The Photographer's Handbook: A Complete Reference Manual Of Techniques, Procedures, Equipment And Style

by John Hedgecoe

A practical and inspiring reference for both amateurs and professionals covering the whole range of photography, from the basics of taking pictures, processing and printing them, to the advanced techniques of the studio and darkroom. This edition includes information on the latest digital tape still cameras, microscopic attachments and water-resistant compact cameras. It shows the reader how to photograph everything from a quasar to a unicellular pond animal magnified 100 times; how to use a camera underwater and how to suspend one from a kite; how to print pictures on everything from a billboard to a bird's egg.

Genres: Photography, Reference, Nonfiction, Art, Creative, Art and Photography

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

John Hedgecoe (24 March 1932 – 3 June 2010) was an award-winning British photographer and author of over 30 books on photography. He established the photography department in 1965 at the Royal College of Art, where he was Professor from 1975 to 1994 and Professor Emeritus until his death. He was also Pro-Rector of the college from 1981 to 1993. His photographs appear in permanent collections at the New York Museum of Modern Art and London's National Portrait Gallery.

"Professor John Hedgecoe was a photographer who took the portrait of the Queen which is used on British postage stamps; as such he is credited with the planet's most reproduced image, which has so far sold more than 200 billion copies." (The Telegraph)

Reviews

[Sailaway]

a must for film photography

[Jeff]

Every so often a book comes along that totally reinvents the way you have been doing things. This is one of those books. I no longer take pictures. Rather, I make them. Hard to do when you specialize in longer exposures.
John Hedgecoe revised and updated this book so anyone with an interest in photography is able to follow along quite well, provided they understand more than to just push a button. This is a book most especially for the type of photographer who wants to learn beyond the basics and amateur/hobbyist. There are sections about understanding light, metering, depth of field, the rule of thirds and "how to" shots, with a wide assortment of lenses, cameras and other essential gear.
This book leaves very little out and I highly recommend it to those who wish to pursue photography as a career.

[M]

This handbook was written in the early 1990's, when most people were still using film, but it's well worth having for the tips on exposure, lighting, and composition. Hedgecoe is a master! Interestingly, the text was written Leonard Ford, who has published books on photography under the name Michael Langford. I picked up the copy I have at a library sale and refer to it more often than almost any other photography handbook I own.

[Wan Peter]

My first photographer's book. A very handy copy which I pick up from time to time to for a refresher. A timely gift to me who inspired me to pick up this hobby. Now I am into DSLR and this book deserved to be mentioned. This out of print book can never be found in the bookstore, if you are lucky enough to find it at a flea market do go for it.

[Puja]

great book for the shelf. geared towards film versus digital, but has some great tips. especially useful when learning about filters

[Isaac]

It's actually the second edition; but the third was all I could find to add to our list.

[Don Graham]

It is an amazing book that covers just about everything you need to know about photography. I have been shooting for a long time, yet I still find this book valuable as a reference.

[Ben]

Really excellent. A must have

[KeeOfTheArchives]

Read