I'd suggest studying some books on paintings by Constable, Turner, Ruisedale, Atkinson Grimshaw and many others....
Tristan
Posted by Dan Borzynski on December 10, 2008 at 1:03 PM
Assuming that you are looking for an image book, I would second the above mentioned Rowell book. The images are well worth the price.
If you are looking for instruction, John Shaw's book on landscape photography is a good reference to have, depending on your current knowledge level. Another book I own, and even with many years of experience I still occasionally thumb through it.
Posted by Brad Hill on December 10, 2008 at 1:10 PM
Hi Marco,
I've always been a fan of Tim Fitzharris and found his book "National Audubon Society Guide to Landscape Photography" both interesting and useful. It's up to date (2007) and pays more than lip service to the digital revolution (Tim was an early adopter of both digital technologies and the use of medium format cameras with digital backs).
Cheers...
Brad
Posted by Steve Sieren on December 10, 2008 at 1:59 PM
Hi Marco,
I have read all 3 mentioned so far besides the painter's books. They're all good but they all have their more specific purposes. The first book mentioned is from a variety of different artists so you'll get many different perspectives which is great because you won't go out and photograph just like one artist until you read your next book. The Retrospective is extremely inspirational. Tim's book is perfect for an intermediate photographer. It's a great learning book. Oh, didn't see the John Shaw book mentioned. Great for a beginner landscape photographer. It covers the abc's of landscape photography.
I'd read em all and take it slow. Slow isn't as slow if you're digital. Tough decision on which to read first.
Posted by Bret Edge on December 10, 2008 at 5:17 PM
I also recommend the Galen Rowell and Tim Fitzharris books. Art Wolfe's "Photography Outdoors" is also an excellent how-to book.
Posted by Sarah Marino on December 11, 2008 at 4:15 PM
I guess I would define myself as an advanced beginner (for context) and I have found two of the books mentioned above to be particularly helpful - "Photography Outdoors" by Art Wolfe (not much on digital) and the Fitzharris "National Audobon Society's Guide to Landscape Photography." I take the Fitzharris book with me on a lot of trips to use as a reference and for creative inspiration.
I recently checked out two books from the library that have been helpful, but that I have not completely finished - John Fielder's Photographing the Landscape (great for destination ideas for the Rocky Mountain west) and The Magic of Digital Nature Photography (so far, more on digital than most other books mentioned by others). I am waiting for Ansel Adams "Making of 40 Photographs" to arrive at the library. Others have recommended this as a great book to think about the process of creating a photograph, from composition to the final product. This is obviously not relevant for digital, but I expect it to be a helpful resource.
Most of the books mentioned by me and others are available used. I always buy from Alibris - always high quality, quick, big selection, and good prices. That way, you can try out quite a few of these without spending a fortune.
Posted by Colin Smale on December 11, 2008 at 6:36 PM
John Shaw's book on landscape photography
Posted by Paul DeCesare on December 12, 2008 at 1:07 PM
I found this book by Alain Briot to be quite informative as well.
Discussion
9 repliesThe first is great because of the variety, and the stories told about the pics. The second is great because it's Galen Rowell.
Tristan
If you are looking for instruction, John Shaw's book on landscape photography is a good reference to have, depending on your current knowledge level. Another book I own, and even with many years of experience I still occasionally thumb through it.
I've always been a fan of Tim Fitzharris and found his book "National Audubon Society Guide to Landscape Photography" both interesting and useful. It's up to date (2007) and pays more than lip service to the digital revolution (Tim was an early adopter of both digital technologies and the use of medium format cameras with digital backs).
Cheers...
Brad
I have read all 3 mentioned so far besides the painter's books. They're all good but they all have their more specific purposes. The first book mentioned is from a variety of different artists so you'll get many different perspectives which is great because you won't go out and photograph just like one artist until you read your next book. The Retrospective is extremely inspirational. Tim's book is perfect for an intermediate photographer. It's a great learning book. Oh, didn't see the John Shaw book mentioned. Great for a beginner landscape photographer. It covers the abc's of landscape photography.
I'd read em all and take it slow. Slow isn't as slow if you're digital. Tough decision on which to read first.
I recently checked out two books from the library that have been helpful, but that I have not completely finished - John Fielder's Photographing the Landscape (great for destination ideas for the Rocky Mountain west) and The Magic of Digital Nature Photography (so far, more on digital than most other books mentioned by others). I am waiting for Ansel Adams "Making of 40 Photographs" to arrive at the library. Others have recommended this as a great book to think about the process of creating a photograph, from composition to the final product. This is obviously not relevant for digital, but I expect it to be a helpful resource.
Most of the books mentioned by me and others are available used. I always buy from Alibris - always high quality, quick, big selection, and good prices. That way, you can try out quite a few of these without spending a fortune.