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This collection of books illustrates the art of image-making and will prompt you to dust off your camera, gaze through the glass and capture countless picture-perfect moments. 

Enjoy John Berger's revealing vignettes, develop your confidence behind the lens with Matt Stuart, polish up your photographic prowess with David Gibson, and marvel at Tim Walker's grand, wonder-filled imagery. As always, you will find a bundle deal here with 10% off and free delivery. Why not also check out our edit of photography gifting. Read on below.  

John Berger, published by Penguin Books (2013)

In 1972, acclaimed art critic and novelist John Berger released two seminal texts: the essay series Ways of Seeing and the novel G. These titles were met with critical acclaim, with the latter receiving The Booker Prize. In 2013, multi-award-winning author Geoff Dyer released Understanding a Photograph. This book is a compilation of preeminent essays and previously unpublished pieces on image-making by Berger. In these writings, Berger sheds light on the image and the world encapsulated inside. He does so through studies of influential cultural figures, including Marxist revolutionary Che Guevera, writer Susan Sontag and artist Henri Cartier-Bresson. Engaging with these academic works is an enriching experience. Berger will make you aware of the aesthetic and social contexts of photography. You will gain a further understanding of what you create, where it comes from and why. This crucial insight will improve your ability to connect with yourself and your audience. 

Matt Stuart, published by Laurence King (2021)

Street photographer Matt Stuart has thirty years of practice clicking the shutter. In Stuart’s childhood, he passionately pursued skateboarding and kung fu before falling head over heels for photography. His candid technique incorporates experimentation, humour and serendipity, to create charming pictures that catch the essence of our everyday surroundings. In this text, Stuart shares how to enter the mindset and practice of a photographer. Each chapter begins with an inspirational statement, which Stuart elaborates on via reflective writing. He accompanies these reflections with photographic examples and an exercise segment that puts his thoughts into action. He imparts what he has trialled, encountered, and discovered throughout his distinguished career. His wisdom will get you into the frame of mind to think and create images that honestly portray your subject to an audience.

- Susan Sontag

Tim Walker, published by Thames & Hudson (2012)

Tim Walker made his breakthrough as an editorial fashion photographer towards the end of the 1990s. He assisted Richard Avedon: one of the 20th century’s most celebrated cameramen. This creative partnership greatly influenced Walker’s approach to image-making. He is now a leading visionary of the present. His photographs are windows into mystical realms of decadence, melancholy and absurdity that make viewers dream, think and laugh. He has shot Spitfire spreads of the supermodel Lily Donaldson (2009) and botanical portraiture of the legendary fashion designer Vivienne Westwood (2009). His work has covered Condé Nast’s leading publications, which include Vogue and Vanity Fair. He has been the subject of several retrospectives, such as Tim Walker: Pictures at the Design Museum in 2008 and Tim Walker: Story Teller at Somerset House in 2012. This catalogue chronicles Walker’s trajectory with a foreword by Kate Bush and an introduction from writer Robin Muir. Walker continues to escort you for the remainder of the journey and rounds off your read with a final heartfelt article.

David Gibson, published by Thames & Hudson (2020)

Have you ever taken a walk, stumbled across picturesque scenery and attempted to capture the moment but felt the result missed the mark? In photography, putting in practice, having a vision and developing a formula can trigger triumphant frames. Street photographer David Gibson is a master of this and has authored various reference books over the last ten years, most notably The Street Photographer’s Manual (2014). In this expanded edition from 2020, Gibson passes on pointers for effectively catching life in motion. He does so through step-by-step explorations and try-out projects. His enquiries explore how to shoot still/active movements, simple/complex compositions and animate/inanimate subjects. They include compelling feature stories of influential image-makers such as Matt Stuart, Shin Noguchi and Melissa Breyer. With this title, Gibson provides you with an outline for taking snapshots. He invites you to fill in the blanks, optimise your camerawork and cover a darkroom with striking pictures. You should consider pairing this title with our convenient Camera Multi-Tool.