“You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.” – Charlie Tremendous Jones
The formula for my growth as a photographer has been simple:
- Open a book about photography.
- Find myself confused and/or intrigued by a concept.
- Get out the camera and try making said concept happen until I figure it out, sometimes after much frustration.
- Add the new skill to my repertoire.
I’ve repeated that same process over and over again so that at the end of a year, I can look at my images and see the progress. Small, incremental wins over a year turn into an impressive portfolio!
And it’s always good to return back to the beginning. I love to re-read a book, bringing first-hand experience to the words on the page and understand them with new depth. There’s no end to learning and exploration in photography.
This learning process is even more fun when experienced with friends. That’s why I want to invite you along for my Bite Shot Book Club (#biteshotbookclub). I’ll be re-visiting some of my favorite photography books as well as picking up some new ones that have been highly recommended by colleagues. Each month we’ll focus on one book and in my weekly YouTube videos, I’ll show you how to apply key concepts from the book to food photography. Then, the final week of the month, I’ll go live on Facebook and we can have a discussion about the big a-ha moments and share images. Special invitations to participate in the live stream will be happening, so be sure to stay updated by getting on the Bite Shot Book Club list. This list also gets some extra little tips every week.
What are we reading?
I have the full schedule and titles below (*full disclosure, these are affiliate links). Of course, if books aren’t in your budget, you can still follow along with the monthly videos and e-mail tips and I promise you’ll learn lots. But, if you want to really dig in and master these concepts, here’s the lineup through May.
- January –Mastering Composition: The Definitive Guide for Photographers
- February – Light Science & Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting
- March – Interaction of Color: 50th Anniversary Edition
- April – What They Didn’t Teach You In Photo School: The secrets of the trade that will make you a success in the industry
Here’s to incremental improvement, going back to basics and taking our photography to new heights in 2019.
January 12, 2019, 8:45 pm
Looking foruto the bookclub!
January 13, 2019, 12:20 pm
Hooray!
January 12, 2019, 10:35 pm
Hi and thanks about this list , just I realised the first book’s writter is not match withe the title.
January 13, 2019, 12:20 pm
Ah, yes, what’s listed here is the publishing company. Still is the same book.
January 13, 2019, 7:50 am
Love that you are starting the book club with the Richard Garvey-Williams book on composition. I purchased the book a couple of years ago and often pull it out for refresher tips, especially when trying to figure out what I might have missed in a recent image. The examples you present are very helpful. Great job, and thanks Joni; I’m looking forward to the series!
January 13, 2019, 12:20 pm
Hooray! So glad you’ve enjoyed his book, too! Such a great foundation and always fun to return to <3
January 27, 2019, 4:34 am
Wow Joanie ?
Keep it up ????
I learned a lot form you ???
February 3, 2019, 3:52 pm
Thank you!
January 29, 2019, 9:27 pm
Hello Joanie
Will Light Science and Magic edition 3 work too ?
Thank you
January 30, 2019, 7:31 am
Sure thing!! That will work, too.
February 3, 2019, 3:52 pm
Yep! 3rd edition is great, too. Just a few minor changes, but not all that different.
February 26, 2019, 9:04 pm
Joanie, the book club is an awesome idea I just stumbled on after finding your You Tube channel! I will be following your videos on the books!
I am brand new to photography with a DSLR and I have learned so much from you. Thank you for being so generous with your knowledge. Plus, you’re fun to watch! Bonus! 🙂
February 27, 2019, 9:11 am
Hooray! So glad you’re enjoying the videos! More coming soon <3 Congrats on the new journey into food photography!
March 8, 2019, 8:49 pm
best teacher
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July 31, 2023, 6:16 am
This post on Joanie Simon’s website about The Bite Shot Book Club is intriguing! The concept of a book club centered around food photography and styling is unique and exciting. As a food enthusiast and amateur photographer, this sounds like a fantastic opportunity to learn and connect with like-minded individuals who share similar interests.
After reading this post, I also came across an article discussing 5 best online therapy services it’s a reminder that while we immerse ourselves in creative and learning experiences like The Bite Shot Book Club, it’s equally important to prioritize our mental well-being.
Both the post about the book club and the article about online therapy highlight the significance of seeking personal growth and support in various aspects of our lives.
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