Techniques for Black & White Photography: Creativity and Design

Great book to help someone who has lost the creative edge. Great exercises. Well be using portions of the exercises in teaching my photography classes.

Fremier teaches us we can increase our creativity by associating a variety of variables that we might never have thought of putting together before. For example, when asked to describe 100 ways to improve a "bed," how many of us would step outside the confines of a mattress and box spring and think size, color, or even a "bed" of flowers? Fremier's book approaches all aspects of photography by looking at all variables, and then rearranging them in a way that creates a new "reality." It's fun!Fremier's book does not beg the basic question "Can people be taught photography?" Instead, it simply goes on to provide exercises that enhance and structure our initial approaches to photography. Not only can photography be taught, but we can also be taught to produce great photographs that create more impact than a postcard of our favorite travel icons (i.e., the Eiffel Tower).When I returned from Fremier's Photo Seminar in Paris this summer, I knew that I would never see Paris in quite the same way. We used "photo storming" and some of Fremier's creativity techniques (described in his book) as we created our own unique vision of Paris and its beauty. One afternoon, when I ran out of film, I found that I just kept taking mental pictures as I walked along the Seine and through the neighborhoods of Paris. I stopped seeing Paris as a series of postcards, and now saw it as little corners of ivy, beautiful old buildings, waundering steps, and bridges behind sleepy tree limbs. My album and my mind are filled with memories that I have seen in no other "travel book" thanks to Fremier's book and his ideas for taking more creative pictures. And, the best part is that these unique pictures are mine to keep forever!Every serious professional needs to find balance in his or her busy left-brain world. Fremier's book helps us exercise our right brain in fun, exciting ways, while creating photographs that remind us of the world seen through those creative eyes. My investment clients are surprised to see the creative side of me expressed through the creativity-enhanced photographs I have been able to take since reading Fremier's book, "Techniques for Black & White Photography." K. Eckerson, CEO/Investment Advisor, Estate Doctor, Amateur Photographer.

Fremier's book teaches us we can increase our creativity by associating a variety of variables that we might never have thought of putting together before. For example, when asked to describe 100 ways to improve a "bed," how many of us would step outside the confines of a mattress and box springs and think size, color, or even a "bed" of flowers? This book approaches all aspects of photography by looking at all the variables, and then rearranging them in a way that creates a new "reality." It's fun!The book does not beg the basic question "Can people be taught photography?" Instead, it simply goes on to provide exercises that enhance and structure our initial approaches to photography. Not only can photography be taught, but we can also be taught to produce great photographs that create more impact than a postcard of our favorite travel icons (i.e., the Eiffel Tower).When I returned from the Fremier Photo Seminar in Paris this summer, I knew that I would never see Paris in quite the same way. We used "photo storming" and some of Fremier's cfeativity techniques (described in his book) as we created our own unique vision of Paris and its beauty. One afternoon, when I ran out of film, I found that I just kept taking mental pictures as I walked along the Seine and through the neighborhoods of Paris. I stopped seeing Paris as a series of postcards, and now saw it as little corners of ivy, beautiful old buildings, waundering steps, and bridges behind sleepy tree limbs. My album and my mind are filled with memories that I have seen in no other "travel book" thanks to Fremier's book and its ideas for taking more creative pictures. And, the best part is that these unique pictures are mine to keep forever!Every serious professional needs to find balance in his or her busy left-brain world. Fremier's book helps us exercise our right brain in fun, exciting ways, while creating photographs that remind us of the world seen through those creative eyes. My investment clients are surprised to see the creative side of me expressed through the creativity-enhanced photographs I have been able to take since reading Fremier's book, Techniques for Black & White Photography. K. Eckerson, CEO/Investment Advisor, Estate Doctor, Amateur Photographer