Best Photography Books

Magnum Contact Sheets

If you think contact sheets are obsolete in the digital age, then get this exceptional book. Studying how photographers work their subject is an essential component of learning the art.

All about Saul Leiter

Saul Leiter got his first camera when he was 12, and during the 1950-70s he worked as a fashion photographer, contributing images to magazines like Elle, Vogue, Queen and Harpers Bazaar. His expert and creative use of depth of field and negative spaces result in exceptionally interesting compositions and intriguing aesthetics. Study his work.

Icebergs to Iguanas

Jason Edwards, 2022

If you're a photographer in search of the best photography books to add to your collection, of course I"m going to recommend "Icebergs to Iguanas."

This stunning coffee table book is filled with breathtaking images of wildlife, landscapes, and more, all captured by Edwards during his travels to some of the most remote locations on earth. From the icy beauty of Antarctica to the tropical paradise of the Galapagos Islands, this book has it all.

But it's not just the images that make "Icebergs to Iguanas" one of the best photography books out there. Edwards' storytelling skills bring each photograph to life, giving you a glimpse into the experiences and adventures that went into capturing each shot.

If you're looking for a book that will inspire and educate you as a photographer, "Icebergs to Iguanas" is a must-have. And with its high-quality printing and beautiful design, it's also a treat for the eyes and is considered one of the best photography books on the market.

Odyssey

Jane Livingstone, 1988

When I first perused the pages of this tome I was taken in by the strength of the storytelling in the imagery. This book features iconic National Geographic images captured on film that highlight the skill of the photographers.

Images of Nature

Charles Craighead, 1989

I was young when this book came into my collection. The landscapes and species distant and exotic and beautiful. Young photographers need such inspiration to push through the inevitable quagmire of self-doubt and error.

Magnum Stories

Chris Boot, 2004

Every great image is surrounded by countless near-misses and failures. The ability to see the creative thought process behind some of the most iconic images shows us all that genius is a process that combines planning, skill and luck.

The Americans

Robert Frank, 2008

Such a classic in the literal sense. A book that always reminds me how a body of work can stand the test of time and transport one to a distant era.

The End of the Game

Peter Beard, 2008

One of the most powerful books ever produced on Africa, and the tragic influence of western culture on the wildlife and people of this vast continent. A book that cannot help but move any storyteller.

Serengeti

Mitsuaki Iwago, 2022

As a young man I read Iwago’s masterpiece time and time again. An opportunity to spend a protracted assignment in such a location was a dream to me. A dream I still carry.

Portraits of America

William Albert Allard, 2001

Patience, compassion and a genuine interest in the people’s he documents are a cornerstone of the images in this book. Subtle and accurate, beautiful and informed, they are the work of a Master.

Koudelka

Josef Koudelka, 2007

I love the thought of seeing the world in monochrome through a fixed lens. It’s alluring and elusive to me and yet not a path I will tread. This body of work reminds me of the depth of the stories one can create with such vision.

The Suffering of Light

Alex Webb, 2011

Deep shadows as independent creative elements, bold colours and hard lines, perfect moments and fantastic compositions. These are what have me leaping from page to page through this wonderful book.

Magnum Landscape

Ian Jeffrey, 2001

The small physical size of this book belies it’s presence. It is a wondrous collection of moments from the Magnum archive displayed simply and elegantly. A fantastic journey to be undertaken over a glass of wine.

Harry Gruyaert: Edges

David Campany, 2019

When a photographer creates a collection of images from their many journeys the result can be jarring or wonderful. This book is the latter; moments and compositions so perfect they appear staged, and yet were not.