|
 |
|
 |
 |
Mastering Black and White Digital Photography (A Lark Photography Book)
|
by Michael Freeman
Sales Rank: 144085
|
List Price: $27.95
$18.45
At Amazon
|
|
Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Lark Books September 28, 2005
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1579907075
ISBN-13: 978-1579907075
Product Dimensions:
8.7 x 8.2 x 0.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
Product Description
Black and white has an enduring appeal that just keeps on growing. Above all, it's a medium for the fine print--one that benefits immeasurably from digital technology and inkjet printers. Written by a photographer well-known for his ability to explain complex digital concepts to a variety of audiences, this essential guide on the art of black and white is packed with information, hints, and tips, along with a plethora of stunning images. Discover how our colorful world translates into black and white and how to create a stunning monotone image. See how to render colors as gray tones and how to manipulate the tonality for dramatic effect. Experiment with high contrast, infrared, and pseudo non-silver looks. You won't believe the wonderful results you'll achieve.
Customer Reviews & Comments
I am impressed with this book. I have read many run-of-the-mill Photoshop books and this isn't one of them for all the right reasons. This book is chock full of useful, long term learning about black and white photography from the moment you look at a scene to the final print. While it is geared toward work in Photoshop, it spends enough time in basic design principles and how to shoot, that after practicing the principles in the book I will be a much better photographer rather than just a more skilled user of Photoshop. The examples in the book are plentiful, useful, and gorgeous. Many side-by-side photos show you the before and after, and in fact many of them are 6 or 8 side-by-side comparison shots of different techniques or adjustments. This is the book for someone who loves looking at spectacular black and white work and wants to bring her work closer to that level. There are five large chapters: The Language of Mono, Color into Grayscale, Digital Black and White, Image Editing & Effects, and The Print. In the first two chapters, the basic thrust is on colors -- the colors we see and that the camera records -- and how they can be manipulated to create stunning black and whites. The sections on filters I found particularly helpful. I often stopped and tried the various techniques on some of my own photos. Digital Black and White, Image Editing & Effects are the meat and potatoes. Freeman is of the Ansel Adams school and so begins to talk about tonal ranges using the zone system. Then he does so much more, covering gradient maps, multiple exposure composites, and how to mimic specific film types. He uses a series of case studies interspersed throughout the text to show how various techniques might be brought into the workflow on a given photo. At first glance, I was disappointed in the book because his sections are usually only two pages long. But it turns out he is a good writer who conveys precisely what he needs to in a minimum of words. The book is remarkably clear while discussing complex artistic issues and techniques. It requires dedicated study and experimentation: especially spending time evaluating the photos. If you're willing to do this, indeed if you're looking for a guide to do this, then Michael Freeman is the one to help. The book is inspiring as well as instructive, and will remain a reference on my desk for a long time to come.
Comment | Permalink |
(Report this)
|
Mastering Black and White Digital Photography (A Lark Photography Book)
List Price: $27.95
Available from Amazon
Price: $18.45
| |
|
|
|
|
