Why Photographers Should Study Photo Books

Photo books are the greatest tool for street photographers to possess in their toolkit—more than gear, cameras, or lenses.

Why?

Photo books give you a glimpse into a new world. When I look through a photo book, not only do I enjoy the contents within, but I also think about how the photographer managed to capture particular scenes. Some of my favorite photo books provide a mental catalog:

• A collection of possibilities
• Pictures
• Ideas that I can draw from.

If I had never studied photo books before going out into the world to make my photos, I wouldn’t have a blueprint or anywhere to start.

This, I believe, is the biggest benefit of studying photo books: seeing what works, understanding what is good, and building upon the work of those who came before us.

Don’t Use Social Media for Inspiration

I think this is obvious and doesn’t need to be said, but don’t use social media photographers as inspiration. This is important because I see some photographers just getting started and falling into trends that are boring at best. Instead, stick to the classics and draw inspiration from there.