Customer Reviews

Learning to See Creatively: How to Compose Great Photographs

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This is the most useful photography book I have read in a long time, and I have read a lot (and taken a few pictures along the way). True this is not a general book and does not cover the basics in film, aperture and shutter speed which of course are important (after all this author has written a book on these aspects), but lets face it there are plenty of these general books around already. What this book addresses in spades is what is often lacking in some others; composition.

If you are a beginner then this is a must read book. If you are more advanced and generally happy with your images then read this book anyway and look again. Were any of you images `ho-hum, so-so'? Need to move on to the next level?

This is the best book on composition I have read. I believe this book has helped me and can help you improve your images no matter what level you are at. Yes, even if you are a point and shoot photographer. For me this one is a keeper. Enjoy. ASC.

I have to admit, this is the first photography book that I've actually read from cover to cover. Each chapter contains valuable information that teaches the reader to shift their perspetive and see the world differently.

As a student photographer I constantly struggle with the mistaken assumption that I have to have something of value to photograph or that every picture I take has to be of something momentous. Not so. With this book I learned that I can look at a field of flowers along the side of the road and by simply "flopping down on my belly" see the world from an different perspective. This is what the author teaches. How to shift your view of the world around you and find true inspiration in the common and ordinary.

The author teaches when to use a telephoto and when to use a wide angle lens and also talks about the usefulness of the much maligned 50mm lens. The reader also learns how to incorporate color into photographs, how to interpert and accomodate line, form and texture.

The sample photographs are in full color and provide the reader with examples that illustrate the lessons beautifully.

One word of caution, if you're looking for a book that discusses the more technical aspects of photography such as apeture, shutter speed or depth of field charts, this is not the book for you. This books assumes you have a basic working knowledge of photography and is written to take you to the next level beyond the fundamentals of photography.

I highly recommend this book. It has helped me tremendously. Now I look for reasons to go out and shoot and no longer bemoan the lack of subject matter. The world has opened up and my photographs have definitely improved.

I bought this book expecting to see rules of composition.Apart from one reference to the rule of thirds, I did not find anything. But I did find something else - "The art of looking at the picture through the viewfinder". As I had gotten into using more complex, advanced equipment, I had started looking at the picture instead of seeing. This book will make you think before you take your photographs. Most of the photographs in the book made me marvel at the guy's composition skills..even envy. But now when I take my pictures, some of the pictures from the book come to my mind, and I re-evaluate my composition. If this happens to you...youre well on your way to taking great pictures. The section on exposure is nice. The book is worth every cent you pay for it.

I should know, as it did for me.

If you're prepared to put the time in and study study study
these pictures, then go out and shoot shoot shoot literally
thousands of photographs (I shot 5,000+ in my first year),
then accurately anaylze what you are doing right, you WILL
improve.

If you think one quick read is all you need then you're
deluding yourself. Instant mastery is a joke and you'd
be foolish to look for quick fixes.

But for a SOLID grounding in what works and what doesn't,
you can't beat this book.

You may also want to investigate "The Art of Black and
White Photography " by John Garrett.

But most of all, shoot away.

As an intermediate amateur photographer, I compared this book with "Photographic Composition" by Tom Grill and Mark Scanlon, and "Photography and the Art of Seeing" by Freeman Patterson. I liked this book the best of the three. The biggest advantage over the other two books was Peterson's pairing of "bad" and "good" photos of the same subject. For example, just changing time of day (pp.130-137) can make a big difference in the quality of light in a photo. (I disagree with the November 12, 1999, review here; many shots were improved by methods other than "another lens." I also disagree with the November 23, 2000, review, in that Peterson tells you exactly what is wrong with the "bad" photos.) Although almost all the example photos are saturated and contrasty, a few have a limited "pastel" color palette (e.g., pp. 59 & 107) for those who prefer such a style. Hey, buy all three books at Amazon.com!

This book is extremely well written and easy to comprehend. Peterson has, through excellent photographic examples, shown the reader how to look at their subjects with an entirely different perspective. He shows his techniques through pictures of the same subject taken with a "different point of view", and points out what is right and what could be improved upon, and how.

I would highly recomend this publication to anyone who is serious about improving the quality and content of their pictures.

I have read a few books on compositions. What makes this one standout is the way Bryan illustrates his technique. In each chapter, he first defines each concept clearly, then he uses pictures and the related comments to demonstrate the point. Combining all the chapters, it is a complete approach to composition. He always includes a "big picture" shot to go with the sample picture to demonstrate the different the technique makes. By doing so, it also demonstrates how to use photography telling a story.
The focus is on building and fixed subject. The tonal contrast bit could be better. Also no mentioning of layering (maybe by design). These are very minor gipes.
The book is very easy to read and understand. It has a lot of beautiful pictures of Oregon. Hey, he has made power lines looking good (in picture anyway)! Highly recommended for beginner and intermediate photographer.