Alain Briot states, “The personality of the photographer must be present in the image for an artistic photograph to have value”. And in this book he sets out to teach what is essential in achieving this goal.

Following his successful first book, Mastering Landscape Photography, Briot goes beyond the conventional rules of composition and takes on a fresh, new approach to teaching the art of photography. Based on his personal experiences as an artist, teacher, and photographer, he opens new doors to the reader—doors leading to new ways of seeing and composing images.

Briot approaches fine art photography as being a combination of art and technique, and in this book he addresses both. On the artistic side, Briot introduces artistic concepts that have been rarely, if ever, associated with photography. On the technical side, he presents numerous tools that can help you learn to create better photographs and he provides technical solutions to common photographic problems.

The author practices photography as a fine art. What matters most to him is how photography can be used to express feelings and emotions. For Briot, a good photograph must be both artistically inspired and technically excellent. To have just one of these two elements is not enough for a fine art photograph to be successful.

Topics include:
- How to compose with color, with black and white, and with light
- Why you need to consider your audience while composing a photograph
- Why you should recreate the emotions you felt when you captured your photographs
- How the elements of color—hue, contrast, and saturation—work in your images
- How to control the elements that have a visual effect in your photographs
- How to draw upon your personal way of seeing and then share your vision
- How to diagnose image maladies and apply the proper remedies
- How to define a color palette for a specific photograph
- How to use compositional elements to develop a personal style

Foreword by Tony Sweet.

Target group:

• Photographers, Students, Designers

Author / Authors:

Alain Briot is one of today's leading contemporary landscape photographers. Originally from Paris, France, he attended the Academie Nationale des Beaux Arts where he studied drawing and oil painting from 1977 to 1980. Briot then began his study of photography at the American Center in Paris.

After visiting the American Southwest, Briot became enthralled with the artistic potential this landscape afforded and in 1986 he relocated to the U.S. He began his study of photography at Northern Arizona University, earning his Bachelor's Degree in 1990 and his Master's Degree in Visual Communication in 1992.

From 1995 to 2002, Briot lived at Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, in the heart of the Navajo Nation. Living there allowed him to become intimately familiar with Native American arts and culture, which is evident in the frames and matting designs he uses.

Briot's goal is to create the most exciting and beautiful photographs possible. His equipment—be it cameras, software, etc.—is chosen for the ability to make this possible.

Alain Briot is a columnist on the highly respected Luminous Landscape website, and is a popular teacher of photography workshops. He currently lives and works in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife Natalie. Learn more about Alain at www.beautiful-landscape.com.