The Strobist Bookshelf
Listed below are what I consider to be the best books about photography in general and/or lighting in specific. You will not find any "bad" reviews here, because I am not gonna waste our time telling you about something that sucks.
I have brief descriptions here, but most of the still-in-print books have full reviews posted elsewhere on the site. Those are noted in the text. Some are easy to find, and some are obscure or out of print. Fortunately, with the internet, everyone now has the biggest bookstore in the world within easy reach. So the links go to Amazon.
The ones that are out of print will be noted by an "OOP." But Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is The Man, 'cause he can hook you up with OOP books through used sellers on Amazon, too. So links to there you will help you start your search.
Books and DVDs on Lighting
Joe McNally's book, The Moment it Clicks, is the best photo/lighting book I have seen in a long time. And by a "long time" I mean, well, ever.
He has completely opened up his photographer brain for your inspection. The photos are great, and the stories are even better. If you can only afford to get one book as you are cruising through this book faves page, get this one.
Here's a Nikon promotional video about the book. And seriously, I can't say enough good things about it. Full review is here.
____________________
Barely a year after releasing The Moment it Clicks, McNally released The Hot Shoe Diaries, which as the name implies, focuses exclusively on speedlight techniques. As much as you would think these two books overlap, they actually don't. They are alike and different, and together are the two best photographic lighting technique books I have ever seen.
Do yourself a favor and don't choose -- buy both.
Together they comprise a career's worth of knowledge from one of the most consistently good lighting photographers in the game. The fact that they are both also wonderfully funny reads is a bonus.
Behind all of Joe's self-deprecating, sometimes infantile humor lies the mind of a master lighting photographer. And with a careful read of these books, you might pick up some of Joe's legendary skills at making interesting photos come together, too. There is much more to that than lighting ratios.
Hot Shoe Diaries is more fully reviewed here. And like Moment it Clicks, I could not recommend it more highly.
____________________
A contemporary, tell-all lighting and portraiture book by one of the hottest A-list pros, Michael Grecco's Lighting and the Dramatic Portrait is more of a book suited to those who want to learn about what it takes to be working at the cutting edge of high-end portraiture today.
Grecco's book does not have as much heart and pure knowledge exchange as does McNally's. But I found it a very good read for those interested in learning his techniques, which are all centered on shooting people and thinking outside of the box.
Grecco brings a unique thought process and a willing-to-try-anything approach that yields fresh, non-dirivative portraiture. You can read a full review here. But it is important to note that that review was written before McNally's book (which I prefer) arrived.
____________________
Hunter, Biver and Fuqua's "Light - Science & Magic, 3rd Edition" is a full-color, updated version of the underground classic. This book is where you get the foundation you need before you step off into your own creative lighting style. It is literally about the physices of light, and will help you to understand the mechaniz of lighting. But do not look to here for creative inspiration.
You need to learn the rules before you can break them. And L-S&M is full of core knowledge. Highly recommended.
____________________
Matters of Light and Depth, by Ross Lowell, is the old-school classic. It was written for motion picture photographers, but has been adopted by the still crowd, too.
All the more relevant as we progress into the age of multimedia, still photogs looking to enhance their video lighting skills will find this book to be a double bonus.
____________________
It took over a year to pull it together, but I finally put my entire, day-long lighting seminar on DVD. We did not stop there, either, adding an hour-long discussion on basic lighting gear and a series of nine video'd "On Assignment" sessions.
All told, it weighs in at 8 DVD's and the price is $139.00.
The full post on the set is here.
____________________
Minimalist Lighting: Professional Techniques for Location Photography is a new book by Austin-based commercial photographer (and long-time Strobist reader) Kirk Tuck.
This one is 100% small flash, and spends plenty of time of gear, synching and light mods. It is more of an introductory book than the titles above, and better suited for less experienced shooters who want a good look at how to gear up with small flash and how to start using it.
Full review here.
Photojournalism Books
Shooter, by David Hume Kennerly (OOP)
This book is a little dangerous, actually. It may make you quit your real job and pursue a profession in which you have almost no chance of succeeding. That is what it did to me. And I read it any time I need a recharge.
You'll follow Pulitzer Prize winner David Hume Kennerly from his humble-but-eager beginnings (chasing brush fires) through his war coverage in Vietnam and his stint as personal photographer to President Ford.
Don't pay top dollar for this -- even thought it is worth it. With a little patience, you can pick it up for a couple of bucks. Click on the book to search on Amazon, or here to search for it on ebay.
____________________
Associated Press Guide to Photojournalism
If there is such a thing as a professional's textbook for photojournalism, this is it. If you are going to do it "by the book," do it by this book. The AP guide covers all aspects of photojournalism, using some of AP's best shooters (and their work) as examples. It includes information on lighting, along with just about anything else you would want to know as a photojournalist.
____________________
Photo Portfolio Success, by John Kaplan
Photo Portfolio Success is photojournalist John Kaplan's inside track on the whole, mysterious process. It is this generation's version of "The Perfect Portfolio," which was the old school bible on the subject. Kaplan is a Pulitzer Prize winner, so he knows what a good photo is. He is also a professor at the University of Florida's top-notch photojournalism program. If your goal is to craft a great portfolio, this book will show you the way.
On the Business of Pro Photography
John Harrington's "Best Business Practices for Photographers (2nd ed.)," is the book, if you want to learn about the business side of being a professional photographer. If you are a pro, or are considering turning pro, you'd be nuts to do it without this book.
Harrington is a business guru in the pro photo world. Shooters attend his seminars, keep his handouts and read them until the pages are dog-eared and falling apart.
And you can have access to all of his distilled knowledge for less than $25. That's like what you'd spend for just another compact flash card. A small one.
Give yourself a chance to make it by following a good road map. And Harrington's is the best. Full review here.
Photojournalism Movies
War Photographer, (DVD - nonfiction) Directed by Christian Frei
This isn't even a book. But as I told you, I am throwing the best stuff up here on the bookshelf and War Photographer has to be included.
This Academy Award-nominated documentary film from 2001 allows us to tag along with James Nachtwey, one of the world's greatest photojournalists, while he works. They filmed him at close range, and even mounted a tiny camera on his camera to capture his point of view while he was shooting.
Plenty of "back story" is given, too.
Nachtwey covers war and conflict, and he is widely seen as the best there is within that genre.
But the film gives us a rare look into the motivations, technique and work ethic of a truly great photojournalist.
Watching this movie will re-set your internal compass, no matter what you cover as a photojournalist. It bears repeated viewing, and should be in any serious PJ's library. Keep it in your computer bag and watch it on your laptop.
Two excerpts, via YouTube:
____________________
Under Fire, (DVD - fiction) starring Nick Nolte, is set in Nicaragua just before the fall of Samosa.
This is my favorite of Hollywood's looks at photojournalism, and was reviewed inside of a long, rambling rant, here.
I have brief descriptions here, but most of the still-in-print books have full reviews posted elsewhere on the site. Those are noted in the text. Some are easy to find, and some are obscure or out of print. Fortunately, with the internet, everyone now has the biggest bookstore in the world within easy reach. So the links go to Amazon.
The ones that are out of print will be noted by an "OOP." But Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is The Man, 'cause he can hook you up with OOP books through used sellers on Amazon, too. So links to there you will help you start your search.
Books and DVDs on Lighting
Joe McNally's book, The Moment it Clicks, is the best photo/lighting book I have seen in a long time. And by a "long time" I mean, well, ever.He has completely opened up his photographer brain for your inspection. The photos are great, and the stories are even better. If you can only afford to get one book as you are cruising through this book faves page, get this one.
Here's a Nikon promotional video about the book. And seriously, I can't say enough good things about it. Full review is here.
____________________
Barely a year after releasing The Moment it Clicks, McNally released The Hot Shoe Diaries, which as the name implies, focuses exclusively on speedlight techniques. As much as you would think these two books overlap, they actually don't. They are alike and different, and together are the two best photographic lighting technique books I have ever seen.Do yourself a favor and don't choose -- buy both.
Together they comprise a career's worth of knowledge from one of the most consistently good lighting photographers in the game. The fact that they are both also wonderfully funny reads is a bonus.
Behind all of Joe's self-deprecating, sometimes infantile humor lies the mind of a master lighting photographer. And with a careful read of these books, you might pick up some of Joe's legendary skills at making interesting photos come together, too. There is much more to that than lighting ratios.
Hot Shoe Diaries is more fully reviewed here. And like Moment it Clicks, I could not recommend it more highly.
____________________
A contemporary, tell-all lighting and portraiture book by one of the hottest A-list pros, Michael Grecco's Lighting and the Dramatic Portrait is more of a book suited to those who want to learn about what it takes to be working at the cutting edge of high-end portraiture today. Grecco's book does not have as much heart and pure knowledge exchange as does McNally's. But I found it a very good read for those interested in learning his techniques, which are all centered on shooting people and thinking outside of the box.
Grecco brings a unique thought process and a willing-to-try-anything approach that yields fresh, non-dirivative portraiture. You can read a full review here. But it is important to note that that review was written before McNally's book (which I prefer) arrived.
____________________
Hunter, Biver and Fuqua's "Light - Science & Magic, 3rd Edition" is a full-color, updated version of the underground classic. This book is where you get the foundation you need before you step off into your own creative lighting style. It is literally about the physices of light, and will help you to understand the mechaniz of lighting. But do not look to here for creative inspiration.You need to learn the rules before you can break them. And L-S&M is full of core knowledge. Highly recommended.
____________________
Matters of Light and Depth, by Ross Lowell, is the old-school classic. It was written for motion picture photographers, but has been adopted by the still crowd, too.All the more relevant as we progress into the age of multimedia, still photogs looking to enhance their video lighting skills will find this book to be a double bonus.
____________________
It took over a year to pull it together, but I finally put my entire, day-long lighting seminar on DVD. We did not stop there, either, adding an hour-long discussion on basic lighting gear and a series of nine video'd "On Assignment" sessions. All told, it weighs in at 8 DVD's and the price is $139.00.
The full post on the set is here.
____________________
Minimalist Lighting: Professional Techniques for Location Photography is a new book by Austin-based commercial photographer (and long-time Strobist reader) Kirk Tuck. This one is 100% small flash, and spends plenty of time of gear, synching and light mods. It is more of an introductory book than the titles above, and better suited for less experienced shooters who want a good look at how to gear up with small flash and how to start using it.
Full review here.
Photojournalism Books
Shooter, by David Hume Kennerly (OOP) This book is a little dangerous, actually. It may make you quit your real job and pursue a profession in which you have almost no chance of succeeding. That is what it did to me. And I read it any time I need a recharge.
You'll follow Pulitzer Prize winner David Hume Kennerly from his humble-but-eager beginnings (chasing brush fires) through his war coverage in Vietnam and his stint as personal photographer to President Ford.
Don't pay top dollar for this -- even thought it is worth it. With a little patience, you can pick it up for a couple of bucks. Click on the book to search on Amazon, or here to search for it on ebay.
____________________
Associated Press Guide to PhotojournalismIf there is such a thing as a professional's textbook for photojournalism, this is it. If you are going to do it "by the book," do it by this book. The AP guide covers all aspects of photojournalism, using some of AP's best shooters (and their work) as examples. It includes information on lighting, along with just about anything else you would want to know as a photojournalist.
____________________
Photo Portfolio Success, by John KaplanPhoto Portfolio Success is photojournalist John Kaplan's inside track on the whole, mysterious process. It is this generation's version of "The Perfect Portfolio," which was the old school bible on the subject. Kaplan is a Pulitzer Prize winner, so he knows what a good photo is. He is also a professor at the University of Florida's top-notch photojournalism program. If your goal is to craft a great portfolio, this book will show you the way.
On the Business of Pro Photography
John Harrington's "Best Business Practices for Photographers (2nd ed.)," is the book, if you want to learn about the business side of being a professional photographer. If you are a pro, or are considering turning pro, you'd be nuts to do it without this book.Harrington is a business guru in the pro photo world. Shooters attend his seminars, keep his handouts and read them until the pages are dog-eared and falling apart.
And you can have access to all of his distilled knowledge for less than $25. That's like what you'd spend for just another compact flash card. A small one.
Give yourself a chance to make it by following a good road map. And Harrington's is the best. Full review here.
Photojournalism Movies
War Photographer, (DVD - nonfiction) Directed by Christian FreiThis isn't even a book. But as I told you, I am throwing the best stuff up here on the bookshelf and War Photographer has to be included.
This Academy Award-nominated documentary film from 2001 allows us to tag along with James Nachtwey, one of the world's greatest photojournalists, while he works. They filmed him at close range, and even mounted a tiny camera on his camera to capture his point of view while he was shooting.
Plenty of "back story" is given, too.
Nachtwey covers war and conflict, and he is widely seen as the best there is within that genre.
But the film gives us a rare look into the motivations, technique and work ethic of a truly great photojournalist.
Watching this movie will re-set your internal compass, no matter what you cover as a photojournalist. It bears repeated viewing, and should be in any serious PJ's library. Keep it in your computer bag and watch it on your laptop.
Two excerpts, via YouTube:
____________________
Under Fire, (DVD - fiction) starring Nick Nolte, is set in Nicaragua just before the fall of Samosa.This is my favorite of Hollywood's looks at photojournalism, and was reviewed inside of a long, rambling rant, here.
__________
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by David, at 10:41 PM.
21 Comments:
Another great lighting book is "Light: Science & Magic" by Fil Hunter and Paul Fuqua. It is a superb discussion of how light works and how you capture it with a camera. Well worth reading and rereading.
First of all, thanks for all the great information, you opened my eyes in regards to off camera flash lightning.
I had a look to the preview of the "Speed of light" DVD and it really looks amazing, the only thing that keeps me of buying it right now is because is designed for Nikon users, and my stuff if from Canon. Does anyone know another DVD (not book please) like that, but more focused on Canon users?
Thanks!
My local library had "Secrets of Lighting on Location" and the AP Guide. It's been a good read. The "Secrets" book reads almost like a print version of Strobist for lighting.
I'm just a hobbiest, but there's lots of good info there for any shooter.
Kin Lau
Toronto ON
What about" how to" DVD's. I get more out of DVD then books. Are there any studio lighting DVD's that are any good.
Thanks
man, would love to get my hands on a copy of Shooter but it seems to be out of print. Do yo know you could pick up a copy online?
One of my favourite lighting books is an old one - "techniques of photographic lighting" by Norman Kerr. My copy I bought for £2 here in England. I'm not sure if this is 'textbook' or not, but it is a really good read. It is less detailed on the technical side of things, but extensive on understanding and exploiting the qualities of light. So much of this many photographers instinctively react too - and probably pay less attention too than is necessary for really great pictures. A lot of it is about simplicity. On reading the book he made me start to consider and improvise with the light available, and to get less complicated with additional lighting - consider the role of each light you introduce.
managed to pick up a copy of SHOOTER (out of print, but easy to find online) ... and I have to say it is a brilliantly written book: very enjoyable; the only downside is that there could be more photos.
The AP guide to photojournalism is also interesting, but no where near as entertaining as Kennerly's. Photo Portfolio Success has literally just arrived, so can't say anything about that yet.
thanks for the tips, though
oh, and the Nachtwey DVD is brilliant -- had it for a while now, and it is great to see Nachtwey at work and get inside his almost Zen-like mind (man, is that guy calm!)
...just noticed one small typo: the Grecco book is called "Lighting and the Dramatic Portrait" not "Lighting and the Dynamic Portrait" - although I's sure they are dynamic too... ;-)
Great list!
If you like Shooter by DHK then you would also like Moments in Time by Dirck Halstead.
I have bought a few of the above books and have been pretty happy with the recommendations. I do appreciate this list! My favorite so far is the Light: Science & Magic book.
But, I recently bought the Art of Raw Conversion book and found it to be very basic. If you're already comfortable with a RAW converter, doing basic things like WB, exposure, know something about noise reduction, CA, lens distortion, etc, this book is probably a waste of money for you. For instance, one thing I was particularly interested in was how to sharpen images. My summary of what's covered on sharpening in this book is: "There are many ways to do it, but we won't discuss much here. Try playing with the unsharp mask in photoshop." Of course there's more detail than that, but I was very disappointed. Only buy this book if you need a basic introduction to RAW conversion.
I've got Joe McNally's Speed of Light DVD, and I can tell all the Canon shooters that it is pretty much a Nikon commercial. I'm a Nikon guy, with four SB-800 and SB-600 strobes. Frankly, I didn't get much out of this DVD. It might be a good introduction to the system if you know nothing about Nikon's Creative Lighting System. But if you're experienced, there's not a lot here. It is good to watch Joe McNally shoot, but the DVD is very light on technical details. Again, it is mostly a Nikon infomercial about their lights, far from being an instructional DVD. Get Joe's book instead. Much better.
Dave,
I wanted to by a book but there are no links to Amazon UK are they just hiding from me? or do you no longer do them? (I just want you to get your cut and did not want to be responsible for stealing the diet mountain dew from your children's mouths)
Balmore
Your blind rollerblading photographer.
A recent portrait: Andy Hendricks @ Chaz Sands Invitational
DAVE!
I know I posted a comment at the wrong time for you to answer (You where at Gulf Photo). So I'll try again.
Is there a link to Amazon UK that I can use to buy books so you get your cut?
Balmore.
Balmore-
Oops -- sorry I forgot to answer. I was busy then! In theory, the concept was great, But in practice, Amazon.co.uk is conveniently considered a totally differen company for referral purposes. They do not cut checks across the pond, nor do they ship their goods over to the USA. (Kinda crazy...)
So, while I am very grateful for the thought, please click away without regard for my children's Dew habit!
Thanks much, and watch out for those wheels!
-D
I COMPLETELY don't understand why Amazon.com is given for searching second hand books:
THEY use
http://www.ABEBooks.com/
and
http://www.alibris.com/
and tack-on their own mark-up!
Second comment, why aren't these marked clearly for which is book, and which is DVD?
Like many, books get knowledge into me, but not understanding.
Seeing HOW it's done frees me with understanding.
Thanks, very very much, for this list of quality information, &
Cheers!
To the person above me:
if you read carefully as you would for anything else, the only DVD is marked as "DVD" and Dave tells us that even though it's not a book he's including it in a "book review" page.
Also, if you don't learn from a book, that's too bad. However, try to turn that knowledge into doing. After all, the point of Strobism is to have more knowledge and less gear?
I doubt you'd improve much if you can't turn knowledge into doing.
David,
I'd like to suggest a book for all of us. It's called "The Photographer's Eye: Composition & Design for Better Digital Photos".
It was a solid book on composition & design, unlike many of those in the current market. Light is important, but equally composition is important, isn't it? :-)
Strobism + better composition = WOW.
Hi, I love your blog and got the DVD's great job so far.
I just heard of this new book coming out called the Hot Shoe Diaries:Creative Applications of Small Flashes by Joe McNally.
I guess it hasn't been released yet but it might go nicely with what you do.
Cheers
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
Just an FYI, Mr. Kobre has published a newer version of "Photojournalism" (Published Feb 2008). Here is the Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Photojournalism-Sixth-Professionals-Kenneth-Kobre/dp/075068593X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227086629&sr=1-1
Hi, I was wondering if you could recommend photography schools. I know that doing is the best way to learn in this field but I would like some formal instruction. Any ideas where to go? Thanks! - Jack Tarantino jacopo.tarantino@gmail.com
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