Photographic Composition

Rating:
Summary: Strong on Design Hints & Tech Data, But Some Photos Weak
Review: As an intermediate amateur photographer, I compared this book with "Learning to See Creatively" by Bryan Peterson and "Photography and the Art of Seeing" by Freeman Patterson. I found chapter 2 on graphic controls (e.g., lines, shapes, patterns) quite valuable and not covered in much detail in the other two books. For example, the discussion of "lines and their meanings" on p.31 is thought-provoking. The technical data (e.g., camera, lens, exposure, film, and darkroom techniques) on pp.137-141 were also useful. I agree with the July 30, 2000 review that the text is "meaningful" but disagree that it is "limited"; I thought there was exactly the right amount of text. Unfortunately, some of Grill's photos were unremarkable (e.g., pp.48 & 87) or borderline ugly (e.g., p.92). Hey, buy all three books at Amazon.com!

Rating:
Summary: Very nice introduction to serious photography
Review: Having as a starting point the notion that a photograph is nice when it successfully conveys the message the photographer wanted, Tom Grill takes some organized steps to show you how you can use the medium and your subject to express yourself. For example, you will read how shapes, light, color, distance affect the feeling you get from a photo. Many carefully chosen photos, some with technical data. Another plus is that the text is limited but meaningful. This is not a book to teach you how to take holiday photos that will impress your friends.

Rating:
Summary: required reading for would be photographers
Review: I liked this book. It explains more about composition than just the 'rule of thirds'. I would have liked a little more practical information, as the books spends a little to much time explaining theory and not as much as showing it in practice, but even with that, it still tells you more about how to compose an actual photography then 3/4 of the other books out there. I would give it 5 stars if it were updated for the digital age and the color options and white balance issue that digital cameras bring to the table.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I'm shocked by some of the negative reviews. This book has been in print for many years and gave me the foundation for my professional work. I photograph dogs (as a second career) and this book is great! I used to read it over and over again.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I'm shocked by some of the negative reviews. This book has been in print for many years and gave me the foundation for my professional work. I photograph dogs (as a second career) and this book is great! I used to read it over and over again.

Rating:
Summary: Very Good but not the best
Review: This book has a very good discussion of Photographic Composition covering all the basics needed for those desiring to improve. The pictures are excellent and illustrate the principles well. However, some of the discussion lacks the depth that I would like.

The best book I've found is "Image:Designing Effective Pictures" by Michael Freeman. This has a thorough discussion of all the techniques with excellent illustrations and diagrams. Unfortunately, it is no longer in print. I was able to get a used hardcover copy in very good condition for [$]. It's a must read for those desiring a firm grasp of the basics. Worth treasuring.

Rating:
Summary: Very Good but not the best
Review: This book has a very good discussion of Photographic Composition covering all the basics needed for those desiring to improve. The pictures are excellent and illustrate the principles well. However, some of the discussion lacks the depth that I would like.

The best book I've found is "Image:Designing Effective Pictures" by Michael Freeman. This has a thorough discussion of all the techniques with excellent illustrations and diagrams. Unfortunately, it is no longer in print. I was able to get a used hardcover copy in very good condition for [$]. It's a must read for those desiring a firm grasp of the basics. Worth treasuring.

Rating:
Summary: Poorly written, hard to follow, boring
Review: This book is poorly written and is boring in my opinion. There are many other books on this subject that you should consider. Look at the Nation Geo or Kodak books. The writer's of this book do not know how to teach. Once you look over it, this book will sit on your shelf never to be opened again.

Rating:
Summary: Well organized, and professional
Review: This is a very well organized and concise book on photocomposition. It has a very thoughtful progression of the covered subjects, taking the reader from basic concepts of graphic design to the practical presentational and psychological principals. From the 5 main chapters of the book I found chapters 2 "Graphic Controls" and chapter 5 "Total Control" the best chapters from the point of view of richness of presentation and its practical value. The other chapters seemed to me shallower and less focused. I share the dissatisfaction of other reviewers with the presented photographs. Even though I understand that those photographs are carefully selected not for their extreme photographic value, but rather for their association with the subject of the topic they are presented for, I assume that the authors could had done a better job of finding or making more appealing pictures. Without a rich set of photographs this books seems to be a bit more "theoretical" then a book on photography, I believe, should be.

On the other note, I noted that despite the very careful selection and sequence of presentation of the main subjects, most of them are not covered as deeply as they deserve to. This being a disadvantage on one hand could easily be considered as an advantage, because the book does not overwhelm the reader with details, leaving enough space for creativity.

Overall I consider the book to be very useful and educational, especially for high end amature and beginner professional photographers.

Despite some criticism presented, I still rate it with 5 stars, which I think the book fully deserves.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent introduction to the basics of composition
Review: This is an excellent resource providing both insight and instruction. It also explains the artistic side of photography and shows various effects of composition, lens and selective focusing e.g.The pronciples descibed apply to the whole gamut of photography black and white, print vs slide, medium format, 35 mm etc. Every new and not so new photographer should have this in their library.