New Introductory Photography Course

It is funny world. It is world where clueless morons who should demonstrate reverence and compassion to great master who teach them great art can "critique" his work and his approach. Even more funny they do it with a stance, they judge the /excellence/ of John Hedgecoe's photography and even do not understand how preposterous and ridiculous they are. You should simply learn from the book. Take page after page and work it trough. This book is a gift by unbelievably knowledgeable and gifted artist who inspired generations of great photographers. When was a kid I was taught to avoid broad statements especially about subjects that I have very sketchy understanding. This book is a real TRAESURE for anyone who is open minded and photographically, artistically gifted. This book provides that level of information that only super duper expensive full blown course can provide. It teaches effective approach to composition, to elements of frame design, to mood creation, to developing of artistic vision. It offers to you a chance for a couple of $ step into world of really BIG photography. It is probably the best book that will teach you to fill in a frame. The photos presented are wonderfully illustrative for every subject they are bound to. This is not a book for quick scrolling on a toilet sitting. It is a book for careful contemplation and observation, for analysis. It brings to your attention subjects of many levels most of which are not that obvious for a novice photographer. This book teaches the relationship between elements of composition to exposure and to light. I do photography for 32 years and John Hedgecoe's books are most competent and most thoughtful photography guides one can find. As a great work this book is still relevant at digital age: when everybody speaks about megapixels and few about composition and design. In short, this book is an indicator: if you can't swallow it you always will be one of these who open first two pages of another book for beginners, close them and felt him/herself attached to great art. This book requires work, required completing of projects, examining and analyzing the results. It is book for a future PHOTOGRAPHER, looking for beauty, inspired and vigorous.

Currently taking a Intro to Photography class and my instructor insisted that we get this book. Though it is a bit old 1998, and does not refer to digital cameras a great read. To make up for no digital reference we are also reading a book by Scott Kelby, the Digital photographer. Buy the book used, I spent $3.10 and it looks as good as new.

Although I've never taken high school or college photography, I've been very interested in the heart. I bought this book to learn the "tricks of the trade" & additional information on lighting, angles, composition, balance, etc. The book stepped up & served me well. I've even managed to win photography awards since purchasing this book!

This book has been very useful. As the name indicates, it is an introduction to photography. Don't expect it too in depth, as another reviewer has mentioned, it only touched on subjects. Really this was ideal as there are many aspects of a good photograph. There are two pages for each subject, consisting of a few paragraphs of text and examples. You might fool yourself in thinking that the photos are no use. They are examples of the subject and offer good insight. For example, it lists how using diagonal lines can help suggest movement. He starts by shooting a head on view of a waterfull, producing a "static" shot. Then takes a series of pictures showing how using diagonals can a powerful tool for indicating movement. Another example on the next page offers an introduction to improving composition where he takes a picture at eye level, looking down at some children on bikes, producing a cluttered picture, then shoots a similar picture where he lies down on the ground for a low angle shot, achieving a "cleaner composition". Overall I'm very happy with the book and feel it is well worth my time and money.

I disagree with the other reviewer. I teach photography and I found the book to be very useful. My students also like the book.