Most helpful photography book you have ever read

[aroberts]

Just wanted to see what the best books are (in your opinion). Especially for learning all the essentials in digital photography. I personally haven't read any (yet, which is why I'm posting this

[AlphaBjerke]

I like CS2 Workflow because it helped me get a handle on all the steps from out of the camera to final product. It gave me a plan instead of willy nilly trying things. I am still learning from it.

Also, I have read Scott Kielty (?) while hanging out in the bookstore, and that is pretty good.

[eth3rton]

Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. A must read for anyone new to photography. Of course thats my opinion.

[SNOOPY]

Scott Kelby
The Digital Photography Book Vol 1 and 2

[milosh]

Definitely Understanding exposure and then Learn to see creatively, both by Bryan F. Peterson.
The Digital photography book by Scott Kelby is alright for a kind of book that tells you "...in order to achieve this do this and this" but if you really want to understand the basics, then the first two are a must.

[mainak_ch]

For nature photography, John Shaw's Nature Photography Field Guide is a good book. It covers all sections from choosing the lenses, tripods, heads to wildlife and nature to macro photography. I have read it thoroughly, and got inspired by it.

[Bluenoser]

Originally Posted by eth3rton

Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. A must read for anyone new to photography. Of course thats my opinion.

Concur - really helped me a lot when I was first starting out.

[Chip]

A very helpful book about design and composition is The Photographer's Eye by M Freeman. It's a book primarily about how a good photo is composed - it's not a technical "how to" book.

[chalkie7]

another vote here for 'Understanding Exposure'...excellent starter that is well-written and easy to understand.

[Quo Fan]

Read Bryan Peterson's other book, "Understanding Shutter Speed".