Notable Books on Photography in 2008

Photography is actually more about seeing than taking photos; the insights of others can greatly enhance your own vision. That's why I always enjoy reading books by photographers or photo critics. Here are some interesting books I read in 2008. Again they are not in any specific order.

The Moment It Clicks (by Joe McNally)
This is the most useful photography book I read in 2008. It also gives you a good feel of how a photographer's life is like (tough, very tough). Unlike other photography books, the book is organized as episodes (each one about two pages). In each episode, Joe showed you a photo (most of them published in magazines like National Geographic, Life, etc), told you the story behind it (usually very funny), and the techniques he used to get the shot.

I learned a lot about lighting (especially the use of flash) from this book. Now it's still among my piles of bed time reading books.

Landscape Beyond (by David Ward)
I used to think David Ward is a better writer than photographer, but this book does showcase some of his best work so now I revise my earlier opinion. Still, Ward is one of those rare landscape photographers who can write eloquently and with great insight. Reading this book is like having a conversation with a seasoned photographer and hearing about his practice.

The Americans (By Robert Frank)
Like so many classics you had only heard about but never really seen, Frank's "The Americans" had been mentioned in so many books (e.g. Sontag's "On Photography") but was out of print for years. The reissue of this photo book is great because it also restores the order of those photos as Frank intended. Reading this book is like thumbing through an old family album of a road trip in the 50s. Did that America really exist?

Ways of Seeing (By John Berger)
This is another classic I had missed. It's based on the BBC series John Berger had helped made in the 70s. Berger's view on image and advertising is still fresh to read.

Equus (By Tim Flach)
No, not that play, but I am sure Tim Flach is just as obsessed. This book contains the most beautiful images I have ever seen about horses. It's also a great meditation on how a theme or subject can be approached in many different ways. After Yann Arthus-Bertrand's great images in "Horses", I thought nobody can do a better job, but Tim Flach has proved me wrong.