Guide trougth basic elements of visual comunicationMore than a book about photographs, it's a guide trougth all the basic elements of visual comunication.
There are better booksI am new to the world of photography and purchased this book for some useful advice and lessons on good photographic composition. The author makes the point that composition is something that everyone can learn, rather than a gift, but fails to properly explain how to learn it. The "lessons" in the book are suggestions that will already have occurred to anyone who has spent half an hour behind a camera. While the images presented in the book are good, you can find the same stuff for free on Flickr, along with the EXIF data.
Throughout the book the author has presented some pairs of images: an original composition, and his improved second exposure, along with what changes he made. This is useful, especially if you are making images similar to his "original" images.
Would I buy this book again? Probably not. I guess it is an acquired taste.
Learning to see creativelyI have read a great many books on photography and have been disappointed with most of them.
I sat down with a coffee and this book and my coffee went cold as I read this book from end to end without a break.
Fantastic!!
I was at a point were I was in a rut with my photography and this book has inspired and given me new ideas.
I have since purchased 2 more of Bryan Peterson's books and they are as good.
A little disappointedwas looking forward to receiving this book, unfortunately it has not really taught me anything, As a photographer I already put all this book in to action
really makes me wonder if I should write a book
just follows basic camera and picture taking skills will the old saying you can tell a pro photographer cos they always shoot low
and really this is all this book encourages to stop standing and shoot at a low angle
not really that thrilling to be honest you would gain more looking through free photo hosting websites then you will from this book
Back to Basics!The book talks about basic techniques and methods through which any photographer can improve his / her photography techniques. However, it seems to me that the book will benefit beginners a heap more than serious amateurs or professionals due to the emphasis given to the basic elements. I believe every photographer needs to brush up on the basics at least once every year. This book is good at doing that.
However, I do find that the title is a bit misleading as it doesn't really teach you how to `see creatively', the book simply enhances the readers basic knowledge and techniques for taking a `good' photograph or how to see a good photograph. The creative bit remains the artistic / individual element that makes photography an art. Read as many books as you like but I believe that no one can really teach you how to be creative.
The book includes some very helpful exercises for the reader that will widen his / her horizon and improve technique. I personally do recommend attempting them all, even though some of them can be time consuming and a bit tedious but they really do add value to the reader. Take the time and do them all the way through, you will be thankful that you did.
The cover states that the book includes digital photography, DO NOT BE FOOLED! The book talks mostly about film photography and only mentions digital in one brief chapter towards the end of the book. The author talks about digital photography as if it were a vague subject, despite the book being a relatively recent publication.This still isn't a major issue as technique shouldn't really vary much whether using film or digital photography as the book is about photography skills. I tend to agree that most work should be done in the camera at the time of capturing the image and not at home on photoshop.
A good book all in all, especially for beginners and amateurs and essential for developing key skills. However, could be a bit of a disappointment for more advanced photographers but could still serve as a reference to the basics.
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