best photography books
I pored over books when I started to become interested in photographers. I spent countless hours at the library, reading, and studying the photographs. In that sense there were numerous photographers that informed my own style over the years. With the internet, it is so much easier to click through images and see new work, but there will always be something special about holding a beautifully printed book and marveling at the photographs.
These are my favorite books on photography.
(The recommended how-to and instructional photography books are listed on a separate page.)
|
(Amazon USA) |
(Amazon UK) |
Elliott Erwitt: Personal Best If I had to pick one photographer whose work had an immediate and enduring impact on me, it would be Elliott Erwitt. The gentle humor with which he observes the world is at once endearing and insightful. |
|
(Amazon USA) |
(Amazon UK) |
Henri Cartier-Bresson: Photographer Every photographer’s shelf needs at least one book by the photographer who might arguably be the single most important influence in the field of photography. |
|
(Amazon USA) |
(Amazon UK) |
Photowisdom: Master Photographers on Their Art If you’d like a book featuring a number of world-class photographers, then this beautiful volume is filled with images that will leave you in awe. |
|
(Amazon USA) |
(Amazon UK) |
Avedon Fashion 1944-2000 Richard Avedon’s Fashion photography is an inspiration, and this comprehensive volume is a book to be studied often. |
|
(Amazon USA) |
(Amazon UK) |
Vivian Maier: Street Photographer The story surrounding the discovery of this unknown photographer’s legacy is as interesting as the images are wonderful to behold. A must-have book if you appreciate Street Photography and Art Photography. |
|
(Amazon USA) |
(Amazon UK) |
Monica Belluci One of my favorite books on my shelf – stunning images of this breath-takingly beautiful Italian model / actress, shot by numerous photographers. |
|
(Amazon USA) |
(Amazon UK) |
Alvarado’s Classic Modern Pin-Ups Robert Alvarado’s pin-up work is something I’ve long admired. |
|
(Amazon USA) |
(Amazon UK) |
Nick Brandt – A Shadow Falls Sumptuously printed images of wildlife. The beautiful photographs in this book have to be seen! |
|
(Amazon USA) |
(Amazon UK) |
Annie Leibovitz at work Annie Leibovitz is one of the leading modern photographers. This volume is less a showcase of her work, but rather a conversation where she talks about photographs and the stories behind them. A good read and a glimpse into her life. |
|
(Amazon USA) |
(Amazon UK) |
David duChemin – Within the Frame: The Journey of Photographic Vision David duChemin has an engaging style of writing, as he discusses what motivates him as a travel photographer and his wisdom and approach to photography. Any of his books are worth reading. |
|
(Amazon USA) |
(Amazon UK) |
Nicknight: The Photographs of Nick Knight Nick Knight is a British photographer with a colorful and flamboyant style to his Fashion photography. Some incredible work on display here. |
|
(Amazon USA) |
(Amazon UK) |
Bob Carlos Clarke: Shooting Sex His stylized erotic photography always fascinated me from the first time I saw them published in the British photography magazines. |
|
(Amazon USA) |
(Amazon UK) |
National Geographic: The Photographs Compelling images from the best photography magazine you could find. Yes, you could regard the National Geographic as a photography magazine. |
|
(Amazon USA) |
(Amazon UK) |
Jeanloup Sieff: 25 A beautiful volume spanning 4 decades by this master photographer. |
|
(Amazon USA) |
(Amazon UK) |
David LaChapelle: Heaven To Hell Strikingly vibrant images from David LaChapelle’s vivid imagination. |
|
(Amazon USA) |
(Amazon UK) |
Don McCullin Don McCullin’s images from war-torn regions across the planet, had real long-lasting emotional impact on me. |
|
(Amazon USA) |
(Amazon UK) |
The Invisible Line: The Life and Photography of Ken Oosterbroek Ken was a South African news photographer who I truly believe was one of greatest news photographers in the world – his life was cut short in tragic circumstances, which is also portrayed in the book (and movie), Bang Bang Club. |
|
(Amazon USA) |
(Amazon UK) |
The Bang Bang Club Bang Bang Club portrays the lives of the photographers who covered the news in South Africa during the turbulent time in the 90′s. Living in South Africa and following the news photographers’ work as published at the time in various newspapers in Johannesburg, theirs is a personal story that has specific resonance for me. |
|
(Amazon USA) |
(Amazon UK) |
Witness in Our Time, Second Edition: Working Lives of Documentary Photographers My interest in photography was originally fueled by the great photo-journalists like Don McCullin, and I’ve always had a strong interest in this field. This book covers recent trends in documentary photography, in the words of twenty-nine people deeply involved in the genre. |
|
(Amazon USA) |
(Amazon UK) |
Steve Simon – The Passionate Photographer: Ten Steps Toward Becoming Great Steve Simon’s book is meant to inspire and fuel your passion to improve your photography. Not quite a how-to instructional book, this book will inspire you and your photography. |
What do you think of the printing in the Vivian Maier book? A few people have really slated it on Amazon (though that’s true of most things) which makes it seem a bit pointless. You might aswell just look at it on the internet if the printing is genuinely poor.
Have you ever thought of adding an OpenID or something like that to your blog so people can sign in with a Twitter/Facebook/Google/whatever account rather than having to type a name and address.
Comment by Darren — December 20, 2011 @ 7:57 am
Comment by Neil vN — December 20, 2011 @ 12:12 pm
Great list, Neil – nice to see some favourites.
Glad you included Ken Oosterbroek – a favourite of mine – I remember visiting his exhibition in the early 90′s – amazing.
I guess my list would include Tim Page and David Duncan Douglas (Vietnam war), W. Eugene Smith.
At the moment, with snow outside I tend to drift towards the work of Michael Kenna and Edward Weston (indoor work).
Comment by Pasquier — December 21, 2011 @ 2:22 am
Great list Neil. Thanks for posting – some interesting books there for me to investigate! Happy New Year to you!
Dermot
Ireland.
Comment by Dermot — December 29, 2011 @ 10:58 am
Thank you for this list!!
Comment by Ann Steward — May 11, 2012 @ 9:07 am
Neil,
Thank you so much for your list and thoughful comments. They left me quite moved, particularly the inclusion of Vivian Maier.
bartonB
Comment by bartonB — September 22, 2012 @ 10:47 pm
Are there any books/photographers that you could recommend in the area of dance photography. Fast moving subjects with less than optimal lighting proves to be very challenging !
Thanks, Marian
Comment by Marian — January 22, 2013 @ 11:51 am