Practical Composition in Photography

This was published in 1981, but applies reasonably well to digital as well. Very little is dedicated to the mechanics of cameras or film. The idea behind the book is to give you some tools to evaluate your own work and that of others so that, hopefully, you can begin to understand what you like or don't like about their composition. It does not provide any real rules nor does it judge composition as good or bad. On the contrary. It makes frequent reference to "rules of composition" in order to refute them and warn against using them. Aparently these rules were well known at the time of publishing, but I don't know the references as the topic is seldom addressed in contemporary literature. Since that time it seems like most publications have thrown up their hands and leave it up to the photographers natural talent to either make attractive compositions or not. This book almost leves me feeling the same way. I want to get in touch with my inner artist, but after reading this book, I feel a little closer, but far from satisfied. The first chapter or two start off well, but the rest starts to seem like filler to turn it into a book instead of a pamplet. Some of the discussion on originality seemed dated, as did the style of the examples. I did like the book, however, because it did cover concepts I don't often see applied to photography. It does give a primer on a subject that has very little coverage elsewhere.

One of the books in Focal's acclaimed Practical Photography series, Bruck provides rules for composition, how to break them, the impact of different sorts of compositions and -- most importantly -- how composition creates meaning. 192 pp with about 80 illustrations, including some color plates. TABLE OF CONTENTS Composition: Its Meanings and Implications Some Rules of Composition The Importance of Originality Different Lenses -- Different Effects Interchangeable Lenses and the Rendering of Space Colour or Black and White? Colour and Meaning Expressing Your Ideas The Impact of Different Types of Composition Aids to Composition Cropping Instant Photography Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Composition Composition and the Golden Mean Epilogue Index

Any one can learn the basic mechanical aspects of photography in a couple of days and taking a picture in a few days and thousands of books address this rather trivial isse. But the important thing which will make or break a photograph, Composition is rarely discussed. Brück has produced the book which every photographer who is serious about their work should have this on their shelf. He doesn't give false rules like the 'Golden Mean' (which he turns to iron) but also puts down the so called 'rule of 1/3's which many have a slavish fixation on. Read and study this book and apply it to analyzing your photographs and your work will be better for it.