Digital Photo Design: How to Compose Winning Pictures 
Paul Comon

I saw this book earlier this year, I think, reviewed in a photography magazine. The idea of a book just about composition appealed to me. My mom gave me a copy for my birthday (August). I took a while in reading it. His writing style is a little formal, but fortunately it's not hard to digest.

I felt after I read it, I had become of the Comon school, but the feeling has perhaps faded. I should probably read it again. But it's good for me to remember, like he said, there are virtually no hard and fast rules; I don't have to do everything he says. But I feel like I do. He's persuasive; he gives good reasons for what he says, e.g. handle your light right because a viewer's eye is drawn to the lightest part of the picture. It makes sense, you feel persuaded that it's a good idea.

The approach he takes is generally non-technical. You can have a point-and-shoot you've never taken off Auto and still gain from this book (you'll take it off Auto afterwards, right?).

The design of the book (I have the paperback) I like very much. The pages are quite clean, though using color and shapes in a pleasing manner. The font is fitting and pleasant. Comon is also a very good photographer. His pictures illustrate his points well (and he specifically talks about the pictures; teaching by example, comparison, and experience). A good chunk of the photos are in black and white, but he does have a whole section on "Color & Shades."

The book is divided into three sections: Understanding The Boundaries, Organization and Construction, and Vital Elements. I feel like I have gotten a full lesson on composition after reading it.

Recommended.

Originally posted here by Nathaniel on December 18, 2008, at 9:15 PM.