Michael Freeman On Light Shadow

Drawing on over 40 years of practical experience, best-selling author and photographer Michael Freeman examines the most fundamental building-blocks of photography - light and shadow - bringing this key element of the picture-making process into the 21st century. In this book, Freeman takes a new and different view of photography's prime commodity, arguing that for the photographer, the rich and evocative world of shadows is the full equal of the actual light that casts them and bathes scenes. He defines the varied qualities of both light and shadows (of which there are at least ten distinct types), and shows how they have particular meaning and purpose. He also argues for integrating exposure and processing with an appreciation of light and shadow quality so as to have full and subtle control. Armed with this understanding and these techniques, the creative photographer can work with light and shadow to add depth and quality to imagery. - All new content from the master of photography guides - Concise and easy-to-follow format clearly explains the fundamentals of light and shadow - For the first time ever, both light and shadow are given equal weight in the discussion of photographic image-making - Real-life examples, clearly illustrated, cut through the jargon and show the theory of light and shadow in practice

For professional photographers, chasing the light, waiting for it, sometimes helping it, and finally capturing it is a constant preoccupation and for some, an obsession. Drawing on four decades of working with light, Michael Freeman takes a simple but practical approach to interpreting, reacting to, and capturing photography's most valuable commodity. Practical advice is organised into three straightforward sections: Waiting, Chasing, and Helping. Begin by mastering the art of patience, and recognise the immense value of anticipating and planning for gorgeous light that's just over the horizon. Then learn the techniques to meet otherwise transient and fleeting lighting conditions halfway, with quick thinking and fast reactions. Finally, make the most of the tools at your disposal to enhance and manipulate light as you find it, covering everything from in-the-field shooting choices to technical transformations in post-production. This is the method of a working professional the way to interpret, approach, and master whatever lighting situation is thrown at you and always get the shot, no matter what.

For professional photographers, chasing the light, waiting for it, sometimes helping it, and finally capturing it is a constant preoccupation and for some, an obsession. Drawing on four decades of working with light, Michael Freeman takes a simple but practical approach to interpreting, reacting to, and capturing photography's most valuable commodity. Practical advice is organised into three straightforward sections: Waiting, Chasing, and Helping. Begin by mastering the art of patience, and recognise the immense value of anticipating and planning for gorgeous light that's just over the horizon. Then learn the techniques to meet otherwise transient and fleeting lighting conditions halfway, with quick thinking and fast reactions. Finally, make the most of the tools at your disposal to enhance and manipulate light as you find it, covering everything from in-the-field shooting choices to technical transformations in post-production. This is the method of a working professional - to interpret, approach, and master whatever lighting situation is thrown at you and always get the shot, no matter what.

For the very first time, renowned international photographer and bestselling author Michael Freeman reveals all the insider secrets that professionals keep for themselves alone. Everyone from enthusiastic amateurs to seasoned experts will learn plenty of the tried-and-true, field-tested techniques Freeman has discovered through years of experience. He helps you think and shoot like an expert, providing advice on everything from shooting in poor weather conditions to simulating complex lighting setups, from enhancing depth of field to fixing damaged files and organizing your photos effectively. His easily digestible nuggets of information explain how to make the most of your digital camera...even if you have limited resources. And that’s important, because to get a great photo, you must fully exploit your camera’s capabilities--and this guide shows you how.

The essential concept for which there is no Auto mode, quality composition is what distinguishes a snapshot from a phenomenal photograph. Learn how to develop your photographic eye not to only seek out engaging subjects, but also to approach them from the best angle, in optimal light, for maximum effect. Going beyond the basics, Michael Freeman reveals why certain photographs succeed, demystifying the abstract aesthetics to give practical rules and real-world advice that will enhance your images and inspire your creativity. Presented in a straightforward, down-to-earth method, these compositional principles will become second nature, giving you the creative freedom to seek out new, stunning shots of your own. What?s more, you will develop reliable skills to approach a wide variety of subjects ? from portraits to landscapes and everything in between ? and to consistently present them in a strong, compelling composition.

Designed by expert professional Michael Freeman, this complete course will let you take exceptional photos and develop a deeper understanding of what makes a great photo work. Inspired by the structure of a college course and the benefits of collective learning, in-depth lessons are punctuated by shooting challenges, encouraging you to get out and practice your new skills. Start by taking creative control of your images, learning the science behind exposure, getting comfortable with the full range of camera controls, and leaving Auto mode behind. Next, learn to read the light itself and capture consistently high-quality images even in the most difficult lighting conditions. Then take a step back and develop your photographic eye to recognize potential design and compositional choices, making the most of stunning scenes as they occur. Once you get back to your computer, wrap it up with a complete overview of the most important digital-editing techniques, cutting through the clutter and honing in on the tools and workflows that are relevant to your own photographic style. By the end of this course you will understand the principles of photography, you?ll know what makes a successful photograph, and you?ll have the skills to take excellent photos yourself.

Taking a new look at composition, the theme of his bestselling classic The Photographer's Eye, Michael Freeman now explores the visual mechanics of photography in its own native terms. Lushly illustrated with straight-to-the-point diagrams and graphic deconstructions, this new, digitally remastered edition speaks in that intuitive, visual, and instantaneous language in which photographers think and work. Each section is organized into discrete units that articulate a working method for communicating particular ideas and capturing certain subjects. Dive into beautiful images and explore how each compositional element is placed and arranged in relationship to each other. Examine the outtakes from each shoot to understand why one particular image succeeded, compared to those shot before and after. Track the viewer's eye as it moves throughout the photo to see the optical dynamics held within each frame. And most of all, internalize this graphic language so you can instantly recognise amazing and powerful shots as they appear in your own viewfinder.

Composition is the single most powerful tool in a photographer's armoury. Unconstrained by any outside influence, it can be a pure expression of individuality, and this is what makes it so important. Freeman details both why and how composition works, from perception to visual imagination, including many practical compositional templates - varying from the Walk-in to the Frame Break to the Fibonacci Point - ready to be applied to a range of camera situations. - All-new content from the master of photography guides - Concise and easy-to-follow format clearly explains the vital ingredients of composition - Real-life examples of composition in practice ably demonstrate the key elements - Unique visuals and illustrations cut through the jargon and make the subject simple