Understand Exposure book review

Understand Exposure (revised edition)

reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher, Olathe, KS: (dreric1kansas@aol.com)

Author: Bryan Peterson
Publisher: Amphoto Books, 770 Broadway , NY, NY 1003
website: www.watsonguptill.com
Released: 2004 (Revised edition)
Pages: 160
$25 USA
ISBN-10: 0817463003
# ISBN-13: 978-081746300
Strengths: Beautiful color photos. Not a tutorial type book. This book is not a “pocket guide” but a “full meal deal.” It takes time to read and “ digest.” But it is a very worthwhile to help you improve your photographic skills.
Weaknesses: Only 160 pages but is packed with information.

Novice/Intermediate/Advanced

Rating: 5/5

I had read information about the author (of this book) and his focus on photography and the difficulties of using exposure. The essence of it struck a cord with me. I wanted to get this book and discover further about the author insights.
I have taken photographs for many years, under many different situation with the main objective being to advance my skills and capture better photos. Since the author had beautiful award winning photos, I wanted to know further about his methods concerning explaining relationships of aperture, shutter speed and film/ digital speed (ISO/ASA) which he considered the cornerstone of making (his ) magnificent photos. Called the “photographer’s triangle,” the main idea is to perfect this “trifecta (three fold)” of methods (aperture, shutter speeds, and ISO/ASA). I was hoping that I would find fresh beneficial ideas that might benefit myself as well as other photographers. And I was glad I did.
This book is only 160 pages but is loaded with information within the six chapters and the index. Don’t expect a series of tutorials for relaying the information. What this book offers is a set of insightful and easy to grasp notions that expand your knowledge of photography, photographic methods and the ideas which involve creating photograph in general.
The way the author writes is a like an “unfolding story.” The ideas and methods actually intertwine and integrate along the way. Each idea has at least one of the author’s superb photos that immediately “pops out at you.” He weaves his ideas and explains how the final product created this award winning photo. Basic information is included along with the final exposure and additional information. Several times the focus also includes how the photo were initially created and then gradually transformed into a “better photo” and why. One or more photos show the “before and after” effects.
This book is not only enlightening but extremely instructive. Along the way to reading this beautiful books, there is information concerning polarizing filters, double and multiple exposures. Instead of reading this book as a speed reading course, you “digest it slowly “ and “think about what is being said.” In this day in age, where speed is everything, this is a welcome read.
This book is not a “pocket guide” but a “full meal deal.” This definitely is a book that you “slowly digest.” If you desire to learn about photography and take your time learning, this is a great book from an award winning photographer. While it might take a little time to finish the book , most will learn from the author’s methods and his ideas.
The best way to learn from this book is to read the information, think about the photos and then how it might relate to your photos that you have taken in the past or want to take in the future. Whether you are just starting your photographic endeavors or advanced photographer, the author will give you something to think about, learn and construct your photos to a better level.