Photos with Impact

With the sophistication of camera equipment today, taking a regular photograph is relatively straightforward. But taking - and making - a photograph that will have more impact than others requires much greater insight and harnessing of abilities and techniques.

Tom Mackie recognizes that a key technique in his work is the ability to see subjects that others might miss, and to simplify images down to their basic elements - here he describes in detail about how readers can learn to do the same. Mackie considers how an understanding of the basic rules of composition is crucial to successful image-making; and subsequently, how breaking these rules can also work effectively to create striking, modern compositions. For powerful, graphic impact, Mackie explores the use of strong colours and shapes - he also explains how to use lighting and filters to best effect to enhance pictures, and finishes with a look at how he employs digital photograhy in his field. The practical instruction is accompanied throughout by a stunning collection of 200 of his best photographs.

Tom Mackie is one of the world's top landscape photographers and has won many awards for his work. The pictures in this book all have impact.

This is not a book about techniques. The author presumes that you know how to take a competent photograph. What Mackie says he wants the reader to do is to learn how to see. He says that he will try to explain what he saw, and how he formed that vision, when he took a photograph that had impact, with the hope that the reader will be helped to find his own unique compositions. His chapters deal with light, designing the image, color and form, and enhancing the image, with a brief coda on the equipment he uses. He is quite comprehensive in his discussion of each of these topics, and if the reader studies each paragraph closely, he may learn something about composition. For example Mackie almost always uses polarizing filters to intensify colors and urges the reader to do the same. He is also not afraid to use other color filters to achieve his goal, and the reader may become convinced that there is no truth in a photograph, so one should always do what it takes to make an exciting picture.

My problem is that while the pictures have impact, Mackie's writing doesn't. The text just didn't hold my attention, although perhaps as I go back over the pictures, I?ll start to extract some new directions for my own work.

There is no doubt that the most difficult thing to teach any photographer is how to develop vision. Amongst recent books though, I've found Brenda Tharp's "Creative Nature & Outdoor Photography" to embody better instructional material. Tony Sweet's "Fine Art Nature Photography" with Sweet's dramatic pictures and brief comments about what he was trying to achieve and the tools that he used to reach his goal are quite instructive because of their pithiness. Niall Benvie's "Creative Landscape Photography" can force one to examine some of the underlying assumptions about the subject matter itself that effect the ultimate picture, and Freeman Patterson's hoary "Photography & the Art of Seeing" can still provide exercises for the unselfconscious to find their inner vision.

With company like that, Mackie would have to do more than present his own photos with impact to create a first class instructional manual. He would have to spend as much time thinking about teaching as he does about taking pictures.


Inspirational   April 19, 2004
 6 out of 8 found this review helpful

I found this to be a very insightful and inspirational book!

Filled with stunning example after stunning example that make you pause in awe, this is a straight forward and well written book that belongs in the serious photographer's reference library.

I refer back to this book often to keep focused on effective use of colour and composition, which I try to incorporate into my photographic endeavors.

If you're looking for material that is rewarding and makes you want to run out and shoot - this publication suits the bill!