Welcome to Ann Torrence photography - U.S. Highway 89, landscape, nature, people from Utah, the west, rural western U.S., national parks and international locations. Ann is writer of photography tips and and travel stories and essays.

Down-to-earth, encouraging, observations about art-making, like this quote:

"It is about committing your future to your own hands, placing Free Will above predestination, choice above chance. It is about finding your own work."

I think of this book as a designer's counterpart to Strunk and White's Elements of Style. Take the rule of thirds to the next level in photographic composition with the principles in this book, or just wander through it for inspiration.

Drawn from his essays in Outdoor Photographer, Galen Rowell describes his thinking during the image making process, and more mundane realities, like how to pack gear to survive a pack burro fall. Even though his examples discuss color film, his reasons behind his film choices are very relevant for the digital shooter.

A classic begginer's guide to n ature photography, filled with the beautiful images Shaw is known for. Discusses equipment choices, exposure techniques, fill-in flash, composition and a starter text on close-up photography.

This is not a lighting cookbook. Instead the authors discuss the fundamentals of physics of light and optics, and then apply that knowledge to a variety of typical and commercial photographic problems. Gear tips and tricks abound, but in the context of the principles of lighting choices. Buy this at the same time you buy your first flash.

Another inspirational, rather than technical, book. It's like reading an hour-long conversation between two photographers who have done a lot of teaching, reviewing, advising.

Unlike most Photoshop books, which assume that the photo has already been captured, this book links the shooting and post-production processes. Lots of examples are from the fashion industry, which is the author's focus, but the content is relevant to a wide range of Photoshop applications.

No, you are not too old to make art. No, you don't need to sell everything and move to an unheated garret in France to make art. No, your fourth grader teacher was wrong when she said you couldn't make good art.

A twelve week program to shut down the inner critic and get started making the art you were meant to.