Customer Reviews

The Underwater Photographer, Second Edition

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!

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.

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!

I bought the book after (and despite) the review of the Reader From Austin, TX; and I was not disappointed by this book. Martin covers all aspects of U/W photography in a concise way, giving just enough examples and explanations. It provides a lot of feedback on using common contemporary housed systems, which not many other presently available books do.

I agree that it offers little in terms of complete basics; and it will not stretch the professionals. But hey, I'd like to think that I fit in the middle. And I do not want to waste another 20 rolls of expensive slide film before finding out where I went wrong. Martin's book has warned me in advance about some of the pitfalls.

The only possible criticism is that the book could have provided more than just a couple of examples for each described situation. However, this would make the book big and pricey. And as it is, you can even take this reasonably slim volume with you on the liveaboard.

I have read this book over and over again to absorb all the information! It is so good and contain a wealth of information. Comparing it wit the books by Danja and Annmarie Kohler, Mark Webster and Jim Church's book on composition, this one comes in as a clear first. Mark Webster's book is a relatively close runner up, but it is Marin's book that always join me on my trips and elsewhere. Photography in all books is good but Martin provides the most and best information. Jim's book is a waste of money compared to the rest. Overprized with very little hard info. Just a ton of mumbojumbo. The book by Koehler is ok, but way behind Webster, and in particular. Edge's books! Get it and love it!

I was disappointed by this book. The photography is excellent and very inspiring, but the main text is often vague and inarticulate. The book does not keep its main promise of teaching us the author's special system for taking good photographs. The system is mentioned a lot but it remains tantalisingly obscure. I hope there will be another edition of this book with some input from a publisher's editor or a professional educator.

I've read through the book twice, looking for something--anything--I can employ in my own photography, to no avail. I'm not sure who is the target audience of the book. If you're a brand-new photographer, it will be of little value to you because it doesn't include enough technical information to get you started. If you're an experienced-enough photographer that you don't need the technical help, you've probably discovered on your own most of what Mr. Edge has to say.

Then there are the pictures. I had a hard time figuring out why this book was so disappointing until I started taking a close look at the pictures. About three out of every four pictures made me say "so what?" Only one of four made me linger and enjoy the photograph. Even my wife remarked on how dull most of the pictures were.

Edge's 'TC' system is a joke. It's a rather weak attempt at codifying what should be common sense to an underwater photographer. I'm not saying that it's worthless information, just that it's nothing more than a bunch of relatively obvious advice to which a fancy name has been applied.

If you want to buy a book that will actually make you stop and think, and which will improve your pictures, look at Jim Church's Essential Guide to Composition, a truly useful book chock full of stunning photographs and thought-provoking ideas...but give "The Underwater Photographer" a pass.

Martin Edge does a wonderful job of taking the reader through some of the thought processes needed to create great photos underwater.

This book in not a tech manual. If you don't understand the basics of underwater photography, you probably will not be happy with this selection. But for a study of the process of composing and thinking out your subjects, I highly recommend it.

I guess that I must disagree with the other reader from Austin. I have been reading this book, and I find it very helpful to a person just getting into UW photography.

Perhaps if I was a seasoned UW photo pro, then maybe the book might not be that great...however, as a newbie to UW photo stuff, it is great for me.

He explains ideas and techniques really well.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is just GETTING STARTED in UW photography.

Mark

This would have to be one of the best presented books I've seen. A really complete work, covering everything from basic principals of imaging, through to digital darkroom techniques. Practical tips and tricks, and nice personal touch commentary. Currently my favourite book on UW photography.