Rating: 
Summary: New Freeman Patterson Fan
Review: An excellent book - clearly written for novices and professionals alike. For technical photography-book addicts like me, this is a welcome change to the other books which focus so much on 'getting it right'. This book encourages you to experiment and to extend yourself. I for one, will try to photograph the seemingly-mundane objects in my house to see beyond what's there. The only thing I miss is the technical details of his outstanding photos. Still an excellent book. I am now a true Freeman Patterson fan.
Rating: 
Summary: Photos Similar, But Great Text on Fundamental Principles
Review: As an intermediate amateur photographer, I compared this book with "Learning to See Creatively" by Bryan Peterson and "Photographic Composition" by Tom Grill and Mark Scanlon. I am not as enthusiastic about the book as the 8/98-4/01 reviewers are. There is a certain similarity to almost all of Patterson's photos, which tend to have "muted colours" and a "very limited range of hues" (p.151). The vast majority could be characterized as "nature" or "abstract nature" photos; only a few include man-made structures (e.g., p.20) and only a few others have people with recognizable faces in them (e.g., p.76). Another problem is that this book does not give photographic examples of what the author considers "bad" composition. OTOH, the text is perhaps the best of the three books, concentrating not on technique but on fundamental principles of observing, imagining, and expressing. Hey, buy all three books at Amazon.com!
Rating:
Summary: Photos Similar, But Great Text on Fundamental Principles
Review: Freeman Patterson is an artist with camera in his hand. All of this books are not limited to the "talking-of-equipment" nor "exposure setting". Instead, Freeman gives you the visual design; then, you address what you see + what you design on film. In this book, Freeman applied the "visual design" through the framing and composing technique -the art of seeing. Unlike other photo books, this book shows you more on composition of shape and color, not much on equipment. Thus, the gear-luster may found this book is inferior to others. I, however, found this book is a requirement after you master the exposure and gear. Several workshops are given in this book as well as the evaluation techniques that I found very useful. Like other Freeman's books, many nice photo are provided for your joy and learn.
Rating:
Summary: Patterson shows you visualization without camera or lenses
Review: Freeman Patterson is an artist with camera in his hand. All of this books are not limited to the "talking-of-equipment" nor "exposure setting". Instead, Freeman gives you the visual design; then, you address what you see + what you design on film. In this book, Freeman applied the "visual design" through the framing and composing technique -the art of seeing. Unlike other photo books, this book shows you more on composition of shape and color, not much on equipment. Thus, the gear-luster may found this book is inferior to others. I, however, found this book is a requirement after you master the exposure and gear. Several workshops are given in this book as well as the evaluation techniques that I found very useful. Like other Freeman's books, many nice photo are provided for your joy and learn.
Rating:
Summary: All Photographers should read this book!
Review: Freeman Patterson's book is a MUST for any photographer who wants to do more than hit and miss with their camera. Written in simple, easy to understand language, Patterson takes the reader into new dimensions of seeing images as potential photos - no matter what the intensity of interest or sophistication of equipment! An excellent book.
Rating: 
Summary: Inspiration
Review: I had hit a wall in my photography. I was uninspired. This book helped a lot. This book can aid you in seeing in abstract form. He offers exercises. This book is fantastic.
Rating:
Summary: Just what I needed
Review: I had hit a wall in my photography. I was uninspired. This book helped a lot. This book can aid you in seeing in abstract form. He offers exercises. This book is fantastic.
Rating:
Summary: Covers the art and emotion of photography, not the mechanics
Review: I have been using cameras for a long time, so I mostly know how they work. But I was looking for guidance and inspiration on how to make my photos more emotionally compelling. This book really hit the sweet spot for me.First, it discusses and describes important concepts of composition with what I thought were excellent examples, as well as beautiful photographs. While most other books talk about basics like the rule of thirds, leading lines, etc, Art of Seeing goes much further into compositional elements. But as important is Mr Patterson's clear love of the medium and ability to convey how to see in many different ways. I have been practicing this summer, and am finding now that many more of my images are worth something -- many just helping me understand where I went wrong so I can continue to improve. This book helped me find the subjects that are hidden in many otherwise ordinary things. My only criticism of the book is that on a personal level I am not as interested in highly asbstract subjects that are a large part of the images in the book, although I will say that there is one shot of trees from an airplane that had me entranced. But this kind of subject makes sense for a book focused on composition. I really learned a lot from this book, and highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Covers the art and emotion of photography, not the mechanics
Review: I have been using cameras for a long time, so I mostly know how they work. But I was looking for guidance and inspiration on how to make my photos more emotionally compelling. This book really hit the sweet spot for me. First, it discusses and describes important concepts of composition with what I thought were excellent examples, as well as beautiful photographs. While most other books talk about basics like the rule of thirds, leading lines, etc, Art of Seeing goes much further into compositional elements. But as important is Mr Patterson's clear love of the medium and ability to convey how to see in many different ways. I have been practicing this summer, and am finding now that many more of my images are worth something -- many just helping me understand where I went wrong so I can continue to improve. This book helped me find the subjects that are hidden in many otherwise ordinary things. My only criticism of the book is that on a personal level I am not as interested in highly asbstract subjects that are a large part of the images in the book, although I will say that there is one shot of trees from an airplane that had me entranced. But this kind of subject makes sense for a book focused on composition. I really learned a lot from this book, and highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Not my favorite book, but it is still a good book.
Review: I thought this book was ok. I personally like Bryan Peterson's Learning to See Creatively better. This book was usefull however, and I did learn from it. It is just not my favorite choice.
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