Classic Book: The Art of Photography by Bruce Barnbaum - Updated and newly revised edtion published by Rocky Nook

Rocky Nook’s Books

The Art of Photography 

An Approach to Personal Expression 

By Bruce Barnbaum

BRUCE BARNBAUM
The Art of Photography: An approach to personal expression
Courtesy Rocky Nook, Santa Barbara, CA

This is an updated and newly revised edition of the classic book THE ART OF PHOTOGRAPHY: AN APPROACH TO PERSONAL EXPRESSION (originally published in 1994), which has often been described as the most readable, understandable, and complete textbook on photography.

With well over 100 beautiful photographic illustrations in both black-and-white and color, as well as numerous charts, graphs, and tables, this book presents the world of photography to beginner, intermediate, and advanced photographers seeking to make a personal statement through the medium of photography. Without talking down to anyone, or talking over anyone's head, Bruce Barnbaum presents "how to" techniques for both traditional and digital approaches. Yet he goes well beyond the technical, as he delves deeply into the philosophical, expressive, and creative aspects of photography so often avoided in other books.

Barnbaum is recognized as one of the world's finest landscape and architectural photographers, and for decades has been considered one of the best instructors in the field of photography. This latest incarnation of his textbook, which has evolved, grown, and been refined over the past 35 years, will prove to be an ongoing, invaluable photographic reference for years to come. It is truly the resource of choice for the thinking photographer.

BRUCE BARNBAUM, of Granite Falls, WA, entered photography as a hobbyist in the 1960s, and after four decades, it is still his hobby. It has also been his life's work for the past 30 years.

Barnbaum's educational background includes Bachelor's and Master's degrees in mathematics from UCLA. After working for several years as a mathematical analyst and computer programmer for missile guidance systems, he abruptly left the field and turned to photography.

Barnbaum has authored several books, some of which have become classics. The Art of Photography was first published in 1994 and remained in print until 2007. Barnbaum has been self-publishing the book ever since, but with limited distribution (until now).

Barnbaum is a frequent contributor to several photography magazines. His series "The Master Printing Class" is featured in each issue of Photo Techniques, and his articles are published regularly in LensWork. Through his workshops, articles, lectures, books, and innovative photography, Barnbaum has become a well-known and highly respected photographer, educator, and pioneer.

Barnbaum is recognized as one of the finest darkroom printers, both for his exceptional black-and-white work, as well as for his color imagery. He understands light to an extent rarely found, and combines this understanding with a mastery of composition, applying his knowledge to an extraordinarily wide range of subject matter. His work is represented by more than ten galleries throughout the United States and Canada, and is in the collections of museums and private collectors worldwide.

THE ART OF PHOTOGRAPHY  

By Bruce Barnbaum 

Published by Rocky Nook 

364 p. - $44.95 US -  $55.95 CA 

Edward Silhol, New World Heroes at WM Gallery

(c) 2009 - WM Gallery / Edward Silhol - Courtesy WM Gallery

Gallery Wanda Michalak - Amsterdam - presents new works by Paris-based photographer EDWARD SILHOL. In the series NEW WORLD HEROES, Edward Silhol demonstrates his continuing interest in the beauty of the human form, universal characteristics, and finding the permanent in the ephemeral. The photographs of Edward Silhol have a unique ability to simultaneously present various sets of binary opposites: silence and noise, stillness and motion, deep darkness and intense light. Taken during a series of performances in Paris, these works emanate the sensations of the events, and all their accompanying sights and sounds. There remains a timelessness to Edward Silhol’s photos, as he captures the core essence of the performers – the archetypal traits that transcend time and place. Utilizing a traditional film camera and advanced developing techniques, Edward Silhol becomes something of a painter in his darkroom. A deliberate grainy texture gives the effect of chiaroscuro, while images in high black-and-white contrast produce a reductivist take on the human form. Edward Silhol also experiments with colour: neon hues are reminiscent of ’80s rap, heat-sensitive cameras, and forensic blacklights all at once. This fauve palette coupled with the artist’s traditional use of film and pictorialist inspirations, results in yet another dualism: the new and the old. Edward Silhol’s practice thus resonates with both the traditional and the contemporary, giving his pictures a timeless quality. EDWARD SILHOL is based in Paris. His works are represented in France by Galerie Seine 51. He has exhibited in group shows in France (Galerie Xavie Sequier, Zen Factory, Heart Gallery, 396 rue Saint Honoré), Belgium (Fernelmont Contemporary) and in Canada (University of Toronto). EDWARD SILHOL NEW WORLD HEROES PHOTOGRAPHIC WORKS April 18 - May 23, 2009 GALLERY WANDA MICHALAK Elandsgracht 35 1016 TN Amsterdam, NL

Understanding Shutter Speed - Creative photography

Understanding Shutter Speed: Creative Action and Low-Light Photography Beyond 1/125 Second, Paperback, Amphoto Books, 2008, 160 p.

The first book in the Understanding Photography series, Understanding Exposure, was a runaway best-seller, with more than 250,000 copies sold. Now author Bryan Peterson brings his signature style to another important photography topic: shutter speed. With clear, jargon-free explanations of terms and techniques, plus compelling "before-and-after" photos that pair a mediocre image (created using the wrong shutter speed) with a great image (created using the right shutter speed), this is the definitive practical guide to mastering an often-confusing subject. Topics include freezing and implying motion, panning, zooming, exposure, Bogen Super Clamps, and rendering motion effects with Photoshop, all with helpful guidance for both digital and film formats. Great for beginners and serious amateurs, Understanding Shutter Speed is a very good handy guide to mastering shutter speed for superb results.

Bryan Peterson, a professional photographer, is the author of Understanding Exposure, Beyond Portraiture, Learning to See Creatively, and Understanding Digital Photography. A well-known instructor, he is the founder of the online school The Perfect Picture School of Photography. He lives in Chicago.