When learning about photography, it’s a good idea to expand your knowledge any way you can. If that’s your attitude, then you will love these free photography ebooks. 

They are packed full of information, tips, and vital knowledge that will help you improve your photography skills. Whether you’re a beginner or pro, there are new things to learn in these photography ebooks. 

In exchange for the freebies, you may be asked to give your email address or sign up for a mailing list. (You can unsubscribe immediately after.) But with others, you can download them straight away!

This collection of ebooks covers a wide range of topics. You can learn about different aspects of photography, from photography lighting to candid street photography. 

© Chris Dodds

Must-Read Free Photography eBook Resources

Don’t download all the ebooks at once. You’ll be overwhelmed with information. Take your time to look through our list to see what sparks your interest.

Look for one that appeals to you and your style of photography, then you can expand from there. You can always return to this page to download more ebooks at a later date. 

1. Lighting 101 – David Hobby

We consider this ebook essential reading for any aspiring photographer. David Hobby is an experienced professional photographer with tens of thousands of pro gigs under his belt. He’s also a great teacher, and he’s poured all his experience and knowledge into this fascinating ebook. 

David teaches you everything you need to know when getting started with photography lighting. He tells you what type of equipment you’ll need (and don’t worry, he’s very budget-conscious). You’ll learn how to get the correct lighting in different settings. And he covers lighting for a wide range of genres. 

Unfortunately, it’s no longer available for digital download. But thankfully, David has turned the whole book into a blog, so you can still access the information online. Click the link below to see David Hobby’s excellent blog.

Access Blog: Lighting 101

© David Hobby

2. Ultimate Field Guide to Photography – National Geographic

 A brilliant starting point for any enthusiastic photographer, the National Geographic’s field guide is a must-read. 

As all good manuals should, it starts with the fundamentals. It teaches you how to correctly expose your images. It has information on different types of lenses and what they’re good for. You’ll learn about all the useful camera modes so you’re ready for any situation. 

They even cover flash photography, telling you how to bounce or diffuse your flash light for a more natural finish.  The ebook also has info on composition, color balance, and depth of field. You’re guaranteed to be a better photographer after reading this educational resource. 

Download eBook: Ultimate Field Guide to Photography

3. Overcome Your Fear of Shooting Street Photography – Eric Kim

Shooting street photography can be daunting at first. You’re surrounded by strangers and you don’t know how they are going to react to you taking pictures in public. But as long as you stay within the laws of the country you’re in, you shouldn’t have any trouble. 

Renowned street photographer Eric Kim encourages new shooters to get out on the street and start taking pictures. He gives you practical advice that helps you build confidence. By the end, you’ll be a fearless street photographer that never misses a moment in the urban jungle. 

Read and Download eBook: Overcome Your Fear of Shooting Street Photography

© Eric Kim

4. Good Photos in Bad Light – Darwin Wiggett

Light is the most essential element in photography. But sometimes you don’t always have control over the light in your scene. Sometimes the light is good and you don’t have to worry. Other times the light is bad and difficult to work with. That’s when you need Darwin Wiggett’s help.

Wiggett’s ebook teaches you how to make the best of a bad situation. By the end, you’ll never have to worry about bad lighting again. You’ll always be able to capture stunning images not matter what the lighting conditions. 

Download eBook: Good Photos in Bad Light

5. Eleven Ways to Improve Your Photography – Craft & Vision

Once you’ve got a grip on the basics, this ebook from Craft & Vision is the perfect next step. It explores ideas around composition, and how you make your photos more interesting and engaging. 

Learn how to direct the eye and find more dynamic images. Refine your photography style and work collaboratively with others to help improve your work. 

It’s an engaging and eye-opening ebook that’s full of wonderful examples. You need to give this a read through if you’re stuck in a photography rut. It’ll breath new life into your photography practice. 

Download eBook: 11 Ways You Can Improve Your Photography

6. Going Candid: And Unorthodox Approach to Street Photography – Thomas Leuthard

Thomas Leuthard’s Going Candid is one of the best resources for anyone interested in street photography. And not just because it’s free. 

With Leuthard’s help, you’ll be able to shoot street photography at time of day and in any light. You’ll master the best street photography camera settings. And you’ll develop a keen eye for dynamic compositions in busy urban environments. 

Leuthard is a master with years of experience, so you’re learning from the best. And it’s not only street photographers who will benefit from this incredible resource. It’s full of useful information that’s transferable to other photography genres. 

Read eBook Online: Going Candid… An Unorthodox Approach to Street Photography

7. Collecting Souls – Thomas Leuthard

Collecting Souls is Leuthard’s follow-up to Going Candid. As you might gather from the subtitle, What Street Photography Means to Me, it’s more of a personal work exploring his relationship with street photography. 

As well as being more personal, Collecting Souls is also more advanced. It goes beyond the basics of camera settings and exposure tips. It’s a more conceptual and emotional look at street photography from the view of this experienced photographer. 

It’s well worth a read if you’re interested in how and why photographers do what they do. It’s a personal account of a photographer’s exploration of life and the world through this artistic medium. 

Read eBook Online: Collecting Souls: What Street Photography Means to Me

© Thomas Leuthard

8. Thirteen Tips for Wildflower Photography – Steve Berardi

This one’s a bit niche, but flower photography is a great way for new photographers to learn the basics. It’s a must-read for genuine wildflower enthusiasts, but any photographer can learn a thing or two in this concise yet detailed ebook. 

It tells you how to master light in wild situations. It helps you with focusing so you can capture detailed close-ups. The book also covers depth of field, editing, and shooting in windy settings.

Read and Download eBook: 13 Tips for Wildflower Photography

9. Introduction to External Flash Photography – Photo Extremist

Using a camera flash is a great way to give yourself more light in dark situations. But using a flash correctly can be tricky, which is why this Introduction to External Flash Photography is so important.

Used incorrectly, flash light gives you overly bright, cold light that look too intense and washed out. But a little bit of knowledge goes a long way with flash photography. And even after a quick read through of this ebook, you’ll have a better understanding of how to use your flash more effectively. 

It mainly looks at using flashes for portrait photography, but much of the information is transferable. It isn’t the longest ebook on the list, but definitely worth reading if you want to use a flash. 

Read and Download eBook: Introduction to External Flash Photography

© Sean McGrath / Photo Extremist

10. Five Easy Steps to Shoot in Manual – Kimberly Gauthier

It’s easy to get stuck on auto mode when you’re just starting your photography journey. But the quicker you move to manual mode, the faster you’ll improve. That might seem daunting, but this ebook from Kimberly Gauthier is a brilliant companion when you’re making those first tentative steps on manual mode. 

It’s a great learning document for beginners. She starts with the basics, covering aperture, ISO, and shutter speed in detail. The book is well paced, and she doesn’t skip over anything important. She allows you to take things as slowly as you need to without feeling stupid. 

This is the ebook you need if you want to explore photography beyond auto mode. 

Read and Download eBook: My Five Easy Steps to Shoot in Manual Mode

11. Essays on Inspiration, Creativity, and Vision in Photography – Scott Bourne

This ebook from Scott Bourne is a collection of 10 excellent essays on photography. He doesn’t look at anything technical, like camera settings or light equipment. Rather, Bourne examines the creative side of photography. 

He starts the collection with an essay on storytelling, telling the reader how to build narrative through image. You have essays on finding inspiration, seeing, and clarity. 

These might sound like high-minded concepts for photography essays, but Bourne’s writing is surprisingly accessible. He’s not pretentious and the writing is easy to follow and understand. 

The essay collection is an eye-opening read, and we recommend it to anyone wanting to expand their creativity and push their work to a new level. 

Read and Download: Essays on Inspiration, Creativity, and Vision 

© Scott Bourne

12. A Photographer’s E-Guide to Making Sharp Photographs – Scott Bourne

Scott Bourne is a generous photographer, with several free ebooks available. This offering is more focused than the collection of essays, looking in detail at how to get sharp images. 

Capturing sharp images might seem simple. You just focus on what you want to focus on, and that’s it. But there’s much more to it than that, as Scott Bourne demonstrates. You’ll see a huge improvement in quality after taking Bourne’s advice. 

Download eBook: A Photographer’s E-Guide to Making Sharp Photographs

13. Motivational Essays on Photography – Scott Bourne

It doesn’t matter if you’re beginner or a season vet, all photographers find themselves in a rut from time to time. Thankfully, we have Scott Bourne, back again, to give us a kick up the backside with his motivational essays. 

This is a joyful piece of work from Bourne. It’s brimming with positivity and genuinely helpful advice on how to get yourself out of a rut and find inspiration.

You don’t have to read them all at once. Each essay has value as a stand-along piece. But you can rely on this collection, serving as a life-vest when you don’t feel creative. Dipping into one or two of these essays will be enough to get you up and shooting with renewed vim and vigour. 

Download eBook: Nine Motivational Essays on Photography

© Scott Bourne

14. Photojournalism, Technology, and Ethics: What’s Right and Wrong Today? – Scott Baradell

The life of a photojournalist isn’t an easy one. Not only does it involve travel, danger, and hardship, but there are also ethical questions you need to think about. 

Scott Baradell’s ebook is the perfect introduction if you’re interested in practicing photojournalism. He doesn’t shy away from the issues confronting photojournalists and their profession in the modern world.

New technology and a suspicious public make life difficult for honest news photographers. But Baradell’s book helps you navigate these stormy waters. 

Baradell sets out an ethical framework for photojournalists to follow in the 21st Century. You might find issue with one or two points, but it sets a basis for the discussion. 

Read and Download ebook: Photojournalism, Technology, and Ethics: What’s Right and Wrong Today?

15. The Shy Photographer’s Guide to Confidence – Lauren Lim

This fabulous ebook goes far beyond photography. While it is aimed at independent photographers running their own businesses, the tips and advice will help you outside your business. 

Lim makes the ebook very personal, which draws the reader in and makes it more engaging. Using stories from her own live, she shares her secrets on how to overcome shyness to become a better photographer and professional. 

Any photographer that feels a lack of confidence is holding them back needs to read this ebook. It might even improve your life outside of photography. 

Read and Download eBook: The Shy Photographer’s Guide to Confidence

© Lauren Lim

16. Creative Black and White – Harold Davis

Color photography has been around for nearly 100 years, yet people still love black and white photography. Black and white images have a timeless quality, and taking B&W images tests your photography skills in new ways. 

Harold Davis’s wonderful ebook gives you an in-depth introduction to the art of black and white photography. But it’s not just for beginners. The book has 238 pages and covers everything from composition and framing to RAW processing and editing. 

It’s full of stunning examples of Davis’s black and white photography. The ebook inspires and educates, so it’s a must-read for photographers working in any genre. 

Read and Download: Creative Black and White – Tips and Techniques

17. Seven Simple Ways to Market Your Wedding Photography Business – Photography Concentrate

Wedding photography is one of the most lucrative fields, helping photographers generate income throughout the summer months. But starting a wedding photography business isn’t easy.

Thankfully, Photography Concentrate has put together this useful guide on how to market your wedding photography business. 

It covers everything from how to use a blog as a marketing tool to managing a marketing budget. It’s a concise document, but no doubt a useful one. Any wedding photographer should take a few minutes to read this vital ebook. 

Download: Seven Simple Ways to Market Your Wedding Photography Business

© Tom the Photographer

Conclusion

Any aspiring photographer should be looking for any resource they can kind that will help them improve. And as we’ve seen, there are plenty of free photography ebooks brimming with valuable tips and information.

These ebooks are so fantastic, it’s hard to believe these generous photographers are giving them away for free. But they are, and we need to make the most of it. 

Do you want even more free photography resources? Check out our top list of photography books to improve your skills.
And are you looking to improve your photography even more? Of course, you are! So read our Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Photography.