Review
If writers are indeed interested in becoming knowledgeable about photography in order to make their product more salable by supplying photographs with their written copy, this book is just liable to cure them of this desire. Author and photographer Michael Havelin really pours on the material as if he were writing for someone who might want to be a professional photographer. Havelin apparently expects writers to make major commitments to the art of photography to the point of setting up darkrooms not only in the home but in the trunks of automobiles. It almost sounds as though Havelin, who writes with a breezy style, forgot who he was writing for and tried to lay out information for photojournalists and news cameramen. The book is also organized in a way that is confusing as he continually uses vocabulary in the early part of the book that is not explained until much later-and sometimes never. Amazingly enough, considering the subject of this book, there are precious few photographs in the book and those that are included give little help in understanding the content. Even in the section on composition, which cries for photographic examples, none are to be found. It is obvious that Havelin dearly loves the subject of photography so much that he gets lost in it. A strong editor might have helped him get better organized and cut down on the redundancy and helped him focus more on the needs of those people he was trying to reach-the writers. --
From Independent Publisher
From the Back Cover
Reading Photography for Writers: Using Photography to Increase Your Writing Income could be the turning point in any writer's career. Just as writers look for ways to publish more work, editors search for complete materials to publish. By combining text with the right pictures, writers can create packages editors want and increase their opportunities for selling in new markets. Veteran photojournalist, editor, and magazine publisher Michael Havelin explains what a writer needs to become a proficient photographer and compose the shots editors are looking for. He covers step-by-step how to:
enhance your writing
research subjects for photography
construct a photo essay
compose a balanced photograph
edit an
enhance your writingd catalog your images
select the best equipment
prepare a photo shoot
obtain permissions
market your text/photo package
write a query letter and much more Chapters on computers and the Internet discuss everything from digital imaging to Internet copyright issues and publishing on the World Wide Web. An appendix provides sources for equipment as well as helpful reference materials. Photography for Writers is an exceptionally clever, completely fresh approach to selling words through pictures that will amplify any writer's communication tools and expand his or her horizons for success.
