Question:

[lakemonster11]

A friend of mine sent me an email asking for photography book recommendations:

"I'm looking for something more about composition technique/theory than basic
technical stuff - I'm familiar with basic technical theory - f/stops,
shutter speed, depth of field, etc, and I'm not going to ever use film, so I
don't need any dark-room information."

The books that I have are pretty technical, except for A New History of Photography by Frizot, which I think is an excellent resource for compositional inspiration because of its excellent collection of famous photographs, but maybe not compositional theory.

Does anyone have any recommendations for my friend?

Thanks!

[F.Gordon]

1. "The Photographer's Manual" by John Freeman

It's an old book. All film shots. I picked it up for $6.00 in the bargain shelves at one of the chain Book Stores. A very good book that I've read through a few times and keep referring to. 80% of the book deals with composition/technique. TONS of good pointers... now if I could just remember one of two of them when I'm out snappin' away....
:dunce:

[lakemonster11]

2. Thanks.

I'll pass that along.

[ConsAreLiars]

3. If you know more about the specific fields of photography your friend

is interested in, you might also look for "how-to" books by some of the photographers who work in that field. (Nature, portraits, news, sports ....) A lot of working pros give seminars and write about their approach.

Art Wolfe, however, credits his background in art for the success of his nature photos, and recommends classic art training as a useful experience, so books on aesthetics generally should be worth a look. No specific recommendations.

[lakemonster11]

4. That's a good idea.

He's living in Japan right now, so my guess is that he's currently interested in travel photography.

Thanks.

[RagingInMiami]

5. This is a good one

The A-Z of Creative Photography: Over 70 Techniques Explained in Full
By Lee Frost 1998