Lost Canadian
Expedition Leader
As David duChemin and many others have said, "gear is good, vision is better." Of course in order to build on vision one needs to sow the seeds for growth, and I am the first to admit that I was very naive and ignorant of all there is to know and understand just 2 short years ago. My ignorance shone through when I made statements that shunned deeply rooted reasoning with respects composition and design. I still have boat loads to learn but it's funny how opinions can change in just 2 short years, mine now being almost a complete contrast to what I had previously thought and said. In that time I've read a lot of books on photography/creativity/vision/art, some of which were just plain bad, while others really opened my eyes. I feel comfortable with saying that any improvement I've made in the last couple years is attributed to just two things, an open mind and a desire to learn. Talent is not something I was or am inherently blessed with, and my biggest jumps in improvement came when I finally let go of my inner ego and set out on a purposeful path of understanding. What has helped me understand and grow more than anything along the way has been books. So without getting long winded, which I already have, if you've read or come across a book that has helped you, feel free to share. I'm always looking for new perspectives.
Here are a few books that have personally helped me along the way.
1) Photography and the Art of Seeing by Freeman Paterson.
Without a doubt the most important book I've read. Freeman is a legend behind the lens but he's an even better teacher. While some of the images in the book may appear dated, Freeman's words and explanations certainly are not. The book talks about the concepts of design, but it also provides the reader with techniques and excercises for breaking with traditional concepts there by enabling the reader to develop an awareness of subject matter and personal vision. I would recommend this book for beginner to intermediate photographers, but there's stuff in it that can help even the most seasoned photog.
2) The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp.
My favorite, a plainly spoken kick in the butt of a book. If you're frustrated by a lack of improvement or just can't figure out why your images and work isn't progressing as you'd like, this is the book for you. It's not a photography book, but a book for creatives who really need a ********** in the face to wake them up to reality. That reality being there's no growth or success without a lot of hard work. Tharp is one of the worlds great choreographers, and this book gives the reader insights into how she operates as a creative. She opens the door and shows the reader that perseverance, discipline, risk-taking, self-assessment and heaps of hard work are the only real keys to creative success. This book is for everyone, from the beginner to the most advanced.
3)Art & Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland.
A classic and for good reason, this is 'the' book that really gets you thinking and asking yourself the important questions about what, and why you are doing it.
These are my top 3 but there are many others I would recommend. I'll start with these just so this post doesn't get too long.
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