Five Books on Photography That Will Alter the Way In Which You See
There are literally thousands upon thousands of books that all promise to make you into a better photographer which fill bookstore shelves and fill page upon page of Internet sites. They are jammed of information about which camera to buy, which lenses will
deliver the most incredible results, what lens filters you absolutely must have, flashes and other lighting equipment that will turn you into the best photographer in the world, and what photographic papers will provide you with the perfect print.
The real truth is: To shoot a timeless photograph, you must learn how to see. We're not talking about learning how to "look"; all of us do constantly that. We look at a watch, we look at
restaurant menus, and we look for the car and house keys..
Seeing is a totally different thing. It involves perceiving what's around you, and therefore requires far more than just looking in a specific direction.
Photographers who see generate more than pretty photographs, they fashion art. And it doesn't matter if they’re photographing a dog, a nude, a baby or a wedding, they honestly "see" what they are shooting.
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And so in place of giving you a list books on photography that pledge to teach you techniques, tricks and theory, here's a list books written by real photographers who have truly mastered the exceptional art of seeing. By studying their photographic work, you, too, will start to grasp the meaning of honestly seeing. For those reading this who already possess the knowledge of how to see, you'll rejoice in discovering kindred souls as you "see" the pictures within these books.
Imogene Cunningham: Flora
Written by Richard Lorenz Photographing in black & white, Cunningham extends deep into the heart of nature to let us see the splendor of flora. Using curves, lines, tones, and acquiring tiny fragments of plants and flowers, Cunningham exposes the inner spirit of her subjects. Her images move you into a world of utter beauty. Absolutely mesmerizing.
Other Realities Jerry Uelsmann author. I have to say. Uelsmann has to be one of my all time favorite photographers. His photographs aren't just brilliant, and they also present a substitute reality that makes just as much or perhaps more sense over the reality in which we live. Way before PhotoShop made blending images together possible, Uelsmann was producing solitary photos in his darkroom, exposing several images, sometimes up to a dozen into a just one sheet of paper. Although I certainly do not advocate attempts to emulate this master photographer, understanding his manner of seeing the world can unquestionably help in expanding your own vision.
Recycled Reality Tom Young and John Willis authors. Photographers Young and Willis demonstrate in this book beauty exists in everything around us, even trash. They photographed paper waiting for recycling at a Western Massachusetts paper mill. Using artists’ eyes, they show the rhythm,, the poetry, and the art in things others have thrown out. This book epitomizes the meaning of seeing the extraordinary within everyday things.
Untitled Film Stills Cindy Sherman author We all know self-portraits can become trying emotionally to accomplish, however viewing truly your inner self is possibly the initial step in gaining the
ability to view the world that's around you. In this respect, Sherman has gone on to create a career of self photography in exploring the roles women have. The pictures in this book, you'll find a partial collection of her earlier works as she poses as a variety movie stars. Everyone of the books she's written are a worthwhile study.
William Wegman Puppies William Wegman author. No doubt you've seen the photos Wegman has taken of Weimaraners dressed up in assorted costumes. Cute, surely, however is he actually seeing the dogs or just using them to produce something else entirely? For William Wegman Puppies, there's an obvious answer: he is actually seeing these puppies. Photographing them from the time they were born, he reveals puppies to us awakening to the vast world all around them. He seizes their boldness,, their hesitancy, their complex spirit and their playfulness,. You’ll never again perceive puppies the same way.
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