Jani's Top 10 Photography Books Getting Started With Filmmaking

Jani's Top 10 Photography Books Getting Started With Filmmaking

Creator Image
Jani Ahonen
Photographer and Filmmaker
'When I first started studying filmmaking, I would buy numerous books only to learn that most of them weren't that great. Now, as someone with a bachelor's degree from one of the best universities focusing on film production, I can tell you which books out there are worth reading if you want to have a fast start to your filmmaking career.

For this recommended reading list, I have carefully selected those books that offer the most comprehensive education on each area of filmmaking, whether that is directing or editing. By reading these books, you will instantly make yourself a more skilled and knowledgeable filmmaker.'


Filmmaking is as much about the practical as is the theoretical, so it is important that you are balancing your time learning and investing in knowing more about the world of filmmaking. Thanks to Jani of JP Harrow Portraits, you can easily pick up a few books from sites such as Amazon and Waterstones to really tighten up your skills.
  • Steve D. Katz
    Film Directing: Shot by Shot - 25th Anniversary Edition
    £17.77


    Jani Ahonen

  • Steven D. Katz
    Film Directing: Cinematic Motion
    £5.09


    Jani Ahonen

  • Judith Weston
    Directing Actors
    £13.99


    Jani Ahonen

  • Judith Weston
    The Film Director's Intuition
    £15.48


    Jani Ahonen

  • Walter Murch
    In the Blink of An Eye
    £8.99


    Jani Ahonen

  • Roberta Munroe
    How Not to Make A Short Film
    £5.99


    Jani Ahonen

  • Eve Light Honthaner
    The Complete Film Production Handbook
    £36.63


    Jani Ahonen

  • John Alton
    Painting With Light
    £20.99


    Jani Ahonen

  • Gustavo Mercado
    The Filmmaker's Eye
    £25.35


    Jani Ahonen

  • Francis Glebas
    Directing the Story
    £29.30


    Jani Ahonen

Jani Ahonen's favlist

Jani's Top 10 Items to Get Started with Drone Photography
Jani's Top 10 Items to Get Started with Drone Photography
'As a professional photographer and filmmaker, I'm constantly amazed by how modern technology evolves and what new opportunities it brings to all of us. Two decades ago, none of us could have even dreamed about the possibility of taking some aerial photos taken during our holidays with a tiny drone that fits in our pockets. 

Thanks to these developments in drone technologies, it is today easier than ever for anyone to get started with drone photography. Below you can find my recommendations on what kind of gear or equipment you might like to consider getting to begin observing the world from a new perspective.'


Drone photography is here and it is here to stay. As a hobby that you can grow with and master, learning how to use drones, and more importantly, how to use them to enhance your photography, is an extremely rewarding process. Thanks to seasoned drone photographer Jani, you can find the best starter gear that suits your needs and budget. 

All of Jani's recommendations are easily bought from Amazon, JDI and eBay! Have a peruse through his top 10 items to begin your long and prosperous journey into the world? No, skies - of drone photography.
Creator Image
Jani Ahonen
Photographer and Filmmaker
Jani's Top 5 Camera Lenses for Beginners
Jani's Top 5 Camera Lenses for Beginners
'When a person decides to get started with photography, one of the first things they will often struggle with is choosing their first lens. This part isn't being made any easier by the lens manufacturers, who typically use different words to describe the same features. 

Canon, for example, uses the term "IS" when they refer to the image stabilisation feature, while Sigma uses "OS" instead. Are you confused yet? Don't worry. Jani from JP Harrow Portraits will tell us next what lenses are great for beginners in 2021 if you choose Canon DSLR as your first camera.'


Jani from JP Harrow Portraits has kindly written a comprehensive list of camera lenses for beginners. If you're wondering what you can do to enhance your photography through lenses, look no further. From Amazon and eBay, you can easily pick up 1, 2 or all 5 new lenses and get to work!
Creator Image
Jani Ahonen
Photographer and Filmmaker