Customer Reviews

The Art of Photography: An Approach to Personal Expression

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4 star:		(1)
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Kudos to Mr. Barnbaum, not only for his artistic excellence, but also for his ability to communicate his thoughts and ideas in a clear and interesting manner. "The Art of Photography" is written in a very personal style, and is a wonderful mix of technical and artistic information. Although the technical details about the Zone system and darkroom techniques are certainly directed toward the serious, advanced photographer, the discussions about composition, visualization, and creativity should be of interest to photographers at all levels of ability and experience. Most importantly, Mr. Barnbaum shares his thoughts about the purpose of photography: to communicate a feeling or message to the viewer and to elicit a response. This theme is reiterated throughout the book and is frequently compared to similar concepts in other art forms. I've read a number of very good books on photography, but this one is now at the top of my list. If you are serious about photography and are looking for a stimulating book, this is the one!

Barnbaum is a serious black and white photographer, and this is a personal book in which he describes how he uses his own sense of aesthetic to "break" the rules of the Zone System. A good book for the advanced b&w photographer, this book provides a view of the way in which one photographer finds his own vision. It is less about technique and more about art than most photography books. My only quibble is that the reproductions in the book could have been of a higher quality.

I am 40 pages into this book and i have learned more about myself and my own phorography just form reading this book then i have from any other. There are excellent examples. the book is a very easy read, you don't need a dictionary handy to be able ot understand this.