The Traveling Photographer: A Guide to Great Travel Photography (2014)

25. Further Reading

Read on: Anyone whose appetite was not satisfied by the previous pages can find additional useful photography references in the following list. The order of the books is based on nothing other than the alphabet.

This list contains titles I’ve found to be enriching, and I gladly recommend them to others. The breadth of the books mentioned here goes way beyond travel photography, covering other photographic disciplines, photography fundamentals, and matters of perception.

[1] Bruce Barnbaum. The Art of Photography: An Approach to Personal Expression.

Santa Barbara: Rocky Nook, 2010.

A revised and expanded new edition of a classic, first published in 1994, which is often, and justly, referred to as one of the most readable and comprehensive photography books out there.

[2] Alexandre Buisse. Remote Exposure: A Guide to Hiking and Climbing Photography. Santa Barbara: Rocky Nook, 2011.

A book for those who combine hiking and climbing with photography (or those who want to). It covers how to select the appropriate gear for a mountaineering trip and how to use it to get the pictures you want.

[3] Joe Cornish, Charlie Waite, and David Ward. Developing Vision & Style: A Landscape Photography Masterclass.

London: Aurum Press, 2007. “We bear witness to what we have seen. What we choose to photograph, and how we photograph it says what we think, feel and believe about the subject, about the world and about ourselves. Our photography is the world made visible through the lens of our soul.” – Joe Cornish

[4] David duChemin. Within the Frame: The Journey of Photographic Vision.

San Francisco: New Riders, 2009.

David duChemin takes up the question of how to captivate viewers by creating images that are more than simple direct representations. In addition to countless fascinating pictures from all around the world, this book delves into the why of photography just as much as the how. Unconditionally recommended!

[5] David duChemin. The Print and the Process: Taking Compelling Photographs from Vision to Expression.

San Francisco: New Riders, 2013.

An illustrated book that explains the how and the why behind a collection of images. David duChemin includes photos from four different parts of the world (Venice, Kenya, Ice land, and Antarctica), describes the process that produced the images, and shares his intentions when finalizing them. These explanations contain a glut of practical tips as well as thoughts about whether a photo works better in color or black-and-white.

[6] Michael Freeman. Perfect Exposure: The Professional Guide to Capturing Perfect Digital Photographs.

Burlington and Oxford: Focal Press, 2009. Michael Freeman. The Photographer’s Eye: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos.

Burlington and Oxford: Focal Press, 2007. Michael Freeman. The Photographer’s Mind: Creative Thinking for Better Digital Photos. Burlington and Oxford: Focal Press, 2010. Michael Freeman specializes in travel photography, among other areas. His three volumes deliver comprehensive and versatile information about image composition and design. They also include countless annotated example pictures from around the world.

[7] Philippe L. Gross and S. I. Shapiro. The Tao of Photography: Seeing beyond Seeing.

Ten Speed Press 2001.

Surprising insights included! An exciting application of Taoist principles, for everyone interested in taking up the philosophical dimensions of photography.

[8] Uwe Steinmueller and Juergen Gulbins. The Digital Photography Workflow Handbook: From Import to Output.

Santa Barbara: Rocky Nook 2010.

The photo workflow reference – a comprehensive and approachable handbook covering digital image editing with numerous examples. I used the first edition (whose German title at the time was Die digitale Dunkelkammer) to learn how to edit RAW files. Today, I’m still impressed by the immense practical value of this book.

[9] Fil Hunter, Steven Biver, and Paul Fuqua. Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting.

Burlington and Oxford: Focal Press, 2011. Enlightenment through reading: The reading is somewhat dry in spots, but there is a good reason it has become a definitive work on the subject of light in photography. Large parts of the book are devoted to lighting in studios, but knowing the basics of light and shadow can only be a plus for travel photographers.

[10] Chris Orwig. People Pictures: 30 Exercises for Creating Authentic Photographs.

San Francisco: Peachpit Press, 2011.

Ideas, considerations, and tips for anyone who ever takes pictures of people. The instructions and exercises in this book also apply to taking portraits on the road.

[11] Andy Rouse. Wildlife Travel Photography: A Guide to Taking Better Pictures.

Lonely Planet, 2006.

Nature and wildlife photographer Andy

Rouse gives tips on how to take better pictures of animals in this handy paperback designed for travel. The content covers everything from technical aspects to image design, from equipment to process. It’s very readable and has lots of example pictures with relevant information.

[12] Galen Rowell. Galen Rowell’s Inner Game of Outdoor Photography.

New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2010. This is a great book for anyone who likes to take his or her camera outdoors. An exciting, inspiring collection of essays from a brilliant outdoor photographer, Galen Rowell, who unfortunately died much too early. The variety of the articles originally published in Outdoor Photographer magazine is as remarkable as the quality of Galen Rowell’s images, which have not lost any of their esthetics and fascination.

[13] Steve Simon. The Passionate Photographer: Ten Steps Towards Becoming Great.

San Francisco: New Riders, 2011.

Comprising 30 years worth of experience and personal tips as well as a slew of pictures from photojournalistic and personal projects. Steve Simon spells out ten essential steps for photographers, which are designed to close the gap between your claim as a photographer and your actual pictures.

Opposite page: Experimenting with shape, color, and raindrops from inside a car, Chile. Leica D-LUX 6 • 50 mm • 1/250 s • f/2.8 • ISO 160