When I started taking photography seriously it was a struggle to find digital photography books that were easy to follow and helpful. Then someone suggested Scott Kelby’s Digital Photography series
This summer, I was introduced to Field Guides, including three by Michael Freeman, distributed by Focal Press and loved every single one. This week, I read another set of digital photography books distributed by Focal Press that are easy to follow and helpful, my criteria.
Focus on Composing Photos, Peter Ensenberger: Amazon
| Barnes & Noble
Focus on Photographing People, Haje Jan Kamps: Amazon
| Barnes & Noble
Focus on Lighting Photos, Fil Hunter and Robin Reid: Amazon
| Barnes & Noble
Focus on Abode Photoshop, Corey Hilz: Amazon
| Barnes & Noble
Focus on Photoshop Elements, David Asch: Amazon
| Barnes & Noble
These books are fantastic, because the authors manage to speak to several groups of photographers at once: amateurs who are new to photography, serious amateurs like me, and photographers who aspire to go pro. It isn’t easy to find digital photography books that don’t speak over us. In my experience, many writers seem to be directing their books towards other pros – well, what about the rest of us? Not everyone has the money or time to take a photography class. Not everyone get’s aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation and how they work together. So whenever I find digital photography books that are easy to follow, clear, and greats reads, I’m excited to share them with you.
What I’ve Learned
Did you know that the focal point of an image is the brightest spot? I didn’t, but I learned this when reading the book on Composing Photos. This is the type of stuff that these books share with us, which makes them favorites on my list and gave them a home on my shelf. I’ve also started going back through my images to look for those bright spots. In the below image, for example, the focal point for me are my dogs playing with each other, but for someone looking at the image my dogs may be an after thought, because the brightest spot of the image are the cherry blossom trees. What do you think?
Michael Freeman, author of the Exposure, DSLR, and Photographer’s Eye Field Guides will be touring the US this fall to share his expertise and to promote the release of his next Field Guide, Low Light Photography as well as an additional title, The Photographer’s Vision. Michael will be in the states shooting images for his next Focal Press book. Stay tuned for details about his tour on www.focalpress.com.
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09/13/2011 at 4:16 am
I am a horrid photographer. I am seriously looking at getting a better camera because it couldn’t possibly be my SKILL that is lacking, right?
09/13/2011 at 4:01 pm
Diane – you need to see my original photography. I was absolutely terrible – but I got there; it just takes time and practice. You’ll get there. I’m excited about your better camera though. I think we should all get a better camera – it’ll make so many people smile
09/28/2011 at 6:23 pm
People rightly complain about lack of good equipment, often with reason. Still, consider this:
My grandfather once made a fabulous picture of the factory where he worked, using a camera he made out of an old-time tin pocket-sized aspirin box.
Drilled a tiny hole in the front of the box, taped it over with electrical tape, then cut a piece of film to fit the box, and taped everything shut in the darkroom.
Taped the box to a telephone pole, then untaped the hole. (As a former calculus teacher, could guestimate the exposure pretty well.)
NOT very versatile equipment, but a demonstration that good pictures are possible with just about any equipment.
09/30/2011 at 9:21 am
Thanks for sharing this, Fil
09/13/2011 at 10:49 am
These guides sound terrific. I am saving for my new camera and can’t wait to get started on becoming a better photographer.
Jessica recently posted..What’s With All the Haters?
09/13/2011 at 7:28 pm
I guess I should start reading up on this, I had no idea what a focal point was.
09/14/2011 at 6:25 pm
I know; it’s hilarious when I actually find a photography book that I like so I read more than the first 3 pages and learn something new.
I miss the days of just pointing and shooting sometimes. Actually, I still do that sometimes.
Thanks for stopping by, Anne!