Photography book for a beginner...

Mr Joshua · 6 Oct 2015 at 04:52

I'm looking at birthday gifts at the moment for my girlfriend, she's mentioned that she would like to take up photography more seriously so I'm wondering what book would make a decent gift for her.

The book I found most informative and inspirational was Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson, this was years ago in the days of my film SLR! My plan was to give her the book(s) for her birthday and then a few days later, for Christmas, an SLR like the D3200.

Are there any equivalent or better books around for an aspiring amateur?

Sh4rkie · 6 Oct 2015 at 08:10

Stick with that book and the latest edition, it's a good grounding in photography regardless of kit etc.

john_s · 6 Oct 2015 at 08:20

As you mention... Understanding Exposure seems to be the book that is most often recommended for this.

DB_SamX · 6 Oct 2015 at 18:52

+1; I've given it as gift to a few people.

He also does another one on flash lighting; I admit I struggled with it.

a1ex2001 · 7 Oct 2015 at 08:57

I'd agree with al the above he also does a similarly basic composition book that I found to be a good read when I was starting out.

DB_SamX · 7 Oct 2015 at 13:12

a1ex2001 said:
I'd agree with al the above he also does a similarly basic composition book that I found to be a good read when I was starting out.

Didn't know about that one. Might get it at some point.

Nikumba · 7 Oct 2015 at 15:10

Also look at the Dummies Guide for the D3200, got one with my D90 and thought it was brilliant, laid all teh controls out, talked about a lot of stuff.

a1ex2001 · 7 Oct 2015 at 15:52

DB_SamX said:
Didn't know about that one. Might get it at some point.

It's pretty basic stuff but I did find it worth reading when I started out, I have also loaned it out a few times to friends who were interested in photography and they seem happy.