17 Best Books on Photography

We have compiled a list of the Best Reference Books on Photography, which are used by students of top universities, and colleges. This will help you choose the right book depending on if you are a beginner or an expert. Here is the complete list of Photography Books with their authors, publishers, and an unbiased review of them as well as links to the Amazon website to directly purchase them. If permissible, you can also download the free PDF books on Photography below.

1. Photography

 
1."Beginner's Photography Guide" by DK
“Beginner’s Photography Guide” Book Review: This book is all about photography basics. It explains how to choose the right equipment and approach to take great pictures. The book covers topics such as aperture, exposure, image enhancement and flash. It also explains how cameras work and offers techniques for better photography. The book includes images to show how different camera settings can change the look of a photo. It also talks about how professionals use innovative ideas to enhance their images. The book also covers recent trends and creative techniques in digital image production. It includes many pictures to inspire readers and is useful for anyone who wants to learn about photography.

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2."On Photography (Penguin Modern Classics)" by Susan Sontag
“On Photography (Penguin Modern Classics)” Book Review: This book is about how we use images to understand reality in our lives. It explains how photographs can create changes in the world around us. The book is useful for anyone who wants to learn about photography and its details.

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3."National Geographic: The Photographs (National Geographic Collectors Series)" by Leah Bendavid-Val
“National Geographic: The Photographs (National Geographic Collectors Series)” Book Review: This book shows us new and interesting things about the world through pictures taken by talented photographers. The photographers, such as David Doubilet, William Albert Allard, Sam Abell, Tim Stanfield, and Jodi Cobb, use their imaginations to create amazing pictures. The book also explains how they take these pictures and includes funny and scary stories from their experiences in the field. The book covers many topics like different cultures, animals, science, history, and astronomy. It also has information about the photographers’ achievements in their jobs. The pictures in the book help us understand events that happen in people’s lives.

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4."Digital Photography for Beginners: Photography Essentials Basics Lessons Course, Master Photography Art and Start Taking Better Pictures" by Angela Pierce
“Digital Photography for Beginners: Photography Essentials Basics Lessons Course, Master Photography Art and Start Taking Better Pictures” Book Review: The book covers the basics of digital photography, from understanding camera settings to composing your shots, and offers plenty of examples and step-by-step instructions. Pierce writes in a clear and straightforward style, making it easy for readers to follow along. While the book is aimed at beginners, it also includes some advanced techniques and tips to help readers take their photography to the next level. This book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their digital photography skills.

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5."Camera Lucida: Reflections on Photography" by Roland Barthes and Richard Howard
“Camera Lucida: Reflections on Photography” Book Review: The book explores themes such as memory, time, and mortality, and offers insights into the ways in which photography shapes our perception of the world around us. Barthes writes with a poetic and lyrical style, and Howard’s translation captures the essence of the original French text. While the writing can be dense and challenging at times, the book is a seminal work in the field of photographic theory and a must-read for anyone interested in photography as an art form.

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6."Digital Photography an Introduction" by Tom Ang
“Digital Photography and Introduction” Book Review: This book teaches the basic ideas of photography. It explains how to use your equipment and technology in the best way. It also tells you about new tools and ways to take pictures. It talks about how to get better at using your phone camera or a more professional camera. The book helps you learn how to start taking pictures for your job. It also shows you how to make your pictures better with editing and special effects.

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7."8 Types Of Natural Light That Will Add Drama To Your Photographs" by Anne McKinnell
“8 Types Of Natural Light That Will Add Drama To Your Photographs” Book Review: This book explains how different types of light can affect photos. It teaches various techniques that can help take your photography skills to the next level. The book covers eight types of light: BACKLIGHT, SIDE LIGHT, FRONT LIGHT, REFLECTED LIGHT, DIFFUSED LIGHT, DRAMATIC LIGHT, TWILIGHT, and NIGHT.

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8."Photography: DSLR Photography Secrets and Tips to Taking Beautiful Digital Pictures" by Nicole Woods
“Photography: DSLR Photography Secrets and Tips to Taking Beautiful Digital Pictures” Book Review: The book covers the basics of camera settings, composition, lighting, and editing techniques. Nicole Woods writes in a clear and concise manner, making it easy for readers to understand and follow. The book is well-organized with plenty of examples and step-by-step instructions. This book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their photography skills and take stunning digital pictures.

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9."History and Practice of the Art of Photography" by Henry Hunt Snelling
Buy-this-Book (India) “History and Practice of the Art of Photography” Book Review: The book covers the early history of photography, the technical advancements that led to the modern camera, and the various movements and styles that have emerged over time. The writing style is engaging and informative, and the book is filled with interesting anecdotes and illustrations. While some of the technical information may be outdated, the book remains a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history and evolution of photography.

 
10."Photography: Choosing Your Dslr" by Shawn M Tomlinson
“Photography: Choosing Your Dslr” Book Review: This is a comprehensive guide that helps readers choose the best DSLR camera to suit their needs. The book covers various aspects of DSLR photography, including lenses, sensors, ISO settings, and shutter speeds. Tomlinson provides clear explanations and useful tips throughout the book, making it accessible to beginners and experienced photographers alike. This book is a great resource for anyone looking to invest in a DSLR camera and improve their photography skills.

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11."The Art of Photography: A Personal Approach to Artistic Expression" by Bruce Barnbaum
“The Art of Photography: A Personal Approach to Artistic Expression” Book Review: This book is a complete guide to both traditional and modern digital methods of photography. It includes almost 200 wonderful photos in both color and black and white, as well as diagrams, charts, and tables. The book is useful for both novice and skilled photographers who want to improve their skills. Topics covered include composition, visualization, light and color, filters, black-and-white, digital image adjustments, and more. The book also includes sections on exploding photographic myths, artistic integrity, and personal philosophy. It’s a valuable resource for both newcomers and professional photographers.

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2. Sports Photography

 
1."Digital Sports Photography" by G Newman Lowrance
“Digital Sports Photography” Book Review: This book explains the basics of new digital sports photography techniques for photography enthusiasts to learn. It’s important for anyone who wants to know about the latest developments in professional sports photography. The book also explains the benefits of using digital equipment as film technology advances.

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2."The Art of Sports Photography" by Marc Aspland and Oliver Holt
“The Art of Sports Photography” Book Review: This book talks about the basics of new ways to take pictures of sports using digital technology. It is good for people who want to learn about the latest things in professional sports photography. The book explains why it is better to use digital equipment instead of film, which is getting better and better.

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3."Digital Photography for Dummies® (for Dummies (Computer/Tech))" by Julie Adair King
“Digital Photography for Dummies® (for Dummies (Computer/Tech))” Book Review: This book teaches how to take really great photos using the tips and tricks of experts. It gives clear instructions that anyone can follow, no matter their skill level. With these tips, anyone can turn any scene into a beautiful photo.

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4."Sports Photography: How to Capture Action and Emotion" by Peter Skinner
“Sports Photography: How to Capture Action and Emotion” Book Review: This book tells you how to take good pictures that show movement, beauty, and feeling. It has information about special projects and things you can practice by yourself. The book also talks about the tools you need, like video and digital equipment, and how to make pictures that make people feel something.

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5."Understanding Digital Cinema: A Professional Handbook" by Charles S Swartz
“Understanding Digital Cinema: A Professional Handbook” Book Review: This book talks about everything you need to know about finishing, showing, and sharing digital movies. It covers topics such as what you need for a digital cinema system, how to work on a movie after filming, and how to make sure the colors look right when you show the movie. The book also explains how to prepare a movie for showing, and the basics of making it take up less space while keeping it safe. Lastly, it talks about how to make sure the sound is good.

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6."Photography: The Definitive Visual History" by Tom Ang
“Photography: The Definitive Visual History” Book Review: This book is for students and teachers who are studying art and photography. It talks about the history of photography, starting from the 1800s. It includes many famous photographs and talks about them. The book also covers different types of photography like advertising, portraits, and fashion. It has many examples and stories to help you learn.

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We have put a lot of effort into researching the best books on Photography and came out with a recommended list and their reviews. If any more book needs to be added to this list, please email us. We are working on free pdf downloads for books on Photography and will publish the download link here. Fill out this Photography books pdf download" request form for download notification.

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