Essence of Photography,The: Seeing and Creativity

Description

In this fully revised and greatly expanded second edition of The Essence of Photography, world-renowned photographer and teacher Bruce Barnbaum draws upon 50 years of experience and observation to teach the art of photographic seeing and creativity. There is a lot more to photography than simply picking up a camera, pointing it toward something, and tripping the shutter. Achieving a great photograph requires thought and preparation, an understanding of the photographic process, and a firm grasp of how light and composition affect a photo. There must be personal involvement and personal expression. There must be experimentation, with the recognition that only a small percentage of experiments end successfully. In this revised and expanded second edition of The Essence of Photography, best-selling author and world-renowned photographer and teacher Bruce Barnbaum explores these seldom-discussed issues by drawing upon his personal experiences and observations from 50 years of photographing and teaching. In addition to photographs, Bruce also uses painting, music, and writing, as well as the sciences and even business, to provide pertinent examples of creative thinking. These examples serve as stepping stones that will lead you to your own heightened ability to see and be creative. Creativity is a topic that is almost wholly ignored in formal education because most instructors think that it cannot be taught or learned. To the contrary, Bruce has proven that photographic seeing and creativity can be taught, learned, and improved. This book expands on the ideas that are central to Bruce’s method of teaching photography, which he has used in workshops for the past 50 years. Included in the book are in-depth discussions on the following topics: •Defining your own unique rhythm and approach as a photographer•How to translate the scene in front of you to the final photograph•The differences and similarities between how an amateur and a professional approach photography•The differences between realism and abstraction, and the possibilities and limitations of each•Learning to expand your own seeing and creativity through classes, workshops, and associating with other photographers•Why the rules of composition should be ignored•How to follow your passion•When to listen to the critics and when to ignore them The book is richly illustrated with well over 100 photographs taken by Bruce as well as other photographers. Seeing and creativity are difficult to teach, but not impossible. This very different, perhaps groundbreaking book is sure to inspire photographers of all skill levels—from beginners to seasoned professionals—to think deeply about the issues involved in creating successful photographs. Title Copyright Dedication Contents Introduction 1 Getting Started: Choosing Your Photographic Methods and Tools Traditional or Digital? What to Look for in a Photograph Carrying Your Vision through to a Final Print or File What Do You Photograph? 2 Finding Your Groove Discovering and Developing Personal Interests Photographic Rhythm How Your Equipment Affects Your Photographic Rhythm 3 Exercising Photographic Judgment Why Today’s Teaching of Digital Photography Too Often Ignores Judgment How Judgment Interfaces with Experimenting Personal Episodes of Experimentation Further Thoughts about Useful and Useless Approaches 4 Learning to See Different People Seeing Differently The Eye and Brain versus the Camera: Key Differences What Do Your Eyes See? Recognizing What Does and Does Not Interest You Developing a “Photographic Eye” Participating in a Scientific Study on Eye-Brain Seeing and Stimulation 5 Your Interests and Your Imagery Finding Your Photographic Interests The Starting Point of Photographic Seeing and Creativity Compositional and Lighting Considerations Composition Light Example Images: Applying Compositional and Lighting Considerations Eliminating Problems in Advance with Careful Looking and Seeing Improving Your Seeing with Film Print Size Exercise Completed 6 Who are You Trying to Please? Personal Work versus Professional Work Pleasing Yourself versus Pleasing Others Professional Necessities versus Personal Expression Personal Satisfaction versus Photographic Sales The Impediments to New and Different Work Breaking Barriers Photographs versus Fine Art Photographs The Power of Photography Emotional Effects of Photography The Psychological High of Photography 7 Happiness Through Photography The Happiness of Photographic Discovery Rewards and Fulfillment Recommendations for Photographers of any Age: Enjoy It All 8 Finding Inspiration for Realism or Abstraction Inspiration from Daily Life Photographic Inspiration Near and Away from Home Inspiration from Literature Inspiration from Music Interpretation of Realism and Abstraction Color in Realism and Abstraction The Importance of Defining Your Expressive Goals We See Similar Patterns in Different Subjects 9 Did It Look Like That? Part 1: How Much of the Image is Your Artistic Creation? Part 2: Photographic Realism and Luck Part 3: Fact, Fiction, and Truth in Photography Part 4: What Colors Did Your Camera Record? Part 5: How Does Black and White Fit into This Discussion? Concluding Thoughts 10 The Right and Wrong of “Connecting with Viewers” The Importance of Finding Your Style 11 The Heart of Intuition and Creativity Creativity Requires Preparation What Drives Creativity? “Know Thyself” Applying Insight and Intuition to Photography Trusting Your Intuition Finding Opportunities for Creativity Personal Examples of Creativity Creativity in Unexpected Places Moving Ahead with Creativity Pushing Yourself versus Pressuring Yourself Putting Everything to Use 12 Learning Through Photography Workshops and Associates Photography Workshops Misguided Education in the Arts The Benefits of Photographing with Others Finding Photographic Associates Openness from Instructors Further Thoughts about Outside Influences 13 What Makes a Great Photograph? Man and Man-Made Constructs The Natural Environment Tying It All Together Portraiture and Other Photographic Subject Matter 14 Thoughts about a Changed Photographic World Photographing versus Editing How Do We Evaluate Images? 15 Technical Knowledge, Materials, and Equipment for Creative Purposes Using Technique for Creative and Educational Purposes Combining Known Ideas in New and Creative Ways You Cannot Rely on Good Technique Alone Materials, Equipment, and their Openings to Creativity 16 The Technical and Artistic Connection Misapplication of Technique 17 Both Sides Now 18 Keen Observation is the Starting Point 19 Seeking, Accepting, and Offering Criticism Your Response to Criticism 20 Breaking the “Rules” and Following Your Passion Working with Light Cedar Breaks, Winter Rooftops, Heidelberg Photographing My Passion; Finding Yours Photography as a Creative Art Form Defining My Goals; Defining Yours A Few New Images and Thoughts Technical Information