I am looking for a book on composition?

[Jimmy B]

Does any one here have a good recommendation for one?
Thanks Jimmy B

[readingr]

Just started reading Michael Freeman's book "The Photographer's eye" which is all about composition and design. Just half way through the first chapter which is all about the frame and where things can be placed. At the moment its looking good and if it keeps up the pace its going to be a cracker.

Roger

[Sebastian]

Screw books, study images you love and try to understand why you love them. It's that understanding that will teach you more than anything else can.

[WesternGuy]

I found peterson's book Learning to see Creatively helped me understand some things. HTH

Cheers,

WesternGuy

[Jimmy B]

Roger,Seb and WG thanks for the input.
Seb I have been trying that, for me, if I read something the light goes on in my head and it serves it's reminder!
Thanks Jimmy

[another view]

Half of me wants to tell you that Seb's right, because he is. There really is a lot more (or is it less?) to it than you can get from a book. Maybe a workshop with a photographer whose work you admire would be a good thing too.

However the book Designing A Photograph is pretty good. It shows a shot and explains a couple of things about why it works. I think it's best if you see what your eye is drawn to here (and anywhere else) rather than reading it as the gospel.

[readingr]

I have spent hours looking at photos and working out why I like them but I find that reading something in a book can alter my perception and give'ws me new ideas on composition that I might not think of myself.

I use books to add weapons to my arsenal as they open my tiny grey cell to something it won't think of on its own.

Roger

PS - Freeman's book is really good now on second chapter and it takes you through framing, desing, colour, and intent. A lot of it I was aware of but it brings in some interesting concepts about the difference between 3:2 / 4:3 / 1:1 square frames and the difficulties that you need to consider for each type of frame. It uses pictures with annotations to describe how the artist used the frame to compose the picture