Creative Digital Photography [Paperback]

Michael Busselle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2002

Digital photography has opened up imagemaking to a whole new audience, encompassing everyone from traditional photographers to budding computer enthusiasts. Now there's an indispensable, one-stop manual that shows newcomers how to master digital photography and its entire range of creative possibilities! Covering more than 50 separate topics, Creative Digital Photography first demonstrates simple manipulations such as removing minor flaws or tidying up a fussy background. Readers then progress step by step into more complicated techniques like filter effects, layering, and montages-combining elements from a variety of sources into a new, original work of art. The most important message throughout Creative Digital Photography, however, is that computer wizardry is simply a means to an end: The emphasis here is to create memorable images rather than concentrate on digital gimmickry. Beautifully illustrated with over 150 full-color photos and written with a minimum of jargon, this is an inspiring and informative guide for anyone interested in creative imagemaking.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

One would be forgiven for thinking that this was a book about taking photos with a digital camera. Instead, it explores the exciting ways computer software can be used to manipulate photographic images digitally. A photographer for 50 years and a photography writer for 25, Busselle considers the digital revolution the single most exciting and liberating development in the medium since the introduction of roll film and the 35mm camera. He uses such a camera for most of the work here and explains more than 50 ways to enhance images subtly, filter them, and create complex layers and montages. Busselle concentrates on enduring artistic decisions rather than tying his exercises to specific, rapidly changing software. Artists who want to explore the outer edges should see Janet Ashford's Start with a Scan, but photographers will find more that's germane to their field in Busselle's highly recommended book.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Michael Busselle has been a professional photographer for over 40 years and has enthusiastically embraced advances in digital photography, relishing the creative possibilities of the medium. He has written many photography technique books as well as a number of illustrated travel books. He is a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society in the UK, and lives in London, England.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Amphoto Books (May 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0817437304
• ISBN-13: 978-0641770470
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 9.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,840,997 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I was stunned!, May 11, 2003

By 

Damian P. Gadal (Santa Barbara, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Creative Digital Photography (Paperback)

I was stunned when I read in the introduction that Mr. Busselle had gotten to the point in his career where he wasn't taking shots because he'd felt that he had already taken many similar shots!

This intrigued me, so I bought the book.

Straight off I realized that this isn't a book about taking photos with a digital camera, but rather a book about the revolution that computers have brought to the artistic endeavor of photography! Mr. Busselle embraces this revolution with a passion and discusses some of the myriad of possibilities in the digital imaging world.

The book is well written and filled with examples. I'd suggest a strong working knowledge of Photoshop if you plan on purchasing this book.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Misleading title, January 31, 2005

By 

alachapelle - See all my reviews

This review is from: Creative Digital Photography (Paperback)

If you are looking for a book that will teach you how to take creative shots with your digital camera, this is not the book for you. The photographs are very beautiful, but 99% of them were taken on film. The author discusses scanning the photos after they have been developed and manipulating them on the computer. At the very end of the book the author discusses his views on digital cameras; he doesn't appear to like them and would rather use film. That is fine, but then why call your book, Creative Digital Photography? Why not just Creative Photography? I had hoped to learn more about digital camera techniques but came away from this book empty-handed.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Really should be called "Creative Digital Manipulation", August 8, 2004

By 

RICHARD THOMAS "An eclectic pleasure seeker" (Cotuit, Cape Cod, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Creative Digital Photography (Paperback)

I found the title and book description misleading in that the contents cover VERY little photographic technique and even less specific information on getting the most out of taking pictures with your digital camera. Instead, the bulk of the book focuses on what you can do with a digital image when creating a final product. On this acccount it appears to be quite thorough, and if you are a Photoshop wiz you might get alot of great ideas here. Also, to give it its due: the book is physically beautiful, and while it lacks editorial clarity, the images and layout are stunning.

If you own a digital camera, and are looking for a title that will help you wade through the sea of camera settings and effects, I would start elsewhere.