but the basics are there. James G. Dainis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
william l. palminteri Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Here's the book I learned with........ Feininger on Photography by Andreas Feininger (Author) 1949 http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0007DRS00/ref=sr_1_olp_9?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1224243143&sr=1-9 If you really want to LEARN photography, not just "take good pitchas", this is the book. Bill P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lex_jenkins Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Check the used book stores in your area. Around here (Foat Wuth, TX), they're practically giving away entire libraries of those classic Kodak and Time/Life series. The basics of exposure, composition, lighting, etc., haven't changed so those books are still relevant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nodpete Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson is a great learning tool, and David D. Busch does a hands on book on various cameras. I have a Sony A100 and his book covers just about every question that I have. I know he does one for Nikons and I believe for other makes as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCL Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Go to a Borders Bookstore, grab a latte and 4 or 5 instructional books on photography...read for about an hour. By the end of that time, you'll have a good idea of which book has the info presented in a way you can best learn it. Of course there are the Ansel Adams books, but they are really for somebody a little farther along the learning curve. I always liked Les Meehan's "Creative Exposure Control" and John Hedgecoe's "The Photographer's Handbook" - with more than 1250 illustrations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James G. Dainis Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Back in the days when a camera had only three settings - ISO, shutter speed, aperture - the camera manual was a good beginner's tutorial showing examples of aperture DOF, shutter speed freeze/blur, composition etc. James G. Dainis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veeee Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 I learnt the same way,,,but I have a few books now, around 5-7 books..mostly from used book stores, remember you can pick up an old one about film and it will teach the basics with-out getting into the digital parts which is good. I find every book has a strong point and weak point so don't just rely on one, you will learn something new from each book..If I see a good book at a great price I still pick it up cause I may just learn somthing new, and if anything I love looking at their sample pics. Also take lighting course a your local college, this will help out plus you get to mingle with other like headed people and learn something... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ric_johnson1 Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Go to your local library and checkout any photography book. I will be pleased and will learn, learn and learn. Libraries are free as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverdae Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Basic Book of Photography Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dana_jill Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 I am in the process of reading "Understanding Exposure" (I have a 6 month old baby, so it's going to take me a while to finish this book!) and so far I really like it. I have already learned alot and I'm only on page 24. I think this book is a must read for anyone who is interested in taking their photography skills to the next level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nogub Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 The new 35mm photographer's handbook by Julian Calder This one is pretty nice, it takes lots of areas you need to get nice pictures, it helps you to decide your gear, technical settings, ilumination and composition for each kind of photography, macro, portrait, architecture, nature, studio etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phyrpowr Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Best one I ever used was "How to Take Great Pictures with your SLR", given away, alas, these many years ago. Totally out of print. Might find one in a library or used book store. Excellent A to B to C,,etc., all terms defined as you went along, good photos as examples of what was being discussed on that page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordon_lukesh1 Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 As a film shooter of B&W I recommend four softback books by Ansel Adams: The Camera The Film The Print This is a series of three. Then also get "Examples" where he describes in detail how he produced his images. Seen in person his work is beyond belief. Good luck, you won't be a beginner for long! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john fleshin Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 Very basic, Golden Book of Photography, was half a buck when I bought it the first time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dumitru_postoronca Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 I found Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson really helpful. It teaches you the basics (aperture, iso, shutter speed) and how to use them creatively. He also explains how to correctly meter the scene. You might also be interested in reading "The Negative" by Ansel Adams, from a local library, in which the most important thing for me was the zone system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
throbinson Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 Not sure if 'the best' but I have these two at home and found them both to be very useful. http://www.amazon.ca/John-Hedgecoes-New-Manual-Photography/dp/0789496372/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1224604532&sr=8-3 http://www.amazon.ca/Digital-Photography-Book-Scott-Kelby/dp/032147404X/ref=pd_sim_b?ie=UTF8&qid=1224604532&sr=8-3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holly_goyea Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 "Hi" Jennifer,Go to www.short courses.com digital photography. It has EVERYTHING that one would want to know including animations on how various things work. It has 5 or 6 different books to explore starting with getting to know your camera. EXCELLENT site!!!! Hope you enjoy it. Good luck, Holly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennh Posted October 22, 2008 Author Share Posted October 22, 2008 Thank you all so much! This is quite a start! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neal wells Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 Though geared towards nature photography, I found John Shaw's "Nature Photography Field Guide" one of the best books for learning. Five years later I still refer to it from time to time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_bunn Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 all books will teach you the same "basics" aperature, shutter, DoF the differences between lens type and all the necessary "science" behind photography. This is the same approach i took to learning so i read untill my eyes ached and i think i am pretty good on the theory of photography BUT... i only started learning by doing and thats my advice dont buy a book, get one from a library and save the money to put towards a fun toy for your camera! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lookitsanthony87 Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 B&W PHOTOGRAPHY by HENRY HORNSTEIN is the best book you could possibly get, it WAS the first and is always going to be the best! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maijaathena Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 As mentioned above, "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson is a great book. I highly recommend it, as it's very clear and easy to understand. -Maija Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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