Which Art Books to Study for Photography??? 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.

bkellyusa Loc: Nashville, TN

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.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

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.

Books on composition are probably the best to start reading. It's one, probably primary, topic that crosses the media of painting and photography.

Another would be any that analyze lighting.

Color theory is also a good topic to study.

I'd start at your public library. If they have a research department, the research librarian will be instrumental in assisting you. After you find suitable material, you can consider purchasing those books from your favorite book store for continued reference.
--Bob

ricardo7 Loc: Washington, DC - Santiago, Chile

Initially I would stay away from anything that is "How to" such as composition, lighting, color etc. Go to museums and look at everything and try to figure out what it is that makes a painting/drawing/sculpture special. Explore the internet for the master painters/artists. Ditto the masters of photography. Stay away from Camera Club pictures.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

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.

Rudolf Arnheim, 1904-2007, Perceptual Psychologist

Art and Visual Perception: A Psychology of the Creative Eye

Entropy and Art

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

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.

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

MDI Mainer

For landscape photography, this classic work elucidates clear principles for good composition in a myriad of situations:

Edgar Payne, Composition of Outdoor Painting

http://www.amazon.com/Composition-Outdoor-Painting-Edgar-Payne/dp/0939370115

Here is a sample page.

Sample page from Payne, Composition of Outdoor Painting

bkellyusa Loc: Nashville, TN

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

Thanks! I like Adam Marelli anyway but I didn't know he had any sort of online lessons. I will buy all of them.

Thanks you very much.

ricardo7 Loc: Washington, DC - Santiago, Chile

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

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

28-volume Time-Life Library of Art unless you're more specific about your interests.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

If you are interested in Landscape images, I would look for books from Ansel Adams. If you are interested in the Fine Art Figure Photography, Edward Weston.

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.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

What type of photography are you interested in? My current interest is Landscape, Nature and Wildlife.

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.

bkellyusa Loc: Nashville, TN

PixelStan77 wrote:

What type of photography are you interested in? My current interest is Landscape, Nature and Wildlife.

I like anything outdoors. Other than that I have a real affinity for shooting at night in the city. Not necessarily "street photography" but mostly anything that is lit in an interesting way including buildings, traffic, display windows and neon signs.

CO

I downloaded the ebook:" Visual Flow: Mastering the Art of Composition" by Ian Plant. It has an analysis of composition masterpieces by great painting masters.
http://ianplantdreamscapes.myshopify.com/products/visual-flow-mastering-the-art-of-composition

Impressionist

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.

Try to visit art museums that may be close to you. You will find them worth the pilgrimage. There is nothing that will teach you as much as seeing a masters work up close. For a visual artist, seeing something like a Monet painting up close is a spritual experience. Visiting a place like the Clark Institute is is like going to church. Many have classes and guided tours. Bring your camera. When you leave you will have a new eye.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Composition is Key to a good photo. This is a huge, free, study of the human reaction to shapes and form:
http://truecenterpublishing.com/photopsy/article_index.htm