The Underwater Photographer, Second Edition [Paperback]

MARTIN EDGE (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0240515811 | ISBN-13: 978-0240515816 | Publication Date: September 15, 1999 | Edition: 2

Written by one of the most experienced teachers of underwater photography this popular, `hands-on' manual demonstrates how to take stunning underwater photographs that will not only give you a personal feeling of satisfaction, but will improve your chances of achieving award winning results.



The book focuses on the practical art of taking underwater pictures through the author's popular 'think and consider' system. This system explains how, with careful thought and consideration of the subject matter, lighting and environment prior to taking the picture, beautiful effects can be captured. Practical examples take you step by step through the basic techniques; from photographing shipwrecks, divers, fish and abstract images to taking photographs at night and 'dual lighting', plus advice on the selection of equipment.

Written in a clear, non-technical style and illustrated in colour throughout this book has established itself as the introductory guide to photographing the wonders of the underwater world. It has now been fully updated and expanded to include seven new chapters containing new techniques and examples, more inspirational images and the very latest equipment.

* concentrates on the practical art of taking stunning underwater pictures
* used by underwater photographers world-wide as a practical handbook to be carried at all times
* illustrated with inspirational colour pictures throughout
* written by an experienced teacher and award winning underwater photographer




Illustrated with beautiful colour pictures to inspire you
Includes practical step-by-step examples so you can really get to grips with this genre
Benefit from an international underwater photography trainer's hints, tips and practical advice first hand

Editorial Reviews

Review

Review of the previous edition:
'The book underwater photographers have been dying to get their hands
on...'
'..anyone interested in taking up underwater photography would benefit
from reading this book.'
Professional Photographer Magazine

"...it contains clear demonstrations of technique, illustrates the equipment and takes us through examples of how to achieve results similar to the author's"
Diver Magazine

Review of second edition:

"We liked the writing style, the extensive captions that explain how each of the tens of colour images were taken and the general layout of the book. If you have some experience in underwater photography and want to go beyond the snapshots, this is the book to buy."
Diver magazine, Oct/Nov 2000

Product Details

• Paperback: 234 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 2 edition (September 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240515811
• ISBN-13: 978-0240515816
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,745,458 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most useful book on u/w photography I have read!, November 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Underwater Photographer, Second Edition (Paperback)

I have always said that underwater photography is not something a rational person should consider.

It is expensive and at times very frustrating, but when you get some good results it rewards you with a great feeling of satisfaction.

As someone who has persevered with underwater photography for nearly 15 years, I have bought many books on the subject in an attempt to learn why I keep making the same mistakes. Until reading Martin Edge's book I felt that only Howard Hall's book came close to showing me the answer.

Martin has managed to produce a book that is not only interesting and easy to read but really gets the message over. He covers all the aspects you need to know about, without the commonly made mistake of getting tangled up in the technical & equipment issues.

Sure he talks about the equipment, but the clear message is that you take the photograph...the equipment is just what you use to do it with.

If you are serious about underwater photography, then you need this book!

27 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars NOT a great book, January 8, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Underwater Photographer, Second Edition (Paperback)

I know I'm in the minority when it comes to reviews of this book, but I really didn't think this book was all that great. In fact, I thought it was about as close to useless as a book can get. The problem is that the book is light on technique and heavy on fluff. If you're a beginning photographer, you probably need lots of technique help, and this book doesn't deliver. It won't help new photographers increase their skills because it really doesn't offer much in the way of help on the critical areas like strobe positioning, exposure control, basic composition, etc.

It's not so hot for advanced photographers, either, because it doesn't offer much guidance in areas that might be useful to them, like special techniques, advanced composition, subject selection, exotic equipment, etc.

All in all, I'm not sure who the book was written to help...I'm just reasonably sure it won't help many people.

Pick another book.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb, February 27, 2001

By 

Mark S. Mendelsohn (Rockville, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Underwater Photographer, Second Edition (Paperback)

Martin Edge's book should be considered a Bible for the underwater photographer, particularly for those diving with housed SLR's. Jim Church's books on the Nikonos system and on composition, are extremely helpful, but Martin Edge provides clear and to the point advice for the housed Nikon SLR user, as well as providing general instruction in uw photography. I'm a professional photographer on land, but a newbie to underwater photography, and I found this book appropriate for both levels of experience. If you plan to do uw photography, buy it. If you plan to use a housed SLR, buy it twice!