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After visiting some of the great photography sites on the web, I realized there are a lot of really great photographers out there. In fact, there are so many that I'm glad I got an engineering degree and a "real" job out of school. I'm constantly trying to figure out what makes a great photograph really great, and how I can remember these things for my own use. I've learned a lot through trial and error, and reading everything I can find on the web. I've also found a number a very good books that have helped me considerably, and made me realize how little I really know about photography!
I've listed some of these books below, along with links to Amazon if you're interested. I've also listed some of my favorite photography web sites as well; check them out when you get a chance!
Composition, or separating a snapshot from a photograph. I'm constantly amazed at how different the end results are from two photographers standing next to one another. Once you have the technical side figured out, it all comes down to good composition. These books are really great guides to understanding composition.
 "Examples
: The Making of 40 Photographs", by Ansel Adams. This is something of a
"greatest hits book, complete with creative and technical descriptions of how each
photograph was made. If I could only make one photograph as good as his worst one!
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 "Landscape
Photography", by one of Americas great landscape photographers, John Shaw.
A guide to landscape composition, with 130 pages of beautiful photographs.
There is a lot of information on the color zone system, and a lot of emphasis on
exposure. The importance of light is discussed in detail, and John makes a good case
for all day shooting -- not just mornings and evenings.
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 "The
Nature Photographer's Complete Guide to Professional Field Techniques", by John
Shaw. In addition to compositional guides, there is a lot of information on photo
equipment, with emphasis on lenses and filters.
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 "Bay
Area Wild", by Galen Rowell. Galen is one of America's best adventure
photographer. This "coffee table book" captures the natural beauty of the
San Francisco Bay Area like few have. Galen relies heavily on rich, saturated colors
to tell his story. Fills you with ideas... |
| "Photography and the Art of Seeing", by Freeman Patterson. A GREAT book dedicated entirely to photographic composition. It's aim is to get you to the point where you see and feel everything around you. Great example photos taken in entirely ordinary environments. |
 "Basic
Techniques in Photography -- Book I", by Ansel Adams. A bible of
photographic technique. Starts with the basics, with the aim of helping the reader
develop a good sense of visualization. A "must have" for
beginning/intermediate photographers...
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Here are a couple of other books I highly recommend:
 "Large
Format Photography", by Roger Vail. A great, but somewhat dry, introduction
to my latest hobby, large format (4"x5") photography. Steve Simmons book
(below) is a better read, but not quite as technical... |
| "Using the View Camera", by Steve Simmons. A really informative book on large format photography, with many sample photographs and descriptions of how they were made. Very useful if you are still undecided on whether or not to venture into yet another hobby... |
Looking for other books? Click below:
Luminous-Landscape is a wonderful site devoted to the
art and technique of landscape photography. You will find a gallery of outstanding
images as well as instructive feature articles, travel and technical discussions, product
reviews and a Discussion Forum. Great presentation too!
"A Large Format
Photography Home Page". Lots of information about large format photography.
Photo Net. Philip Greenspun's comprehensive site
dedicated to photography. Over 6,000 wonderful images.
Digital Photography Review. Phil Askey's
incredible site dedicated to developments in digital photography.
Photos by Rick Ellis. Want to see
the quality difference between 35mm and large format? Check it out!
Evan's Photo Page.
Photos from fellow photographer and fly fisherman, Evan Sedlock.
Steve Hoffman's Nature and Scenic Photography.
Lots of nice 35mm and large format photography. Scanner reviews too.