However, in today’s digital age, printed books are often seen as cumbersome when compared to devices capable of holding hundreds of titles. Furthermore, there is a cost difference. Hardcovers, color printing, high-gloss paper – all that often culminates into an intimidating sticker price for a single title. In short, print books are a labor of love – from acquiring, to maintenance, to storage.
Even with all this in mind, we still hold firmly the belief that a home library is a must. Those go-to coffee books, memoirs, and technical manuals that hold must-know concepts and techniques? You’re going to want access to them, especially those who are self taught.
If a mentor is hard to find or if classes are out of the budget, the next best thing is stocking one’s shelves with photography books. Sure, the internet provides an incalculable amount of information with just a few clicks. And, undoubtedly, the world wide web is a great catalyst for creative discovery. Blogs, rich media content, and ebooks are all great and valid resources. But, not everything can be found with a few key words typed into a search engine. And, when it comes to photography, there’s nothing quite like getting lost in image after image as one thumbs through the pages of a new book. Afterall, it’s this tried and true method that has allowed generations to discover their niche and artistic influences.
If your home library is in its infancy, allow us to suggest some titles that will elevate your collection.
Here are five essential books for the self-taught photographer.