Many photography books leave us feeling incredibly underwhelmed. For the amateur photographer it is not easy to find a book that gives you more than just a few pretty pictures and the often recurgetated theory about the various aspects of photography.
Very rarely do photography books come along that offer real value and a true means to improve your photography whle at the same time inspiring you to improve. Understanding Exposure
The thing that sets this book apart from the many others out there is that it offers you real practical advice about how to improve your pictures. After explaining what his ‘understanding’ of exposure is, Bryan Peterson then goes on to explain the importance of your cameras internal light meter and how it is more often than not is the difference between a good and a bad exposure.
Although most photographers out there could learn a thing or two about this book the most value will come to those that are new or want to start using their cameras manual exposure mode. First Bryan explains that there is no ‘correct’ exposure but a range of possible ’similar’ exposures (based around the combinations of aperture, shutter speed and ISO) and that the photographers job is to use the most creative exposure from a particular scene to best convey what they want the viewer of the photograph to see.
Much of what follows then gives you tips to overcome weaknesses in your cameras light meter. Anyone who has taken poor pictures during bright sunny days, snowy scenes or sunsets will learn how to ‘trick’ your light meter into giving you the exposure you are want. These tips are the real gems in this book.
Manual modes on digital slr cameras can seem very daunting however Understanding Exposure breaks it down in simple terms and gives you the knowledge you need to get comfortable with using manual mode and the huge benefits it can bring.
Not only does the book include some wonderful photographs, comparisons and examples, all of the camera settings are included on all of the photos so you can see exactly how the author captured the end result. The end result is a book that is the perfect marriage of technical handbook, photographic coffe book table and reference manual.
This book really deserves its place as one of the most influential and popular photography books ever written.
Get your copy of Understanding Exposure
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