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Langford's Basic Photography
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"This is the ninth edition of a textbook that has become an industry standard since its first publication in 1965. Now updated to include the most recent innovations of the field, it contains an entire chapter on digital cameras and one on post-production of the digital image. From shooting to processing to printing, this guidebook gives thorough instructions in various procedures, equipment, aesthetics, and forms of presentation for the medium. Detailed treatment of the fundamentals for lighting techniques, optics, and composition are enhanced by numerous diagrams, charts and photographic examples. A supplemental glossary and extensive appendices are found at the back. Either as an introduction for amateurs or as a reference for intermediate photographers, this book is an invaluable resource for practitioners of this field."--Sacramento Book Review "This is the ninth edition of a textbook that has become an industry standard since its first publication in 1965. Now updated to include the most recent innovations of the field, it contains an entire chapter on digital cameras and one on post-production of the digital image. Detailed treatment of the fundamentals for lighting techniques, optics, and composition are enhanced by numerous diagrams, charts and photographic examples. Whether as an art form or a commercial venture, the complexity of photography requires meticulous and systematic explanations. This is precisely what Langford's Basic Photography provides. Either as an introduction for amateurs or as a reference for intermediate photographers, this book is an invaluable resource for practitioners of this field."--Sacramento Book Review
Product Description
"Langford's Basic Photography" is a seminal photography text. First published in 1965, it has informed the work and career of many of the world's leading photographers. The new, 9th edition, continues the tradition of its predecessors, reflecting the same comprehensive mix of scholarly and practical information. It covers every aspect of photography, from capture through to output, both digital and analogue. There is an emphasis on explaining the 'how to' of photography, but Langford's Basic also includes in-depth coverage of the fundamental principles that govern the art, such as how light behaves, optics, and the shutter. This ensures that the reader comes away with not only a good grasp of photographic technique, but also an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals that will help them to better understand how great photography is made. As such, it functions both as an excellent coursebook for students of photography, and a great primer and reference for amateur enthusiasts. The new edition has been fully updated to reflect dynamic changes in the industry. These changes include: an expansion and overhaul of the information on digital cameras and digital printing; an emphasis on updating photographs to incude a wider range of international work; replacement of many diagrams with photos; overhaul of the analogue sections to give a more modern tone (ie exposure measurement and film and filters with some more dynamic photo illustrations); and a fully edited and updated photography timeline. This landmark text is an essential purchase, both for new photographers as an introduction, and for established photographers as an invaluable reference work. It is a comprehensive photography reference for all photographers, and perfect introduction for new photographers. It is completely updated for the now fully-established digital age of photography.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read the original Langford Basic Photography in 1973. I had just bought an SLR and wanted to find out more about the fundamentals of photography. This last year I bought a digital SLR and wished to update my knowledge, and so looked to the updated Langford.
I found that the updated book was much better illustrated, and a great deal of the technical detail which had originally been in the main text was now, if included, usefully tucked away inside the Appendices.
There are several errors to do with figure references. Some of the photograph comparisons are labelled the wrong way round - b should be a etc. Also, page 384 reference to a figure... of frames made by Tony Rae, a non existent reference that should be deleted.
Apart from these minor errors, I found the book a good read. It maintains a great deal of information around the analogue, or film camera. It does discuss digital in some separate chapters, but makes useful comparisons between film and digital throughout the text. The text is clear, and straight forward. It does not overwhelm the reader with science, but clearly lays out the basics. Where appropriate it makes comparison between different technologies. Terminology, and basic ideas are well explained. The authors realise that in depth discussion of any one technology is futile, and will date, and aim to give the reader the a basic understanding of the principles allowing them to go on to make their own decisions regarding cameras, lenses and processing methods.
The aim of the book is to give the reader an understanding of the principles and tools used to make photographs. Getting there exposes the reader to criteria by which to judge their own and others photographs. I enjoyed the book, and look forward to reading the second volume - the Advanced Photography - when it is re-issued in the near future.
I found that the updated book was much better illustrated, and a great deal of the technical detail which had originally been in the main text was now, if included, usefully tucked away inside the Appendices.
There are several errors to do with figure references. Some of the photograph comparisons are labelled the wrong way round - b should be a etc. Also, page 384 reference to a figure... of frames made by Tony Rae, a non existent reference that should be deleted.
Apart from these minor errors, I found the book a good read. It maintains a great deal of information around the analogue, or film camera. It does discuss digital in some separate chapters, but makes useful comparisons between film and digital throughout the text. The text is clear, and straight forward. It does not overwhelm the reader with science, but clearly lays out the basics. Where appropriate it makes comparison between different technologies. Terminology, and basic ideas are well explained. The authors realise that in depth discussion of any one technology is futile, and will date, and aim to give the reader the a basic understanding of the principles allowing them to go on to make their own decisions regarding cameras, lenses and processing methods.
The aim of the book is to give the reader an understanding of the principles and tools used to make photographs. Getting there exposes the reader to criteria by which to judge their own and others photographs. I enjoyed the book, and look forward to reading the second volume - the Advanced Photography - when it is re-issued in the near future.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is an excellant book for people taking up photography for the first time. The HNC students at the college use this book for there studies.Full of great info brillient book.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
To the best of my knowledge, this is the most current version of this classic.
I had originally purchased this book and a couple of other of Langford's titles, not because I was new to photography but because they collectively provided an insight into modern photography, or rather the way it was in the late-80's or early-90s and pre-digital.
The late Michael Langford was a lecturer in photography in one of the major art colleges and quite highly regarded. His books were very well-written, informative and sold in high numbers through several reprints and updates. As far as I can recall, he was in the process of updating some of the books for digital photography, which had not then taken over from film quite so thoroughly as now and that demanded substantially different approaches, when he died. The reins were taken up by others and there have been yet further periodic updates as digital photography continues to expand.
Initially, digital cameras were of one of two types; the viewfinder cameras that had a simple optical system to provide a view of the approximate image field and the DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) which used the shooting lens and the camera sensor to display an image in an advanced optical viewfinder. The latter often had additional features including a much larger sensor, multiple exposure modes, a wider range of shutter speeds and faster lenses that were also interchangeable. A little later came the bridge camera, a cross between the two, that basically used the physical size of the former and some of the features of the latter, but in a rather simplified form. Professional forms of both original types also surfaced and since also two more, the compact (a compressed version of the former) and the system compact, a semi-professional version with interchangeable lenses with a quality similar to those of the DSLR and with similar speeds.
In essence, the book is periodically updated to reflect the broader changes in the cameras being manufactured and sold. Film is now rarely used and then only by few professionals needing the ultimate in image quality, many of the established favourites are no longer manufactured and most of the photo-labs that once existed have either closed or converted to digital. The only option for many wishing to use film is to 'do-it-yourself'.
If another update has not been released since this version, there will be in the not-too-distant future.
A very worthy addition to any photo library, although you do not need to purchase every update.
I had originally purchased this book and a couple of other of Langford's titles, not because I was new to photography but because they collectively provided an insight into modern photography, or rather the way it was in the late-80's or early-90s and pre-digital.
The late Michael Langford was a lecturer in photography in one of the major art colleges and quite highly regarded. His books were very well-written, informative and sold in high numbers through several reprints and updates. As far as I can recall, he was in the process of updating some of the books for digital photography, which had not then taken over from film quite so thoroughly as now and that demanded substantially different approaches, when he died. The reins were taken up by others and there have been yet further periodic updates as digital photography continues to expand.
Initially, digital cameras were of one of two types; the viewfinder cameras that had a simple optical system to provide a view of the approximate image field and the DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) which used the shooting lens and the camera sensor to display an image in an advanced optical viewfinder. The latter often had additional features including a much larger sensor, multiple exposure modes, a wider range of shutter speeds and faster lenses that were also interchangeable. A little later came the bridge camera, a cross between the two, that basically used the physical size of the former and some of the features of the latter, but in a rather simplified form. Professional forms of both original types also surfaced and since also two more, the compact (a compressed version of the former) and the system compact, a semi-professional version with interchangeable lenses with a quality similar to those of the DSLR and with similar speeds.
In essence, the book is periodically updated to reflect the broader changes in the cameras being manufactured and sold. Film is now rarely used and then only by few professionals needing the ultimate in image quality, many of the established favourites are no longer manufactured and most of the photo-labs that once existed have either closed or converted to digital. The only option for many wishing to use film is to 'do-it-yourself'.
If another update has not been released since this version, there will be in the not-too-distant future.
A very worthy addition to any photo library, although you do not need to purchase every update.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The basics of photography
This book teaches you the basics of photography in a simple, easy way. It's been around for a while, but even if your edition is already old and talks about film cameras, the... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Elena
Langford's Basic Photography
One of my photography tutors at College referred to this as the bible, so its highly recommended if your doing an NQ in photography. So far its been very useful.
Published 4 months ago by Cleggie
love it as much as you can love an informative book
for all beginner photographers this is the perfect book for the technical aspects of creating a photograph and using a film and digital camera. Read more
Published 7 months ago by beca92
Brilliant
I started a beginner photography course last year and my tutor recomended this book. It I really intresting but it can be a bit complexed for a basic beginner. Read more
Published 14 months ago by A. BROWN
A history lesson rather than inspiring guide
I was advised to buy this, when I attended a less than interesting weekend course through the local authority. Read more
Published 14 months ago by roomwithaview
Listmania!
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