Film & Exposure

Editor's Choice The Negative by Ansel Adams Classic study of the negative by Ansel Adams. This one should be on everyone's shelf.

The Film Developing Cookbook by Stephen G. Anchell, Bill Troop
Follow up publication to the immensely useful Darkroom Cookbook (see below). If you like to mix your own dev or tinker with chemistry, then this is a must. Formulae galore!

The Zone System for 35mm Photographers: A Basic Guide to Exposure Control by Carson Graves
A practical guide to using the zone system with 35mm film, well-written and highly engaging.

Edge of Darkness: The Art, Craft, and Power of the High-Definition Monochrome Photograph by Barry Thornton
Barry Thornton's personal journey in search of high definition images is an excellent read for intermediate to advanced photographers.

The Practical Zone System: For Film and Digital Photography by Chris Johnson
Teaches photographers how to recognize zones both on the print and in the field or studio, to pre-visualize and expose accordingly, to access their prints and negatives for contrast, and to test equipment for reliable results.

Beyond the Zone System by Phil Davis
Makes the science of photographic sensitometry both accessible and useful to interested photographers. This book will appeal to any serious photographer interested in knowing how the materials and processes of black-and-white photography work.

Printing

Editor's Choice The Darkroom Cookbook by Stephen G. Anchell A classic book containing all the formulae you'll ever need.

The Photographer's Toning Book: The Definitive Guide by Tim Rudman
Comprehensive guide to toning which will enhance anyone's knowledge of the subject.

Post Exposure: Advanced Techniques for the Photographic Printer by Ctein
A great book for serious printers. Lots of techniques and info. Ctein's expertise and clear style make this a superb reference.

Black & White: Photographic Printing Workshop by John Tarrant
Excellent theoretical and practical study of printing techniques. Not for beginners, but accessible nonetheless.

The Variable Contrast Printing Manual by Steve Anchell
Full-featured guide to printing with variable contrast (multigrade) papers.

Creative Photo Printmaking by Theresa Airey
A excellent recent book dedicated to craft of fine art and creative printing.

The Photographer's Master Printing Course by Tim Rudman
Classic guide to printing fine art printing. Clearly laid out and makes excellent use of examples.

The Print by Ansel Adams
Another classic.

Specialist

Editor's Choice The Art of Infrared Photography by Joseph Paduano Generally considered to be the best overall work on infrared photography currently in print. Well illustrated and provides clear examples.

Pinhole Photography: Rediscovering a Historic Technique by Eric Renner
3rd Edition of this excellent reference on pinhole photography.

Platinum and Palladium Printing by Dick Arentz
Second edition of this definitive volume published by Focal Press

Infrared Photography Handbook by Laurie White
Good general purpose guide to IR photography

Making Kallitypes: A Definitive Guide by Dick Stevens
Van Dyke browns for anyone who is tired of those cyanotype blues.

Polaroid Transfers: A Complete Visual Guide to Creating Image and Emulsion Transfers by Kathleen Thormod Carr
A superbly illustrated and informative guide to the art of Polaroid transfers.

Silver Gelatin: A User's Guide to Liquid Photographic Emulsions by Martin Reed, Sarah Jones
Learn how to use Liquid Light on everything from cloth to fine china.

The Keepers of Light: A History and Working Guide to Early Photographic Processes by William Crawford
The classic book featuring history and practice. Check for availability.

Digital

Editor's Choice Adobe Photoshop CS4 for Photographers by Martin Evening Unique introduction to Photoshop for photographers experienced in traditional media, lots of examples and plenty of detail. Fully updated, includes CD-ROM.

Black and White in Photoshop CS4 and Lightroom Leslie Alsheimer, Bryan O'Neil Hughes
A complete integrated workflow solution for creating stunning monochromatic images in Photoshop CS4, Photoshop Lightroom, and beyond.

How to Cheat in Photoshop CS4 by Steve Caplin
Great book featuring tips, tricks and other gems to help you create photorealistic montages. Full of clear, well-illustrated examples.

Welcome to Oz: A Cinematic Approach to Digital Still Photography with Photoshop by Vincent Versace
Tackles digital image making by looking at our perception of images. Beautiful volume with excellent DVD featuring illustrated exercises.

Photoshop Restoration and Retouching by Katrin Eismann, Wayne Palmer
A highly detailed visual guide to retouching old and damaged photographs in Photoshop. A five star best of category winner.

Making Digital Negatives for Contact Printing by Dan Burkholder
For all practitioners of alternative processes looking to utilize the power of image-editing software to create negatives. This is not a book for everyone, but it is an invaluable resource for specialist users.

Color Management for Photographers: Hands on Techniques for Photoshop Users by Andrew Rodney
Step-by-step guide to color management that can help you get real work accomplished. Includes CD-ROM.

Photoshop LAB Color: The Canyon Conundrum and Other Adventures in the Most Powerful Colorspace by Dan Margulis
Dan Margulis opens up the potential of LAB color to users unfamiliar with its benefits. From the deep shadows of western canyons to subtle tonalities in fine portrature, the capabilites of LAB are fully explored. Includes CD-ROM with exercises.

Black & White Photography Techniques with Adobe Photoshop by Maurice Hamilton
Fine art quality, black-and-white prints are within every photographer's reach with the techniques illustrated in this digital image editing manual.

General

Editor's Choice View Camera Technique by Leslie Stroebel A great clear and comprehensive guide to large-format. Now in the 7th edition with increased coverage and info.

35mm Handbook by Michael Langford
A excellent all-round detailed introduction to photography. If you are a beginner, student, or intermediate photographer, this will prove useful.

Advanced Photography by Michael Langford
Advanced and technical explanations to many aspects of photographic production.

Focal Encyclopedia of Photography by Richard D. Zakia (Editor), Leslie Stroebel (Editor)
Edited by faculty from RIT, this is an indespensible technical guide and index to every aspect of photography. Updated many times over the years, the current edition includes a huge amount of new material relating to digital imaging.

The Lighting Cookbook: Foolproof Recipes for Perfect Photographs by Jenni Bidner
How to light scenes for specific effects. This is a great primer for learning about all sorts of lighting set ups.