Read This if You Want to Take Great Photographs

Great book! Totally recommend it for anyone interested in better photography without the techno-speak. Straight forward language, simply explains aperture/shutter/focus. etc The images aren't my style, but the author uses them as examples of the topic. A quick read, uncomplicated, educational.

I used to be into photography way back when we used film and used to develop our pictures in a dark room, that was a long time ago now! I’ve become more and more interested in photography since iPhones etc have improved so much. I wanted to jump into DSLR photography, to up my pictures as much as I can - but I got bogged down in all the books that waffled on about technical aspects of cameras. I am very much a learn by doing type person, this book is amazing it teaches you exactly what you need to get going and start shooting - my pic quality increased dramatically. If you have an idea of what you want your images to look like but never quite get them right (like me) this book is perfect! I take it with me for a quick reference if I need me - and I now spend more time taking pictures than fiddling around with unnecessary controls. This may not be a pro level book - but it certainly has got me going and ignited my passion for photography again - I will be investigating the other books in this series.

A short and easy to read book which explains important art concepts like composition, as well as ones more specific to photography such as exposure, in an unpretentious and straightforward manner. Importantly, every point is illustrated with relevant photos, meaning you can easily see what's being discussed. While best suited for beginners, personally I found that this was a good, concise refresher on what I remembered from a long-ago course at art college. While it only really covers the fundamentals, a good grounding in basic principles goes a long way. Worthwhile, as long as you don't go in expecting advanced and esoteric techniques.

I have had this book a long time and still regularly dip back into it. I like the style of writing and the really good explanations. It's not a book of rigid rules but an instruction guide covering all the basics of photography that both a beginner and experienced photographers would find useful.

I have been interested in photography for many years now and have bought a number go photography books. The title grabbed me as did a review I ready in a magazine. I was not disappointed at all. I really enjoyed the different way of explaining how to take pictures. Although I know I have read all of the specifics, the way it has been described in this book am me think again about my photography and given me some new ideas. My daughter enjoys taking pictures on her smart phone and is very good and wants to develop her understanding and get an DSLR. The is is the prefect book for someone new and I will buying her a copy as I want to keep my own!

I bought this book because of the positive reviews it had received. I didn’t know what to expect really but this book really delivered. Reading the book is like having your own private tutor. The author shows you a photograph, explains its framing and what makes it a good photograph. Then gives you advice and instruction on how to take achieve similar results in your photography. Each photo in the book helps you to understand the art and the science of photography without being wordy or boring. I wish there were more books as good as this.

I bought this book as I am always on the look out for thoughts and ideas to help me improve my own photography. It is a simple book (very little technical babble) yet full of good information and great examples from some excellent photographers. If you're just starting out, I recommend this as a first book, just to get you going. You can progress on to all the scientific stuff later if you really want, but you might be too busy taking photos.

Basic, yes. But Henry Carroll's book is both a useful primer for anyone starting out who wants to know how to take interesting photos, and it is also a good refresher for more experienced photographers. Shelving technical details and looking more at the what makes certain photos work, Carroll's guide is easy to flick through. Photos from masters such as Cartier-Bresson, Martin Parr and Ansel Adams act as a kind of visual tutorial, with Carroll addressing composition, lighting, framing, format, colour and other essential issues. The book is a useful reminder that great photos tell stories, and that what the photographer leaves out is as important as what they include in the shot. Attractively presented, uncluttered and aimed at a range of photographers who might be using anything from a smartphone to a DSLR, the book does something that lots of other instructional guides on the subject don't. It gets you seeing things in new ways, and it gets you thinking.