Bryan Peterson's Understanding Composition Field Guide: How to See and Photograph Images with Impact

by Bryan Peterson

Learn to “see” more compelling images with this on-the-go field guide from Bryan Peterson! 
 
What makes an image amazing? Believe it or not, it is not about the content. What makes a photo compelling is the arrangement of that content—in other words, its composition. The right composition gives your images impact and emotion; the wrong one leaves them flat. In this handy, take-anywhere guide, renowned photographer, instructor, and bestselling author Bryan Peterson frees amateur photographers from the prejudices of what is “beautiful” or “ugly” so that they can instead focus on color, line, light, and pattern. Get the tools you need to show your distinct voice and point of view in every image you shoot. With this guide in your camera bag, you’ll be equipped not only to “see” beautiful images but to successfully shoot them each and every time. 
 
Also available as an ebook

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction, Art, Reference, Business, Design

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Bryan F. Peterson has been a full-time commercial photographer since 1981, shooting assignments all over the world for many of the Fortune 500 companies, including Kodak, UPS, and American Expiress. He is also a contract stock photographer for Corbis and Getty. He has been a contributing editor at Outdoor Photographer Magazine and is currently a contributing editor at Popular Photography and Imaging Magazine. Within the photographic community, he is most noted as the author/photographer of four best selling “how-to” photography books, Understanding Exposure, Understanding Shutter Speed, Learning to See Creatively and Beyond Portraits, with two new books due out in the spring of 2009, Understanding Close-up Photography and The Field Guide to Photography. He is also the founder and one of the instructors at the world’s number one on-line photography school, www.ppsop.net.

Reviews

[Mehrdad Momeny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book from Bryan that I read, and I loved it to last page.
He explain everything pretty clear, with photos.
Even though I read so much about composition before this book, and was familiar with many ideas, he still had so many things to teach me through this book.

Highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to take his/her photography to the next level.

[Aleksandr Mozgovoi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was OK. I guess I just didn't like the examples behind the principles and an overall style of explanation. I also didn't find a lot of images that compelling to be honest. I get it, he's excited about photographing the brick wall, but unfortunately I'm not.

Anyway, a useful read overall.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

While searching for books on composition to improve my photographic skills and to help me analyze artwork, I found this GREAT book. The title aptly describes this book which is similar in size, shape and context to nature field guides. Too many of the classical books on composition skimp on illustrations, but Bryan F. Peterson's book is chock full of photos illustrating both the bad examples and the excellent! While this book focuses completely on photography and includes a significant amount of information on lenses, f-stops and aperatures, I would recommend it to others because of the excellent examples on how to make a ho-hum picture into a great one. Other books may discuss the theories of composition better, but this one is probably the best single source for photographers. I will definitely be adding this book to my personal library.

[Kenneth Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful, easy to apply, lots of great examples.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of very clever ideas for improving a composition. Written for photographers, but works for painters.

[Jacob Rohrbach · Rating 2 out of 5]

As I'm getting closer to returning to filming movies, I thought it would be smart to pick up a few pointers. Sad to say this book doesn't really offer much if you already know the basics.

While I did get some decent tips on how to use my natural surroundings, this book seemed more like the author's excuse to flaunt their own photography for 100+ pages. And while the author is really excited to shoot close ups of trash and brick walls, I'm unfortunately not. This desperately needed other examples (outside of the author's students), even a few public domain historical references would have been appreciated to break up the amount of good to averate shots.

However, I am speaking as someone who wants to take their skills up a level and not as someone just trying to understand the medium. So take my complaints with a grain of salt

[Cyndy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best photography books I've read. I have a tendency to get photography books, but then just sort of look through them, and not learn very much. With this book, he gives multiple photos of the same subject, and really explains why he finds one image more compelling than another. I actually read the entire book. I find that his book has made me much more conscious of my choices in framing. Some of it are things that you do instinctually, but realizing what is going on in your brain and emotions is a great help.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toegankelijk boek, gevuld met foto's en anekdotes en voorbeelden hoe ze tot stand zijn gekomen. Prikkelend en informatief en meer reden om fotografie als sociale activiteit te beleven. Je kan lezen dat dit een prettige man is.

[Mitesh Amin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this book to help me in the quest to become a better photographer as I attempt to learn how to use my camera better. A great read with good explanations. Really happy with my purchase.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a truly great photography book. Each chapter contains a short description of a compositional technique illustrated by a selection of photographs. Each of those photographs is accompanied by an explanation of how it was achieved and an additional photograph of the same subject to further showcase how the technique can make a difference. This makes the book easy to digest yet filled to the brim with useful nuggets of information.
Often, technical details are mentioned which will be welcomed by more advanced photographers, though these do not detract from the reading and learning experience for beginners.
Highly recommended!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy Bryan Peterson's books. His book "Understanding Exposure" was a break through for me years ago. This is a great book to help spark some creative composition.

I would say its more geared towards a beginning to amateur experienced photographer but any level would take something away after reading it, which is the case with all of Bryan's books.

[K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many wonderful tips I had to write down, as seeing the world through a lens is an entirely different reality to get around in. Useful, to the point and divided into relevant chapters. All photos list the lens, f stop and shutter speed used to create them. Whether you use a SLR or iPhone, much here to make your photos better.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read. Beautiful book with stunning photos. Well organized chapters. The go-to book to get a quick and better understanding of how to compose great photos. Bryan Peterson's style is straightforward and lucid. He teaches you how to master the basics of a good composition. Reading his books is always time well-spent.

[Rasha Yousif · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the creativity in Bryan's eyes and how he cleanly composes his photographs. Definitely one of the most inspiring books by Bryan Peterson. I can see myself going back to reading this book when I'm at a creative deadlock.

[Jonas Heide · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peterson suggests you forget about content and think of images in terms of composition. A good point, well made through numerous well-chosen examples. Lots of visuals, very little tech. Absolutely recommended.

[Zbyszek Sokolowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Bryan Peterson's books but I was looking for something more advanced.
Pictures are great and there is a lot of tips but this is book for beginners or at most for intermediate photographers. Otherwise I recommend it.

[Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished this over a protracted period, preferring to occasionally read the small chapters and look at the pictures. Good constructive advice.

[Dave Hood · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best photography books that explains how to see creatively--line, shape, form, point of focus....

[Marianne Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Lots of helpful, creative photography tips.

[Jessica Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The photos are stunning as they usually are in his books. The book served me well as great inspiration and motivation for composition manufacturing!

[Louis · Rating 4 out of 5]

He helps us understand the photography concepts without getting lost in "photo-speak." I liked it.

[Donald Schopflocher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful images, great design vocabulary, many photography tips and suggestions.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking to learn more about composition and this book provided a good overview of the topic. I liked all the examples and explanations of how the author created photographs