On my end of year reading list was David DuChemin’s The Visual Toolbox: 60 Lessons for Stronger Photographs. I have one of David’s other books and this one looked appealing when I first picked it up. Truth be told, the real reason I bought a copy is that we could all do with a little bit of a reality check as photographers from time to time.

It’s a fantastic read and I suggest you order yourself a copy. DuChemin offers up 60 simple lessons in the book that challenge you to make better photographs (not take better photographs). In an era where everyone has a camera and a blog (including this author), there is always lots of advice to be found, but seldom is there advice which bridges the distinction between the technique and the craft of photography. In the book, Duchemin bridges this gap and speaks primarily about the craft, not the technique. I have reapplied some of his lessons during recent shoots and they work beautifully.

DuChemin makes a good point in the book. We all have a way to go as photographers and our journey is never complete.  But the journey itself is the reward and our creative output is never wrong. The Visual Toolbox: 60 Lessons for Stronger Photographs comes highly recommended as an edition to your summer reading list.