A comprehensive guide to all things photographic, from amateur snaps to professional-standard portraits

Discover the history behind photography and learn the skills to get the best from your photographs.

A comprehensive all-in-one guide, Photography introduces you to the art, history, and culture of photography, and shows you how to take your own fantastic professional-standard photographs.

An in-depth guide to all things photographic, Photography opens with a gallery of more than 30 key figures in photography, from 19th-century pioneers to the top photographers working today. The gallery provides fascinating contrasts between diverse genres, such as art photography, reportage, portrait, and wildlife photography. The book then tells the story of photography, from its "garden shed" beginnings to the rise of the "selfie" today.

The second half of the book introduces cameras, accessories, and software, explaining what they can do and how to use them. It shows how to take better photographs by mastering the technical aspects of your camera, how to experiment with composition, colour and light, and how to digitally enhance your photos. Inspirational masterclasses covering all genres of photography - landscape, portraits, wildlife, architecture, art - also provide you with an opportunity to apply your newfound skills in a clear and practical way and give advice on becoming a professional photographer yourself.