ARTE352: Entry 11 – The Art of Photography

At the beginning of this course, a technical manual, A Short Course in Photography, by Barbra London and Jim Stone was recommended by the instructor to assist our study in light-based media. After knowing its price, I began to search for an alternative book that is more affordable and later discovered The Art of Photography by Bruce Barnbaum.

Barnbaum was a mathematical analyst and computer programmer who kept photography as a hobby for decades before changing his career path in late 1970. He then began teaching workshops and writing books on photography. He is recognized as one of the finest darkroom printers, and known for his exceptional works of black and white photography.

In The Art of Photography, Barnbaum shares his thorough knowledge in which covers all fields of photography, from the theories of composition, light and colour to the technical aspects of traditional and digital photography. At first, I thought it was a more of a “how to” manual that focuses solely on the photographic techniques, but I was glad to discover that Barnbaum dedicates a good portion of this book on the philosophy of personal expression, as well as the fundamental mindset of being a photographer. Due to his background of being a passionate hobbyist photographer for many years, the author discusses the outlook on the essential keys to succeed in achieving good photography, which includes communication, enthusiasm, and creativity.

Although I did not have the chance to advance much in the book, I appreciated greatly the pages that I have read. According to Barnbaum (2013), a meaningful and successful photograph can allow the viewers to expand their vision, thoughts and horizons. It can evoke emotions and a thousand responses. To capture a meaningful imagery, we not only have to gain a deeper understanding of the world, either real or created, but we also have to respond to our interests. He emphasizes the importance of enthusiasm because he understands that it is the crucial factor to succeed in photography. Barnbaum ask his reader what we are drawn to, and what intrigues us, as he believes that we will most likely to achieve our best photographs in the field that interest us, either portraiture, landscapes or others. I definitely agree with Branbaum’s inputs, as I recall my instructor stressed on seeking subject matters that we find relevant and inserting meanings into our works.

Here are some of his works: