National Geographic Photo Basics: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Great Photography

by Joel Sartore

For digital camera and smartphone users, this easy how-to guide, written by an experienced National Geographic photographer, imparts the essentials of taking great pictures.

This entertaining book from beloved National Geographic photographer and Photo Ark founder Joel Sartore shows aspiring photographers how to take great pictures, from framing and F-stops to editing and archiving. Whether you're using your phone or a DSLR camera, you'll learn the fundamentals of photography--and how to put them to work every day.

In a series of short lessons, Sartore explains the basics, from choosing a camera and gear to understanding focus, exposure, composition, and lighting. Using examples from his own work, he applies the basic rules of photography to family, pet, travel, nature, and street photos, and how to get a great shot with the camera on your smartphone.

Throughout the book you'll find pro tips, quick assignments, and the behind-the-camera stories of great photographs; helpful notes clarify how to use every piece of advice with your smartphone camera.

Fun and informative, this practical book will be your gateway to taking great pictures.

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction, Art, Reference, Travel, How To

256 pages, Paperback

Published November 12, 2019

About the author

From Wikipedia: Joel Sartore (born June 16, 1962, Ponca City, Oklahoma) is an American photographer, speaker, author, teacher, and a 20-year contributor to National Geographic magazine. Sartore grew up in Ralston, Nebraska and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in journalism. His interest in nature started in childhood, when he learned about the very last passenger pigeon from one of his mother's Time-Life picture books. He has since been chased by a wide variety of species including wolves, grizzlies, musk oxen, lions, elephants and polar bears. His first National Geographic assignments introduced him to nature photography, and also allowed him to see human impact on the environment first-hand.

In addition to the work he has done for National Geographic, Joel has contributed to Audubon Magazine, GEO, Time, Life, Newsweek, Sports Illustrated and numerous book projects. Joel and his work have been the subjects of several national broadcasts including National Geographic's Explorer, the NBC Nightly News, NPR's Weekend Edition and an hour-long PBS documentary, At Close Range. He is also a contributor on the CBS Sunday Morning Show with Charles Osgood. In 2015, he had an appearance in the film Racing Extinction where he photographed the very last Rabb's fringe-limbed treefrog.

Joel Sartore is a founding Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP).[1] In 2012, Sartore was named a Fellow of the National Geographic Society.

Reviews

[Sabrina Faire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great! I learned a lot of the technical stuff mentioned in the book in my past photography classes but this book adds more circumstantial knowledge and includes amazing pictures. Just goes to show how creative one can be in the art of photography. And I was able to apply the new tips at a special event the other day with other photographers (some professional, some hobbyists) but it was so amazing seeing how different some our stuff came out. Definitely recommend for anyone who enjoys photography.

[steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect book to get you going with the fundamentals of photography. Sartore really takes things back to basics and explains all the elements that you need to factor in to snap a great photo.

While Sartore covers all the topics in general, I also found that he offers up super specific and practical advice, especially when it comes to wanting to shoot something in particular e.g. portraits, sports etc.

I also enjoyed the little assignments scattered throughout which encourage you to practically apply the theory you are learning. I found I took some unexpectedly good pictures from these exercises.

By the end it did get pretty repetitive and the laboured the points about the importance of packing the right gear and being prepared became irritating by the end. I think perhaps the best way to get the most out of this book would be to read the introductory parts and refer to specific parts as needed rather than read it cover to cover like I did.

The thing that I appreciated most about this book though was how Sartore's personality shone through. By doing so he ensured that this is not just another photography book. Sartore wants you to take good picture, sure, but more than that he invites you to see the world from different lenses where you have the power to frame the situation to get the most out of whatever it is that lay before you - regardless of whether you plan to shoot it or not.

[Andrew Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was great. Very insightful and helpful ideas that I can’t wait to use when I’m out taking pictures. I’m more familiar with the manual modes now but with practice I’m sure I’ll understand them more.

[Dani N · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for really breaking down components and the process in a manner that this newbie could easily digest. And I remained interested throughout!

[Stacy Renee (LazyDayLit) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered Joel Sartore through his photography project Animal Ark, which was a children's collaboration with poet and author Kwame Alexander, and have marveled at his skill since. I dabble in photography myself but have never taken a formal class so when I saw that he had a how-to about photo basics book, I jumped on it. It's full of basic information but paired with great personal tips on how to capture the right images.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this as a gift for the holidays, took my time with it. Overall great beginner literature, helped me a lot as I started my photography journey this year.

[Glen Hoshizaki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I continue to enjoy thumbing through this book, reading the short chapters, and examining the accompanying photographs.

After the first chapter on gear the book introduces the topic of composition, before moving on to exposure. For me that sequence worked well. Even though I found gear and exposure interesting, it was composition that was the real hook to photography.

This book is described as the "ultimate beginner's guide". Hyperbole aside, I can strongly recommend this book to beginners. You will be in good shape to pursue various topics in greater detail in other sources.

I got this book somewhat after I was deep into the author's video course on The Great Courses. The book and the video course are quite complementary, though each easily stands alone.

[Suphatra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have gone through so many manuals and it is hard to find one that can strike the balance of a book that provides technical, artistic, and instructional content. National Geographic nails it with this one. You get a solid primer on all the technical aspects of photography (how to use the settings on your camera, such as ISO, shutter speed, etc), as well as great visual examples and explanations of what constitutes a good photo and why. I learned so much from this book and continue to use it as a reference guide when I'm doing research for shots. Highly recommend!

[Zac · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the first half of this book to be incredibly helpful. I've been taking photographs for years, but stopping to revisit the technical basics and relationships between them was incredibly helpful. I also appreciated the tidbits of advice sprinkled in about the theory of composition.

When the book switches to general advice on photographing XYZ thing, I found the pages less helpful. It really just seemed to be the most obvious type of advice.

Overall, I'm happy with the book and think I learned a few things that will make me better.

[Casey Daniels · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basic and fundamental, seems like it's mostly meant for a coffee table... lots of pretty, colorful photos throughout and short bits of writing meant to inspire. Certainly a good book to read when getting started with photography (like, really just getting started). I'll be giving it away to the next person I convince to pick up photography as a hobby ;)

[Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

v informational, discussed topics in a simple way that is easy to understand, yet still containing a lot of well written advice and information. broke down topics with subheadings to separate different aspects of elements of a photo, and included useful visuals with compelling captions that showed examples of the topics being discussed within the pages.

[Doctor J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This very short book is just what its title proclaims, Photo Basics! I’ve been an amateur photographer for half a century, so most of its contents I’ve known for a long time. Still, there were useful little nuggets scattered throughout. This is not a “must read”, but is a good review/introduction/refresher.

[Kent Sheppard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to get if you want to learn the basics of photography. It guides you through how digital cameras work and explains how to adjust the settings of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO to capture stunning photos. I recommend this book to anyone looking to understand the core concepts of photography.

[Yvonne Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I have been taking photos for years, I loved the layout and the information provided in this book. I am looking forward to going back through it now and actually doing the assignments that were scattered through the different sections.

[Sally Kilpatrick]

There are stunning photos, as you would expect. Lots of practical advice, and I plan to use this as a reference as I attempt to figure out the camera I got oh I don't know two years ago? Three? I'll figure it out.

[Erikka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad little guide. I think this would be a great reference material to have if you were starting out with photography. I learned quite a few tricks for certain types of images.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for beginners. It’s engaging, covering a range of topics in bite size chapters so newbies like me don’t get bogged down.

[JennLynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent guide by a wonderful photographer. Covers all sorts of equipment and photo theory. Something for everyone no matter what your level.

[Annette McIntyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book for a beginner photographer

[Ulzii · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would say the best guide book for beginners.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super handy.

[Tom Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great tutorial for budding photographers like myself

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book to learn the basics of photography.

[JLA · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read that offers descent beginner info. Won't learn anything new if you've watched 10 hours worth of free YouTube tutorials.

[brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with cool pictures and useful tips for someone who hasn't used a camera beyond the one on their phone.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to get for those interested in doing photography.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for a true beginner in photography, or even someone who just wants a better understanding of what goes into a good/interesting photo.

[Zhuo Zhang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basic skills are the skills that you need to master.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for inspiration and guidance. Excellent resource and browsing book.

[Kelly Sedinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for beginners. I am one, so, yay!