Rick Sammon's Creative Visualization for Photographers: Composition, exposure, lighting, learning, experimenting, setting goals, motivation and more

Firstly, I want to say I am a fan of Rick Sammon's work. I recently bought this book and it sat on my shelf for several weeks. I just hadn't gotten around to reading any of it yet. I picked it up about a week ago and started in on page one and I was hooked. He has a clear, concise way of writing that makes it easy to read. I feel like he is in the room talking to me and helping nudge me along in my photography skills. Secondly, he uses quotes throughout the book that help encapsulate what he is trying to get across. Thirdly, the photos. He has tons of photos (well, not that many) but he uses a LOT to help illustrate his points (there are over 300). Other books seem to parcel out their photos sparsely but Rick generously loads his book up with fabulous photos of before and after. His coverage of topics is thorough for any photographer, whether you are amateur or professional. Even the professionals need a jump start or 'kick in the pants' to get motivated. Rick does this beautifully. He leaves no stone unturned in this book. Check out the table of contents and you will see what I mean. I think this is a necessary book for your shelves. I highly recommend this book. Get it today. You won't be sorry.

Ok, I have to admit, I am a huge fan of Rick Sammon, just because he is so cool! He has enthusiasm, wisdom and a joie de vivre that most of us should envy. This book is a comprehensive look at photographic composition and the underlying thought processes and techniques that are used to achieve it. There are a TON of worked examples, showing how different expressions can be achieved and how compositional principles can be applied. You will particularly love the honest look he allows at the before and after images and the behind the scenes secrets on how compelling images are conceived. I cam out really inspired and have a whole host of practical lessons to take my photography to the next level. I'm not sure he would want me saying this, but buying this book makes him consider you a student with direct access to his email, to which he is very responsive.

Love your book! So much information and presented in an easy to understand way with plenty of examples and great images. Haven't finished entirely, but looking forward to more entertaining and enlightening information.I do have one disappointment. I tried to load on a device and it said the number of devices was exceeded. After checking with Amazon, they showed me where you have limited the number to 4 simultaneous devices. I'm not sure why so few, since they are all my devices. I need a minimum of 5 devices and 6 would be better. Can you increase this, or is there something nefarious going on that caused you to set this limit. I can't see where any of your other books have any type of limit. As far as that goes, none of the books I have from any author has a limit number of devices. In any case, thank you for your skills and entertaining style, both in your books and your DPE podcast. Listen to everyone of them! Gary

This book is awesome. I have always liked to take pictures and recently started on a journey to move my picture taking to a higher level. Rick Sammon's book is full of pictures, concepts and processes, which has helped me rethink how I approach my photography. Rick has a teaching style that is easy to follow, concepts that are fun to try, and his before and after photos demonstrate a few simple steps to turn a good shot into a great photo. I believe that there is something of value for all levels of photographers, and I have returned to this book a few times to reinforce some of the concepts and also try new ones. I highly recommend this book and will be purchasing hard copies when they become available to be given as gifts to some of my photography friends

And that is saying a lot because I still own thousands of books. But in just a few pages, this book took me from being satisfied with my work to understanding that applying just a few concepts can take it to a higher level. I'm tempted to say that the book isn't just about photography but applies to all art composition and just in general to life. Maybe I'm stretching it. I bought the book during Covid shutdown and it is great to read something so informative and even uplifting.

Rick is a master at sharing his fine tuned experience and knowledge with others in a way that is easy to digest. I especially liked the first chapter on "The Four Levels of Learning." Starting the book with this topic helps the reader assess where they are at and gives us things to think about in terms of where we would place ourselves currently, and where we would like to be. This book is so well laid out and organized. Rick carefully explains the topic and then refers back to it at the end of the book to illustrate the assignments that he suggests. I think that this book should be in every photographers personal library.

The initial chapters deal with composition which was the primary reason I bought the book. Later chapters talk more about the editing process, and it's a bit boggling to read about all the different software programs he uses. I'm an amateur, not a pro. I want to take better photos and am more concerned with good composition. Although I made the switch to digital a few years ago, I'm still a neophyte when it comes to the processing, and part of me still prefers not to have to do that to get a good shot. Otherwise, it's a little contrived, IMO.

I am so lucky to have found Rick—his courses, books and iOS apps are awesome—I got them all. In addition to the book, I recommend Rick's online course about composition on KelbyOne, explaining composition as the strongest way of seeing in very similar terms, but on video. The book, however, has more information, so I think it's a good bundle to have.As for me, composition is what separates a good photograph from a mere snapshot, and Rick's lessons have opened my eyes about this. This book is a simple, practical advice that helps you get more of your camera with a little thought and care... I still have a long way to go in my "way of seeing" and I hope to strengthen this on the upcoming Rick's workshop. Thanks!

Die Versand-Qualität war unterirdisch, mit verklebter Front und geknickter Back-SideDer Autor ist großartig

Donné en cadeau

Livro muito bem acabado, textos curtos e fáceis de entender. Bastante fotos e explicações simples. Recomendo.

Rick has written this book pouring all his experience right from start. While reading the book, you become connected to Rick's world of photography and feel as if he were by your side. A must for everyone who has started photography and wants to become a pro in this field.

I was expecting more from this book. I think it's full of good intentions, but too often it just reach to the very obvious, not even like 'for Dummies' books, without giving any useful information. Let me give a couple of examples from the book:About how getting images that have impact with contrast"Contrast can draw out attention to a scene - and to a photograph. Contrast is also important in other areas of creativity. In music [blah, blah blah]. In cooking [blah, blah, blah]".That's all it says about contrast.About 'Compose emotionally':"All the aforementioned concepts are tried to proven composition concepts. However, the most important composition concept is to compose emotionally - to photograph from your heart. That's what I did when I took this photograph of my dad." + the picture.So, take a picture from your heart. Good, what about explaining what makes that composition from your heart. What elements make it good composition for you? What would be a bad composition in contrast?Just saying, 'use your heart, create passionately, follow your passion' or 'contrast is very important', without adding any further explanation don't don't give me any valid info or make me learn how to take better pictures. This book is full of paragraphs like these.The author makes an extensive use of Photoshop, that you may like it or not. Not just to correct colours or exposition, but to combine pictures ('put this tree, with those giraffe from that other picture, plus a sunset from a third one, and you got a great composition'), which may be considered like 'tricking' for some photographers who are looking for great pictures from the camera.