What to read?

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

There's been a lot of "worthy" books mentioned here ().

I'll mention a book that I doubt would ever be present on such a list but which I return to time after time: Kevin MacDonnell's "Freelance Photographers' Britain". (ISBN 0-907297-11-0)

MacDonnell was a working photographer and writer who's career spanned the 'thirties to the 'eighties. He only published half a dozen books or so and this is by far the one I like best.

Despite the title, I think this little gem tells more about the how and why of taking pictures than any three of the rest.

Oh yes, and anything by our own Roger Hicks.

[johnwolf]

Originally Posted by mfogiel

... But the most important thing to read, is this little essay by Bill Jay on pages 31-39 of this issue of Lenswork:
http://www.lenswork.com/lw31e.pdf as kindly suggested by johnwolf on this forum.

How nice to see you mention this reference. I agree it's among the most important reads for any photographer. I'd suggest getting Jay's entire book, Negative/Positive: A Philosophy of Photography. It will likely deepen your work and your life.

John

[airfrogusmc]

Originally Posted by johnwolf

How nice to see you mention this reference. I agree it's among the most important reads for any photographer. I'd suggest getting Jay's entire book, Negative/Positive: A Philosophy of Photography. It will likely deepen your work and your life.

John

Thanks for that and I particularly like the final sentence

"In my opinion, no work of art can or should be separated from the personality of the artist and his life- attitude." Bill Jay

[johnwolf]

One more suggestion, especially if you're into street photography and the street tradition: Tod Papageorge's Core Curriculum.

It's a collection of essays and speeches on Winogrand, Frank, Evans, HCB, and other major figures in this genre. Very rewarding.

John

[airfrogusmc]

Originally Posted by johnwolf

One more suggestion, especially if you're into street photography and the street tradition: Tod Papageorge's Core Curriculum.

It's a collection of essays and speeches on Winogrand, Frank, Evans, HCB, and other major figures in this genre. Very rewarding.

John

John yes thanks I am aware of Tods book. Great stuff.

[Ed Weatherly]

If you want some short books on how to be a better photographer and how to be creative, David duChemin has formed a publishing company that primarily published ebooks on the subject. I have about 20 of them (they are generally short; about 40 pages+/-) and find them to be very helpful. As a bonus, they are very inexpensive.
http://craftandvision.com/

Hope you find this helpful.

[hellomikmik]

Originally Posted by mfogiel

But the most important thing to read, is this little essay by Bill Jay on pages 31-39 of this issue of Lenswork:
http://www.lenswork.com/lw31e.pdf as kindly suggested by johnwolf on this forum.

Thanks for the link!

My suggestion: To you

[grandallj]

You might like Szarkowski's writing about Atget in the MoMA book. The images are, by and large, stunning, and Szarkowski has a short text accompanying each of the images. I think the images and text are a gripping and thought-provoking combination.

http://www.momastore.org/museum/moma...83_11487_15070

[zvos1]

Originally Posted by Orbiter

Interesting suggestions.

Love the "Tao of Photography." If you like that, you might also like "The practice of contemplative photography: seeing the world with fresh eyes" by Karr and Wood. It's a book I go back to again and again, and learn something new from it each time.

Just finished reading this book, I highly recommend it for a fresh approach to taking photos.

There is very little of technical stuff and plenty of teaching you how to "see".

[rohankent]

Originally Posted by mfogiel

But the most important thing to read, is this little essay by Bill Jay on pages 31-39 of this issue of Lenswork:
http://www.lenswork.com/lw31e.pdf as kindly suggested by johnwolf on this forum.

Thanks for this thought-provoking read. I'm a musician and could easily substitute the word music for photography in this essay and be challenged, as well as in my photography.

[lynnb]

If you like The War of Art I can also recommend 101 Things to Learn in Art School by Kit White.
It's a small book with lots of useful ideas and tips on how to see.
Also, pretty much anything by Szarkowski.