@alia_801, @olivetreeann, and I would like to invite you to join us in a Photography Book Club for the month of August. We will be reading, discussing, and doing exercises from Freeman Patterson's classic "Photography and the Art of Seeing." Suitable for any camera and level of experience, this book focuses on the concept of 'seeing,' encompassing everything from observation, imagination, expression, and visual design. It should be an excellent opportunity for all of us to reflect, practice, and expand our photography. Feel free to participate for the whole month, just a week, or just one time.
Each week in August we will focus on a different set of themes from the book, which I will post on 365 as well extended discussion on my blog: www.archaeofrog.com
- Week 1: August 1-10: Barriers to Seeing and Learning to Observe
- Week 2: August 11-17: Learning to Imagine and Learning to Express
- Week 3: August 18-24: Unique Properties of Photography
- Week 4: August 25-31: Elements of Visual Design
We wanted to announce the book club well ahead of its start to give people who are interested time to track down a copy of the book. "Photography and the Art of Seeing" was first published in 1979 and has been updated several times, most recently in 2011. The majority of the text is the same across different editions (at least the 1985 and 2011 ones), although the example images have been updated, so you can certainly use older versions. My public library has several copies or it is available (new and used) from Amazon. Canadians can even order from Freeman Patterson's own website and get a personally-autographed copy: http://freemanpatterson.com/book2.htm. If you can't track down a copy, we'll be posting some thoughts and exercises each week for you to follow along.
Post a comment below if you want to be tagged in future posts about the book club. Hope you'll join us!
Cool. Just bought a copy for less than 4 dollars. In the US check out abebooks.com there are quite a few copies available for less than 4 including shipping.
Great idea. I'm interested though I'll be going on holiday 2 weeks in August. I'll try to get a copy through Amazon and will be folllowing when I can. Please tag me.
@daisy Kathryn this may be a challenge that you would find interesting. I know you are an eager student of photography and just the title of this book sounds great to me. Thought you'd like to see the description so I'm tagging you here.
I was able to get the 2011 edition for $8.98. I have started reading and I am excited about what other wonderful things he has to say. I will join in for this book.
Katie, I just ordered my copy, so do tag me please. Great idea! For US based folks, Amazon has several used versions for about $9.00 plus about $4.00 shipping (all US pricing).
Looked around and couldn't find the book in shops here so ordered it on Amazon. Hopefully it will arrive in time! Thanks for the great idea and getting this started!
Wonderful, wonderful, and keep 'em coming! Really looking forward to this and know everyone can find a lot to learn from this book.
For those who have/are getting the book, feel free to jump in and start reading - this isn't one of those book clubs where to you need to follow exactly along. For those without the book, I'll be posting some thoughts/ideas/exercises each week, and everyone will be able to share their progress and thoughts to give you even more ideas to work from. See you in August!
I have requested a copy of the book through inner library loan. I hope it arrives before August. I am going to try this challenge. In the months of June and July, I found out that I need to learn MORE about photography.
@archaeofrog wow, this book sounds great. It might be just the help I am looking for. I ordered it immediately. Some of my photos I really like but don't get a single comment and I wonder what I could do better. I am looking forward to this. Thanks for starting this and showing us this book!!!!
OH, and yes, please tag me too. Thank you!
Tag me too as am interested and will try to get a copy and take part from time to time. Don't know if it will be possible for me to do it as it seems complicated - we will see.
I just ordered a copy! This is sounding like a great learning experience! I love the idea of getting to learn with everyone who signs up! Please tag me on the Book Club posts! August is a busy month for me...school teacher starting back into the school year. But I want to do this book club/challenge! Thanks for posting.
@espyetta Wow, you ARE an impulsive girl! Didn't even read the thread before ordering! Yeah, keep that site in mind, it's great. I had a piano book when I was a girl..it was just in our house, probably my Mom's for years. I loved it. By the time I was in college, it's cover was gone and I loaned it to someone and never got it back. There was one piece in it that I really wanted, but couldn't find anywhere! I knew the name, but not the composer. One day, I went to a house to buy some baby sleepers from craig's list. As I was paying the woman I glanced over and saw a book on her piano. It just looked...familiar. I asked if I could look at it, she looked at me like I was really weird (I'm used to THAT though!) but she let me look. Checked the index, and there was the song! It was the same book! I wrote down the publishing info, and found ONE copy on the whole internet, at abebooks for like 5 bucks! Awesome site!
@m9f9l I THINK I have heard of that site..through the years I have ordered lots of books for the classroom (I like and read them too) and I think I have used them. As a kid, my brother and I loved a book called "The Secret of Seven Crows" by Wylly Folk St. John. It is discontinued. But I found it online... That is always so much fun!
@m9f9l Oh and in some fairness to me...your comment was "closed up" in the thread..you know how it says "The first 44 comments are hidden" or whatever? So I did not really see a lot of talk about prices and such. And your comment did not show at all. but then somehow when I went back..I guess I got curious who all had responded..THEN I saw your comment. But..you are right. I am pretty impulsive at times. :0) So....I don't know why I am even writing this! I guess because I am so darn impulsive.
@tara11 Since we are "calling people over" to see this... you should do this one, Tara. But I know that Aug. for a mother of three is so busy. But it is for me too...Teaching in August is a nightmare of being busy. But i am going to do this to keep me sane..have something fun to do on my free time.
and how about @grammyn? You are off of the site for a few days, but I hope you see this. This would be a cool thing to do to stay motivated.
and how about you @darylo? I know you said you'd be off line for a while, but was not sure how long that was going to last...You may like this club...but if you don't get this any time soon, I guess it will be too late to get a book.
@summerfield@tara11 That is great to hear, Tara and Vikki! This is going to be so great. And Tara..just do what you can do...that is what I plan to do. Well, not do what YOU can do...hee hee I'll do what I can do. :0)
@espyetta Aiden had quite a few books she loved when she was little, and some got loved to death. I have enjoyed finding copies again for her. The hardest one to find was the book she had me read to her OVER and OVER again to the point of having it pretty much memorized, she got a lot of her reading skills by me making a game out of reading it and leaving out parts that she would fill in as I pointed to the words. It was Lady Lovelylocks and the Golden Ball. A failry flimsy paperback that most people would just throw away when done with.. but I kept looking and eventually found a copy!! :-)
@m9f9l That's cool. I am trying to find a similarly titled book right now...Here 's the story... In a Power Reading Workshop teacher book, she mentions a book to use in an early minilesson...called "Goldy Socks and the Three Libearians." It is not work of literature, but supposedly it is good to introduce the idea of the "just right" book to children..so they can learn to pick books that are just right as far as level. But..if you get on amazon they are ALL listed at something like $190 ! What? Someone even left a comment in the reviews asking if that was a mistake. I googled it and found it other p laces, but for about $50 to $70! And then amazon will go down on their price, to about $45 and then it goes back to $190. The only thing I can think is that the demand is there after that teacher wrote that book and mentioned it, and the supply is low..but WHO would pay that for a book? Not I! If you can find me that book in the $15 or lower range, I'd buy it. But I have had zero luck. I had a book fall apart on us last year, and was just going to throw it away and get a new one. It was called Crandall's Castle. And was fairly new..I to buy a replacement. You can often find them for one penny plus $3.99 S and H. ...it had crazy high prices for that one. SO we taped the book up and kept it. Later, the prices went to normal range again. I wonder if they raise the price to get you to be ready for when they "lower it" to $40 and think you will be crazy enough to buy it at that price? Not sure.
@espyetta That's just nuts. I'd call the bookstore that has that one copy listed at Amazon.. in case it's a misprint. I would also write to the author, there's an email address at her site.
@archaeofrog I assumed so, but just never expected it to be set that way..to list a book like that..a flimsy paperback from modern era, at those prices! Wow! That is crazy. If no one ever buys it, do they lower it? I saw the lady who had commented on the book's page ..the one saying how crazy expensive it is when she could get it for about $14 at the store...that was back a few years ago she posted that. Oh well. It is nuts.
@espyetta I've noticed the crazy prices on little paperbacks before!! My friend Grace has written some books and I went to Amazon and it was a couple hundred! She was shocked. And gave me copies of each of her books :-) They are very good. She was a reading specialist for long time and her books focus on certain sound combos. My favorite is "Shun Turkey".
@archaeofrog
I'd like to join the group too.
I have put a HOLD on the book at our local library.
I will attempt my best to be up to the challenge.
Thanks!
I notice the introduction of your blog - Katie - mentions your DSLR camera and information pertains to settings etc for that.
I have a Nikon P510 Point & Shoot (not a DSLR). I am sure to learn from this, but will I be frustrated? As in ...will the majority of the group be using a DSLR camera?
@eyeseeu Hi Deb. Yes, I do use my DSLR most of the time, and my blog is geared towards people with DSLRs. The book club, however, is open to any level, any camera. The thoughts and activities are all about seeing and envisioning images, not about how to use a particular setting or feature. It's about the quality of the image, not what is was taken with. I hope that helps and that you'll join us!
Only one more week 'til August, and we can kick off the Book Club! I hope books are arriving for all those of you that decided to pick up a copy.
Just a quick question to gauge interest: Would you be interesting in also sharing pictures or thoughts in a Flickr group dedicated to the Book Club in addition to 365? There are photographers outside of 365 (from my blog, local photography group, etc.) participating in the Book Club, and it would allow people to share more than one picture from a day, for example a series for one of the exercises in the book, etc. If enough people seem interested, I'll put up a link to a Flickr group.
I'll be back on July 31st with the first week's post of thoughts and exercises. Can't wait!
@m9f9l But it is several vendors...all having this crazy price. Or some thing similar. Even Barnes and Noble online had it at $45!~ But yes, I need to investigate
@myhrhelper Wow! That is a great price, Kathy! Used, I assume? I have already learned something in this August Book Club experience. But not about photography! Shop around a bit more and don't just go with the familiar website! You get a better deal!
@espyetta - go on amazon it's less than $20 and you have an option of fast delivery (although you might have to pay extra). i'm going downstairs to check if it is available at the bookstore. their website says it's only $15+.if they have it there, do you want me to get it for you and i can mail it to you express?
@espyetta - okay i went downstairs, not available at the store. the clerk checked their website and called their warehouse. nada. so if you want to have it before august, amazon is your man. or woman. or bookstore. :-)
I got my book today from abebooks.com, only $1 + $2.95 shipping. It's in pretty good condition. A Flickr group would be great @archaeofrog I'm on Flickr already :)
@espyetta MaryBeth, I got my copy today from abebooks.com...see above post...awesome service. I just found a store that had a copy that was closer to my state(NC) and it only took 4 days.......
I'm in for the Flickr group - just debating whether to open a new account for this. Hmmmm ;)
Managed to get a copy from the library in the meantime.
@salza got nowhere with Bargain Books, Wordsworth, Exclusive (not online) and couple other stores. Tracked down a copy at Bellville Library and drove thru yesterday to pick it up :) Have you managed to get a copy yet? Or ordered one?
@kwiksilver I decided to order one as I also had no luck with Bargain Books and our library is so small that I didn't even think to ask them! Not going near Cape Town for at least a week or more so ordered from Kalahari. They say about two weeks for delivery.
Can you tag me as well:) I just ordered my copy through amazon and it says it should be here by aug.2 Better late then never. That's what I get for trying to order on my kindle while on vacation. ( No deal) I could only find it in paperback
My book has arrived and i've also joined the Flickr group. Looking forward to getting my teeth into this. Perfect too, as on the 4th August, I would have finished my first year and this will be an ideal start to my second!
I won't get the book in time to read along with you, but would be interested in the exercises you come up with. Would you be kind enough to tag me when they come up please?
@cazann That's great! I think I have seen that name before..when tracking down books..maybe even used them. We were headed for the lake for my husbands little tiny "vacation" he is finally insisting on getting around to...this was on Thurs afternoon. I was ahead of him, already half way there, and he called..said some package came and did I order a package. For a moment, I forgot what it was! Sigh...getting old stinks. Then I was like "oh yes! put it in the car and bring it" Yay! So I have read a bit of the first part.....very interesting.
@archaeofrog I have flickr and have about 5 pics up there. haha! I just could not do it and 365 and my commute and my job. Sigh. But I may post on flickr for this...Then I can be exposed to more people's photos ....thanks for the info.
@archaeofrog Katie, when you put up the link to the flickr account (great idea, by the way), will you include directions for how to join and use? It may be a dumb request, but I rarely use flickr -- just to post an extra photo or a link to one someone has asked about, now and then. I don't know how to navigate it. It may be simple, but time is at a premium so I'm thinking if I don't know how to navigate it easily (and I do a lot online), it might be helpful to others too. You probably already had thought of this!
I don't have a Flickr account. My August is going to be crazy. Therefore, I don't think I will set up a Flickr account in August. However, I would like to participate in this book club on the 365 project.
@archaeofrog -- I lost the link to the one where you summarized the ideas from the book . . . and can't find it under the search feature. Please attach link here.
@archaeofrog -- thanks! I found my way to it and posted my first photo. Working on another exercise now. THANKS for organizing this -- I'm enjoying it very much.
Tweets ahoy!
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Wonderful, wonderful, and keep 'em coming! Really looking forward to this and know everyone can find a lot to learn from this book.
For those who have/are getting the book, feel free to jump in and start reading - this isn't one of those book clubs where to you need to follow exactly along. For those without the book, I'll be posting some thoughts/ideas/exercises each week, and everyone will be able to share their progress and thoughts to give you even more ideas to work from. See you in August!
OH, and yes, please tag me too. Thank you!
and how about @grammyn? You are off of the site for a few days, but I hope you see this. This would be a cool thing to do to stay motivated.
and how about you @darylo? I know you said you'd be off line for a while, but was not sure how long that was going to last...You may like this club...but if you don't get this any time soon, I guess it will be too late to get a book.
Thanks!
Tara
I'd like to join the group too.
I have put a HOLD on the book at our local library.
I will attempt my best to be up to the challenge.
Thanks!
"For any type of camera" ...
I notice the introduction of your blog - Katie - mentions your DSLR camera and information pertains to settings etc for that.
I have a Nikon P510 Point & Shoot (not a DSLR). I am sure to learn from this, but will I be frustrated? As in ...will the majority of the group be using a DSLR camera?
Thanks.
Thanks Katie!
I will give it a try - appreciate your reply.
Only one more week 'til August, and we can kick off the Book Club! I hope books are arriving for all those of you that decided to pick up a copy.
Just a quick question to gauge interest: Would you be interesting in also sharing pictures or thoughts in a Flickr group dedicated to the Book Club in addition to 365? There are photographers outside of 365 (from my blog, local photography group, etc.) participating in the Book Club, and it would allow people to share more than one picture from a day, for example a series for one of the exercises in the book, etc. If enough people seem interested, I'll put up a link to a Flickr group.
I'll be back on July 31st with the first week's post of thoughts and exercises. Can't wait!
My book is on order. Here is where I ordered mine.
It was $0.99 plus shipping.
My book is not here yet, it's coming from Detroit. Gosh I hope they still have mail there.
@caroleb Ha ha, Carole. If only!
For those with readers, look for ebooks.
Managed to get a copy from the library in the meantime.
@salza got nowhere with Bargain Books, Wordsworth, Exclusive (not online) and couple other stores. Tracked down a copy at Bellville Library and drove thru yesterday to pick it up :) Have you managed to get a copy yet? Or ordered one?