Use This if You Want to Take Great Photographs: A Photo Journal

This is an excellent book to polish up your portrait skills. It focuses more on content and encourages you to take interesting photos. There are some technical pages thrown in. I loved the photographers used as examples within this very accessible book. I bought it to use as A teaching tool for my high school photography class, but really I came away with some ideas for my own work. If nothing else this book is a starting point to get you back out there and use your camera to capture engaging and creative scenes of subjects you’re interested in.

I haven't been able to use it much, but just flipping through makes me excited about photography. I am a beginner, and I think this book provides excellent prompts for trying out different kinds of photography. I purchased one for a friend as well, and we are going to make it a goal for 2017 to get through the whole book in the year. I think it will be a ton of fun to go through it with a friend!

I am an enthusiast photographer who ordered this book to help get me out of a creative slump and to kick me in the rear a little. With the prompts I have completed so far, it has not disappointed. Things I really like: -The prompts are not easy, by any definition of the word. They are fun, however, and a few will really make you laugh. -On every prompt where I wish I had an example, there was one. -A few of the prompts require you to do work without a camera before you pick one up (pages 41, 88, and 117). -Some of the prompts will make you uncomfortable – one or two really unconformable if you are an introvert like me (pages 64, 93, 106). This is already forcing me out of my comfort zone… -The social components – The prearranged hashtag for Instagram, the request to e-mail the author one of your photos (for a specific prompt) and he will send you one in return. -There are tips in the back of the book for when you are struggling or need a gentle nudge. -You don’t need a particular type of camera to complete any of the prompts in this book (if using a cell phone, a few may require an app that allows you to control for the aperture or shutter speed independently). Things to consider: -This book is not for someone that just got their first DSLR and is still learning the exposure triangle or composition – it is for someone that has a reasonable grasp on the basics and is looking for a challenge. If you are just starting out, get a copy of Henry Carroll’s book, “Read This If You Want To Take Better Photos.” -Read the book through a few times (it only takes a few minutes) and keep the prompts in the back of your mind when out photographing. If you try to do the prompts chronologically, it will take you forever… The only shortfall I can see so far is that I don’t think that anyone has actually printed 101 (there are that many spaces marked) photos and pasted them in this book… If they had they would have realized that the book will be two inches thick at the opening and about a half an inch thick at the binding :-) ***Minor Update*** Both another buyer and I did not receive the adhesive corners that the description said were provided. I have been using rubber cement and a glue stick, but have a plan for sticking your photos in the book besides the included "mounting hardware."

Has some good ideas, but not the answer to prayers as it's made out to be.

What a straightforward book! On nearly other page an idea is introduced with an accompanying photo. The book is filled with practical and conceptual advice that is applicable for both the beginner and the advanced photographer. I teach Digital Photography at a mid-sized state university and this is a required text. Highly recommended. Good variety of photographic examples, too.

Kid had to have it.

I came across this book by accident in a museum in Oslo and had to get it (not there though given the prices!) It gives the photographer unique challenges on how to 'see' the world differently. The only thing missing is a buzzer to wear to remind you to read it! ;-) I love the ideas. I got one for my daughter and had to get one for myself as well. Highly recommend

I brought this book for my nephew as a Christmas gift. We are both into photography and after looking through this book (before wrapping it), I absolutely love it! I love it so much that I want to get one for myself. It's both inspiring and challenging and I'm hoping we can complete the photo prompts as a project and compare our ideas and views.