Best Photography Books

As much as it hurts to hear it, your $3000 camera doesn't make you a good photographer. Your creativity does; And creativity comes from inspiration. So where can you get inspired? Photography books!

Photography is a skill that can be learned on any camera, on any budget, given time and proper instruction. There seems to be a great deal of confusion in the photography industry, a hyped-up myth that you need expensive tools and expensive lights to make stellar photos.

Well, that myth is wrong.

Your Camera
Doesn't Matter.

While there are perks to buying expensive photo gear, guaranteed pretty pictures isn't one of them. The photography market is flooded with cameras and expensive lenses that cost a fortune; it is overwhelming for a new photographer coming into the discipline, having to play 'catch up'; most never catch up and eventually give up on photography altogether.

Let us tell you now that you can buy any camera you want and practice good photography. There are skilled artists and photographers whose primary camera are things like iPhones, cell phones, and novelty cameras. How do they do it?

Their secret is photography education — but not just the know-how and theories — but understanding photography as a skill, like music or painting. Ansel Adams once said, "The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it." — Great art comes from within — your creativity. And creativity comes from great inspiration. And photography books are amazing source of inspiration.

Finding Great Books
Should Be Easy.

There are plenty of amazing photography books that can properly guide you into photography. Amazon has over 69,000 photo-books and most of them never see the front page. The book market caters to what sells — camera-specific guides that give the illusion you'll learn photography quickly and easily in a field where it has taken the masters a lifetime of discovery.

There is an incredible, wide world of photography books deep below those best-sellers lists, books that write for the sake of explaining photography as a discipline, as a science, and as capturing imagination. They teach us how to use our cameras to capture our creativity. They inspire us to make pictures instead of taking pictures.

But the fact is, most of us may get to page 3 of the list and never experience that inspiration.

Reignite your creativity.

Have you ever felt that delightful airy feeling that comes when you step into a gallery or a library, when there are no distractions — just the white walls and your mind buzzing with limitless possibility; we asked ourselves, 'what if we could bring the same experience to photography books?'

We took on the challenge and have gone through every photography book on Amazon, carefully selecting the best ones for photographers while delicately sorting them into categories, touching on every aspect of photography.

What was the end product? — A hand-picked collection of the best of the best, the most intuitive, the most inspiring photography books to date (And we couldn't be more pleased with ourselves).

Get inspired!

We've done all the hard work for you. You don't have to scour the internet, reading post after post or trolling support forums for general information.

Get inspired! Feed your creativity and jump-spark your photographic motivation; learn the art and science of how to become a better photographer, within your own budget, from those who treat photography passionately. Discover the wide world of photography books that matter, the absolute best photography books lost in a sea of market media, made available right here, at your fingertips.

Photography Books

beginner
A book for beginners and professionals; beautifully illustrated to show you how to take photographs that express your own personal statement
beginner
Textbook-style instructional compendium that's a must-have for photographer of all skill levels, showcasing both film and digital mediums.
beginner
Make your pictures conceptually powerful and technically exquisite. A photo manual for this generation.
beginner
Learn to shoot digital photographs like a pro, without the complicated technical jargon. A book of what to do, and when, for amazing images
beginner
A great beginning primer for the burgeoning photographer with a new found passion on how to start modestly and have successful images.
beginner
Got pictures but need ideas? Filled with transformative photo craft projects, using basic materials and tools, minimal time, kid friendly
beginner
Alluring, inspiration filled book fondly using accessible mid-range cameras to create work percolating with impact and panache.
beginner
Inspires you to look at the world differently through photography with various techniques that will get you attention grabbing photographs.
beginner
An easily digestible atlas of projects and problem solving for the beginning and intermediate palate to create a connoisseur of photography.
lighting
Cast away your photography lighting frustrations -- learn to light like a pro. Tips, tricks, and examples.
lighting
It’s Nikon Speedlights for hot shoe flash lighting solutions from the studio to a remote scene, told with a humor to war stories narrative
composition
A strong picture is dictated by composition. This book analyses what makes a strong composition and how to take design into consideration
composition
An interesting and stylistic take on the insightful process of reaching a destination by conveying emotions within a still image.
exposure
Easy to understand book about the relationship between aperture and shutter speed that lets photographers really get to grips with exposure
exposure
Great detail is given of advanced methods, theories, and equipment in this timeless resource for intermediate-to-expert film photographers.
creativity
Learn easy tactics on how to develop a sense of finding and capturing compelling photography that display original, unconventional images.
creativity
An inspirational book with simple techniques and easy exercises to trigger your imagination and help you enrich your creative process.
creativity
Instructional and inspirational -- a how-to book that helps you find and express your photographic vision.
creativity
Encourages artist originality and offers practical tips on how to be prepared for anything- while also avoiding cliched image composition.
creativity
Contemplate photos through Taoist teachings on creative and spiritual dimensions, use enlightening exercises to enhance your own work
creativity
National Geographic and Time magazine alumnus shares his most breathtaking images along with some unstructured photography instruction.
creativity
Develop your visual awareness and intuition in order to bring a zen-like state to your photography to help you create your very best images
creativity
Part philosophical ideals for artists fighting creative block, part photo collection of thousands of images taken through airliner windows.
creativity
Learn about the subtle gestures, lighting, perspectives and compositional tips that will make your photographs compelling and soul stirring
creativity
Inspired by an ambiguity when discussing photos, an innovative perspective of visual language is introduced into the photographic practice.
post-processing
Creating a filing system and working with thousand of photographs can be a momentous challenge. This book shows you how to master this.
post-processing
Taking darkroom techniques for editing, creating and manipulating photographic output, and altering them to suit digital photographers
post-processing
Step-by-step images turn technology into a tool to achieve artistic purpose, RAW setting for maximum image data, enhanced processing control
post-processing
Learn upper echelon touch-up techniques taught at the Photoshop World Conference & Expo for photographers to put a final gloss on their livelihood.
post-processing
Photoshop secrets unlocked -- everything you need to know from subject lighting to the finished composite.
post-processing
An essential book of image alteration. How to save time and conserve quality. Great tips and a learning pack.
post-processing
Simple instructions for correcting issues with image color, sharpness, and lighting for those photographers already familiar with Photoshop.
post-processing
Academically approved methodology. Current and precise setting use without a bunch of fluffy jargon or extras to learn before starting to create.
post-processing
Specific in depth instructions with illustrations make this book the definitive Photoshop CS5 bible for photographers
post-processing
Resplendent, much anticipated exemplar on digital lighting methods for current means in establishing photography workflow.
post-processing
Proven, effective -- dubbed "the Missing FAQ" for all things Lightroom-related. Never be in the dark again.
post-processing
Today’s substance of fine art printing. How to manage colour, paper and inks to obtain a remarkable print. Explains with expertise.
post-processing
How about these tutorials to learn post-production building for all 65+ layers available in Photoshop CS5… crystal clear, without the masks
business
An up to date approach to professional photography covering the broad range of possibilities in today's digital scene and its job market.
business
Practical information on how to be a financially successful photographer, while also finding personal satisfaction in the whole process
business
Inspirational instruction on how to recognize which type of commercial photography best suits your personality, work ethic, and lifestyle.
business
A must-have guide in garnering ambitious market savvy and planning by developing skills to propel your career in a heavily saturated market.
business
A unique piece that guides you to creating the successful and sale-orientated pictures: tips, ideas of what, how and where to shoot are included.
business
Focused information regarding common mistakes made by artists compiling their portfolio for submission to commercial stock photo websites.
business
A stellar all encompassing revision covering every aspect of function and implementation for building a successful current photography studio.
business
Covers the business topics necessary for freelance photographers to achieve success, encouraging them to embrace technology for efficiency.
business
The legal side -- contracts to copyrights -- a vital guide for the photography professional. Know the law!
equipment
Handful of ideas for the cash-strapped artist who is willing to build lighting equipment and other items for photographing subjects.
equipment
Learn how to use your camera from a famous photographer, a man whose contribution to the medium is eternal.
equipment
An updated book that explores the trendy world of low-tech and plastic photography. Filled with exciting tips and great examples.
equipment
If you want to push your creativity but your camera tights you up, these 52 techniques are presented to help you get fabulous images.
equipment
Beginner photographer's guide to camera lens filters: how and why to use them, plus before-and-after examples of a filter's application.
equipment
The story behind the trajectory and evolution of the camera displayed in a brilliant and beautiful manner: inventors, artists and progress.
equipment
This photographic journal challenges the standards of image making within our popular culture. Encourages emotion.
black and white
Experimenting with B&W photography? Tips and more on how the pros shoot and make monochromatic HDR images.
black and white
Capture the rich depth of light and produce striking black-and-white photos using classic techniques with contemporary camera technology.
black and white
Learn B&W film photography from the best through this comprehensive, instructional book: films, darkroom, developing, mounting prints
commercial
Relevant material for commercial artists who seek engaging facts about how to start and maintain a successful photography business.
commercial
Advertising is a difficult business. This book gives an honest appraisal of what you would need to break into such a glamourous world
photojournalism
Expert advice on ethics, laws, trends, and history of photojournalism, including wartime censorship, plus multimedia and video reporting
photojournalism
Discusses a wide range of fundamental concepts, social and collective concerns for those interested in the growing world of photojournalism.
documentary
Question the line between photojournalism and art through social documentary photography’s finest in their words and with their images
event
In the pit or in the house, it’s how to make band contacts, find outlets, develop business skills, turn concert shots into print sales
infrared
The world of infrared digital photography exposed -- a how-to approach without the need for expensive gear.
macro
Struggling with macro or close-up photography? Not getting results? How the pro's do it and insider tips.
macro
Bugs to pincushions, photogs shoot macro. Learn and improve focus, f-stop, depth-of-field, light, equipment, HDR, HFR, focus stacking, more
hdr
Turn down the noise and extend your tonal range with this guide to the hardware and the software for merging and mapping your HDR shots
hdr
An exceptionally detailed book that helps you to get the most out of HDR. It gives practical and theoretical aid to achieve terrific photos.
night
Shedding light on the field of night and low-light photography -- pic tips, post-tricks and buying advice.
night
Find out how to create stunning night time images with your digital camera. Great information and techniques, from a respected photographer
action
Technical details in a practical guide of facts bust myths to master exposure, freezing, panning, zooming; with show-and-tell illustrations
action
A wonderful guide examining the editor’s point of view in selecting and publishing sport photography from a hands-on successful photojournalist.
street
An in-depth look at street photography in history and the 'moments' that impacted society and the industry.
street
Brilliantly encouraging to step away from the progressive heaviness of technical manipulation to let photography be an organic experience.
travel
Best-selling book for travel photographers. Filled with marvellous travel photos. Updated for film and phone cameras.
travel
Break into commercial travel photography: packing checklists, inspired shots on location with camera settings, building business and brand
nature
Produce stunning photos of landscape vistas and macro natural subjects by applying the methods illustrated by the author's included images.
nature
Teaching photographers to see nature by creatively looking at any environment and relating to it through emotion and past experiences.
landscape
Learn to photograph landscape, through the techniques and process pioneered by legendary photographer Ansel Adams. Tweaked for a digital age
landscape
Right time, right landscape, now what? Grab creative tips, tricks, and techniques for lighting, composition, equipment; with illustrations
wedding
In any weather, in any setting, at any locale -- a must-have handbook for the serious wedding photographer.
wedding
Full-color guide illustrates how to coordinate the shooting of an entire wedding ceremony, plus tips on how to communicate with clients.
wedding
A distinctive guide to the crafts of extraordinary records of special events. Answers to necessary narratives, relations and techniques.
portrait
Skilfully presented; beautiful portraits and their technical descriptions thoroughly explain the art of truly capturing the 'face'.
portrait
An intimate connection with the fleeting moments in life we want to record. Portraiture explained from memory and theme to produce joy.
portrait
Creating unique, dramatic and artistic portraits is made easy with precise instructions from a world renowned expert who shares his wisdom.
fashion
Fashion photography is a lucrative world and this book offers the ins and outs of being successful in this highly competitive field
glamour
You will never look at, or photograph, skin the same way after reading this book from one of Hollywoods leading photo-illustrators
model
From curves to parts, how-to-do modeling sessions for editorial, fashion, athletic, glamour, nude, plus how-to design your model portfolio
nude
Selecting lighting, maintaining focus and pace, and editing are just a few of the topics covered in this guide to photographing naked models
nude
From finding models to concept and lighting, this guide provides both technical information and artistic insight into photographing the nude
film
Cropping, contrast and color control -- the classic guide to mastering and grasping the photographic print.
film
Exquisite examination of the processes in darkroom chemistry. Very impressive and useful guide for professional black and white photography.
film
A complete compendium for the modern darkroom maven with stunning new techniques by the field’s most popular processing alchemist.
film
A stunning showcase of the history and theory of pinhole photography for artists and photographers, with hints on taking the pinhole digital
film
Make your own camera, lenses, paper negative, salt prints – all with inexpensive, common materials – for pinhole to large-format results
history
A beautiful and reliable perspective of photography, that delves into the depths of theory and practice of this art.
history
Great introduction to photography filled with its historical development, scenarios, and influential artists; plus contemporary digital media.
history
Balanced, exhaustive conglomeration of photographs from the last two hundred years that depict many niches, theories, and practices.
history
Discover the rich history of photography -- the iconic players and pictures that defined an era and legacy.
contemporary
Contemporary photographers -- the individuals who are pioneering the medium -- their stories, and pictures.
contemporary
This compilation of concept pieces by up-and-coming European photographers includes 20 essays by accomplished art theorists and curators.
contemporary
An extraordinary approach to photography within our digital culture. Challenges, changes and shifts thanks to innovation and technology.
theory
Simplifying the technical jargon of photography made easy -- slim, condensed, organized for quick indexing.
theory
No photographer or photography student should be without this comprehensive guide to the theories of photography from Barthes to Sontag
theory
An academic minded gallop across modern stereotypes, establishing a broader use of photography as a discipline for contrasts in social theory and belief systems.
theory
Well established text that explores, strategically, crucial photographic theories and contextualises them within our culture. A must have!
theory
What do the iconic photographs tell us about society and culture? Walk-through study guide with images, explanations, and exercises
theory
A wonderful cultivation of socio-political history and impact of modern day practices in photography theory as an art form.
essays
Essential advanced techniques on enhancing style and overall esthetic design by refining uses of balance and perspective to produce a piece with visual impact.
essays
The impact made by hidden cameras upon the world of photography is discussed alongside sample works by Weegee, Warhol, and Mapplethorpe.
essays
Instruction on harnessing the camera as an internal compass guiding us through our path of interconnective spiritually while producing creative work.
essays
140 years of photography! Excerpts by Niepce, Daguerre, and others with their technology, starting with heliography and the camera obscura
essays
Photography through the frame of philosophy. What does it mean to shoot, capture, manipulate, and reveal? Natl Book Critics Circle Award
essays
A telling autobiography of frank introspection. Gripping, moving -- a photographer in love with his medium.
photographers
Packed! with 40 interviews and images from photographers to collectors; how to get in and stay in the business and the art of photography
photographers
The greatest the world has ever known -- fifty photographers that any serious photo-enthusiast should know.
photographers
A pulchritudinous historical index of hallmark photographers, including insights on relevant work across an array of social frames.
photographers
Available again in print, a book of many images and few words -- 172 photographs that changed the art-form.
photographers
See some of the most iconic images of a 15 year span from one of the most famous portrait photographers in the world: Anne Leibovitz
photographers
Quotes, portfolio images, and bios of 150 influential photographers provide a great reference source that's often used in college curricula.
photographers
For an image-led view of photography throughout the 20th century, including movements from conceptual art through to abstraction
photographers
A fun, jumping catalogue of historical characters caught in personality filled moments, boisterous and witty images fill the pages.
photographers
Substantial book showing some of the most iconic photographs of the 20th century, and the fascinating stories behind how they came to be

What's the buzz?

Ana V.
Ramirez

That's one helluva list!

Jack
Hollingsworth

Love this site. Awesome resource for Photography Books.

Chris
Orwig

A great photography book resource site.

Jeroen
Berkenbosch

I hate you :P You make me want to buy even more photog books!

Michaela
Hackner

Awesome collection, adding to wish list :)

Rich
Ruh

Outstanding collection of Photography Books.

Alan
Hess

Awesome list of photobooks.

Michael
Clark

Worth checking out if you are looking for inspiration.

John
Healey

Wow, great site. And it is very refreshing to read your about page.

Harald
Woeste

Lovely site you have designed and stacked with a good selection of books...

Katrin
Eismann

Remember that childhood dream of being in an endless candystore? This is the photog book version!

David
Morrish

I am impressed by the marketing savvy and the fine, elegant, simple, ad-free design.

Scott
Stulberg

One of the best sites that has come along in a long time! It's about time! Love the layout and simplicity.

Shivakumar L
Narayan

Absolutely crazy collection. Just love them all. Have few of them in my library already :)

David
duChemin

Really, really great list of some incredible photography books. I hadn't heard of half of these!

Brenda
Tharp

It's not easy finding out about all the photography books, and this compilation makes it easier to see what's out there by categories that interest you. The Best Photography Books website is a cool site, making it easy to peruse top choices in a wide variety of categories.

Jorge
Quinteros

Several months of devoted work has culminated to this beautiful simplistic display of carefully handpicked books from Amazon all sorted by category and covering every aspect of photography. You're bound to find something that appeals to you regardless of your photographic expertise. I'm particularly fond of their introduction of the site.

Craig
Roberts

Fantastic online resource for photography books. One look and I was hooked! It is a handpicked collection of what the author deems the "best photography books", and to be honest, its hard to argue that point. If you've ever wanted to know just where to start in the thousands of available photography books, this will be certain to help you with that choice. Whether its portraits, vision or gear it's all covered at this site. Well worth the time to browse through.