 Excellent education for new digital photographers
As I move my photography under water; I was seeking the knowledge of those who have gone before me. This book interested me because it is very recent with digital experience as well as film from the past. I am very pleased with the way this book has helped me up the learning curve and prepared me to shoot underwater images. Another point well made in the book is ETTL underwater. There are not too many people on the planet yet that are really doing this in my observation. The authors of this book have overcome the reluctance to believe in E or I TTL; just look at their images.
www.BrianHamptonPhotography.com
 Another winner from the Ferraris
I recently had the chance to read this book. As with all the books by the Ferraris (of which I own several), this one is thoughtfully assembled, crammed with photos, and jammed with great tips. Of course, the images and the text are excellent, but there are other reasons to like it:
* I like how they explain what's good about the guest photographers' images. Rather than just say "Yes, another fascinating shot!" they take the time to explain it, so the rest of us, as we move along, can try to emulate.
* I like how they explain the rules of photography -- and then show they can be broken to great effect.
* I think comparing underwater photography to movie-making is a great idea. Everyone has seen movies they love and can recall some powerful scenes from them.
One small criticism: I disliked how the images broke up the text. I'd be reading along with the narrative, wholly immersed, and then I'd come up to a Guest Photographer shot. I never knew whether I should read the GP synopsis (and therefore forget what the teachings were) or skip ahead to finish the teachings and then flip back to the GP bits. Clearly, this was not a major pitfall by any stretch, but I would've liked to've seen all the GP shots between chapters, maybe -- so as to avoid this situation? Just a thought, and this is no reason not to read the book.
In total, the book is fantastically conceived and the images selected beautifully complement the teachings. It's a very dense book, though, and I know for my own part, it was somewhat intimidating to pick up and go through. In reality, it's dense mostly because it's thick with images -- not because it's thick with theory -- and is therefore far more accessible than you would believe by just looking at it. Though I'm going diving this weekend, it's merely a pleasure dive -- no camera -- but next time I do go diving with a camera, I'm going to go through the pages once more, to see how I can make my images pop. In the meantime, I plan to study the last topside shooting chapter so my general photos can be as amazing as theirs.
The Art of Underwater Photography
This is truly an amazing book, featuring 360 richly illustrated color pages with hundreds of incredible full-page underwater images (most by the authors and several by the world's best underwater photographers, like Doug Perrine), plus informative, wonderfully accessible texts. Be aware this really isn't a technical, dry, boring guide in the strictest sense of the word like most of the others available on the market. It's rather more of a highly inspirational book which begs to be read and re-read again to find creative inspiration, to bring out the inner hidden artist. I loved the amazing photos and highly enjoyed the clever suggestions in the text - and I can already see how my own underwater photography has incredibly been enriched by this book. It's like having your own personal tutor! Go on and buy it - this is something you'll treasure for many years to come.
Underwater Photography
Its a terrific book, fantastic pictures. Liked that you could get helpful hints for point and shoot UW cameras, not just the expensive ones. Only thing I didn't care for was that the commentaries were not continued on the next page - you had to go 2 or 3 pages for them to continue.
The Art Of Underwater Photography, Creative Techniques and Camera Systems for Digital and Film
Physical limitations now prevent me from diving, but I started young, very young! In fact, in the late 1940's by simply holding my breath and going as deep and as long as possible to see `nature' in areas along the east coast of North America and various areas in the Caribbean. And in the following decades when traveling to other global areas where the ocean was a short distance away, I always made time to explore the local depths. And even though I've never owned sophisticated diving equipment, or had the skill to photograph underwater creatures, those adventures brought much pleasure and an appreciation for the complexities in the underwater world. I've also been an aquarist for over 60 years, and have tried to duplicate nature in all my aquariums, whether they were freshwater or marine aquariums.
And in the past where certain world areas where not available to me, I depended upon the `icons' such as Jacques Cousteau and others to publish the results of their diving adventures so I could enjoy seeing the fruits of their underwater travels. Today is no different, and thank goodness there are people like Andrea & Antonella Ferrari! Their new book `The Art Of Underwater Photography' is a welcome addition to my library, and even though I cannot comment on its photography techniques and equipment, except to say it appears quite informative, I can say I'm impressed with their organization of the material and its artwork. Therefore, whether you're an armchair adventurer or diver, (even a past diver like myself), you'll enjoy slowly going through this massive 360 page book and viewing their and their co-contributors stunning contributions!
Bob Goemans
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