Photography books

[mattrudlles]

What books have you read or are you currently reading to help with your photography? Also any tutorials or videos too.

Currently reading "The Art of Photography by Bruce Barnbaum". I'm only on chapter 2, but it has good advice so far on what you should be photographing based on your interests. Really keen to learn more on exposure, and composition mostly though.

Will read this book and Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson, and try to recreate the photos used as examples where possible before I consider new lenses.

 

[Meelperd]

Taking the shot:
For me, Scott Kelby has mastered the art of teaching photography in his books. His humour is necessary to keep you wanting more, but never over-the-top.

For editing:
PiXimperfect. This guy has it all - superb knowledge of Photoshop, the ability to vlog without talking crap, and a very good voice!

Really keen to learn more on exposure

Funny thing - exposure is arguably the most important aspect of learning photography, yet so many (including myself) find themselves learning more about this only much later.

before I consider new lenses

What does your kit include now, and which lenses tickle your fancy?

 

[mattrudlles]

Taking the shot:

Funny thing - exposure is arguably the most important aspect of learning photography, yet so many (including myself) find themselves learning more about this only much later.


What does your kit include now, and which lenses tickle your fancy?

Exposure is so important I'm finding myself drawn to really understanding exposure because I just prefer using spot metering (Nikon) when compared to matrix metering! I have a feeling it has a lot to do with composition too when using this method.

I am using a Nikon D3400 with the kit lens (18-55), a tripod, and Godox TT350 flash. With lenses I am unsure about what to get next - quite drawn to the sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 though. I find most areas interesting, except taking photos at events.

I would say my biggest drawbacks currently are aperture (realistically stuck at 5.6 with my kit lens), an extremely wide angle for landscape (perhaps a 10mm?), and of course one always needs more zoom when shooting wildlife!

Any recommendations?

 

[Meelperd]

Nikon D3400

Great camera!

realistically stuck at 5.6 with my kit lens

I know the feeling. I use a 50mm f/1.8 when I need to - works like a charm!

perhaps a 10mm?

The Sigma 8-16mm is still on my wish list.

Any recommendations?

This will always be a tricky one - budget!!! If I had Squirrel Ramawhatever's salary, I wouldn't be asking this question. Then again, I wouldn't know anything about photography either...

My stuff:
Canon 1000D and 1300D.
Canon 50mm f/1.8 for mostly any portrait or small group of people.
Canon 24-105mm and 18-55mm for the same purpose.
Sigma 70-300mm to fetch something a bit farther away.

No flash. No tripod. No more money.

 

[mattrudlles]

Great camera!

Thanks! It has really been awesome. Really glad I didn't get the Canon M100 without a view finder! Your Canons have some good features over my Nikon with auto bracketing and High Sync Flash if I'm not mistaken.

The Sigma 8-16mm is still on my wish list.

R9k, but it is awesome!

Canon 50mm f/1.8 for mostly any portrait or small group of people.
Canon 24-105mm and 18-55mm for the same purpose.
Sigma 70-300mm to fetch something a bit farther away.

No flash. No tripod. No more money.

You have a good selection of lenses though. Was the Sigma 70-300 cheaper and/or better than the Canon lens?

You should really get a flash and tripod. The pictures with an external flash look professional without any editing. I think a flash is a non-negotiable instrument for photography.

 

[Meelperd]

auto bracketing and High Sync Flash

That's odd - yours should have them too. I don't use those features at all.

Was the Sigma 70-300 cheaper

Yeah, I bought it used. Very used. The focus motor sounds like a dot matrix printer, and at 300mm the aperture ring doesn't close. I should use it as a door stop...

flash is a non-negotiable instrument for photography

Without a doubt.