My Favorite Photography Books
The Books and Authors I Refer to Regularly
In every endeavor, there are favorite books providing insight and instruction. My hobby of photography is no different. But what are my favorites – the books I go to time and again for advice and inspiration? Here are my top five books and authors.
Links to Amazon for some of the items are provided. Full disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate so if you order from any of these links, I get a small payment from Amazon. There is no additional cost to you to purchase from the link, but the payment from Amazon does help support this site.
Scott Kelby
Scott Kelby is my top author for photography. He’s written many books covering everything from camera basics to advanced editing. He also runs a great training site called KelbyOne.com.
For beginners or those wanting a review, I recommend his book, The Digital Photography Book. Now in its fifth edition, it’s the best-selling digital photography book ever, filled with short, easy tips on topics like f-stops and battery care.
Scott also has detailed books on Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, the two leading editing programs. I use both, and every photo I take is processed through Lightroom.
David Busch
David Busch has written many books focused on how to use specific cameras. I've read several camera guides over the years, and no one explains a camera’s features better than Busch.
My favorite, since it applies to my current camera, is his Nikon Z9/Z8 Guide to Digital Photography. It goes through every button and dial on the Nikon Z8 and Z9, which are almost the same internally. Sometimes he suggests settings different from the factory default, and he explains why. I often return to this book.
Modern high-end cameras have many buttons and menus. Some are used all the time, others only for special shots. I may know a feature exists but forget where to find it. With Busch’s book on my Kindle app, I can quickly find the answer.
Light, Gesture, and Color
About eight years ago, I learned about Jay Maisel, a street photographer from New York. Scott Kelby featured him in a class, and I liked how clearly Jay explained things. He inspired me to try street photography. Maisel is one of the best and my top guide for this style.
In his book Light, Gesture, and Color, Maisel says every good street photo should have at least one of these elements—more is even better. He explains how to turn an okay picture into a great one. I've also found that using these ideas helps improve my other photos too.
Making Photographs
In Making Photographs, Ibarionex Perello shares ideas similar to Jay Maisel's. Both focus on light and shadow, lines and shapes, color, and movement. Perello encourages us to truly see the world, not just look at it.
He suggests photographers should always watch for scenes that show the world as they understand it. This idea is often called ‘making photographs’ instead of just ‘taking photographs.’
While I prefer Maisel’s style for street photography, I use some of Perello’s ideas too. This book remains one of my favorites, and its lessons apply beyond street photography.
Photo Therapy – Motivation and Wisdom
This book is not about photography techniques and contains no photos. Instead, Photo Therapy – Motivation and Wisdom focuses on the emotional side of photography, from both the photographer’s and viewer’s perspectives.
Author Rick Sammon, an experienced photographer, says it will make you think deeply about your photography and how using your mind, the best tool, can improve your skills.
With chapters like:
Emotional Intelligence for Photographers
Seeing vs. Looking
Creating Your Own Reality
It’s Never Too Late to Be What You Might Have Been
Light and Color Therapy
Learning is Health
What Does Your Photography Mean to You?
Sammon sets up an examination of how we approach our photography and why we see what we see.
I found this book extremely helpful in analyzing my own photographic style, one which has changed even in the few years I’ve been an active photographer.
Do you have a favorite photography book, or maybe more than one, not listed here. Let everyone know about it and why you like it in the comments.
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