Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs is one of the first photography books I read. Subsequent books I’ve read have been good, but this book provided a solid foundation of knowledge that helped me grow as a photographer.
What I enjoyed most about the book was its simplicity in explaining technical concepts. Before reading it, I had a base understanding of ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. But, the aperture diagram in the book was the thing that made me truly understand it. The result was a true “aha moment”. In addition, there were also clear explanations of composition techniques: foreground interest, rule of thirds, leading lines, etc…
The book didn’t take you into technical details of photography. Henry Carroll didn’t write a textbook. Instead, he wrote in a fun, lighthearted guide that keeps you engaged. He described each technique using an image that utilized the particular concept. Some images represent more than one technique, and there are references to other examples on each page. To that end, there are images throughout the five sections of the book: composition, exposure, light, lenses, and seeing. Each picture was made by one of 50 famous photographers, and even the image selections are fun.
If you’re interested in photography and want to improve (or just get a better understanding), I highly recommend Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs. The techniques can be applied to whatever camera you use. Although, the book is a DSLR camera guide. I first read the book in digital format, but I purchased the hardcover to add to my library of photography books. It also serves as a great reference when you need a refresher.
Other Suggested Reading:
- Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera, by Bryan Peterson
- The Digital Photography Book, by Scott Kelby
A great photography resource $9.99
Book Title: Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs
Book Description: Photography is now more popular than ever thanks to the rapid development of digital cameras. Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs is for this new wave of DSLR dabblers and users of compact system, and bridge cameras. It contains no graphs, no techie diagrams and no camera club jargon. Instead, it inspires readers through iconic images and playful copy packed with hands-on tips.
Book Author: Henry Carroll
Book Format: Paperback
Date published: March 25, 2014
ISBN: 1780673353
Number Of Pages: 128
