Books
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Books
by Bill Smith
May 25, 2009
There is no shortage of books on photography, photo techniques, Photoshop operation and artist portfolios that inspire. These are the books that I actually own and are a constant source of inspiration and instruction.
Many books are editions (2nd, 5th) and so are periodically updated as new techniques are discovered. If interested in buying a copy, check with Amazon for the current edition.
I buy most of my books used and own some “previous editions” that often come with a lower price tag. PeachPit (www.peachpit.com) and NewRiders (www.newriders.com) offer free memberships and reward buying from the publisher with discounted prices near Amazon’s plus often free shipping. I prefer to buy new books from the publisher rather than Amazon as the publisher gets the profits to turn into more books.
If anyone wants to see one of these, let me know & I’ll bring them to the next meeting or we can arrange an exchange.
PHOTOGRAPHY OUTSIDE OF PHOTOSHOP
This is where it starts. Before you can process an image in Photoshop, you need to take that image. These books help you think.
BASIC PHOTOGRAPHY TECHNIQUE & SEEING BOOKS
The library tends to have books like these so that is a good free source.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE ART OF SEEING, 3rd ed
Author: Freeman Patterson
Freeman goes through barriers to seeing and methods to break through: learning how to imagine and express; illustrating the many elements of visual design as tonality, color, principle of balance, proportion & dominance plus much more. Great book, nicely illustrated.
PHOTOGRAPHY FOR THE JOY OF IT
PHOTO IMPRESSIONISM AND THE SUBJECTIVE SUBJECT
Author: Freeman Patterson
2 more books by the same author that extend these principles. Any book by Freeman is a joy to read.
JOHN SHAW’S NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY FIELD GUIDE
Author: John Shaw
Loaded with in-depth discussion of technical matters to get that out of the way, then he dives into ways to unleach your creativity.
LIGHT AND THE ART OF LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY
Author: Joe Cornish
This could be in the portfolio category but Joe goes into such detail on each image – the timing, lighting & composition that this can’t help but be an instructive book.
EXPRESSIVE PHOTOGRAPHY (1979)
Author: Lou Jacobs,Jr.
An old Petersen’s Photographic magazine columnist, Lou goes into all sorts of subjects and dissects the shooting techniques to get that idea in your mind into the photo you see.
FINE ART NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
FINE ART FLOWER PHOTOGRAPHY
FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY: Water , Ice & Fog
Author: Tony Sweet
All of Tony’s books follow the same format of one picture on a page with descriptions of how he shot it and why he’s using what lens and the technique involved. Loaded with tips, techniques and great imagery.
IN SPITE OF EVERYTHING, YES
Edited by Ralph & Caroline Steiner, 1986
A selection of photographs selected by the author that emphasizes the ability of the photography to communicate and shows a vision of life’s possibilities. Great photos that deserve to be seen slowly and with an open mind.
THE ART OF LARGE FORMAT PHOTOGRAPHY
Author: Jack Dykinga
Yes, this is for view cameras but the advice on composition, light, lenses, exposure applies to digital cameras too. Inspirational photography as well!
PORTFOLIO BOOKS – inspirational
The library tends to have books like these too so that is a good free source.
THE LAKE SUPERIOR IMAGES
Author: Craig Blacklock
Stunning large format photographs taken from a kayak trip around Lake Superior
LISTEN TO THE TREES
Author: John Sexton
Stunning black & white large format primarily tree photographs. Poetic descriptions and he does go into some technical aspects of both shooting & processing for visual impact.
WILD BY LAW
Author: Carr Clifton
Gorgeous straight large format color landscape photography.
VISUAL SYMPHONY
Author: Bruce Barnbaum
Stunning large format work of landscape, English cathedrals, urban buildings and slot canyons. Impeccably printed and each one described how it was shot & processed in the darkroom days.
QUIET LIGHT
Author: John Sexton
John best work over a 15 year period – all b/w large format, mainly landscape & nature work. Images deserve
study.
HORIZONS
Author: Craig Blacklock
This is entirely sky shots, primarily off Lake Superior. Shows what you can do by keeping to one subject.
PLACES OF GRACE
Author: Gary Irving
Landscapes of the Midwest using mainly panoramic cameras. Great compositions. You too can do it!
IMPROBABLE MEMORIES (1981)
Author: Sarah Moon
Collages, setups, stacked negatives, muted tones, filters, grain, camera motion, darkroom manipulations – all great ideas for expressive use. Originally done for art calendars, perfume ads and Vogue magazine. Very arty.
LE NOTRE’S GARDENS
Author: Michael Kenna
Moody black & white photographs of French gardens, mainly formal. While “straight” these photos evoke serenity with their lighting, fog and use of grain.
DAVID MUENCH HAS MANY PORTFOLIO BOOKS OUT (PERHAPS 20)
All large format photography using stunning lighting, often wide angle lenses close to the subject.
PHOTOSHOP/IMAGE PROCESSING BOOKS
Generally these books will not go out of date with the next version number change because they don’t teach a specific version of Photoshop. They teach principles and newer editions are generated usually when only enough new material or techniques are developed that supercede what came before.
ALL-AROUND PHOTOSHOP BOOKS
PHOTOSHOP ARTISTRY
Author: Haynes, Crumpler & Duggan
THE CREATIVE DIGITAL DARKROOM
Author: Katrin Eismann & Sean Duggan
Both of these books cover similar ground and each fills in small gaps in the other. I found these to be the clearest general digital image processing books anywhere. They are gems. Both come with sample files to follow along (Katrin’s book requires you to download them). Artisrty is more lessons-oriented. Read them cover to cover.
PHOTOSHOP BOOKS FOR EASY LEARNING
ADOBE PHOTOSHOP CS BOOK FOR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHERS (CS4 is out)
Author: Scott Kelby
This book shows you “how to do it”. Shows the settings the author used to create the image and the why behind it. Every 2 pages is a new illustrated technique.
COMPREHENSIVE BOOKS ON PHOTOSHOP FOR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHERS
REAL WORLD ADOBE PHOTOSHOP CS2
Author: Bruce Fraser & David Blatner
The bible of Photoshop, extremely comprehensive yet quite understandable. A total rewrite for this version. This is the book I turn to when I have a question. The passing of Bruce means the CS3 version has less Bruce in it and more of next co-author Conrad . Blatner stepped out of the CS4 version and the tone of the book I heard has changed.
PHOTOSHOP 7 STUDIO TECHNIQUES (current editions available)
Author: Ben Willmore
This book covers the Photoshop fundamentals that users need to know and the author can explain things in palin English like nobody else. While pretty comprehensive, it may be short on depth for serious PS users. The screen captures tend to be small. More a reference book and one to lead one through the program. This is NOT a substitute for Photoshop Artistry by Haynes, Crumpler & Duggan nor The Creative Digital Darkroom by Katrin Eismann & Sean Duggan.
PHOTOSHOP RESTORATION AND RETOUCHING, 2nd ed (3rd edition is out)
Authors: Katrin Eismann
This is an absolutely marvelous book and a must-have for everyone who does photo retouching or restoration in Photoshop. This book is comprehensive and clearly written by a real expert, and very well illustrated with step by step examples of photos and screen shots of the Photoshop settings. The amount of useful material & tips in this book is incredible.
REAL WORLD CAMERA RAW ADOBE PHOTOSHOP CS2
Author: Bruce Fraser
Pro-sumer level cameras usually give you the option to save the original unprocessed Raw image. The Raw files are much larger than the jpegs, have a larger color depth and can be processed to your heart’s content and not alter the original pixel information. You make the decisions – not the camera as is the case with jpegs.
Any serious photographer should be working with the raw images from the camera and using Photoshop’s Camera Raw and this book provides a good introduction to that facility.
PHOTOSHOP KILLER TIPS
Author: Scott Kelby
Nothing but tips, how they save time and what you can do with them. Great time and labor savers.
THE PHOTOSHOP CHANNELS BOOK
Author: Scott Kelby
All about channels in a step-by-step project based book. Selections and masks are channels too.
FUN BOOKS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS USING PHOTOSHOP
ADOBE PHOTOSHOP ONE-CLICK WOW (2006)
Author: Jack Davis
Over 900 quick techniques using layer styles, tool presets, custom shape overlays, actions, gradient presets and pattern presets. Essentially all are illustrated in the book It is easier to use these than that first sentence makes it seem.
50 FAST PHOTOSHOP CS TECHNIQUES (2004)
50 FAST DIGITAL PHOTO TECHNIQUES (2001)
Author: Gregory Georges
Step-by-step techniques to tweak, transform & embellish your photos. Each one illustrated & CD of files included.
PHOTOSHOP CS DOWN & DIRTY TRICKS (2004)
PHOTOSHOP 7 DOWN & DIRTY TRICKS (2002)
PHOTOSHOP CLASSIC EFFECTS (2004)
Author: Scott Kelby
All the effects you see in advertising are dissected and brought down to earth in step-by-step style. The CS book is entirely different – all new effects. Plus the books are loaded with Photoshop tips on the page sidebars. Classic Effects is loaded with those special effects one uses all the time in advertising – many directly useful for home picture uses!
THE PAINTER 8 WOW! BOOK (2004)
Author: Cher Threinen-Pendarvis
Written for Corel Painter program, however the techniques are pretty applicable to Photoshop. Lots of brush techniques. Great examples. Kind of like Photoshop Classic Effects by Kelby but for the Painter program.
FRACTAL DESIGN PAINTER CREATIVE TECHNIQUES (1996)
Author: Jeremy Sutton
This may be a dated book (written for Painter ver 4 and 11 is out now) but shows that it is the mind of the artist that is the limiting factor. Amazing transformations – much of which is applicable to Photoshop. Lots of brush use.
PHOTOSHOP BOOKS FOR CREATIVE ARTISTS
THE ART OF PHOTOSHOP (2003)
Author: Daniel Giordan
Daniel Giordan writes a clear and well organized book on Photoshop used as an instructional art book. The lessons are each built around one of his beautiful collage photographs that is introduced with a page devoted to the ethos behind it and a discussion of the artistic goal of the work he is doing on the image in Photoshop. This is followed by the pages with the step by step instructions which you can follow. Lots of general Photoshop instruction here too.
CREATIVE THINKING IN PHOTOSHOP: A NEW APPROACH TO DIGITAL ART (2003)
Author: Sharon Steuer
This is a book to inspire representational fine artists with the possibilities of the digital medium using Photoshop. The book presents various styles of representational art and explains how to create them in Photoshop. The beginning chapters cover creative techniques step by step. There are some screen captures, principally showing the use of Layers.
THE ART OF HANDPAINTED PHOTOGRAPHS
Author: Cheryl Machet Dorskind
This is not a Photoshop book but one where you use translucent oil paints. The techniques can be done digitally and there are many nice examples here.
CREATIVE ELEMENTS: Darkroom Techniques for Landscape Photographers
Author: Eddie Ephraums
These mood-modifying techniques are applicable digitally. See step-by-step from raw negative to finished work show what can be done.
START WITH A SCAN, 2nd ed (2000)
Author: Janet Ashford & John Odam
It is unbelievable what can be done with a scanner & image processing. An education in graphic design.
THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO ALTERED IMAGERY
Author: Karen Michel
Photoshop plays one part in this guide to mixed-media techniques for collage, very inventive ideas.
THE MASTER PHOTOGRAPHER’S LITH PRINTING GUIDE
Author: Tim Rudman
Use these toned print examples as a springboard to mono, duo & hand colored black & white transformations. Filled with inspiring imagery too.
HIGH CONTRAST (1980)
Author: J. Seeley
Creative possibilities in high contrast black & white. Originally done with litho film and different developers. Yours to discover now digitally.
ADVANCED PHOTOSHOP TECHNIQUES
PROFESSIONAL PROTOSHOP, The Classic Guide to Color Correction, 5th ed
Author: Dan Margulis
The guru of color correction goes at it and goes deep into this subject. I find this book is not for the faint of heart – it must be read several times for it to sink in. A lot of info here. All exercises are on the CD.
PHOTOSHOP LAB COLOR
Author: Dan Margulis
Dan explains that some color adjustments are done best in LAB color and that there are other image manipulation functions you can only do in LAB color.
Scenics like deserts are ideal candidates for LAB color adjustment because with LAB color you can use curves to selectively intensify different areas of the spectrum that are quite close together, which we would generally categorize as the same ‘color’. You cannot do this by using Saturation in RGB or CMYK.
Complete guide to HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE Digital Photography
Author: Ferrell McCollough
Complete is correct. Shows how to merge multiple exposures of varying exposures to capture a staggering range of light & detail. Describes various programs that do this. Richly illustrated.
ADOBE PHOTOSHOP MASTER CLASS, 2nd ed (2003)
Author: John Paul Capronigro
You’ll get a deep understanding of Photoshop. These are transformed images, shown step-by-step. Not an easy book but if you are capable you gain a lot. JPC is a true artist.
Books I don’t have but would like to see So if you have one of these, let me know!
THE PHOTOSHOP CS / CS2 WOW! BOOK
Author: Linnea Dayton, Cristen Gillespie.
UNDERSTANDING ADOBE PHOTOSHOP: Digital Imaging Concepts and Techniques
Author: Richard Harrington
ADOBE PHOTOSHOP CS2 ON DEMAND
Authors: Andy Anderson & Steve Johnson
PHOTOSHOP FINISHING TOUCHES
Author: Dave Cross
WELCOME TO OZ: A Cinematic Approach to Digital Still Photography with Photoshop
Author: Vincent Versace
Creating memorable photographs is a process that starts before you edit an image in Photoshop, before you capture the image, even before you pick up the camera. You must first approach the subject with the proper sense of perception, with the ability to visualize the finished print before you commit a scene to pixels, but still be flexible and spontaneous.
THE BOOK OF ALTERNATIVE PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES
Author: Christopher James
This significantly expanded edition is a full-color, lavishly illustrated, comprehensive resource that explores every aspect of alternative process image making.
MAGGIE TAYLOR’S LANDSCAPE OF DREAMS- Adobe Photoshop Master Class
Author: Amy Standen
Maggie Taylor does surrealistic photo collages that bring this genre into the digital age. In this book you learn what inspires her images and how she creates them. You will also read discussions of her work by other artists.
(digital) TEXTURING AND PAINTING
Author: Owen Demers
Demers uses his personal passion for textures to teach you how to use your eyes as an artist should. He takes examples from everything from old wood to Old Masters, to show you how to see, appreciate, create and apply textures.
Photoshop CS Trickery & FX (Graphics Series)
Author: Stephen Burns
Digital art is often thought to be as easy as a few button clicks on the computer but in reality, digital artists need to have just as much artistic talent as traditional artists. To truly master the digital realm, you need to master your software (in this case Photoshop CS), and be fluent in the “digital language” it provides. This allows you to intuitively apply the artistic principles and techniques needed to create dynamic images. The goal of this book is to teach you how to blend technical skill with artistic talent through the creation of a variety of interesting and fun images.
This is a great idea Jennifer would you let Bill Smith know that I’m interested in a few of his books,
1. Adobe Photoshop Master Class 2nd Ed (2003)
Author, John Paul Capronigro
2. Creative Elements:
Author, Eddie Ephraums
3. Photoshop Books for Creative Artists The Art Of Photoshop (2003)
Author, Daniel Giordan
4. Creative Thinking in Photoshop: A New Approach To Digital Art (2003)
Author, Sharon Steuer
5. Photoshop 7 Down In Dirty Tricks (2002)
Author, Scott Kelby
6. Photoshop 7 Studio Techhniques ?
Author Ben Willmore
7. Listen To The Trees ?
Author, John Sexton
Well thats 7 books a lucky number I am working with Photoshop 7 the books I have are,
Adobe Photoshop 7.0 Classroom in a book thats what I used when I got into PS. The other book is, Photoshop 7 Artistry Mastering the Digial Image the Authors are, Barry Haynes and Wendy Crumpler. Both of these books are wonderful as well, a great learning tool in ps
Its a great idea, Bill hit it right on the nail, thank you !
David’