My photography bookshelf….

I was cleaning up my office this morning and was straightening my books that I keep right next to my desk.   As I was dusting and organizing them warm memories came back, and I started to remember why these are the books that I keep an arms length away.  I own over 300 photography books, and field guides.  I’ve enjoyed them all, but these are the ones I pull from the shelf so often that I moved them to a table close to my desk.  I’m not suggesting that you need to own them, but if you are looking for great information on any of these subjects, I can highly recommend these!

From left to right;

Low Country by Bob Krist.    One of my favorite picture books of a region I love , by a photographer I love, and admire even more!

Natural Places by Rod Planck   A beautiful portfolio volume from one of the very best nature shooters out there, and a dear friend.

A Guide to Florida Nature Photography by the Late John Netherton, this is the best guide to shooting in Florida from a man that made many wonderful images there.  John was one of my first friends in nature photography, not a day goes by that I don”t miss him!  Having him at arms length away, is comforting.

Understanding Close-Up Photography by Bryan Peterson.  I taught for years with Bryan and always found him to be one of the most entertaining people I ever worked with, a great shooter who is also a wonderful teacher and mentor.

A B&H Catalog.  People always want to know how much something costs,this is the best way for me to find out a ball park figure.

Full Compass Catalog.  An audio visual company I buy a lot of AV stuff from.

Learning to See Creatively by Bryan Peterson  This is Bryan’s runaway best selling book on how to see and make creative images, I consider it among the very best books you can own.  This is one book everyone should own!

The Art of Photography by Art Wolfe.  Another great book for helping you sort our the artistic part of your work!  Few shooters have more talent than Art!

Nature Photography Field Guide – Close-Ups in Nature – & Landscape Photography all by John Shaw  These three books by John are the core of any nature photographer’s library and though dated because of digital the fundamentals hold true and they are terrific reference volumes!  I enjoyed years of teaching with John, he is truly one of the legends of that field.

Photography and the Creative Life by the Late Nancy Rotenberg.  Nancy was among the most artistic of close-up masters and her work and words of wisdom continue to inspire all who knew her.

Take Your Photography to the Next Level by  George Barr  Another great thought provoking volume on the art of seeing.

Photoshop Lightroom 3 and Photoshop CS5 For Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby    If you use either or both of these programs these are the single best volumes to master them!  Scott Kelby is not only a very dear friend, but the absolute master of explaining what others make even more complex!

Light & Lighting by Michael Freeman   A great book to get your light recognition juices flowing, beautifully illustrated.

The Hot Show Diaries and The Moment it Clicks both by Joe McNally, a great friend married to one of my favorite Nikon tech reps of all time!  Joe is not only a great shooter and teacher, he’s a wonderful guy as well and it comes through in these must own books!

Get Your Photography on the Web by R.C. Concepcion   R. C. is the man, and this book will help you sort out many questions you have about how to get you web presence up and running, the very website you’re reading is thanks to t his dear friend!!!!  By the way his new HDR book was on my desk but it usually reside right in this spot!

How to Photograph Insects and Spiders and How to Photograph Birds (also on my desktop)  by Larry West   Larry is the grandfather of general nature photography and close-up work.  A dear, dear friend and missed in the field!

The Backpacker’s Photography Handbook by  Charles Campbell   A great gear guide for the backpacker or hiker.

The Smoky Mountains Photography Guide by Dr. Bill Campbell   One of the very best guides to the Great Smokies, my home park, for the serious photographer.  Bill had been a long time friend and field shooting friend.  If you are visiting the Smokies you need the book!

The Fine Art of Nature Photography, of Flower Photography and Water, Ice & Fog Photography all by Tony Sweet.  These are not only great teaching guides to fine are nature photography but just inspirational to sit and leaf through.  Tony has been a long time friend and I admire his work immensely!

D700 Manual  With today’s cameras you must keep the manual close-by!

The book with nothing on the spine!!!???  Soul Full…….Emotions by Mark Boris   Still on of my favorite books to just enjoy the incredible vision of a great shooter.  Mark and I have been long time friends and this book, a gift from him of his work, is still one I look at ever so often to remind myself why I do this!!!

Shaker Village by Jim and Sue Haverstock   Another wonderful gift that I treasure for the memories and the wonderful images.  These are two of the wonderful friends God has given me on this photographer’s walk!

Developing the Creative EDge in Photography by Bert Eifer   One of the most valuable books I’ve ever owned for learning this craft, I learned more here than form any other book, I’ve ever read about our craft!  It’s dog eared and I hope I’m living up to what it espouses!

Lensbaby by Corey Hilz  A great guide to this wonderful tool for creative work!

Two more camera manuals! 

One more book on my desk is the little self produced by Sam Garcia  The Second Time I Saw Paris.   Another wonderful book fromwhich to draw inspiration.  Sam is one of the best sbooter I know, I always enjoy his work.

Hope you enjoyed that trip down memory lane!  I sure did…….

the pilgrim