Good, general photography book??

[brad]

I just bought a Canon S2 IS and I feel like there is much I need to learn when it comes to using this camera to it's full potential. Is there any photography (or digital photography) books out there that anyone recommends?

Thanks,

[AaronBBrown]

Anyone, anyone? :)

[Norm in Fujino]

I just bought a Canon S2 IS and I feel like there is much I need to learn when it comes to using this camera to it's full potential. Is there any photography (or digital photography) books out there that anyone recommends?


Sorry, I don't have any books dedicated specifically to digital photography, but one of the best general intro books I have is a classic, David Vestal's The Craft of Photography. It deals mostly with traditional B/W photography, and since includes information on film developing it's not 100% relevant to digital, but for beginners to photography it is very well written.

[rocdoc]

I am enjoying tremendously an older book. I have recently found it in the used section of my favorite bookstore, for symbolic $. It's called The Photographer's Handbook, by John Hedgecoe. It's older, and it refers almost exclusively to film photography. But if you skip the parts about dark room techniques etc., all the info about general technique, lighting, lenses, framing, settings etc. are very much relevant. It's also one of those old fashioned books with good color graphics, with no skimping on presentation to make it cost effective, a real pleasure to hold in your hand. I am sure there are plenty others out there, the point I'm making is that if what you want is a general photography guide, you can look at older, good stuff.
I am also new to the D SLR scene, and loving it!

[paul_kelly]

I got The New Manual of Photography for Christmas, also by John Hedgecoe, which is a really good introduction to photography. It covers all the bases and introduces most of the terms and concepts that you will need to understand as a photographer, with lots of helpful diagrams and example shots. Most of the content of the book applies to both digital and film, with some chapters at the end specifically about digital post-processing.

I'd stay clear of any of the myriad of books that have titles like "Introduction to digital photography", as most of them seem to concentrate on how to achieve really naff looking effects in Photoshop.

[D70FAN]

I'm a fan (not a disciple) of Ansel Adams, as it applies to his three book series. The Camera, The Negative, and The Print. There is also the 2 volume Basic Techniques of photography that may be a better place to start. Written for film photography these books are still very applicable to digital imaging as well.

The books can be a tough read, but worth the effort.

[speaklightly]

I am familiar with the hedgecoe books and I also found one at www.digitalcamerasmadereallyeasy.com that I like.

Speaklightly

[TampaJim]

Would you be interested in a FREE online class? If so, check this site out.

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/classroom.php

This is a FREE online course in Photography. It is NOT specifically geared to digital technology - and that actually is a good thing.

[tim11]

Useful excerp here. You can also buy the full book.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1647228,00.asp

[Rhys]

The Ilford manual of Photography was always a pretty good read. I canalso suggest that some of the books on photography that are written for children are also pretty good. I know what you're thinking - it'll be kids stuff. Actually, everything is described simply with the emphasis on composition in most children's books. Try visiting your local library.

[AaronBBrown]

Athena the cat likes this book, Digital Photographer's Handbook by Tom Ang:
8611
8612
8613

I like it pretty well, so far. It covers digital photography specifically, along with some photoshop techniques.

[Jason25]

Would you be interested in a FREE online class? If so, check this site out.

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/classroom.php

This is a FREE online course in Photography. It is NOT specifically geared to digital technology - and that actually is a good thing.
I started reading that last night. That is a VERY good read, thanks for posting! :)

[Geoff Chandler]

I have the Tom Ang book - but with a different cover - it's very good

[AaronBBrown]

I have the Tom Ang book - but with a different cover - it's very good

I'm assuming your cover didn't come with a cat on it?

I've just started reading it and I've already learned a few things. It seemed to be the best of the bunch at Borders Bookstore where every other title seemed to be about taking pictures of naked people, which while fun to look at it, isn't my interest :)

[KenS]

You might haunt the used bookstores for volumes of the Time-Life Photgraphy Series from the 60's/70's. They aren't really techie books, but they will give you a lot of fine photographs to study. And that is ultimately what a person needs to do in order to develop his or her eye.

They are classics.

I second the recommendation of Ansel Adams series, but be forewarned: they are deep and not for the casual reader.

Ken