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65 Best Photography Books for Beginners in 2024

Reading books will always be the best way to increase your knowledge. Here's a list of the best photography books for beginners - some of them are free.

Learn | By Ana Mireles

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This list of the best photography books for beginners will help you learn and improve your skills.

They’re also a great way to complement your studies if you attend a photo school .

Often young photographers don’t consider photography books because there are so many resources online.

However, there’s still great value in them.

Some of the most famous and talented photographers shared their knowledge and work in these books.

It’s not uncommon to find more of their images in a book than whatever they share online.

Easy to understand book for beginners to learn how to take better photos in less time.

Also, they often dig deeper into the theory and concepts in a book than they do in a video tutorial. This doesn’t mean that online resources aren’t helpful.

They cover different aspects of learning, and they teach you in different ways. They complement each other.

If you’ve ever thought – how can I teach myself photography? Then the books in this list can be beneficial.

Some of these photography books are scholarly, and others have a more lively style or a Q&A format. We all learn in different ways, so you can look for something that better fits you.

I also included books covering many aspects of learning photography, from camera basics to retouching to forming a business.

If you want to start your photography journey but don’t know where to begin, you’re in the right place.

Table of Contents

What Should a Beginner Photographer Learn?

Credit: MD Iftekhar Uddin Emon

Every teacher has their method, and every student has different needs. However, there are some things that every beginner photographer should learn.

You need to know how to use your camera. This way, you’ll learn to measure the light and control all the settings. Getting the correct exposure is just the first step. Then, you’ll learn how to use those settings to achieve your desired results.

You’ll also need to learn about light. Remember that the camera uses light to create your images. So, you need to understand how it works. Then, learn how to control and modify it.

It’s also essential to learn how to process your images. In digital photography, this is done with editing software. In film photography, it’s done in the darkroom.

Either way, it’s an integral part of the process, and you must learn how to do it.

Lastly, I recommend that you learn how to communicate with your images. This involves finding a photographic genre that interests you, developing a creative style, and executing it.

You can learn all these aspects through photography books. I tried to include options targeting all these steps in this list.

If you plan to make a living from photography, you must also learn how to create and grow your business. You’ll find a few books on this topic here on the list as well.

• Related: What is the best coffee table book on photography?

15 Best Free Books for Beginners in 2024

You don’t need to start your photography training by spending lots of money. There are many free resources online that can get you started.

Here, I made a list of the best 15 free books for beginners, but you should check out Shotkit’s comprehensive collection of free photography books .

1. 8 Types of Natural Light That Will Add Drama To Your Photographs

Anne McKinnell 

Most photographers start by capturing images using natural light. This free e-book helps you to take great photos using different types of natural light. Anne McKinnell discusses how to shoot at different times of the day, with different light quality and directionality.

2. 20 Ways to Make Better Photographs Without Buying Any More Gear

Craft Vision

This is a 50-page photo book that tells you about 20 steps you can take to improve your images. The primary purpose is to help you focus and offer a clear direction to your photography education.

It’s not about buying new gear – it’s about applying yourself.

3. A Photographer’s E-Guide to Making Sharp Photographs

Scott Bourne – Animoto.com & Viewbug.com

Many photographers struggle to capture sharp images . One of the issues why this is so difficult is the multiple things that could cause this problem f from low light to improper focus.

This 20-pages photography book covers all the possible reasons why your images aren’t sharp enough. It tells you how to prevent this from happening again and possible solutions for the images you already have.

4. Before The Shutter: Planning Your Next Travel Photography Adventure

Anne McKinnell

A successful photograph is the result of hard work and good planning. To capture images that inspire, you need to do the legwork. In this free e-book, Anne McKinnell shows you the process of creating professional-looking photos, starting way before the shot and finishing long after.

5. Exposure: Understanding Light

Nigel Hicks

This book accompanies a 4-week online photo course. You can download the pdf for free even if you’re not enrolled in the course.

Since it contains only the course notes, it doesn’t go very deep but explains some key concepts like color temperature. You can consider taking the course if you find it interesting and like Nigel Hicks writing.

6. Good Photos in Bad Light

Darwin Wiggett

Darwinn Wiggett is a talented landscape photographer. In this photography book, he shares real-life examples of bad weather conditions and how to make the most of them.

7. Insights from Beyond the Lens. Inside the Art and Craft of Landscape Photography

Robert Rodriguez Jr

In this book, Robert Rodriguez Jr shares an insight into his personal approach to landscape photography . The content is based on his Beyond the Lens blog.

While he shares the behind-the-scenes of his images, he also encourages the reader to focus on their motivation, passion, and vision.

8. Introduction to Photography

Carleton University

In this book, you’ll find all the photography basics you need to start shooting. While it doesn’t explore each topic in depth, it goes through many technical aspects, from camera settings to composition.

9. Lighting 101

David Hobby

David Hobby gives invaluable tips for using artificial light in this book. From the basic gear to the technical aspects of using flash as your only light or balancing it with environmental light.

10. Lighting Essentials

This photography book helps you to give the first steps in the vast world of lighting for photography and video. It covers natural light, flashes, and continuous lighting. If you enjoy the style, there are many other online resources at the UNSW.

11. My Five Easy Steps to Shoot in Manual

Kimberly Gauthier

This photography book gives you useful tips for getting off the automatic and shooting in manual mode. Keep in mind that this is the first step to taking control and making the images you want to do.

12. Photography for Beginners

Joseph Scolden

This e-book is dedicated to digital photography with DSLR cameras. Some chapters are helpful for other types of cameras , such as the ones dedicated to exposure. However, there’s much about the best cameras and lenses, which is applicable only if you’re a DSLR photographer.

13. Photoshop. 20 Photo editing techniques

Edward Bailey

Digital photographers need to learn about editing. Adobe Photoshop is the industry standard for photo editing and retouching. This is one of the best photography books for beginners. You’ll find for free to take your first steps into the subject.

14. Studio Lighting Workbook

Melanie Heinrich

In this photography book, Melanie Heinrich shares all the basics you need to work in the studio.

First, she introduces studio lighting , props, backgrounds, etc. Then, she dedicates a chapter to a different type of photography so you can learn about portraits, still life, and product photography .

15. Ultimate Field Guide to Photography

National Geographic

As you know, National Geographic photographers are famous in the photography industry for creating stunning images of nature, wildlife, and travel. This free photography book will give you useful tips about gear, composition, and technique.

50 Best Photography Books for Beginners in 2024

Even experienced photographers use books to find inspiration, stay updated, or learn new photography skills. This is even more important for beginners.

While free photography books are a great way to start, sometimes it is necessary for new photographers to invest in their education.

That’s why I’ve made this list of the best photography books for beginners, so you know which ones would give you the best value for your money.

Remember that using paid books doesn’t necessarily mean you must spend a lot of money. You can look in public or university libraries to see if you can loan them. Also, consider buying them second-hand if you don’t have a big budget.

16. Annie Leibovitz: Portraits 2005-2016 

Annie Leibovitz – Phaidon

To become a good photographer, you need more than photography techniques . That’s why studying the work of world-famous world famous photographers .

Annie Leibovitz is one of the best portrait photographers. If you’re interested in this photographic genre as an art form, this is one of the best books you can get.

Here you can see how her work developed over the years. You’ll find some of her most famous and never before published images in this collection.

17. Ansel Adams (The series)

Ansel Adams

Ansel Adams is one of the most famous landscape photographers in history. He also developed the zone system and studied the black-and-white photography technique to perfection.

If you’re interested in film photography, Ansel Adams’s trilogy of books is a must-read. Composed of The Camera, The Negative, and The Print, you’ll get all the technical knowledge to achieve incredible images.

If you prefer digital photography, you can still learn from his great images how to approach landscape as fine art photography .

18. Best Business Practices for Photographers. Third Edition

John Harrington – Rocky Nook

This is one of the best photography books for beginners who want to make a living out of this craft. You won’t find any advice on how to take great photos.

Instead, it’s all about pricing, negotiating with clients, getting insurance, and everything you need to make a career in photography.

John Harrington is aware that it’s not only the cameras and technique that evolve, but the photography business is constantly changing too. That’s why he did this reviewed and updated version of his book Best Business Practices.

19. BetterPhoto Basics 

Jim Miotke – Amphoto

Even if it was published in 2010, this is still one of the best photography books for beginners. Here you can find all the tools to learn photography.

You’ll also find many photo assignments to put theory into practice and start taking great photographs.

Beyond the basic tools, it also teaches you some creative, more advanced techniques, such as capturing fireworks, using HDR, etc.

20. Black and White Photography. A Basic Manual

Henry Horenstein – Little, Brown and Company

Henry Horenstein is a professor at the Rhode Island School of Design. Thanks to his teaching experience, he gives clear explanations and how-to guides in this book. In fact, it’s used as a manual in many schools and universities, including Harvard, Yale, and MIT.

21. Capture Your Style. Transform Your Instagram Photos, Showcase Your Life, and Build the Ultimate Platform

Aimee Song – Abrams

If you want to build your brand on Instagram, this photography book can be very helpful. Here, you can learn how to prop and style fashion and food photography . Also, how to edit your images and use them to ‘craft your voice and story’ on Instagram.

22. Complete Digital Photography, Ninth Edition

This book is perfect if you want to learn how to create stunning digital photography.

You’ll find the ninth revision currently on sale, so you can be sure that the information is updated. It includes everything from mastering your camera, lighting, post-processing, etc.

If you want to get a glance before you buy it, you can download the chapter on composition completely free on their website.

23. Dusk to Dawn. A Guide to Landscape Photography at Night

Glen Randall – Rocky Nook

In this great digital photography book, you’ll find everything you need to plan, shoot, and edit your night landscape images .

The book is also packed with great photographs with all the information on when, where, and how they were taken.

24. Exposure Solutions. The Most Common Photography Problems and How to Solve Them

Bryan Peterson – Amphoto Books

This is one of the best photography books for beginners who want to learn creative and complex exposures. In this book, you can learn everything from exposing high-contrast scenes to paint with shutter speed.

25. Extraordinary Everyday Photography. Awaken Your Vision to Capture Stunning Images

Brenda Tharp & Jed Manwaring – Amphoto Books

This book aims to help you stimulate your artistic expression in everyday situations. If you keep thinking that you can’t take great photographs because you can’t travel to an exotic location, this book is for you.

26. Guide to Digital Photography. Everything You Need to Shoot Like the Pros

Joe McNally – LIFE

Joe McNally was a LIFE magazine photo editor and photographer. In this book, he teaches beginner photographers how to make the best out of their digital cameras.

He also aims to show you that sometimes it is good to “outthink your camera or push your camera to go for the gold.”

27. Hashtag Authentic. Finding creativity and building a community on Instagram and beyond

Sara Tasker – Frances Lincoln

If you want to learn how to improve your smartphone photography and build a profitable Instagram account, you should check out this book.

You’ll learn how to shoot ad edit photographs for Instagram, find your storytelling voice, and grow your followers.

28. Henry Cartier Bresson

Clement Cheroux – Thames & Hudson

Henry Cartier Bresson is one of the most famous photographers in history. There’s much that you can learn from his images and method.

If you can afford it, go for The Decisive Moment – one of the most groundbreaking photography books you can find.

Since having this type of budget is difficult, look for Henry Cartier Bresson by Clement Cheroux. This will give you a nice introduction to his life and work.

29. How to Create Stunning Digital Photography – Tony Northrup’s DSLR Book

Tony Northrup – Mason Press

If you think photography books aren’t enough, you’ll love this one. Your purchase also gives you access to 20 hours of online video training and entrance to a private classroom-style Facebook group.

You’ll also get continuous updates of the book and video for free. This digital photography book covers beginner and advanced techniques and proposes exercises for practicing what you learned.

30. How to Photograph Food. Compose, Shoot & Edit Appetizing Images

Beata Lubas – Ilex Press

If you’re interested in photographing food, you’ll love this book. Beata Lubas explains in an easy and approachable everything you need to know. You’ll find information about gear, lighting, and post-processing your images like a pro.

31. Langford’s Basic Photography. The Guide for Serious Photographers

Michael Langford, Anna Fox, and Richard Sawdon Smith – Routledge

This book mixes scholarly and practical information that’s continuously updated to keep its place as one of the best photography books for beginners.

Here you’ll find everything you need to know for digital and film photography. It will take you from the preparation to the realization to the post-production – both digital or in the darkroom. You’ll also learn how to finish and present your work.

32. Learning to See. A Photographer’s Guide From Zero to Your First Paid Gigs

David Molnar – Harper Collins Publishing

This is one of the best photography books if you want to become a professional photographer . David Molnar helps you to identify your vision and execute it. Then, it explains how to create a photography business and start earning from your passion.

33. Light – Science & Magic. An Introduction to Photographic Lighting

Steven Biver – Routledge Taylos & Francis Group

Light is the raw material you need to make photographs. As such, you need to understand how it works and how to use it. To do it, this is one of the best photography books you can find.

Light – Science & Magic is a must-have in every photographer’s library. The latest edition is updated with all the flash, fluorescent, and LED light advances.

34. Lighting for Digital Photography. From Snapshots to Great Shots

Syl Arena – Peachpit

If you’ve read your camera manual and you’ve learned all about how to use it, Syl Arena teaches you how to use light.

This book teaches you how to influence and modify light to help you translate your artistic expression in your photographs.

35. Mastering Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, and Exposure

Al Judge – CreateSpace

If you want to take control of your camera, this photo book will help you do it in just a few hours. Al Judge teaches you how to use aperture, shutter speed, and ISO to expose your photographs properly.

36. Mastering Film Photography: A Definitive Guide for Photographers

Chris Gatcum – Ammonite Press

If you’re interested in going ‘old school,’ this is one of the best photography books for beginners from the digital age.

It starts with a crash course about film photography and choosing your camera. Then, you’ll learn how to expose, use filters, use a flash without TTL, and more.

37. Mastering Lighting & Flash Photography. A Definitive Guide for Photographers

Richard Bradbury – Ammonite Press

This is another must-have of the photography books. Learning to use natural light and flash photography is key to achieving professional-looking images.

This book teaches you how to choose and create the right light. Then, it dedicates a chapter to different genres, from portrait photography to interiors to cars. It also includes lighting tips from commercial photographers.

38. Mastering Histograms

Histograms are an essential tool in digital photography, which every beginner photographer needs to know. This book teaches you about all the types of histograms, how they relate to Ansel Adams’ zone system, and how to use them to improve your images.

39. Mastering Portrait Photography

Paul Wilkinson & Sarah Plater – Ammonite Press

If you’re interested in doing portraits that communicate with the viewer and say something about the subject, you need this book.

The authors explain everything you need to know, from choosing the equipment, the lighting, and the posing for a dynamic and exciting portrait.

40. National Geographic Image Collection 

In the book The National Geographic Image Collection, you’ll find the most famous examples of nature, wildlife, and travel photography.

Starting with the first images collected in the 19th century, you’ll journey all the way to the current days with a behind the scene profile of the collection.

41. Night Sky Photography. From First Principles to Professional Results

Adam Woodworth – Illex Press

From gear to post-production, this book tells you everything you need to know to do night sky photography . It’s not a book for all beginners, but if you’re a beginner landscape photographer looking to shoot at night, this book may interest you.

42. On… Composition. The Ultimate Photography Masterclass

Michael Freeman – Illex Press

Michael Freeman is one of the most prolific and recognized authors of photo books. In this volume, he talks all about composition.

By the way, all the books from the series Michael Freeman On… are great for any beginner photographer.

43. Photo Basics. The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Great Photography

Joel Sartore & Heather Perry – National Geographic

The great thing about this book is that it’s useful for any photography enthusiast. It doesn’t matter what type of camera you have – you may even be taking photos with your phone. Still, this book will give you valuable tips from framing to archiving your images.

44. Photography Demystified. Your Guide to Gaining Creative Control and Taking Amazing Photographs

David McKay – McKay Photography Inc

This book aims to take you out of auto mode to take the photos you want. If you’ve ever seen your pictures and felt disappointed because they look nothing like they did in your mind, then this is the perfect book for you.

45. Photography Rules. Essential Dos and Don’ts from Great Photographers

Paul Lowe – Frances Lincoln

If you don’t like the scholarly approach of reading a photography book from cover to cover, this is the one for you. You can read a rule per day in random order or devour the book in a day – your choice.

Whichever way you choose, you’ll find it helpful and inspirational, with tips and tricks covering all photography aspects.

46. Photography Q&A. Real Questions, Real Answers

Zack Arias – Peachpit

Zack Arias chose over 100 hundred questions received from the public and answered them clearly and honestly in this photography book.

The topics range from photographic practice to career advice. This book is easy to read and full of helpful and practical information.

47. Picture Perfect Practice

Roberto Valenzuela – Peachpit

This is one of the best photography books you can get if you believe – like the author – that the best way to learn photography is by doing it.

Here, you’ll find a series of challenges and how to solve them. The book is divided into location, posing, and execution. Each contains chapters that will help you handle everyday situations and make the best of them.

48. Read This if You Want to Take Good Photographs

Henry Carroll – Laurence King Publishing

If you don’t like technical and scholarly photography books, you’ll love this one. Instead of using complicated terms or graphs, it uses “iconic images and playful copy.” This way, you can learn with an easy and hands-on approach.

49. Read This if You Want to Take Good Photographs of People / Places

In the same style as Read This if You Want to Take Good Photographs, you can continue with the series to specialize in your preferred genre. Whether you like photographing people or places, these photo books will help you improve your images.

50. Shooting film

Ben Hawkins & Liza Kanaeva – Hunsicker – Illex Press

Not all photography books about shooting film are old – this one was released last year. Thanks to this, you’ll find an updated guide to buying second-hand cameras and images from a new wave of film photographers to inspire you.

You’ll also learn beginner and advanced shooting techniques and analog processes.

51. Shooting in Sh*tty Light. The Top Ten Worst Photography Lighting Situations and How to Conquer Them

Lindsay Adler & Erik Valind – Peachpit

This is one of the best photography books for beginners because it deals with everyone’s worst fear – sh*tty lighting.

You’ll often find yourself doing a photo shoot in less-than-ideal situations – what can you do? Well, that’s the answer that you’ll find in this book. The authors present you with the ten worst situations and help you to overcome them.

52. Sketching Light. An Illustrated Tour of the Possibilities of Flash

Joe McNally – New Riders Publisher

If you’re a beginner photographer starting to use artificial light, this is one of the best photography guides. Joe McNally explains how to use, shape, and modify flash lighting. It covers everything from the Nikon Speedlights to big flashes.

53. Studio Anywhere. A Photographer’s Guide to Shooting in Unconventional Locations

Nick Fancher – Peachpit

This is one of the best photography books for beginners because it’s dedicated to people with minimal equipment and shooting in a garage or some other unconventional location.

Here, the author talks about how to make the most out of what you have so you can make portfolio-ready images.

54. The Art of Photography. An approach to Personal Expression

Bruce Barnbaum – Rocky Nook

While this book does cover some technical aspects, it aims to go beyond. Bruce Barnbaum goes into the philosophical and creative part of photography as one of the visual arts. It helps you to find a personal approach to the medium.

The second edition is updated and revised, but if your budget is limited, you can buy find the original version, which is one of the most famous photo books on the subject.

55. The Digital Darkroom For Photoshop & Affinity Photo. The Definitive Guide to Photo Editing

James Abbott – Illex Press

Adobe Photoshop and Affinity Photo are two of the most popular editing programs in the business. This book teaches you the essentials with step-by-step tutorials. It also explains the tools and how to make the best of raw images.

56. The Film Photography Handbook

Chris Marquardt & Monika Andrae – Rocky Nook

Whether you used to shoot film and want to pick it up again, or you’ve never done it before, this book is the perfect resource.

With a revised third edition just released as an e-book and soon to be released in print, you’ll have the most updated information to start shooting film.

57. The Flash Book: How to Fall Hopelessly in Love with Your Flash and Finally Start Taking the Types of Images you Bought it for in the First Place

Scott Kelby – Rocky Nook

I think this book’s subtitle says it all. Most photographers own a flash, even a basic one. However, very few of them know how to make the best of it.

In general, it’s used as a last resource for low-light situations. This book can help you to fall in love with your flash.

58. The Moment It Clicks

Joe McNally – Peachpit

This photo book is as beautiful as it is helpful. Here you can learn from Joe McNally’s experiences while enjoying quality reproductions of his images.

Each teaching has a concept or a technique you’ll learn, followed by an image that exemplifies it, and ends with a behind-the-scenes story on how he got the photo.

59. The Photographer’s Eye Remastered. Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos

Michael Freeman – Ilex Press

The Photographer’s Eye Remastered is the revised version of the classic book by the same name released to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

In the Photographer’s Eye, original and remastered, Michael Freeman teaches you to see the graphic elements in the pictures and how to compose them for the best results.

60. The Photographer’s Guide to Drones

Colin Smith – Rocky Nook

Aerial photography has never been as accessible as it’s now with the commercialization of drones. If you’re a beginner photographer looking to do drone photography , this is one of the best books you can get.

Whichever drone you have, you can use this book to learn about safety and regulations, how to shoot videos and photos, composition rules, and more.

61. The Photographer’s Guide to Posing. Techniques to Flatter Everyone

Lindsay Adler – Rocky Nook

If you’re a beginner portrait photographer, I don’t need to tell you how hard it is to pose your models. In this book, Lindsay Adler put together a guide to help in any situation.

First, she discusses the many things that impact how the person looks in a photo – from focal length to camera angle. Then, she moves on to some posing essentials.

Lastly, she gives you some go-to poses for specific subjects, from single to couples to groups.

62. The Photography Storytelling Workshop. A Five-step Guide to Creating Unforgettable Photographs

Finn Beales – White Lion Publishing

This is one of those photography books that help you find your own vision. Beyond the photographic technique, learning how to make photos that communicate and move the viewer is important. This is what the 5-step course of Finn Beales aims to teach you.

63. The Street Photographer’s Manual

David Gibson & Matt Stuart – Thames & Hudson

If you’re into street photography , this is one of the best photography books you can get. Here you’ll find some of the best photographers in history and their work to inspire you.

You’ll also learn some practical techniques for street photography, such as “how to shoot a face in a crowd.”

64. The Visual Toolbox. 60 Lessons for Stronger Photographs

David duChemin – Peachpit

This book is a compilation of 60 lessons which include a concept and an assignment on each one. The idea is not just that you learn to use your camera but that you improve the photographs that you take with it.

If you’ve already learned all the basics but feel that it didn’t make you a better photographer, check out this book.

65. Understanding Exposure. How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera

Bryan Peterson – Amphoto

This book explains everything you need to know about exposure and light. It also covers filters and flash for more advanced photographers.

This is the latest revised version, so you can be sure that all the information is current. If you want to read an excerpt before buying, visit the Penguin Random House website.

Can I learn photography on my own?

Absolutely. Many famous or successful professionals are self-taught photographers. This doesn’t mean that you can’t learn from others. You can use many resources, such as books, video tutorials, and podcasts. Of course, there’s great value in attending a photo school.

Are books a good way to learn photography?

Yes, books are a great way to learn. This doesn’t mean that it’s the only way, though. You can complement your reading with online tutorials or by attending workshops. Please remember that any resources you use need to be put into practice. The best way to learn is by doing.

Is it worth buying photography books?

Yes, books are always an excellent investment. Free books are a good starting point, but they don’t usually cover advanced techniques or go deep into them. If you can afford them, get some paid books. If you don’t have the budget or the space to keep them, look for them at your library.

Which books are the best to start learning photography?

The best photography book might be different for each person. It depends on your interest, your current level, and the way you learn. I recommend you start with a book that teaches general techniques, from exposure to composition. Then, move on to a book that talks about light. Once you have these technical aspects nailed, find books that help you to find your creative style and develop your vision.

Final Words

As you can see from the wide variety of books, there’s much more to photography than just learning how to use your camera.

This is especially so if you plan to build a business with your photography . Fortunately, many established and famous photographers have shared their experience and knowledge in these books.

Check out this guide if you want to find more free resources to grow as a photographer. The Shotkit team makes sure that it’s constantly updated, so keep coming back to it to see the newest releases.

I hope this list of the best photography books for beginners is helpful. If we missed one you love, let us know in the comments.

Check out these 8 essential tools to help you succeed as a professional photographer.

Includes limited-time discounts.

Ana Mireles is a Mexican researcher that specializes in photography and communications for the arts and culture sector.

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The Photographer’s Playbook

307 assignments and ideas, $ 24.95.

The Photographer's Playbook features photography assignments, as well as ideas, stories and anecdotes from many of the world's most talented photographers and photography professionals.

Jason Fulford is a photographer and cofounder of the non-profit publisher J&L Books. He has lectured at more than a dozen art schools and universities and is a contributing editor to Blind Spot magazine. Fulford’s photographs have been featured in Harper’s, the New York Times Magazine, Time, Blind Spot, Aperture, and on book jackets for Don DeLillo, John Updike, Bertrand Russell, Jorge Luis Borges, Terry Eagleton, Ernest Hemingway, and Richard Ford. He is a 2014 Guggenheim fellow, and his published books include Sunbird (2000), Crushed (2003), Raising Frogs for $$$ (2006), The Mushroom Collector (2010) and Hotel Oracle (2013).

Gregory Halpern received a BA in history and literature from Harvard University and an MFA from California College of the Arts. His third book of photographs, entitled A, is a photographic ramble through the streets of the American Rust Belt. His other books include Omaha Sketchbook and Harvard Works Because We Do. In 2014 he was the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship. He currently teaches at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

All pre-orders will ship on October 15, 2024.

Format: Paperback / softback Number of pages: 427 Publication date: 2014-06-30 Measurements: 6.03 x 9.15 x 1.22 inches ISBN: 9781597112475

Examines how the photograph can be animated through composition, engagement and passion; Fulford and Halpern’s The Photographer’s Playbook contains 307 assignments designed to inspire, enlighten and educate students, teachers and photographers. – British Journal of Photography Just what the doctor ordered for amateur photographers looking to educate themselves by immersing their imaginative gifts into the works of some of today’s successful photographers. – Resource Magazine The idea is that photography is nothing if it stays in a little box, that there is a big wide world out there and photography needs to engage with it. – British Journal of Photography An invaluable resource of perceptive information on all things photography…Inside is a treasure trove of advice… &ndash Juxtapoz , August 2014 issue The Photographer’s Playbook is a slap in the face for the obvious, the hackneyed, the over-familiar. – British Journal of Photography

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Get Inspired With These Creative Photography Assignments

Last year I wrote about what to do when you find yourself in a  photography rut (I’ve reposted the article so it appears near the top of the recent articles list, or you can click the link to read it).

One of the ideas is giving yourself creative photography assignments or briefs. Over the last year I’ve realized just how powerful this idea is as I’ve set myself assignments and briefs to follow.

I believe in this way of working so strongly that I wrote a new assignments ebook, 100 Creative Photography Assignments , with the aim to give you enough ideas and inspiration to give you at least a year’s worth of shooting.

The book is structured into twenty broad themes, with five assignments for each theme. 

Today I’d like to share some of my favorite assignments from the book with you. The theme is listed in brackets after the assignment.

These assignments will boost your creativity. Some of them are easy. None of them are complicated. Most of them are challenging. All of them are designed to help you see the creative potential in everyday subjects.

To give you a taste of what’s in the book here are some of my favorite assignments. Whether you buy the book or not, I hope you’ll find these ideas useful.

Assignment 19: Hands (Frames)

Use somebody’s hands as a frame for something they are holding. It helps if the object is smaller than your model’s hand. Stuck for ideas? Ask somebody to cup their hands and fill them with strawberries. It’s verging on cliche but fun to play with.

I made the photo below on a walk with my son. He picked up the yellow berries and held them out for me to make a photo. His hand frames the berries, and the dark background frames his hand. It’s another variation on the frame within a frame idea.

Assignment 28: Botanical gardens (Flowers)

Botanical gardens are ideal for finding flowers that don’t normally grow in your local area. Big tropical flowers in particular make great subjects. 

The advantage of botanical gardens is that they often have large greenhouses full of interesting plants and flowers you can photograph all year. 

You can move in close to make great close-up photos of unusual flowers. You can also step back and make photos of flowers in their environment. Add interest by including the glass of the greenhouse walls.

Assignment 33: Street art (Buildings)

Street art is a fascinating subject because, in urban environments, there’s so much of it. It’s a theme you can return to as you travel, photographing street art in different parts of the world.

For me, there is a clear difference between graffiti, which is mindless vandalism, and street art like in the photo on this page, which is made by skillful artists. The first is depressing (which could be an interesting theme in itself and is also connected to Assignment 39: Urban decay ). The second is uplifting and celebrates creativity and freedom of expression. 

But of course, you may have a different opinion and you can interpret the brief any way you like.

Assignment 36: In the area (Your local neighborhood)

The hardest thing about photographing your own neighborhood is familiarity. The longer you’ve been living there the more likely it is that you’ve stopped noticing how interesting it might be to somebody seeing it with fresh eyes.

This assignment is your opportunity to put that right and make a series of photos that show the local architecture in your neighborhood. Whether it’s suburban housing, rural life or urban living, there’s something interesting to photograph. 

If it helps, imagine you’re a visitor from another country seeing your neighborhood for the first time. What would they find interesting about it? What makes it different? If your neighborhood is boring, how can you capture that boredom?

Assignment 39: Urban decay (Your local neighborhood)

Some buildings can look good for centuries if they’re well looked after. But others soon fall into decay, especially if they’re not maintained. Look for the beauty in decayed or run-down buildings. 

You expect older buildings to be in a state of disrepair, especially if you live in a country that has plenty of ruins. But more modern urban decay can be just as interesting. Why do modern buildings fall into disrepair? What stories do they tell about their neighborhoods, towns and cities?

Another approach to this idea is to photograph urban decay in other countries, and then compare the results with what you get in your local area.

Assignment 58: Small towns and cities (Urban skyline)

This assignment is similar to the previous one except that this time your brief is to make a photo of the skyline in a smaller town or city. 

The focus is on ordinary buildings. Residential areas are often an interesting subject. As you wander around you’ll see a big difference in architectural styles as you move from one neighborhood to another. 

These are smaller, more intimate urban skylines. It’s another assignment with great potential to turn into a series.

Assignment 65: Shadow as a frame (Light and shadow)

Your brief for this assignment is to photograph a scene with a brightly lit subject framed by shadow. Architecture is a great subject as you can use standard features like arches and doorways. 

As long as you have something interesting lit by the sun to juxtapose against a shady foreground you’ll have enough contrast to get this effect. You can play with the shadows in post-processing to see whether making them darker improves the composition.  

Another approach to this brief is to stand indoors and shoot out through the window. If the scene outside is lit by the sun there’s enough contrast to create a black frame around it.

Assignment 72: Abandoned furniture (Everyday objects)

The other day I walked past an old armchair abandoned in the street, and it reminded me of the photo on this page that I made in Newport, Rhode Island, some time ago. 

It also reminded me of a red couch I saw abandoned in a field in Mexico, some old chairs I saw outside a house in Alaska, and the time I saw a motorcycle gang sitting on an old sofa watching a carnival in New Zealand.

This is a good assignment to keep at the back of your mind. If you see a piece of abandoned furniture somewhere, make a photo of it, even if it’s with your smartphone. As time goes by you’ll build an interesting series of images. 

Assignment 80: Limited color palettes (Composition)

The final composition assignment tests your observational skills by asking you to make photos of scenes with a limited color palette. 

Often this type of scene is dominated by a single vibrant color, like the orange flowers in the photo on the right. Using a limited color palette simplifies the design of the photo by simplifying the colors used in the composition. 

If you’re outside making photos, then this brief is a good test of your composition skills. But you can also think about this assignment if you have more control over the scene. 

If you’re making a portrait of somebody, for example, what happens if you ask them to wear a blue jumper, blue jeans and stand in front of a blue wall? What difference does it make if they wear an orange jumper instead? Exploring the use of color like this can give interesting results.

Assignment 83: Cool colors (Mood)

A few years ago I spent a summer in northern Spain, where there are a lot of cloudy days. But the clouds gave the landscape another mood, fertile rather than arid, cool rather than hot, contemplative rather than vacation-like. 

Cloudy light has a higher color temperature than sunlight, which means it’s naturally blue. You can neutralize that by adjusting White Balance, or you can enhance it instead, adding to the mood and feel of the scene. That’s what I chose to do in the photo on the right. It’s also your brief for this assignment. Look for a scene that works well with cooler, blue colors (like a winter landscape or a cloudy seascape) and make a photo that captures the moodiness of the scene. 

Assignment 91: Road signs (Landscape)

Some photographers equate landscape photography with photographing the wilderness, but there are many parts of the world where the natural landscape coexists with man-made elements. In long-settled countries like Britain the entire landscape has been affected by man in one way or another. 

For this assignment your brief is to incorporate road signs into a landscape photo. How can you juxtapose man-made and natural elements of the landscape in an interesting way?

In the photo on this page, I was struck by the symmetry created by placing the road sign between the distant wind turbines, another man-made element of the landscape.

100 Creative Photography Assignments

These assignments come from my new ebook 100 Creative Photography Assignments

I’m proud of this one and wish I’d had it 20 years ago when I was starting out in photography.  Click here to learn more

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Best books on photography for beginners and pros in 2024

Improve your camera skills and get visual inspiration with the best books on photography

• Books for beginners
• Raise your game
• Photography skills
• Business skills
• Photo inspiration
• Books for students

Our top picks 1. Books for beginners 2. Books to raise your game 3. Books for skills 4. Books for business 5. Books for inspiration 6. Books for students

The best books on photography offer the perfect way to get a burst of visual inspiration, learn about the great photographers, and improve your camera skills. 

From the timeless classics that have stood the test of time to modern masterpieces that push boundaries, the best photography books offer a rich tapestry of images, each one a testament to the power of light, composition, and the human experience. 

Whether you're a seasoned photographer seeking inspiration, new to shooting, or just an appreciator of the art of photography, these books unlock a world of possibilities, inviting you to delve into the depths of creativity, technique and our shared cultural heritage.

Our top picks

Best for beginners This book is perfect for anyone new to DSLRs or mirrorless cameras. It dials down the technical jargon in favour of iconic images, playful dialogue, and expert tips.

Friendly beginner read This friendly guide walks you through taking 20 common categories of photos, including family portraits, flowers, sunsets, candids, pets and close-ups.

Beginner guide + video training As well as this 233-page book, you get over three hours of supplementary online training videos, and free help from the author and other readers via an online readers group.

Best insider tips This book uses conversational language to share more than 200 tricks of the trade, to help you get looking, sharper, more colorful, more professional-looking photographs.

Best ideas book This book offer easy-to-follow examples to get as many different looks as possible with the same model. It also covers the basics of photographing all kindpeople.

Best for portraits Henry Carroll’s series of books on photography are an example of exceptional publishing – and this one dedicated to portraiture is no exception. It's beautifully bound, too.

• Back to the top ⤴

Best photography books for beginners

1. Read This if You Want to Take Good Photographs

Specifications, reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Getting to grips with the basics of photography has never been easier – or more fun – than with Read This if You Want to Take Good Photographs. An easy-to-follow, accessible guide, this book is perfect for anyone new to using DSLRs, compact systems, and bridge cameras. The author – teacher, writer, and photographer Henry Carroll – has dialed down the technical jargon and instead opted for the handbook that champions the art of photography via iconic images, playful dialogue, and expert tips. 

Inspired by the greats, Carroll draws on acclaimed photographers such as Sebastião Salgado, Nadav Kander, and Daido Moriyama to help illustrate the technique and encourage readers to get involved. 

Read more: 12 essential photography tips for beginners

2. BetterPhoto Basics

If you're a photography novice looking for a relatively light and friendly read, this guide from Jim Miotke, the brains behind online photography school BetterPhoto.com, should be just up your street. 

Explaining everything an absolute beginner needs to get started taking great photos, it's packed with tips and advice, and explanations are friendly sounding and written in plain English.

Once you've got to grips with the basics, Miotke walks you through taking 20 common categories of photos, including family and pet portraits, flowers, sunsets, candids, close-ups, and monochrome shots.

Suitable for children and adults, this is one of the best photography books to make learning photography fun and rewarding, and ultimately whether it succeeds will be down to you.

Read more: 10  best online photography courses

3. How to Create Stunning Digital Photography

When it comes to learning photography, reading from books and watching videos are two approaches that each have strengths and weaknesses. So why not combine the two for the best of both worlds?

That's exactly what this package from Tony Northrup, the founder of photo.net, offers. As well as this 233-page book, you get over three hours of supplementary online training videos, and free help from the author and other readers via an online readers group.

This is very much a practical, hands-on course that requires you to grab your camera and get shooting right away. There are exercises at the end of every chapter to give you the real-world experience you need, and the emphasis is very much on learning by doing.

4. The Digital Photography Book: Part 1

This book takes an approach to improve your photography that makes perfect sense to us. Here's how author Scott Kelby, co-host of Photoshop User TV, explains it... 

“If you and I were out on a shoot, and you asked me, 'Hey, how do I get this flower to be in focus, with the background out of focus?,' I wouldn't stand there and give you a photography lecture," he says. "In real life, I’d just say, 'Put on your zoom lens, set your f-stop to f/2.8, focus on the flower, and fire away.'"

In exactly that spirit, this book offers more than 200 photographic tricks of the trade, to help you get looking, sharper, more colorful, more professional-looking photos, explained in the same way you would in a normal conversation. So you learn how using a different setting, tool or trick in a particular situation can truly transform the quality of your work, and make it look more like the work of a pro than an amateur. 

Kelby really does write like you're standing next to you, and while that might sometimes be off-putting (depending on whether you 'get' his sense of humor), there's no denying that these tricks really work, whether you're a beginner or an experienced photographer. 

Improving your photography

5. One Face, Fifty Ways

Mark Wilkinson is an enthusiastic photographer, and Imogen – the model of the titular “one face” – an acquaintance. Their chance encounter spawned not only Europe’s most popular photography YouTube channel Weekly Imogen , but now this book. 

Its simple premise is to offer easy-to-follow examples you can use to get as many different looks as possible with the same model. In so doing it also covers many basics of photographing all people (and there is a chapter with models other than Imogen). Since so many of us start out with family members or cooperative friends serving in that role, this light-hearted but informative guide is a good way to build your confidence in shooting people.

6. Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs of People

Henry Carroll’s series of books on photography are an example of exceptional publishing – and this one dedicated to portraiture is no exception. They show what a little academic knowledge can do when boiled down by great editors, skilled illustrators, and an investment in the images – many publishers skimp on using photographs from famous photographers for books of this price because of the cost of licensing, but not LK. 

They’re also beautifully bound, with matt paper, some shiny (foil), and debossed lettering. That tactile experience and flickability are why, ultimately, they are superb gifts. They are inspiring to browse through, and contain some useful nuggets of information which any creative person of your acquaintance should enjoy. The recipient, in other words, will not be disappointed. Experienced photographers, however, will find every other book on this list more useful.

7. The Headshot: The Secrets to Creating Amazing Headshot Portraits

In the modern social media age, having a decent-looking head-and-shoulders portrait is something that concerns everyone, not just actors and models. So if you want to know how to take professional-looking headshots, this book by professional portraitist Peter Hurley is just what you need. 

You'll learn the same techniques the author used to take amazing headshots of Fortune 500 CEOs, actors, and public figures, from lighting your subjects correctly to putting them in flattering positions. 

Hurley also shares his trade secrets for getting genuine smiles and authentic expressions rather than people's standard 'photo face' that always makes a headshot look dull and lifeless. This is not so much a step-by-step training manual or reference guide as an insight into how one man approaches his art. But when it's someone at the top of his game like this, there's a huge amount any photographer can learn here.

See also The best books on portrait photography

8. The Art of Photography 2nd edition: A Personal Approach to Artistic Expression

First published in 1994, this book is considered a classic of photography instruction. It was fully updated in 2010 to incorporate digital photography. But actually, it's not so much a technical guide as a deep dive into the philosophical and creative side of photography.

The author's main aim is to dissuade photographers from the approach of taking hundreds of shots in the hope of getting one good image, and instead understand the processes by which you can shoot fewer, but better pictures overall.

In other words, if you're at the stage of your photography journey where you understand all the tools and techniques, but you're still taking unimpressive pictures, this is the book for you.

9. Studio Anywhere: A Photographer's Guide to Shooting in Unconventional Locations

There's something magical about the idea of a photo studio, a place where you can ensure the right lighting, space, and ambiance to capture the perfect shot. 

But in the real world, photography takes place in much more challenging locations, and that's where this book comes in.   

Whether you're shooting a corporate portrait of a CEO, a test shoot with a model, or a promo shoot with a band, professional portraitist Nick Fancher explains how to get great-looking shots in less-than-ideal scenarios.

He takes you behind the scenes of his own photo shoots and explains how getting creative, from changing the lighting to post-processing, allows you to develop your own vision and achieve professional-looking shots in the potentially worst places.

If you do a lot of portrait photography and want some tips on thinking outside the box, you won't find it better.

10. The Photographer's Eye Remastered

There's no point in understanding the technical side of photography if you don't understand the composition. This classic book, updated to celebrate its 10th anniversary, explains the principles of good composition, and how to put them into practice.

It's divided up into bite-size chapters to make everything easy to follow. And usefully the images (which are mainly from the author's travel photography) are shown with multiple crops, thus demonstrating how one particular composition of a picture works better than another. 

Following the author's reasoned and well-explained advice will help you develop your compositions and take better pictures as a result. In short, if you struggle with composition as a photographer, then you need this book.

11. Photography Rules, Paul Lowe

Imagine having some of the most significant insights and memorable aphorisms about photography in your camera bag. 

Dream no longer… Photography Rules is a compendium of wisdom gleaned from photographers and industry professionals including Robert Capa, Diane Arbus, Martin Parr, and many more. 

Helpfully arranged in three discrete sections, ‘Making Photographs’, ‘Being a Photographer’ and ‘Professional Practice’, Photography Rules doesn’t over-egg its messages; each image featured is accompanied by text that’s as digestible as it is concise – making this book a handy reference guide for keeping on or around you when you’re in the field. 

Read more: The best books on street photography

12. Extraordinary Everyday Photography

Great photography lies not so much in technical expertise but in learning to see things in a different way from the norm. The starting point for this book is that you don't have to travel to far-flung locations to take arresting pictures; great images are possible anywhere. You just have to scratch the surface and find them. 

Authors Brenda Tharp and Jed Manwaring encourage you to slow down, open your eyes and respond to what you see through advice, discussions, and exercises. Throughout this book, you'll learn to use composition, available light, color, and different points of view to raise the quality and interest level of your shots. 

Aimed at amateur photographers who have technical knowledge but are lacking purpose and vision, this insightful read will help you rediscover your photographic soul and give you new ideas and enthusiasm. 

Develop your technical skills

13. On Composition

In many ways, composition is the most powerful tool in a photographer's armory. In this new book for 2022 Michael Freeman, one of the world's leading reportage photographers, explains both why and how composition works, from perception to visual imagination. He includes lots of real-life examples of composition in practice to demonstrate the key rules you need to follow. And most usefully, this book includes a number of compositional templates, from the 'Walk-in to the Frame Break' to the 'Fibonacci Point', which you can use to compose your shots.

14. Mastering Portrait Photography

If portrait photography is your area of expertise, or you want it to be, Mastering Portraits by Sarah Plater and multi-award-winning portrait photographer Paul Wilkinson is one of the best photography books on the subject. The authoritative guide explains the essential techniques of portrait photography in a clear and concise way, with minimal jargon to make it as accessible as possible. 

Inside you'll find advice on choosing the right camera and equipment for you, right through to understanding exposure, aperture, metering, shutter speed, depth of field, and white balance settings. No matter what your subject, the technical know-how, tips, and hints in this book will help you get the very best portrait possible. 

15. The Landscape Photography Workshop

Get to grips with landscape photography with one of the best photography books around. A beautifully illustrated workshop-in-a-book, this photography handbook acts as a training session in the art of landscape photography, mixing detailed written explanations with easy-to-follow creative assignments to help you hone your skills. And you’re in safe hands with authors Ross Hoddinott and Mark Bauer – the duo is leading landscape photographers in the UK, who offer a range of workshops in South-West England. 

No matter what you’re skill level, there’s something here for everyone, starting with the basics of equipment and exposure right through to more advanced photography techniques, post-processing, and printing.

16. Understanding Exposure

Updated for 2016, this popular book explains the fundamentals of exposure as it relates to light, aperture and shutter speed, in order to help you taking successful photographs in almost any situation. 

Author Bryan Peterson, founder of www.ppsop.com, demonstrates how to get sharpness and contrast in images, freeze action, take meter readings and more, as well as explaining everything you need to know about filters, flash and light. 

Peterson has a clear enthusiasm for his subject, and whether you're an experienced beginner or an intermediate photographer looking for a refresher, you'll get a deeper understanding of exposure from this guide that can't help but improve the quality of your images.  

17. Mastering Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO & Exposure

Many of the most basic photography terms can be off-putting to the beginner, and even experienced photographers don't always understand them properly. So this book explains the fundamentals in a quick, easy, and very accessible manner, allowing you to have more control over the quality of your images.

By the end, you'll fully understand exposure and its components, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO – also known as the Exposure Triangle – and how they work together. Every photographic term is clearly defined and thoroughly explained, as well as is highlighted by using bold caps, so that you can easily find them again to refresh your memory.

With handy charts and relevant photos included to aid understanding, this book is tightly focused on helping you explain what can be complex and confusing concepts, so it's the ideal purchase for anyone who's struggling with them.

18. Night Sky Photography

Astrophotography has become more and more popular in recent years, and anyone looking for a good grounding in the genre will do well to buy a copy of this comprehensive new guide. Author Adam Woodworth takes the reader through the fundamentals of astrophotography and shows how even using a modest camera setup can yield great results. 

Chapters about camera gear and settings are complemented by ones about night sky subjects and how to plan for shooting them, as well as other useful areas including exposure blending, shooting panoramas, and the practicalities of working outside in the dark. 

A comprehensive chapter about editing ties everything together, as do the use case studies about approaching specific shooting situations. All in all, this is a good choice for anyone keen to kick-start their journey of discovery into astrophotography. (Also read our article, the best cameras for astrophotography ). 

19. The Digital Darkroom

Over 256 pages, regular Digital Camera World contributor James Abbott shares his expert image editing insights for users of Adobe Photoshop and Affinity Photo. 

As he notes in his introduction, “post-production can make the difference between a good image and a great image,” and the remaining 11 chapters show you how to turn your photos into great ones. From making basic adjustments to more advanced black and white, color, and special effects, it’s all here. 

The design of the book aids understanding; with plenty of pages to spread the techniques over, ‘The Digital Darkroom’ can eschew slabs of impenetrable text in favor of more manageable lengths, backed up by nugget-sized tips that are easy to grasp. Abbott’s decision to cover the excellent-value Affinity Photo alongside Photoshop meets the subscription/ non-subscription preferences of image-editing software buyers and widens the scope of the book. 

Overall, everyone from beginners to intermediate-level users of Photoshop and Affinity Photo can’t fail to improve their editing skills after reading this. 

20. Shooting in Sh*tty Light: The Top Ten Worst Photography Lighting Situations and How to Conquer Them

You don't always have the perfect lighting for the image you want to capture, and this can be particularly problematic for beginner and amateur photographers. In this provocatively titled book, pro photographers Lindsay Adler and Erik Valind discuss 10 challenging lighting situations and provide practical solutions for each. 

Each challenge and solution and is explained clearly and logically, and you'll come away with an array of tools at your disposal next time you attempt to take a decent photograph in poor lighting conditions. 

Note though that although the title doesn't suggest this, all the examples given involve photographing people (at weddings, etc) so there's nothing here on landscape or wildlife photography, for example. 

21. How to Photograph Food

Written by Instagram sensation Beata Lubas, who has 163K followers and rising, this hardback is a must-read for food bloggers or anyone looking to diversify into food photography. It covers both the art and science of food styling and camera skills, not to mention the business side, too. 

You'll learn how to tell food stories using light, colour and shape to evoke atmosphere, and discover methods for shaping natural light to produce magical images in any environment. This book is beautifully designed, with gorgeous photos and a layout that gives everything room to breathe. 

22. Mastering Lighting & Flash Photography

Photography is painting with light, so knowing how to master it pays dividends. 

That’s the mission statement of this 176-page guide penned by the leading British photographer Richard Bradbury. 

Following some helpful introductory chapters that define light and its various forms, the author offers a series of step-by-step tutorials for shooting portraits, still-life, products and cars and vehicles, supported by diagrams and tip boxes. 

Alongside useful case study interviews with other leading pros, you’ll also find a chapter on post-production and using software to enhance lighting effects. 

Best if you’re looking to get to grips with the intricacies of lighting in its various forms, then this book will be a great place to start.

Best books on photography business skills

23. Hashtag Authentic

Instagram looks like it's here to stay. And love it or hate it, it can work wonders for building a business when used in the right way. Sara Tasker is a woman who has done just that, and luckily for us, she's decided to generously note her recipe for success in this rather wonderful book, Hashtag Authentic. 

Having given up her job as a speech therapist when she was pregnant, activating her Instagram account and three months later having over 35,000 followers, we don't know about you, but we were very interested to hear what she had to say. If you need help building an social following, want to turn your account into profitable creative outlet, or just need a few pointers on how to present your imagery online, this is a resource you'll visit time and time again. 

24. The Photography Storytelling Workshop

It’s all in the title – author Finn Beales walks the reader through five steps towards creating unforgettable photos (‘Pitch’, ‘Prep’, ‘Shoot’, ‘Edit’ and ‘Deliver’). 

Beales’ journey to amassing 600,000 followers on Instagram started after he gave up his career as a designer to shoot better images than what he was getting from commissioning other photographers. 

This in itself is something of a tell, because The Photography Storytelling Workshop is a well conceived and structured book, with an easy-to-navigate design and a good balance between text and images. 

What it exhorts the reader to go out and do feels achievable, but it’s only the beginning – as the title of the final heading in the book puts it, ‘There Is No Finish Line’. There’s always more to learn, whatever your level of experience. A wise buy for any photographer seeking to hone their craft to tell better stories. 

25. Best Business Practices for Photographers

Best Business Practices for Photographers delivers exactly what it promises in the title. This updated and expanded third edition of a 1980s classic is a comprehensive guide to succeeding in your business as a photographer, including negotiating contracts and licenses, making a profit, hiring staff, making the career change from staff to freelancer, and so on. 

Once more, quite a bit of this is specifically American, so non-US residents will want to skip the chapter on How to Survive an IRS audit, for example. Also note that it's largely focused on commercial photographers, which is where the author's speciality lies. But with that said, there's still plenty of useful information to be had for photographers of all types.

26. Capture Your Style

With over 3 million Instagram followers, Aimee Song has mastered the art of capturing an image that's going to appeal to a wide audience and draw them in. Song reveals her secrets behind creating an engaging feed and drawing thousands of followers to help gain you opportunities and connections. While this might be more helpful to fashion, lifestyle and portrait photographers, it's still an engaging read for anyone who wants to break into the Instagram game. 

Best books on photography for inspiration

27. Peter Lindbergh On Fashion Photography

If you're seeking inspiration for your fashion photography, look no further than this retrospective of Peter Lindberg, rereleased in a 40th anniversary edition in 2021. The late German photographer was known for his groundbreaking work, which celebrated the essence and individuality of his subjects such as Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, Mariacarla Boscono, Lara Stone, Claudia Schiffer and Amber Valletta. This beautifully produced book gathers more than 300 images from his spectacular career.

If you want to learn from the best, then check out this collection of work by Rankin, one of the most celebrated portrait photographers of modern times. This book brings together almost 200 of his most iconic music portraits, including Tom Jones, Bryan Ferry, Elton John, Blondie and Marianne Faithfull, as well as images of ‘Cool Britannia’ in the late 1990s. 

As well as these inspiration visuals, Rankin provides commentary to set them in context. He outlines his process and explaining how he empowers his subjects, so they give him part of themselves in return. 

29. Look Again

Released in 2020, this no-holds-barred memoir by the world's most famous living photographer was well worth the wait. It's riveting from start to finish, packed as it is with evocative anecdotes and vignettes, featuring veritable Who’s Who of the movers and shakers of late 20th century culture. Co-author James Fox sits in on some conversations between Bailey and his collaborators to provide added insight and analysis of this great man and his work. 

30. Annie Leibovitz At Work

With a career spanning five decades, Annie Leibovitz is one of the world's best known portrait photographers and has shot some of the last half-century's most famous people. If, like many, you've ever fancied watching her in action, this new edition of the bestselling book Annie Leibovitz At Work is the closest you'll come to the real thing. 

First released in 2008 and recently out of print, At Work is aimed mainly at young photographers and those interested in how an image comes to be. Subjects covered include photojournalism, studio work, working with writers, and making the transition from film to digital cameras. If you're a fan of Leibovitz, it doesn't get much better than this. 

See also: Best books on portrait photography

31. Street Photography Now

Successful street photographers recognise and capture the beauty of everyday life. Street Photography Now showcases the work of 46 photographers, all recognised for their inspirational depictions of the day-to-day. 

Included among them are Magnum Photo members Bruce Gilden, best known for his candid close-ups of people on the streets of NYC, and Alex Web, whose colourful and complex images have made their way in to the New York Times Magazine and National Geographic. There's also a collection of work from some emerging street photographers depicting life in New York, Tokyo and Delhi. 

With over 300 images to look through and multiple conversations between the photographers on the genre, you sure to find some street art inspiration here. 

See also: B est books on street photography

32. Humans of New York

In the summer of 2010, Brandon Stanton left his job in finance to do "something artistic" but wasn't sure what it should be. He began crisscrossing New York City, talking to passers-by and asking to photograph them. This ultimately became the source material for Humans of New York, a blog that now attracts more than a million followers. 

With 400 color photos, including exclusive portraits and all-new stories, this collection of Stanton's images is a stunning achievement. Capturing a breathtaking sweep of humanity, these images are a heartfelt and moving tribute to the spirit of a city. 

However, do note that unlike with the blog, this book is all about the images. The captions that accompany them are a few words at most, rather than the detailed stories the blog followers will be used to.

33. The World at Night

Six continents, 40 countries and some of the most remote corners of Planet Earth feature in this collection of night-sky images – all of which makes The World at Night a great introduction to astrophotography. 

Author Babak Tafreshi has drawn together the work of a team of photographers from 20 countries for this partnership with international bodies The World at Night (which Tafreshi founded) and Astronomy Without Borders. 

Organized into six chapters covering themes including UNESCO World Heritage Sites at Night, celestial events, dark sky refuges and the threat posed by grey-light polluted urban skies, the book features no end of astonishing images, many previously unseen. 

Fascinating for anyone faintly interested in photographing the night sky (and there’s a ‘how to’ section on p235), and inspirational for those already doing it, The World at Night really is a journey to some of the most far-flung places on the earth. But it also strikes a note of caution: “By losing the night sky [to light pollution] we risk the loss of a deep-rooted connection to our origins.” 

34. Portraits – Steve McCurry

Sometimes you just need to flick through the work of an undisputed master of the genre, and it’s impossible to argue with Steve McCurry’s credentials on that score. The Afghan Girl, the cover photo, is the leading contender for most famous photograph of all time, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to see more of the Kodachrome master. 

This is, too, very accessibly priced for a collection of 255 books because it’s presented in a compact hardback format which makes it a nice gift (or self-gift) for photo lovers. It’d be nice to have a little more detail in the captions, and it is a monograph so variety is limited, but this is far from Phaidon’s most expensive book – really you can have no complaints.

35. Steve McCurry Untold

Several photographers told me I had to put a Steve McCurry book in this list, and for me this is the obvious pick – this are bigger books out there, but at 11 inches (27cm) on the long side this is big enough to enjoy Magnum-photographer McCurry’s amazing assignments for National Geographic back in the day, while being small enough to make it readable. 

That’s a good thing too – this book doesn’t just caption photos with location and year as other McCurry collections do, but tell the story, partly in his own words, of being on those assignments over 30 years. So much so, in fact, that it’s hard to read too much with out self-assigning your self, grabbing your camera, and setting off right away.

36. Gregory Heisler: 50 Portraits

Photographer Gregory Heisler is best known for his work for Time magazine, including a number of Man, Person, and People of the Year covers. This first-ever collection of his work includes 50 evocative portraits of celebrities, athletes and world leaders, along with fascinating tales of how the images were made. 

From his controversial portrait of President George H.W. Bush to his Time cover of Rudolph Giuliani, and including shots of Julia Roberts, Denzel Washington, Hillary Clinton, Michael Phelps and Muhammad Ali, Heisler reveals the creative and technical processes behind the creation of each frame. 

With a foreword by New York City mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, this is both a gorgeous collection of world-class portraiture and a revealing insight into the work of a master photographer.

37. National Geographic Rarely Seen: Photographs of the Extraordinary

Over several decades, National Geographic has made a name for itself bringing the epic, the eye-catching and the unusual into people's home. And this large-format photography book is brings together some of the world's strangest and more wonderful sights. 

The desert flower that only blooms once a year; a priceless Egyptian artefact buried for years in King Tut's tomb; 30,000-year-old cave art; volcanic lightning; giant crystals that weigh more than 50 tons... all life is here, and all brilliantly captured by world-class photographers. 

38. Henri Cartier-Bresson

If your goal is understanding Henry Cartier-Bresson but your budget doesn't stretch to a big volume like the Decisive Moment, above, then this is a great alternative. Published a few years after his death in 2004, the book features images from Cartier-Bresson’s entire working life, and gives a thorough overview of his own story, from experiences in WW2, the development of his own style, and, of course, the founding of Magnum (which goes such a long way to maintain his legend today). 

All this in a book the size of paperback which can be had for less than the latest dystopian novel (or seasonal take-away coffee).

39. Ansel Adams in the National Parks: Photographs from America's Wild Places

Ansel Easton Adams (1902-1984) was a landscape photographer whose black-and-white pictures of the American wilderness have been widely reproduced and become iconic and historic images. 

He worked in more than 40 national parks over five decades, and some of his most stunning work features in this volume, including 50 never-before-published images. There's also an essay by critic and historian Richard B. Woodward about Adams' role in the conservation movement. 

40. Bystander: A History of Street Photography

A collaboration between an esteemed curator and a distinguished photographer, this book brings together the work of some of street photography's greatest names, including Arget, Stieglitz, Cartier-Bresson, Brassai, Walker Evans, Frank and Winogrand, along with some impressive work by complete unknowns. 

Colin Westerbeck's delightfully detailed text explains the story behind each image, and the photographers who took them. An excellent overview of street photography from the earliest Victorian experiments to the end of the 20th century.

Best photography books for students

41. Langford’s Basic Photography by Michael Langford

This seminal photography text is in its 10th edition, which should go some way to show what a popular resource it's been over the past 50 years or so. This book is written by Michael Langford (former Photography Course Director at the Royal College of Art, London), Anna Fox (Professor of Photography at University for the Arts, Farnham) and Richard Sawdon Smith (Professor of Photography and Dean of Media at Norwich University of the Arts).

While previous editions focused heavily on film photography, the 10th edition has been revamped, reorganized and modernized to include the most up-to-date information for photographers. However, the heart of the text still retains the same comprehensive mix of scholarly and practical information. 

42. On Photography by Susan Sontag

This groundbreaking critique of photography should be required reading for every photography student. In six essays that were originally published serially in the New York Review of Books, 'On Photography' delves into the meaning and purpose of a photograph. 

While it might be light on technique, it's heavy on philosophy and passion. Read this to rediscover your love for the art of photography. 

43. On Photographs

Here the author, a leading writer and curator, has gathered a collection of photographs from across various genres to produce a personal and playful take on the history of the medium, and what images mean. Images from many greats of photography appear on the right-hand page of each spread, with commentary and analysis from the author opposite. 

This intriguing selection of images with erudite commentary will appeal to any photography lover. Whether you choose to dip in and out, or read it for prolonged spells, the sequencing of this book will always have you coming back for more. 

44. From Above: The Story of Aerial Photography

Wondering how aerial photography happened before drones? In this enlightening book, the late Eamonn McCabe and Gemma Padley pull together some fascinating images from the 1850s up to the modern day. 

They trace the evolution of the discipline masterfully, with balloons and airships giving way to airplanes, helicoptersand satellites. And along with the work of pioneers like Edward Burtynsky, Sebastiao Salgado and Yann Arthus-Bertrandt there are some incredible images, including San Francisco after the earthquake in 1906.

45. Sebastião Salgado: GENESIS

One of the world's most respected contemporary documentary photographers, Sebastião Salgado is renowned for his spellbinding black and white imagery of the world as we don't know it. In this book, Salgado documents some of the very few areas of Earth that remain relatively untouched by man with a epic collection of imagery. There are several hundred images to peruse, which take you on a journey through polar regions, the African savannah and rainforests of Amazonia. 

"In Genesis, my camera allowed nature to speak to me. And it was my privilege to listen", says Salgado. With over 500 pages and hardcover to boot, you're not going to want to carry this book around. But as a firm fixture on your coffee table, this rare look into Earth's somewhat unseen environments is a gift that keeps on giving. 

46. Behind the Lens: My Life

He's best known as the actor behind Hercule Poirot on British television. But leading character actor David Suchet is also one of those celebrities who take pictures . And that gives this unusual autobiography a distinctive hook. 

He traces this lifelong passion back to being inspired as a young child by his press photographer grandfather Jimmy Jarché, and it resulted in more than 8,000 images to choose from when putting this book together. This is neither, then, your usual celeb memoir nor photography monograph, but it brilliantly combines both approaches, and is hugely entertaining and inspirational.

47. Masters of Street Photography

Sixteen leading practitioners of street photography are chosen to showcase their wares in this cleverly curated collection of images. Printed on quality paper, the reproduction of the photographs, a mixture of color and black and white, is of a high standard. 

The clue to the organisation of the book lies in the title. Individual photographers are each assigned to a ‘Master of…’ chapter – for example, Flash (The Bragdon Brothers), Urban landscape (Sally Davies), Noir (Giacomo Brunelli) and Hidden stories (Melissa Breyer) – and contribute six images. 

Interviews with the photographers within each chapter allow the readers to get an insight into their artistic missions and working methods, while image thumbnails at the close of each chapter contain at-a-glance technical information. 

With these themed chapters permitting a clear focus on a particular area – especially one you may not have considered before – this cleverly curated book is an ideal introduction to the possibilities of street photography. 

• The best books on street photography

48. Face Time

Now that everyone is a photographer, thanks to camera phones, the photographic portrait is more popular than ever. But anyone curious about the origins and development of the form should treat themselves to a copy of this book. The author is a curator and art historian who has worked at London’s National Portrait Gallery but ‘Face Time’ is anything but a stuffy treatise about photo portraiture. 

With chapter headings like ‘Me, Myself and I’ and ‘Death by Selfie’ setting the tone, ‘Face Time’ is a compelling exploration of this type of photographic practice, and the selection of images – stretching from the Victorian period to the present day – is always engaging, fun – and insightful. 

Read more: The best books on street photography The best books on food photography Best coffee table books on photography Best books on fashion photography Best books on portrait photography 50 best photographers ever 20 famous photographers you must follow on Twitter 100 best photography quotes from famous photographers   25 celebrities who also take pictures  

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Niall is the editor of Digital Camera Magazine , and has been shooting on interchangeable lens cameras for over 20 years, and on various point-and-shoot models for years before that. 

Working alongside professional photographers for many years as a jobbing journalist gave Niall the curiosity to also start working on the other side of the lens. These days his favored shooting subjects include wildlife, travel and street photography, and he also enjoys dabbling with studio still life. 

On the site you will see him writing photographer profiles, asking questions for Q&As and interviews, reporting on the latest and most noteworthy photography competitions, and sharing his knowledge on website building. 

• Chris George

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