What books to read?

Hey guys,

I'm on vacation from school and finally get to do something fun! I have been wanting to improve my photography and though I would read some more.

I have read Understanding Exposure and that guys flash book as well. I feel I am lacking the most in action shots, specifically of our dog. I understand servo/AF points/etc but maybe there ie something that would be helpful? I am also weak in being able to quickly setup a flash shot in full manual. With some time I can make it look nice (especially off camera), but I could use a few pointers about how to position the flash/etc

Also a good Lightroom 4 book would be great!

I don't know if it makes a difference but I will be taking pictures on a ski trip for my in laws wedding anniversary (just for fun) so if it can help with that it would be great!

Any reccomendations will be considered really. Cheap is good as well! Even a blog or something to read if it is informative.

Thanks!

Speedliter's Handbook is great for flash. There's a lot to take in though.. i'm only ~1/2 way through it.

I've enjoyed reading some of the older Ansel Adams, recently read "The Negative" and "Natural Light Photography", there was another one but I can't recall the title

This should help: Fill light at sunset

1Tanker wrote in post #15347452
Speedliter's Handbook

#1 for Syl Arena's Book on Speedlighting. He's also got a website with examples.

These are my two favorite online resources for flash:
http://neilvn.com/tang​ents/ (start here http://neilvn.com …h-photography-techniques/)
http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com/ (start here http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com/2006/03/lightin​g-101.html)

HLxDrummer wrote in post #15347400
Also a good Lightroom 4 book would be great!

I found both the LR4 books by Martin Evening and Scott Kelby to be good. Plus, there are lots of tutorials on youtube for various LR tricks.

Thanks guys!

If you care about the output of your images, here's one that was extremely enlightening to me: Real World Image Sharpening with Adobe Photoshop, Camera Raw, and Lightroom (2nd Edition) by Bruce Fraser and Jeff Schewe (Aug 31, 2009)

My top 10 photography training book list. - http://www.dewitzphoto​graphy.com …-books-for-photographers/

rick_reno wrote in post #15348493
I've enjoyed reading some of the older Ansel Adams, recently read "The Negative" and "Natural Light Photography", there was another one but I can't recall the title

I have to agree with this. Adams (for me) had more to offer than just the photographs, as excellent as they are. If still in print, Ansel Adams; an autobiography and also Letters.
Little, Brown, and Co. is the publisher Adams authorized to reproduce his work, and any published by them is probably a good bet. As he describes his darkroom work, it reminds me of what is possible with the "digital darkroom". I believe they reprinted a volume of Adams work in color. I have a copy from 20+ years ago- worth the price.