22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Fortune Cookie Taoism, November 19, 2002
This review is from: Tao of Photography: Unlock your Creativity Using the Wisdom of the East (Paperback)
Once a photographer learns how to manipulate the controls on a camera so that he or she can know what will appear on the film, the next quest is often for a way to make pictures more "artistic" or "creative". Ang's "Tao of Photography" is apparently aimed at such a photographer. Unfortunately his aim isn't very good.
The title of this book suggests that by examining the ancient Asian philosophy, Tao (often translated as "the Way"), and incorporating it into one's photographic approach, one will open new doorways to creativity. The suggestion is not unreasonable since many of the great photographers of the world have suggested adopting photographic approaches that sound remarkably like the Tao.
Unfortunately Ang never really explores many facets of Taoism other then Yin and Yang, a principle that suggests that there are two possible approaches to almost everything in life and that the wise person threads his way between to follow the Way. And even when he refers to this dualism, it is only to suggest that it exists. I would have hoped that he would show us sign posts for the Way. For example he notes that there is a relationship between film speed and film grain, i.e., faster films are usually grainier. But how we are to transform that knowledge into creativity is not suggested, or at least, not usefully.
Moreover, the book doesn't seem to be well organized or sure of its audience. Ideas and sections appear thrown together randomly, as if from a stream of consciousness. And the ideas may apply to a beginning photographer or an advanced photographer. For example a comparison of range finder cameras to single lens reflexes would be old hat to an advanced photographer, while a discussion of the curves function in Photoshop seems designed to scare the beginner.
I found particularly disturbing a number of sections of the book that Ang calls workshops. I expected some kind of exercises here but instead encountered a few more hackneyed aphorisms like "The Tao photographer sees opportunities but does not force results" and "The Tao photographer understands that being awake means knowing when to sleep".
The Tao is not about technique, it is about philosophy. If you want a book that suggests how the Tao can be incorporated into your photography read "The Tao of Photography: Seeing beyond Seeing" by Philippe L. Gross and S.I. Shapiro. On the other hand if you don't want to consider changing your way of living but want to work on your creativity read "Photography and the Art of Seeing" by Freeman Patterson. For outdoor photographers, I would suggest you look at Galen Rowell's "The Inner Game of Outdoor Photography."
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15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Too many gear discussion, few art appreciation, December 20, 2000
This review is from: Tao of Photography: Unlock your Creativity Using the Wisdom of the East (Paperback)
Though the title may capture the audience, the book itself is not much different from other photo technique books. I bought this book for some nice photo in their but that only the photo I found at bookstore. Other photo are completely mundane. I wouldn't recommend this book for anyone. If you want to see more art appreciation book, you may look at Freeman Patterson book.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Good Read, Fair Photographs, August 15, 2004
This review is from: Tao of Photography: Unlock your Creativity Using the Wisdom of the East (Paperback)
I found many very good essays in this book. But some of the photographs accompany the essays are out of the topics. One thing, Tom use "too" much croping the pictures to make his statement. And thus make it less Tao.
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