Starting Photography by Michael Langford (Focal Press)

Starting Photography by Michael Langford on Focal Press as reviewed in The Technofile by rapper comedian DJ producer & journalist MC Rebbe Whether you’re completely new to photography or someone who already has some experience, but who needs to gain a deeper understanding in order to improve their ability and results, this book is for you.

Written by Michael Langford, a former photography course director at The Royal College of Art in London, whose books are required reading on practically every photography course in The UK, Starting Photography covers everything from the basic principles of how an image is formed on film/a digital sensor all the way through to putting together a portfolio of work.

If you’ve ever been confused about f stops, shutter speeds, ISOs or depth of field, it’s all explained clearly and concisely, together with chapters on composition, creative use of camera controls (shutter, aperture, focus, exposure, flash & choice of lens), tackling different kinds of subjects (people, places, landscapes, close up subjects and animal portraits…no not those kind of animal portraits…), troubleshooting, experimental pictures, using a studio and processing & printing.

Written to cover the latest City & Guilds photography syllabus, chapters end with straightforward photography projects that allow you to put into practice what you have just read learned.

Full of both black & white & colour photographs that illustrate the points being made in an almost 1:1 ratio of pics to text, the book is an easy and informative read that’s packed with hints tips, ideas and inspiration, making it ideal for beginners and the more experienced alike, in fact anyone who has never studied photography formally (and some that have) will benefit from reading this book.

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