When you’re a photographer, suitcase space can be more sparse than broccoli at an orthodontist convention, especially with all the props and gear you’ll be bringing to make sure your vacation photo’s don’t suck. Still, if you’re going to bring a book or two, you want to make it a good one. Here are my suggestions for photography related books that will fill your mind without filling your carry on.

Just one of a series of books by Nick Yapp that chronicles the 20^th century decade by decade with photographs from the vaults of Getty Images. These books are packed with a massive amount of interesting photographs as well as interesting facts about the time period. I have most of the decades, though I think the 1930’s is my personal favorite. Bonus: the book is just over 6 by 6 by 1 inch so it won’t take up too much space in that overhead compartment.

For the type “A’s” among us who just can’t leave work at home there is John Harrington’s invaluable Best Business Practices for Photographers. Penny for penny, I don’t think you can find a more valuable book about how to run a business as a photographer. Much of the advice translates well to most businesses, photo or otherwise. Just the sample contracts are worth more than the cover price. At 9 by 7½ by 1 inch it’s not the most compact sized book on the list, but still totally manageable sipping Mai Tais poolside.

Fish Tank Sonata by Arthur Tress is the perfect example of how a little preparation can turn your vacation into an opportunity to create fine art photography. Tress takes various objects, places them in an antique fish tank and then places the fish tank in a setting to create beautiful photographs that are humorous, strange, and thought provoking. Good luck finding a new copy. But you can get it used for as little as 15 cents on Amazon. That’s right. 15 cents. This little gem is only 8 by 8 by 0.8 inches but it overflows the mind with inspiration.

If you don’t have Light: Science and Magic yet, what are you waiting for? It’s magic for cripes sake. I like mystery as much as the next kid, but not when it comes to the most important photography tool in the universe. I’m talkin’ about light! This book won’t fit in your pocket. It’s 9.7 by 7½ by just under one inch so you could probably stuff it down the front of your pants, but something tells me you might get pulled out of the security line at the airport if you try it. Written in a friendly, easy going style Light manages to explain some pretty complicated science without losing the reader. However, if you’re looking to find out the secret behind how they saw a lady in half, you’ll have to look else ware. Get this book.

The Noir Style weighs in as the biggest book of the bunch. True to it’s namesake, a dame could club a broken hearted, down on his luck drifter to death with this 11½ by 11 by 1¼ inch tome and nobody’d be the wiser, see? If it’s that big why put it on the list? You only live once. That’s why. Packed with huge black and white movie stills from noir classics and gripping descriptions from the plots that stopped the hearts of audiences all across America it’s a perfect vacation page turner. Besides if someone tries to mug you for your camera gear, you can hit them with this book and probably knock them halfway to Alberkerky.

If you’ve got a photo related book you think we’d enjoy bringing on vacation, drop in and let us know in the comments below.

Nice!

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