Photo Books: Starting Out

Nikon D200,  Nikkor 18-70mmf/3.5-4.5 @ 25mm,  ISO 100,  1/60 @ f/7

Once people get either an advanced digital camera or a new dSLR the first question is, how do I learn to have fun with this thing.  Well there are a number of things they can do including taking a class.  To begin with though, I would suggest two things.  First go out and take pictures, lots of them.  At the same time, read a book. 

Ah, but what book?  Well here are a few suggestions.

Back in the early 1980s Kodak published a bestseller called The Joy of Photography.  If you can find a copy cheap, get it (now out of print).  Of course it talks about film, no digital back then but the basics haven’t changed.  One of the contributors to that fine volume was Jeff Wignall. 

Wignall has written a new entry level introduction to photography called The Joy of Digital Photography.  It covers the gamut from snapshots to fine art photography.  He nicely explains everything from composition, exposure and gear to pixels, file formats and the digital darkroom.  This one is a nice starting point.

The Joy of Digital Photography $20

Lark Books

ISBN 13: 978-1579909475

National Geographic has published a series of books on digital photography.  Newly updated is their The National Geographic Ultimate Field Guide to Photography.  This comprehensive guide starts with everything you need to know when you buy your camera and continues on through familiarity and use.  Aimed directly at the beginning enthusiast photographer, this guide covers such topics as exposure, composition, depth of field and Flash.  Lenses and their use is explained in plain English, and technical topics such as sensors and pixels are demystified. 

Chapters cover topics ranging from the digital darkroom, printing and archiving to cell phone photography.  Each chapter is enhanced by a professional photographer’s profile and portfolio that pertains to the subject of that chapter.

This is a comprehensive how-to that is intelligent and readable.  Well worth the read.

National Geographic Ultimate Field Guide 2nd Edition  $25

National Geographic

ISBN 13: 978-1426204319

Let me mention one other overview book.  This is the gold standard in introductory photography books.  Weighing in at 432 pages, Photography 9^th Edition is used as a text in many college level Photo 101 classes.  Barbara London, Jim Stone and John Upton have written an comprehensive volume that can be considered the bible of photography.  This one is more book than most beginners will need or want.  However it is a great addition to the library of any intermediate or advanced photographer.

Photography 9^th Edition $125

Prentice Hall

ISBN 13: 978-0131752016

These are just a few of the books available for beginning photographers.  Monday I’ll write about some of my favorite photo books for expanding on the skills that the above books introduce.

Do you have any favorite beginning photography books?

© Tim Marks 2009

Comments

[Jeff Wignall]

Hi Tim,

Thanks for the nice mention of my book "The Joy of Digital Photography." I'm actually just beginning a complete revision that will be out (let's hope) about this time next year.

I had no idea the Mudhens were real! I thought Klinger (M*A*S*H) made the up. I love the ballpark shots--and wow, what a great view from the hotel room.

Your waterfall shots are terrific! Maybe destiny is pushing you toward photography :)

jeff
www.jeffwignall.com

[Tim]

Jeff
Thanks for the kind words. Good luck with the revision. Lots of people think the Mudhens are made up but they've been around for many years.