Photography book...have any?

So I LOVE photography, took a course in it while in high school. Of course that was way before digital hehee.....in fact we got to play with actual film that you unwind in the bag so it doesn't get exposed. Ya know the old school photography stuff. I really enjoyed the whole process and still have a non digital Pentax my dad game me with a few lenses.
I finally stepped over to the digital side when I couldn't get a film camera (very easily) any more. Took me long enough But it is hard to let go sometimes.
Fast forward a few years (ok maybe more than a few) and I am now onto my 3rd digital camera and want to learn more about how to use it. Everything from taking the best shot all the way to the printed picture.
So after all this rambling this is what I want to know.
What classes or books have you used that you love and learned the most from?
How do you print that perfect shot?

My daughter just took history of photography class and got to develop their own film and make their own cameras from shoe boxes then develop the images. She loved it!

I really don't have any photography books I use. I can't stand the spend the $$ when there is so much online now. I love to look when I'm a B&N though:)

The best advice I can give is....just get to know ur Camera well.
Read the manual. I just recently re-read mine after a few years and got alot out of it
again. I understood it better this time around.

Now I do have a few books that I adore by Nick Kelsh. What I luv is how inspiring these books are but you will also learn from them in a very user friendly way. I have them for a long time and still pull them out to be inspired and learn from.






I have also had "Designing with Photos" by Allison Tyler Jones & Donna Smylie forever. It is another one I luv to pull out and read and look through.


So I am SUPER excited to see that Donna Smylie has written another one...I plan on ordering this one today !


Best of Luck !!!

Aw man, as much as I LOVE digital for cost purposes. I DO miss the old school film photography. I took photography and yearbook in high school and remember loving spending my time in the dark room developing my pics.

Since the switch to digital I've really enjoyed the Digital PHotography books by Scott Kelby. His writing style is both informative and humorous. But like Norma said, I had to learn MY camera. Just play, play, play. If you know photography already then you got the basic knowledge down of the rule of thirds, shutter speed, depth of field, etc.

Now you just have to figure out the buttons on the camera to get the desired result you want.

Thanks for all the info ladies. Yes, I definitely need to have a one on one moment with my camera very soon..I am getting frustrated with my results when I get off auto-pilot and I so desperately want to fly manual. I miss being able to actually turn the lens to focus and such...I can't do that on my camera. But, I do want to learn how to use the one I have for now. I may check a few of those books out too for inspiration....but I guess the number one book I need to look at is the manual...too bad it is so darn boring (no pictures) HA!

ReneeLamb wrote:

Aw man, as much as I LOVE digital for cost purposes. I DO miss the old school film photography. I took photography and yearbook in high school and remember loving spending my time in the dark room developing my pics.

Since the switch to digital I've really enjoyed the Digital PHotography books by Scott Kelby. His writing style is both informative and humorous. But like Norma said, I had to learn MY camera. Just play, play, play. If you know photography already then you got the basic knowledge down of the rule of thirds, shutter speed, depth of field, etc.

Now you just have to figure out the buttons on the camera to get the desired result you want.

I am a HUGE Scott Kelby fan and have been blessed to take 2 Photoshop class/seminars here in Chicago. I learned so much and he is a FANTASTIC teacher. I also have a ton of books by him that are Fantastic and very user friendly... Hey Jenn , most of his books always have a ton of pics

I agree with the other girls play with your camera - experiment with all the different modes and you will soon find the look you like - I am fan of Tom Ang's books - they are aimed for the more experienced photographer but they have some great hints and beautiful photographs. My favourite is Digital Photography Masterclass check out the link below for a preview.
http://www.tomang.com/?page_id=112&bookId=4

ChrissyL wrote:

I agree with the other girls play with your camera - experiment with all the different modes and you will soon find the look you like - I am fan of Tom Ang's books - they are aimed for the more experienced photographer but they have some great hints and beautiful photographs. My favourite is Digital Photography Masterclass check out the link below for a preview.
http://www.tomang.com/?page_id=112&bookId=4

Hey Chrissy u enabler u

Ok I would luv to order this one but I can't seem to find it any where but from the uk. Do you know of a seller here in the states ?

Norma Kennedy wrote:

ChrissyL wrote:

I agree with the other girls play with your camera - experiment with all the different modes and you will soon find the look you like - I am fan of Tom Ang's books - they are aimed for the more experienced photographer but they have some great hints and beautiful photographs. My favourite is Digital Photography Masterclass check out the link below for a preview.
http://www.tomang.com/?page_id=112&bookId=4

Hey Chrissy u enabler u

Ok I would luv to order this one but I can't seem to find it any where but from the uk. Do you know of a seller here in the states ?

He He!! - sorry Norma - just spreading the love - this book was recommended to me by a friend and I just love it - you will too!! I know it is available from the Book Depository in the UK and they have free shipping worldwide - here is the link to the site.
http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/
Enjoy

I took Graphic Arts in high school and we got to play with film and develop our own pictures...then we would take them and make all kinds of cool stuff. I still have a calendar we made from taking a bunch of pics in our senior year, and then making a calendar out of all of them:)

As far as books go, for the technical I LOVE LOVE LOVE Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure" Even I can understand it, but you do have to read through it and do the practicing! That's the only book I have right now, but would love to get some more. I do learn a lot online too! There are some Great Photography forums out there where you can learn quite a bit....
a couple are
http://ilovephotography.com/forums/
and
http://digital-photography-school.com/

I try to check these out every once in a while. I've gotten some really helpful info from them. And I agree with Norma....figure YOUR camera out, b/c they are all different. I really need to go through the manual and read it good. I've been through it, but definitely need to learn it more!

Norma, I looked at the book Expressions by Donna Smylie on Amazon...looks great!!! I am gonna have to check some more of these out:)

ChrissyL wrote:

I agree with the other girls play with your camera - experiment with all the different modes and you will soon find the look you like - I am fan of Tom Ang's books - they are aimed for the more experienced photographer but they have some great hints and beautiful photographs. My favourite is Digital Photography Masterclass check out the link below for a preview.
http://www.tomang.com/?page_id=112&bookId=4

That book looks amazing! Thanks for the link

jessiw wrote:

I took Graphic Arts in high school and we got to play with film and develop our own pictures...then we would take them and make all kinds of cool stuff. I still have a calendar we made from taking a bunch of pics in our senior year, and then making a calendar out of all of them:)

As far as books go, for the technical I LOVE LOVE LOVE Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure" Even I can understand it, but you do have to read through it and do the practicing! That's the only book I have right now, but would love to get some more. I do learn a lot online too! There are some Great Photography forums out there where you can learn quite a bit....
a couple are
http://ilovephotography.com/forums/
and
http://digital-photography-school.com/

I try to check these out every once in a while. I've gotten some really helpful info from them. And I agree with Norma....figure YOUR camera out, b/c they are all different. I really need to go through the manual and read it good. I've been through it, but definitely need to learn it more!

All this looks great too!! I am learning a lot already..Thanks ladies

These all sound awesome! Check out your local library ladies--I put in requests for several of these at mine