Which Art Books to Study for Photography???
Jan 13, 2016 07:17:29 #
Apaflo wrote:
I had an instructor recommend those and others. Standard art history books are good too, Gardner's and Janson's come to mind. And I mean history of art more to study the paintings than the photography in them, though they likely have good examples of photographs as well. Sorry, it has been years since cracking open any of those books.
Jan 13, 2016 07:59:25 #
Alibris has a huge assortment of used books for very good prices.
http://www.alibris.com/?utm_term=alibris&utm_campaign=none&adpos=1t1&creative=86097008769&device=c&matchtype=e&network=g&gclid=Cj0KEQiAiNi0BRDaobaq3dKJhrwBEiQAyVThzfYNRH98EYCY-PPqc146nuM347mgs2Kzgj4xZfiKu9EaAqk98P8HAQ
http://www.alibris.com/?utm_term=alibris&utm_campaign=none&adpos=1t1&creative=86097008769&device=c&matchtype=e&network=g&gclid=Cj0KEQiAiNi0BRDaobaq3dKJhrwBEiQAyVThzfYNRH98EYCY-PPqc146nuM347mgs2Kzgj4xZfiKu9EaAqk98P8HAQ
Jan 13, 2016 07:59:33 #
bkellyusa wrote:
I often hear from experienced photographers that it is a good idea to study the elements of art from art books to improve your photography. That makes sense to me so I would love to hear from people here exactly what books people might recommend for such study.
Thanks in advance for any help I get.
Thanks in advance for any help I get.
Any and all of them. Just look at great images... Great compositions. Most 2D art forms can inspire photographers.
Do be sure you learn the fundamentals of technical photography as well. Without decent understanding there, it's difficult to execute any artistic vision.
When I grew up, I read everything I could find about great photographers. I looked at their works over and over. I read analyses and critiques and made my own decisions about what I saw.
Your artistic tools become defined over time both by seeing and doing. So see and do as much as you can!
Jan 13, 2016 08:04:24 #
ricardo7 wrote:
Thought this might be interesting:
"Consulting the rules of composition before taking a photograph is like consulting the laws of gravity before going for a walk."
-Edward Weston
"The so-called rules of photographic composition are, in my opinion, invalid, irrelevant and immaterial"
- Ansel Adams
"Consulting the rules of composition before taking a photograph is like consulting the laws of gravity before going for a walk."
-Edward Weston
"The so-called rules of photographic composition are, in my opinion, invalid, irrelevant and immaterial"
- Ansel Adams
Amen! There ARE useful patterns. There aren't rules. Do what feels good. Your brain learns the patterns from birth! They're there. Find them.
Jan 13, 2016 08:06:31 #
OddJobber wrote:
28-volume Time-Life Library of Art unless you're more specific about your interests.
The Time-Life Library of Photography is also worth a look. It's technically dated, but the thousands of photos are classics.
Jan 13, 2016 08:31:28 #
For Night Photography I would suggest: http://www.amazon.com/Night-Photography-Andrew-Sanderson/dp/0817450076 and for landscape http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Landscape-Photography-Footsteps-Masters/dp/113885980X/ref=dp_ob_title_bk. The last book is about Ansel Adams and other Masters
bkellyusa wrote:
I often hear from experienced photographers that it is a good idea to study the elements of art from art books to improve your photography. That makes sense to me so I would love to hear from people here exactly what books people might recommend for such study.
Thanks in advance for any help I get.
Thanks in advance for any help I get.
Jan 13, 2016 08:35:39 #
wanderingbear
Loc: San Diego
Suggestion. If you have an Art Museum close go and take your time and look at the work of the Masters. Se how they used light and shadows. Also composition. If no Museum your Library will have many Usually really large print books on the Masters.
Bear
Bear
Jan 13, 2016 09:09:50 #
Jan 13, 2016 09:11:23 #
Many good suggestions have been made here already. Professional art historians introduce their students to art using textbooks by Janson (History of Art), Gardner and also Fleming. I would recommend studying one of the great masters of all time: Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665). Wikepedia offers a complete list of his paintings in color and it's free!
Jan 13, 2016 09:43:32 #
Jan 13, 2016 10:11:05 #
burkphoto wrote:
Any and all of them. Just look at great images... ... (show quote)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I too = ""I read everything I could find about great photographers. I looked at their works over and over.""
The BASIC parts of photographic study begin with the understanding of camera use...
Aperture - Shutter Speed - ISO.... And How each effects the other. Soon you will know exactly what to use to make YOUR art - in Your style.
I am a "Cross-Over" artist.... Painting - Drawing and Music.
You will, perhaps, be surprised as to just how many photographers were, are, Musicians - or love Music. I have always some music going when I work over a photo RAW image that I intend to make into a print.
BUT... It first begins in your mind - Your "Minds-Eye". Pre-Visualization - IS the word.. I as well as many other photographers = Look Toward The Making Of A Print.
READ - EVERYTHING about ANY ART.... Apply that to what YOU feel YOU want to do with YOUR art.
Jan 13, 2016 10:59:05 #
Impressionist wrote:
Try to visit art museums..... When you leave you will have a new eye.
That's why museums don't allow tripods. :-( (Sorry.)
Jan 13, 2016 11:00:31 #
My photo buddy for a few years retired from the Art Department in Utah Higher Ed after a full career as an Art History professor. He then took a position here in Central Oregon at the Community College where I teach computer classes.
He was also a accomplished large format photographer.
He attributed all his photo work to his background in Art History, and told me often the best background was the study of Art History. I took a few of his classes and it helped considerably in how to see and visualize.
I also have looked over this host of links for many aspects of art re: photography.
http://www.photoinf.com/ :thumbup:
He was also a accomplished large format photographer.
He attributed all his photo work to his background in Art History, and told me often the best background was the study of Art History. I took a few of his classes and it helped considerably in how to see and visualize.
I also have looked over this host of links for many aspects of art re: photography.
http://www.photoinf.com/ :thumbup:
Jan 13, 2016 11:45:38 #
rpavich wrote:
I'd recommend Adam Marelli's Udemy courses on "Art for the photographer"
Very very good. Same idea as reading a book but more fun
Very very good. Same idea as reading a book but more fun
Good advice. Udemy courses are excellent. I've taken a few. I learned layering and masking from a course. Super easy to understand.
Jan 13, 2016 12:18:09 #
As both an artist and photographer I would suggest studying really good photography to learn from the experts. The most important things to learn are composition and lighting. Check out the Topics section. There is a wealth of information to be had here. Or get some really good books on photography. Above all else is thorough understanding of your camera and it's capabilities. Without that all the knowledge of art or photography you have won't help.
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