Photography Advice Sought

[Ordinary_Chap]

The initial message was deleted from this topic on 14 February 2010 at 13:50

[GetCarter]

Well if it were me, I'd avoid 'how to' books (if she is learning she probably doesn't want more nagging!), I'd get some inspirational work by other photographers... in the appropriate style... ie Landscapes: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yosemite-Ansel-Adams/dp/08... (a snip at £8.72 inc P&P!)

Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 7th February 14:10

[sidaorb]

Maybe a annual subscription to one of the photography magazines?

As Steve says avoid the 'how to' stuff, does she know what type of thing she wants to photograph? Maybe one of the 'beginners' workshops or a photography day at one of the wildlife centres.

[muppetdave]

I know you said she's early days in learning, but if she's got a shot she's really proud of, look at getting it printed or put on to canvas? My OH did it with the first piccie I was really pleased with and it makes you very proud to really see it in the flesh so to speak.

[sidaorb]

Back to Steve's suggestion then as Ansel Adams was the master

Although you could just give her a link to Steve's site for inspiration and save a few quid

[GetCarter]

Cheque's in the post Carl.

[Chicken Pox]

"Genius of Photography" was recommended to me from PHer here as a good start, it's has a nice mix of how the technical side has developed, history and lots of tasters of different styles/famous names from the beginning of photography to 2000. It's a nice large format so is a nice quality present

[itsnotarace]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Understanding-Exposure-Pho...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Photographers-Eye-Composit...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Making-Landscape-Photograp...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/First-Light-Landscape-Phot...

In fact anything by Charlie Waite is worth having

[Pete Baraka]

This one is quite good for beginners -

http://www.rubooks.co.uk/detail.php?productid=ST01...

The AA Landscape Photographer of the year collections are good for inspiration too.

Pete

[RonJohnson]

Understanding Exposure was recommended to me, found it by far and away the best of the many books I bought.

[heyho]

RonJohnson said:

Understanding Exposure was recommended to me, found it by far and away the best of the many books I bought.

I have this, and it is an easy book to understand. Also by the same author is "Learning to see creatively", which is also worth reading.

[andy-xr]

An ongoing moment by Geoff Dyer, and Image Makers Image Takers by Anne-Celine Jaeger are sat in my "to read" pile

[-Pete-]

The problem with Ansell Adams is he wasn't that great at sports photgraphy. Or portraits. Or macro photography. A new photographer doesn't always know what type of photography they're most interested in, so I think a magazine subscription would be a better present.

Have a look at Practical Photography and Photography Monthly, they'll cover every type of subject, and probably have a free gift if you subscribe (tripod, bag etc).

[CVP]

itsnotarace said:

In fact anything by Charlie Waite is worth having

Spot on, Charlie Waite's work is very inspiring. If you can still get a copy of the book he did with Joe Cornish (another very very gifted landscape photographer) then I would heartily recommend that one. I recall the title is something like "First Light"

Chris

[timatno21]

GetCarter/ Steve

I love your site - now bookmarked. Now need a quiet few hours to explore your photos and get inspired.

Tim