Books
I've listed below the digital and / or bird photography books I own and have read. I would like to offer a more detailed opinion on each book, but for the comments to have any meaning I would need to read them all again!
Are you a keen reader? I'm a little bit obsessive when I start a new hobby and feel I have to read as much as possible - books, magazines, online. I know I've gained something from reading each one of these books.
Because I've been enjoying bird photography for some years, some of the books will now include what you might consider to be obsolete chapters - film v digital, for example. However, the wealth of information on technique is still valid today.
Arthur Morris (1998), The Art of Bird Photography. New York: Amphoto Books. | Perhaps the most highly acclaimed book on the subject. I found this book both very informative and very inspiring. It is pre digital-SLR, so the chapter on Film Choice is obsolete (for most), and to a certain extent the chapters Choosing the Right Equipment and The Autofocus Advantage (taken for granted these days), although the general themes are relevant still. The chapters on technique, however, are still absolutely relevant. I suspect that the technical features of modern digital SLRs will encourage some new photographers to skip the basics. If you're tempted, don't do it. Learn about exposure, light, depth of field, etc, before you get started. | 
|
Scott Kelby (2007), Adobe Photoshop CS3 Book for Digital Photographers (Voices That Matter). New Riders.  | Criticised by some for his humour? However, full of excellent advice and tips. You don't realise what Photoshop can do until you read a book like this. |  |
Scott Kelby (2008), The Adobe Photoshop CS4 Book for Digital Photographers (Voices That Matter). New Riders.
| The CS4 version of the above book. |  |
Adobe Creative Team (2008), Adobe Photoshop CS4 Classroom in a Book, Adobe: Peachpit Press | |  |
Andy Rouse (2004), Digital SLR Masterclass. Lewes: Photographers' Institute Press. | I learned a lot about the digital workflow and the RAW v JPG debate from this book. |  |
Tom Ang (2009), Digital Photographer's Handbook. London: Dorling Kindersley.  | I read the 2004 version of this book actually. I learned a lot from it, but I thought it might be more appropriate to list the 2009 version. | 
|
Chris Gomersall (2005), Photographing Wild Birds. Newton Abbot: David Charles. | Excellent images and advice on technique and approach. It must have been a difficult time to write a book on photography, when digital SLRs were just beginning to dominate nature photography. | 
|
Simmons RE, Littlehales B (2002), Photography Field Guide: Birds. Washington: National Geographic. | | |
David Tipling (2005), Bird Photography: Choosing the Best Destinations, Planning a Trip, Taking Great Photographs. Lewes: Photographers' Institute Press. | Clear precise information, lots of advice on technique and lots of personal experience. Also written when digital SLRs were just beginning to dominate nature photography, and therefore includes a (now obsolete) film v digital section. |  |
Steve Young (2001), An Essential Guide to Bird Photography. Lewes: Guild of Master Craftsman Pubs. Ltd. | I met Steve at a local nature reserve. Although I asked for his name he didn't ask for mine, so I don't feel so bad about criticising this book. Of all the books I've read, the images in this book were the least impressive. They weren't bad - they just weren't as good as those in the other books. Because he is local, I found the information on local hot-spots very useful. | 
|