If you are Compositionally Challenged Read Freeman's Book Photographers Eye

[bobkeenan]

Michael Freeman's book "Photographer's Eyes" is an amazing book for the art and compositionally challenged.   I first read it about 3 years ago and have read it 3 times since.   I have also read all of his other books.  But this one really affected me.   So I wrote a short blog about it here:

http://www.bobkeenanphoto.com/book-review-michael-freemans-photographers-eye-photographers-mind/

And thought I should share this thought on this forum.

I would highly recommend any new photographers to check out his book.

[feethea]

I agree Bob.

I have both of the books you mention, although at the time of purchase I didn't consider myself "compositionally challenged". They can be rather conceptually difficult on their first read but subsequent refreshing consolidates the theory.

Barry

[NancyP]

Plug for Richard Zakia, Perception and Imaging, Focal Press, 3rd edition (4th edition coming soon). I haven't read Freeman's books, but the book by Zakia is thought provoking.

[Pioneer]

I have read a couple of Freeman's books and they are quite good. Like the author of the review you linked, I also struggle with composition and art. Technique comes pretty natural and although I occasionally still make a mistake once in a while I fee fairly comfortable in the technical world. But I read as much on art and composition as I can get my grubby little hands on.

I like David duChemin's "Photographically Speaking". It is quite good at discussing how to recognize and critique what you like and don't like about your images, as well as others.

I think that my favorite right now is Bruce Barnbaum's "The Art of Photography." Although probably not what I would call a beginner's book it is one of the best books on the softer aspects of photography that I have ever read. I read a chapter and then go out and shoot. Then I read another and go out and practice. This one book has inspired me to try more things than any other photography book I have ever read. I very strongly recommend it if you are thinking of moving your images up a notch.

[omar.lodhi]

Nice share. I never thought of the phrase compositionally challenged.