Learning to See Creatively: How to Compose Great Photographs [Paperback]

Watson-Guptill (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Amphoto Books (June 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0817441778
• ISBN-13: 978-0817441777
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #699,575 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

135 of 139 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Concise, interesting, helpful., August 28, 2001

By 

[e-mail] (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Learning to See Creatively: How to Compose Great Photographs (Paperback)

This is an interesting little book. It is geared towards the novice photographer, but others with more experience may be inspired by it too. It can easily be read in one sitting. The author shuns sophisticated camera lingo or fancy techniques and concentrates on the fundamentals of composing a memorable photograph. The book is profusely illustrated and most photographs are presented twice, one framed in the conventual manner and the second with a subtle, but dramatic improvement. The author powerfully demonstrates that minor changes can have profound effects on the success of the picture. Raising or lowering the camera angle, using aperture to control depth of field, choosing the proper focal length, emphasizing lines, texture or shapes as well as other simple techniques are all briefly discussed. The prose is concise; for the most part the author lets the photography do the talking. While these are all basic techniques and the author does not cover any unique ground, the information is well presented. Most successful photographs fail because of simple mistakes. The author almost exclusively confines his focus to landscape photography or inanimate objects. The reader looking for insight into photographing people or nature will be better served by other references. The reader looking for the basics of using a camera, or the reader looking for intermediate or advanced technique will also be disappointed. However, if, like so many of us, you are in need of simple techniques to improve your photographs, this is a useful resource. The novice will certainly benefit from reading this and even the experienced photographer may find an idea or two.

48 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Full of ideas to take your photography to the next level, September 30, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Learning to See Creatively: How to Compose Great Photographs (Paperback)

Of the many books that purport to add compositional and other creative skills to your arsenal of photographic tools, this is the only one I have read that really delivers. Perhaps the most useful aspect of this book is that it shows how, by making one or two changes (camera angle, lens selection, time of day, etc.) the author took what would been a snapshot to a magazine cover or poster quality photo. In most cases, there are "before and after" photos for comparison, and there is always a complete but concise (and very understandable) explanation of the techniques he employed. Whether you are a beginner, or you have been doing serious amateur and professional photography for nearly forty years (as I have), I'd bet you can learn something from this book. Of three bookcases full of books on photography, this is one of the few that I consider indispensible. Highly recommended.

73 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars This book is more about using extreme lenses., November 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Learning to See Creatively: How to Compose Great Photographs (Paperback)

Bryan Peterson's book has many beautiful images with most showing before and after shots. The before shot is usually taken with one lens and the improved after shot is taken with another lens. Unfortunately, many of these after shots are taken with expensive extreme lens from ultra-wide angles (20 mm) to super telephotos (300 mm+), to macros and extension tubes. In other words, lenses I don't have and can't afford. There are better books out there that really do tell you how to see creatively, regardless of the equipment you have, that will be much more beneficial in improving your compositions and seeing differently. Some by Freeman Patterson come immediately to mind. Unless, of course, you do have the gear. If so, then go for it.