Books for New Photographers
Adobe Stock Image
I am all for internet resources (it would be pretty hypocritical of me not to be), but the volume of photography information on the internet is overwhelming, not to mention the fact that the quality cab be a bit hit or miss. This is why I always recommend that new photographers start with books, Work your way though a good book on exposure, and then maybe one on composition. Throw in a few on learning to see creatively or a specific topic that interests you and by then you have enough of a foundation to start to recognize what you don’t know and that’s when the internet is at its best. So with that in mind, here are a few books I recommend for anyone wanting to get started with photography.
(As always if you use the links provided, I earn a little bit with no extra cost to you. But anything I make off of affiliate links is donated to non-profits focused on either arts or education).
Understanding Exposure by Brian Peterson is the one book every single person learning photography should have a copy of. If you buy only one book, make it this one. Read it, experiment with it, use it as a resource if you get stuck, whatever. But this is the basics all in one book. It’s the book I’m using to teach my 8-year-old photography. It’s not a kid’s book, we are going through it together. But fun story, we were in London this summer and I looked down at my son’s camera and realized that he had taken it out of the auto mode I put it in when I handed it to him. I started to panic, afraid he had bumped something and lost half a day’s worth of pictures but he assured me that he had taken it out of auto mode and was photographing in manual just like he had learned to do and all of his settings were exactly the way he wanted them (f/8 and 1/250th of a second, except when photographing skateboarders on the south bank then he changed it to f/4 and 1/1000) and if none of that makes sense to you then you need this book and if all of that makes perfect sense then you’re fine and you can go onto the next book on the list unless you want this as a reference.
Learning to See Creatively by Brian Peterson is the second book every person learning photography should buy. And here’s the thing: about half of people I teach photography to can’t wait to run out and buy this book and the other half can’t wait to run out and buy the precious book (Understanding Exposure). Rarely, rarely do people get excited about both. That’s because people tend to be drawn to photography either for the technical aspects or the more creative aspects. But here’s the thing- you need both to make good images. You can start with whichever interests you the most but in the end you need them both and the set makes a fantastic gift for someone just getting started.
The iPhone Photography Book by Scott Kelby is probably the book I give out/recommend the most. I’m going to admit that I really don’t like photographing with my phone but I know this puts me in the minority among photographers and just people in general. But if you are not me and you photograph with your phone then you really, really should get this book. Its packed full of tips and tricks and so much information to help you take better pictures with your phone. My teens and their friends love this book too. The only caveat is that it is an iphone photography book, not a cell phone photography book, so if you are an android user you probably want to skip this one.
If you enjoy any sort of nature or outdoor photography then Brenda Tharp’s Creative Nature and Outdoor Photography book is worth picking up. I would still grab the Brian Peterson duo first- while there is some overlap between topics covered in Learning to See Creatively and this book, this one is more of an application of those creative and compositional principles.
Picture This by Molly Bang is the one book I believe should be read by any student of any visual arts medium. Or anyone who just wants to understand art better. Or graphic design. Or architecture. Or anything visual at all. This book is brilliant, as it really creatively teaches you how the elements and principles of design work together to affect the way we perceive images. This is not a book that is going to teach you photography specifically, but it’s going to teach you how you can use the elements of art and design to communicate a particular idea or emotion to your viewer. Once you’re past the point of learning exposure and you are at the point of trying to make intentional images that communicate thoughts, emotions, or ideas with your viewer you need this book. And honestly read it before then because once you do you’ll never look at another photograph (or art piece) the same way again.
Technically Seeing Things by Joel Meyerowitz is marketed as a children’s book but honestly that is selling it short and everyone interested in photography should have a copy on their shelves. Meyerowitz, who is an actual legend in his own right, has assembled a collection of photographs that reads like a crash course on photo history. As if the images themselves weren’t already enough to make this book worth the place in your collection, Meyerowitz adds his own commentary, posing questions and guiding the viewer to a deeper look at each photograph. I am a very strong believer in the idea that looking at and understanding good photographs is an essential part of learning how to make better photographs and there is no better place to start than with a guided tour through some of the most iconic photographs by one of the greats himself.
Checkout the full booklist here: Photography Books For Beginning Photographers - Bookshop.org