How to Photograph Your Life: Capturing Everyday Moments with Your Camera and Your Heart (Spiral-bound)

by Nick Kelsh (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Kelsh shows that you can get professional looking pictures...with(in) the means and abilities of even a modestly equipped photo enthusiast." -- Popular Photography

Product Description
Nick Kelsh's winning formula for creating the consistently top-ranking titles in his category? Simply put, Kelsh can teach anyone--with any kind of camera--to take great pictures, by showing how he takes his own great pictures.

Kelsh presents more than 40 new picture-taking scenarios--the types that fill everyone's photo albums. Whether capturing milestones such as graduations or weddings, or the unexpected occurrence, such as a beautiful sunset or a pet in a funny pose, Kelsh's readers will learn to make images they can be proud of.

Each spread addresses one photo idea, with simple techniques and tips explained using a "predictable amateur photo" compared to the same image improved by professional wisdom. A special 8-page gatefold demonstrates "how to photograph a vacation." These are the photo-ops of our daily lives and, mundane or special, they represent what everyone really wants to know: how to take a picture of a group of friends, how to photograph a private moment, and even how to take a good picture of something you want to sell on eBay.

Special attention is paid to the growing number of people working with point-and-shoot digital cameras. Kelsh has photographed the entire book with one and he includes advice on how to use it as well as image storage for the digital family album.

You've photographed Baby and Family. It's time for the rest of your life in How to Photograph Your Life.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 112 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584792795
• ISBN-13: 978-1584792796
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 9.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #234,175 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy professional tips for everyday photographers, June 19, 2003

By	Lisa "lisa m" (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews

In reading Nick Kelsh's book, I felt as if he were standing beside me, tilting my camera this way and that, and saying "See how much nicer your photo is when you do this and that?" With his great sense of humor, his down-to-earth writing, and his photographic examples, he shows the reader how to apply professional techniques to everyday photography. Reactions to your photo album will go from "How nice" to "Wow!"

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, creative, encouraging!, September 8, 2003

By	yarden "yarden" (portland, or) - See all my reviews

The focus of this book is creativity in photography for people who haven't done a lot of picture-taking. In addition to showcasing some simple concepts, this book gives creative ideas and suggestions for all kinds of challenging photography situations (birthday parties, family meetings, the list goes on). Kelsh's emphasis is on simplicity and ingenuity, and is guaranteed to transform your ho-hum snapshots into enlargement-worthy favorites.

This book has a few simple concepts that will revolutionize the way you take pictures (as well as the way you look at people). What could be simpler than the tips found in this book? We can all get closer, turn off the flash, take a lot of pictures (a few rolls at a time), and look at situations from unexpected perspectives. And yet, with just these basic tips, Nick Kelsh assures us that we will begin to take photos that will be treasured as instant classics.

Kelsh's tone is encouraging, conversational, and assuring. He is part-professional, part-everyphotographer. He is equally comfortable with portrait photography and snapshots. He avoids technical jargon and sticks with phrases we all like to imagine in connection with our own photos: "the envy of all your friends," "compliments on your photos," "people will ask you to photograph their children," and so on.

You'll love your first reading of it, and I bet it will become a favorite over time. I'm tempted to buy several copies to give to friends. So don't wait -- get it, read it, and start taking pictures of your loved ones! And check out ALL of Nick Kelsh's titles!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Want photographs that really capture your family and vacations? Get this book., August 17, 2005

By	Mary McCanta (Oakland, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Wow. I have bought a lot of photography books in an effort to improve my pictures - composition, lighting, you name it - but this book blew me away with the simplicity and specificity of it's advice.

The entire book is divided into chapters about common situations that you are trying to photograph and gives some simple advice and suggestions about how to better capture it. Obviously not every situation can be covered but what he does cover will inspire you and give you new ideas about how to capture what you see and feel.

Sample chapters (How to photograph...):
People around a table
The first day of school
Christmas
A hike in the woods
A landscape
A sunset
Your vacation
A monument
Your dog
A couple
A baby's face

If you are the photographer in your family, do yourself, your family and friends a favor and read this book!