The Top 10 Nature Photography Books for Beginners and Pros

Regardless of whether you’re a professional or amateur photographer, inspiration is the №1 motivating factor in picking up a camera and heading outside. Much like writers experiencing writer’s block, photographers can experience a loss of encouragement. Sometimes all it takes to stimulate creativity is advice or work from other artists. Here are several books that offer tips, tricks, and inspiration to get you back into the great outdoors.

Natural Wonders of the World

Natural Wonders of the World is a breathtaking visual guide to the world’s most stunning landscapes. Authored and published by Dorling Kindersley Limited (DK) with a foreword by naturalist Chris Packham, the book features contributions from the Smithsonian Institution.

Natural Wonders of the World takes readers on an inspiring visual journey across the continents, diving into the beauty of the most spectacular landscapes and features on Earth, from the Rocky Mountains and the Namib Desert to the Great Barrier Reef and the Amazon River.

The Complete Guide to Nature Photography: Professional Techniques for Capturing Digital Images of Nature and Wildlife

The Complete Guide to Nature Photography offers an abundance of professional techniques to help any photographer capture stunning images of the natural world.

Written by Sean Arbabi, whose experience includes commercial, nature, adventure, lifestyle, and travel photography, the book is perfect for amateur photographers who want to learn the details of every stage of photographing landscapes, close-ups, and wildlife. You’ll find everything you want to know in this book, from where to go and how to choose the perfect exposure.

Underwater Wild: My Octopus Teacher’s Extraordinary World

For the lover of all things underwater, Underwater Wild, by the creators of the award-winning documentary My Octopus Teacher, is sure to captivate your senses. Using imagery and storytelling, the connection between nature and mental health is explored and revealed.

With an introduction by Jane Goodall, readers will not only enter the world of the undersea forest found at the tip of South Africa, but they will find themselves motivated and ready to inspire others.

Wildlife Photography at Home: Take Great Photos in Your Own Backyard

No need to travel more than a few feet to take great photographs. Wildlife Photography at Home, by European Wildlife Photographer of the Year Richard Peters, reveals secrets to capturing great moments in nature. These simple yet technical tips will surely help anyone improve their picture-taking skills.

A World History of Photography

If you want to dive deep into photography, start by reading about its history in Naomi Rosenblum’s A World History of Photography. Discover the lifespan of photography, from the camera lucida (an optical instrument of the early 19th century) to modern computer technology.

This book covers all aspects of photography in a historical context in addition to over 800 images that will stimulate your senses and inspire you to grab the camera and go.

Exposure Mastery: Shutter Speed, Aperture, & ISO

Exposure Mastery by Brian Black teaches photographers the difference between good and breathtaking images through some of the technical elements of photography. Whether you want to take your photography to the next level or are looking for a refresher course, this book can help.

Digital Black & White Landscape Photography: Fine Art Techniques from Camera to Print

Telling a story through photography doesn’t only happen in color. Digital Black & White Landscape Photography provides information on every aspect of capturing that perfect photo in black and white.

Whether you want to learn how to choose the right gear, study light, calculate exposures, compose images, or determine the proper settings to ensure your printed images are everything you imagined, this is your book.

Read This if You Want to Take Great Photographs

Read This if You Want to Take Great Photographs says it all. Author Henry Carroll takes a lighthearted approach to teaching photography, making it another great book for beginners or anyone seeking a refresher.

More Beneficial Reads

Two more books to consider adding to your nature photography library include Glenn Randall’s The Art, Science, and Craft of Great Landscape Photography and John E. Marriott’s Tall Tales, Long Lenses.

Both books provide various tips and tricks, from technical specs to recommended locations, but they also showcase the authors’ photographs and highlight stories of their most memorable encounters with nature.

Conclusion

Regardless of whether or not you earn your living from your photos, you can always learn more. These books are great places to start.