Photo Design Book

PHOTO DESIGN: Image Design and Composition for Photographers is an ebook and was written for photographers of all skill levels. Beginners will learn how to build images from scratch. And self-taught seasoned pros will learn the terminology of the techniques they’ve always used and they will most definitely learn some new tricks and tips.

What makes my book different from all the rest are my composition maps. With these I literally map out every feature of the composition and why its elements were placed where they sit. I provide both a map and an unmarked photo of the same scene so the ideas and techniques can be easily studied. Only someone with a solid understanding of image design could create these maps.

Sample Pages

Table of Contents

About the Author11
About the Book11
About the Images11
Chapter One: Design in Photography12
The Visual Language12
The Importance of Learning Design13
Demystifying Composition13
Communicating Without Words14
Chapter Two: Photography in American History15
Early Cameras15
The Hand Camera15
Composing the Early Photographs16
Innovations in Technology16
Kodachrome16
The Digital Camera17
The Selfie17
Photography as an Important Art17
Ansel Adams: A Force in Nature18
The Greatest Assignment18
The Zone System18
Chapter Three: The Visual Experience19
Approaching The Photographic Image19
Response to Unfamiliar Art and Styles19
Beauty In Photography20
Is It Art?21
Reading Photographs22
Evaluating A Photograph23
Artist’s Intent23
Emotional Impact23
Evaluating the Light24
Structure25
Execution26
Sample Execution Mistakes26
Advanced Evaluation27
Evaluating Black and White Photographs35
Evaluation Overview36
Chapter Four: The Photographic Experience37
The Art Of Observation37
Visualizing the Composition38
Individual Expression39
More Than Seeing 39
Developing A Personal Style40
Evaluating Your Progress41
Evaluating Your Photographs41
Chapter Five: Considerations For Purpose42
Horizontal Or Vertical Format42
Final Format44
Contrast and Size44
Sharpness44
Mood44
Chapter Six:  The Physical Photograph46
The Frame46
Edges46
Mistakes on the Edge 46
Cropping Joints and Limbs on the Edge48
Image Divisions50
Chapter Seven:  Designing The Tangibles51
Organizing The Composition51
Unity and Balance: A Good Start51
Subject Matter52
Define Subject Matter52
Treatment of Subject Matter53
The Main Or Solitary Subject53
Distance and Size53
Lens Selection53
The Effects of Distance on Detail and Color53
Positioning the Main Subject54
Centering the Subject for Emphasis54
Dealing with Unwanted Objects in the Scene54
Focal Points61
Living Subjects as Focal Points61
Focal Points and Balance61
Focal Points and a Visual Path61
Multiple and Competing Main Focal Points 61
Lines62
Straight Lines62
Vertical Lines62
Horizontal Lines62
Diagonal Lines63
Converging and Diverging Lines63
Groups of Lines63
Arcs 63
Curved Lines63
Zig-zags and Odd-shaped Lines64
Repetitive Lines64
Suggested or Implied Lines64
Creating Fluidity, Movement, and Motion with Lines66
Tension Created by Lines66
Shape And Form67
Shapes and Forms as Structural Elements67
Texture of Forms67
Spatial Organization and the Relationships of Forms and Shapes67
Shapes and Forms and Balance67
The Emotional Effects of Shapes and Forms69
Forms, Shapes and Rhythm69
Forms, Shapes and Unity69
Chapter Eight:  Designing The Intangibles70
Light’s Role in Photography70
The Sun’s Trek through the Sky70
The Effects of the Sweet Light70
Reflections: Diffuse and Specular71
Shadows71
Direction of Light72
Front Light72
Side Light72
Back Light72
Top Light72
Reflected Light72
Photographing the Effects of Weather73
Clouds73
Fog74
Rain 75
Rainbows 75
Color76
Basic Color Terminology77
Analogous Hues78
Monochromatic78
Gradations78
Complementary Colors78
Neutrals78
Color Associations79
Choose Colors to Influence and Create Mood79
Creating Color Harmony79
Color Continuity80
The Perceived Weight of Colors  80
Space and Depth81
Negative Space81
Perspective 83
The Picture Plane83
Line of Sight83
The Ground Plane83
Achieving Visual Balance83
Using the Rule-of-Thirds Grid84
Using Symmetry84
Angles And Height86
Chapter Eight: Popular Composition Styles87
Bulls-eye Composition87
Showcase87
Near-Far87
Layers88
Close-up 88
Abstract88
Composition Maps89
Map One: Multiple Main Focal Points and a Visual Path90
Map Two: Lines – Cradle the Subject92
Map Three: Subject Merge 94
Map Four:  Perspective96
Map Five:  Supporting Focal Points, Weight and Color Continuity98
Map Six: Types of Borders  100
Map Seven: Layers  102
Map Eight: Horizon Line Placement  104
Map Nine: Structure  and the Rule-of-Thirds Grid106
Map Ten: Rule of Thirds Lines and Power points108
Map Eleven: Value Distribution and Shapes110
Map Twelve: Harmonious Image Division112
Map Thirteen: Off-center Placement114
Map Fourteen: Cool vs. Warm Hues116
Map Fifteen: Competing Focal Points and Image Division118
Map Sixteen: Visual Tension120
Map Seventeen: Distractions122
Map Eighteen: Organize Basic Elements124
Map Nineteen: Compare Compositions126
Map Twenty: Structure and Content Division128
Glossary130
Bibliography133
Books133

Purchasing Photo Design: $25.00

I use PayPal for all financial transactions and have had not a single problem with financial transactions for almost 20 years. Please contact me for invoicing and transfer of the document. gloriahopkins@gmail.com I usually respond almost immediately.

Because this an intangible, electronic document I offer no refunds. You should rest assured, however, because in the past 11 years of selling Natural Design, the book Photo Design was based on, I’ve had a single request for a refund, and that’s because the student dropped his photography class before it ever started. Thank you so much for your interest and attention.