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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Photojournalism: The Professional's Approach (5th ed), by Kenneth Kobré

If you were in PJ school, this was probably one of your textbooks. If you weren't, it's a good and comprehensive read.

The book covers all-things-photojournalism, starting from square one. If you are toying with the idea of becoming a PJ, Kobre's book will give you a good idea of what you are in for along the college route.
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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," 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 $20. 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:






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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.