Photography Books | Artistry, Inspiration & Technique

The Photo Proventure Bookshelf

The Photo Proventure BookshelfPhotography Books | Artistry, Inspiration & Technique

The Photography Books section of The Bookshelf contains a selection of my favourite books written by photographers for photographers. Some talk technique, other focus more on artistry while others are just eye candy. There so many books out there, so if you have any suggestions of what I should pick up next, get in touch!

You can purchase the books below by following the links to the Book Depository. These links are affiliate links whereby I get a small commission if you purchase a book while you get the same great price you would anyway. The commissions help to give me the ability to improve this site. Win-win if you ask me!

Photo Proventure | Bookshelf | Photography Books | The Passionate Photographer by Steve Simon

The Passionate Photographer

by Steve Simon

TYPE: Inspiration, Creativity, Motivation

This book is the perfect mix of visual inspiration and action you can take to get creative and improve your photography. Steve has a great way of breaking down the steps to becoming a great photographer. This is the book that convinced me to try “back-button auto-focus” which I still use today and is one step in the journey of mastering autofocus.

Ever photographer should have this photography book in their library.

Photo Proventure | The Bookshelf | Core Library| Highly Recommended | Photography Books

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Photo Proventure | Bookshelf | Photographic Inspiration Books | VISIONMONGERS by David duChemin

VISIONMONGERS

by David duChemin

TYPE: Inspiration, Creativity, Business

David is so passionate about photographers following their own personal vision to tell stories with their images. This is one of his most popular books because it combines the business of photography with the more artistic, visionary side of things. He mixes his own ideas with vignettes about other photographers who are following their own path into the profession.

This motivational book will inspire you to get out and follow your own photographic vision. What could be better?

Photo Proventure | The Bookshelf | Core Library| Highly Recommended | Photography Books

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Photo Proventure | Bookshelf | Photography Books | 50 Portraits - Gregory Heisler

50 Portraits

Gregory Heisler

TYPE: Inspiration, Technique, Journey

This is a perfect combination of eye candy, technical info and the story behind the image that I’ve ever read. There’s something about the way Gregory Heisler writes that I really connected with. He didn’t make it seem like he was some expert in an ivory tower. He felt like a fellow photographer/artist who is always in search of his next great photo (although all of his images are beautiful). He struck me as down to earth.

Because of how great a read this was, plus the amazing images, this is an easy recommendation to make.

Photo Proventure | The Bookshelf | Core Library| Highly Recommended | Photography Books

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Photo Proventure | Bookshelf | Photography Books | Road to Seeing - Dan Winters

Road to Seeing

by Dan Winters

TYPE: Inspiration, Creativity , Journey

The Road is Seeing is a beautifully made, behemoth of a book. It is fascinating to read about Dan Winter’s journey into photographer and his experimentation with the medium. It isn’t often that you get such a window into a photographer’s career and life.

It’s definitely a commitment to read through the whole book, but you’ll be rewarded if you do.

Photo Proventure | The Bookshelf | Recommended Book

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Photo Proventure | Bookshelf | Photography Book | Magnum Contac Sheets

Magnum Contact Sheets

by Kristen Lubben

TYPE: Historical, Selection Process, Photographic eye

Another massive book (don’t travel with this one), Magnum Contact sheets is a fascinating journey into historical events that have shaped the world and the iconic images that defined them. It gives an insiders look at the processes of image capture and image selection of some of the world’s best photojournalists.

If you’re a history buff, or are keen to investigate the selection process of other photographers, this is a great book to have in your library.

Photo Proventure | The Bookshelf | Highly Recommended Book

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Photo Proventure | Bookshelf | Photo Books | The Moment it Clicks

The Moment it Clicks

by Joe McNally

TYPE: Inspiration, Technique, Journey

Joe McNally is one of the most prolific shooters of his generation. He has worked for some of the best photo-journalistic magazines including Life, Time, Sports Illustrated and National Geographic. In this book you get to be inspired by his awesome imagery while getting a behind the scenes of how he got the shot.

I love the way that Joe writes; it is very authentic and funny. You really get a sense of who he is as a photographer.

Photo Proventure | The Bookshelf | Highly Recommended Book

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Photo Proventure | Bookshelf | Photography Technique Books | The Hot Shoe Diaries - Joe McNally

The Hot Shoe Diaries

by Joe McNally

TYPE: Inspiration, Technique, Lighting

Another excellent book by Joe McNally, this time jumping into the interesting and challenging world of small flash (speedlight) photography.Anyone who’s keen on adding this to their toolkit is bound to be inspired by the images and stories in this book.

So if you’re into the “strobist” style of photography, this book is a must have.

Photo Proventure | The Bookshelf | Highly Recommended Book

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Photo Proventure | Photographic Bookshelf | Secrets of Great Portrait Photography

Secrets of Great Portrait Photography

by Brian Smith

TYPE: Inspiration, Technique, Portrait Photography

Brian Smith has been lucky enough to have an extremely successful career where he’s been able to shoot many interesting (and even famous) people. This book covers a wide variety of these shoots, the stories behind them as well as some of the technical info on how they were executed.

If you ‘re looking for a book that combines visual inspiration with technical information, this book is a great choice.

Photo Proventure | The Bookshelf | Recommended Book

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Photo Proventure | Bookshelf | Photographic Technique Books | The Camera - Ansel Adams

The Camera

by Ansel Adams

TYPE: History, Technique, Theory

The first in a set of three books by landscape photographer Ansel Adams, The Camera is a great book to get a better understanding of what’s going on in that black box (camera). Although quite technical at time, it is full of examples and diagrams to help explain how cameras work. This book is responsible for my understanding of tilt and shift when it come to photography.

Although it may seem out of date, it’s always good to understand where photography came from to understand how it still works today.

Photo Proventure | The Bookshelf | Highly Recommended Book

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Photo Proventure | Bookshelf | Nature Photography Field Guide by John Shaw

Nature Photography Field Guide

by John Shaw

TYPE: Technique, Theory, Nature

When I was first starting our my photographic journey, I thought I’d be a landscape photographer. This was one of my first photography books and the one that I learned the most from at the time.

So if you’re looking for a book that full of lots of technical information as well as beautiful photographers this one is worth checking out.

Photo Proventure | The Bookshelf | Highly Recommended Book

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Photo Proventure | Bookshelf | Landscape Photography Books | Summits & Starlight - Paul Zizka

Summits to Starlight: The Canadian Rockies

by Paul Zizka

TYPE: Inspiration, Creativity, Nature

When my friend Paul Zizka announced he was coming out with a book, boy was I excited. His photography is spectacular.What’s lacking for me is that there wasn’t enough about Paul himself. He is such a great guy who has a pure love for photography. I missed his viewpoint and the stories behind the images.

That said, if you’re looking for some great eye candy of the Canadian Rockies, this is a great coffee table book.

Photo Proventure | The Bookshelf | Recommended Book

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Photo Proventure | Bookshelf | Food Photography Book | Plate to Pixel

Plate to Pixel

by Helene Dujardin

TYPE: Technique, Inspiration, Food Photography

This is the book the inspired my wife Rachel Korinek to try and laid the groundwork for her to excel at food photography. It is a beautiful book, full of amazing images and a lot of information regarding technique and tips on how to get the best images.

If you’re looking to get into food photography (and if my wife is any indication) you should definitely get this book.

Photo Proventure | The Bookshelf | Highly Recommended Book

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Free Delivery on all Books at the Book Depository