The Photographer's Eye

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View books by Michael Freeman.

Clear and intelligent - Rated
Freeman's book is a careful and clear explanation of what makes a photograph interesting.

He writes with knowledge and clarity about how we look at photographs, what makes a lasting or attractive image. The lush pictures illustrate the text beautifully.

Highly recommended.

Brilliant - Rated
This is brilliant book on design and composition taking the reader on a tour through graphic elements, colour, contrasts etc.

A lot of photography, but independent of technology: It's not the camera that takes the photo, it's the photographer. And this book introduces the reader to all the decisions a photographer makes, whether concious or not, when taking the photo.

The word "digital" should be dropped from the title, only four pages discuss techniques particular to digital photography, and then not.

This makes the book perfect for any one with a desire to improve their photographic skills - or eyes.

My best photography book ever - Rated
I keep returning to this book over and over again for inspiration and it has completely transformet the way I take pictures.

Perhaps the best book regarding photographic composition - Rated
I have always been skeptical about buying books that deal with photography either because there exist too many online tutorials which cover many aspects in detail or simply because the techniques each book covers are more or less the same rewritten in a different format.

This book by Michael Freeman though is trully a gem and a "must-have" in the library of every photographer.
It covers most photographic composition aspects in a great detail with perhaps images of excellence regarding composition, including schematic figures outlining and justifying the choice of the composition which exactly hit the point the writer is trying to make. It is printed in premium, relatively thick, paper with high quality images.

- The book is well structured in 6 main chapters beginning with the usage of the image frame, the positioning within the viewfinder of the camera and generally the placement of a scenery and objects within the frame
- Chapter 2 explains the objective principles of design and why certain photographs pop up from the lot if thinking is allocated to aspects such as Gestalt theory, Dynamic tension, patterns, visual weight etc.
- Chapter 3 walks us through the elements that compose photographs such as lines, shapes, focus, motion exposure and others.
- Chapter 4 highlights the importance of light needed in composition and its association with color.
- Chapter 5 analyzes the intent in composition, that is the purpose the photograph was taken in order to please aesthetically by teaching and explaining among others, planning, ahead thinking and reactiveness, simplicity and complexity in photographs, ambiguity etc.
- The book finishes with chapter 6 which in detail explains why process is so necessary prior to composing and shooting a photograph.

This draft description only outlines a few of the topics covered and by no means it can show the true depth of the book.
A small word of advice though. This book is not purely intended to teach basic rules of photography (although the writer explains topics such as the rule of thirds and HDR) but it rather builds and expands on some existing knowledge and fine granulates the art of photography through composition and design with the utmost intent to help the user develop the skills to shoot great images.

The book helps ! - Rated
I bought this book after reading the reviews as I'm not into too technical stuff...

It's a very handy book which nicely and in easy terms (I'm not an native English speaker) explains about composition, what our eyes see or focus on and therefor why we better take a photo this or that way.

The book contains many example photographs which makes it even easier to see what the author means.