Note: I have linked to the books on Amazon.ca for convenience only. These are not affiliate links; I do not make any money from them. I recommend checking around for the best prices, or, even better, supporting your local bookstore or library. The links are just to make it easy to give them a look!
 |
| Why are there random pictures throughout this post that seemingly do not relate to anything? Because they're the (sometimes failed) result of some assignments from book number 5 on my list. This one shows you why I would really benefit from a graduated neutral density filter if I want to do landscape photography, or even photography where the scenery features prominently. It was taken at about 3:30pm but to expose for the sky--incorrectly, I may add; check out how dark the blue is--the rest of the image ended up in silhouette, making for a kind of confusing mix of light and dark. I was attempting, as another assignment suggested, to capture some lens flare, but I failed miserably at that Also, why it didn't occur to me to lower my ISO (and drop my shutter speed a bit, or better yet to open up my aperture and increase my chance of getting the flare I was seeking) remains a mystery. |
1. Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson
I'm going to be honest: I thought I understood exposure before I read this book. After all, it's just about your f-stop, shutter speed, and ISO, right? Well, yes. And no. I perhaps should have considered that a book considering only those things would be a very short book indeed. I honestly don't remember much of what I learned from this book because so much of it is a concept book--it's about understanding, not memorising, and once you understand, it feels like you've known it forever. Nonetheless, I anticipate revisiting this book regularly. I highly recommend this book if you want or need to take better photographs.
 |
| Playing with some meandering lines in this one, and I do like the vaguely enchanted forest look. I don't think I got the exposure right in this one, either--further proof that I need to revisit Understanding Exposure! |
2. It's What I Do: A Photographer's Life of Love and War by Linsey Addario
A fascinating account of the life of a photojournalist. That's about all I can say about it. An enjoyable, and at times difficult, book to read.
3. Bryan Peterson's Understanding Composition Field Guide: How to See and Photograph Images with Impact by Bryan Peterson
I mean, it teaches you what the title promises. Whether any given person can or will put the knowledge to use is a different question. Unfortunately, Bryan Peterson can't make me into a good photographer. What he can do is provide me with some knowledge that will help me to better myself, if I'm willing to put in the time.
 |
| I loved the lines here, too, but I don't think I quite got the shot. |
4. Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible: 260 Exquisite Patterns by Hitomi Shida
This book has received a lot of attention, and for good reason. The stitches are as beautiful as they are intimidating. Many (but not all) have a very different flavour than those you will find in your standard North American stitch dictionary.
I really need to swatch some of these, because I don't like being intimidated by knitting, and the best way to overcome that intimidation is to tackle it head on.
5. The Visual Toolbox: 60 Lessons for Stronger Photographs by David duChemin
This one is a bit more expensive (I borrowed it from my local library) but it's worth a read. The nicest thing about this book is that the lessons come with assignments--clearly-explained ways of applying concept to reality. This is a book about composition, certainly, but it also helps the reader to think about thinking--about what's going on in your head when you're taking that picture. What do you want to say with the picture? How do you want to say it? What don't you want to say?
 |
| This is pretty enough, I guess. It follows the rule of thirds. The tree line is reasonably sharp. The horizon is straight. It's asymmetrical. But it lacks any real subject or other such point of interest. And so it remains a pretty picture. |
That's what I've been reading. What have you had on the go?
No comments:
Post a Comment