Focus On Composing Photos: Focus on the Fundamentals

by Peter Ensenberger

As digital cameras and software packages become more advanced, seemingly by the minute, it has become easier than ever to overlook the basic elements which have always resulted in the best photographs, no matter how fancy (or primitive) the camera itself. Composition is the single most important aspect of creating great images, no matter what level of photographer you happen to be. No amount of digital wizardry can turn a badly composed image into a picture you would want to display. While many books on composition tend to overcomplicate the subject, this book breaks down everything you need to know into small, digestible chunks of information that you will actually remember once you're out and about taking pictures. Instead of plodding through long and complex pages of text, this book supplements the necessary information, such as the basics of the rule of thirds and how to get good highlights and shadows, with tons of gorgeous, full color images that actually show you what to do and how to do it, rather than just telling you what to try. You'll be amazed at the gorgeous images you'll create, whether your passion is for photographing your family, pets, travel adventures, nature, or anything else.

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction, Reference

139 pages, Paperback

First published April 18, 2011

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most helpful book on photography I've read so far. Also very encouraging.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I would've given a non-Kindle copy four stars, but the Kindle version was hard to read as photos were not always visible at the same time as their discussions, and a handful of photos are actually missing.

It is a useful general introduction to composition, it goes over the basic rules and gives photographic examples of most, as well as talking about why the rules are important and how to break them.

If you have read much about photographic composition already it won't give you any new insights, but I can imagine it being a very useful first book on composition.

[Wells Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent primer on the principles of composition in photography. The simple tools explained take a completely unpolished point-and-shooter like me to a level of basic understanding of the artistic principles and "rules" to consider when framing your subject.

[Stuball · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really Helpful Work on Composition

I really got a lot out of this book. I'm not new to photography, but I was fairly unversed in the techniques of composition. I feel like this book gave me a lot of tools and theory to work with.

[Lesley Hooser · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok book not my favorite

[Miguel David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Looked better on the store than in my hands. The book was nice but it had little juice. Most of the ideas would fit in 5 pages and there is a lot of repetition.