Making Photographs
a textbook by Philip Greenspun, June 1999 (updated January 2007)
Most photography books start out talking about the various
kinds of cameras that are available. Then they talk about lenses, film,
and exposure. Only at the very end do they talk about light.
This is strange because most people who take good photos seem to start
by pulling together light, subjects, and composition. After that is all
figured out, then the rummaging through the equipment cabinet to pull out
the right camera and lens begins.
This is a photography textbook designed to reflect the way that good
photographers think about taking pictures.
Is this the best textbook for beginning photographers? Certainly not.
There are many excellent ones on paper, a few of which are reviewed in
the book review section of
photo.net. However, if you like this way of thinking about
photographs and you don't have a paper book in front of you, this online
book might be useful.
