11th Edition
Langford's Basic Photography The Guide for Serious Photographers
This seminal photography text, now in its 11th edition, has been revamped, reorganized, and modernized to include the most up-to-date and need-to-know information for photographers. Introducing all the key concepts and fundamentals of photography, this book is a must-have for any photographer’s bookcase.
Providing examples and practical information throughout to allow photographers to apply concepts to their own work, the text explains the fundamentals of photography in an accessible way. Fully updated to reflect the dynamic changes in the industry, this 11th edition includes expanded and updated content focusing on advances in camera technology and digital lighting, connecting with the global photography industry and professional networks through social media, updated images throughout, and a new chapter on new digital outputs.
Ideal as a foundational text for students of photography as well as a key reference for professionals.
Foreword
Introduction
Picture Credits
Chapter 1. What is Photography?
Why Photography?
Changing Attitudes Toward Photography
Art and documentation
How Photography Works
Picture Structuring
The Roles Photographs Play
Personal Styles and Approaches
Measuring Success
Chapter 2. Light: How Images Are Formed
Light Itself
Wavelengths and Colors
Shadows
When Light Reaches a Surface
Light Intensity and Distance
Making Light form Images
Chapter 3. Lenses and Filters: Controlling the Image
Photographic Lenses
Aperture and f-numbers
Depth of Field
How Depth of Field Works
Depth of Focus
Using Different Focal Length Lenses, Camera Kits
Why Change Focal Length?
Lens Kits
Image Stabilization
Close-up Equipment
Lens Care
Essentials and Extras
Which Kit Works for You?
Filters – How They Work
Chapter 4. Cameras
The Essential Components
Camera Types – Which is Best?
Getting Started with Digital Cameras
Digital Cameras
Film Cameras
Chapter 5. Exposure Measurement
Factors that Determine What Exposure to Give
Measuring Exposure for Continuous Light
Practical Exposure Tips
Measuring Exposure for Flash
Practical Flash Exposure Tips
Exposing Different Film Types
Chapter 6. Organizing The Picture
Noticing Subject Features
Structuring Pictures Through the Camera
Where Photographs Go
Chapter 7. Lighting
Principles and Equipment
Basic Characteristics of Lighting
Lighting Equipment
Practical Lighting Problems
Special Subjects
Chapter 8. Digital Workflow
Before Making Your First Photographs
Capture
Downloading Your Photographs
Processing Raw Files
Digitizing Film
Image processing for output
Archiving
Chapter 9. Digital Postproduction
Photoshop
Working with Color and Contrast
Color
Retouching Tools
The Crop Tool (C)
Composite Images with Photomerge
Actions
Useful Photoshop Shortcuts
Chapter 10. Film and Film Processing
Silver Halide Emulsions
Features Common to all Films
Choosing Films for Black and White
Films for Color Photography
Storing Film – Before and After Exposure
So Which Film is “Best”?
Film Processing
Processing Black and White (Silver Image) Negatives
Processing Chromogenic (Color and Black and White) Negatives
Processing Color Slides and Transparencies
Permanence of Processed Results
Chapter 11. Black and White Printing: Techniques, Equipment, and Facilities
Making a Print
Printing Papers
Safelighting and Printing Paper Sensitivity
Developing Prints
Making Contact Prints
“Straight” Enlarging
Controls During Enlarging
Common Print Faults
Variations
Chemical Afterwork
Retouching
Toning
Tinting
Etching
Image Reduction and Bleach-Out
Permanence and Archiving
Darkroom Organization
Equipment: The Enlarger
Chapter 12. Moving Image and Photography
Introduction
Approaching Moving Images
Moving Image Essentials
Working for Offline and Online Screen Display
Capturing and Remapping Time with Time-lapse Photography
Basic Time-Lapse Photography Production
Shooting Mirrorless and DSLR Video
Animated GIFs and Derivatives
Chapter 13. Finishing and Presenting Work
The Permanence of Prints
Mounting Methods and Framing
Spotting/Retouching
Getting your Work Noticed
Pictures on the Internet
Building your Own Site
Chapter 14. The Expanded Digital Photography Field
Introduction
Digital Processing and Computer Generated Images
The non-visible spectrum and spectral capture
2.5 and 3D Reconstruction
Appendices
Appendix A: Optical Calculations
Appendix B: Camera Movements
Appendix C: Expressing film response
Appendix D: Chemical formulae
Appendix E: Health and Safety concerns
Appendix F: Digital Notebook
Appendix G: Photography timeline
Glossary
Biography
Michael Langford was a renowned author, teacher, and practitioner. He inspired thousands because of his skill that balanced art and technique and taught many more as Photography Course Director at the Royal College of Art, London, UK.
Andrew Bruce is photographer at the National Gallery, London. He is an internationally recognized digital imaging consultant and an award-winning photographic artist.
Anna Fox is an internationally renowned photographer and is Professor of Photography at University for the Creative Arts, Farnham, UK.
Richard Sawdon Smith is Professor of Fine Art and Director of Fine Art and Photography at Norwich University of the Arts, UK. He is an award-winning photographer, whose work has been published and exhibited worldwide for nearly four decades.
Praise for the Previous Edition:
“Langford's Basic Photography is the definitive text in its subject area, and this new edition is a significant improvement of an already class-leading text.”
Stephen W. Kelly, senior lecturer, School of Engineering and Digital Arts, University of Kent, UK“The quality of writing is lucid and clear, as are the images and illustrations. It is entertaining as well as informative and easy to navigate: this invites casual dipping in just for fun as well as study, which is a huge advantage and aid in learning and assimilating knowledge.”
John Gulliver, course leader, BA (Hons) Digital Photography, Ravensbourne, UK
“This text will serve well as an excellent resource for anyone interested in photography, amateur to professional.”
Ralph R. Ristenbatt, III, instructor/senior research assistant, Pennsylvania State University, Forensic Science program, US
“A great overview of analog and digital photography methods for student reference and to reinforce classroom instruction.”
Steve Lambert, artist, Associate Professor of New Media, State University of New York Purchase College, US
“This book is essential reading for the photographer. Its strength is in the amount of information and the easy to understand language. The chapters are practical and organized in a straightforward manner. It is an indispensable guide and reference that will always serve as a resource.”
JoAnne Seador, adjunct professor, Nassau Community College; instructor, School of Visual Arts, NYC
