La mente del fotografo: il pensiero creativo al servizio della fotografia digitale

by Michael Freeman

Seguito naturale de L’occhio del fotografo, Michael Freeman svela il mistero che si cela dietro la creazione di immagini efficaci. Più di qualsiasi altra forma d’arte, la fotografia deve costantemente affascinare e sorprendere lo spettatore. Esplorando lo stile e la tecnica dei più grandi fotografi del mondo, questo libro spiega che cosa rende speciale uno scatto.

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction, Art, Reference, Education, Art and Photography, Art Design

192 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2012

About the author

Librarian note: There is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database.

Michael Freeman is a professional photographer and author. He wrote more than 100 book titles. He was born in England in 1945, took a Masters in geography at Brasenose College, Oxford University, and then worked in advertising in London for six years. He made the break from there in 1971 to travel up the Amazon with two secondhand cameras, and when Time-Life used many of the pictures extensively in the Amazon volume of their World's Wild Places series, including the cover, they encouraged him to begin a full-time photographic career.

Since then, working for editorial clients that include all the world's major magazines, and notably the Smithsonian Magazine (with which he has had a 30-year association, shooting more than 40 stories), Freeman's reputation has resulted in more than 100 books published. Of these, he is author as well as photographer, and they include more than 40 books on the practice of photography - for this photographic educational work he was awarded the Prix Louis Philippe Clerc by the French Ministry of Culture. He is also responsible for the distance-learning courses on photography at the UK's Open College of the Arts.

Reviews

[Victor Alvarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sublime.

There are many books and web resources available for a novice self-taught photographer, but finding materials at this level is rare.

Michael Freeman has an utmost understanding of photography and art, and he has been capable to structure and deliver it with an exquisite use of language. He is also capable of speaking the languages of traditional-film and modern-digital photography without postulating or judging.

I will keep The Photographer's Mind as a treasure while I look forward to reading more books from this author.

[Mariano Baraldi · Rating 5 out of 5]

No se si Goodreads se usa para libros de fotografía, pero este es excelente y aprendí tanto que no quería dejar de darle un buen puntaje por si alguien entra buscando opiniones. El material es impecable.
Maneja conceptos y ejemplos avanzados asi que no lo recomendaría para alguien que recién arranca.

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible material. This is one book that isn't for a single reading. The author makes his points in a clear, intellectual and readable style(if one is willing to take his/her time, rereading every few lines or so). His theory seems sound, and his examples are profoundly simple, all being exemplified by the excellent illustrations and photographs selected and generously spread throughout. As I read, I felt that he and I were breaking new ground together as I heard myself going "Of course" or "Yes...yes", or "Aha"...and at the very end "My head hurts." Quite a mental stretch.

[Anastassia Dyubkova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Во время чтения этой книги я поняла, что несколько отвыкла от нехудожественной литературы - поначалу процесс шёл туговато, но потом я все-таки втянулась :)
На самом деле, человеку, интересующемуся фотографией, почитать Фримана определённо стоит. Хотя никаких технических рекомендаций тут, по сути, не найти - но ведь это и не учебник; а полезной информации о композиции, построении кадра, работе с цветом и многих других вещах здесь действительно очень много, причём всё изложено предельно доступным языком. Кроме того, большинство тезисов подкрепляется фото-примерами, что особенно ценно, поскольку наглядность - это хорошо (но читать лучше на бумаге или на каком-нибудь устройстве с цветным экраном, потому что чёрно-белый Киндл, например, всю красоту этих фото не передаёт).
Вообще, по тому, как Фриман пишет, сложилось впечатление, что он действительно хорошо разбирается в том, чем занимается, и любит свою работу, а это очень подкупает.
И я в целом поняла, почему эта книга фигурирует в списке рекомендуемой литературы для фотографов. Хотя я не могу сказать, что это было очень увлекательное чтение, в отношении приобретения новых знаний оно было действительно полезным.

P.S. Оригинальное название (The Photographer's Mind: Creative Thinking for Better Digital Photos) отражает суть книги намного лучше переводного.

[Stephen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The type size and leading make a complex text difficult to read. That aside, I think it's a book best called A Photographer's Mind, as the ideas are particular to the author who is trying for the impossible: to apply theory to the side of photography that is almost wholly instinctual. For that, I can't see how this book is useful to anyone other than the unlucky student with an essay to write. Perhaps one exception, the chapter on simulation of film types in digital form. If it's not useful is it entertaining? For me, no, the author's tone is a little too condescending.

[Allen Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book merits careful study. The title is appropriate—-conscious selection of design elements to create compelling photographs. I checked this out from the library to see if it might be worth buying and studying. It might be.

[Alexey Zenovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Неплохая книга для людей, которые начинают погружаться в мир фотографии. Охватывается много тем, большая часть - достаточно поверхностно. Опытный фотограф, скорее всего, не найдёт тут ничего нового.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect balance between very narrow practical advice and something that can be called "a philosophy of photography", an idea that stands behind every image, a story told and how it can be executed.

[Ray Dunsmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent primer on photographic style that goes fairly well in-depth to assist the photography novice in developing a style of their own. Extremely helpful.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good information, practical advice and examples. Liked all the teaching and found them interesting. At times the writing did seem to drag on but all in all it was nicely balanced.

[Grof J. Kešetović · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book that did quite a bit to break my creative block in photography. I do find Freeman's writing sometimes confusing and unclear as many of his thoughts pass on to something else.

[Hanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

talks about photography

[Victor Sonkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Less interesting than the previous one I read (which featured multiple photographers and their multiple approaches), but still pretty interesting.

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

Creative and interesting compositions (images that tell a story) is one of the least discussed but also most defining aspect that separates amateurs from the successful pros. This book really goes into discussing purposeful compositions and provides many inspirational and fascinating images to support the concepts presented.

The presentation is excellent and I enjoyed reading through the text as much as examining the pictures. Definitely not a coffee table book - this is a must-read for photographers who want to take their images to the next level.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more of an art theory book than how to. It covers many of the various compositions and techniques used by photographic schools of thought over a broad period of time, bringing in some from painting as well. If you have read up on photography or art, this is nothing new, but it is fairly complete and well organized. There is a bit of reference to digital techniques, but removing digital from the books subtitle would probably be more accurate. The vast majority of the photos are taken by the author, partially on the theory he knows a bit why he took the shot and he can't apply that same reason to other people's photos. Cuts down on getting the rights to other photographer's shots as well. I'm tempted to buy this book, which would change it's rating to a five.

[Bill Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a nature photographer who uses my camera to engage Nature and to portray my perceptions. This review applies to all of Michael Freeman's books.

These are NOT books about cameras. They are books about perceiving an image or scene and conveying and composing your perception so that it is communicated to the viewer.

I carry these books with me in my camper during my summer forays into Nature. The are an invaluable reference source that adds great depth to my practice and to my body of work.

[Jonathan Carlaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

This continues on from The Photographer's Eye: Composition And Design For Better Digital Photos, but to me was a harder book to follow - though I suspect that is in part my not having the time to reflect on and practice the wisdom it contains while reading through.

[Vince Fontaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do you rate a book like this? For newcomers, it's a great read. Defiantly learned a lot more about intent, style, and process. You will also learn about countless photographers and artists who define certain styles. I couldn't get enough and it provides excellent photos as examples. Studious material.

[John Orman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice guide to help photographers think more creatively during photo composition.

A very complex book, with some subjects being "cliche and irony," "classical balance," "Opposition,", "Minimalism," "Hyper-realistic," and "luminous."

Definitely a way to get serious about the mood captured and reflected to the viewer of carefully-constructed and considered photos!

[Jeremy Brooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of this book is written in a lecturing tone which really turns me off. Several of the statements seem completely incorrect to my eye. But, photography is subjective.

The book feels very dated.

There are some interesting thing to pick out, so it's probably worth a read, but get it from a library. Spend your money elsewhere.

[John Rinker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book months ago, and since then I have seen with new eyes. My photography has transformed: my compositions are more compelling, my subjects more appropriately set. Most importantly, I am better prepared for every decisive moment that presents itself, and to find the best way to compose the contents between the frame corners.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freeman has wrote many books on photography subject and I think this is one amazing book that he ever written! A must have book for all who own a camera and want to take a better photograph and better appreciate the creativity of digital photography.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, simple take on the philosophy of photography. Includes modern styles and looks with how & why they're practiced. This is a smart book, but also very concise, the way Freeman usually does it.

[Hapzydeco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freeman shares his experience as a professional photographer to help you improve the quality of your digital pictures.

[Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read about 50 pages in this book and then scanned the rest. It's neat and with lots of information for the digital photographer.

[Sharada Prasad · Rating 4 out of 5]

simply one of the best books I hv read. covers a bit of composition related material too. the only disappointing fact is,no technical info related to the photos

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful.

[Serge Pierro · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book on how to avoid taking cliched shots. Lots of good instruction throughout.

[Aiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rereading it again... a wonderful journey in the art of Photography. coming straight up from an experienced Photographer/Artist. Full of insights and exceptional observations.

[Bryan York · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not pertain to me and my style of learning. Had hoped it would be different. Was to technical for me and the author seemed a bit arrogant. No thanks. Ended up skimming it.