This book provides photographers with the foundation to craft more compelling photos from concept all the way through to creation and distribution, on the path to making a living.
Based on real-life practice and experience, former National Geographic and White House visual editor, Mike Davis, takes readers on a journey starting with addressing the motivation behind an image and how this determines the rest of the creative process. He goes on to articulate best technical practices to create the narrative through photo composition and what to do with your work after the photos are completed. Each section offers exercises for applied learning and a series of appendices cover assignments structures, a compilation of critical words and concepts, a comprehensive resource guide of organizations, competitions, grants, collectives and agencies, book publishers and printers, and more.
This is an ideal resource for students and practitioners alike to gain a more informed understanding of photographic expression and learn how to effectively execute these visions.
Author(s): Mike Davis
Publisher: Routledge/Focal Press
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 239
City: New York
Cover
Half Title
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Table of Contents
Preface
SECTION 1 Why Do We Make Pictures?
Section 1.0 Introduction
Section 1.1 The Spectrum of Why
Section 1.2 How Do We Experience Photographs?
Section 1.3 The Milking Stool, or Three More Things
Section 1.4 Complex Simplicity; Simple Complexity; Perfectly Imperfect
Section 1.5 This Is Not About Style
Section 1.6 So Many Ways to Express the Why
Try This: Change Your Why
SECTION 2 Photography’s Means of Expression
Section 2.0 Introduction
Section 2.1 Achieving High Moment Value
Section 2.2 The Technical: Beyond Knobs, Dials and Sliders
Section 2.3 Seeing and Expressing with Light
Section 2.3 Color – See, Feel, Interpret
Section 2.5 Distance as Voice
Section 2.6 Composition – Order from Chaos
Section 2.7 Ditch Rules, Rise above Clichés
Try This: With Camera in Hand
SECTION 3 You Make Photographs Engaging
Section 3.0 Introduction
Section 3.1 You Are Your Photographs
Section 3.2 Know What Precedes You
Section 3.3 Step Away from Your Comfort Zone
Section 3.4 Achieve Substantive Work
Section 3.5 Enmesh Yourself
Section 3.6 Earn Trust
Section 3.7 Incorporate the Universal
Section 3.8 Anticipate or Miss It
Section 3.9 Hello Serendipity
Section 3.10 Express Time like a Wizard
Does Your Seeing Change Over Time?
Section 3.11 See the Music
Section 3.12 What about Ethics?
Try This
SECTION 4 How to Select and Sequence Your Photos
Section 4.0 Introduction
Section 4.1 How to Select Your Best Photos
Section 4.2 How to Sequence Photos
Visual Variables of Sequencing
Section 4.3 Variables for Different Uses
Try This
SECTION 5 Creating Visual Narratives
Section 5.0 Introduction
Section 5.1 What to Create, What to Call Them?
Section 5.2 Setting an Effort in Motion
Section 5.3 How to Know If It’s Worth Doing
Section 5.4 Considerations of How to Approach Creation
Section 5.5 Creating the Work
Section 5.6 Realizing the Effort, Start to Finish
Section 5.7 How to Pitch Your Effort
Who to Pitch to?
Try This
SECTION 6 What It Takes to Make a Living
Section 6.0 Introduction
Section 6.1 Defining Your Path
Section 6.2 The Mother Ship – Your Web Site
Section 6.3 To Social Media, or Not
Section 6.4 Promotional Materials a Must. Maybe
Section 6.5 Make a Photo Book?
Section 6.6 Enter Competitions?
Section 6.7 Apply for Grants, Residencies?
Section 6.8 Work with a Business?
Section 6.9 Get a Job?
Try This
Conclusion: The Inability To Not
Acknowledgments
Appendix A: Self-Assignments
Appendix B: Visual Vocabulary
Appendix C: Resource Guide
Index
