Professional photographer Richard Garvey-Williams analyses the concepts, rules and guidelines that define successful composition and offers practical guidance to achieving great results.

Going beyond the rule of thirds, Mastering Composition offers invaluable tips and tools to help the photographer take control of the creative process with emphasis on four elements: an impactful subject, dynamic composition, effective use of lighting, and an ability to invoke an emotional response in the viewer
What makes a great photo?

Flicking through the pages of popular photography magazines you might get the impression that there's only one rule of importance--the rule of thirds. Indeed it appears that some will judge the merit of a photograph based almost solely on this. Rarely do you hear discussion about visual weight, balance, negative space, depth, and so on. Author and professional photographer Richard Garvey-Williams argues that success lies in a combination of four elements: an impactful subject; dynamic composition; effective use of lighting; and, perhaps the most crucial, ability to invoke an emotional response in the viewer. Citing examples gleaned from a study of history--the Ancient Greeks' Golden Rule; Fibonacci's mathematical ratio; and the principles known as the Gestalt theory--the author analyzes the concepts, rules, and guidelines that define successful composition in photography and offers practical guidance to achieving great results.

In clear, concise, and jargon-free text he also considers the role of tone and color in good composition, and offers invaluable tips and the tools to help the photographer take control of the creative process. The book is illustrated with examples of the author's own beautiful nature photography, along with diagrams and notation to explain techniques most clearly. A final chapter in this definitive guide for all serious photographers discusses photography and its relationship to art before offering a considered conclusion to the exploration of this fascinating topic.

Fully updated to include the latest technologies and software, Mastering Composition is the definitive guide for taking great photos, considering visual weight, balance, negative space, and depth. Author and professional photographer Richard Garvey-Williams argues that success lies in a combination of four elements: an impactful subject; dynamic composition; effective use of lighting; and, perhaps the most crucial, an ability to invoke an emotional response in the viewer.

Citing examples gleaned from a study of history (the Ancient Greeks' Golden Rule, Fibonacci's mathematical ratio, and the principles known as Gestalt theory) the author analyses the concepts, rules and guidelines that define successful composition in photography and offers practical guidance to achieving great results. In clear, concise and jargon-free text he also considers the role of tone and color in good composition and offers invaluable tips and the tools to help the photographer take control of the creative process. The book is illustrated with examples of the author's own beautiful nature photography, along with diagrams and notation to explain techniques most clearly. A final chapter in this definitive guide for all serious photographers discusses photography and its relationship to art before offering a considered conclusion to the exploration of this fascinating topic.

A concise, comprehensive guide to the popular subject of wildlife photography.

Wildlife is one of the most challenging and popular subjects for photographers. With strong emphasis on the ethics and legalities of animal welfare, the protection of the environment and the responsibilities of the photographer, Richard Garvey-Williams' concise, comprehensive yet accessible text covers the practical techniques of photography and how they relate to capturing stunning images of quarry that is invariably erratic, often endangered, and typically shy and elusive. Stressing the need for meticulous preparation and research in planning a field trip, he covers scouting locations, timing of trips relative to the seasons, in addition assembling a kit of equipment and transporting it overseas; there's in-depth insight into field craft, including the use of hides, feeding, baiting and stalking, while remaining vigilant to danger.

The book also contains an essential guide to lighting, composition, the emotive response to the subject, how best to photograph groups of animals or birds, plus techniques for capturing action, close-ups and studies of botanicals.