Yanik's Photo School » Books

YPS’s Top Photo Books Suggestions For Xmas

Yanik — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:41:13 +0000

Christmas is just around the corner and if you’re still not sure what to get yourself or a passionate photographer loved one, then look no further! I’ve compiled a list of my favorite books just for you. The links are to Amazon so you can be guarantied to get them before Christmas.

I’ll be focusing on the most obvious for a photography learning site like Yanik’s Photo School… photography books! We all love reading them but we also want good ones! There are some lemons out there (I have a few) so let me weed out the bad stuff and make some good old fashion lemonade!

Here are my top 5 technical books

The Moment it Clicks by Joe McNally: I can only say great things about this book! This book tops my list! I actually did a full review on this book HERE. Check it out. You’ll see why I love it so much!

Light Science & Magic No, this isn’t a book by David Copperfield. What it is, is probably best photography book I’ve ever read! It’s all about light and how light works. It introduces a logical theory of photographic lighting so if you are starting out in photography you will learn how to predict results before setting up lights. This is not primarily a how-to book with only set examples for you to copy. Rather, Light: Science and Magic provides you with a comprehensive theory of the nature and principles of light to allow you to use lighting to express your own creativity. A must read but be warned that after a few beers, the content might turn into Chinese. I have the old black and white edition and I’ve seen the color edition and it blows me away! It’s on my “must buy” list.

The Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby: I really like this book because each page covers just one trick, just one single concept that makes your photography better. Every time you turn the page, you’ll learn another setting, another tool, another trick to transform your work from snapshots into gallery prints. This isn’t a book of theory—it isn’t full of confusing jargon and detailed concepts: this is a book of which button to push, which setting to use, when to use them, and nearly two hundred of the most closely guarded photographic “tricks of the trade” to get you shooting dramatically better-looking, sharper, more colorful, more professional-looking photos with your digital camera every time you press the shutter button.

Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson: For serious amateur photographers who already shoot perfectly focused, accurately exposed images but want to be more creative with a camera, here’s the book to consult. More than seventy techniques, both popular and less-familiar approaches, are covered in detail, including advanced exposure, bounced flash and candlelight, infrared, multiple images, soft-focus effects, unusual vantage points, zooming, and other carefully chosen ways to enhance photographs. The A-Z format make sit easy for readers to find a specific technique, and each one is explained in jargon-free language. Top Tips for each technique help readers achieve superb results, even on the first attempt.

The Digital Photography Book Volume 2 by Scott Kelby: A perfect follow-up to his first book, volume 2 Scott adds entirely new chapters packed with Plain English tips on using flash, shooting close up photography, travel photography, shooting people, and even how to build a studio from scratch, where he demystifies the process so anyone can start taking pro-quality portraits today! Plus, he’s got full chapters on his most requested topics, including loads of tips for landscape photographers, wedding photographers, and there’s an entire chapter devoted to sharing some of the pro’s secrets for making your photos look more professional, no matter what you’re shooting.

My top inspirational book

Of course, you can also purchase a book or books from the Ashes and Snow bookstore, like the Santa Monica Catalogue. Enjoy!

Happy shopping and happy reading!. Hohoho!

How to easily start up and market your own
profitable photography business

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Photography Books from Santa’s Gift Bag

Yanik — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:00:46 +0000

Ho ho ho! It’s almost that time of year again when families meet, enjoy good food, good cheer and a little too much of the good drink.

It’s also time for Santa’s yearly gift giving. And I thought I would help Santa out a bit by giving him some suggestions for my fellow YPS loyal readers! I’ll be focusing on the most obvious for a photography learning site… photography books! We all love reading them but we also want good ones! There are some lemons out there (I have a few) so let me weed out the bad stuff and make some good old fashion lemonade!

Here are my top 5 technical books

My top inspirational book(s)

If you’re looking for something inspirational or just utter awe, do I have the book(s) for you! Have you heard of Ashes and Snow by Gregory Colbert? Check out the website and get lost in some of the most inspirational imagery I’ve ever seen in my life!

Of course, you can also purchase a book or books from the Ashes and Snow bookstore, like the Santa Monica Catalogue. Enjoy!

Happy shopping and happy reading!. Hohoho!

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Photoshop Video Tutorial – How to Create Black & White Images

Yanik — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:30:52 +0000

In this Photoshop video tutorial, I’ll show you 4 ways of converting your color photos into black and white. I got the inspiration for this tutorial because of the recent Black and White Spider Awards results. This is an international photography competition with some amazing photos from both professionals and amateurs.

Check it out HERE!

Since Christmas is not too far away, I thought I would also take a few minutes and recommend some great black and white photography books. They make great stocking stuffers!

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" target="_blank">Advanced Digital Black & White Photography

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" target="_blank">The Art of Black and White Photography

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" target="_blank">Mastering Digital Black and White

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Summer Holiday Photo Book Ideas

Yanik — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:07:14 +0000

It’s that time of year again! Time to get out the suntan lotion, the bug spray (lots of it if you’re up here in Canada!) and to fire up the BBQ. It’s also time for lazyin’ around in lawn chairs, hammocks and sitting under trees; perfect places to relax and read a good book. And since we all love photography so much, a couple of great photography books is a must have to keep ourselves happy. I’ve compiled a few of my favorite books for you so that you don”t have to wade through and waste precious time in the sea of photography books. All these suggestions are from my blog’s Amazon Store.

Technical Books

The Moment it Clicks by Joe McNally: This book tops my list! I actually did a full review on this book HERE. Check it out.

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The Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby: I really like this book because each page covers just one trick, just one single concept that makes your photography better. Every time you turn the page, you’ll learn another setting, another tool, another trick to transform your work from snapshots into gallery prints. This isn’t a book of theory—it isn’t full of confusing jargon and detailed concepts: this is a book of which button to push, which setting to use, when to use them, and nearly two hundred of the most closely guarded photographic “tricks of the trade” to get you shooting dramatically better-looking, sharper, more colorful, more professional-looking photos with your digital camera every time you press the shutter button.

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The Digital Photography Book Volume 2 by Scott Kelby: A perfect follow-up to his first book, volume 2 Scott adds entirely new chapters packed with Plain English tips on using flash, shooting close up photography, travel photography, shooting people, and even how to build a studio from scratch, where he demystifies the process so anyone can start taking pro-quality portraits today! Plus, he’s got full chapters on his most requested topics, including loads of tips for landscape photographers, wedding photographers, and there’s an entire chapter devoted to sharing some of the pro’s secrets for making your photos look more professional, no matter what you’re shooting.

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Light Science & Magic No, this isn’t a book by David Copperfield. What it is, is probably best photography book I’ve ever read! It’s all about light and how light works. It introduces a logical theory of photographic lighting so if you are starting out in photography you will learn how to predict results before setting up lights. This is not primarily a how-to book with only set examples for you to copy. Rather, Light: Science and Magic provides you with a comprehensive theory of the nature and principles of light to allow you to use lighting to express your own creativity. A must read but be warned that after a few beers, the content might turn into Chinese. I have the old black and white edition and I’ve seen the color edition and it blows me away! It’s on my “must buy” list.

Lighting and the Dramatic Portrait by Michael Grecco: Michael shares the secrets of great portraits with photographers at every level, in Lighting and the Dramatic Portrait. Sections on cameras, illumination, film and digital, creativity and conceptualization, connecting with the subject, and having a point of view, plus intriguing case studies that show “how I got that picture,” make this book a resource photographers will use again and again through the years. Whether the subject is a star or a soccer mom, Grecco shows how to add artistry, drama, wit, humor, and personality to their portrait.

Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson: For serious amateur photographers who already shoot perfectly focused, accurately exposed images but want to be more creative with a camera, here’s the book to consult. More than seventy techniques, both popular and less-familiar approaches, are covered in detail, including advanced exposure, bounced flash and candlelight, infrared, multiple images, soft-focus effects, unusual vantage points, zooming, and other carefully chosen ways to enhance photographs. The A-Z format make sit easy for readers to find a specific technique, and each one is explained in jargon-free language. Top Tips for each technique help readers achieve superb results, even on the first attempt.

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Inspirational Photo Books

Through the Lens by National Geographic: For more than 100 years, National Geographic has set the standard for nature, culture, and wildlife photography. Now, in Through the Lens, 250 spectacular images—some famous, others rarely seen—are gathered in one lavish and beautiful volume. Through the Lens is divided into geographical regions—Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, the Americas, and Oceans and Isles—with a special section devoted to space exploration. Each geographical section features an outstanding array of photographs that exemplifies the area’s unique people, wildlife, archaeology, culture, architecture, and environment, accompanied by brief but informative captions.

Wide Angle by National Geographic: Spanning more than eleven decades, the images in Wide Angle are divided into twelve chapters, each depicting a unique geography—including East and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Polar Regions. Each chapter is introduced by award-winning cultural writer and critic Ferdinand Protzman, whose essays accent the stunning photographs by renowned National Geographic photographers. Both essays and photographs carefully examine a region’s special qualities, creating unique character and its own special and unforgettable sense of place. In Wide Angle, National Geographic photographers have recorded the world’s places close up, in sweeping breadth, in depth, and over time.

Happy reading!

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The Moment it Clicks – Review

Yanik — Thu, 01 May 2008 20:40:45 +0000

Book Title: The Moment it Clicks
Author: Joe McNally
Publisher: New Riders
# of pages: 256
Format: 9″ x 9″ soft cover
Target Audience: All photographers & general public
Content Theme: Technical – Autobiographical – Color Photography
Price: click here for info

One of my favorite magazine photographers of all time, Joe McNally, recently published a book called “The Moment it Clicks” published by New Riders and, of course, being a fan, I scooped one up ASAP. I never thought I would be doing a review on it since the book seemed to target the professional photographer rather than the amateur. Boy was I wrong!

This book is for anyone who loves photography. Don’t be fooled by the soft cover. What you’ll find inside is more than 250 pages of beautiful and awe-inspiring photographs accompanied by a text full of experience and wealth. It’s the kind of book you can proudly leave on the coffee table for guests to peruse through.

I’m sure you’ll recognize many of his photos even if you’re not a photography buff since they splashed the pages of the top magazines like Time, Life and National Geographic, just to name a few. His humanistic approach transcends through his work, his passion.

His writing style is down to earth and quite personal. I actually feel like I got to know a very intimate part of him because of his openness and generosity. The texts are clear, to the point and rich with anecdotes related to the photographs. I had a feeling that Joe was beside me explaining the detailed events that got him to the final image. What more could a passionate photo lover want?!

If that wasn’t enough, Joe gives detailed technical explanations of how he actually did the shots! What a bonus! Not only did I learn more about Joe, I was flabbergasted by his technical generosity! Photographers would pay hundreds of dollars to get this type of hands-on information from a veteran like Joe. And you don’t need to be a pro with tons of equipment to take advantage of his tips. Simple things like his rear curtain flash explanation on page 90 was a moment when “it clicked” for me. Just that tip alone is worth more than the $35 I paid for the book!

The way it’s laid out makes for a fun and easy read. One page – one story – one photo. It Only takes a few minutes to read so you can actually keep it by the toilet (no offense Joe)! Not that you’ll only want to read it one page at a time since I ate through the book in 5 days.

I strongly recommend it to any photo enthusiast. It’s a 3 in1! A gorgeous photo book, an anecdotal biography and a technical photography seminar. How’s that for complete!

You can purchase the book through Amazon by clicking here.

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Bonjour à tous!

Je vous propose un excellent livre d’un de mes photographes préférés, Joe McNally. J’ai eu un plaisir fou à le lire! C’est 250 pages de photos pleine-page accompagées d’anecdotes sur la création de chaque image. En plus, vous trouverez un volet technique sur le “comment” de la photo. Un apprentissage inmesurable pour tout passionné de la photographie.

Le livre est offert en anglais seulement. Pour pouvez vous le procurer chez Amazon en cliquant ici.