I discovered photography, when I was around ten years old. I was in the process of reading my way around the Ellwood City Public Library when I stumbled upon the Time-Life series, you know that collection of books – silver and black.
From that day forward, books have guided me and my photography. It’s my vice, almost to the point of sneaking books into the house in brown paper sacks so as not to draw attention to yet another book on photography or art or business.
This past summer I spent my time revisiting those books that inspired me, with a particular attention to the seminal works that make up the canon of photo education. In the next few months and looking forward I plan to look at new work for inspiration and solid business advice.
My top ten holiday reading list delicately balances between art and commerce, so here goes.
Dan Winters – Road to Seeing
Jennifer Schwartz – Crusade for your Art – Best Practices for Fine Art Photographers
Latoya Ruby Frazier – The Notion of Family
John Harrington – More Best Business Practices for Photographers
Kathy Ryan – Office Romance: Photographs from Inside the New York Times Building
Cory Doctorow & Amanda Palmer – Information Doesn’t Want to be Free
Jason Fulford & Gregory Halpern – The Photographer’s Playbook
Guy Kawasaki & Peg Fitzpatrick – The Art of Social Media: Power Tips for Power Users
David Campany – The Open Road: Photography & The American Road Trip
Susan Carr – The Art & Business of Photography