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Ansel Adams Photography #1
The Camera
This is an attractively priced photography classic made accessible to a wider, new audience. It covers everything from "seeing" the finished photo in advance, to lens choices. It is illustrated with many of Ansel Adams most famous images.
195 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
212 people are currently reading
4527 people want to read
About the author
Ansel Adams
431 books356 followersPeople note black-and-white photographs of the American wilderness of American photographer Ansel Easton Adams.
Though wilderness and the environment were his grand passions, photography was his calling, his metier, his raison d'etre.
From: Ansel Adams, Photographer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ansel_A...
Though wilderness and the environment were his grand passions, photography was his calling, his metier, his raison d'etre.
From: Ansel Adams, Photographer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ansel_A...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
January 23, 2020
I realize that Adams is something of a cliché in the art world, like white zinfandel to a connoisseur of wine. His photographs are ubiquitous and recognizable, universally praised by the neophyte art-lover as "great photography" and known more often by prints on a calendar than serious academic study. I can not accept that this necessarily disqualifies him as a great artist. I've read of Adams that his love of the American West and its landscape powered his art, that his passion for photography began with his first trip to Yosemite as a young man, and I wonder if he would ever have pursued expertise with a camera had he not first longed to document in artistic form the landscape that so captured his heart? Is this not the essence of true art? The ineluctable drive to express the heart's innermost longing, questioning, understanding?
February 3, 2012
Ansel Adams has a dry and terse style, I think I haven't read technical books with so much content per word, very little is wasted. This book is relatively small, but there is so much information that it must be read carefully.
Much of the book seems out of date, and it is, but even the things most people are very unlikely to ever use (view camera) have very interesting insights into the optics and different possibilities. I had no idea of what was possible to do with a view camera because of the bellows, adjustments to the lens plane and film plane. An eye opener. In twitter era and TL;DR (too long, didn't read) era, realizing the amount of time it takes preparing a photo is unbelievable (and this is just the first part of the story... there are three).
This books shows any person how easy we have it taking photographs. Point and shoot it is, the camera takes care of the rest. Of course that has nothing to do with the quality of the photograph, but the convenience today is astonishing. The whole process appears to be quite simple if you don't go beyond automatic settings.
This is the book to read for anyone interested in knowing more about photography, both the principles and practice. I highly recommend it. Now I'll have to get The Negative and The Print.
Much of the book seems out of date, and it is, but even the things most people are very unlikely to ever use (view camera) have very interesting insights into the optics and different possibilities. I had no idea of what was possible to do with a view camera because of the bellows, adjustments to the lens plane and film plane. An eye opener. In twitter era and TL;DR (too long, didn't read) era, realizing the amount of time it takes preparing a photo is unbelievable (and this is just the first part of the story... there are three).
This books shows any person how easy we have it taking photographs. Point and shoot it is, the camera takes care of the rest. Of course that has nothing to do with the quality of the photograph, but the convenience today is astonishing. The whole process appears to be quite simple if you don't go beyond automatic settings.
This is the book to read for anyone interested in knowing more about photography, both the principles and practice. I highly recommend it. Now I'll have to get The Negative and The Print.
September 17, 2016
I used to think Ansel Adams was not such a huge deal.. His work was everywhere and did not seem precious, or artistic as other photographers of his time. It is like when I used to think "Purple Rain" was the most over played song.. Then I saw Prince play it live.. While I didn't watch Ansel Adams shoot pictures, understanding his technique behind what he did and the lengths he went through to get it sure gave me a new appreciation for his work.
January 16, 2019
The Camera is the first volume of a three volume set of photography instruction books by Ansel Adams that were first published in 1980. The edition I have is the 23rd paperback printing, printed in 2018.
I first read this series in 2005 when I started working full time as a videographer, looking to better my understanding of the craft. A year ago I got my first video camera that uses interchangeable lenses, and have subsequently bought myself a still camera that can use the same lenses. So now I hope to take photographs and not just videos, and it seemed like a good time to revisit these books.
I have greatly enjoyed rereading The Camera.
The basic crux of Adam’s approach to photography can be summed up in one word: visualization. As he says, “The term visualization refers to the entire emotional-mental process of creating a photograph, and as such, it is one of the most important concepts in photography. It includes the ability to anticipate a finished image before making the exposure, so that the procedures employed will contribute to achieving the desired result” (1). Photographs are of course art and are a representation of the world, not reality itself. Adams goes on: “Photography involves a series of related mechanical, optical, and chemical processes which lie between the subject and the photograph of it. Each separate step of the process takes us one stage further away from the subject and closer to the photographic print. Even the most realistic photograph is not the same as the subject, but separated from it by the various influences of the photographic system. The photographer may choose to emphasize or minimize these ‘departures from reality,’ but he cannot eliminate them” (1). In order to visualize what your version of reality will look like, you need to know every part of the system that affects the final image. In this book, Adams focuses on the physical camera, body and lens.
There is nothing earth-shatteringly original in Adams’s philosophy or his approach. The value of this book over similar books is as follows. First, Adams writes with clarity and precision. He doesn’t talk down to his reader, but nor does he assume you know anything other than the most basic knowledge of photography. I appreciate his tone, avoiding both the school master condescension or avuncular buddy tone that so many other instructional books that focus on hobbies employ. Second, Adams keeps a laser-like focus on his thesis and doesn’t go off on tangents that have nothing to do with how the camera and lenses affect the image. He doesn’t hesitate to go into depth when the subject warrants it, but he has a great knack for getting to his point and then moving on. Third, the book is full of useful illustrations and diagrams that are clearly laid out. And fourth, the book is full of Adams’s own photographs on high quality paper. Don’t underestimate what a beautiful experience that is.
Having said all that, I understand why some readers won’t rush to this book. It hasn’t been revised or re-edited since its original release in 1980, so the book is unaware of digital photography and the diminished use of film. As such, there’s lots of advice about handling your film to protect it from improper exposure. Moreover, Adams makes the assumption that you can’t see what the picture will look like until days later when you get your film developed. He didn’t have the leisure of taking test photos and examining them on the spot, making adjustments, and then taking more photos. Photographic technology has come a long way in the nearly 40 years since this book was published.
But it’s no coincidence that this book is still being published in spite of all those changes. It’s not merely because Ansel Adams has the name recognition to sell the book. If the book was useless, it would sell only as a collector’s item. No, the book stands the test of time because it doesn’t matter how much the way the camera captures the image has changed, because the camera, the lens, and the shutter all work the same as they did 40 years ago. Depth of focus, lens focal lengths, convergence, angle of view, and exposure ranges all work the same way. Knowing how all those things and more affects the way the world is reflected and captured by the camera is what the book is all about, and as a photographer, that is exactly what you want and need to know.
Personally, I’ll be returning to chapter 5 (“Lenses”) and chapter 7 (“Basic Image Management”) repeatedly. I was especially surprised in this reading how enlightening I found chapter 10 (“View-Camera Adjustments”) to be. I don’t work with a large-format view camera, and I don’t have any plans to invest in a large-format view camera, but seeing all the controls such a camera gives you changed the way I think about photographic images. Even looking through professional photographs online I can see which ones used a view camera with the ability to tilt, shift, and swing the lensboard and the rear standard. After reading the chapter, I was able to see how similar affects could be created using a standard 35mm camera and Photoshop.
If you want a quick guide to get you up and taking photos, this is not the book (or the series) for you. That’s what Youtube is for, yeah? Go and watch a few 15-minute videos and you’ll have what you need to start experimenting on your own. In this age of quick learning (and don’t get me wrong, I love this age of quick learning), instructional books serve a different purpose than they served in the previous centuries. Instructional books need to hold material that’s worth returning to, that’s worth studying. That’s why The Camera is still in print today
I first read this series in 2005 when I started working full time as a videographer, looking to better my understanding of the craft. A year ago I got my first video camera that uses interchangeable lenses, and have subsequently bought myself a still camera that can use the same lenses. So now I hope to take photographs and not just videos, and it seemed like a good time to revisit these books.
I have greatly enjoyed rereading The Camera.
The basic crux of Adam’s approach to photography can be summed up in one word: visualization. As he says, “The term visualization refers to the entire emotional-mental process of creating a photograph, and as such, it is one of the most important concepts in photography. It includes the ability to anticipate a finished image before making the exposure, so that the procedures employed will contribute to achieving the desired result” (1). Photographs are of course art and are a representation of the world, not reality itself. Adams goes on: “Photography involves a series of related mechanical, optical, and chemical processes which lie between the subject and the photograph of it. Each separate step of the process takes us one stage further away from the subject and closer to the photographic print. Even the most realistic photograph is not the same as the subject, but separated from it by the various influences of the photographic system. The photographer may choose to emphasize or minimize these ‘departures from reality,’ but he cannot eliminate them” (1). In order to visualize what your version of reality will look like, you need to know every part of the system that affects the final image. In this book, Adams focuses on the physical camera, body and lens.
There is nothing earth-shatteringly original in Adams’s philosophy or his approach. The value of this book over similar books is as follows. First, Adams writes with clarity and precision. He doesn’t talk down to his reader, but nor does he assume you know anything other than the most basic knowledge of photography. I appreciate his tone, avoiding both the school master condescension or avuncular buddy tone that so many other instructional books that focus on hobbies employ. Second, Adams keeps a laser-like focus on his thesis and doesn’t go off on tangents that have nothing to do with how the camera and lenses affect the image. He doesn’t hesitate to go into depth when the subject warrants it, but he has a great knack for getting to his point and then moving on. Third, the book is full of useful illustrations and diagrams that are clearly laid out. And fourth, the book is full of Adams’s own photographs on high quality paper. Don’t underestimate what a beautiful experience that is.
Having said all that, I understand why some readers won’t rush to this book. It hasn’t been revised or re-edited since its original release in 1980, so the book is unaware of digital photography and the diminished use of film. As such, there’s lots of advice about handling your film to protect it from improper exposure. Moreover, Adams makes the assumption that you can’t see what the picture will look like until days later when you get your film developed. He didn’t have the leisure of taking test photos and examining them on the spot, making adjustments, and then taking more photos. Photographic technology has come a long way in the nearly 40 years since this book was published.
But it’s no coincidence that this book is still being published in spite of all those changes. It’s not merely because Ansel Adams has the name recognition to sell the book. If the book was useless, it would sell only as a collector’s item. No, the book stands the test of time because it doesn’t matter how much the way the camera captures the image has changed, because the camera, the lens, and the shutter all work the same as they did 40 years ago. Depth of focus, lens focal lengths, convergence, angle of view, and exposure ranges all work the same way. Knowing how all those things and more affects the way the world is reflected and captured by the camera is what the book is all about, and as a photographer, that is exactly what you want and need to know.
Personally, I’ll be returning to chapter 5 (“Lenses”) and chapter 7 (“Basic Image Management”) repeatedly. I was especially surprised in this reading how enlightening I found chapter 10 (“View-Camera Adjustments”) to be. I don’t work with a large-format view camera, and I don’t have any plans to invest in a large-format view camera, but seeing all the controls such a camera gives you changed the way I think about photographic images. Even looking through professional photographs online I can see which ones used a view camera with the ability to tilt, shift, and swing the lensboard and the rear standard. After reading the chapter, I was able to see how similar affects could be created using a standard 35mm camera and Photoshop.
If you want a quick guide to get you up and taking photos, this is not the book (or the series) for you. That’s what Youtube is for, yeah? Go and watch a few 15-minute videos and you’ll have what you need to start experimenting on your own. In this age of quick learning (and don’t get me wrong, I love this age of quick learning), instructional books serve a different purpose than they served in the previous centuries. Instructional books need to hold material that’s worth returning to, that’s worth studying. That’s why The Camera is still in print today
January 7, 2025
A rather slow read, chock-full of technical information, but nonetheless very insightful and well-written! I see why this is frequently recommended to new photographers, but I imagine it could be a bit overwhelming due to its density.
January 23, 2025
Una lectura obligada para todo aficionado de la fotografía como disciplina artística. El legendario Ansel Adams presenta una excelente guía introductoria a la cámara y explica el lado más metódico, ñoño y calculado de la fotografía análoga.
El libro es muy didáctico y enseña de forma efectiva y visual conceptos básicos de la cámara como la apertura, la velocidad de obturación, la profundidad de campo y también algunos conceptos más complejos como el efecto Parallax y la aberración cromática. Todo esto a través de docenas de fotografías y diagramas muy comprensibles.
Es importante señalar que el libro fue escrito antes del boom de la fotografía digital y pensado para el fotógrafo análogo. Por lo cual habrá algunos temas que hoy podrían resultar obsoletos para el fotógrafo moderno (hay un capítulo entero dedicado a ajustes para cámaras de fuelle, la que parecen acordeón). Pero de todas maneras, la teoría y la lógica empleada por Adams para explicar cómo funcionan las cámaras, sus obturadores, y los lentes y sus ópticas son todavía hoy vigentes.
El libro es muy didáctico y enseña de forma efectiva y visual conceptos básicos de la cámara como la apertura, la velocidad de obturación, la profundidad de campo y también algunos conceptos más complejos como el efecto Parallax y la aberración cromática. Todo esto a través de docenas de fotografías y diagramas muy comprensibles.
Es importante señalar que el libro fue escrito antes del boom de la fotografía digital y pensado para el fotógrafo análogo. Por lo cual habrá algunos temas que hoy podrían resultar obsoletos para el fotógrafo moderno (hay un capítulo entero dedicado a ajustes para cámaras de fuelle, la que parecen acordeón). Pero de todas maneras, la teoría y la lógica empleada por Adams para explicar cómo funcionan las cámaras, sus obturadores, y los lentes y sus ópticas son todavía hoy vigentes.
April 5, 2018
This is a classic in the photography genre that is still worth checking out, despite the fact that probably at least 25% of it is partially or completely obsolete if you are using a digital SLR. Lots of good stuff about the analytical side of photography - light, depth of field, shutter speed, etc. The writing feels very stiff and formal by modern standards (it took me a LOOOONG time to work through it), and there are definitely plenty of books that explain the concepts in a more beginner-friendly way, but I'd be surprised if you didn't learn SOMETHING from it.
July 29, 2025
The technical and often outdated information of this book made it difficult to read, but much of the information was valuable. I recommend this book to anyone attempting film photography.
February 7, 2022
A timeless classic. A must read for anyone interested in getting into photography.
January 26, 2025
An absolutely brilliant book that describes and explains the details of using analogue cameras. Just a heads-up: it focuses more on large-format view cameras than medium-format or 35mm ones.
March 4, 2022
Indispensable.
January 26, 2012
VEry good and useful, even for digital photographers. You need the basics and this is solid advice.
Currently reading
January 11, 2015In age of digital camera it's good to know the classic technique from one of my favorite photographer.
July 12, 2022
If you're into photography, this is an excellent read.
October 4, 2017
Nie wyobrażam sobie lepszej książki o fotografii, przynajmniej dotyczącej jej technicznej strony. A to dopiero pierwsza z trzech części, konkretnie skupiona na aparatach.
Nie, żebym był jakimś specjalistą w tej materii, ale próbowałem zabrać się za kilka powszechnie polecanych, współczesnych podręczników i wszędzie spotykałem ten sam, niezmiernie mnie irytujący sposób pisania "jak dla debila". Wszędzie to samo - brak wyjaśnienia jakichkolwiek technicznych podstaw, albo wyjaśnianie na zasadzie "wyobraź sobie, że X to taki balonik na którym jeżdżą krasnoludki". Zamiast skupienia się na ogólnych zasadach, porady w stylu "ustaw to tak a tamto inaczej a na pewno będzie dobrze".
U Ansela wszystko jest na odwrót. Książka skupia się na technicznych aspektach działania aparatów, po zrozumieniu których wszystkie te wcześniejsze porady wydają się oczywiste. Jak działa migawka, jak parametry soczewki wpływają na obraz, jak przesłona faktycznie wpływa na światło docierające do filmu - to jest typ wiedzy jaką z The Camera się wynosi. Konkretniejsze wskazówki, jak przykładowo zależność głębii ostrości od przesłony, wynikają właśnie z tych podstaw i oczywiście również są tutaj ujęte.
Programistom powiedziałbym tak: The Camera (i zapewne reszta książek z serii) to fotograficzny odpowiednik "The C Programming Language" Kernighana i Ritchiego. Ogromne stężenie wiedzy, skupienie się na istotnych podstawach i traktowanie czytelnika jak inteligentnego człowieka.
Nie, żebym był jakimś specjalistą w tej materii, ale próbowałem zabrać się za kilka powszechnie polecanych, współczesnych podręczników i wszędzie spotykałem ten sam, niezmiernie mnie irytujący sposób pisania "jak dla debila". Wszędzie to samo - brak wyjaśnienia jakichkolwiek technicznych podstaw, albo wyjaśnianie na zasadzie "wyobraź sobie, że X to taki balonik na którym jeżdżą krasnoludki". Zamiast skupienia się na ogólnych zasadach, porady w stylu "ustaw to tak a tamto inaczej a na pewno będzie dobrze".
U Ansela wszystko jest na odwrót. Książka skupia się na technicznych aspektach działania aparatów, po zrozumieniu których wszystkie te wcześniejsze porady wydają się oczywiste. Jak działa migawka, jak parametry soczewki wpływają na obraz, jak przesłona faktycznie wpływa na światło docierające do filmu - to jest typ wiedzy jaką z The Camera się wynosi. Konkretniejsze wskazówki, jak przykładowo zależność głębii ostrości od przesłony, wynikają właśnie z tych podstaw i oczywiście również są tutaj ujęte.
Programistom powiedziałbym tak: The Camera (i zapewne reszta książek z serii) to fotograficzny odpowiednik "The C Programming Language" Kernighana i Ritchiego. Ogromne stężenie wiedzy, skupienie się na istotnych podstawach i traktowanie czytelnika jak inteligentnego człowieka.
January 2, 2022
I am reviewing this book as a B&W film photographer who wants to get into the darkroom more consistently. I don't care how this book may or may not be useful to digital photographers, and I didn't read it with digital in mind.
Having said all that--this book was fantastic. I started using a manual SLR when I was very young (8 or 9) and I was very interested in photography, but I never got into the more technical side of it. I finally decided it was time to learn more about the technical aspects of photography, and turned to Adams' three books.
This book was fascinating. I saw there was a chapter on shutters and thought, "Shutters? How much is there to say about shutters?" A hell of a lot, apparently, and it was interesting.
I've known for a long time how to using hyperfocal distances, as well as the idea of focusing a little past your subject in some situations, but I didn't understand *why* or *how* those tricks worked. Now I do.
I had to do a unit with a large format camera in my high school photography class, and I hated it. I read the chapters that were specific to large format cameras in this book, and I know that (right now at least) I'd still hate it. Hey, that's good to know.
If you're interested in film photography, this is an excellent book. Adams' writing is clear and precise--as others have said, not a word is wasted. A great addition to a photography library.
Having said all that--this book was fantastic. I started using a manual SLR when I was very young (8 or 9) and I was very interested in photography, but I never got into the more technical side of it. I finally decided it was time to learn more about the technical aspects of photography, and turned to Adams' three books.
This book was fascinating. I saw there was a chapter on shutters and thought, "Shutters? How much is there to say about shutters?" A hell of a lot, apparently, and it was interesting.
I've known for a long time how to using hyperfocal distances, as well as the idea of focusing a little past your subject in some situations, but I didn't understand *why* or *how* those tricks worked. Now I do.
I had to do a unit with a large format camera in my high school photography class, and I hated it. I read the chapters that were specific to large format cameras in this book, and I know that (right now at least) I'd still hate it. Hey, that's good to know.
If you're interested in film photography, this is an excellent book. Adams' writing is clear and precise--as others have said, not a word is wasted. A great addition to a photography library.
October 7, 2023
From the outset, Adams emphasizes the importance of developing a personal connection with one's camera. This resonated with me, as I believe that a deep understanding of one's equipment is essential for creating meaningful photographs.
Adams takes us through the historical evolution of photography, providing valuable context for how cameras have evolved. This historical journey not only educated me about the development of photography but also instilled a greater appreciation for the medium's rich history.
Throughout the book, Adams showcases his passion for both the artistic and technical aspects of photography. His dedication to the craft was evident, and it reminded me of the importance of approaching photography with a well-rounded perspective.
The technical explanations in the book, particularly regarding camera components and exposure management, were clear and informative. Adams' approach made it easy for me to grasp these concepts, and I appreciated his straightforward explanations.
While "The Camera" primarily focuses on technical aspects, Adams also emphasizes the importance of creativity and personal expression in photography. This balanced approach encourages readers to think beyond just technicalities and to embrace the artistic side of the medium.
Adams takes us through the historical evolution of photography, providing valuable context for how cameras have evolved. This historical journey not only educated me about the development of photography but also instilled a greater appreciation for the medium's rich history.
Throughout the book, Adams showcases his passion for both the artistic and technical aspects of photography. His dedication to the craft was evident, and it reminded me of the importance of approaching photography with a well-rounded perspective.
The technical explanations in the book, particularly regarding camera components and exposure management, were clear and informative. Adams' approach made it easy for me to grasp these concepts, and I appreciated his straightforward explanations.
While "The Camera" primarily focuses on technical aspects, Adams also emphasizes the importance of creativity and personal expression in photography. This balanced approach encourages readers to think beyond just technicalities and to embrace the artistic side of the medium.
January 12, 2020
This is such an interesting book and makes me appreciate how easy I have it shooting with a DSLR. Chapter 7 - Basic Image Management was by far the most relevant to today's photography environment, but I found it fascinating to read where some of the terms (like f-stop) come from. I would recommend this book as essential reading to anyone who wishes to be a student of photography and would like to understand, in depth, where photography, as we know it today, has come from. There is also a great section speaking to the foundations of what today's tilt/shift lenses are doing for the light hitting the sensor (Chapter 10 - View Camera Adjustments).
If you are a beginner looking to learn with a modern DSLR or mirrorless system, I would recommend starting elsewhere. If you are an amateur photographer who is eager to learn more about the craft, this book will be right up your alley.
I would love to rate this book higher, but due to the amount of material that isn't relevant to today's photographic pursuits, I just don't know that it's THAT valuable anymore. I suspect most readers with gain more valuable insight from authors like Bryan Peterson.
If you are a beginner looking to learn with a modern DSLR or mirrorless system, I would recommend starting elsewhere. If you are an amateur photographer who is eager to learn more about the craft, this book will be right up your alley.
I would love to rate this book higher, but due to the amount of material that isn't relevant to today's photographic pursuits, I just don't know that it's THAT valuable anymore. I suspect most readers with gain more valuable insight from authors like Bryan Peterson.
February 13, 2018
I cannot even recall the first time I looked at Ansel Adams' work or information on technique. I do know this: I had already been shooting for about 25 years before I did and basically went, "Hmm, so that's what that is called, so that's why this looks like such", etc. While immensely popular with many lay people, I cannot name a single photographer I've met who thinks of Adams in as strongly regard.
Did he do it first? Mostly. Did he do it best? Maybe. Did he demonstrate the process in the darkroom as much as the work in the camera? Absolutely. And therein lies the best reason to read this. It's an excellent example of how/why a person should strive to master the lens to reduce time printing (or photoshopping), because who wouldn't rather be out shooting? But it also demonstrates equally how/why post-production work can make even a great photo even more excellent.
Did he do it first? Mostly. Did he do it best? Maybe. Did he demonstrate the process in the darkroom as much as the work in the camera? Absolutely. And therein lies the best reason to read this. It's an excellent example of how/why a person should strive to master the lens to reduce time printing (or photoshopping), because who wouldn't rather be out shooting? But it also demonstrates equally how/why post-production work can make even a great photo even more excellent.
October 7, 2022
I read this in high school photography class. A series of events led to me asking my mom for her film photography gear she hasn’t touched in 20+ years. Interesting to read this book again knowing quite a bit about digital photography but being quite out of practice on film. Clarified a TON about camera and photography minutiae and had Ansel Adams’ amazing photography throughout. I got my first sets of negatives back yesterday and let’s just say it makes the work he did on film all the more incredible, knowing how much more difficult it is to get a beautiful shot on film. But when it hits it hits. I’ll keep reading this series to try and get better at film photography since I now have a Nikon F3, a scanner, and a bunch of lenses, along with a ton of other film equipment.
September 11, 2024
Good book hampered by poor production quality
I’d highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in photography. Just not in ebook format. The content is stellar. But the ebook version lacks the ability to do many things normally associated with ebooks. Font size adjustments are difficult, for example, as is note taking. Switching between the ebook and other apps on an iPad produced viewing glitches. And the appearance was wildly inconsistent between iPad kindle app and kindle paper white versions.
Do yourself a favor and read this book, but in hard copy form.
I’d highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in photography. Just not in ebook format. The content is stellar. But the ebook version lacks the ability to do many things normally associated with ebooks. Font size adjustments are difficult, for example, as is note taking. Switching between the ebook and other apps on an iPad produced viewing glitches. And the appearance was wildly inconsistent between iPad kindle app and kindle paper white versions.
Do yourself a favor and read this book, but in hard copy form.
May 1, 2025
Welpix offers product photography services in Chicago using CGI (computer-generated imagery). This method allows the creation of realistic images and videos of products without the need for physical samples. Clients can simply take photos of their products with a smartphone and send them to Welpix, who then create 3D models and produce high-quality visuals. This approach is faster, more affordable, and eliminates the need for traditional photo shoots.
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December 21, 2023
In the field of analog photography this series is a must! It covers a large number of different parameters on the camera side that you have to take into account. This book contains a lot of suggestions and advices from experience acquired over number of years spent in the field and therefore saves you not only your valuable time but also a great deal of undesirable negatives. I plan to return to this book again in the future after acquiring my first large format camera.
March 21, 2018
This is an amazing book which holds up very well despite its age. Much of Adams’ photography advice is timeless even though some of the gear mentioned is seldom used anymore. Adams writes in a very technical manner so this book can’t be skimmed thru quickly but it is well worth the time. Highly recommended.
April 30, 2022
Not like the other two books "The Negative (1948)" and "The Print (1950)", this book is helpful to modern photographers and also proves that Ansel Adams was a genius.
The amount of technical stuff and details are mind blowing on this book.
The time that it was released, it might be something landmark, I guess.
The amount of technical stuff and details are mind blowing on this book.
The time that it was released, it might be something landmark, I guess.
September 15, 2024
Great introduction to basic and introductory photography principles and techniques. Very useful formulas, relationships, and technical information alongside practical techniques for capturing great images. Gear reviews and considerations are generally outdated unless you work with film photography.
December 28, 2020
An essential book (especially if you are a film shooter) for understanding the basics (and not so basic) and science behind the camera, explained in a thorough and well written manner that you can apply to modern photography.
March 17, 2021
I have all of his books. Was able to easily build a dark room off of Amazon and eBay. Although these books are mostly technical, it’s a start and highly recommended for anyone who doesn’t want to go the dslr route.
January 16, 2018
Маст хэв для всех фотографов.
February 20, 2018
A little out dated but still has solid fundamentals. I liked the technical explanations of things such as depth of field.
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