From Inspiration to Image is the tag line of the excellent Take Your Photography to the Next Level ($39.95 from RockyNook) and that sums it up perfectly!
It is all about becoming a better photographer, not about taking a better picture! Let me explain ………
To take a better picture in my mind is primarily technical. It is about shutter speeds, apertures, lighting etc. It is a bewildering (at times) array of techniques that even when you get it right often results in a picture that just doesn’t ‘look right’.
That is where George Barr steps in with his book. He is a Doctor, that likes to take photographs, and has a great way of describing and sharing information (his bedisde manner must be great!) and that is what he does throughout the book. He shares a range of tips and suggestions on how to take better photographs. Not from the technical perspective, but from the aesthetics, seeing and composing perspective. He gives some great examples of of why in his opinion certain pictures work and others don’t, and he talks through the workflow and approach he takes in a very clear and easy to follow way. It isn’t a list though, it is a ‘way of doing’ that you may not agree with, but I challenge you not to find something of benefit in what he has to say.
This has become a well thumbed book already, and I think it will get quite a few revisits over the years! Well worth taking a look at.
Their Blurb
This book is for the photographer who strives to achieve a higher level of results in their work. Take Your Photography to the Next Level is based on a series of essays originally featured on the popular Luminous Landscape website. Barr tackles some of the rarely discussed, yet essential aspects of successful photography. Here is where photographers will learn what is required in order to grow in their creativity and to gain a deeper understanding of their craft.
Topics include:
- Creativity
- Dealing with disappointment
- Developing an ‘eye’
- Making stronger images
- What photographs well
- Where to go looking for the best photographic subjects
- How to approach subject material
- A great image is just around the corner
- Dealing with failure
- Mind games
- Becoming a self-aware photographer
- Framing, cropping, & manipulating prints to create mood and transmit your message
Book Information
1st edition
December 2007
250 pages
ISBN-10 1-933952-21-0
ISBN-13 978-1-933952-21-5
Price: $39.95 USD
Judging from his photos, I’d say, ‘physician, heal thyself’. They may be ok but I’d not be seeking his advice. Books like his are ten a penny, and rarely read. Especially when there are chapters about dealing with failure, and mind games 🙁
On that subject, has anyone had the misfortune to have listened to ‘the radiant vista’ podcast? I lost the will to live! That guy apart from being full of psychobabble (it was bordering on the metaphysical) is unable to explain anything concisely. For a taste, try the episode on ‘journalling’ and ask yourself if you can believe your ears. New age or what!
@ Jeremy
Can I have the 36 minutes back please. Man the guy is just way way out there!
As for the book, I did check out his photos, and some being quite interesting, are a bit boring in my view. I think this whole photo taking business is more artistic and cannot be defined in rules. At the end, unless you are trying to make money out of your pictures, it doesn’t matter. Some people will like them, some won’t, and essentially you are taking pictures, because you want to express, or show the beauty of the world around you. Yes the technical aspect matters, but other than that, is it what you see and what you are trying to convey with your pictures that matters. It’s essentially your view.
That’s my take on it.
Ah opinions 🙂
What I liked about the pictures in the book was the way they created ideas of what to take. I tend to find that I take a lot of the ‘same’ sort of picture, which probably means amongst other things that I tend to ‘look’ at the same style of picture.
I need to broaden out, gain more confidence and get a better ‘eye’ and as such I found it useful.
I agree that photography, as many ‘hobbies’ can become over technical and analysed, and that in reality you should should just get out and have fun and do your thing, but in terms of ideas and thoughts for capturing Almerimar better I found the book helpful.
It is true that there is variety in what he does, I like that. However, the pictures don’t strike me as being out of the ordinary. Many of them are a bit lack lustre if anything. The B&W ones have hardly any contrast. He says he shoots both in colour and B&W, but it”s just photoshop.I’m surprised that a publisher has taken him on, though it may be self-published of course
I feel a bit mean saying all of this, at least he has gone out there and done it.
@Chris, I agree that it is good to broaden out. Look at the bottom of this page for example 🙂 I’d love to see more of the town where you live. You have hundreds of photos of your cat on flickr too i see.
I know – guilty as charged!!!
You can see more on the various .mac gallery (links next to Flickr) and on the Almerimar Life Flickr account …… BUT yes I do need to get out more 🙂