I'm in need of some inspiration and bedtime reading, and am looking for some books on the following topics:
1. Photography in general. Something with good flow (bedtime reading), something that covers landscape and/or macro photography, something with some nice pics and details about equipment used and settings, and explanations as to why. I've tried Galen Rowell and found his writing far too esoteric and superficial (I don't care how hard the climb up Everest was, or how controversial it was to see a Tibetan child wearing a Chinese soldier's cap, or other junk like that). How about John Shaw or Lee Frost?
2. Photoshop techniques. Something that covers colour correction and sharpening for print and for web, RAW development, a few tips on blending panoramas, something on curves and saturation, tips on how to avoid posterization and blowing out channels, selective masking, etc. I don't want to read about anything to do with people photography. I should probably mention I use CS2, and probably won't upgrade soon.
I'm trying to compile a short list. Here's what I've got so far:
a) Photoshop LAB Color: The Canyon Conundrum and Other Adventures in the Most Powerful Colorspace (Dan Margulis)
b) Nighttime Digital Photography with Adobe Photoshop CS3 (John Carucci)
c) John Shaw's Nature Photography Field Guide (John Shaw)
d) John Shaw's Landscape Photography (John Shaw)
e) The Complete Guide to Night and Low-Light Photography (Lee Frost)
f) The Photographer's Guide to Filters (Photographers Guide) (Lee Frost)
Thanks for the recommendations, guys. Keep 'em coming!
I'm not a big fan of Scott Kelby's writing style with all the jokes, but I'll have another peek at what Amazon lets me see with that nifty "search inside" function.
StevenPA wrote:
Thanks for the recommendations, guys. Keep 'em coming!
I'm not a big fan of Scott Kelby's writing style with all the jokes, but I'll have another peek at what Amazon lets me see with that nifty "search inside" function.
I find that his bits of humor help to make it an easy read. After working as a mechanical engineer for thirty years, the last things I need are more "medicinal" books that will put me to sleep.
Mike Ganz wrote:
I find that his bits of humor help to make it an easy read. After working as a mechanical engineer for thirty years, the last things I need are more "medicinal" books that will put me to sleep.
Exactly my view. The Kelby books are very easy reads, but not in bed. You'll want to follow the steps on your computer. The 7-Point book has some problems if you edit in LR, but out of 21 chapters(lessons), it only affects maybe 4, but over-all, I learned a lot about layers, masks, filters, etc.
An excellent book, that is out of print, and is certainly pre-digital, but nontheless a valued part of my library is: THE AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHERS HANDBOOK, 8th Edition by Sussman.
I was looking at Scott Kelby's 7-Point System book last night and almost bought it. But, then I noticed it is for CS3. I have CS2. Does anyone know if some or all of the book will work or apply to CS2? I hate to buy the book and then find out I can only apply a fraction of what he teaches.
Dean Huber wrote:
I was looking at Scott Kelby's 7-Point System book last night and almost bought it. But, then I noticed it is for CS3. I have CS2. Does anyone know if some or all of the book will work or apply to CS2? I hate to buy the book and then find out I can only apply a fraction of what he teaches.
Easy solution. Upgrade to CS3. Christmas is coming, and heck, we're in the middle of Hannukah right now!
