Archive 2012 · If you are Compositionally Challenged Read Freeman's Book Photographers Eye

bobkeenan
Offline
•
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #1 · If you are Compositionally Challenged Read Freeman's Book Photographers Eye

Many of you may have read this book already but I just read it again and felt I had to make sure I get my recommendation out.

Michael Freeman's book "Photographer's Eyes" is an amazing book for the art and compositionally challenged. I first read it about 3 years ago and have read it 3 times since. I have also read all of his other books. But this one really affected me. So I wrote a short blog about it here:

http://www.bobkeenanphoto.com/book-review-michael-freemans-photographers-eye-photographers-mind/

And thought I should share this thought on this forum.

BTW I do some microstock and i got an improvement in my sales after I read this and started to implement what I had learned.

I would highly recommend any new photographers to check out his book.

Jun 18, 2012 at 08:01 PM

borderlight
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #2 · If you are Compositionally Challenged Read Freeman's Book Photographers Eye

In case you hadn't noticed, Freeman's 30+ years of photo books have always been about good composition. If he does a book on lighting, or macro, or studio photography... whatever, those photo illustrations are always composed "correctly". IMO the book is just another money maker in his attempt to overthrow Steven King as the most prolific book writer of all time. Your public library might have to open a new wing just for him. I mean it's all great stuff if you just discovered Mr. Freeman, but I don't think composition is rocket science. In a way it's like lighting diagrams, but in this case you'll never duplicate his compositions unless the same set of circumstances present themselves. It's all kind of pointless..... and post production like Photoshop had some say in it too. In fact that might be the title of his next book: "Photoshopping Great Composition".

Jun 19, 2012 at 08:21 AM

Taoguy
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #3 · If you are Compositionally Challenged Read Freeman's Book Photographers Eye

If the OP learns something from this book or any other book, that is a good thing. The fact that the OP is reading a book on a hobby or perhaps future profession is a good thing. Studies show that 98% of college grads do not read more than one non-fiction book a year after graduation, after two years the non-fiction fall off the charts.

If you are bothered that an author is writing and selling numerous books and making an income doing so, I suggest you tackle the writing field yourself vs commenting on the authors of any books.

I've had my hands in photography for 45+ years and when I see someone take the initiative to learn more about their craft other than asking others on the web, by actually reading a book! Well I say go for it Bob, you'll find there are good books and then not so good but it demonstrates your desire and commitment to become a better photographer, the old fashion way, learning by reading and putting what you read in practice, I commend you.

Gerard

Jun 22, 2012 at 07:53 AM

borderlight
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #4 · If you are Compositionally Challenged Read Freeman's Book Photographers Eye

Taoguy: I agree with you that any book that helps the reader learn something new is a good thing. In fact I even commented that Freeman's books are "all great stuff", and that his compositions are spot on. The rest of the comments prefaced by "In My Opinion" (IMO) were just exaggerated silliness.... thus the happy face at the end. On the other hand, an overabundance of the same type of book year after year with the different titles gets kind of annoying. It's like how many sequels to "Halloween" "Pirates of the Carribbean", or episodes of "Lost", can one withstand before tuning out. Just my thoughts.... yours may vary.

Jun 22, 2012 at 09:36 PM

Taoguy
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #5 · If you are Compositionally Challenged Read Freeman's Book Photographers Eye

borderlight -

I fully understand what you are saying. In the past 4 decades I have bought many a book that quite honestly was a repeat of the prior 10 on the subject. My wife would ask why I buy them since most of what is in these books I have learned years ago. She follows up with , "You should write a book." Probably not going to happen. I have always loved photography, since the first time I put a camera to my eye, it amazed me.

I have a library full of books, makes a great picture by the way

, and I think when you find something you can immerse
yourself in and never tire of it, one should consider themselves lucky. What I find frustrating today is when a person drops $4 to $5 grand in their first system, and ask a question on line, regarding a basic tenant in photography, or have absolutely no idea of apertures, shutter speeds, focal lengths, etc. Then there those that it becomes a passion in search of the perfect equipment as they buy and sell/trade more equipment than I can imagine. It makes more sense to me, to research first and learn to use the equipment, then spend one's time searching for the perfect light. That could/would provide some spectacular results.

I'm probably too old school, but I have always wanted to learn more about photography, love seeing others view points in pictures, keeps me fresh, and at my age that alone is an accomplishment.

So I probably over/under read your comments, but to see someone trying to further the learning process by reading and doing, it makes me smile. So many today spend more time looking for the perfect camera, perfect lens, and I think if the camera could make all the decisions and a perfect picture, that would be great for them. I would have no use for such a camera.

As good as today's cameras are, and they are really great, I still shoot in manual exposure mode 75% of the time, love the spot metering in camera, when I shoot a picture I know what I want the camera to see, not what the camera shows me. A good way to learn for me, has been reading and shooting, or it could be that I'm just a really slow learner. I keep searching for that perfect light and how to create a picture from it, that journey has been fun.

Cheers

Jun 23, 2012 at 07:18 AM


FM Forums \| Forum & Miscellaneous \| Join Upload & Sell