Learning to See Creatively: Amazon.ca: Watson-Guptill: Books

Tag this product

Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.

Customer Reviews

26 Reviews

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

4.6 out of 5 stars (26 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most helpful customer reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Change Your Perspective and Start Taking Dynamic Pictures, Jun 18 2003

By

Therese M. Woolley (Warren, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Learning to See Creatively (Paperback)

I have to admit, this is the first photography book that I've actually read from cover to cover. Each chapter contains valuable information that teaches the reader to shift their perspetive and see the world differently.

As a student photographer I constantly struggle with the mistaken assumption that I have to have something of value to photograph or that every picture I take has to be of something momentous. Not so. With this book I learned that I can look at a field of flowers along the side of the road and by simply "flopping down on my belly" see the world from an different perspective. This is what the author teaches. How to shift your view of the world around you and find true inspiration in the common and ordinary.

The author teaches when to use a telephoto and when to use a wide angle lens and also talks about the usefulness of the much maligned 50mm lens. The reader also learns how to incorporate color into photographs, how to interpert and accomodate line, form and texture.

The sample photographs are in full color and provide the reader with examples that illustrate the lessons beautifully.

One word of caution, if you're looking for a book that discusses the more technical aspects of photography such as apeture, shutter speed or depth of field charts, this is not the book for you. This books assumes you have a basic working knowledge of photography and is written to take you to the next level beyond the fundamentals of photography.

I highly recommend this book. It has helped me tremendously. Now I look for reasons to go out and shoot and no longer bemoan the lack of subject matter. The world has opened up and my photographs have definitely improved.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Presentation of Techniques, Jun 3 2002

By

Trader John "Trader John" (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learning to See Creatively (Paperback)

I have read a few books on compositions. What makes this one standout is the way Bryan illustrates his technique. In each chapter, he first defines each concept clearly, then he uses pictures and the related comments to demonstrate the point. Combining all the chapters, it is a complete approach to composition. He always includes a "big picture" shot to go with the sample picture to demonstrate the different the technique makes. By doing so, it also demonstrates how to use photography telling a story.
The focus is on building and fixed subject. The tonal contrast bit could be better. Also no mentioning of layering (maybe by design). These are very minor gipes.
The book is very easy to read and understand. It has a lot of beautiful pictures of Oregon. Hey, he has made power lines looking good (in picture anyway)! Highly recommended for beginner and intermediate photographer.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Can turn (almost) anyone into a pro., Oct 28 2002

By

Andy Todes - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learning to See Creatively (Paperback)

I should know, as it did for me.

If you're prepared to put the time in and study study study
these pictures, then go out and shoot shoot shoot literally
thousands of photographs (I shot 5,000+ in my first year),
then accurately anaylze what you are doing right, you WILL
improve.

If you think one quick read is all you need then you're
deluding yourself. Instant mastery is a joke and you'd
be foolish to look for quick fixes.

But for a SOLID grounding in what works and what doesn't,
you can't beat this book.

You may also want to investigate "The Art of Black and
White Photography " by John Garrett.

But most of all, shoot away.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 26 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

Want to see more reviews on this item?

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 29 reviews 4.6 out of 5 stars

Most recent customer reviews