Hi,
Today I’ll share some books that can help you improve your photography.
There are many more, so if you have any favorites, please share them in the comments!
Sebastião Salgado
My favorite photographer, and also a true role model. His photographs are absolutely beautiful, and any attempt to describe his work feels insignificant and inadequate.
If you haven’t heard of this photographer, I highly encourage you to check out his books. It’s also worth mentioning that he spent nearly a decade working on each book or project. Can you imagine taking photographs for that long without publishing any of them first? In the age of Instagram, that feels like forever.
I also recommend watching the interviews Sebastião Salgado has given, they’re available on YouTube.
How I Make Photographs - Joel Meyerowitz
I probably don’t need to introduce the king of New York street photography. Joel Meyerowitz is still a very active photographer and speaker. He’s a pleasure to listen to and has a remarkable gift for storytelling.
His book How I Make Photographs is a great place to start for anyone who wants to get into street photography.
Reclaim The Street - various artists. Collected by Stephen McLaren and Matt Stuart
This book is like a collection of projects by many different photographers. It’s impossible to go through it all in one sitting. It’s a true encyclopedia of photographs and information.
I recommend buying it and enjoying it a few photographers at a time, maybe two or three per session. It’s an incredible source of inspiration, all in one place.
Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers
Wabi-Sabi can be loosely translated from Japanese as living simply, modestly, and accepting imperfection. Japanese has many words and expressions that don’t have a direct equivalent in English, yet beautifully describe feelings and moments we experience every day.
This book encourages us to slow down and see the world differently. It helps us appreciate its flaws and find beauty in everything, even a crack in the sidewalk. I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a quieter, more thoughtful perspective on art.
Steal Like an Artist - Austin Kleon
This book has a pretty provocative title, and I’m completely against stealing or copying other people’s work. But that’s not what this book is about. It’s really a collection of advice and reflections on how to use what we see around us to develop our own creative voice.
The book shows how to be inspired by others without copying or stealing. Instead, it encourages us to draw from different forms of art to create our own unique vision.
In my own photography, I’m much more inspired by painting and design than by photography itself. I use photography books to learn about composition and what to pay attention to, but I don’t look to other photographers’ images for inspiration. Instead, I find inspiration in other art forms, and even in stories.
I especially love old folklore, legends, and short stories that transport us to unknown worlds.
Monument - Trent Parke
An Australian photographer whose approach to photography will surprise you. This book is a journey through light.
It is beautifully produced, and every page transports you to a different reality. By the time you reach the end, you may even find yourself questioning your own existence.
I recommend experiencing it slowly, in a quiet moment, and seeing how the author approaches photography in this unique way.
I hope you enjoyed the list and found it helpful.
Beata
If you enjoy my work, you can support me on Buy Me Coffee! I’m a small artist based in San Francisco, capturing the city through photography, and when I’m not behind the camera, I’m a middle school teacher.
Maybe consider upgrading your subscription or visiting my website to order a print or my photo book.
Beata
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