Photography and the Art of Seeing

This is the newest edition of a classic, showcasing superb color shots, offering lucid explanations of how to get the best photo by seeing well, all with a hope to help you capture and produce an effective expression. This is a fully re-done version, beautifully designed, on the glories of the craft of photography and how to combine technical excellence with passion and art. Very useful. – Byron Borger * Hearts and Minds Books *Photography and the Art of Seeing by Freeman Patterson is a super new book for beginners and advanced photographers alike. It is easy to push a button and take a picture, but it is a lot more difficult to “make” a creative image, and this well written book will take you through the steps of the thinking and doing that part of it. The book not only includes beautiful images, but also technical info on what it takes to create such images, no matter if you are using film or digital cameras. * Nature Photographers Online Magazine *Patterson gives guidelines to help photographers improve their visual thinking and develop their imaginations, emphasizing what he calls “good seeing.” …Patterson gives personal examples from his experiences, along with exercises on learning how to observe… He also covers effective expression, abstract thinking and principles of visual design. For anyone wanting to move away from some tired visual habits, the exercises and topics of this book should encourage experimentation and a new way of observing. – Jenny Montgomery * Photo News *Updated and expanded to include technical guidelines adapted for both digital and film photographers. The jargon-free text provides techniques and innovative exercises for breaking with traditional concepts of design, enabling the photographer to develop a keen awareness of subject matter and a direction for composing the picture. It also offers a workshop for all visual artists that includes lesson on the fundamental of perception and overcoming obstacles in their work. This edition features several never-before-published photographs…and extended captions that include valuable technical information and personal commentary. – Ginette Lapointed * PhotoNews *This is a complete photography book that includes technical guidelines for both digital and film photographers. Freeman Patterson uses his amazing images to illustrate concepts of design and fundamentals of perception. This book is for those looking to expand their awareness of subject matter and improve their photography. * Skylum Blog *I have read many books about photography as this blog documents, and this is probably one of the best. The book has been developed to support a series of workshops that Patterson held way back when, but you can still make use of the exercises described in the book of you want to have the full benefit of the book. Even if you don’t do all the exercises or if you only want to read the theory, I find that this is an excellent book about the photography process and it comes with my highest recommendation. * Frederik Boving Blog *As both a photographer and photography instructor… I can highly recommend this book for creative content and inspiration. – Noella Ballenger * Apogee Photo Magazine *

Freeman Patterson has published 12 books and won numerous awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the North American Nature Photography Association. Patterson lives in Shamper’s Bluff, New Brunswick, an ecological reserve of over 200 acres, which he recently donated to the Nature Conservancy of Canada.