10 best books for the aspiring photographer

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

A beginner can get basic material on photography from books. We decided to list the best editions that deserve the attention of everyone who bought a camera. When selecting participants in the rating, certain criteria were taken into account, which high-quality literature corresponds to.

Rating of the best books for the aspiring photographer

Nomination	a place	Name of product	rating
The best books for the aspiring photographer by Russian authors	1	A. Lapin, Photography as …	5.0
	2	Conversations about photography, L. Dyko	4.9
	3	Creative photography, S. Morozov	4.8
	4	The golden ratio in painting, Fedor Kovalev	4.7
	5	D. Chernyshev, How People See	4.6
The best books for the aspiring photographer by foreign authors	1	Brian Peterson, Looking for a shot	5.0
	2	Scott Kelby, Digital Photography	4.9
	3	Michael Freeman, The photographer's perspective	4.8
	4	Lighting in photography. Bible of Light, Phil Hunter, Stephen Beaver	4.7
	5	50 Effective Digital Camera Techniques by Kevin L. Moss	4.6

The best books for the aspiring photographer by Russian authors

Russian writers and photographers, no worse than their foreign colleagues, talk about the common mistakes of beginners, the organization of the art market, and the search for their own style. We will find out which printed publications deserve special attention.

A. Lapin, Photography as …

Rating: 5.0

Alexander Lapin's book is praised not only by art historians, designers and photographers, but also by ordinary people who are simply passionate about beautiful pictures. It reads very fascinatingly. Everyone will find something new here. Perfectly selected illustrations, high quality of book products please.

This is a good gift for someone who just bought a camera and understands that photography will become not a passing hobby, but a serious way of earning money. There are no dry terms, complex academic presentation in the book. Everything is very clear. Reviews of Lapin's work are only positive.

Advantages

• a lot of approving reviews;
• clear presentation style;
• covers many useful topics;
• written in a captivating manner;
• many beautiful photos as examples.

disadvantages

• not.

Conversations about photography, L. Dyko

Rating: 4.9

The rating continues with a book written over 40 years ago by Lyudmila Dyko, a candidate of art history. The publication will teach amateur photographers the light and compositional construction of a picture, help to find a plot and theme. The book is written as a conversation. It allows you to understand photography as an art. Each section is supported by photo examples. It is interesting to read about parsing your own pictures.

Every photography school advises a book to read. To some, it may seem simple or even mediocre. Other novice photographers note that they were able to develop their abilities, their work has become much better. And all this thanks to the book by L. Dyko.

Advantages

• contains the author's many years of experience;
• recognized by many professionals;
• obligatory reading for students of photography schools;
• allows you to develop skills and find your style.

disadvantages

• there are no serious disadvantages.

Creative photography, S. Morozov

Rating: 4.8

The third place in the rating belongs to the work of a historian, an honored worker of the RSFSR. This book is a generalized work of authors on the theory of photography for a long time. It is written in accessible living language. During the reading, one can feel Morozov's deep interest, his passion for the topic.

The edition includes rich illustrated material. From it you can learn about the formation of genres, the relationship between photography and painting, the attitude of society to this type of art. Of course, the book lacks a description of the features of modern photomontage. But even without this, Morozov's work has always been considered a real treasure for every amateur and professional photographer.

Advantages

• solid reputation of the author;
• the book is recommended by professionals;
• contains experienced several experienced photographers;
• accessible and lively language;
• many illustrations.

disadvantages

• not.

The golden ratio in painting, Fedor Kovalev

Rating: 4.7

The next book differs from other participants in the rating in an accessible and fascinating form of exposing the laws of composition. From it, readers will learn about the role of the golden section, the methods of its construction.

Judging by the reviews, the given recommendations were very useful for photographers when creating a full-fledged plot of a picture. The book is actively used by teachers in photography schools, art institutes and colleges. Kovalev's work is time-tested. It will be understandable for both a beginner and a professional.

Advantages

• reads interesting and exciting;
• cognitive information for everyone;
• useful in practice;
• used by teachers in art schools.

disadvantages

• not.

D. Chernyshev, How People See

Rating: 4.6

Chernyshev's book is read with pleasure not only by admirers of the lecturer's work, but also by all novice photographers. It is 'swallowed' in just 2-3 hours. The author's work includes interesting stories about painting and photography, it provides a self-study guide that allows everyone to find the ability to see and develop it. Thus, Chernyshev conveys to readers that creative thinking is characteristic of absolutely everyone.

According to reviews, there is little new information here for a book with so many pages (over 250). But interesting beautiful illustrations, original thoughts of the author please. With the help of this publication, many have learned to look around, analyze and fantasize.

Advantages

• inspires shooting;
• many beautiful photos;
• contains fascinating stories;
• will teach you to see the plot and analyze.

disadvantages

• little new information for this volume of pages.

The best books for the aspiring photographer by foreign authors

Every aspiring photographer should get acquainted with the work of foreign photographers who have reflected their many years of experience in print media. We will talk about them in the second nomination.

Brian Peterson, Looking for a shot

Rating: 5.0

The nomination opens with a book by a famous photographer, touching upon topics such as the choice of equipment, compositional foundations, work in the 'Photoshop' program. All these sections will be of interest to absolutely every beginner. It is useful to know how you can transform the same picture from different angles.

The publication helps to acquire creativity and develop it. There are many ideas, detailed non-technical aspects of the art of photography here. The book is called 'inspiring and informative'. It is easy to understand and teaches you to see the beautiful through the camera lens. The owners of the book do not regret purchasing it and advise everyone to read it in order to recharge with positive energy and start creating.

Advantages

• a huge number of approving opinions;
• inspires new pictures;
• will teach the basics of composition:
• there are rules for working in the 'Photoshop' program.

disadvantages

• not.

Scott Kelby, Digital Photography

Rating: 4.9

The book Digital Photography is available in 4 volumes and is intended for beginners who have decided to seriously get acquainted with the basics and subtleties of creating high-quality photographs. It is advised to start reading from the first edition. It reflects the main information on the types of shooting, advice on choosing a technique. Each section is backed up with photographs by Scott Kelby.

As such, there is little information in the book. However, for a beginner, this is not so bad. The author pays special attention to working in Photoshop. If you buy a book for your collection, you will have to pay a tidy sum for it. Therefore, most people prefer to study it electronically.

Advantages

• accessibility and understandability;
• original photographs of the author;
• lots of practical tips;
• advice on choosing a technique and working in Photoshop.

disadvantages

• an expensive book if you buy a printed copy.

Michael Freeman, The photographer's perspective

Rating: 4.8

Michael Freeman's book will explore why some photographs are popular and considered a work of art, while others are not entirely successful. The author touches upon the rules of composition, talks about the idea, multi-level meanings. It's important to think with your head before pressing the button.

From the reviews it becomes clear that many readers liked Freeman's book “The Tao of Digital Photography” more. This edition will appeal to those who want to reflect on the types of art, philosophize and find out how popular photographers make money. In any case, the work of the British journalist deserves attention. No wonder Freeman is recognized as a professional of the highest level.

Advantages

• written by a recognized professional;
• teach the rules of composition;
• will tell you how to make money from photography.

disadvantages

• little practice, many philosophical topics.

Lighting in photography. Bible of Light, Phil Hunter, Stephen Beaver

Rating: 4.7

A find for beginners will be a book about the features of lighting, the influence of various nuances on the final result, and light control. The publication tells about the types of studio equipment, on-camera flashes, portrait techniques. Of all the lighting books, this is the best choice for the aspiring photographer.

The Bible of Light will tell you how to work with color filters, shoot moving objects. Experienced photographers were divided over the content. The advantages of the book include the presentation of the fundamental physical laws that determine the behavior of light, a large number of examples with illustrations, diagrams and explanations. Among the shortcomings, the lack of information about the psychology of communication with models is highlighted.

Advantages

• a large number of illustrated examples;
• a clear explanation of the composition rules;
• a lot of information about studio equipment;
• considered one of the best books on the play of light.

disadvantages

• mixed reviews;
• there are not enough rules for communicating with the model.

50 Effective Digital Photography Techniques by Kevin L. Moss

Rating: 4.6

The last line of the rating belongs to a book dedicated to working with digital technology. The material includes fifty different techniques for fulfilling the tasks of a photographer of any level. The author's work helps to understand the structure of the camera, to learn about the types of lenses and tripods. Moss provides tips for shooting portraits, landscapes and still lifes. This is the best choice for those who have just purchased a digital camera and professionals who have decided to change the film device to modern technology.

Opinions about the book are conflicting. Someone considered the author's photographs inexpressive, and the information scarce. There are also positive reviews in which they note a large amount of information that is important for a beginner.

Advantages

• a lot of useful information for a novice photographer;
• tips for shooting different genres;
• information about the operation of the camera;
• 50 examples of work.

disadvantages

• the proposed pictures are not to everyone's liking;
• mixed reviews.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.