A good book on the basics of photography (Page 3): All of Peterson's are very well done with Understanding Exposure the quintessential read to grasp the basics, specifically the...

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

CO wrote:

For flash photography, Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Flash Photography" is excellent. It covers many different flash techniques. One of the techniques he describes is how to get even exposure on both the background and your main subject when the main subject is close to the camera. I never used my flash in manual mode until I got this book.

All of Peterson's are very well done with Understanding Exposure the quintessential read to grasp the basics, specifically the exposure triangle. He nails it down not with just easy language but photos. Truly a case where "a picture(s) is worth a thousand words' is spot on. he also has one on flash and shutter plus a field guide.

MtnMan Loc: ID

You might also enjoy The Great Courses "Introduction to Photography" by Nat Geo photographer Joel Sartore.

Be sure to buy on sale. Should be about $79.

Their viewer app for the ipad is outstanding and now you can download so you don't have to be online to use. And online keeps all the courses you have ordered from them.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

al13 wrote:

I would appreciate suggestions for a good book on the basics of photography.

You said "a good book," but there are many sites where you can pick up very good e-books, too. craftandvision.com is one of those sites. Many good and very inexpensive e-books on it. Michael Frye has a very good "Exposure for Outdoor Photography," book on the site.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

imagemeister wrote:

This is the book I used for my class -

http://www.ebay.com/itm/The-Photographers-Handbook-John-Hedgecoe-Original-Book-1977-/350582023331?hash=item51a05124a3:m:m7N9dtJseuDGzTl4TonC_7A

He has other excellent books on ebay .....

I agree about John Hedgecoe's book, I still have my copy from 1977. Definitely good for people interested in film, clearly it doesn't address digital techniques, but covers much of the rest.

For the OP I would recommend something written for modern digital cameras looking at a few of his posts.

exposeu Loc: Wenatchee, WA

Darkroom317 wrote:

The Camera by Ansel Adams

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

The Manual of Photography (Tenth Edition)
Author(s):
Elizabeth Allen and Sophie Triantaphillidou
ISBN: 978-0-240-52037-7

--Bob

al13 wrote:

I would appreciate suggestions for a good book on the basics of photography.

Zenmonkey

Focus and Filter by Andrew Darlow....just released this month...read my full review on Amazon (Chris Dei)

Bill_de Loc: US

Zenmonkey wrote:

Focus and Filter by Andrew Darlow....just released this month...read my full review on Amazon (Chris Dei)

The intro states it is for intermediate to advanced photographers. Probably not the basics the OP is inquiring about.

--

Tracy B. Loc: Indiana

Stunning Photography by Tony Northrop.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Everyone who practices photography really must read Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure. Personally, I own, and have read, several editions and I always learn something even though I've been doing this for 50 years. Best of luck.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

These days many books are coming out as ebooks for smart tablets, such as the iPad. You can do some searching on the Apple App store and be able to read reviews - some might be shout outs but there might be a gem.

advocate1982

imagemeister wrote:

John Hedgecoe put out some excellent books back in the eighties when I was teaching - I used one of his books as a text for my basic photo class. The Time/Life series on photography is excellent also. These books were film based but did give you good basics. Today, you would have to add digital/sensor and software to the basic mix.

"Camera & Craft" by Focal Press is one of the better recent books I have seen.

I would second this recommendation - everything you need to know about photography in one book. The best part is, because it was written back in the days of film and actually printed, it doesn't have much if bad information, unlike many of the books etc you find today

James R. Kyle Loc: Saint Louis, Missouri (A Suburb of Ferguson)

John_F wrote:

These days many books are coming out as ebooks for smart tablets, such as the iPad. You can do some searching on the Apple App store and be able to read reviews - some might be shout outs but there might be a gem.

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Yes!

I have a very good [PDF] "library" I keep on what I call my "Information Drive" (It's a 500 Gig. Portable) .. However. I can Up-Load to my KINDLE "Fire". and read books on that. Bought it as an 'Open-Box' item at Best-Buy for I think Under 100 bucks a few years ago. There are a LOT of [PDF] files Out There to have - some (like e-Books you purchase) - However - Most are No Charge to D.L. and save for later reference.

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advocate1982

James R wrote:

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Yes!

I have a very good [PDF] "library" I keep on what I call my "Information Drive" (It's a 500 Gig. Portable) .. However. I can Up-Load to my KINDLE "Fire". and read books on that. Bought it as an 'Open-Box' item at Best-Buy for I think Under 100 bucks a few years ago. There are a LOT of [PDF] files Out There to have - some (like e-Books you purchase) - However - Most are No Charge to D.L. and save for later reference.

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I would be very leery of anything that was downloaded from the net. I had the misfortune to be housebound for a week or so with nothing better to do than peruse the net, and most of the stuff that I found was not just bad, but down right wrong. It may sound good to those that don't know better but most of what I found was parroting of popular urban myths.

James R. Kyle Loc: Saint Louis, Missouri (A Suburb of Ferguson)

advocate1982 wrote:

I would be very leery of anything that was downloaded from the net. I had the misfortune to be housebound for a week or so with nothing better to do than peruse the net, and most of the stuff that I found was not just bad, but down right wrong. It may sound good to those that don't know better but most of what I found was parroting of popular urban myths.

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Yes... Down-Loading, anything, can get you problems. So with that said - KNOW your source. Always KNOW.

The [PDF] files that I D.L. are good - as I can tell the difference. One again KNOW the source.

When I pass on ANY [PDF], I KNOW that it is true and good. I just do NOT pass along the LINK to the site (sometimes I do IF that is What the person wants). I send files that have been through a good "scrubbing" and do Not contain CRAP linking to ANYTHING. Some people like the link - Well! They might be taking a chance. However those as well have been checked and are good that I have on file.

One does take the chance with the links - With total files, no. I will send to anyone that wants them good and true [PDF] files for their edification, education and help. Never ever had problems.

Sorry if you did. Check them before just Jumping in.

The file that I am intending to send is a [PDF] of Bryan Peterson's books - I have most of what he had written. Just "Private Message" me and I shall send.

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