Photo Idea Index

There's a quote on the back cover that states that this book "is intended to super-charge creative passion..." and it totally lives up to that goal. Though not presented in a workbook format, this full-color book can be used as such because it is constantly encouraging the reader to "experiment with this" and "try this but vary the amount of that" and "consider doing this while incorporating that" and "be on the lookout for this because of how it affects that." This book is not a text that dives ten feet deep into any one particular subject. Rather, it calls on you to get off the couch and experiment with your camera (digital or film, SLR or non-SLR...any camera will do). It makes suggestions that will inspire you to investigate the ideas on your own and learn through your own experience. It provides intelligent suggestions for setting up a scene and gets you thinking about and experimenting with backgrounds, lighting, close-ups, reflections, shadows, props, empty space, cropping and many other elements. It also introduces a few ideas that none of my other photography books even begin to address, such as visual hierarchy, involving the viewer, photographing words and keeping an eye out for bad tangents (which I'd never even HEARD of before but am certainly glad I know now). The author obviously believes in learning through hands-on exploration and he provides the reader with hundreds of ideas and suggested starting points for their own photographic experiments. If you are like me and are trying to obtain a better understanding of all the elements that go into a photograph but are not quite inventive enough to come up with your own starting points, this book will be a fantastic companion for you. All that is required of you is a willingness to commit to experimenting. Can't think of anything to photograph? Can't think of new ways to photograph something? You will never have a shortage of ideas with this book around.

I sat down one afternoon and read this book cover to cover. It doesn't take long, and I'd recommend you read it rather than skim it. There are so many great ideas, simple ways to make a photograph better. I have really enjoyed trying out the tips. My photos are better already. I even bought another copy as a gift for a friend.

So many other books just rehash the same material over and over. This one provides a wealth of new ideas and techniques that will help you take better photographs. If you already know how to use your camera and just want some tips on what to do with that knowledge, you'll love this book.

As an aspiring photographer, I'm going to cherish this book for a long time to come. Like Krause says, this is not necessarily a how-to book with lots of detail instructions--though there are plenty--but it's moreso a book of inspiration for those who want to take aesthetically pleasing photos. Krause pushes you take risks, shoot lots of subjects, and carry a camera around with you wherever you go. I can't wait to get a pocket digital camera in addition to the SLR one I already have, just so I can stop thinking about my expensive camera more than the potential photos that I could make. Each page is filled with ideas and insight for taking photos that punch and jab, flow and smile, dance and wait. This one definitely inspires me to look more seriously at other books by Krause.

User friendly, LOTS of beautiful images and an excellent mix of information- and creativity-oriented text. And, I really dig the vinyl cover. Very different from the other (many) photo books I own. This book is... exuberant. I think that if I were to name a "theme" for this book, it would be: use whatever camera you have; whatever skills you have; and just go for it. The book conentrates on mid-level cameras and equipment (it has expanded my appreciation for pocket digital cameras-that's for sure). The hundreds of photos in this book were all taken with either a pocket digital camera or a mid-level digital SLR (looks like a Canon 20D). The book itself is very cleanly designed (I'm a professional graphic designer myself, and I can appreciate the work that's gone into this one); neatly organized into topics of creativity, camera and lighting variables; and some essential digital effects. I love how several pages take one subject-matter and explore all kinds of equally-valid ways of taking pictures of it. Great for getting the ideas flowing. My one sort-of complaint is that the digital effects section is short, but then, this is a book on photography so that's okay (maybe a digi-fx book is next...?). If you want to get jazzed and informed about picture-taking, i encourage you to consider this book.