PPA Certification: Recommended Books?

[Cajungaltx]

I'm doing it cause I want to.

I know it won't make me any extra money - and most clients won't give a crap - but I am a geek in the sense that I like to know stuff, just to know it.

I also have a florist license, a certificate showing that I can bake and decorate your wedding cake... and a bunch of other stuff you won't care about...but it fulfills the 'geek' in me...

I did a search online - to find out what study material is recommended - and this book is it:
[URL="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0131896091/ppaphotocentr-20/104-4198046-3713559"]PHOTOGRAPHY BY BARBARA LONDON....and some other folks.

On Amazon it's $110.....

$WTF?

I swear... lol... $110... for a paperback? It'd better have an insertable brain stem chip in there... lol.

I found a 'recommended' reading list, which are the following:

Recommended Reading:
Basic Studio Lighting, Tony Corbell
Body Parts, Don Blair
Complete Guide to Digital Photography, Michael Freeman
Digital Photography Expert: Light & Lighting, Michael Freeman
Digital Sports Photography: Take Winning Shots Every Time, Serge Timacheff
Image: Designing Effective Pictures, Michael Freeman
Light, Science & Magic, Fil Hunter
Outdoor and Location Photography, Jeff Smith
Pantone Guide to Communicating with Color, Leatrice Eiseman
The Photographer’s Handbook, by John Hedgecoe
The Portrait, Don Blair
Photography, Barbara London
Basic Photographic Materials & Processes, Lee Stroebel

Anyone cleaning out their book shelves anytime soon?

Which books would YOU recommend I read...

Do you have your certification?

Do you think it's BS or useful stuff?

[KD5NRH]

Originally Posted by Cajungaltx

I also have a florist license, a certificate showing that I can bake and decorate your wedding cake...

Aw crap...what's the statute of limitations on unlicensed wedding cake decorating?

Why not check around with local colleges to see if they offer some continuing-ed-type classes in advanced photography? Surely there's an instructor somewhere that would be happy to provide you with a lot more useful learning opportunities than all of those books for less than it would cost to buy them all.

[CaptainTom]

Donna
I applaud your wanting to get the PPA certification. I truly wish that there was some sort of examination required to be a professional photographer.

It seems that in many instances where a person is hired to do a job and to take the customers money for doing that job, some sort of certification, licensing is involved.

You can't hire yourself out as a taxi service without special licensing.
You cant' hire yourself out as a plumber, electrician, truck driver, airplane pilot, barber, architect, lawyer, policeman, forklift operator, etc. etc. without some sort of license or certification. These are by no means indicative of your level of expertise, but at least it is some sort of control because this licensure can be revoked.


have you looked over the PPA site ?
http://www.certifiedphotographer.com/

[Shelby Lane]

Try your local library and see if you can get the PPA recommended book through inter-library loan. I have known several people who have studied for and taken the test, and the questions seem to be based on the book.

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by KD5NRH

Aw crap...what's the statute of limitations on unlicensed wedding cake decorating?

Why not check around with local colleges to see if they offer some continuing-ed-type classes in advanced photography? Surely there's an instructor somewhere that would be happy to provide you with a lot more useful learning opportunities than all of those books for less than it would cost to buy them all.

I'm hoping it's ran out...lol... I had a cabinet full of cake pans and wedding cake seperators, and columns... and tips, and all kinds of stuff... I finally realized I had only done 2 cakes a year for the last couple of years (did them for friends)...and I gave it to a relative who still did photography.

I appreciate the suggestion - but I work full time, and have 2 kids - 19 month old and an 11 month old - so 'self taught' is what it's got to be for the most part. I have a couple of mentors that I work with who probably have some of them, so I'll check with them as well.

Cajungaltx added 0 Minutes and 22 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by Shelby Lane

Try your local library and see if you can get the PPA recommended book through inter-library loan. I have known several people who have studied for and taken the test, and the questions seem to be based on the book.

Thanks Shelby - I'll do that!

[JohnT]

There are also some used ones listed at Amazon for almost half the price of new.

[carrbowl]

Basic Photographic Materials & Processes, Lee Stroebel


Ahhh that's funny..I have many of his books..but not this one..in this category!!

The Photographer’s Handbook, by John Hedgecoe Thought I had this one, but am unable to locate it at the moment...if I find it, I will let you know,.

[Cajungaltx]

Dadgumit Renae!!! I was counting on you to have ALL of them!!!

;-P

I started looking for them as ebooks today - I'm loving my iphone - but haven't found them yet.

[Teddington]

Can't keep a job?? Or is it just ADD??

Seriously, congrats and good luck.

Knowledge is power.
Power is a narcotic.
Study hard.
Become a druggie!!

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by Teddington

Can't keep a job?? Or is it just ADD??

Seriously, congrats and good luck.

Knowledge is power.
Power is a narcotic.
Study hard.
Become a druggie!!

Believe it or not - I've had the same job for 9 years. I do all of this in ADDITION to my full time regular job. My regular job is sales/marketing - so I have lots of free time while I'm butt kissing and bsing with attorney's and such.

And yes - I do have ADD.... I consider it a super power though... lol... some folks use it for evil... I use it for good...

[KD5NRH]

Originally Posted by Cajungaltx

and have 2 kids - 19 month old and an 11 month old

Biology isn't my strong suit...but how do you get two, 8 months apart?

[Coelus]

I see that your book is available used on amazon for $15.

[popawalker]

Donna, check with half price books, may need to call to see which ones have them in stock, they usually have one of the older versions for less than $20. About 2 months ago the one in Pearland had 2, a fifth and seventh edition. While they might not be the latest they certainly have a lot of valuable info in them.
Steve