Good composition book?

Bought this a month ago and didn't like it at all. Was a bit heavy going and I thought the photos in the book were not all that stunning. Although I have to say that it has been recommended by folk.
 
Scots_quine said:
Bought this a month ago and didn't like it at all. Was a bit heavy going and I thought the photos in the book were not all that stunning. Although I have to say that it has been recommended by folk.
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Exactly what I thought. Didn't find it a good read at all!
 
I bought it a few months ago and have read it twice. I think if you sit there an read ir from cover to cover, it may be a little over-whelming.

It's well written and logical.

It's really helped me with my compositon.

Cheers.
 
I think it is a good book. With the photographer's mind as a companion it is more thorough. Some of the photos are a bit bland I do agree. But it does mean you can do better. I think a book full of stunners might be disheartening! His book on exposure is good too as it has simple case by case 'what to do if' kind of ways of dealing with exposure issues. There is some repetition between the books in some of the images and material. But it does help it sink in better.

I didn't find it heavy going but there is a lot to take in so I read it in chunks.
 
Scots_quine said:
Bought this a month ago and didn't like it at all. Was a bit heavy going and I thought the photos in the book were not all that stunning. Although I have to say that it has been recommended by folk.
Click to expand...

I think you might have misunderstood what this book is about. It's about explaining the different factors at play in composing/composition. It's not a platform for Freeman to show of his best work. If you want a picture book then buy a picture book. I think you'll find that most books dealing with a subject like this will generally not have a book full of stunning pictures for two reasons - 1) it will likely distract from the message the author is trying to get accross and 2) you would then not buy the book sthey're selling full of the stunning pics they have done for 5x the price.

BTW I'm a fan of this book (in case you hadn't figured) but I don't think you could absorb all the information imparted in one sitting (or even one read through). Take your time with it and refer back to it and I think you will get great value from it.
 
I had another quick flip through the book and one thing I realised was that it isn't a case of reading this, or any photography, book.

One idea is to take an hour or so and search opportunitiers to photograph scenes with horizontal lines or contrast or rule of thirds or framing, etc and study what you see....

Not as easy as it seems....

Cheers.
 
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