Design is the single most important factor in creating a
successful photograph. The ability to see the potential for a strong
picture and then organize the graphic elements into an effective,
compelling composition has always been one of the key skills in making
photographs.

Of course, digital photography has brought a new, exciting aspect to design
- first because the instant feedback from a digital camera allows immediate
appraisal and improvement; and second because image-editing tools make it
possible to alter and enhance the design after the shutter has been
pressed. This has had a profound effect on the way digital photographers
take pictures.

The Photographer's Eye shows how anyone can develop an eye for `seeing'
great digital photos. The book explores all the traditional approaches to
composition and design, but crucially, it also addresses the new digital
technique of shooting in the knowledge that a picture will later be edited,
manipulated, or montaged to result in a final image that may be very
different from the one seen in the viewfinder.

Design is the single most important factor in creating a successful photograph. The ability to see the potential for a strong picture and then organize the graphic elements into an effective, compelling composition has always been one of the key skills in making photographs. Of course, digital photography has brought a new, exciting aspect to design first because the instant feedback from a digital camera allows immediate appraisal and improvement; and second because image-editing tools make it possible to alter and enhance the design after the shutter has been pressed. This has had a profound effect on the way digital photographers take pictures."The Photographers Eye" shows how anyone can develop an eye for seeing great digital photos. This book explores all the traditional approaches to composition and design, but crucially, it also addresses the new digital technique of shooting in the knowledge that a picture will later be edited, manipulated, or montaged to result in a final image that may be very different from the one seen in the viewfinder.
Michael Freeman is an acclaimed photographer and writer who
specializes in travel, architecture and Asian art. He is particularly well
known for his expertise in special effects. He has photographed extensively
for many international publishers, and has written more than two dozen
books on photography, with more than a million copies sold.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Perhaps the best book regarding photographic composition
Comment: I have always been skeptical about buying books that deal with photography either because there exist too many online tutorials which cover many aspects in detail or simply because the techniques each book covers are more or less the same rewritten in a different format.

This book by Michael Freeman though is trully a gem and a "must-have" in the library of every photographer.
It covers most photographic composition aspects in a great detail with perhaps images of excellence regarding composition, including schematic figures outlining and justifying the choice of the composition which exactly hit the point the writer is trying to make. It is printed in premium, relatively thick, paper with high quality images.

- The book is well structured in 6 main chapters beginning with the usage of the image frame, the positioning within the viewfinder of the camera and generally the placement of a scenery and objects within the frame
- Chapter 2 explains the objective principles of design and why certain photographs pop up from the lot if thinking is allocated to aspects such as Gestalt theory, Dynamic tension, patterns, visual weight etc.
- Chapter 3 walks us through the elements that compose photographs such as lines, shapes, focus, motion exposure and others.
- Chapter 4 highlights the importance of light needed in composition and its association with color.
- Chapter 5 analyzes the intent in composition, that is the purpose the photograph was taken in order to please aesthetically by teaching and explaining among others, planning, ahead thinking and reactiveness, simplicity and complexity in photographs, ambiguity etc.
- The book finishes with chapter 6 which in detail explains why process is so necessary prior to composing and shooting a photograph.

This draft description only outlines a few of the topics covered and by no means it can show the true depth of the book.
A small word of advice though. This book is not purely intended to teach basic rules of photography (although the writer explains topics such as the rule of thirds and HDR) but it rather builds and expands on some existing knowledge and fine granulates the art of photography through composition and design with the utmost intent to help the user develop the skills to shoot great images.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: The book helps !
Comment: I bought this book after reading the reviews as I'm not into too technical stuff...

It's a very handy book which nicely and in easy terms (I'm not an native English speaker) explains about composition, what our eyes see or focus on and therefor why we better take a photo this or that way.

The book contains many example photographs which makes it even easier to see what the author means.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: more design than composition
Comment: i was looking for a book to help with my photo composition and was recommended this, so perhaps i was expecting something a little 'less formal'

for me, its quite formal and concentrates on design aspects rather than composition itself in which i would think of things such as framing subjects etc, but perhaps i was just expecting more along the lines of "rules of thirds", "bottom heavy images" etc.

with that said, its a good book for ppl who have already familiarity with general composition rules.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: At long last
Comment: A book on composition that delves down further than the rule of thirds and the likes. I'm still waiting for my copy but had a half hour skim through it's content in a book shop, can't wait to start reading. He uses shapes on his photos to describe what makes the compostion work on certain situations. I found the content easy to read and comprehend.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: One worth buying
Comment: I'm not usually a fan of books by Michael Freeman but when I received this book, I was pleasantly surprised. It covers the basics concepts of composition in-depth with more clarity than his previous books.
The book covers areas such as; graphic photographic elements (horizontal lines, vertical lines, curves, motion etc) composing with light and colour (colour in composition, colour relationships, muted colour, black and white) intent (reactive or planned, simple or complex, clear or ambiguos)
The book has a great and careful selection of photos to support the text and clearly illustrate the concepts covered.
Don't let his previous books stop you from buying this one.
Enjoy!!

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