I know this question gets asked alot, but I am going to ask it again with a slightly different twist. Everything I have found searching the forums is listings of people's favorite books (good thing!) but most deal with specific topics... macro, landscape, wildlife, etc etc.
Background: I have never had any formal photography training. None. Not even something in high school (you know, the pinhole in a can thing). I am a highly interested amatuer and thats the extent of it.
So...
1) What books would you suggest as introductory, hard core material? I want to know about everything from the function of a camera to how the data is transmitted to the sensor (or to film), to the nitty gritty behind aperture and DoF.... lets not forget the 'rules' listed out with examples.. rule of thirds, entry/exit to images, etc
2) What is, in your opinion, the best and deepest look (while still being accessible and able to be read) book on using photoshop for enchancing digital images? I am self taught and know enough to get into trouble and little more...
The best book to start with is Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure. It will teach you the how and why of exposure technique. Once you learn how to control the camera, move on to other topics...
The best book I read that covers a wide range of topics is by David Busch and is titled: Mastering Digital Photography I highly recommend that book.
Also, by Bahman Farzad for learning exposure:
[b]Photographic Exposure and the Simplified Zone System[b/]
and
[b]On Camera Spotmetering[b/]
Make sure you get the latest one as he just updated one of these.
I have a free 10-week photography course online here. Sort of a "beginner's basics" with assignments.
REALLY nice ontroductory course Jodie. I recommend it to all. The first lesson, on compositional models, covers very well a topic that ought to be "must reading" for all photographers.
