Its that time of year! You may have your eye on some great photography items for Christmas.
I was recently asked what was on my Photographers wish-list for Christmas.
Truth be told, EVERY SINGLE YEAR I ask for books.
I already feel totally content with gear (you really don’t need much if you’ve got quality) but if you want to know more about gear recommendations, check out my gear post, or if you’re looking for a new camera, look at my camera recommendations.
Today though… I’d like to share my book list.
The internet is full of tons of information on photography… loads.
BUT… I have to admit that I love the focus that a book can give.
You aren’t pulled into a million different directions with links to click on, the distraction of checking your email or blogs, you’re not left with only brief tips that fit into a blog post or found searching for more through forums.
Books are in depth resources, and its somewhat harder to multi-task while reading a book, so I feel like I often retain a bit more of the information. I like to read with highlighters too. If I mark up my books, then I feel the points stick out more and I can easily refer back to what I found most helpful.
And besides, what better investment can you get for a hobby/business than education? You can probably tell by this list that I love to read, and I credit so much of what I know about photography to books, not just internet researching and trial and error experience.
Here’s my top favorites that I have read and love:
General Photography
Scott Kelby’s Digital Photography Boxed Set, Volumes 1, 2, and 3 (or purchased separately)
Technical Photography
Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera
Understanding Shutter Speed: Creative Action and Low-Light Photography Beyond 1/125 Second
Editing/Software use for Photography
The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 Book for Digital Photographers editions also available for older versions of Lightroom
The Adobe Photoshop CS5 Book for Digital Photographers editions also available for older version of Photoshop
Composition
The Photographer’s Eye: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos
Photography Business
EBOOKS for Photography Business
Easy As Pie Guide to Pricing your Photography
Wordsmith’s What to Wear Guide
Wordsmith’s What to Write Guide
Wordsmith’s How to Sell Online Guide
General Business and Personal Achievement
Beans: Four Principles for Running a Business in Good Times or Bad
Purple Cow, New Edition: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable
The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and when to stick)
Secrets of Six-Figure Women: Surprising Strategies to Up Your Earnings and Change Your Life
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
How To Win Friends and Influence People
The Success Principles(TM): How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
What do I hope I get this year???? (you reading this Ben?)
VisionMongers: Making a Life and a Living in Photography
Within the Frame: The Journey of Photographic Vision
The Art of Children’s Portrait Photography
Learning to See Creatively: Design, Color & Composition in Photography
Hope that helps some of you lovely photographers out there looking for some affordable things for the art!
Do you have a book that you totally love that didn’t make the list? Post it for us in the comment section!
Brooke Snow is a Lifestyle photographer in Cache Valley, Utah. She has book shelves in nearly every room of her home, and they are already maxed out to overflowing. Despite having a fireball one year old, she has learned how to read while pushing a stroller, as well as roaming around the house while supervising demolitions. She always keeps a book in the car, her purse, and by the computer so she doesn’t freak out at slow loading sites or software… you can always pick up a book and read while you wait 🙂
Brooke teaches private photography lessons , online photography classes, as well as monthly photography classes in Logan, Utah.
5 Responses
What a great collection of titles! I’ve read some but will have to bookmark this to come back to later the next time I’m ready to read!
What a fun list of books! I definitely see some I may have to add to my list…Thanks!
I LOVE highlighting books too! 🙂
Brooke- The links for the wordsmith e-books all go to Easy As Pie. A great read, but I wanted to let you know… 🙂 Thanks for sharing the list!
Thanks Kelly! I changed the links. Should be working now!
HI Brooke,
Just wanted to say that thanks to your helpful list I remembered to ask for Fast Track Photography, and I got it! Loving the book, it’s really helping me apply ideas and create a real plan for 2011.