Have you actually read all of the books you recommend for photography?

What your question illustrates is the limitation of books, and remote learning in general, that's why I always advise joining a good Club, there is no quicker or better way to learn photography than going on a shoot with an experienced photographer. By being there they can make sure you understand correctly, and then follow up and expand on it the next week. Within a year you will be in total control of your camera and what to do in different circumstances, genre's and for different effects. More importantly you learn WHY things work the way they do. Then (and only then) can you understand what the author is getting at, you need the 'overview', til then books could be written in Ancient Greek for all the information they convey. The same applies to the myriad of information on the Web, you have to have the base knowledge under your belt before that makes sense. Chris

I am sure you are referring to Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. I don't think it's complicated at all; I think the title fits the content; and I think the whole thing talks about exposure. I have had many discussions with others who have read it and they thought it was a valuable and knowledgeable book. Different people understand and process things differently. Maybe that book just isn't for you. That's neither bad nor good; it's just not a book you find valuable and knowledgeable. A different author's take on it might be better for you, or a different style of book. Maybe you learn better by looking at diagrams or videos. As far as beginners asking for book recommendations: if they are wanting to "go to the next level," they should DEFINITELY know what every term in that book means, or if they don't yet at the time of reading, then they should make the effort to go find out. If people are reading it and coming across words they don't understand, they should look them up. And yes I have a copy and I have read it and clearly lots of others have too, since it has sold tens of thousands of copies.

I think I am the person who recommended researching dragging the shutter last week to a novice wedding photographer :-D I think it does more good if the person actually does the reading about the subject themselves rather than depending only what one will be able to get in a few paragraphs here on Y!A. It does seem to be a common thing for beginners here to expect to learn everything by asking a few questions rather than putting in years of study and practice. I have read the books I recommend, and have many of them in my library. I learn by reading, study, and then doing. That plan might not work for everyone. Bryan Peterson is a favorite of mine, although I agree "Understanding Exposure" is more about the whole of photography, which is why I often recommend it to beginners. It is well written and easy to grasp for newcomers to the hobby., even if it is a little short on, well... exposure. But the most important overlooked reference is the camera manual. *EDIT* @ Jeannie I also recommend the Kodak 35mm SLR Handbook sometimes. It is the first book I had in my photo library in the 70's. I did not realize they had a digital version as well. Kodak also has a multi-volume photography series that is worth picking up. I found mine at a flea market several years ago. Another good series is the Time-Life Photography set.

I have to admit that I haven't. I'm planning on picking up "Understanding Exposure" this summer. :) Admittedly, I also always recommend Scott Kelby's 4 book set which is a great resource for someone starting. :p

The one book I ALWAYS recommend for any photographer is the camera manual that they have for their camera(s) (or should have gotten with it anyway). And yes, I have read every one of my camera manuals several times...cover to cover. As far as other books go, I normally don't recommend anything in particular without knowing a persons reading and comprehension skills. Some books maybe labeled as "beginner", but their definition of that word varies too much. For example, I purchased a book (unrelated to photography), and was told "It's about 900 pages, but it's easy reading". During the first chapter, I was digging out various reference books and using online material just to understand things. It turns out to be written for someone who is at least a 2nd year English Major that is familiar with several Islamic religions. It was a great book....but not so easy. .

I have not read any of the books I recommend. My recommendations come from good sources, such as Shutterbug magazine, that reviews and highly recommends a certain book. I have never, ever, based any recommendation on answers given here. I get quite put off by the incessant plugging of the book you are talking about. I very much doubt that anyone suggesting it has actually even seen it, much less read it. steve

It's a photography book. Odds are most people that own it have never read it, but just flipped through the pictures and read the bullet points. They're artists after all, they usually read as much as jocks.

LOL I not only have read the books I recommend, but they are in my library and I refer to them often My two most used are "CMYK 2.0" by Rick McCleary and "The Five C's of Cinematography", by Joseph V. Mascelli. The book I recommend for learning the fundamentals of photography is "Basic Guide to Photography" by Lou Jacobs Jr. I think one of the issues I see here the most is a new person using made up names for things rather then looking in their user manual for the correct term. My favorite is the "eye hole". Usually the view finder is listed in the first few pages of a user manual.

Always. I'd have a hard time recommending the book if I hadn't read it.