what the best book for a begining photographer?

Question

I've just started dabbling in photography and so far I'm really enjoying it. I don't know much about f stops, exposure, focal lengths, and filters but I'd like to learn more. Are there any good books that cover these topics for beginners? I would also like a book that gives recommendation on what filters and lenses to buy and why. I'm using a digital rebel if that is any help.

Answer 1

Although written when film was still king, this book has plenty of information for the digital shooter. "Object & Image: An Introduction To Photography, Third Edition" by George M. Craven. Except for how the image is captured - film or digital sensor - photography is photography.

Another good reference book would be the Magic Lantern book for your camera. They may even offer a DVD.

As to filters, with your digital you only really need 2: a UV filter which should always be in place to protect the front element of your lens and a polarizer (circular, not linear) to remove glare from sand, snow, water, glass, painted metal (but not polished metal) and to dramatically darken a blue sky. The only time you remove the UV filter is when you use the polarizer.

Selecting lenses largely depends on what type of photography you plan on doing the most - and the size of your budget. For the time being you can probably do all the photography you want with the lens you now have.

If you love landscapes then a wide-angle zoom like the *16-35mm or *10-22mm or *17-85mm would be good choices. If you love close-ups of flowers and bees and butterflies then the Canon 60mm or 100mm macro lenses would be good choices.

If you're into sports photography or bird and wildlife photography then longer zooms will be needed. Canon offers a nice selection such as the *70-200mm or *70-300mm or the *100-400mm.

Eventually you'll want to add a tripod. Plan to spend at least 20% to 30% of the cost of your camera for a good quality tripod. Manfrotto, Velbon, Slik, Bogen are all good brands. Do not waste your money on one of those "bargain" tripods from Wal-Mart or Target.

* To compute the equivalent 35mm film camera focal lengths just multiply by 1.6. A 10-22mm for your Canon has the same focal length as a 16-35mm zoom for a film camera.

Answer 2

I'm going through Simon Joinson's "Getting the Most from Your Digital Camera" right now and it might be of interest to you. Some of it is VERY basic, so maybe that's where you want to start. He is the author of most of the info that you find on http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Glossary/ so go there and see if you like his style. In fact, go down on that page to "Exposure" and you will find a lot of help on the very topics that you have mentioned, including an interactive page that really illustrates the point well.

Answer 3

As a teacher I found the best book for a short direct course in photography is Kodak's Pocket Guide to Photography, available at Amazon. Who'd a thunk it?

Have fun and good luck

Answer 4

Look into acquiring the old set of Photography Book Series published by Time-Life which have specific titles either from Ebay or Craigslist. It's the foremost resource on all commercial types of photography.

Good luck!

Answer 5

From photography and DSLR camera basics right through to advanced techniques used by the professionals, this course will quickly and easily get your photography skills focused! Go here https://tr.im/rTtgG
By the end of this course you will have developed an instinctive skill-for-life that will enable you to capture truly stunning photos that not only amaze your friends and family... but could also open the doors to a brand new career.

Answer 6

i really liked the book photography for dummies! if u have questions about what lens to buy just go to a camera shop and ask them most of the time they will know what lens would be best for what type of pictures u would be taking

Answer 7

"the zone 6 system" :)