Langford's Starting Photography, Sixth Edition: The guide to creating great images [Paperback]

Philip Andrews (Author), Michael Langford (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0240521102 | ISBN-13: 978-0240521107 | Publication Date: December 3, 2008 | Edition: 6

'The' Focal Press introductory photography book, this authoritative classic by leading photography writer and lecturer Michael Langford has been refreshed and revised by best-selling photography author Philip Andrews for today's photographers. Strongly focused on digital, but with key references to traditional photography where relevant, to offer a full grounding in the topic, Langford's Starting Photography is an ideal technical introduction.

All the core basics are included, from how to select and compose a good picture to how different cameras operate and how to decipher their controls. Different subjects are explored, with advice on how to tackle people, places, animals, landscapes and close-ups, and valuable guidance on presenting and assessing finished work. This established, detailed beginner's guide is the perfect choice if you're looking to develop your knowledge and skills, and take your photography to the next level.

* An established, technical guide to help you master the concepts and techniques behind successful photography
* Strongly focused on digital photography but also covering key traditional methods to give you a full understanding of the topic
* Hundreds of images and illustrations help to inspire and explain so you're out taking great images of your own in no time

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for previous editions:

"At last there is an introductory book that I can unreservedly recommend to friends, students and others who are in any way interested in the basics of photography and digital photography."
Sidney Ray, Senior Lecturer in Digital and Photographic Imaging, University of Westminster, photographer and Imaging Consultant.

"Diagrams and photographs demystify information, helping the book strike a balance between technical details and shooting advice, and helpfully it doesn't talk down to the reader...The scope of information and the reasonable price ensures this is recommended."
What Digital Camera

About the Author

Philip Andrews is Adobe Australia's official Photoshop and Elements Ambassador. He is an experienced photographer, author, magazine editor and online course creator. He was previously a lecturer at the Queensland School of Printing and Graphic Arts, Australia and Nescot, England. He is a beta tester for Photoshop, an alpha tester for Photoshop Elements and a Photoshop specialist demonstrator for Adobe Australia. Contributing numerous articles and videos to AdobeTV and the inspirational browser, Philip is a leading source in adobe information and instruction. Philip is also co-founder of photo-college.com an online photography training college. He's a regular contributor to several magazines including Shutterbug, Amateur Photographer, Australian Photography and Better Photography, he is senior contributing editor for Better Digital, columnist for What Digital Camera and Co-editor and publisher of Better Photoshop Techniques magazine.

Michael Langford, renowned author, teacher, and practitioner, is a legend because of his skill that balanced art and technique. He inspired and taught thousands. As Photography Course Director at the Royal College of Art, London, UK, his key involvement with photography courses and exams set the standard worldwide.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 6 edition (December 3, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240521102
• ISBN-13: 978-0240521107
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #123,740 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book, but it really is for total starters, March 19, 2011

By 

wolfy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Langford's Starting Photography, Sixth Edition: The guide to creating great images (Paperback)

I, being a person who has taken photos for about 5 years, thought that this book would be a good way to fill in any gaps I may have missed on my self-teaching career. Totally wrong. The book is written as if someone has never used a camera before. Upon browsing through the advanced photography edition, the only things I learned after spending $25 on this would have also been covered in the advanced book.

*****BUT!!!!!!*****

Don't think this is a negative review. No way. This book is freakin' amazing. It's the best beginning photography book I have ever read in my life. I wish I'd had this when I was first beginning. The book, in very simple terms, delves into great detail and explains all the workings of both film and digital cameras, but never once did I get the impression it would be hard to read this for a total beginner. If you want to really be a photographer, but don't even have a camera yet, start with this book once you get one.


For those of you who've got the hang of you're camera and want to get better or see what you've missed, just get the advanced one. It'll fill in the gaps for a better bargain than this book. All this will do is fill in the gaps, but you won't learn more. The advanced book fills in and goes into even greater detail, so much that the people who need this book would probably have a nervous breakdown if they read it.

Okay, that's a bit strong, hahahah, but yeah, the books don't appear to build on each other. It seems like the books are written for people who want to be like a certain photographer. If you just want to take nice pics of family, friends, etc., this book is great. If you eventually want to be a NatGeo photographer, start with the advanced book.



*************IN SHORT****************
If you've never extensively used a camera (i.e. you've never done anything other than push the button), this is the book for you. If you've used it a lot for over 6 months, get a higher-level book.

4.0 out of 5 stars Transition from Film to Digital, January 26, 2012

By 

Nash Black "Troubadour" (Jamestown, KY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Langford's Starting Photography, Sixth Edition: The guide to creating great images (Paperback)

Michael Longford's STARTING PHOTOGRAPHY is for anyone who has every clicked a shutter button. The main emphasis is the transition from film to digital, the differences and similarities. Since Kodak declared bankrupey last week a new edition might be forth coming dedicated to the digital world.
Cell phones outstripped digital cameras for holiday gift giving so even the digital camera maybe a wave of the past.
For excellent instruction on lightening, composition, camera operation, style, etc. this is an excellent beginning.
Nash Black, author of SANDPRINTS OF DEATH.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great condition, September 16, 2011

By 

jennilynnh - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Langford's Starting Photography, Sixth Edition: The guide to creating great images (Paperback)

Very happy with my purchase. Book arrived quickly and in great contition! Would purchase from this retailer again. Great value for the cost.