Books on the subject of Photography

What are some recommendations to read about the subject of photography? Not talking about how-to books or basic aspects of photography like Understanding Exposure. More like studies in black and white or essays on Ansel Adams or collections of photographer interviews or commentary on Annie Liebowitz's portraiture? Maybe even scientific papers on the recurrence and example of divine proportion in photography.

I'm wanting to find new inspiration as I'm in sort of a rut. I want to branch out and comprehend the art better and flipping through photo collections of past and present photographers only takes my understanding so far.

Suggested reading from this thread:

• Gregory Heisler: 50 Portraits: Stories and Techniques from a Photographer's Photographer by Gregory Heisler and Michael R. Bloomberg
  
• The Mind's Eye: Writings on Photography and Photographers by Henri Cartier-Bresson
  
• The Daybooks of Edward Weston by Nancy Newhall and Edward Weston
  
• On Photography by Susan Sontag
  

Don't know if this is the direction you're looking for but The Daybooks of Edward Weston come to mind. Ever read Susan Sontag's On Photography?

Ooo... exactly what I'm looking for. Adding those to the first post list.

I'm going to have to consider myself a new student to the art (at the age of 36). I have been too caught up acquiring gear and making what I think are "pretty" images. I want to step back and learn more from insight.

I hope others have many more suggestions.

I'm thinking about selling off all my Canon gear and then rely on a smaller Fuji that I can carry with me at all times. I need to create more. I want to be inspired to see the world differently... I'm so tired these days, otherwise.

Nathan wrote in post #18161098
Ooo... exactly what I'm looking for. Adding those to the first post list.

I'm going to have to consider myself a new student to the art (at the age of 36). I have been too caught up acquiring gear and making what I think are "pretty" images. I want to step back and learn more from insight.

I hope others have many more suggestions.

I'm thinking about selling off all my Canon gear and then rely on a smaller Fuji that I can carry with me at all times. I need to create more. I want to be inspired to see the world differently... I'm so tired these days, otherwise.

Great. Glad that helped you out. I find inspiration in biographical writings sometimes too. I recently re-read biographical works on Ansel Adams and Robert Capa. I find myself in awe of the single-minded focus of these individuals. Film is another source for biographical material. One of my favourites is a W Eugene Smith biopic titled Photography Made Difficult. Here is a list of photography related documentaries that I came across a while ago. I pick a tile and research it to see if it might interest me. Most aren't hard to find and many are available on YouTube.

https://www.reddit.com …taries_about_ph​otography/

On the subject of your gear, that is an interesting one. I can't let go of my Canon gear because mirrorless doesn't cover all of my bases but I have toyed with mirrorless over the past couple of years. I decided the best case for me was to add a mirrorless to my kit and after playing with Olympus and Sony I chose the Fuji XT-1. I have 2 small native lenses and I have to admit that the portability factor is one thing the mirrorless world has going for it but that really wasn't my biggest motivation for acquiring it. I use it mostly for adapting my M42 lens collection which opens up a whole world of creative possibilities. That said the only advice I can offer is that switching systems can be cumbersome and disappointing if you jump in all at once. If you have the possibility I'd suggest trying before you buy. So I hope those additional recommendations are of some use to you. Best of luck.

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. I think I'm just a bit down about photography nowadays. I don't engage with the scene or the subject. Part of it is due to my not photography my own interests. Because I have the gear, I've been asked to photograph events and portraits. I feel like I have to deliver what other people want, not what I see.

This was supposed to be my hobby and my release and it's started to feel like work these past few years. Part of going all in is about re-invention. Starting over. Re-approach.

I am hoping to find some comfort in looking at the art and craft more academically by reading and then become newly inspired to start shooting for myself again. I really hope that occurs.

Lots of suggestions in the sticky along with descriptions.
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=53846

Next on my list to get is Photographers Sketchboks by Stephen McLaren. From my research of reviews, etc. It sounds like the type of book you are looking for. I'm looking for the same type of books. Also, I heard Jay Maisel speak for about 2.5 hours a couple years ago and if his books are anything like his speaking, I would read them most likely more than just once. I'm ordering It's Not About The FStop by him.

gjl711 wrote in post #18161127
Lots of suggestions in the sticky along with descriptions.

Maybe I missed something when I browsed through the titles and looked through some book reviews. I don't think those are quite the type of books I'm looking for. I'm not really looking for books that teach the principles of photography or about how to do it... rather, I think I'm looking for books that talk about about the photograph or about the photographer.

EricaC wrote in post #18161138
Photographers Sketchboks by Stephen McLaren... Jay Maisel... It's Not About The FStop.

I think these fall into the category of how-tos and lessons. Thanks for the suggestions, though.