A Diver's Guide to The Art of Underwater Photography, Creative Techniques and Camera Systems for Digital and Film (Perfect Paperback)

~ Andrea Ferrari (Author), Antonella Ferrari (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book gives us a rare insight into the mindset, dedication and imagination involved in creating magnificent underwater images (...) I sat down and read this enjoyable book from cover to cover. The lack of techno-talk makes it a very accessible method to improve your photography. (...) The images are some of the finest you will see in a guide to underwater photography. All the images are very well reproduced, which will not come as a surprise to anyone who owns any of the other books by the authors. (...) A "Diver's Guide to the Art of Underwater Photography" is a large format 360 page feast of fabulous images and thought provoking and enjoyable writing on taking pictures in the ocean." --Dr. Alex Mustard, Author of "Reefs Revealed" and "The Art of Diving,") wetpixel<br /><br />This book is filled with spectacular images, designed not only to offer great technical guidance, but also help the underwater photographer discover and develop the artist within. Clearly the best and most beautiful "how-to" book ever produced. Rigorously field-tested digital techniques; the hidden techniques behind imaginative framing and lighting, wide-angle and fish-eye to macro photography, from fish portraits to above/below split images, from basic point-and-shoot digital pocket cameras to complex housed professional DSLR systems, it's all here in a highly-readable, technically-accessible, step-by-step guide. 9 x 9 inches, 360 color photos. --Undercurrent, April 2008<br /><br />With an enviable reputation for authoring fine books on underwater photography, the Ferraris have laced the pages of their new book with juicy pictures (...) There is none of the pseudo-art talk that often ruins otherwise beautiful books of photographs. I read it from cover to cover, and it's a great read. The pictures do the talking, and need no talking-up. (...) This 360-page volume doesn't have a weak page in it. --John Bantin, Diver Magazine, April 2008<br /><br />A new entry to the subject of underwater photography, this book is less about the technical aspects of the craft and more about the art and the "eye." This is a big, fat, beautiful, coffee-table-type book that includes 400 photographs illustrating techniques to achieve such effects as artistic lighting and framing. Inspirational as well as educational. --Mike Sevrns Diving, Hawaii<br /><br />This book is filled with spectacular images, designed not only to offer great technical guidance, but also help the underwater photographer discover and develop the artist within. Clearly the best and most beautiful "how-to" book ever produced. Rigorously field-tested digital techniques; the hidden techniques behind imaginative framing and lighting, wide-angle and fish-eye to macro photography, from fish portraits to above/below split images, from basic point-and-shoot digital pocket cameras to complex housed professional DSLR systems, it's all here in a highly-readable, technically-accessible, step-by-step guide. 9 x 9 inches, 360 color photos. --Undercurrent, April 2008

This book is filled with spectacular images, designed not only to offer great technical guidance, but also help the underwater photographer discover and develop the artist within. Clearly the best and most beautiful "how-to" book ever produced. Rigorously field-tested digital techniques; the hidden techniques behind imaginative framing and lighting, wide-angle and fish-eye to macro photography, from fish portraits to above/below split images, from basic point-and-shoot digital pocket cameras to complex housed professional DSLR systems, it's all here in a highly-readable, technically-accessible, step-by-step guide. 9 x 9 inches, 360 color photos. --Undercurrent, April 2008

This book serves beginners and advanced photographers. The former will learn how to choose a system while the latter will find inspiration in thoughts on discipline and tenacity. All readers of this book will take something from the many images. --DIVER Magazine, January 2009

Product Description

Discover the secrets of the world's best underwater photographers in 360 spectacular, image-filled pages in full color. Learn how you can shoot better underwater images thanks to technical tips and creative suggestions from the masters. Find out about rigorously field-tested digital and film techniques and u/w photo equipment, including lenses, strobes and camera systems. Unlock the hidden techniques which are behind imaginative framing and lighting to achieve new striking results. From wide-angle and fish-eye to macro photography, from fish portraits to above/below split images, from basic point-and-shoot digital pocket cameras to complex housed professional DSLR systems, from blue-water encounters to colorful coral reef diving and muck critter hunting, from daily maintenance to the choice of the right lens--it's all here! A highly-readable, technically-accessible, step-by-step guide in eight chapters to the secrets and wonders of underwater photography. 360 color photos. YOUR UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AFTER READING THIS BOOK!

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Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Nautilus Publications; 1st edition (September 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 983273102X
• ISBN-13: 978-9832731023
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #223,179 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another winner from the Ferraris, August 6, 2008

By	G. W. Volk "Willy Volk" (Lake Worth, Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I recently had the chance to read this book. As with all the books by the Ferraris (of which I own several), this one is thoughtfully assembled, crammed with photos, and jammed with great tips. Of course, the images and the text are excellent, but there are other reasons to like it:

* I like how they explain what's good about the guest photographers' images. Rather than just say "Yes, another fascinating shot!" they take the time to explain it, so the rest of us, as we move along, can try to emulate.
* I like how they explain the rules of photography -- and then show they can be broken to great effect.
* I think comparing underwater photography to movie-making is a great idea. Everyone has seen movies they love and can recall some powerful scenes from them.

One small criticism: I disliked how the images broke up the text. I'd be reading along with the narrative, wholly immersed, and then I'd come up to a Guest Photographer shot. I never knew whether I should read the GP synopsis (and therefore forget what the teachings were) or skip ahead to finish the teachings and then flip back to the GP bits. Clearly, this was not a major pitfall by any stretch, but I would've liked to've seen all the GP shots between chapters, maybe -- so as to avoid this situation? Just a thought, and this is no reason not to read the book.

In total, the book is fantastically conceived and the images selected beautifully complement the teachings. It's a very dense book, though, and I know for my own part, it was somewhat intimidating to pick up and go through. In reality, it's dense mostly because it's thick with images -- not because it's thick with theory -- and is therefore far more accessible than you would believe by just looking at it. Though I'm going diving this weekend, it's merely a pleasure dive -- no camera -- but next time I do go diving with a camera, I'm going to go through the pages once more, to see how I can make my images pop. In the meantime, I plan to study the last topside shooting chapter so my general photos can be as amazing as theirs.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Art Of Underwater Photography, Creative Techniques and Camera Systems for Digital and Film, March 21, 2008

By	Robert Goemans - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Physical limitations now prevent me from diving, but I started young, very young! In fact, in the late 1940's by simply holding my breath and going as deep and as long as possible to see `nature' in areas along the east coast of North America and various areas in the Caribbean. And in the following decades when traveling to other global areas where the ocean was a short distance away, I always made time to explore the local depths. And even though I've never owned sophisticated diving equipment, or had the skill to photograph underwater creatures, those adventures brought much pleasure and an appreciation for the complexities in the underwater world. I've also been an aquarist for over 60 years, and have tried to duplicate nature in all my aquariums, whether they were freshwater or marine aquariums.

And in the past where certain world areas where not available to me, I depended upon the `icons' such as Jacques Cousteau and others to publish the results of their diving adventures so I could enjoy seeing the fruits of their underwater travels. Today is no different, and thank goodness there are people like Andrea & Antonella Ferrari! Their new book `The Art Of Underwater Photography' is a welcome addition to my library, and even though I cannot comment on its photography techniques and equipment, except to say it appears quite informative, I can say I'm impressed with their organization of the material and its artwork. Therefore, whether you're an armchair adventurer or diver, (even a past diver like myself), you'll enjoy slowly going through this massive 360 page book and viewing their and their co-contributors stunning contributions!
Bob Goemans

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent education for new digital photographers, September 25, 2008

By	Brian Hampton "www.BrianHamptonPhotography.com" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As I move my photography under water; I was seeking the knowledge of those who have gone before me. This book interested me because it is very recent with digital experience as well as film from the past. I am very pleased with the way this book has helped me up the learning curve and prepared me to shoot underwater images. Another point well made in the book is ETTL underwater. There are not too many people on the planet yet that are really doing this in my observation. The authors of this book have overcome the reluctance to believe in E or I TTL; just look at their images.

www.BrianHamptonPhotography.com