Product Description

Almost everyone can "see" in the conventional sense, but developing photographic vision takes practice. This work helps photographers visualize their work, and the world, in a whole new light. This revised and rewritten guide takes a radical approach to creativity. It explains how it is not some gift only for a few, but actually a skill that can be learned and applied. Using inventive photographs from his own portfolio, the author deconstructs creativity for photographers. He details the basic techniques that went into not only taking a particular photo, but also provides insights on how to improve upon it, so helping readers avoid the visual pitfalls that can lead to dull photographs. This edition features informaton on digital photography and digital imaging software, as well as a section on colour as a design element.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4284 in Books
• Published on: 2003-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Customer Reviews

Learning to See Creatively
The reason I bought this book is to do exactly what it says in the title. You see, I have been doing a college course at a local college over the last two years, and a problem I have had, is actually Seeing Creatively. As some of my assignments threw me. Assignments such as Sinister City, Me, Myself and I, A box of Junk, and many others. I did get them done in the end, but with a lot of guidance from my tutors and fellow students. One thing I should point out is that: I am a mature student, a 45yr old student I might add. Anyway, I felt that I needed a lot more help in How to See Creatively. So I bought it. When it came and I started to read it, I got realy excited, while at the same time I felt rather stupid, at how simple it was to see more creatively, just by simply changing my view point. In the past, whenever I went out on a photo-shoot. I usually did change my view-point quite a few times, and often, before I released my shutter. When the images came back after processing, I'd look at the photo and say to myself: "this is'nt what I saw" and then I'd be rather dissapointed with the results.

In this book,the auther, and photographer shows you the scene as you would approach it in the normal position, and then he would show you the scene in a lower position, not just low as when crouched down, but low as, layed on your belly, the final result is amazing. The way he fills the frame and composes the scene before you, well you have got to see it to believe it, I'd recommend this book to anyone, wether young or old, it has certainly opened my eyes to Seeing Creatively and I'm 45. It's just so simple.

The book itself is very well layed out, and full of superb images. It's so simple to read and understand. Each chapter covers different aspects on how to get the best out of your equipment, wether your gear is very substantial or very small with only one or to lenses in your kit.

The first chapter (after the introduction of course) is called Expanding Your Vision with Lenses. In this chapter the auther explains in plain English (though American English) what each lense is for, and why one lense is better than another lense, wether it be Standard, Telephoto, or wide-angle, and also why one lense is better than another to give your image impact. Then the auther dedicates a section, within the first chapter, to each lense backed-up by some brilliant photos.

The next chapter is entitled Elements of Design. In this chapter he covers things like texture, lines, form, shape and pattern, Again backed-up by some superb photos.

The next chapter is called Composing Strong Photographs. Again, the auther breaks the chapter into sections, covering each part in great detail, about composing the image in your viewfinder. Features on how best to fill your frame, and he covers things such as: How to define your Horizon, Silhouettes and where to frame them in your viewfinder for most impact. Again with some fantastic images to boot. The next chapter is called: Understanding your Exposure Options. Where he covers Aperture and Shutter Speed with photos of course.

The final chapter is called: The Magic of Available Light. This chapter covers everything you need to know about using available light. Wether morning, noon or night. Bright and sunny,dull and overcast, or even raining. At the back of the book is a very helpful Index, on everything covered in the book in alhpabetical order, so you can find anything you want without having to skim through the book page by page.

All in all, I found the book very interesting and informative, backed-up, as mentioned several times in this review, by some of the best photographs I have seen for a very long time. The book is an excellent guide, that is a mine of information, that takes pride of place amongst the photography library that I am building up at home. I would recommend this book to anyone taking up photography, either as a career, or hobby and would be useful years from now as a reference book. I hope this review is helpful to anyone that reads it, if used of course.

Yours gratefully

Michael Phillips.

It does what it says ... and very well.
This is a very good book that encourages the photographer to carefully consider composition. It also has very helpful sections about why certain images work - such as the use of thirds, golden sections, S-shaped images, why the use of the right side is more effective than the left, looking for colour before composition etc.

The criticism made by bomanjee below that this is a good introductory guide for children only is totally uncalled for and ridiculous.

If there is a criticism, it's that the pictures are sometimes poorly reproduced - grainy, lacking sharpness and the colours are muted. I think this is a result of the printing which is a bit cheap. But the ideas the book discusses are invaluable.

concise but effective advice
Although surprisingly slim (in pages) the coverage of the basics of photographic design and creativity is very useful.

Topics are covered in a few pages with limited but relevant photographs showing aspects of the "design" under discussion. The exercises, although deceptively simple, can be very effective in achieving the stated objective - getting the reader to see creatively.

The book is a general guide to photographic composition and design. If you are looking for specific techniques on digital, photoshop or a specialised field of photography then look elsewhere. The writing style is clean and consise, making it a joy to read (over and over again).

A very good purchase if you are actually interested in creating images rather than collecting lenses!