So sayeth Mafud:
>When was the last time *you* (or any of us) got up off our dusty's and drove
>down (over-up) to the library and perused the many tomes on photography
>residing therein? Or reread the books (not magazines) on photography in your
>own house?
>Adults get to the "I don't need to read, I just need to shoot" stage, some
>earlier than others.
>Even reading the "how-to" articles in monthly photography magazines would
>help but then, too many of us have become reliant on Internet forums or lists
>for information.
>My last trip to the library? November when I checked out Hedgcoe's latest and
>an armful of other books on photography.
>But I too have become much to reliant on the Net for my input.
Generally, Mafud, every Saturday*. <G>
I've already checked out all the photography books at our library (actually
did it before I bought my ZX-5n and FA 35/2). The books are ok, but the
emphasis is on using the gear, not on composition. You get a little talk
about the rule of thirds, the golden section, warned about centering your
subject in every photo, maybe something on asymetrical vs. symetrical
balance, but that is the extent of it. Nothing you couldn't read and digest
while sitting on the can. Using our library's online book catalog, I still
don't find anything specifically devoted to composition, so I don't know if
I'm looking in the wrong places or using the wrong keywords or our library
just doesn't have anything that specialized on the subject.
I guess I'm looking for something a little meatier, and, with all the
experienced photogs on this list, I'm sure someone can point me in the
right direction.
BTW, I agree with this :
>You must now find a better word for what we do, if not "compose." We *never*
>deliberately point the camera at something and just shoot. We always look
>thought the viewfinder, if for no other reason than to see what's there. Once
>our noses press into the camera, we begin to "edit" the scene, if not
>compose. We eliminate everything that does not, as you suggest "compose
>itself."
Although I have great respect for the experience and thoughts of Shel and
Mike, I do think that even if we "fire from the hip" we are still making
decisions about composition. We chose the body, the focal length, the film,
the time, the place, and the subject, then we weed-out the images after
they've been gathered. Composition is still happening.
And, even *if* thinking about composition has ruined many an honest photo,
I'm willing to bet the honest photos ruined without any thought of
composition forms a much, much greater pile. ;-)
Dan Scott
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
*Mafud, I've got a 4 year old and get tired of reading the same book(s)
over and over again *way* before he does.
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