Michael Freeman - Michael Freemans Photo School Fundamentals: Exposure, Light & Lighting, Composition

MICHAEL FREEMANS
PHOTO SCHOOL

FUNDAMENTALS

MICHAEL FREEMANS
PHOTO SCHOOL

FUNDAMENTALS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MICHAEL FREEMAN

First published in the USA 2013 by Focal Press

Focal Press is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business

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Copyright 2013 The Ilex Press Ltd.

All rights reserved.

This book was conceived, designed, and produced by Ilex Press Limited, 210 High Street, Lewes, BN7 2NS, UK

Publisher: Alastair Campbell

Associate Publisher: Adam Juniper

Managing Editor: Natalia Price-Cabrera

Specialist Editor: Frank Gallaugher

Editor: Tara Gallagher

Creative Director: James Hollywell

Senior Designer: Ginny Zeal

Design: Lisa McCormick

Color Origination: Ivy Press Reprographics

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Notices:

Knowledge and best practice in this field are constantly changing. As new research and experience broaden our understanding, changes in research methods, professional practices, or medical treatment may become necessary.

Practitioners and researchers must always rely on their own experience and knowledge in evaluating and using any information, methods, compounds, or experiments described herein. In using such information or methods they should be mindful of their own safety and the safety of others, including parties for whom they have a professional responsibility.

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Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data:

A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress.

ISBN: 978-0-415-83578-7 (pbk)

ISBN: 978-0-203-76660-6 (ebk)

Typset in Caecilia Com

Photo on front cover Joss; back cover lkukl, Daniella Bowker; page 2 Samir Khadem, page 4 Mikhail Basov. All other photography Michael Freeman unless otherwise indicated.

Photography is what I do and have done for most of my life, and like any professional, I work at it, trying to improve my skills and my ideas. I actually enjoy sharing all of this, because I love photography and want as many people as possible to do itbut do it well. This includes learning why good photographs work and where they fit in the history of the craft.

This book is inspired by the structure of a college course, and of the benefits of a collective learning environment. Here, were setting out to teach the fundamentals of photography in a foundational course, before moving on to teach specialist areasmuch as a student would study a set first-year course before moving on to studying elective subjects of their own choosing.

The goal of this book is not only to instruct and educate, but also to motivate and inspire. Toward that end, many of the topics will be punctuated by a challenge to get out and shoot under a specific scenario, demonstrating and practicing the skills that were covered in the preceding sections. Further, we feature the work of several real-life photography students as they respond to these challenges themselves. As they discuss and I review their work, we hope to make the material all the more approachable and achievable.

For you, the reader, this series provides, I hope, a thorough education in photography, not just allowing you to shoot better pictures, but also to gain the same in-depth knowledge that degree students and professionals do, and all achieved through exercises that are at the same time fun and educational. That is why weve also built a website for this book, to which I encourage you to post your responses to the shooting challenges for feedback from your peers. Youll find the website at www.mfphotoschool.com

Lukasz is a Polish-born urban photographer based in Tokyo, Japan. He is known for his street photography and exploration of the metropolitan landscape and its natural environs. Lukasz established himself in Tokyo in 2009, and began shooting out of a curiosity about the city and its people. He has been documenting Tokyo for over two years, while also making excursions to China, Australia, and other nations in the eastern hemisphere.

Lukaszs photographic style has yet to crystallize, but can be described as cinematic. He is inspired by films such as Blade Runner and sci-fi manga such as Ghost in the Shell. Through his work, he aims to show the world a glimpse of what he sees, casting a light on the moments that daily emerge and fade in our cities. His inspiration comes from one of the largest human conglomerations on earth: Tokyo.

Currently, Lukasz is a hustling freelancer, primarily a Photographer, Graphic Designer, and Educator. More of his work can viewed at www.lkazphoto.com

Nathan was born in a small town nestled in the north woods of Wisconsin, USA. His current day job is as a graphic designer, and while his 9 to 5 is devoted to design, his free time is consumed by photography.

Nathan attended the University of Northern Iowa where he received a BFA in Printmaking. Originally, his photography served as a reference point for his prints, but soon after graduating it evolved into be his primary creative focus. While his educational background was in the arts, his only formal training in photography was an introductory class covering the basics of black-and-white photography. Nathan welcomes every chance to expand his photographic knowledge by pouring over any book, blog, or gallery he can find.

To view more of his work, visit www.biehl.me

Richard is a creative modern wedding and fine art photographer based out of Toronto, Canada. Initially he began his career in the pharmaceutical industry working in a polio lab. As photography began to grow from more than just a passion and a hobby into something he could make a career out of, he left pharmaceuticals behind in order to begin a photography business.

Currently he is looking into opening a studio in Toronto. He got his first real taste of photography came while taking a miksang photography course in university.