Mastering the Basics of Photography [Unabridged] [Paperback]

Susan Mccartney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2001

The perfect camera-bag companion for every serious novice photographer who shoots on location in the field, this clear, nontechnical book shows how to achieve desired effects every time. The basics of camera function are explained in language that’s easy to understand, giving complete coverage of film, light, lens apertures, shutter speeds, exposure, metering, and focusing, with printing, storing, and showing of work also included. Fully explored are composition and training the photographer’s eye to handle light and contrast, with many sample assignments offering fledgling photographers practice shots to sharpen skills. The full range of popular subjects includes adults, children, events, and travel; flowers, gardens, nature, and animals; landscapes, seascapes, sunsets, and sunrises; abstractions, graphics, impression, and close-ups; buildings, interiors, and still lifes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A complete novice could take this book and be making fine photographs within a week and without going broke on expensive gizmos...” -- Frank Van Riper, photography columnist, The Washington

About the Author

Susan McCartney has traveled the world on assignment for corporate clients such as British Airways, the U.S. Army, and Warner Brothers Records. Her photographs have appeared in Time, The Economist, Glamour, the New York Times, Popular Photography, and other leading publications. Having taught at the School of Visual Arts and Cooper Union, she continues to conduct a wide variety of workshops. Her other books include Mastering the Basics of Photography, Travel Photography, and Nature and Wildlife Photography, all published by Allworth Press. She lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Allworth Press; Revised edition (January 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581150547
• ISBN-13: 978-1581150544
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #822,098 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mastering the Basics of Photography, July 15, 2001

By 

audrey gottlieb (New York, NY and Ogunquit, ME) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mastering the Basics of Photography (Paperback)

From the moment I began leafing through Susan McCartney's latest book, I knew I had hit upon the perfect teaching tool. This book, from start to finish, is clearly written and uses good examples of photography to illustrate the subject matter. The ABC's of photography, cameras, lenses, flash and other useful tools are easy to understand and accurately reflected. I will definitely recommend this book to my students and to anyone who wants to learn or to refresh the basic knowledge of photography.

45 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterful Book, September 24, 2001

By 

M Heron (Claryville, New York USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mastering the Basics of Photography (Paperback)

Finally, here is a book clear enough for the beginner yet serious and thorough enough for an advanced novice to use for honing photographic skills. Susan McCartney's book "Mastering The Basics Of Photography" gives that and so much more. The book is complete and technically accurate but does not try to intimidate the reader with complicated jargon. You can find everything you need to achieve technical excellence and also gain an understanding of the creative process. The author's clear, friendly writing style makes the information easy to grasp and enjoyable to read. For years I've been looking for a book to recommend to newcomers and this surely is it!

32 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Junk, June 11, 2004

By 

Anne (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mastering the Basics of Photography (Paperback)

I've read reviews that this book is perfect for beginners and I'm at a loss to understand why. Things are explained in high, low, fast, slow, and rarely gives an example of what specifically is meant. The writer makes references to things that a beginning photographer, such as myself, might have the vaguest clue about without an explanation, or explanations that aren't very clear. Bracketing is mentioned throughout the book but I'm still understand what the purpose is. I expected clear explanations of the basics - composition, lighting, chosing a shutter speed, and choosing an aperture. The book seems to cover each thing in little bits, then moves on. There's approximately 40 pages (of large text) explaining everything from the different types of cameras, different types of flashes, compostition, lighting, metering, the different ways to meter (as well as the different devices), film, aperture and shutter speeds, and the many sub categories - I excluded all the pages of photographs, and much of the tip boxes since they don't really add much to what's already written on the page. There was more information devoted to the different types of cameras then anything else. I find the book to be almost completely useless. It hardly expands on the manual that came with my camera.