I get lots of photo questions this time of year, and many of them begin with “What is the best . . . .” They usually come from photographers or someone shopping for a photographer.
Here is my list of “best of the best” of articles recommending the best photo gear, software, books, DVDs, calendars, online photo labs, and a whole lot more.
Posted Nov. 19, 2016. Re-posted Dec. 17, 2016 and updated Dec. 28, 2016.
PHOTO LABS
How To Get The Best Results From The Best Online Photo Labs
How Long Will Your Photo Lab Prints Last?
BUYING ADVICE
Should You Buy “Gray Market” Photo Equipment?
Camera Choices: Using Full Size Test Images from DPReview.com
PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR
The Best Digital Cameras – 2016 (Including 2010 – 2015)
GoPro Hero5: Amazing, Small, Inexpensive, HD Video (& Still) Cameras
Inexpensive Gifts (Starting at $8)Â for Photographers
Tripod Recommendations: The Best of the Best
Tripod Head Recommendations: Some of the Best of the Best
The Best Camera Quick Release System
Best Panorama Gear: Living In Panorama Heaven
The Best Closeup Photography Equipment
Light Modifiers (Softeners) for Speedlites
“How To” Series: Off-Camera Flash – Twelve articles that introduce you to off-camera flash equipment and how to use it. Purchase links are included.
Some of the Best Off-Camera Flash Equipment
Radio Controlled Speedlites: Yongnuo YN600EX-RT vs Canon 600EX-RT
AlienBees: High Quality, Economical Studio Lights
Putting Together a “Studio in a Backpack”. Everything you need to take a small, portable portrait studio on the road. And you may have some of the items already.
The Best Incident Light Meters
Keeping Your World Straight With A Double Bubble Level
Astrophotography with the iOptron SkyTracker
Wireless Photo Transfer and Camera Control with CamRanger – one of the best, most economical ways to get wireless camera control and wireless image transfer in one small package.
Get Sharper Images By Using The Best Lens Calibration Tools
Best Memory Cards for Digital Cameras
The Best Digital Photo Storage
THE BEST DATA-RECOVERY SERVICES
My Hard Drive Crashed! Where Do I Send It To Get My Data Back?
SATELLITE COMMUNICATORS
The Messaging Devices That Can Save Your Life
PHOTO SOFTWARE
The Best Image Editing Software
2017 CALENDARS
Beautiful 2017 Calendars for Photographers (And Anyone Else)
THE BEST PHOTOGRAPHY BOOKS AND DVDs
All Purpose Photography Books
Some of the Best All Purpose Photography Books
Lighting Book
The Best Book On Photographic Lighting
Exposure Books
Tim Grey Recommends Digital Photography Exposure for Dummies. This is my own photography book. It is one of the highest rated photography books at Amazon.com. It is one of the most detailed and comprehensive “exposure” books on the market, and a great introduction to all things photographic with chapters on people, landscape, wildlife, flower, and sports photography.
Jennifer Blakeley Recommends Digital Photography Exposure for Dummies
Digital Photography Exposure for Dummies Receives Apogee Photo Magazine’s Highest Rating
Best Book on Professional Exposure Techniques
History of Photography
The Best Illustrated History of Photography
Composition Books
Photographic Composition: The Essential Book
Advanced Photographic Composition: The Best Books
People Photography Books
Excellent “How To Photograph People” Books
Nature Photography Books
Nature Photography Books: The Three Essentials. If you only read three nature photography books, put these on your “must read” list.
My Favorite Introduction to Landscape Photography. If you only read one book on landscape photography, this should be it. This is my favorite to recommend to new landscape photographers.
The Best “How To” Nature Photography Books
Two Excellent Nature Photography Books by Tony Sweet
A Great “How To†Flower Photography Book by Tony Sweet
Jim Brandenburg: Chased by the Light. A book and video to inspire your nature photography.
Wildlife Photography
How To Find Wildlife, The Best Books
How To Photograph Wildlife, The Best Books
Astrophotography Books
Best Astronomy and Astrophotography Books
Ansel Adams
Books and Calendars from the Master: Ansel Adams
Digital Photography and/or Photoshop Books
The Best Digital Photography Books
Photoshop, Lightroom, and Elements Books
The Best Basic Introductions to Elements, Photoshop, and Lightroom
Lightroom & Photoshop: The Essential Books
The “Mastering Photoshop” Series
Mastering Photoshop & Lightroom: Adobe Camera Raw (ACR)
Mastering Photoshop: Advanced Color Correction, Part One
Mastering Photoshop: Advanced Color Correction, Part Two
Mastering Photoshop: Retouching, Part One
Mastering Photoshop: Retouching, Part Two
Photography Magazines
The Best Photography Magazines
Photography DVDs
Great Set of DVDs: Joel Sartore’s Fundamentals of Photography
Jim Brandenburg: Chased by the Light – the story, the book, and the DVD
PURCHASE LINKS
My Photography Store. A hand picked selection of the best photography equipment, accessories, books, DVDs, and software. My store is powered by Amazon’s great prices, fast delivery, excellent service, and first class guarantee. My photography store is located here and here.