8 Object Recognition Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

Discover Object Recognition books authored by leading experts including Rowel Atienza, Van Vung Pham, Benjamin Planche, and Sanath Shenoy

Updated on June 28, 2025
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What if you could unlock the secrets behind how machines identify objects with near-human accuracy? Object recognition is reshaping industries from autonomous vehicles to healthcare diagnostics, and mastering it is crucial for anyone diving into AI's cutting edge. These 8 books bring you into the heart of this dynamic field, authored by specialists who blend deep research with practical application.

Among these authors, you'll find Rowel Atienza, whose work on advanced deep learning models offers a gateway to implementing object detection and segmentation with TensorFlow and Keras. Van Vung Pham dives deep into Detectron2, Facebook’s powerful framework, while Sanath Shenoy tackles the often-overlooked challenge of poor lighting in object detection. Each book carries the weight of real-world experience and academic rigor, ensuring you're learning from voices that have shaped the field.

While these titles provide solid frameworks and expert perspectives, your learning can go further. For those needing content tailored to specific experience levels, industry needs, or technical backgrounds, consider creating a personalized Object Recognition book that builds on these foundations with targeted guidance and examples.

Best for mastering advanced deep learning
Rowel Atienza, Associate Professor at the University of the Philippines and expert in computer vision and deep learning, channels decades of research and teaching into this book. His background includes pioneering robotic control algorithms and active gaze tracking systems, qualifying him uniquely to guide you through complex AI topics. This book is the product of his dedication to advancing practical AI knowledge, especially in object detection and segmentation, making it a valuable resource for those ready to push their skills further.

Rowel Atienza brings a wealth of academic and research experience to this detailed exploration of advanced deep learning techniques using TensorFlow 2 and Keras. You’ll move beyond basics to tackle multi-layer perceptrons, convolutional and recurrent networks, and then dive into generative adversarial networks (GANs), variational autoencoders (VAEs), and deep reinforcement learning methods. Chapters on object detection and semantic segmentation provide concrete frameworks for practical AI applications in computer vision. This book suits you if you already know Python and have some machine learning background but want to elevate your skills to cutting-edge AI projects.

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Best for practical Detectron2 applications
Van Vung Pham is an assistant professor with a PhD from Texas Tech University and years of experience in machine learning, deep learning, and data visualization. His current work involves applying deep learning techniques, including Detectron2 and Faster R-CNN, to predict road damage, achieving state-of-the-art results. This book reflects his practical expertise, guiding you through using Detectron2 for real-world computer vision tasks, from understanding its architecture to deploying models across platforms.
2023·318 pages·Computer Vision, Object Recognition, Model Training, Performance Tuning, Image Augmentation

Drawing from his extensive research background in machine learning and deep learning, Van Vung Pham offers a focused exploration of Detectron2, Facebook's advanced library for object detection and segmentation. You learn not just theory but practical skills, such as data preparation, model training, fine-tuning, and deployment into production and mobile environments. The book dives deep into Detectron2's architecture, with chapters dedicated to performance tuning and image augmentation techniques that sharpen model accuracy. It's particularly suited for developers and researchers who want hands-on experience with cutting-edge computer vision tools, though some programming knowledge enhances the experience.

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Best for custom learning paths
This AI-created book on object recognition is crafted based on your background and specific learning goals. By sharing what you already know and what you hope to achieve, the book is tailored to focus on the deep learning methods that matter most to you. This personalized approach makes navigating complex AI concepts more approachable and directly relevant to your interests. Rather than a one-size-fits-all guide, this tailored book provides a focused path through advanced object recognition techniques designed just for you.
2025·50-300 pages·Object Recognition, Deep Learning, Neural Networks, Feature Extraction, Model Optimization

This personalized book explores deep learning techniques specifically tailored for object recognition, focusing on approaches that align with your background and goals. It reveals how convolutional neural networks and feature extraction methods can be applied effectively to real-world AI challenges. By concentrating on your interests, the book navigates through complex architectures, training processes, and optimization techniques that enhance recognition accuracy. Tailored content ensures that you engage with concepts and examples most relevant to your experience, offering a customized pathway through advanced material. Whether refining skills or building new expertise, this resource fosters a deep understanding of object recognition's dynamic landscape, blending foundational theory with practical applications.

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Best for deep learning with TensorFlow
Dr. Benjamin Planche, a research scientist with a Ph.D. summa cum laude and extensive work across labs in France, Japan, Germany, and the USA, brings deep expertise in computer vision and machine learning to this book. His focus on data scarcity and industrial vision systems, combined with numerous patents and international publications, positions him uniquely to guide you through TensorFlow 2’s capabilities for creating powerful image processing applications.
2019·372 pages·Computer Vision, Tensorflow, Object Detection, Object Recognition, Machine Learning

Drawing from his extensive international research and numerous patents, Benjamin Planche offers a detailed exploration of deep learning applied to computer vision using TensorFlow 2. You’ll learn to build, train, and deploy convolutional neural networks, mastering architectures like Inception and ResNet, and techniques such as YOLO for object detection and Mask R-CNN for segmentation. The book also guides you through generative adversarial networks and recurrent neural networks for video analysis, with practical examples on mobile and web deployment. Whether you’re new to deep learning with some Python background or an expert exploring TensorFlow 2’s features, this book equips you with the skills to develop advanced image processing applications.

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Sanath Shenoy is a specialist in deep learning and computer vision, focusing on object detection techniques. With a strong academic background, he has contributed significantly to the field through research and practical applications. His deep dive into how models perform under poor lighting conditions offers you a rare look into challenges often overlooked in object recognition. This book reflects his commitment to bridging theoretical knowledge with practical solutions for complex visual environments.
2022·83 pages·Object Detection, Object Recognition, Deep Learning, Image Enhancement, Computer Vision

Drawing from his deep expertise in computer vision, Sanath Shenoy examines how deep learning models perform object detection under challenging low-light conditions. You gain insight into the impact of poor lighting on detection accuracy and explore specific image enhancement techniques that can improve results. His work demystifies the technical nuances of adapting standard models to less-than-ideal environments, making it especially relevant if you work with real-world image data where lighting cannot be controlled. This book is best suited for practitioners and researchers aiming to enhance object detection reliability in difficult visual settings.

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Best for building vision projects in C++
Prateek Joshi, CEO of Plutoshift and author of 13 machine learning books, brings extensive expertise to this work. Featured in Forbes and a sought-after speaker at TEDx and major conferences, Joshi leverages his deep understanding of machine learning and computer vision to deliver a resource that bridges theory and practical implementation. His background ensures the book not only covers advanced OpenCV techniques but also addresses real-world development challenges faced by software engineers.
Building Computer Vision Projects with OpenCV 4 and C++ book cover

by David Millán Escrivá, Prateek Joshi, Vinícius G Mendonça··You?

2019·538 pages·Computer Vision, Object Recognition, OpenCV, Image Processing, Deep Learning

Unlike most object recognition books that skim theory, this one dives deep into building real projects using OpenCV 4 and C++. The authors, experienced developers and researchers, guide you through practical tasks like image segmentation, motion detection, and text recognition with Tesseract, supported by hands-on code examples. You’ll gain skills in advanced techniques such as 3D scene reconstruction, background subtraction, and deep learning integration within OpenCV, making it ideal if you want to create functional computer vision applications from scratch. This book suits software developers with some familiarity in C++ and image processing who want to move beyond basics and tackle complex computer vision challenges.

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Best for focused learning plans
This personalized AI book about building vision systems is created based on your experience, skill level, and specific goals in object recognition. By sharing what aspects you want to focus on and your current background, you receive a tailored guide that concentrates on the areas most relevant to your needs. This approach makes complex concepts more approachable and helps you progress efficiently toward deploying your own object recognition solutions.
2025·50-300 pages·Object Recognition, Computer Vision, Model Training, Data Preparation, Algorithm Selection

This tailored book explores the essential steps to build and deploy object recognition systems within a focused 90-day period. It covers foundational concepts in computer vision and machine learning, progressing through designing, training, and optimizing models specifically for your background and goals. The content examines practical challenges and solutions in object recognition, offering a personalized pathway that matches your experience level and targeted applications. By concentrating on your interests, the book facilitates efficient learning and hands-on skill development in object recognition technologies. It provides a clear, tailored roadmap to accelerate your understanding and system deployment in real-world contexts.

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Best for medical imaging specialists
S. Kevin Zhou, PhD, a distinguished professor and founding executive dean at the University of Science and Technology of China, brings decades of expertise in medical image computing to this work. His leadership at the Center for Medical Imaging, Robotics, Analytic Computing and Learning and experience as senior R&D director at Siemens Healthcare Research uniquely position him to guide you through the nuances of machine learning applied to medical imaging. This book reflects his commitment to bridging research and practical application in medical image recognition and parsing.
2015·542 pages·Object Recognition, Image Recognition, Machine Learning, Medical Imaging, Image Segmentation

After extensive research in medical image computing, S. Kevin Zhou developed this book to address the complex challenge of automatically recognizing and parsing multiple anatomical structures within medical images. You gain detailed insights into machine learning techniques tailored to segmenting and analyzing cohorts of anatomical objects, supported by large datasets and practical algorithms. Chapters delve into cutting-edge methods for efficient image parsing and contextual anatomical recognition, making the content especially useful if you’re involved in medical imaging research or developing clinical applications. While highly specialized, it’s best suited for professionals and academics wanting to deepen their understanding of multi-object recognition in medical contexts.

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Best for neuropsychological object recognition
Jane M. Riddoch is a renowned expert in neuropsychology and cognitive science, known for her significant contributions to the understanding of visual object recognition. Alongside Glyn W. Humphreys, she has developed standardized procedures for assessing neuropsychological disorders, making her work invaluable in the field of cognitive neuropsychology. This expertise directly informs the Birmingham Object Recognition Battery, offering you a scientifically grounded resource to evaluate and understand visual object recognition deficits.
BORB: Birmingham Object Recognition Battery book cover

by Glyn W. Humphreys, Jane M. Riddoch··You?

2017·Object Recognition, Cognitive Neuropsychology, Visual Perception, Neuropsychological Assessment, Semantic Knowledge

When Glyn W. Humphreys and Jane M. Riddoch developed BORB, their decades of research in cognitive neuropsychology shaped a tool that rigorously dissects visual object recognition disorders. This book guides you through standardized tests evaluating everything from basic visual perception, like orientation and size matching, to complex processes such as semantic access and object naming. You’ll gain detailed insights into how these assessments reveal different layers of visual cognition, useful for clinicians and researchers focused on neuropsychological diagnosis. While dense in methodology, it offers practical frameworks for interpreting results and connecting them to cognitive theory, making it particularly relevant if you work with visual perception impairments or neuropsychological assessments.

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Best for quick Python vision fundamentals
Florian Dedov is a computer scientist and economist who combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience to create accessible programming guides. His approach focuses on efficient learning with minimal resources, making complex subjects like computer vision approachable for self-taught developers. This book reflects his commitment to delivering concise, high-quality content that equips you with essential skills in Python-based visual computing.
2020·67 pages·OpenCV, Object Recognition, Computer Vision, Programming, Image Processing

Florian Dedov brings together his dual expertise in computer science and economics to deliver a focused guide on computer vision using Python. This volume walks you through core techniques such as color space transformations, edge detection, template matching, and real-time object recognition with OpenCV, making complex topics approachable in just 67 pages. You’ll learn practical skills like enhancing poorly lit text, detecting motion in videos, and extracting meaningful information from images, all framed within applied programming projects. If you’re aiming to build solid foundational skills in computer vision without getting lost in overwhelming theory, this book offers a concise, hands-on path that’s especially suited for self-learners and developers looking to integrate visual computing into their workflows.

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Conclusion

Navigating the landscape of object recognition requires both theoretical grounding and practical insights—a balance these 8 books achieve through diverse approaches. Whether you're tackling deep learning architectures with Rowel Atienza or exploring real-world challenges like low-light detection with Sanath Shenoy, these resources collectively cover the spectrum of skills needed.

If your goal is rapid skill application, pairing hands-on guides like "Hands-On Computer Vision with Detectron2" with foundational deep learning concepts from Atienza’s work can accelerate your progress. For specialized fields, such as medical imaging, S. Kevin Zhou’s detailed analysis offers unmatched depth. Alternatively, developers new to computer vision might find Florian Dedov’s concise Python guide a perfect starting point.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized Object Recognition book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation. These books can help you accelerate your learning journey, giving you the tools to move from novice to confident practitioner in object recognition.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "Hands-On Computer Vision with TensorFlow 2" for a balanced intro to deep learning and object recognition. It covers practical projects and core concepts, easing you into this complex field without overwhelming detail.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Object Recognition?

Some books like Florian Dedov’s "The Python Bible Volume 7" are beginner-friendly, while others dive deeper. Choose based on your background; beginners benefit from hands-on, code-focused titles before tackling advanced theory.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with foundational guides on TensorFlow or Python basics, then explore specialized topics like Detectron2 or low-light detection. Mix theory with practice for steady progress.

Should I start with the newest book or a classic?

Newer books like Van Vung Pham’s on Detectron2 address state-of-the-art techniques, but classics like Atienza’s work provide essential deep learning foundations. Use both to build a comprehensive view.

Do these books assume I already have experience in Object Recognition?

Many titles expect some Python or machine learning knowledge, but several offer accessible entry points. Check introductions to gauge if a book matches your skill level before diving in.

How can I tailor these expert insights to my specific learning goals or industry?

While these books offer broad expertise, personalized content can bridge gaps for your unique needs. You might consider creating a personalized Object Recognition book that adapts expert knowledge to your experience, goals, and sector.

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