Cache directory "/mnt/local/home/digitalphotographyformoms/digitalphotographyformoms.net/wp-content/plugins/ttftitles/cache" is not writable.Books that Teach Photographic Creativity
One of my biggest photographic shortcomings is that I haven’t yet developed a creative eye. I can set my camera properly and take a cute picture of my kids, but it’s usually just a straight-on everyday shot lacking in anything special. Except that I have the cutest kids in the world, of course. That counts for something, right?
Bryan Peterson has three books that are changing that for me. Nearly every photography web site I visit recommends his Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition) as the be-all end-all book about learning to set your exposure correctly. Well, I avoided this book for a long time, because I thought it would be way above my head, and I usually trust my camera to set the exposure for me.
I was seriously wrong. This book is so easy to understand and I came away with a much better understanding of photography in general. Peterson talks about aperture and how to use it to get pictures with beautiful blurry backgrounds, or pictures where everything is in focus. He talks about silhouettes, getting shots of kids (or anything else) in motion, and avoiding washed out looking skies.
Here are some of the chapter titles:
- Six Correct Exposures vs. One Creatively Correct One
- Storytelling Apertures
- The Right Shutter Speed for the Subject
- The Best Light
His books have short and simple exercises that teach the techniques he is illustrating. This has probably been the most instructive feature for me. They are great because they don’t require you to go anywhere or buy anything. Just pick up your camera and follow the method no matter where you are. 2 minutes later, you will “get” ideas that you’ve been reading about for ever, and your camera manual will suddenly make much more sense to you.
And of course, his photographs are amazing and inspirational.
I’ve already used a few of them as models when taking my own pictures. After reading Understanding Exposure , I looked at my library for everything by Peterson and came away with Learning to See Creatively: Design, Color & Composition in Photography (Updated Edition) and People in Focus (which must be the old version of Beyond Portraiture: Creative People Photography ).
Peterson made the encouraging point in Learning to See Creatively that anyone can learn this skill! Sometimes I wonder. . . . .
These two books are particularly great because Peterson usually shows two shots with each illustration. One is a boring and obvious photograph like I would take, the second is his genius perspective, crop, angle, exposure, focus, whatever.
Here are my favorite chapters from these books:
Learning to See Creatively: Design, Color & Composition in Photography (Updated Edition) (yes, every chapter was my favorite!)
- Expanding Your Vision with Lenses
- Elements of Design
- Composing Strong Photographs
- Understanding Your Exposure Options
- The Magic of Available Light
People in Focus
- Creating Mood with Light
- Composing Powerful Portraits
Now, the editions of the last two books that my library had were written in 1988 and they did feel a bit dated. But the ideas, techniques and inspiration are timeless and aren’t so specific that they won’t work just as well for digital photography as they do for, gasp, film! But the links on this page are to the updated versions available on Amazon. I’d love to get those one day!
Are there other books that any of you read for creative photographic inspiration? I’d be interested to hear about them. I need all the help I can get! 
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Erin
Oh, these books are making a photographer out of me! I started with Learning to See Creatively, but my huge ah-ha moment came from Understanding Exposure. I put my camera on Manual and I don’t think I’ve gone back. I am so much happier with my photos now. I have a long, long way to go, but these books have been and are a HUGE inspiration.
Congrats on the move to Manual, Barbara! I’m not there consistently, but one of these days. . . .
I just finished reading Understanding Exposure a few weeks ago, and I was blown away by all the insights and instruction in it. I had to take the book back to the library, but it’s a keeper.
I just wanted to let you know, Erin, that I absolutely love your blog. Your articles are so well-written and informative, they are a joy to read. I’m learning alot from you.
KarenB, you just made my day! Isn’t it great that something one enjoys so much can help others as well?
OK, those books are going on my list. I love the fact that he has 2 versions of the photographs. I have no better books to recommend, but I love a flickr group that can be of inspiration to those of us who are “post-processing” challenged…it’s a before & after group that shows what can be done with some creativity in ps or elements, etc…. Here’s the link:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/994613@N23/
By seeing what can be done with processing it can help turn that non-creative shot into something completely different.
I’ve waffled back and forth about buying all three of these books. Thanks for the review! You helped me make up my mind – I just dropped $50 at amazon.com for all three.
Cathy, let us know what you think of the newer editions. I’m going to have to look for them on inter-library loan, I suppose!
Thanks for your tips! I am looking forward to diving into these books. I am creativity-challenged, too, even though I call myself a photographer and an artist. I’m glad it’s something that can be learned! I took a beginning photography class last fall and our instructor had us shoot in all manual mode. It was amazing the difference in my photos. I look forward to fine-tuning my shooting with what these books have to offer.
All the best! Love your blog!
Thanks everyone, for your comments. I’m glad to hear I’m not the only creativity-challenged photographer out there. (I like that term, Julie!). And wayoutnumbered, thanks for the Flickr tip. I’m joining that group now.
Erin, there you go again giving me great resources. I took your advice about the Scott Kelby book, which I love. I am sure to get this! Thanks!
Oh, that book is my absolutely favorite (understanding exposure). I think if you could only buy one book, that should be the one you get.
Erin, I learn more things on your blog than in any book I have ever read! Thanks for explaining things so well.
I just bought Understanding Exposure (used for $10) thanks to your write up! I look forward to all the learning! I’ve been on manual since I bought my first used DSLR (Canon d30). I cannot recommend youth sports enough for learning your camera. You get so many opportunities to take great shots. In a game or two, I was able to learn about the relationship between ISO, shutter speed and aperture. Nothing helps me so much as actually doing it! The instant feedback from the DSLR is wonderful! I gave myself permission to go and practice and be the unofficial “team photographer” for teams that my kids weren’t even on. (Ask the coach first.) If I got good shots then I could pass them along to the parents. If not, then I was learning all the same.
Thanks for all your tutorials and informative posts about pp! I have subbed to your blog. (I found you via CoffeeShop’s blog via 2peas.)
Oh good Marcy. I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for the tip and for subscribing!
Erin