File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
I'm thinking about getting this book. It looks pretty rad. Anyone familiar with this or suggest something better for the price?

I was looking at photography books at the store today and raged on how most of them seemed to devote half the book to photoshop. I know that professionals use photoshop extensively, but I'm just looking to create a well composed picture, not postprocessing shit.
>> Anonymous
I have the older version of the book, and if the "Revised Edition" is anything like the one I have, it's not going to teach you much about composition. It does have a lot of really nice techniques for getting a good exposure, if that's what you're interested in. He also gets REALLY repetitive, and at times unorganized. Again, this is based on my impression of the previous edition.
>> Anonymous
>>181047
What would you recommend then? I already have a bunch of books with examples of great photographs- national geographic, 20th century in photographs, art photographs- but none of them help you learn to frame and take good photographs. I'm looking for something like a textbook for photography.
>> Anonymous
>>181019

It's a really good book for understanding how to shoot manual, if you're a beginner I would STRONGLY recomend you get this. As above says, it can be a little repetive in places but this style makes sure that everything is really clear and simple so that you will understand it. I would suggest reading this and another book dedicated to exposure if you feel this is the level you are at.
>> Anonymous
>>181048
assuming your shooting digital, just get out on th streets and take hundreds of shots.

after a few months youll actually understand how to take good pics and youll learn what you like to take photos of, how you want them to look and other things like DOF control, metering control, composition etc.

seriously its the best way.

books can teach you "how" to take a picture, while practice will really teach you how to take pictures.
>> Anonymous
i have this book, the pictures are nice mostly and the advice is solid, but i wouldnt say it contains information that you cant get for free just looking at photography stuff online. Spending the money on days out taking photos might serve you better