Photography and the Art of Seeing: A Visual Perception Workshop for Film and Digital Photography [Paperback]

Freeman Patterson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 27, 2011

"Patterson's superb color shots, as well as his explanation of his unique approach to picture-taking, are sure to inspire you to explore fresh avenues in your own photography."
-- The Globe and Mail

The second book in Freeman Patterson's internationally acclaimed series of instructional books on photography and visual design, Photography and the Art of Seeing has now been updated and expanded to include technical guidelines adapted for both digital and film photographers. The jargon-free text provides techniques and innovative exercises for breaking with traditional concepts of design, enabling the photographer to develop a keen awareness of subject matter and a direction for composing the picture.

Photography and the Art of Seeing also offers a workshop for all visual artists that includes lessons on the fundamentals of perception and overcoming obstacles in their work.

This edition features several never-before-published photographs from Freeman Patterson's personal collection and extended captions that include valuable technical information and personal commentary.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Photography and the Art of Seeing by Freeman Patterson is a super new book for beginners and advanced photographers alike. It is easy to push a button and take a picture, but it is a lot more difficult to "make" a creative image, and this well written book will take you through the steps of the thinking and doing that part of it. The book not only includes beautiful images, but also technical info on what it takes to create such images, no matter if you are using film or digital cameras. (Nature Photographers Online Magazine 20110401)

Patterson gives guidelines to help photographers improve their visual thinking and develop their imaginations, emphasizing what he calls "good seeing." ...Patterson gives personal examples from his experiences, along with exercises on learning how to observe... He also covers effective expression, abstract thinking and principles of visual design. For anyone wanting to move away from some tired visual habits, the exercises and topics of this book should encourage experimentation and a new way of observing. (Jenny Montgomery Photo News 20120501)

Updated and expanded to include technical guidelines adapted for both digital and film photographers. The jargon-free text provides techniques and innovative exercises for breaking with traditional concepts of design, enabling the photographer to develop a keen awareness of subject matter and a direction for composing the picture. It also offers a workshop for all visual artists that includes lesson on the fundamental of perception and overcoming obstacles in their work. This edition features several never-before-published photographs...and extended captions that include valuable technical information and personal commentary. (Ginette Lapointed PhotoNews 20111201)

About the Author

Freeman Patterson has published twelve books and won numerous awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the North American Nature Photography Association. Freeman lives at Shamper's Bluff, New Brunswick, an ecological reserve of over 200 acres, which he recently donated to the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books; Fourth Edition edition (October 27, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1554079802
• ISBN-13: 978-1554079803
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 0.5 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,579 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #46 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Equipment, Techniques & Reference > Reference

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

238 of 242 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Not your typical book on photography May 12, 2005

By D. Booth

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought "Photography and the Art of Seeing" knowing nothing about it. I had not even heard of the author, Freeman Patterson. I had a certain expectation based on current photography books of the same genre, but what I found is a book beyond compare.

I would recommend this book to any level of photographer with a desire to truly express themselves through their photography. You won't come away with a list of rules and instructions about when to apply them. Nor will you end up with a cheat sheet of camera settings that achieve particular effects. If you are open to it, however, you will learn new ways to look at, think about, understand, and portray the world you see through the lens of your camera; you will become more empowered to express yourself in your photography.

I was happily surprised that this book is more about photography than it is about the author. Certainly he includes many personal experiences to explain himself and his work, but he does so without the self-aggrandizing rhetoric of similar books. You really begin to feel as if you are part of his process, rather than someone he is trying to impress, as he describes his approach to his work.

And the photos! While they are exceptional, this is not a book to flip through, pause for the pictures, and then put on a shelf. Instead, it lives up to an important word in the subtitle, "workshop." You may never attend an expensive workshop with an accomplished photographer. But Patterson generously provides a workshop that includes intriguing, mind-expanding exercises all for the cost of this book.

Yes, I love this book! So much so that I've ordered two more of Patterson's books, and I can hardly wait to get started on them.

122 of 125 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't buy this book - PLEASE! November 29, 2006

By KiwiExpat

Format:Paperback

Please don't buy this book. It will change your photography. I bought it, and now I have an advantage, and I want to keep it!

Seriously, this is probably the most disturbing photography book I have found. It will challenge everything you do in photography, and that is unsettling.

If you follow the exercises properly, you will develop a whole new way of seeing and taking photos.

Sure, if you want to, you can read it from cover to cover and go "Ho, hum, very nice." and take it no further. But if you want to improve your photography, take your time, and do the exercises carefully. You will be surprised at the results.

I especially like the one where you lock yourself in a small room (bathroom) and have to take 20 images. "If you don't feel desperation before you finish this exercise, then you have to take another 20 photos."

Don't buy this book! Run away and hide. Keep taking boring photos.

56 of 57 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book October 25, 2005

By TheGonz

Format:Paperback

This book is full of exercises targeted to open your mind to new ways to see and new ways to make a picture too. You have to have some spare time and patience to spend on some of these exercises, I have just made two of them with great results! This book is totally different to what you normally expect from a photo book as you don't only get some technical details but also the author's philosophy which reveals his passion for photography.