Sendpyper Loc: Illinois

I'll second that on John Shaw's books. I've learned more from his field guide on exposure than anyone including Peterson's Understanding Exposure. He's one of the most underrated photographers of all time (just my opinion).

Bipod

And their qualifications are?

foxfirerodandgun Loc: Stony Creek, VA

I have done a Google search and can not find John Shaw's Field Guide to Exposure. What is the actual name, publisher, and ISBN number? Thanks.

Bipod

What is the most money ever paid at auction for one of Bryan Peterson's prints?
Is it more the price of the frame?

foxfirerodandgun Loc: Stony Creek, VA

???? Does not compute.

Bipod

If you were going to take art lessons from somebody,
wouldn't you want to know that they were a good artist?

What are Mr. Peterson's qualifications, beside having written
photography self-help books?

If you say "he takes good pictures" -- how do you know? Have
you ever seen one of his original prints? And did it ever occur
to you that it may not be your opinion that matters --or that of
Amazon book buyers -- but rather the educated opinions of art
historians, art critics, gallery owners, photo editors, print collectors
photo conservaors and museum curators?

These are the people whose trades it is to appraise, authenticate,
conserver, analyze, consign, buy or sell top-quality photographs.
Who is a good photographer is their area of expertise.

Ansel Adams, wrote some very good books--but he also was the
most succesful fine art landscape photographers who ever lived.
His work is in the permanent collections of doezens of museums,
including MoMA and the Smithsonian American Art Institution.
His original prints now sell in the neighborhood of $20,000 - $29,000.

That's what I mean "qualifications". Or consider this:

Michael J. Langford wrote 17 books about photography,
including the two standard college textbooks --Basic Photography
(1965) and Advanced Photography (1969)-- which went through
innumerable editions and are still in print.

He started at age 16 as a photographe'rs apprentice, then served in
the photography section of the RAF. Then he worked as a press
photographer and industrial photographer, before settling on teaching--
eventually becoming a fellow of the Royal College of Art, where he
taught for 30 years as tutor, senior tutor, department head, and finally
course director. He was made an honorary fellow of the Royal
Photographic Society.

That is also what I mean by "qualifications". Not a person's
self-promotion, but their promotion by others in the field.

Does that "compute"?

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I think Peterson's books are really good for a novice and as a refresher for those that get into a slump. I have Northrup's books as well. If you are a Nikon shooter the real jewel is right here on UHH. Steve Perry. Steve's books cannot be beaten for Nikon shooters.

foxfirerodandgun Loc: Stony Creek, VA

Could you recommend one of Steve's books that specifically deals with exposure and one specifically for on camera flash photography? I wanted the one on Nikon focus systems but in printed book form and not e-book form, however, it is not produced in printed form. I know that I can download & print it and have it made into book form, but I'm old school.

foxfirerodandgun Loc: Stony Creek, VA

I understand where you are coming from, however, it doesn't compute for my usage, and skill level, at this point of my journey. Being an enthusiast rather than a knowledgeable photographer, I want text books to be easy to read; simple in explanation; and easy to apply the knowledge. I'm not interested in complex intricacies or scientific applications of the different aspects of an image, or what someone was "seeing" when they were composing an image. I guess that for me the KISS system works better for me. That allows me to inject or remove my personal likes and dislikes. I guess to boil it down, I'm just looking for the RAW information in order that I can compress it down to a jpeg level that will allow me to apply it to my satisfaction and approval at different levels of learning. After I've absorbed, and can readily apply this jpeg knowledge appropriately, I can then use the RAW level of books written by the "experts" and expand my learning curve.

I chose some of Byron Peterson's books, rather than ones from some of the world renowned photographers who have accolades from the more predominate "experts" on the subject, but because I have read many positive comments of aspiring, knowledge seeking, photographers, at several levels of learning, who are seeking to learn the finer points of the subject in a format that is easy to read, understand, and apply. Once again, the KISS system works great for those who want to learn and possibly at a later time apply that knowledge to more advanced text as they progress and define their skill level and determine what their main interest may be. I liken this to constructing a building. First, and foremost, a firm & solid foundation must be laid first in order that the structure will weather the test of time and nature. I hope this helps you to "compute" my reasoning for my choice of learning material at this point. I will be seeking information on more advanced text when I feel that I am ready to absorb and apply what I've already learned without having to think about it, but just do it. Wishing you a HAPPY HEW YEAR!!

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Send Steve a private message. He will respond. He always has. Good guy.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Superior to yours. TROLL!!

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Don’t mind Bipod. He is the newest TROLL on UHH.

He is the least qualified to have an opinion on photography.

You should read both books btw. And a few more. Once you are comfortable with the technical stuff, I’d suggest that you look into Art Wolfe. His photography is phonaminal.

foxfirerodandgun Loc: Stony Creek, VA

Thanks! Currently my very weakest area is on camera flash. Got to get a firm grip in this one. Working on the exposure triangle now. Have a good understanding on shutter speed and its application, now on to aperture in the field. Have used aperture priority when taking static images but no so much in the field.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

You are on the right track! And please don’t forget that every one of us went trough the learning curve or still learning. Good luck!

foxfirerodandgun Loc: Stony Creek, VA