Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Focal Press (2007), Edition: 1st, 192 pages
Description
Design is the single most important factor in creating a successful photograph. The ability to see the potential for a strong picture and then organize the graphic elements into an effective, compelling composition has always been one of the key skills in making photographs. Digital photography has brought a new, exciting aspect to design - first because the instant feedback from a digital camera allows immediate appraisal and improvement; and second because image-editing tools make it possible to alter and enhance the design after the shutter has been pressed. This has had a profou
User reviews
LibraryThing member bacharbin
This was a really great book on composition and technique for building an image. A lot of philosphy and theory with just a much very practical information. Freeman gives some excellent examples and also gives many takes on the same subject in order to illustrate how to approach the same scene in
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different ways. I want to get out and shoot some Itten's Contrasts. Show Less
LibraryThing member jaygheiser
This is perhaps the most explicative book I've read about why photographs work, and do not work, and how to leverage those lessons through the practice of photography.
LibraryThing member deldevries
Lots of great ideas here - this is a book to work through slowly.
LibraryThing member Fips
As someone only just playing around with digital photography, I picked up this book as a complement to Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure to get me started and provide some inspiration. Neither book disappointed. Where Peterson's book is an excellent starting manual for people new to the world
The book is divided into 6 chapters, with each chapter further divided into sections dealing with a certain aspect of photographic design. Whilst some sections make reference to others, and in particular to photographs on other pages, in general it is possible to read this book piecemeal, skipping over bits that are of no interest, or returning and dipping into others. Each section abounds with example photographs, many also exploiting instances of photographs that didn't quite work to further highlight a point.
As many have already said, the writing is at times a little academic, and has the feel of being written with a photography or similar course in mind, but there is little that should prevent the average reader from understanding everything covered here. Freeman quotes a number of other photographers to illustrate his points, as well as dipping into other artistic fields to contrast the particular challenges of photography. One genuine criticism I have of the book is that Freeman sometimes describes certain features of (albeit famous) photographs that, perhaps for economic or legal reasons, do not appear in the book. Whilst said images can easily be found with a quick search on the Internet, it nevertheless detracts from the book's readability, particular for the novice this book is clearly aimed at.
Just to pick up on two of the most common criticisms many of the negative reviews have on here:
* the photographs are rubbish - whilst I personally find this to be pretty harsh criticism, the fact that not every image is a spectacular masterstroke is in my opinion one of the book's greatest strengths. These may only be 'ordinary' photographs, but by illustrating what makes them work it is easy to understand the principles being explored, whether focusing on the basic elements, perspective, timing, exposure etc. For instance, there is a photograph in one section of a house and a tree--an entirely throwaway image, one that you wouldn't normally linger to look at for more than a split-second--but its inclusion is used as an illustration of using natural elements of the subject as a frame within the picture.
* the book has no lessons, it simply describes why some photographs work - this is more valid criticism, and I think down to personal taste. I found the book's structure to be almost perfect - each section explored one particular concept, with a number of real-world examples used to highlight how this idea can be employed, and why this makes the photograph 'work' where a different angle, a different exposure, a different composition etc. failed.
Ultimately, with a value price tag, the buyer can't go wrong with this one. If you agree with other comments that the photographs should be nothing short of spellbinding in order to be able to learn from them, by all means look elsewhere. Nevertheless, this book's structure and the authorship, combined with ample photographic examples, make for an excellent beginner's guide for improving composition, and being aware of what is possible behind the lens.
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of photography, Freeman's goes into much greater depth about composition techniques.The book is divided into 6 chapters, with each chapter further divided into sections dealing with a certain aspect of photographic design. Whilst some sections make reference to others, and in particular to photographs on other pages, in general it is possible to read this book piecemeal, skipping over bits that are of no interest, or returning and dipping into others. Each section abounds with example photographs, many also exploiting instances of photographs that didn't quite work to further highlight a point.
As many have already said, the writing is at times a little academic, and has the feel of being written with a photography or similar course in mind, but there is little that should prevent the average reader from understanding everything covered here. Freeman quotes a number of other photographers to illustrate his points, as well as dipping into other artistic fields to contrast the particular challenges of photography. One genuine criticism I have of the book is that Freeman sometimes describes certain features of (albeit famous) photographs that, perhaps for economic or legal reasons, do not appear in the book. Whilst said images can easily be found with a quick search on the Internet, it nevertheless detracts from the book's readability, particular for the novice this book is clearly aimed at.
Just to pick up on two of the most common criticisms many of the negative reviews have on here:
* the photographs are rubbish - whilst I personally find this to be pretty harsh criticism, the fact that not every image is a spectacular masterstroke is in my opinion one of the book's greatest strengths. These may only be 'ordinary' photographs, but by illustrating what makes them work it is easy to understand the principles being explored, whether focusing on the basic elements, perspective, timing, exposure etc. For instance, there is a photograph in one section of a house and a tree--an entirely throwaway image, one that you wouldn't normally linger to look at for more than a split-second--but its inclusion is used as an illustration of using natural elements of the subject as a frame within the picture.
* the book has no lessons, it simply describes why some photographs work - this is more valid criticism, and I think down to personal taste. I found the book's structure to be almost perfect - each section explored one particular concept, with a number of real-world examples used to highlight how this idea can be employed, and why this makes the photograph 'work' where a different angle, a different exposure, a different composition etc. failed.
Ultimately, with a value price tag, the buyer can't go wrong with this one. If you agree with other comments that the photographs should be nothing short of spellbinding in order to be able to learn from them, by all means look elsewhere. Nevertheless, this book's structure and the authorship, combined with ample photographic examples, make for an excellent beginner's guide for improving composition, and being aware of what is possible behind the lens.
Show Less
LibraryThing member dmturner
Any two dimensional artist should read this book closely, to understand the principles of composition. The last chapter is the most photography-centric but even then it is good advice on how to approach subject matter and style.
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2007
Physical description
192 p.; 9.75 inches
ISBN
0240809343 / 9780240809342