Tao of Photography: Unlock your Creativity Using the Wisdom of the East

by Tom Ang

Combining ancient principles of harmony with modern camera techniques, this unusual book offers photographers new ways to produce innovative, meaningful, and memorable pictures.



The author shows how to apply Tao concepts of Yin and Yang and “the Way” to photography, balancing the pros and cons of one action over another in every whether to choose color or black-and-white film; fast film or film-grained; wide angle or long lens; high or low viewpoint; large or small format; light or dark exposure. Basic photographic techniques are explained in step-by-step instructions, and the book’s expert technical tips include the latest information on digital photography.

Genres: Photography

144 pages, Paperback

First published October 12, 2000

About the author

Photographer, author, traveler and academic. An early pioneer in digital photography, I have written over 30 books on photography as well as on video. This work was recognised by the award of the HIPA Content Producer Award in 2019. I also won the Thomas Cook award for best Illustrated Travel Book for my coverage of the Marco Polo Expedition.

I was senior lecturer in photographic practice at the University of Westminster for over 12 years (1991–2004) and created the MA Photographic Journalism course. For over 10 years I photographed in Central Asia, traveling in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. I led a Know How Fund project that helped equip a radio studio for radio students and which reformed the journalism curriculum for the Kyrgyz Russian Slavonic University in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

I have written over thirty books on photography and video including Digital Photography Masterclass (now 3rd edition), Fundamentals of Photography,Tao of Photography, Digital Photographer’s Handbook (now 7th edition), Picture Editing (2nd edition), Eyewitness Companion: Photography, and Digital Video Handbook, How to Photograph Absolutely Everything.

I presented the BBC series ‘A Digital Picture of Britain’, first transmitted in 2005 on BBC4. A second series, entitled 'Britain in Pictures' was transmitted in 2007. I also presented an 8-part TV series for CNA (Channel News Asia) in Singapore which was broadcast in August 2009. This took a Bronze at the New York Film and TV Festival the following year.

I have served on juries of Hamdan International Photography Award, Wildlife Photographer of the Year, World Photography Award, Czech Press Photo.

I am a Sony NZ Digital Imaging Ambassador.

Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find Taoism to be the simplest and most intuitive philosophy. I therefore learn little when I study it. Tao is all about going with the flow. In the case of photography, you don't want to be fighting the limitations of your equipment or settings. So the first half of the book is a basic guide to photography. There are two- to six-page chapters on various topics such as black and white, film grain, exposure, managing color, etc. But it's nice because it's talking in terms of applying them your creative vision. The second half of the book is about "Finding the Way." It's more about the creative vision. Which sounds great, but it's a difficult subject to get across, since there are no firm answers. But Ang finds relevant topics. All the way through are great photos. The captions include both technical details, and an explanation which relates to the chapter it's in.

[Therese Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a Taoist but he has some great things to say about choices and trade offs in photography and compares it to yin yang. He also talks alot about the importance of mindful and conscious presence when taking photographs and seeing beyond the surface.
He also really delves into the connection piece when photographing people and his insights were quite lovely.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

More inspirational than instructional, this book uses stunning photographs and simple prose to explain how Taoism relates to photography. A good read.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one gets a little old quickly - it's all about "letting the picture happen" and trying not to control anything. Which is a nice theory but redundant when it goes on for 150 pages.