The Visual Dictionary of Photography

Hot on the heels of Exposure I’ve now received an advanced copy on my Visual Dictionary of Photography – also for ava’s academia imprint. The Visual Dictionary (ISBN 978 2 940411 04 7) gives 288 concise defintions of key photographic terms covering both film and digital processes as well as explaining genres, movements and with biographic detials of key individuals behind the history and technology of photography. The dictionary also contains a timeline of photographic processes and key cultural events.

This book-bound edition will be in the shops next month in the UK. Again thank-you to the photographers who contributed images and the individuals who lent equipment for photography and a big thank-you to my wife for helping organise a very complex project.

Exposure

I’m very pleased to have received my advance of copy from the printers in Singapore of my latest book in ava’s Basics Photography series. Book No 7 Basics Photography: Exposure cover the whole ground from the basic theory through control of shutters and aperture, choice of film speed or sensitivity to choosing and using a light meter. One section is devoted to dynamic range and the ways to control subject brightness including physical means like graduated filters and post-production solutions. The final chapter looks at special cases like back lighting, metering for flash, multiple exposures or close-up photography. Exposure should be in the shops early in December in the UK. (ISBN 978 2 940411 05 4). Paperback with flaps – 184 pages

A special thanks to all those photographers who contributed images and helped out with equipment – you know who you are.

Angus McBean image

Is anyone able to identify the actress in this post-war Angus McBean photograph which is owned by a friend? It is a whole plate print mounted on card, signed by McBean in pencil. The reverse has his stamp from Endell Street WC2 putting the image after 1945. Any leads or comments welcome.

Tokyo Camera Style

I’ve just come across John Sypal’s delightful Tokyo Camera Style blog – wonderful to see so many old cameras being enjoyed – I’ll add his link to the blogroll.

Chinese editions

It has been difficult tracking down the covers for the simplified Chinese language editions of my books Basics Photography: Composition and Basics Photography: Lighting. Available through the site http://www.gmw.cn/ (I think). Working in Black-and-white is also now available in a Chinese co-edition. I’m told the first two titles are selling well enough to be in their 3rd or 4th reprint.

More from the Bronica RF

Another wonderful image from the standard lens on the Bronica RF645. Shot on ISO 400 Portra NC it is proving difficult to scan and print digitally – especially with respect to the grain and noise in the dark shadows. Which of course would not be an issue with conventional printing – I need to get it along to a lab! The picture is from our trip to America last year.

Creative Applied Photography book

My latest book - Fundamentals of Creative Photography – is now in the last stages of production and will be published early next year by ava academia. It is a comprehensive 200-page introduction to the world of applied creative photography, exploring the basic principles underpinning photography, and guiding readers though the practical considerations involved in executing the perfect shot. The book is concerned with photography in a professional context – images that are to be used in the fulfilment of a brief, rather than those created solely for self-expression. For this, creativity is vital, but must be focused on meeting the client’s needs.

As such, the Fundamentals of Creative Photography deals in practical advice for photographers as working image-makers, from the importance of communication to useful industry information and advice. It includes guidance on acquiring and developing new skills, the practice of self-promotion and self-administration, and a discussion of the image workflow. ISBN 978-2940411139

Google – Street View

The Google – Street View car has just visited us – just had the time to pick up a digital compact and return the favour before the car turned around. I hope I have posted my image of them quicker than they can post their image of me!

Hungarian editions

My titles Basics Photography: Composition and Basics Photography: Lighting are now available to Hungarian readers in editions from Alexandra Publishing. This publishing house has enjoyed massive recent growth and is based in the city of Pécs soon to be European Capital of Culture (2010). The few details I have are Kompozícío (ISBN 978-963 244 112-2) and Világosítás (ISBN 978-963 244 113-9). The books sell for 5500 Hungarian Forints each but are available online at a discount at 4400Ft at http://www.scolar.hu/

Coming soon…

Also in the final stage of preparation for the presses is my Visual Dictionary of Photography.  This is a comprehensive guide to terms and concepts used throughout photography – it covers ever eras and all types of photography. Details here. Like the other dictionaries in this series it is a beautifully bound pocket book providing and essential reference source for students, enthusiasts, photographers and tutors alike. (ISBN 978 2 940411 04 7)