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Introduction to Photographic Science (Science for the Curious Photographer)

Comments[6] by Charles in General

Excerpts from my book started appearing on Michael Reichmann's site today.  Traditional publishers have not expressed any interest yet; in fact, none of them has seen more than the title and table of contents.  I am now considering "Publish on demand" perhaps with Lulu.com or Authorhouse.com.  That would produce an expensive paperback available on Amazon.com and elsewhere, and would permit me to purchase less expensive copies to distribute on my own.  I could also sell eBooks at much lower rates.

 In any event I expect a small audience for the book because it is really fairly high level science.  I think a love of science is required as well as a scientific way of looking at the world.  Besides that, there are equations, graphs, and tables.  It does not tell anyone how to use their camera, but rather provides answers to questions such as:  what does ISO sensitivity mean, what is the signal-to-noise ratio, what are color spaces, how does a lens coating work, what is a circular polarizer, etc.  The information and the level are similar to that found in the Handbook of Photography and the FOCAL Encyclopedia of Photography, except of course my book is much more up to date.  Keep tuned.  I will let you know what happens.

 


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Comments:

I would be happy to buy an eBook.

Posted by Boris Badenov on June 15, 2009 at 10:20 PM EDT #

Wonderful article - I've tossed around "concepts" based on similar ideas but to read some actual insights and expertise is amazing. The fact that color, vision and perception is just a "show" of sorts put on by the way our minds interpret the data is great. Hopefully there will be enough support for a publishing run!

Posted by Geza Darrah on June 15, 2009 at 11:37 PM EDT #

I would actually prefer the eBook version over a paper one.

Posted by Bill Arnett on June 16, 2009 at 03:03 AM EDT #

I've just found your article on Luminous Landscape, and what a find! I'm trying to coax the left hand side of my brain, to allow the right hand side of the brain to be creative. Part of the process involves the use of an inordinately sophisticated piece of equipment, aka the digital camera, to capture beams of light to render them into a digital format. I then input this information into another sophisticated machine, aka a computer, a produce images which please me and on occasion others. For a long time I've been looking for a book which will give me insite into the science behind artistic endeavours. My primary interests are biology and psychology with a pinch of philosophy. I'm interested in how the eye, brain and mind combine together to create the image and how we respond to images. Your article on Luminous Landscape imparted knowledge to me and allowed me to think, ponder and ask questions, a most pleasurable experience.

Posted by Jonathan Evans on June 16, 2009 at 02:09 PM EDT #

Something you *might* find interesting, as an alternative to Lulu, would be www.magcloud.com. Its major interesting advantage is its potential low cost, $.20/page (8.5x11), with good print quality (using HP's Indigo printing device). That .20/page is the minimum charge, the author can make the cost of the "magazine" anything above that price. Thanks for your efforts, it'll be interesting to watch your work get broad distribution.

Posted by Mike Lougee on June 16, 2009 at 04:44 PM EDT #

I enjoyed your article in L-L and agree with those who find the ebook route appealing. Thanks for all the great work on these important topics for the digital photographer.

Posted by Dave Thomas on June 17, 2009 at 06:21 PM EDT #

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