Composition books

[timboo]

I’m looking for a book covering composition as its something I’d like to improve on. I feel at times I rush to capture my main subject giving less thought to the overall composition, which means I’m potentially missing opportunities. I’d like the book to cover all types of photography rather than just focussing on landscapes for example. I’m not interested in a book, which waffles on about kit for 25% of it. Ordinarily I would probably go into a shop and look through a few books but in the current climate all I have is google and user reviews, talking of reviews “Mastering Composition” by Richard Garvey has received some positive reviews.

If anyone could recommend a book or two it would be much appreciated.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mastering-Composition-Richard-Garvey-Williams/dp/1781450633/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=photography+composition&qid=1605480564&sr=8-3

[blu-by-u]

You could try also learn by posing into the Foto Fair and ask for critics.

[timboo]

Fair point. I think its more to have a thought process when selecting a scene if that makes sense.

[Dave in Wales]

IMVVHO, one either has the 'eye' or one doesn't.

Again IMVVVHO, the only composition rule that can be taught is that of the 'thirds'.

Rules are made to be broken.

Get out there, throw all the books away and use your own imagination, there are far too may 'same-ol-same-ol' pictures out there.

But what do I know

[blu-by-u]

Unfortunately not everyone have that "eye" (Such as you know who, always sweeping the bottom of the challenge barrel)

[timboo]

See where you are coming from. I’d still like to try a text book approach and then build on that with my own take, opposed to my current approach thinking I am finding something good only to realise its clearly not when I get home and think about it.
I will let you know one day if I ever find the ‘eye’ for it

[blu-by-u]

Timboo, No worries. Even if you don't get that "eye" just enjoy photography.

The beauty in photography is, there is nothing wrong. Even an over (or under) exposed, right smack in the middle, OOF, is right in the eye of the photographer.

[Phill D]

That looks like quite a good book just flicking through some of the Amazon pages and not overly expensive either. Maybe a Christmas present suggestion? Although I do have quite a few photography books and to be honest rarely open any of them these days. I've tended to pick them up at a very cheap bookshop I like to visit near to Buxton. I'll have a look through them later to see if there are any I'd recommend. What I definitely would recommend though without hesitation would be a day's workshop with Chris Gilbert. Not a cheap option but well worth it imho. I was actually given a day's 1:1 with Chris as a 60th birthday present so ok it was superb value for me. He started the day with an excellent composition and general photography chat over coffee that ranged from aspects of image psycology to working with the weather. Then a day out in the Peak District to put the theory into practise. If you google Chris Gilbert photographer you'll find him on fb and his Raveneye gallery website. His book is good too but not specifically aimed at composition, it's an excellent Peak District photo guide though.

[timboo]

Thanks the workshop I feel would be a massive plus once out of lockdown. I’d very much like to do landscapes and st photography

[Phill D]

You are very welcome. Chris is a really easy guy to get along with. It was just like going out with a mate for the day but one who knew loads of stuff!

[MJ224]

I have and not read it all.."The Photographer's Eye", by Michael Freeman. A quick glance reminds you of all those things you knew, but had forgotten.......

[Phill D]

There seem to be quite a few second hand one out there. May get one myself.

[Phill D]

Just looked there seems to be a remastered copy available, higher price of course (~£3 for the original, £11 or more for the later one). From what I can find out there doesn't seem to be any changes to the text just improved images so anyone know if it's worth going for the later edition?

[timboo]

Cheers Phil. Seems like a good starting point for me, didn’t clock the updated version prior to ordering silly me least I didn’t order the 150-400 and to find out there was a second version 😂.

[chris]

If he did printed copies rather than just ebooks, I'd be getting Mads Peter Iversen's two landscape compositional books. But I just don't get on with e-books, which is admittedly odd considering the amount of time I spend on the internet!
He's a great landscape photographer and covers a lot of compositional aspects on his YouTube channel.

[timboo]

I’m a bit like you for certain things I much prefer actual books. Plus I work behind a screen so its nice to read a book once in a while.

[Bikie John]

I suggest not limiting yourself to photography books - there is plenty of stuff for general artists who are every bit as concerned with composition as we are. I have quite a nice basic book somewhere, I will dig it out and post the details.

To a certain extent I agree with what Dave in Wales says, either you have "the eye" or you don't. We can see that on here, that some of our contributors always seem to put together something visually arresting. They make it look effortless but I'm sure it isn't! For the rest of us visual philistines it is useful and thought-provoking to see good examples with explanations of why they work or don't. Gradually we will absorb the visual grammar until hopefully it will become second nature in our own picture-making.

John

[drmarkf]

If you don't know it, I'd say Jay Maisel's "It's not about the F-stop" is well worth dipping in to.

Not only about composition, but I've learned a lot about practical and 'artistic' aspects of photography from it that are nothing to do with gear or even camera settings. For some reason it's silly expensive now in hard copy, and not exactly cheap on Kindle, but I'd say it was worth anyone tracking down a second hand copy.

Maisel's a real character. Some may find him too in your face, but I coped.

[timboo]

Thanks I will have a trawl

[timboo]

Out £150 second hand from America i will keep an eye out for one on ebay from time to time.

[drmarkf]

Blimey: I should have bought a couple of dozen when I got mine - it was on offer at an NEC Photography Show stand maybe 4 or 5 years ago. About 25 quid I think, for a soft back.

[Bikie John]

This is the one - "Pictorial Composition - An Introduction" by Henry Rankin Poore:

https://www.waterstones.com/book/composition-in-art/henry-rankin-poore/9780486233581

It was recommended by a friend who is a art teacher and I found it quite interesting. It is rather dated in its style (first written in 1967) but the fundamentals do not go out of date.

John

[timboo]

thanks for the link

[timboo]

Thanks for all the responses. I do compare photography to golf somewhat in that you can practice all you like but unless u have ironed out the bad habits and have a purpose during each session it can be quite detrimental. I love the sounds of certain day trips out for a fee 1 on 1 and will certainly explore that avenue when we gain our freedom again.
I must admit a physical book is more appealing as i am glued to a computer screen every day work wise.
I will look at those links to books as they all seem like good options.

[moggi1964]

Glad you've found some helpful ideas.

I agree about the physical book especially when you spend all day in front of a computer screen.

I have the PDF of Young's Mastering the EM1 MkII but I also bought the physical book at the same time. I tend to gravitate to the book when I am looking for an answer.

[maccabeej]

Michael Freeman's books, The Photographer's Eye etc are really good. Also I watched a really good You-Tube video some time back from B&H Photo done by a photographer who was previously a painter. Unfortunately can't remember his name but if I can find it will post a link.

[Invicta]

Have a look at "Finding the Picture A Location Photography Masterclass" by Clive Minnitt aims to guide you on the path from from not just to looking but to see.

ISBN 978-1902538587

More landscape / travel orientated so does not cover protratiture. An old book from 2009 but looks to be still available in limited numbers.

[timboo]

Thanks just ordered it 😃

[maccabeej]

Just remembered that I said I would try and find the B&H link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwk3YFknyNA&t=33s

[Bikie John]

Thanks Jim, that looks really interesting.

[timboo]

Thanks I’m half an hour in will try to watch the rest over the next few days. The light dark etc has got me thinking very interesting, I’m so not up on theory to do with photography.

[blu-by-u]

Thank you. Very interesting.

[ronidog]

Thanks for asking that particular queastion Tim. I have been trying to think who has made me think about compossition and how to see things. So today I trawled my book shelves and realside that the books i wanted were under art and not photography. whoops.

Freeman Patterson is the person I was thinking of. He is a canadian photographer born in 1937 and still doing workshops/talks etc. He has an environmatlaists view of the world and like a good naturalist he studies what hat he sees with a close keen eye. There are a number of his books on ebay including 'The art of seeing' and 'Photographing Natural Things' These are not dry 'how to' books but good conversations often based on his experiences of running workshops for photographers, artits etc.

Back to reading my rediscovered books....