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Photobook recommendations Anonymous
To learn more about photography I think it best I do some reading about the past and present to understand the art of it more, otherwise I'll be doomed to making stupid snaps that only enrage /p/ if I upload them. As such I'm looking to start off by buying one or two decent photobooks.

Two books I am considering that have cropped up and seem to be well liked are:

*The Genius of Photography - How Photography has changed our Lives by Gerry Badger

*The Photography Book by Ian Jeffrey

These look like good books to give a general overview of what is out there in the world of photography. If anyone has read these or knows of any good books they would recommend I would very much appreciate any comments on them. Thanks.
>> NatureGuy !se3A3TwzdY
Books are great, but critical exposure to photography is more important. Being to see an image and identify what about in it in an artistic view you find good is very important. Most new artists rely on subject matter to create an image while most advanced photographers understand how to present something interesting in a way the compliments the subject to further create an image the invokes the photographers intention in capturing the image to the viewer. While any book can give a good introduction into photographic technique, viewing photography is what you will need to do in order to properly apply what you learn and then expand on the basic principles.

Just about any book can teach you compositional elements, but viewing good work can explain how to use it. Why did the photographer choose this view point, why is framed this way by the camera, and why did the photographer use this type of light in this shot should be questions running through your head when you view work.
>> fence !!POey2hdozCZ
>>138013

did you even read his post? he's not trying to pick up technique, he wants to read up on the history of photography.

>>137980

i can't find either of the books you've listed on amazon, so i'm a little stumped. i've read a shitton of books on photography, however, so i can easily recommend the following:

1) the photo book by phaidon. i recommend this to everyone. it's ten bucks, it'll change your life. follow that up with Vitamin Ph: New Perspectives in Photography, also published by phaidon. really, anything phaidon publishes about photography, read it. their books are great.

2) you're in college, maybe? or live in a town that has a college? your school should have a fine arts library. check out their photography section, specifically the monographs (photo books). this can be expensive on your own, since photobooks usually cost at least 50 bucks, sometimes much, much more (they're usually published in limited runs). be systematic about this research; look up a photographer from the Photo Book that you especially like. take notes on the photos. rinse, repeat. Or, work your way up from the very beginnings of photography. see if you can figure out who influenced who, and why.
>> OP
Thanks guys. Interesting points. I'm getting "The Genius of Photography - How Photography has changed our Lives by Gerry Badger" and "the photo book by phaidon" that fence mentioned. I found them on sale with half off, so worth getting to keep and study. I'm quite excited to see what they are like. They look like they'll give a good overview of it.

I'll consider the other suggestions too. Some good ideas here.
>> Blackadder !!bSWRwu/NqzQ
I've got the "Genius of Photography" book you've mentioned there and have pictured. It's ideal for learning about the history and background of a lot of photos and photographers. A good starter or general book. I was very pleased with the purchase.
>> Blackadder !!bSWRwu/NqzQ
>>138202

Oh, I'll add that the book was written to accompany a BBC series by the same name. Also very good if you can catch it repeated on TV. I believe ABC are broadcasting it in the US now.
>> Blackadder !!bSWRwu/NqzQ
Bumping this as someone was asking and fence pointed here.

I anyone wants I can post samples from that GOP book. I understand it's hard to get in the USA?