"The Photographer's Eye" (2007, Focal Press) is the title of a beautifully designed book by Michael Freeman. It's subtitle is "Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos" which, at first glance, might seem to promise rules for composing effective images. And a photographer lacking all sense of self or aesthetics will most likely take more interesting pictures by applying Freeman's observations. Still the author is too honest to make such a promise, nor is such a promise credible (in part, because, as Freeman recognizes, effective images are as often so for flouting expectations as for meeting them.) Nonetheless, using clear prose and apparent intelligence, Freemen does provide a valuable vocabulary and syntax for understanding, describing and analyzing photographic images, for understanding why a particular image works so that you can apply a similar principal on another occasion. He also suggests design elements that a photographer might not have considered applying for lack of imagination or simple ingrained habit.
The book itself is handsome and contains appropriate and elegant illustrative images; the paper is heavy and of excellent quality. Between the useful and thought-provoking content, the eye appeal and the physical quality, the volume gives a true impression of integrity; it is a worthwhile addition to a photographer's library and makes a lovely gift for any photographer.
The book itself is handsome and contains appropriate and elegant illustrative images; the paper is heavy and of excellent quality. Between the useful and thought-provoking content, the eye appeal and the physical quality, the volume gives a true impression of integrity; it is a worthwhile addition to a photographer's library and makes a lovely gift for any photographer.