Rocky Nook has released the second edition of The Photograph: Composition and Color Design. Written by Professor Harald Mante, the book explains the essential elements to achieving the highest level of visual design in photographs. Extensively revised and updated, the second edition includes 60 new images and illustrations. Also included are new chapters that cover analysing shapes and colours and a discussion of the square image format. In-depth lessons are beautifully illustrated with more than 750 images from Mante’s portfolio, plus over 160 diagrams. The 208-page volume is available for $49.95.

Blurb has released two additions to its on-demand print products – Magazines and Brochures. “Until now, those looking to create high-quality product catalogues, promotional collateral, look books, brand presentations and brochures in small quantities were limited by minimum order requirements, resulting in high, unattainable costs,” the company says. “Blurb’s new on-demand offering allows consumers and businesses to print low-volume orders in one week, which can be easily updated and reprinted. This results in lower development costs, no inventory management or storage costs, and much less waste.” Blurb Magazines are perfect-bound 20-to-240-page publications developed for creative and editorial content, while Blurb Brochures - designed for business use - range from 4 to 48 pages and offer saddle-stitched binding and a selection of cover finishes. Magazines are priced from £6.95 for a 20-page publication whilst brochures are available from £3.95 for the 4-page option. Volume discounts for both start at 7 copies.

100 Ideas that Changed Photography is a new book that chronicles the most influential ideas that have shaped photography. Arranged in a broadly chronological order to show the development of photography, the ideas that comprise 100 Ideas that Changed Photography include innovative concepts, cultural and social incidents, technologies and movements. Each idea is presented through lively text and arresting visuals, and explores when the idea first evolved and its subsequent impact on photography. 100 Ideas that Changed Photography costs £19.95.

White Knight Press has released its newest camera guidebook, the Photographer’s Guide to the Sony DSC-RX100: Getting the Most from Sony’s Pocketable Digital Camera. “Using a patient, tutorial-like approach, the book provides guidance to beginning and intermediate photographers not only about how to accomplish things with the RX100, but when and why to use the camera’s many features,” the publisher says. “The book does not assume any specialized knowledge by the reader as it explains topics such as autofocus, manual focus, depth of field, aperture priority, shutter priority, exposure compensation, white balance, and ISO sensitivity. The book also provides full details of the camera’s numerous menu options for playback, setup, and customizing the operation of the various buttons and other controls.” The 378-page paperback sells for $24.95. A PDF version is also available for $9.95.

The ASMP Guide to New Markets in Photography (Allworth Press) is a pragmatic guide that teaches photographers how to find a business approach that works for them. “An overview of developments in the industry covers the new visual needs created by the economy; the changing definition of what it means to be a photographer; shifting distribution of clients; the role of technology; and the role of copyright, licensing, compensation, and contacts,” the publisher says. Edited by Susan Carr, the 307-page paperback is available now, priced at $24.95.

Top Travel Photo Tips From Ten Pro Photographers is a new title from Allworth Press. Author and director of the New York Institute of Photography, Chuck DeLaney has interviewed ten outstanding professional and well travelled photographers and asked them to share their favourite tips and techniques for taking great travel photographs. Illustrated with 80 full-colour travel photos, the 112-page paperback is available for $16.95.

Jong Afrikaner: A Self-Portrait is a new book featuring portraits by South African photographer Roelof Petrus van Wyk. Tracing the ongoing transformation and change of the “white tribe of Africa,” the book contains head-and-shoulders portraits of young white Afrikaners – including the strangely beautiful Yo-Landi Vi$$er from the rap group Die Antwoord. “Both a provocation and a statement of artistic intent, the body of work challenges preconceived ideas and beliefs about Afrikaners,” the publisher says. “These individuals… are connected to each other through share values, preferences and tastes and express themselves in diverse cultural and creative activity, rather than any supposed national identity.” Published by Fourthwall Books, Jong Afrikaner: A Self-Portrait will be available for purchase through the website below.

Michael Freeman will be launching his latest book, The Photographer’s Story, via a live online broadcast on Tuesday 30th October. The event is free to attend, and anyone can submit a question in advance by signing up now via the website below. Before the broadcast, anyone who has signed up will receive an e-mail reminder.

On 5th November at Kings Place, London, conceptual fine art photographer Tim Flach will talk about his latest book More Than Human. In this book, he takes this into new points of inquiry with surprising portraiture of creatures ranging from exquisite pupae, to the world’s largest cat, to intimate scenes of bonobos and other primates. The lecture starts at 7pm, tickets are available online for £9.50.

The event is part of the PhotoVoice Lecture series and the ‘Words on Monday’ series.

America’s National Parks: An Insider’s Guide to Unforgettable Places and Experiences is a new coffee table book edited by Scott Kirkwood. “We recognize that national parks are among the most photographed places on the planet,” Kirkwood says, “so when we set out to create this book, we made a conscious effort to pick images that show off these places in a new light.  When you page through this book, you’ll know you’re looking at American icons like Arches, Glacier, and Yellowstone; but you’ll see these sites in ways that you haven’t quite seen before.  You’ll also be introduced to a lot of parks that aren’t household names — but should be.” America’s National Parks: An Insider’s Guide to Unforgettable Places and Experiences retails for $24.95.

AsukaBook UK and Ireland has announced the launch of a number of new high-end photo-book products. The company now offers lay flat binding for every product size from 5 x5 to 12 x12. Other upgrades and improvements include matt cover options across all ranges, a new 12-side DVD presentation book option, a new matt option for deluxe presentation box on the Zen Layflat Impact range, and more.

Steidl has announced new editions of two of Joel Sternfeld’s classic photobooks. The reprint of his seminal American Prospects (€88 / £75) features new photographs, and a revised format and cover. The subjects of the now classic American Prospects include a fireman shopping for a pumpkin while a house burns behind him; motorcyclists at the side of the road taking in a stunning, placid view of Bear Lake, Utah; the hi-tech world headquarters of the Manville Corporation in picturesque Colorado, obscured by a defiant boulder; and a lone basketball net in the desert near Lake Powell in Arizona. The other book, Stranger Passing, (€65 / £50 / $88) contains portrait photographs that form in Douglas R. Nickel’s words, an “intelligent, unscientific, interpretive sampling of what Americans looked like at the century’s end.”

The Lens: A Practical Guide for the Creative Photographer is a new title from Rocky Nook. Decoding the arcane terminology used by lens manufacturers, the book provides practical tips for both amateur and professional photographers to help them make smart purchasing decisions, and also covers the foundations of lens design, including the optical, mechanical and electronic properties of photographic lenses. The 320-page volume is available for $44.95.

The Long Exposure is a new e-book written by Belfast-based landscape photographer David Cleland. “The aim of this e-book is to offer an introduction to the process of capturing long exposure photographs,” the author says. “It documents the simple steps I employ each time I embark on a long exposure photo shoot.” Priced at $5, the book comes in PDF format that can be read on computers, smartphones and most tablets.

Blurb has announced a new version of its easy-to-use ebook editor that allows authors to add video and audio to their iPad-compatible electronic books. “We have effectively turned digital storytelling on its head,” said Eileen Gittins, CEO and Founder, Blurb.co.uk. “You’ll get the familiar structure and narrative of a book, plus the freedom to add multimedia to create a richer, non-linear storytelling experience.”

Photoshop Elements 11: The Missing Manual by Barbara Brundage is a new title from O’Reilly Media. “With candid, jargon-free advice and step-by-step guidance, you’ll get the most out of Elements for everything from sharing and touching-up photos to fun print and online projects,” the publisher says. The 656-page volume is available for $44.99 in printed format or $35.99 as an ebook. You can buy both versions in a bundle for $49.99.

Photographing Shadow and Light by Joey L. is a new title from Amphoto Books. In this book, Joey lifts the curtain on his approach to portraiture, sharing his personal philosophy and a behind-the-scenes look at 15 different photo sessions. “Featuring more than 85 stunning portraits, detailed lighting diagrams, and a foreword from industry icon David Hobby (aka Strobist), Photographing Shadow and Light shares the creative process behind one of today’s most exciting photography talents, providing serious amateurs and professionals a fresh perspective on creating compelling, professional quality portraits,” the publisher says. Scheduled for a 4th December release, the 176-page paperback carries a list price of $29.99 and is currently available to pre-order from Amazon for $19.39.

Photocrafty by Sue Venables is a new fun and quirky ‘how-to’ book aimed at digital SLR camera users who have yet to venture away from their auto setting. Available from 8th October, the book offers new and exciting ways of making the most of a DSLR, like a photography course which can be taken at the reader’s own time and pace. “What excites me about photography,” says Sue “is that the possibilities are endless – yet most people don’t even begin to explore beyond the basics. I see Photocrafty as an approach, rather than just a book. It’s about embracing the unknown and being a bit experimental. I want people to be saying ‘what would happen if I try that?’ rather than being stuck with the ‘point-and-shoot’ approach to photography.” Published by Punk Publishing, the 224-page paperback is available to pre-order from Amazon UK for £14.95.

Hasselblad celebrates this year’s Masters award winners with the unveiling of the Hasselblad Masters Book Vol. 3 - a portfolio collection of the work the award winners created during their tenure as Hasselblad Masters interpreting the theme “Evoke.” All eleven winners will be attending Photokina and will receive their awards at the Hasselblad booth (Hall 2.1, Stand A-021/B-020). The book will be available for €79.90/$95/£65.

Extraordinary Everyday Photography by Brenda Tharp and Jed Manwaring is a new title from Amphoto Books. Encouraging amateur photographers to slow down, open their eyes, and respond to what they see to create compelling images; the authors teach readers how to use composition, available light, colour, and point of view to create stunning photographs in any environment. The 160-page paperback is available for $25.99 through the Random House website.