Suggested Reading : Pt 1

I believe like in all things, that great achievements in photography come from hard work and the study of those who set the standards before us.
This is a selection of books that I have read in the pursuit of this goal.


"We must understand the limitations to make use of the possibilities"
Edward Weston


Camera Lucidia by Roland Barthes
On Photography by Susan Sontag
The Photographers Eye by John Szarkowski
Great examinations into what a photograph can mean to us individually and the ramifications in societies as a whole.

A personal favourite of mine is Robert Adams.
His written work and his wonderfully austere imagery. I have read two of his essay books. Beauty in Photography and Why People Photograph.
Both convey sheer love and a deep understanding of this medium.

The Genius of Photography
by Gerry Badger.
An excellent book. Enabling a broader understanding of where we as photographers have come from and with the gift of this knowledge, a better grasp of where we stand today.

The Photograph:
by Graham Clarke.
Incisive. Another look at our collective history as photographers and what that can mean to you.

Landscape Within:
Landscape Beyond:
by David Ward.
Buy these. This gentleman creates some of the most exquisite and timeless pieces I have ever seen. He is an equally talented writer and will enrich your photographic journey monumentally.

The Camera:
The Negative:
The Print:
by Ansel Adams.
You may ask how books written by a man describing processes that are now, for the most part, archaic be of any use to me in this modern digital age:-
Well I say to you, that throughout all time, the process has remained the same. Nothing we do today is any different to what this great man pioneered all those years ago.
If we truly want to stand on the shoulders of giants, then here within your reach is a rich seam of information that will truly enable you to create better images.

Now all you have to do is read them :-)

Brian Mclernon