Subscription to magazine or buying a book

Renn

True, it's a tad bit early to be talking about presents and all that but I'm just curious about this one. The OH tends to read Digital Photographer quite a bit but a subscription of 13 issues will set me back £70, which is whatever in euro. Personally, I always have a feeling that a lot of the stuff that's printed in these can be got quite easily online and is glossed over quite a bit, I dunno. You could probably say the same for books too. But if you were to pick between the two, which would you opt for? And what books would you spend the £70 on?

They're into fashion photography btw and already own Unseen "Vogue"...


Thanks.

sNarah

Maybe you can get a few specific books by different photographers and their work (as in non technical), they could serve as a form of inspiration?

Then again - since he reads the magazine every time anyway, it surely would be a good prezzie!

Renn

She

Cheers. But then again I don't know which photographers to be on the lookout for!

gloobag

I got a present of a years subscription to a photography magazine a couple of years ago.

Worst. Present. Ever!

You'd be shocked at how often the same information is regurgitated in these magazines over the course of a year. By the end of my subscription I wasn't even removing them from their wrapping anymore.

I think they promote lazy photographic practices and are basically just a way getting you to look at lots of advertising.

I'd recommend, "The Photographer Eye" by Michael Freeman and "Within The Frame" by David duChemin

"Within The Frame" is particularly good.

Renn

Yeah the more I think about it the more I'm disliking the idea of giving someone a magazine sub. Don't think I really like to receive one myself tbh

I'll keep those recommended books in mind, thanks!

Renn

Btw, just had a look at the two you suggested - are they still worthwhile to the fashion photographer?

gloobag

Renn wrote: »

Btw, just had a look at the two you suggested - are they still worthwhile to the fashion photographer?

I don't see why not. Although the two authors are essentially travel photographers, the concepts discussed in the books apply to any style of photography really.

If they're really into fashion photography, maybe a book/tutorial DVD on lighting and posing would be more up their street?

charybdis

If she's really interested in fashion photography, it'd probably be a good idea to get her this book by Richard Avedon if she doesn't already have it. If you want more ideas for books there are plenty of recommendations on that Amazon page, too.

Renn

Can anyone tell me if these would be suitable for a fashion photographer? Clearly out of my depth here!

The Photographer's Eye

Within the Frame


And thanks charybdis, I'll be picking that one up I'd say.

All those links are Amazon, just make sure you check bookdepository.co.uk too for pricing and such.

Might save a few Euro. Would also recommend books over magazines.

Renn

Oh yeah, cheers. I have checked and they are cheaper over there

But I'm still not sure if they're right for someone into fashion photography

DotOrg

to me if you're buying a book on photography, buy a book of a great photographer, not a book about lighting setups or any kind of manual. Great inspiration is so much better than reading technical books

i would learn far more from this kind of book:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vanity-Fair-Portraits-Century-Iconic/dp/0810972980/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1289773881&sr=1-1

or this (though some of his stuff is a little abstract)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nick-Knight/dp/0061714577/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1289773933&sr=1-1

and one of my favourites of all my photographic books
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Magnum-Brigitte-Lardinois/dp/0500543666/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1289774062&sr=1-2

and if you really love them:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/383651477X/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

Don't mean to hijack the thread, OP, but does anyone know of any book/s out there of photgraphers that are just of stories?

I can't remember who it was on here (the user whose avatar is of him holding an apple in front of his face, I think. Username escapes me), but he made a thread asking for advice on shooting a fashion show. Anyway, the thread went on a few posts and he posted again detailing his experience of what happened. Pretty much, it all turned out a disaster for him, apparently (though he did post some fairly nice shots if memory serves me right).

Anyway, just his recapping of the events, the things that went great, that went wrong, etc. I really thought it was one of the best posts on the photography forum in a long, long time. It was just great to read about his experience trying something new and how it all went good/bad for him and what he looked for first, how he interacted with people, etc.


Are there any books out there like that? Just a compilation of stories where things go great or terrible and how it all ended up.

melekalikimaka

dazed and confused or id for a sub

ttcomet

If you have not already purchased the books there is an extra 10% off at the book depository for Irish shoppers. Its in the bargin alert forum here.

I have Pro digital fashion photography and found it quite good. I also have The Fashion Photography Course and it is good but not as good as the first one. Both could be considered a bit basic depending on how long she has been shooting.

Renn

Deleted User wrote: »

Don't mean to hijack the thread, OP, but does anyone know of any book/s out there of photgraphers that are just of stories?

I can't remember who it was on here (the user whose avatar is of him holding an apple in front of his face, I think. Username escapes me), but he made a thread asking for advice on shooting a fashion show. Anyway, the thread went on a few posts and he posted again detailing his experience of what happened. Pretty much, it all turned out a disaster for him, apparently (though he did post some fairly nice shots if memory serves me right).

Anyway, just his recapping of the events, the things that went great, that went wrong, etc. I really thought it was one of the best posts on the photography forum in a long, long time. It was just great to read about his experience trying something new and how it all went good/bad for him and what he looked for first, how he interacted with people, etc.


Are there any books out there like that? Just a compilation of stories where things go great or terrible and how it all ended up.

Bump for this actually!