Photography: History. Art. Technique

by Tom Ang

Introducing you to the art, history, and culture of photography, this fascinating all-in-one guide shows you how to take better pictures.

A comprehensive guide to all things photographic, Photography opens with a gallery of more than 30 of the key figures in photography, from 19th-century pioneers to famous photographers working today. The gallery provides fascinating contrasts between such diverse genres as art photography, reportage, portrait, and wildlife photography. The book then tells the story of photography, from its beginnings to the rise of the "selfie" today.

The second half of the book introduces cameras, accessories, and software, explaining what they can do and how to use them, then shows how to take better photographs by mastering the technical aspects of your camera; experimenting with composition, color, and light; and digitally enhancing your photos. Inspirational masterclasses covering all genres of photography--including landscape, portraits, wildlife, architecture, and art--also provide you with an opportunity to apply your new skills in a clear and practical way.

Genres: Photography, Art, Nonfiction

336 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Photographer, author, traveler and academic. An early pioneer in digital photography, I have written over 30 books on photography as well as on video. This work was recognised by the award of the HIPA Content Producer Award in 2019. I also won the Thomas Cook award for best Illustrated Travel Book for my coverage of the Marco Polo Expedition.

I was senior lecturer in photographic practice at the University of Westminster for over 12 years (1991–2004) and created the MA Photographic Journalism course. For over 10 years I photographed in Central Asia, traveling in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. I led a Know How Fund project that helped equip a radio studio for radio students and which reformed the journalism curriculum for the Kyrgyz Russian Slavonic University in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

I have written over thirty books on photography and video including Digital Photography Masterclass (now 3rd edition), Fundamentals of Photography,Tao of Photography, Digital Photographer’s Handbook (now 7th edition), Picture Editing (2nd edition), Eyewitness Companion: Photography, and Digital Video Handbook, How to Photograph Absolutely Everything.

I presented the BBC series ‘A Digital Picture of Britain’, first transmitted in 2005 on BBC4. A second series, entitled 'Britain in Pictures' was transmitted in 2007. I also presented an 8-part TV series for CNA (Channel News Asia) in Singapore which was broadcast in August 2009. This took a Bronze at the New York Film and TV Festival the following year.

I have served on juries of Hamdan International Photography Award, Wildlife Photographer of the Year, World Photography Award, Czech Press Photo.

I am a Sony NZ Digital Imaging Ambassador.

Reviews

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from my husband and daughter for my birthday. My husband said he thought it's more like a reference book than something to read from cover to cover, but that's how I read it. I really enjoyed learning about famous photographers and how to take better photos. I like the cover and many of the pictures inside. I will refer to this when I need photography help.

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shoot for the Stars

Darkrooms. Exposure triangles. Pricy equipment. Photography can be confusing! Luckily all these and more are covered in this book, revised and updated through late 2019. With beautiful page layout and extensive illustration, this is a one-volume introduction to all things photo-y.

Tom Ang is an accomplished photographer and draws heavily on his own work. This is useful for students as he analyzes a few of his own photos in full-page print, commenting and critiquing his composition, lighting, etc. in great detail.

There are more focused and lengthy treatments of each topic to be found elsewhere, even by the same author (e.g. history of the medium), but probably none with this scope and up-to-date information including current camera models.
All photographers need to begin somewhere, and that might very well be this book.

[Andrew Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific resource - I can’t think of any aspect of photography that isn’t covered in some regard (technical, artistic, historical, commercial). This edition is less than five years old but as I read it I wondered about the changes in camera technology and generative AI in that time and how the author would approach those developments.

[Mike Metal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book looks awesome, the print quality is close to perfection. The book functions as both a "how-to" and it offers a brief history of photography. It's great for those that already have an understanding of the medium and for those that are more advanced, however, I wouldn't recommend it for absolute beginners as it doesn't start from scratch.

It offers in-depth picture studies to illustrate the theory behind the photos. This feature has to be the best part of the book as that's when you learn techniques and then you know what to practice in your own craft. I can't really find something wrong with the book.