The Essence of Photography (2nd Edition) Book

Embark on a journey into the heart of photography with the fully revised and expanded second edition of “The Essence of Photography.” Renowned photographer and educator Bruce Barnbaum, drawing upon 50 years of experience, delves into the art of photographic seeing and creativity.

Photography is more than a mere act of pointing and shooting; it requires thoughtful preparation, a profound understanding of the photographic process, and mastery of how light and composition influence an image. Personal involvement, expression, and a willingness to experiment are essential ingredients, recognizing that only a fraction of experiments yield success.

In this second edition, Bruce Barnbaum shares insights gleaned from his five decades of photographing and teaching, exploring often-overlooked aspects of photography. Beyond photographs, he draws inspiration from painting, music, writing, sciences, and business, providing diverse examples of creative thinking. These examples serve as stepping stones, guiding you towards enhancing your ability to see and foster creativity.

While creativity is often neglected in formal education, Bruce challenges this notion. He asserts that photographic seeing and creativity can indeed be taught, learned, and improved. The book expands on Bruce’s teaching methodology, honed over 50 years of workshops.

The book delves into various topics:

• Defining your unique rhythm and approach as a photographer
• Translating the scene in front of you into the final photograph
• Comparing the approaches of amateur and professional photographers
• Exploring the distinctions between realism and abstraction, and their possibilities and limitations
• Expanding your own seeing and creativity through classes, workshops, and interactions with other photographers
• Questioning the rules of composition and when to ignore them
• Following your passion and knowing when to heed or disregard critics

Illustrated with over 100 photographs by Bruce and other photographers, this book challenges photographers of all levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals, to contemplate deeply the nuances of creating compelling photographs.