Learning to See Creatively: Design, Color & Composition in Photography (Updated Edition)

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
Almost everyone can "see" in the conventional sense, but developing photographic vision takes practice. Learning to See Creatively helps photographers visualize their work, and the world, in a whole new light.

Now totally rewritten, revised, and expanded, this best-selling guide takes a radical approach to creativity. It explains how it is not some gift only for the "chosen few" but actually a skill that can be learned and applied. Using inventive photos from his own stunning portfolio, author and veteran photographer Bryan Peterson deconstructs creativity for photographers. He details the basic techniques that went into not only taking a particular photo, but also provides insights on how to improve upon ithelping readers avoid the visual pitfalls and technical dead ends that can lead to dull, uninventive photographs.

This revised edition features the latest information on digital photography and digital imaging software, as well as an all-new section on color as a design element. Learning to See Creatively is the definitive reference for any photographers looking for a fresh perspective on their work.

* New edition of a best-selling title
* Updated to include digital
* All new artwork, and a totally revised and expanded text
* All-new section on color as a design element
* Written by one of Amphoto's bestselling authors

Customer Reviews: Read 98 more reviews...

3 out of 5 stars

Not the Best September 10, 2004
375 out of 395 found this review helpful

Learning to be a photographer is about more than focusing and exposure. One of the most important and difficult things is learning what to take a picture of, and then designing an image that expresses something about its subject. Many authors of photography books talk about teaching the photographer to see. I think of that as being the process of selecting a subject and then deciding how it should look to capture the photographer's vision of it. Bryan Patterson promises to teach that in the revised edition of "Learning to See Creatively". Unfortunately, he doesn't keep his promise.

It's not that this is a poor book. The author talks about the elements of photographic design like line, shape, form, texture, pattern and color. Unfortunately he doesn't link these elements to the photographer's vision. It's as if one knew nothing about tools, had a plumbing problem, and was presented with a wrench. It would be nice to be told how to use the wrench to solve the problem. If you know how to relate the tools to the problem, you don't need this book.

He also talks about composition and guidelines like the rule of thirds, or frame within a frame. But even here, he doesn't make the connection to vision. Even the chapter called "Expanding Your Vision" turns out to be a discussion of the characteristics of lenses of different focal lengths.

There are chapters on digital photography and photographic careers but they look like they were added on to the work because somebody thought that was what would help the book sell.

Peterson's photographs are good. When he explains why he made the design and composition choices for a particular picture you can see some relationship of technique to vision. It's also interesting to occasionally see a comparison of the same subject handled two different ways. But unfortunately the author doesn't take the opportunity to relate similar pictures to photographic vision.

This might be a good enough book for the intermediate photographer who isn't really ready to work on his or her vision, although I much prefer Brenda Tharp's "Creative Nature & Outdoor Photography" which covers the same ground in a more concise way.

One might think that you can't teach someone to see creatively. That may be true, but Freeman Patterson's old standby, "Photography & the art of seeing" comes a lot closer than this volume. And books like those by Galen Rowell or Tony Sweet do a much better job of relating technique to the visions of their authors.

2 out of 5 stars

Go with "Understanding Exposure," and pass this one by June 6, 2005
121 out of 131 found this review helpful

I've read all three of Bryan Peterson's books -- "Understanding Exposure," "Learning to See Creatively," and "Photographing People -- and "Understanding Exposure" I recommend highly (5 stars). The other two drained me of my passion as I read them, which is the opposite of what Peterson intended, I'm sure. Here's why: Bryan Peterson's images look like what they are -- commercial images sold to stock houses, used to advertise products or services or businesses in one way or another. Little girls in fields of flowers. Sunsets over the beach. Two businesspeople shaking hands. Peterson does what he does well, and I gave this book 2 stars because I'm sure there are readers who are looking to take their interest in photography down this very road. For anyone who wants to develop his or her "voice," who wants to communicate with his or her images, I think this book will disappoint. I was a student in a writing program for a period of time, and one of the best tips I learned and passed on to other students was this: Before you sign up for a class with a particular professor, read at least one of his novels or several of his short stories. If you like the way he writes, sign up for the class. If you can't stand his writing, find someone else. I think the same applies here. I recognize that Peterson knows how to use a camera -- and his effective instruction of exposure in his other book proves that -- but his images make no impression on me, don't cause me to think or feel or question anything. I recommend finding the books in a bookstore or trying to look through them online before you buy -- his Web site, http://www.bryanfpeterson.com, shows some examples. If you want to take pictures like these, this book will meet your needs. Otherwise, pass it by.

4 out of 5 stars

Concise, interesting, helpful. August 28, 2001
110 out of 113 found this review helpful

This is an interesting little book. It is geared towards the novice photographer, but others with more experience may be inspired by it too. It can easily be read in one sitting. The author shuns sophisticated camera lingo or fancy techniques and concentrates on the fundamentals of composing a memorable photograph. The book is profusely illustrated and most photographs are presented twice, one framed in the conventual manner and the second with a subtle, but dramatic improvement. The author powerfully demonstrates that minor changes can have profound effects on the success of the picture. Raising or lowering the camera angle, using aperture to control depth of field, choosing the proper focal length, emphasizing lines, texture or shapes as well as other simple techniques are all briefly discussed. The prose is concise; for the most part the author lets the photography do the talking. While these are all basic techniques and the author does not cover any unique ground, the information is well presented. Most successful photographs fail because of simple mistakes. The author almost exclusively confines his focus to landscape photography or inanimate objects. The reader looking for insight into photographing people or nature will be better served by other references. The reader looking for the basics of using a camera, or the reader looking for intermediate or advanced technique will also be disappointed. However, if, like so many of us, you are in need of simple techniques to improve your photographs, this is a useful resource. The novice will certainly benefit from reading this and even the experienced photographer may find an idea or two.

3 out of 5 stars

This book is more about using extreme lenses. November 12, 1999
68 out of 74 found this review helpful

Bryan Peterson's book has many beautiful images with most showing before and after shots. The before shot is usually taken with one lens and the improved after shot is taken with another lens. Unfortunately, many of these after shots are taken with expensive extreme lens from ultra-wide angles (20 mm) to super telephotos (300 mm+), to macros and extension tubes. In other words, lenses I don't have and can't afford. There are better books out there that really do tell you how to see creatively, regardless of the equipment you have, that will be much more beneficial in improving your compositions and seeing differently. Some by Freeman Patterson come immediately to mind. Unless, of course, you do have the gear. If so, then go for it.

5 out of 5 stars

Full of ideas to take your photography to the next level October 1, 1998
41 out of 43 found this review helpful

Of the many books that purport to add compositional and other creative skills to your arsenal of photographic tools, this is the only one I have read that really delivers. Perhaps the most useful aspect of this book is that it shows how, by making one or two changes (camera angle, lens selection, time of day, etc.) the author took what would been a snapshot to a magazine cover or poster quality photo. In most cases, there are "before and after" photos for comparison, and there is always a complete but concise (and very understandable) explanation of the techniques he employed. Whether you are a beginner, or you have been doing serious amateur and professional photography for nearly forty years (as I have), I'd bet you can learn something from this book. Of three bookcases full of books on photography, this is one of the few that I consider indispensible. Highly recommended.

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