Digital Photography Beginner's Book(s)

[Fahzz]

Hi:
Can I get some recommendations for good basic instructional books for digital photography? Kindle version if at all possible. Thanks

 

[Timcognito]

GET $700+ of photo editing software for $25 (legit I have purchased many times from this site)

"Unleash your creative vision with the aid of artificial intelligence using this photo software from Anthropics! Make your images of people and parties look professional with the fast, easy-to-use retouching tools of PortraitPro 19 and PortraitPro Body 2. Bring photos of environments to vibrant, detailed life with LandscapePro 2. Pick up the versions and features that are right for your needs, and help support Cancer Research UK with your purchase!"

AI Empowered Photo Software: Unleash your creative vision with Anthropics

We’ve teamed up with Anthropics for our newest bundle of AI photo software, including PortraitPro and Landscape Pro. Pay what you want & support charity!

www.humblebundle.com

 

[Rednaxela]

Not what you asked but I can highly recommend doing a project 365.

Take and publish one picture each day for a full year. Imagine an audience waiting in anticipation for your next picture. Don’t skip a single day, and don’t cheat by taking a picture of your feet. (Yes this will cross your mind, and no nobody was waiting for that.)

Simple concept, big challenge. I did one in 2011, and I cannot tell you how much it taught me.

 

[JeffS7444]

Hi:
Can I get some recommendations for good basic instructional books for digital photography? Kindle version if at all possible. Thanks

Did you ever find something in the 6 months since you posted your initial inquiry? If not, I'll just submit this idea, because I encountered a physical edition awhile back and thought it was presented in an appealing manner, from an author who seems to be a real photo-book powerhouse.
https://www.dk.com/us/book/9781465481832-photography/

 

[Fahzz]

Thx.I’ll check that out. I never got anything helpful in reply to my inquiry.

 

[Bren Derlin]

Bumping this back up incase a few newbs venture into this photo forum.

My favorite photography book by a long shot, is the Tao of Photography. The hardest thing to learn with photography, is "how to see"... then compose the shot you see.

 

[ianovic69]

Hi, I just found this and if you still need recs I have two for you:

Understanding Exposure - Bryan Peterson.

Visually Speaking - Ted Forbes.

These are really the only two books anyone needs, there's a lifetime of learning between them.

 

[gaz]

I like Digital photographer's handbook by Tom Ang.

 

[amirm]

Best way to learn is to take a photo tour/workshop in a topic area you are interested in. You will learn so much more than any book.

Note that everybody in the sun now offers such classes. So do some research and make sure the author is a) been doing this for a while and b) focuses on teaching the students rather than taking his own pictures.

If you mean just learning how to operate a camera, then just search for youtube video on the gear you have.

 

[Redacted]

Buy camera. Press button. Fiddle with settings. Repeat.

 

[Keith_W]

Back when DSLR's were taking over from film, I bought a DSLR and took a photography course. The instructor said that the rules for digital photography are the same for film: the photographer's first job is to expose properly. He made us do it the manual way - camera in manual mode, and exposure with a light meter and an 18% grey card. He said that cameras aren't as smart as you. There are situations where auto-exposure might be fooled, and your only recourse is to expose manually.

He was right 25 years ago. These days cameras are much smarter. Even my phone can expose properly, let alone proper photography equipment. I know how to look for a midtone and set my exposure to that using central metering. But it's much easier to stick my camera in Aperture Priority and not worry about it. There are times I will put it in full manual though, mostly when I am shooting in marginal light situations.

 

[ianovic69]

Back when DSLR's were taking over from film, I bought a DSLR and took a photography course. The instructor said that the rules for digital photography are the same for film: the photographer's first job is to expose properly. He made us do it the manual way - camera in manual mode, and exposure with a light meter and an 18% grey card. He said that cameras aren't as smart as you. There are situations where auto-exposure might be fooled, and your only recourse is to expose manually.

He was right 25 years ago. These days cameras are much smarter. Even my phone can expose properly, let alone proper photography equipment. I know how to look for a midtone and set my exposure to that using central metering. But it's much easier to stick my camera in Aperture Priority and not worry about it. There are times I will put it in full manual though, mostly when I am shooting in marginal light situations.

It's funny how there are so many different approaches to doing something so simple.
I started with film as a youngster but with digital I first went straight to a fully auto compact. Once the kids started moving too quickly I got a DSLR, but eventually it was Fuji cameras that made me realise that I much prefer a rangefinder style viewfinder.
I now shoot a lot with just auto ISO, with how good modern cameras are. It took a long time for me to appreciate how much freedom that gives, where before I assumed it made things more difficult. The beauty of it is having an exposure compensation dial and a viewfinder that shows exactly what the image will be.
Now I can just get on with the business of enjoying shooting and stop worrying about how bad my perfectly exposed photos are....

 

[Timcognito]

Wasn't sure where to post this but here goes. As I am the dummy when it come to photography, pretty much a phone guy. But if you know your stuff this can be given as a gift to a budding photographer or dummy like me and it helps charity. FYI

Humble Tech Book Bundle: Cameras and Photography for Dummies by Wiley

Become a photography pro with this bundle of camera and photography For Dummies books from Wiley! Pay what you want and support Active Minds!

www.humblebundle.com

 

[Rickysa]

Visually Speaking - Ted Forbes.

Mine was just delivered (thanks for the recommendation! )