Photographic Composition: Principles of Image Design

Rissler's book on composition does not repeat only the same tried and true rules of composition (e.g., Rule of Thirds, diagonal lines, etc.). He goes beyond, discussing aspects of composition I had nit thought of that way: e.g., using textures and patterns as compositional tools. In one illustrative photo, the trees through which a bicyclist rides provide not just a pattern, but also a rhythm enhancing the rhythm of the imagined movement of the bike. He also contrasts that photo with a photo of an aerial view of a garden with neither movement or a rhythmic pattern -- a stationary composition. He's a good writer, and the photos he includes to demonstrate his ideas actually work.He of course talks about diagonal lines as compositional tools, but also demonstrates the use of opposing lines to add visual tension. Rissler admits that sometimes good composition is more coincidence or good luck than careful planning -- which comforts a novice like me:) He uses, as an example, snapping a nuthatch when it happens to be framed against a rectangle of sunlight. I had that happen just recently, and in my case, it was nothing but luck that my bird was framed so attractively.When capturing dialogues between people in a photo, the author recommends having a diagonal connection between them. He uses a photo of a small boy looking up at a longed-for bird in a cage held by the seller, a tall adult.Rissler devotes an entire section of the book to using lattices as compositional aids. For example, looking at animals through a fence without using a wide aperture to blur out the fence. The fence becomes part of the framing.Good read, and helpful even after having read a few other books on composition.

Do you enjoy great photography books? Many are designed for the beginner and in the age of digital photography, the technical challenges of the past are negated by advancements in technology. Often forgotten are the elements of composition and design. If you’re looking for a book that will help you take beautiful digital pictures of your family and kids on vacation, this is not the book for you. This is an art book that uses photography as the paintbrush, and it is brilliantly written. Rare are the books that deal with the basic elements of art from an advanced design and composition from a practical and artistic perspective.The book, Photographic Composition-- Principles of Art and Design, was written and photographed in black and white by the German writer and teacher Albrecht Rissler. I’ve always appreciated the German perspective as it relates to design and quality. This book allows the reader to see transitional images that work into the final fine art photographic photographs as explained by a master photographic artist. In my opinion, Rissler addresses a missing link for many aspiring photographers. Rissler explains, in print and with exceptional photography, the basics of design; to the more refined elements of sharpness, blur and texture. If you wish to venture into the area of fine art photography, this book is for you. It’s a 10 on the 10-scale.You might want to forgo the digital version and purchase the actual hard copy book. The publisher RockyNook, knows how to produce a VERY high quality book. Their production uses the finest paper with printing processes that yield some of the highest image dynamic printing you’ll see in books. Even the cover has a special “feel” that is going to grace my coffee table for the foreseeable future. In the digital age, this book is delightfully analog.

Most of us who will be interested in reading this book will or should be familiar with the workings of their cameras and how to utilize them to achieve a desired effect, like limited or unlimited depth of field, stopping action, etc. Most readers will have a fair knowledge of lighting and exposure techniques. Those who don't may not get the full benefit of this book. It is not an instructional book on those subjects. What it will teach you is to look at photographs (and probably painting and drawings)in a new way.After reading this book and studying its images, you will be looking for symmetry, lines, angles shapes, perspectives,and viewpoints as you did not do before. Examples of all these and other terms are well explained and documented throughout. Comparing the photos in the book to some of my own showed me what I did wrong (and sometimes right) in my own. It made me look at them in a new light--(no pun intended).A few words about the photos in the book. They are all of excellent quality and most are at least 1/2 of a page in size. Many are full page and that makes them easy to judge and see what the author is talking about. All the photos are black & white (no color photos) but as the author points out, color might be a distraction. There is no technical information of the images--nothing about iso, focal length, shutter speed, etc. Those things are not meant to be here and are not missed when looking at the images.My only negative comment is that in my opinion the fonts used in the narrative are a bit too small and light in color. The type is a bit hard to read.But the book is well bound and beautifully printed on high quality paper. It would be welcome on any coffee table or photographers library. I will rate it 4 1/2 stars.Disclaimer--I was provided a free copy of the book by the publisher to review.

Straight to the point with excellent examples. There is some confusion that needs an errata sheet to clarify.

It has some good info in it, but it is not the best composition book out there.

Best book on photography composition I've ever read. And I've read dozens over the last 15 years.