Fier - Composition Photo Workshop

Composition Photo Workshop

Blue Fier

Published by
Wiley Publishing, Inc.
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Hoboken, N.J. 07030
www.wiley.com

Copyright 2007 by Blue Fier

All photographs Blue Fier 2007

Published simultaneously in Canada

ISBN: 978-1-118-07894-5

Manufactured in the United States of America

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About the Author

Blue Fier studied art extensively while in college, receiving a Bachelors of Arts degree in Art from Occidental College; a Masters of Art degree in Art from California State University, Northridge; and a Masters of Fine Art degree in Art from the University of California, Los Angeles. Before committing himself to photography on a full-time basis more than 20 years ago, working with clients in the travel, real-estate, sports, and environmental industries, Fier was an exhibiting artist for nearly two decades. In addition to working as a professional photographer, Fier has taught photography for 15 years.

Photo by David Paul Bayles, 2007

Credits

Acquisitions Editor

Kim Spilker

Senior Project Editor

Cricket Krengel

Project Editor

Kelly Maish

Development Editor

Kelly Dobbs Henthorne

Technical Editor

Larry D. Sweazy

Editorial Manager

Robyn Siesky

Vice President & Group Executive Publisher

Richard Swadley

Vice President & Publisher

Barry Pruett

Business Manager

Amy Knies

Book Designers

LeAndra Hosier
Tina Hovanessian

Project Coordinator

Adrienne Martinez

Graphics and Production Specialists

Joni Burns
Brooke Graczyk
Jennifer Mayberry
Barbara Moore
Shelley Norris
Amanda Spagnuolo

Quality Control Technician

Todd Lothery

Cover Design

Larry Vigon
Daniela Richardson

Proofreading and Indexing

Broccoli Information Management
Sossity R. Smith

Wiley Bicentennial Logo

Richard J. Pacifico

Acknowledgments

Many extremely talented people collaborated on this book. My utmost gratitude and appreciation
goes to Kate Shoup Welsh, my personal editor, who clarified my thoughts, organized my ideas, and researched topics above and beyond my expectations. Id also like to acknowledge all the editors and staff at Wiley for allowing me the opportunity to work with them. Next up, thanks to the many students I have taught at Santa Monica College, who have been the testing ground and inspiration for my ideas; also, thanks to my clients, who have trusted me to bring back images of beauty out of seeming chaos. My wife, Kim, and sons, Zack and Easton, have enthusiastically supported me in undertaking this lengthy project in lieu of other events. I am grateful for the ideas and suggestions offered by my close friend, David Paul Bayles, in addition to his excellent portrait of me. Special thanks go to Robert Farber for suggesting I get involved in this series. I would like to thank Christian Erhardt of Leica USA for loaning me the latest Leica digital cameras and the Lifepixel Company for converting my Canon digital camera to an infrared one. In creating this book, it helped immeasurably to be a part of Ian Summers Heartstorming group, which encouraged me to pursue my vision.

To all those who follow their hearts.

Foreword

After 10 years of helping photographers hone their skills on photoworkshop.com, Im thrilled to present this new line of books in partnership with Wiley Publishing.

I believe that photography is for everyone, and books are
a new extension of the sites commitment to providing an education in photography, where the quest for knowledge is fueled by inspiration. To take great images is a matter
of learning some basic techniques and finding your eye.
I hope this book teaches you the basic skills you need to explore the kind of photography that excites you.

You may notice another unique approach weve taken with the Photo Workshop series: The learning experience does not stop with the books. I hope you complete the assignments at the end of each chapter and upload your best
photos to pwsbooks.com to share with others and receive feedback. By participating, you can help build a new community of beginning photographers who inspire each other, share techniques, and foster innovation and creativity.

Robert Farber

Photo by Jay Maisel

Introduction

Every waking moment of every single day, you face choices. Toast or bagel? Decaf or regular? Paper or plastic? The list is endless. Some of these choices, like those listed here, are of little importance. That is, choosing one or another option might improve your day, but probably wont change your life. Other choices, however, can have a tremendous impact: where to live, whom (if anyone) to live with, and what type of work to do.