As I suppose it happens to anyone who has a hobby or hobby, I have realized that each one acquires certain curious customs as he develops it. Surely if, for example, you like to read, you have some curious habits. For example, I always read the last word of a novel before starting it. Only the last. That feeds my intrigue and my imagination, I guess. With the books on photography I do not, the truth but what really attracts my attention are the initial dedications. I always think about them and dedicate a few minutes of reflection. Why? Because I think they say a lot about the person who has written the book, the person to whom it is addressed, and many times they also talk to us about what we can find in it. This book starts like this:

This book is dedicated to all photographers who cultivate this genre and share their images as a memory of life in cities.

IDEAL FOR…

Any photography enthusiast who is interested in getting started in urban photography or Street Photography, since this very complete manual leaves nothing to chance, and will guide you in everything you might need to take urban photography. Based on simple explanations and step by step, you can enter this wonderful and suggestive world of urban, street or Street Photography , as you prefer to call it .

COMPOSITION AND DESIGN

This manual on urban photography consists of 224 pages that are divided into 10 chapters with their respective sub-themes. Below, you can see all the topics covered in this book, ranging from the history of the genre, to the most appropriate equipment, the best parameters of the camera, light, composition, tactics, or editing among others.

INTRODUCTION

Jesús León tells us in his introduction, how the development of digital photography has led the genre of urban photography to an unprecedented expansion. Phenomena such as Vivian Maier have only increased the fascination one feels for this type of photography. All this added to the accessibility of the amateur photographer to all types of equipment and information, makes this type of photography is experiencing exponential growth. This book aims, according to the author, to be a guide in Spanish both for the fan who wants to go deeper and for those who have not yet immersed themselves in this world and want to discover it. All content is presented in a simple, practical way and with many images that are an aid to the understanding of the concepts explained in the book.

CHAPTER 1

In this chapter, the author offers an approach to the origin of urban photography, what is its definition and why, what stages has it been going through and what characteristics each one has had, as well as what the great masters of the gender. Understanding the history and drinking of the great masters, makes us face and understand much better what we talk about when we talk about urban photography, so it is a highly recommended chapter. Below you have specified the topics covered in this chapter.

WHAT IS URBAN PHOTOGRAPHY?

In search of a definition
Differences and rules
Origins, history and evolution
1. First stage: late 19th and early 20th century
2. Second stage: 35mm cameras and the decisive moment
3. Third stage: Apogee and gender consolidation
4. Fourth stage: Internet and digital photography
The great teachers

EPISODE 2

Although urban photography is very free, it is true that there are teams that will facilitate our work better than others. Here you will find all the aspects to consider when choosing the best equipment for this type of photography. These are all the topics that the author will deal with in the second chapter.

THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT

Previous considerations
What camera to choose?
1. Compact cameras
2. Smart mobile phones or smartphones
3. DSLR or DSLR cameras
4. Telemetric cameras
5. Compact mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses
6. In digital or with film
7. Choice of a goal
8. accessories

CHAPTER 3

Being a very dynamic photograph, urban photography requires a lot of practice when it comes to taking it, but with the right adjustments, it is true that the life of the urban photographer can improve considerably. In this chapter you will find everything you need to know about the camera parameters.

CAMERA PARAMETERS

Previous considerations
Initial setup
1. Activate silent mode
2. Disable auto mode
3. Disable the autofocus auxiliary light
4. Disable auto sleep mode
5. Disable the rear screen (if we have a viewfinder)
6. Activate grid guides
7. Use custom programs and controls
8. Burst Shot
Light measurement
Choose the most suitable shooting mode
1. Manual mode
2. Opening priority mode (A or AV)
3. Shutter priority mode (S or TV)
4. What mode to choose?
5. And what about the automatic mode?
The approach: the keys
1. Autofocus
2. Manual focus
3. Hyperfocal distance and depth of field
4. Focus zone technique
ISO sensitivity
White balance
The use of flash
Color or black and white
Type of file

CHAPTER 4

In this chapter, the author tells us how to learn to understand the light is essential in all types of photography but even more, if possible, in urban photography since, in the street, there are countless lights that we are going to find . In such an uncontrollable environment, you have to learn to master the light to the fullest to make it our ally in taking pictures.

THE LIGHT IN URBAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Previous considerations
The light and time of day
Sunny days
Cloudy or foggy days
Days with rain or snow
Night urban photography

CHAPTER 5

After mastering the technique based on practice and discipline, what will really end up picking up your photographs is a good composition. Through some basic rules, as well as training the eye to see symmetries, lines, shapes, colors, organize space or control the background, you can free your creativity to create your own style.

THE COMPOSITION IN URBAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Previous considerations
Framing and perspective
1. Rule of thirds
2. Dynamic symmetry
3. The diagonal method
4. The point of view
Balance and geometry
1. The dot and the line
2. The forms
3. The color
Breaking the rules
1. Analyze the scene
2. Isolate the elements
3. Organize the space
The contrast
The bottom
The imbalance
Clipping

CHAPTER 6

The initial fears of all those photographers who enter the world of urban photography are often associated with having to photograph strangers in a public space. As Joselyn Bain Hogg says: You need 80% balls and 20% skill (You need 80% value and 20% skills). In this chapter you will find the solution to your fears and tricks to get out of your comfort zone and to lose the fear of photographing strangers in the street.

TECHNIQUES AND TACTICS TO PHOTOGRAPH STRANGERS IN THE STREET

Previous considerations
Leave the comfort zone
Approach Strategies
Eye contact or invisibility
Shoot from the waist
Discretion and discretion techniques

CHAPTER 7

Not leaving everything to chance will help us get better pictures. Learning to locate interesting places, to plan or to locate subjects is essential in an otherwise dynamic and almost unpredictable environment.

PLANNING AND SELECTION OF URBAN ISSUES

Previous considerations
Locate exteriors
1. Photograph without people
Locate subjects
1. Hunter mode
2. Fisherman mode
Choose a theme for urban photography
1. Examples of topics
2. Planification and organization
3. Coherence
How to start a personal project in urban photography
1. Topic choice
2. Establish a lead time
3. Study and planning
4. Have opinions

CHAPTER 8

Learning to select our images is one of the most complicated parts of urban photography. In this chapter you have some recommendations that will help you in this difficult process, as well as some basic editing tricks to improve your image.

THE URBAN PHOTOGRAPHY EDITION

Previous considerations
The difficult task of selection
Organization and tools
The edition
Backup
Display
1. Preparation of the digital copy
2. Preparation of the hard copy

CHAPTER 9

The importance of ethical sense, honesty and professionalism must define an urban photographer above all things. This chapter discusses this ethical value, as well as the legislation in force in Spain (varies by country).

ETHICS AND LEGISLATION IN URBAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Previous considerations
The urban photographer's ethic
1. The case of Bruce Gilden
2. Anything goes?
3. In search of artistic sense
Who can be photographed in an urban space?
1. What the law says
2. Photograph minors
3. Practical application of the law
4. Measures to legally photograph
Where can you photograph?
The photographer's rights

CHAPTER 10

In this last chapter you will have the keys to develop your own style and a good dose of inspiration from the best street photographers that exist today, as well as groups and groups to keep track of.

OWN STYLE AND INSPIRATION IN URBAN PHOTOGRAPHY

How to develop your own style
1. Choose a single topic
2. Choose the right tools
3. Be more demanding
4. Take a million photos
5. Enjoying is the key
Where to find inspiration
1. Photographers to get inspired
2. Groups and groups to be inspired
3. Publications on urban photography
4. Online videos about urban photography

THE BEST

It is a very complete book in general that leaves nothing to chance. No doubt will remain unanswered in it and will allow you to go step by step unraveling all the secrets of urban photography. In addition, it is very well explained. Step by step when necessary, in a didactic and easy to understand way, it has sufficient sample images, and it is easy to move through the book through the index and find what we want if we do not want to read the book of the pull. The constant references and anecdotes to other urban photographers, their techniques and tricks, have also seemed very enriching, inspiring and interesting. Learning from the great masters is a luxury that, thanks to the Internet, we can give ourselves for free;). In the last chapter you have a complete list of photographers to follow and be inspired. Having them so at hand is a gift and I think it is a great and generous contribution .

WORST

I can't easily find anything negative to say about this book on urban photography, apart from the fact that the editing part is somewhat limited. While it is not an image editing book, so it can not be put too much on your face;). If you are a great expert in urban photography, you will not find that this book is what you are looking for. Since it is aimed at a photographer who wants to enter this world, not for perhaps someone more advanced in the subject who seeks specific information.

DETAILS

Number of pages: 224
Soft cover
Publisher: Anaya Multimedia (Photo Club)
Price: € 24.77

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jesús León is a journalist and product photographer, editorial, events and digital post-production among others, although for a few years he has focused on urban photography, of which he teaches courses as well as mobile photography and online presence for photographers. He is a regular contributor to Xataka Foto since 2007. You can visit his website: www.jesus-leon.es , his personal blog: www.fotoadicto.com , follow him on Twitter: @jesusleong, on Facebook: www.facebook.com/jesusleongarcia or on Google+: google.com/+ Jesus Leon.

CONCLUSIONS

This book is a good option to start in urban photography, for all those and those who have ever been curious about this world and who have never dared to try. It offers you, step by step, and in a simple and didactic way, what you should know to be able to start in the best possible way in street photography.

Urban photography. How to photograph life in the city (Photoclub) * - Paperback (224 pages)

De León, Jesús (Author)

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I hope you found this recommendation useful. If so, please share it so that other people interested in street photography can benefit from it. Thank you and see you next time.