Learning to See Creatively (Paperback)

In this book,the auther, and photographer shows you the scene as you would approach it in the normal position, and then he would show you the scene in a lower position, not just low as when crouched down, but low as, layed on your belly, the final result is amazing. The way he fills the frame and composes the scene before you, well you have got to see it to believe it, I'd recommend this book to anyone, wether young or old, it has certainly opened my eyes to Seeing Creatively and I'm 45. It's just so simple.

The book itself is very well layed out, and full of superb images. It's so simple to read and understand. Each chapter covers different aspects on how to get the best out of your equipment, wether your gear is very substantial or very small with only one or to lenses in your kit.

The first chapter (after the introduction of course) is called Expanding Your Vision with Lenses. In this chapter the auther explains in plain English (though American English) what each lense is for, and why one lense is better than another lense, wether it be Standard, Telephoto, or wide-angle, and also why one lense is better than another to give your image impact. Then the auther dedicates a section, within the first chapter, to each lense backed-up by some brilliant photos.

The next chapter is entitled Elements of Design. In this chapter he covers things like texture, lines, form, shape and pattern, Again backed-up by some superb photos.

The next chapter is called Composing Strong Photographs. Again, the auther breaks the chapter into sections, covering each part in great detail, about composing the image in your viewfinder. Features on how best to fill your frame, and he covers things such as: How to define your Horizon, Silhouettes and where to frame them in your viewfinder for most impact. Again with some fantastic images to boot. The next chapter is called: Understanding your Exposure Options. Where he covers Aperture and Shutter Speed with photos of course.

The final chapter is called: The Magic of Available Light. This chapter covers everything you need to know about using available light. Wether morning, noon or night. Bright and sunny,dull and overcast, or even raining. At the back of the book is a very helpful Index, on everything covered in the book in alhpabetical order, so you can find anything you want without having to skim through the book page by page.

All in all, I found the book very interesting and informative, backed-up, as mentioned several times in this review, by some of the best photographs I have seen for a very long time. The book is an excellent guide, that is a mine of information, that takes pride of place amongst the photography library that I am building up at home. I would recommend this book to anyone taking up photography, either as a career, or hobby and would be useful years from now as a reference book. I hope this review is helpful to anyone that reads it, if used of course.

Yours gratefully

Michael Phillips.

The criticism made by bomanjee below that this is a good introductory guide for children only is totally uncalled for and ridiculous.

If there is a criticism, it's that the pictures are sometimes poorly reproduced - grainy, lacking sharpness and the colours are muted. I think this is a result of the printing which is a bit cheap. But the ideas the book discusses are invaluable.

Topics are covered in a few pages with limited but relevant photographs showing aspects of the "design" under discussion. The exercises, although deceptively simple, can be very effective in achieving the stated objective - getting the reader to see creatively.

The book is a general guide to photographic composition and design. If you are looking for specific techniques on digital, photoshop or a specialised field of photography then look elsewhere. The writing style is clean and consise, making it a joy to read (over and over again).

A very good purchase if you are actually interested in creating images rather than collecting lenses!