RECOMMENDED BOOKS

THE FIRST BOOK WITH ONE FOOT ON THE COFFEE TABLE, AND ONE FOOT IN THE CLASSROOM

This book by photographer Joe McNally combines artful images with sound photography advice and insights. McNally's unique approach can be called the "triangle of learning" where the concept behind the photograph is compressed into a sentence (1). The facing page with the photo illustrates the technique (2), and the inside story explains which equipment and camera settings he used (3).

This invaluable book will most likely give you those "Ah ha!" moments- "the moment it clicks" when you have reached a new level of understanding photography.

Joe McNally is one of the world’s top pro digital photographers, whose award-winning work has graced the pages of Time, National Geographic, Sports Illustrated and many more. He is also active as a teacher of seminars and workshops around the world.

Amazon customer rating: 4.5 out of 5
Pages = 272

Written in clear and easy to understand language, this book is really 8 books in 1, explaining everything from picking your camera to shooting to image editing and posting iamges on the web. Includes full-color picture examples.

CHAPTERS (BOOKS)

1. Introduction
2. Digital Photography Overview
3. Building Your Digital Photography Studio
4. Using Digital SLRs
5. Taking Great Pictures
6. Basics of Image Editing
7. Editing with Photoshop and Photoshop Elements
8. Restoring Old Photos
9. Printing and Sharing Your Digital Images

Amazon customer rating: 4.5 out of 5
Pages = 752

COMPLETE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY - Second Edition

If you are new to digital photography and you want a general primer with easy to understand writing the "Complete Digital Photography" is your guide. This book is a great complement to the manual included with your camera (which probably lacks instructional methods). This book assumes some basic photography knowledge and experience, and includes lots of details on Adobe Photoshop editing. This book does not address product photography and lighting in detail. This book will assist you in mastering your camera.

CHAPTERS

1. Introduction
2. How good are digital photos
3. How a digital camera works
4. Basic photography A quick primer
5. Choosing a digital camera
6. Building a workstation
7. Shooting
8. Manual exposure
9. Special shooting
10. Preparing your images for editing
11. Correcting tone and color
12. Building your editing arsenal
13. Essential imaging tactics
14. Special effects
15. Output

Amazon customer rating: 4.5 out of 5
Pages = 576

Includes DC ROM with trial software and a trial version of Adobe Photoshop.

SHOOT LIKE A PRO

Less than half the cost and more advanced than the COMPLETE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY book above, this book covers studio setup and imaging solutions better than any we have seen.  In addition to basic coverage of the features and functions of your digital camera, this book gives real "tricks of the trade" advice in a variety of situations including; product imaging, 360-degree panoramic imaging, low light photography, action photography and working in black and white. SHOOT LIKE A PRO has one of the best discussions on composition we have read, an often overlooked attribute of professional photography.

CHAPTERS

1. Getting the right gear
2. Exploring creative controls
3. Taking memorable portraits
4. Exploring product photography and other still-life adventures
5. Capturing Close-ups
6. Getting the tough shot: low light and action photography
7. Creating panoramic images
8. Manipulating color
9. Becoming a master printer
10. Putting pictures on the screen

Amazon customer rating: 4 out of 5
Pages = 256

MASTER LIGHTING GUIDE FOR PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHERS

Absolutely the best portrait lighting book we have ever seen. The thirty or more years of experience of author Christopher Gray is offered to the reader in a logical, concise and jargon free text. Conversational, witty and very readable, this book begins with the basic principal; "photography is about painting with light", and continues with equipment, studio set-up, ratios, lighting styles and composition. Every detail of the portrait studio is covered with many full color examples. Every photographer from beginner to pro will benefit from this book.

CHAPTERS

1. The nature of light
2. Professional lighting equipment
3. Light ratios
4. Basic lighting
5. Classic lighting styles
6. Portrait lighting in practice

Amazon customer rating: 4.5 out of 5
Pages = 128

THE BUSINESS OF STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHY

We get many calls from people considering the professional photography business. We always recommend reading this book first. This is not a book about how to photograph, it is a detailed presentation on the business of being a photographer and how to make money and survive. This updated and expanded edition includes an all-new section on the use of digital photography by the studio photographer, as well as completely updated lists of websites, equipment, books, and other photography resources.

CHAPTERS

Amazon customer rating: 5 out of 5
Pages = 128

1. The Digital Revolution
2. Getting Ready
3. Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How Much?
4. The Marketplace
5. The Studio
6. Marketing and Selling
7. Weddings
8. High School Seniors and School Photography
9. Portrait Photography
10. Planning
11. Finishing and Framing
12. Paperwork
13. Sources of Information

Amazon customer rating: 4.5 out of 5
Pages = 336

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