lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

repleo Loc: Boston

My favorite and most invaluable book is Michael Freeman's 'The Photographers Eye : A Graphic Guide'. The simple graphics that accompany the stunning photos make it an easy and easily understood read.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0240824261/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Here we go agon about rules and checklists.

The fact is, not everyone learns and improves their skill in precisely the same way and not everyone is born with artistic and creative talent. Yet, all kids of folks enjoy photography and want to learn more overall its aspects.

My teachg expression is not on a college or university level. I have, over the years presented many workshops and seminars for professional photographers and aspiring pros. A class can last for a few hours, a couple of days or a week. There are no entrance requirements, no "S.A.Ts. No the way of assessing anyone's talents or lack thereof. One thing I know is that most fols want definitive answers to the questions, not long drawn out philosophical pontifications.

True enough, art, photography and many other creative disciplines can not all be taught and learned through diagrams, rules, mathematics, geometry and set out procedures but there are basics that are foundational. In a class, the talented participants will immediately visually, recognize most of the "mechanics", perhaps they already knew the principles but did not know how to "name" them or explain their methods to others. The folks who do not come to many principles of composition, lighting, and other aesthetics naturally, at least leave the class with some basis for expanding their creativity and in a professional sense, have gained some practical workable methodologies.

I really do not believe that there are "secrets" in photography. It was not invented yesterday and it's all out there somewhere, in classes, books, audiovisual material, and online. It's there for the taking if one has the willingness to research, work hard and invest in their education. Yes, like in everything else, there are phonies and charlatans who claim they have "secrets" and they pop up online or in your junk mail. There are also credentialed and accredited masters of photometry you teach and write honestly and comprehensively. You may have to pay for a book or a class but you will receive value for your money.

When I start a class or a workshop I always explain that I am going to furnish some "rules" diagrams, lists, procedures, etc, however, none of these things are "carved in stone". At the very least they will provide a basis for further experimentation and expansion and, you will have a "toolbox" of methods that work and produce results on a consistent basis. If all else fails, you have a standard to fall back on. Professionals can not afford to flounder around, hit and miss, or learn from costly mistakes. They have to produce and deliver and meet deadlines.

Technica excellence and profess competence do not preclude creativity. Creative folks will create. True artists will produce art. Nothing wrong will just be a good technician!

A teacher needs to teach practical skills and methods. Of course, they shod inspire and encourage students, trainees, and fellow photographers to tap into their emotions and approach their work in a heartfelt manner. Just patting your chest and telling folks to "shoot with heart" is of no benefit. Worse is telling them or implying, that if they don't havit "it" or do it naturally, they should find something else to do. Many folks are floundering around, but once given the tools, will flourish. Those that really don't have it at all will eventually find out but that should be for them to decide.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Thanks for recommending 👍👍👍👍👍

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

A fine group 💜🧡💛💚💙❤️

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

It's ALWAYS wise to pay attention to the words of wisdom this man presents - from his innate understanding, refined by his many years of experience!!!

Loren - in Beautiful Baguio City

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

It's obvious that E. L. Shapiro and rdgreenwood understand, and approach this and related subjects logically! The are very few instances - of anything - where "one size fits all"; life just doesn't work that way!!! At least, some really appreciate the occasional expositions and clarifications presented - whether relevant to our situations or not, it's nice to hear clear, logical expression - on anything! - so keep it up.

Loren - in Beautiful Baguio City

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

This was from the referenced post:

The very thought of such a book is huuuuugely sad. Its also just plain disgusting.
You are some form of teacher.

Could have been more rude toward him, but still not very nice.

Loren - in Beautiful Baguio City

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

A good - and appropriate - response!

Loren - in Beautiful Baguio City

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

Exactly! And that beholder might be your customer, who isn't going to pay you for something he doesn't like. Or it could be you, who couldn't care less about what anybody else thinks, as long as it's what you want. Those "visions" could be identical - or vastly different. If a photographer has to be guided by - and constantly thinking about - the "rules", he's not likely ever to be a top notch photographer. If, on the other hand, he has either an inherent - or learned - "feel" for the moment and the view, he's likely to be a very successful photographer (all other things being equal). And - importantly, as said before - there really is no "one size fits all", here or anywhere else!

Loren - in Beautiful Baguio City

61jhawk Loc: Tarrant County, Texas

Since we both have acquired significant ages and experience I thought I would mention three books that I enjoyed reading in my younger days that helped me in many ways including with composition. Here they are: The Complete Kodak Book of Photography, A Time/Life Book published around 1982 or 1983; Digital Photography Master Class by Tom Ang, published around 2008; Learning to See Creatively by Bryan Peterson, published in 2003. In my younger days I read anything that Bryan Peterson wrote. The Ang book includes some interesting field assignments. The Kodak book is technically out dated but the photo how to's and ideas are timeless. You may have to do some searching to find these. They are the "gems" that helped me shoot better in this great hobby.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I've thought a little more about your comment. A number of years ago, I was preparing a clinic about the history and functionality of two-way radio on the railroads and wanted to talk about the various antennas that have been used...wagon wheel, stove pipe, tin can, firecracker, Sinclair, whip, along with various ground plane and mounting arrangements. So I needed photographs of locomotives and cabooses from above. I learned that almost no one photographs from that perspective, and fewer still publish photos from a high vantage point. It's always an eye-level view from the ground.

The lesson to me was that it is good to mix in some alternative perspectives, perhaps some alternative compositions, from the norm.

On the other hand, in the case of steam locomotives, there are some well-established norms, and they are pretty limited and simple to describe...usually front quartering views from the engineer's side, rods down. Easy to explain. This displays the engine number, reversing mechanism, any feedwater heaters, the headlight, maybe the whistle, the pilot, and a clear, unobstructed view of the valve gear. Enough of the tender to discern coal or oil is also visible. Anyone giving more than a quick glance to the image probably wants to see most or all of that.

So the purpose of a photograph, intended or not, can dictate how it should be composed, framed, and exposed, or at least what can make it have the most interest and usefulness.

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

Sorry - hit the wrong "reply" spot! It should have been for E. L Shapiro's post on page 1. (He's one with many years of good experience.)

Loren - in Beautiful Baguio City

ecurb Loc: Metro Chicago Area

When I got my first studio job in downtown Chicago, I bought a membership at the Art Institute and signed up for the Columbia College lecture series Contemporary Trends in Photography. You can read about composition but you also need to see other art forms.

User ID

Well, the post doesnt end where you edited it to end, and it certainly does look verrrry rude when you chop it there. It changes everything.

"You are some form of teacher" is the opening line to a suggestion about teaching. Where you chopped the post it really does look like a rude closing remark.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rewording my suggestion about books that teach composition:

You can learn composition from a book. That book has all blank pages and is usually spiral bound across the top. Even the most crude ability to sketch from reality will teach you to see. You may never learn to draw well, but you will learn to *see* well.