Publisher: GOFF BOOKS

ISBN:? 978-1951541781

My first exposure to theworld of photography occurred when I was a very young boy. My folkshad given me as a birthday present, a Kodak Baby Brownie. I lovedthis little camera! According to Kodak, all you had to do was pushthe button, and voila, the camera did the rest. Photography certainlyhas come a long way since the Brownie with the advent of digitalphotography

Santino Zafarana, authorof Think Before You Shoot: The Art of Taking Creative Pictures,likewise was introduced to this magnificent world when his uncleSalvatore Dolce presented him with his first Brownie. Later, hereceived a Rolleiflex for his fifteenth birthday. The differencebetween him and myself is that he became an accomplishedphotographer, while I still struggle to take a decent photo. I canprobably attribute my failure to not thinking about the subject’scontent beyond whether it appeals to me aesthetically.

Choosing a good book onphotography instruction can be quite a challenge, particularly whenthere are so many to consider.

Think Before YouShoot: The Art of Taking Creative Pictures can assist you in openingyour eyes and being aware of things that have always been present. Itis not just a book but a fascinating learning experience. Thefundamentals of photography have never been easier or more enjoyablethan with this hands-on book, which will motivate you to pick up yourcamera and start shooting right away. Zafarana removes the fat fromthe bone and goes into a lot of interesting detail in astraightforward, non-technical manner.

When photographing,ask yourself two crucial questions: What type of feeling are youaiming to capture and provoke in your viewer?" writes Zafaranain the Preface. And what will assist you to hone your style so thatyou can keep your audience's attention?

Zafarana teaches youhow to "think before you shoot" by remembering what you'relooking at, why the image captivates you, what elements stay in theimage, and how you may convey all you see to the viewer.

Zafarana demonstratestwenty-one different photography techniques. These provide you a newperspective and an overview of the main instruments that professionalphotographers use when shooting.

The breadth of topicsaddressed in this book stands out, as it delves into the ins and outsof procedures that will aid in the creation of visually attractivephotos.

These include using thecorrect depth of field, foreground vs. background, basicproportions/rule of thirds, controlling motion, understandingframing, frame within a frame or looking through things,understanding good essential lighting, shadows, reflections, point ofview, awareness of your background, the art of silhouettes, the bestplaces to crop for portraits, texture, patterns, and repetition,still life, portraits using window and door light, low light or nighlighting, texture, patterns, and repetition

Each method isdemonstrated using large, crisp, and informative color images thatadd visual interest and inspiration. Many of them elicit emotions andmay even trigger memories.

You'll have to agreewith Zararana when he says, "This book is a visual feast, anoffering both for people who adore fine art and those who realize themind behind the creation," after poring over the excellentadvice and lovely photographs.

Zafarana is not only agifted photographer with years of experience, but he is also anexcellent instructor, teaching and mentoring at the CreativePhography Workshops in Los Angeles, which he co-owns with his wife,Tracey Landworth. Much of the information in the book is based on hiseighteen years of experience as a teacher and mentor.

FOLLOW HERE TO READ NORM'S INTERVIEW WITH SANTINO ZAFARANA