Langford's Basic Photography

Langford's Basic Photography is a seminal photography text. First published in 1965, it has informed the work and career of many of the world's leading photographers.

The new, 9th edition, continues the tradition of its predecessors, reflecting the same comprehensive mix of scholarly and practical information. It covers every aspect of photography, from capture through to output, both digital and analogue. There is an emphasis on explaining the 'how to' of photography, but Langford's Basic also includes in-depth coverage of the fundamental principles that govern the art, such as how light behaves, optics, and the shutter. This ensures that the reader comes away with not only a good grasp of photographic technique, but also an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals that will help them to better understand how great photography is made. As such, it functions both as an excellent coursebook for students of photography, and a great primer and reference for amateur enthusiasts.

The new edition has been fully updated to reflect dynamic changes in the industry. These changes include: an expansion and overhaul of the information on digital cameras and digital printing; an emphasis on updating photographs to incude a wider range of international work; replacement of many diagrams with photos; overhaul of the analogue sections to give a more modern tone (ie exposure measurement and film and filters with some more dynamic photo illustrations); a fully edited and updated photography timeline.

This landmark text is an essential purchase, both for new photographers as an introduction, and for established photographers as an invaluable reference work.

Michael Langford, renowned author, teacher, and practitioner, is a legend because of his skill that balanced art and technique. He inspired and taught thousands. As Photography Course Director at the Royal College of Art, London, UK, his key involvement with photography courses and exams set the standard worldwide.

"This is the ninth edition of a textbook that has become an industry standard since its first publication in 1965. Now updated to include the most recent innovations of the field, it contains an entire chapter on digital cameras and one on post-production of the digital image. From shooting to processing to printing, this guidebook gives thorough instructions in various procedures, equipment, aesthetics, and forms of presentation for the medium. Detailed treatment of the fundamentals for lighting techniques, optics, and composition are enhanced by numerous diagrams, charts and photographic examples. A supplemental glossary and extensive appendices are found at the back.. Either as an introduction for amateurs or as a reference for intermediate photographers, this book is an invaluable resource for practitioners of this field."--Sacramento Book Review

"This is the ninth edition of a textbook that has become an industry standard since its first publication in 1965. Now updated to include the most recent innovations of the field, it contains an entire chapter on digital cameras and one on post-production of the digital image. Detailed treatment of the fundamentals for lighting techniques, optics, and composition are enhanced by numerous diagrams, charts and photographic examples. Whether as an art form or a commercial venture, the complexity of photography requires meticulous and systematic explanations. This is precisely what Langford's Basic Photography provides. Either as an introduction for amateurs or as a reference for intermediate photographers, this book is an invaluable resource for practitioners of this field."--Sacramento Book Review

From previous edition:
1. what is Photography?
2. Light: how images are formed
3. Lenses: controlling the image
4. Cameras using film
5. Using different focal length lenses, camera kits
6. digital cameras
7. Lighting: principles and equipment
8. Organising the picture
9. Films, filters

Proposed changes include:

1) expansion of digital section is vital - particularly cameras needs complete re-write, and digital printing needs expanding

2) combining digital and analogue sections (ie: cameras dealt with all together, etc) - has a more contemporary feel

3) updating photographs to incude a wider range of international work (including change of cover) - to expand international appeal

4) replacing more of the drawings for photos where possible - (more contemporary)

5) re-edit the analogue sections to give a more modern tone ie: exposure measurement and film and filters with some more dynamic photo illustrations

6) edit the timeline + add any new developments (it seems too long at the moment - possibly needs a re-think)