I have been around the forum here for a little while now just pretty much lurking here and there since I dont have a whole lot to add to discussions
I was wondering if anyone could suggest some good helpful books about photography. I know there are probably a TON of them out there but I dont really know which are good and which are not worth the time reading. Do much or any of them come with assignments in them to help get you out and practicing what is being discussed?
Depends on how much you already know, and which type of photography you do.
I've personally gotten advice from others that the best way to learn is to go out and shoot. Practice, in other words. Which is great advice of course, but that depends on what type of photography you're doing.
I started with that Bryan Peterson book myself, after I was already familiar with the basics, so it wasn't that helpful to me specifically, but I'd say it's good for newbies.
First, I'd say get a book that covers your camera, if you're not familiar with your camera's advanced functions. That's what I did and it was really helpful.
Then you can get something like Michael Freeman's The Photographer's Eye, a sort of textbook-like approach to composition. Just a little forewarning, that book is very academically written - I found it a little boring to read, prose-wise.
After that, I'd say get books that cover your type of photography. I'm into landscape (and to a lesser extent, street) so I now have a bunch of books on landscape photography. My favorites from the several I have now:
- Digital Landscape Photography: In the Footsteps of Ansel Adams and the Masters, by Michael Frye
- Nature Photography Photo Workshop, by Nat Coalson
- Digital Exposure Handbook, by Ross Hoddinott
There are lots more on Amazon which will frequently show up on the "Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought" section - look for the ones with the highest customer ratings.
I'd also suggest attending at least 1 photo workshop if you haven't done one yet. Look for local pro photographers in your area or somewhere that you can easily travel to - like NYC? Doesn't seem too far from PA. I'd say look for pros whose work you like - no point in learning from someone whose work you don't like.
The "practice" advice is great advice though, especially for landscape, if that's what you're into. For me, it helps immerse me into nature, which is why I got into photography in the first place. If I was in PA, one of the first places I'd go back to first would be Ricketts Glen and Worlds End State Parks, and then Cook Forest State Park. There are a lot more parks too of course - PA is a goldmine for those as I found out.
I'm assuming you already have all the necessary camera gear & tools. If you're missing anything, probably makes sense to get needed hardware before doing any "practice".
I've also found it helpful to use both pros' galleries and FM as a general resource on learning - looking at photos and asking myself what I like about them, or don't like about them, and what I would've done differently.
Don't spend too much time & money on books either. There's a lot of free stuff on the Internet....
Back in the 1970s the first time I attended the Nikon Photo School one of the instructors mentioned Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values by Robert M. Pirsig. Well worth the time IMO.
