Have you been wondering what’s in my kit? What cameras, lenses, filters, flashes, accessories I use. Find out here…
Private Photography Lessons & Field Practice Sessions
Study photography one-on-one with me and learn about the exposure triangle, camera controls, lenses and filters, composition, flash, and digital post-processing!
Want to Learn Your Camera Basics?
I recommend the “The Basic Book of Photography” by Tom Grimm and Michelle Grimm. This is for people who shoot on automatic but who want to start taking control of their camera. Chapters include: (1) Composing effective photographs; (2)Operating your camera; (3) Determining exposure; (4) Choosing lenses; (5) Finding out all about flash; (6)Selecting films; (7) Improving photos with filters; (8) Considering accessory equipment; (9)Using point-and-shoot and other convenience cameras; (10) Delving into digital cameras and imaging; (11)Learning about lighting; (12) Photographing under special conditions; (13)Traveling with a camera; (14) Processing films and prints; (15)Showing off your photographs; and (16) Finding yourself in photography.
Want to Learn CREATIVE Photography?
We recommend “Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera” by Bryan Peterson. This is a really terrific book about how to take CREATIVE photos. He shows many great pictures, talks about how he took them, and gives many ideas to try out. It also gives some basic introduction to aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
Want to Develop Your Photographic VISION?
Knowing how to write doesn’t make a writer. Owning a piano doesn’t make a pianist. And knowing how to press a button on a camera doesn’t make a photographer. Technique is only one half of the equation. The other half is photographic vision. “Within the Frame: The Journey of Photographic Vision” by David duChemin is an absolutely terrific book, and the best one I’ve seen on developing your vision as a photographer. This is a must-own book!
Want to Really Understand Lighting?
“Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting” by Fil Hunter, Steven Biver, and Paul Fuqua is one of the best photography books I’ve read, and hands down the best lighting book! Dedicated chapters on lighting principles, reflection and the “family of angles,” surface appearances, shape and contour, lighting metal, lighting glass, types of lights, portrait lighting, lighting white-on-white and black-on-black all work together to make this an essential text for any photographer. Be sure to pick it up at the store, but be forewarned – it has so much great information that you may find yourself reading it more than once! NOTE: This book does NOT teach you how to use your external flash! I haven’t yet found a really good beginner’s book for external flash, though see “The Hot Shoe Diaries” below for intermediate/advanced flash users.
Haven’t yet figured out how to get the most out of your Speedlights?
“The Hot Shoe Diaries: Big Light from Small Flashes” by Joe McNally is an AWESOME book. He basically goes through 100 or so (don’t remember the number) photos he’s made and explains how he used only Speedlights (external flashes) and ambient light to make the photo. He’s a Nikon user, though, so when he explains Speedlight controls, it’s on Nikon flash. But the book is still extremely useful for others. Best for photographers at advanced, possibly intermediate, level of flash use.
VisionMongers: Making a Life and a Living in Photography
If photography is the air you breathe, then read this. It’s inspirational… Plus, David duChemin is an awesome photographer…
Digital SRL Photographer Magazine
This is a great photography magazine for the beginner/intermediate level. It also includes one Photoshop Elements tutorial per issue. Granted, it’s pricier than the US magazines, but printed on better paper with better quality printing. Sorry to say, but I think it also does a better job educationally for the amateur photographer than its American counterparts, so it’s worth the extra cost.
Published in the U.K., EOS Magazine is dedicated to Canon SLR users, so is an important resource for Canon users! You can also participate in a large number of photography forums on their website. They’ve published my photos in several of their issues.
Also recommended!
The guide to advanced technology and creativity…for the pros…
Photo District News (PDN) Magazine
As a professional photographer, this is my most important and useful subscription. Deals with news and techniques for the pro photographer. EXCELLENT publication!
Want to Learn Adobe Photoshop Elements?
I recommend “Adobe Photoshop Elements 2 Complete Course” by Jan Kabili. Many years ago, I started out with Photoshop Elements before switching to Photoshop. At that time, Elements 2 was the newest version. I’m not sure if the author has done an updated version for the most recent Elements, but you should check. The book comes with a CD with images on it that accompany each tutorial in the book, so that you can follow along with the tutorials. The tutorials are for both Windows and Mac.
“Fine Art Printing for Photographers: Exhibition Quality Prints with Inkjet Printers” by Uwe Steinmueller and Juergen Gulbins is an excellent, excellent book. Even if you don’t want to make prints yourself, this book will familiarize you with types of prints and important factors in printing or purchasing prints, such as inks, papers, and print permanence. If you have an inkjet printer or are thinking about buying one, this book will also tell you about color management and guide you through profiling your camera, monitor, and printer. Going several steps further, the book includes chapters on fine art printing workflow, how to use your fine art printer (installation, adjustments, test prints, etc.), printing packages, black & white prints, image judgement, and even the final step – presentation of fine art prints.
The fine art of matting and framing your photographs
I exhibit and sell my work a lot in fine art galleries and art spaces. How did I learn about matting and framing? From this book… Pick up a copy of “Mat, Mount and Frame It Yourself” by David Logan, and you’ll be able to do it too!
National Association of Photoshop Professionals
Get Photoshop User magazine, discounts, photoshop technical support, and more!
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