A pain-free, straightforward view of street photography like it has never been done before. . .(yet) Tips and techniques alongside lots of black and white as well as color pictures, to help you navigate your way through the streets for rules-free picture ma
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
I have been a "student" of photography for longer than I care to admit. The "rules" were drummed into my head mercilessly, ultimately becoming a major obstruction to creativity. How many moments were lost while my mind was running through f-stop-vs- DOF- vs Shutter speed-vs- motion blur considerations, instead of just firing the damn shutter! I think that this is also a microcosm of how we rule abiders experience our lives. somewhat recently I picked up a book "The Tao of Photography" which in a VERY oversimplified synopsis by me, parallels Chuang Tzu with "enlightened" photography. This is a philosophical approach to freeing ones mind from these restrictions (rules). I found this intriguing. I also tried so called "street" photography for the first time , using a cheap old Russian plastic camera with a rather good lens, and found it amazingly liberating. I then came across this book, bought it despite the poor review and found it to be a refreshing eyeopener! Nitsa advocates a lot of what the Taoistic one does but even more Taoistic,in as much as it comes from the heart, from the organic experience of living in the moment rather than from a calculated analysis of Taoist references and well known photographers statements. Mind you, The Tao of photography is very insightful and a fantastic companion to this book. It comes from the more intellectual perspective and is almost as much about living as it is about photography. Nitsa also alludes to the applicability of her philosophy to the art of living too. I have read her book at least 4-5 times and find myself getting a little bit closer to being free of the shackles, but it is still a struggle, just so hard to let go. I feel that my photography is after MANY years in it's infancy, but finally some growth seems possible! At last I can smell fresh air. I cannot compare to her seemingly boundless talent, and artistic energy, but could explain Modular Transfer Function charts in lens testing! How absurd! So ultimately it boils down to these questions... Can ART be taught? Can the art photography be learned by establishing mathematically based constrictions to the use of the machine to define its output? That's what the rules really are! Do you want to learn the Art of photography or obsess over the mechanical function of the apparatus. In my humble opinion, and frankly I'm nobody; there is nothing wrong in understanding the function of the mechanism of your camera, but that will likely seldom lead to creativity and art. The path that is clear is not the path. Perhaps the best way to pursue the vision is to free yourself from the highly technical and get something along the lines of a Holga, that is so simple that one immediately feels kind of liberated from robotic calculations, formulas etc. and learn to see what's around you. I think that I am finally beginning to see that there is profound beauty in the ordinary moments of our lives, the things and places we take for granted and often completely miss out on because we are too hurried or caught up in the need to control, or follow. This is where true art comes from and this is what I think Nitsa is writing about. I gave it only 4 stars because she repeats information, I think because it may need to be drummed into our heads to replace the existing dogmatic clutter, but honestly comes across a little bit like trying to fill more pages. Too bad, that the message is rather simple if difficult to accept. Too bad too, that a lot of pages are needed to feel that we get our money's worth. If you have the ears to hear what she is saying,then the value is absolutely there. If you cannot, then this is not the book for you, try a technical manual.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
I was happy to have finally found a book that is devoted not only to street photography but mainly to freestyle photography. This attitude sets the book apart from most other photography books as they often try to instruct how photography should be carried out. Nitsa on the other hand, urges street photographers to abandon the special gear, instruction books, and calculations, and just get out and snap away!
Her photos are remarkable and are positively an inspiration to both beginners as well as professional photographers.
Her photos are remarkable and are positively an inspiration to both beginners as well as professional photographers.
7 of 13 people found the following review helpful
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Let me start by saying that Nitsa is a creative photographer who has some excellent street pictures to her name. But if you are expecting a book on the street photography ala Henri Cartier-Bresson, this is not the book for you. Based on her own brand of 'non-photography', which as elaborated in her blog, this is quite an interesting concept with some worthy nuggets in composition, artistic direction, etc. Sadly, these did not feature in the book. Neither did many of her photographs from her web site that I'd rate highly. Instead, the book propagates a 'no rules' method, if it can be called a method at all, is flawed because (1) one cannot make a photograph, good or bad, without exercising some basic 'rules' related to exposure and shutter speed, to say the least, and (2) the notion of 'no rules' is oxymoronic as that is a 'rule' unto itself.
Even if I'd give it the benefit of doubt - perhaps it's just not my cup of tea - No Rules Street Photography is just too lightweight, with no substantiation on the 'no rules' movement. At 108 pages, which could have easily been halved and still have space to spare, it's all garnish and no meat. Having read her blogs and seen her photographs, this book could have been a great title on alternative photography. I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of this book and I am quite dumbfounded by the far cry the finished product is from its potential.
Next, this book is near impossible to read. The choice of typefaces, sometimes with several on a single page, is painful on the eyes. I think a type foundry was a sponsor and the designer just had to showcase all its fonts - a wrong thing to do, in my opinion. The layout is 'grungy', which is alright as a style, but it is overdone to the extent of serving no form or function.
What makes it sadder than the fact that I could not salvage any redeeming quality from this title, is the author - Nitsa - is actually a talented photographer with much to offer. Tragically, none of which made it between the covers of No Rules Street Photography. Certainly not worth the asking price, not even half of it, if you ask me. I returned the book. Sorry.
Even if I'd give it the benefit of doubt - perhaps it's just not my cup of tea - No Rules Street Photography is just too lightweight, with no substantiation on the 'no rules' movement. At 108 pages, which could have easily been halved and still have space to spare, it's all garnish and no meat. Having read her blogs and seen her photographs, this book could have been a great title on alternative photography. I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of this book and I am quite dumbfounded by the far cry the finished product is from its potential.
Next, this book is near impossible to read. The choice of typefaces, sometimes with several on a single page, is painful on the eyes. I think a type foundry was a sponsor and the designer just had to showcase all its fonts - a wrong thing to do, in my opinion. The layout is 'grungy', which is alright as a style, but it is overdone to the extent of serving no form or function.
What makes it sadder than the fact that I could not salvage any redeeming quality from this title, is the author - Nitsa - is actually a talented photographer with much to offer. Tragically, none of which made it between the covers of No Rules Street Photography. Certainly not worth the asking price, not even half of it, if you ask me. I returned the book. Sorry.
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
street photography Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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