It is time to write the letter to the Three Wise Men if you have not already done so, although a gift is always well received, be it for Christmas, anniversary, birthday or just because.
If you are looking for a gift for someone close to you who loves photography or even for yourself (let’s face it, self-gifts are one of the best because we never fail ;)), you have come to a good place. Today I am going to show you some photography book ideas that will fill any photographer who has them in their hands with happiness. But before…
Why can a book make a photographer so happy?
For various reasons, it is necessary to know and understand the history of photography in order to experience it from within. Traveling through its evolution is an essential job that any photographer must do sooner or later.
Another reason is that a photographer needs inspiration beyond advice (although some of these photography books also include it) and observing the work of others often comes with a visit from the muses. In addition, it is a good exercise to train and develop the photographic eye, since most mortal photographers are born without this gift and we have to exercise it. Books like the ones I present to you are a good tool for this as well as a delight for our eyes. Do you want to meet them?
- History of photography. From 1839 to the Present (Bibliotheca Universalis)
- Photography. The Ultimate Visual Story
- Robert Doisneau (1912-1994).
- Vivian Mayer. By John Malof
- Chema Madoz
- Lalibela. Christina Garcia Rodero
- Street Photography Manual. Street Photography (David Gibson)
- Mobile Photography (Photoclub)
- No fear of the flash. Jose Antonio Fernandez
History of photography
1. History of Photography. From 1839 to the Present (Bibliotheca Universalis)
Although it is not exactly a book that deals with the entire history of photography as its title mentions, it is a good way to understand its origins and evolution, mainly through the work of George Eastman.
Hardcover and 768 pages nothing more and nothing less. A billet for €16.00 euros, although the photos are small, it is a very interesting option for lower budgets.
2. Photography. The Ultimate Visual Story
With this work you can learn about the history of photography through a visual journey of 480 pages. Large format hard covers and excellent photo quality make it a must have on any photographer’s shelf.
Price: €28.40
From author
There are authors who must be known yes or yes. His work is wonderful and absolutely inspiring. It would be impossible to put them all here, you would have to create a special entry for it, so I’ll just give you some examples, but all of them must-see 😉
3. Robert Doisneau (1912-1994).
Hardcover (English), from the TASCHEN publishing house. Without a doubt, this French photographer is one of the essential photographers (in my opinion, of course 😉 ). This book is an extensive collection of his work, more than 400 images, a work that he never disappoints.
Price: N/A
4. Vivian Maier. By John Malof
This great photographer has a story worth knowing. While she was working as a nanny she gave us one of the most impressive photographic archives in history. Maier one of those people who are born with the photographic gift and his work is of essential review. Wonderful, admirable and essential.
Hardcover in English. 285 pages and excellent print quality.
Price: €65.99
There is also this other option, in English (136 pages) by N/A .
5. Chema Madoz
Here we have a true genius who exudes creativity, irony and visual poetry. Another essential, a delight for the eyes. Chema Madoz is one of those people who, more than being born with the gift of photography, is a “walking gift.” Any lover of photography should know his work, assemblies that he performs physically in his workshop or outdoors, he does not use editing programs, in this documentary you can see how it works. There are 176 pages with a soft cover for easy handling that covers the series he made between 2008 and 2014.
Price: N/A
There is also a possibility for lower budgets or for lovers of pocket books, a summary of his work in Chema Madoz (Photobolsillo) for about 12 euros.
6. Lalibela. Christina Garcia Rodero
Lalibela is a book for lovers of documentary photography and anthropology. A walk through Ethiopia, its religious and cultural rites in fascinating images. In English, although with hardly any text, as the images speak for themselves.
Price: €42.75
Featured authors there are many more, as I have mentioned, I cannot put them all but you can take a look here in case you find another one that interests you more.
To learn
7. Street Photography Manual. Street Photography (David Gibson)
Published in 2015, with a soft cover, it is an ideal book for lovers of street photography. More inspiring than technical and full of examples. This book leads the reader through a series of illustrated workshops on a variety of topics, such as how to photograph a face in a crowd or how to train your eyes to see and take in the unexpected. Wandering around with nothing specific to photograph in mind may seem strange, but when that magic appears it becomes the most natural and beautiful act.
Price: N/A
8. Mobile Photography (Photoclub)
Essential work for lovers of mobile photography. Tips, techniques, applications, examples and everything you need to get the most out of a smartphone. Mobile photography is not a passing fad, it is a reality. Rodrigo Rivas breaks it down excellently in this 232-page softcover book.
Price: N/A
9. Not afraid of the flash. Jose Antonio Fernandez
This is an excellent book to learn how to use flash. The best thing is that it is written in Spanish, and I am referring to the origin, that is, it is not translated, because many times the translations are not as good as they should be and they greatly complicate the reading and understanding of the theory. In this case everything is understood very well and the whole theory is very well explained and very clearly. It consists of 265 softcover photographs.
Price: €23.65
If you are not convinced by any of these photography books, you can take a look at these essentials. And if we talk about a beginner photographer and lover of digitalyou should consider those edited by Photographer’s Blog.
Enough ideas, right? I already know which one I am going to ask for in my letter from the Three Kings, and you?
I invite you to share it if you find it useful, in this way you let us know if we are on the right track when it comes to recommendations 😉 Thank you and Happy New Year!