7 Photography Books You Should Read In 2025

Photography is more than a technical skill—it is a way of seeing, thinking, and connecting with the world. Whether we’re holding a camera for the first time or refining a lifelong craft, the right photography books can reshape our vision, sharpen our intent, and deepen our creative voice. In a medium saturated with online tutorials and fleeting social content, books remain unmatched in their ability to offer depth, context, and lasting insight.

Below is a list of 7 photography books you should read in 2025. These books don’t just teach us how to take better photos; they teach us why photography matters, how to think like artists, and how to create images with meaning and impact.

1. The Photographer’s Eye – Michael Freeman

Michael Freeman’s The Photographer’s Eye is a masterclass in composition and visual design. Freeman teaches photographers to see images as a series of elements that interact dynamically within the frame. Through detailed examples, he explains concepts like balance, rhythm, symmetry, lines, and negative space, showing how these tools guide viewers’ attention. Unlike purely technical books, this work emphasizes intentional seeing, encouraging photographers to think before pressing the shutter. With practical exercises and case studies, it equips both beginners and professionals to create more compelling, thoughtful, and visually sophisticated photographs. It’s essential for building a strong visual vocabulary.

2. Understanding Exposure – Bryan Peterson

Bryan Peterson’s Understanding Exposure is a cornerstone for mastering camera control and creative decision-making. Peterson demystifies aperture, shutter speed, and ISO by linking technical choices to artistic effects, helping photographers understand how exposure shapes mood, depth, and motion. Illustrated with vibrant examples, the book emphasizes experimentation and learning by doing, making abstract concepts tangible. Readers discover how to take control of light and create images that reflect their vision. Suitable for beginners yet insightful for experienced shooters, it provides practical guidance that transforms reliance on auto mode into confident, deliberate photography. Exposure stops being a mystery.

3. On Photography – Susan Sontag

On Photography by Susan Sontag is a profound exploration of photography’s cultural and ethical impact. Rather than focusing on technique, Sontag examines how images shape perception, memory, and society. She challenges readers to question the ethics of taking, sharing, and consuming photographs, highlighting photography’s power to influence opinion and define reality. For documentary, journalistic, or street photographers, it is an essential guide to responsible image-making. Sontag’s essays provoke critical thinking, encouraging photographers to consider the narrative and moral weight of their work.

4. Light, Gesture, and Color – Jay Maisel

Jay Maisel’s Light, Gesture, and Color is a masterclass in seeing the world with a photographer’s eye. Maisel emphasizes that compelling photography is not about gear, but about noticing light, movement, and color relationships that convey emotion and energy. Through vivid examples from his own work, he demonstrates how subtle shifts in lighting or posture can dramatically alter the impact of an image. This book is particularly valuable for photographers interested in street, portrait, or commercial work, as it trains readers to observe and anticipate dynamic visual moments. Maisel’s philosophy: seeing well is the foundation of photography.

5. Humans of New York – Brandon Stanton

Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York demonstrates the transformative power of human-centered storytelling through photography. This collection of portraits, paired with personal anecdotes, highlights the intimate connections possible when photographers approach subjects with empathy and curiosity. Stanton’s work illustrates that compelling images often rely less on technical perfection than on emotional depth and narrative engagement. The book inspires photographers to seek authenticity and build trust with their subjects, particularly in street and documentary photography. By showing ordinary lives in extraordinary detail, it teaches the value of observation, patience, and respect, proving that photography can capture the universal in the personal.

6. Ways of Seeing – John Berger

John Berger’s Ways of Seeing is a foundational text on visual literacy and critical observation. Berger explores how culture, ideology, and context shape our perception of images, emphasizing that seeing is never neutral. While not exclusively about photography, it offers invaluable insights for photographers who want to create work with intentional meaning and societal awareness. The book encourages readers to analyze composition, symbolism, and visual narrative critically, deepening their understanding of how audiences interpret images. By integrating Berger’s lessons, photographers can craft images that communicate more effectively, understanding not just what they capture, but how viewers perceive and respond to it.

7. Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs – Henry Carroll

Henry Carroll’s Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs is a visually driven, practical guide for photographers of all levels. Featuring advice from iconic photographers like Annie Leibovitz and Henri Cartier-Bresson, the book focuses on composition, light, perspective, and storytelling, making complex concepts easily digestible. Carroll emphasizes that great photography is rooted in observation, experimentation, and personal vision rather than expensive equipment. Its concise, image-rich format encourages immediate application, helping readers improve their craft quickly and effectively.

Conclusion

Photography is a lifelong journey of learning, seeing, and feeling. The 7 photography books you should read listed here offer far more than tips—they offer perspective, wisdom, and creative courage.