Comments on: Why Photographers Should Study Design.

By: AJ Coots

AJ Coots — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:07:23 +0000

A very good, non-intimidating for the uninitiated publication is: Before After magazine. (http://www.bamagazine.com/)

A great place to get started with simple techniques anyone can do to improve design.

By: Alex Saunders

Alex Saunders — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 15:53:39 +0000

So, does this mean you want us to send in our business card designs a la “THE OFFICIAL CRAPPY DESIGN CONTEST” circa April 2008?

By: Robert Coronado

Robert Coronado — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 23:32:11 +0000

Great topic David. As a Creative DIrector, I most appreciate photographers that know how to compose an image for the “page.”

By: Jordan

Jordan — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:59:53 +0000

Great post. A good book to start with is The Non-Designers Design Book, by Robin Williams (no, not the actor). I used this book back when I was going to school for desktop publishing, and it’s a terrific little book. Easy to read and grasp, and almost guaranteed to make you a better designer.

By: Jeroen Berkenbosch

Jeroen Berkenbosch — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:27:34 +0000

@ Mario Brathwaite,
Same for me. Since I was a small boy I wanted to become a graphic designer. But I quit in the study in my first year. It wasn’t what I expected.

Now I’m studying Journalism and I want to specialize in photojournalism.

I’m still very interested in graphic design though

I also agree about the horrible businesscards. Some people just don’t have any feeling for them. I’m certainly not a pro myself but I do have some feeling for it

By: Willy

Willy — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:42:13 +0000

Sounds like the birth of a new workshop!

By: Billy Pope

Billy Pope — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:36:28 +0000

For me I started as a fine artist/illustrator, graphic artist and now photographer. It is just like technology we want things faster and faster. The grueling long blood letting process of fine art and illustration is a slow but fluid process. Graphic design is a mental drive on the autobahn and driving with your feet while putting together a puzzle of multiple creatives… the word, shape and form and it better make senses when you finish. It isn’t the fastest process but it can be the most mentally taxing and rewarding process. All of these have given me a strong platform to work from in photography which allowing me to see and recognize and compose the form and style I am looking for fast. As everyone knows photography is in the click of the shutter and you have what you hope is the composition you visioned. With post production you can fine tune your vision but you are limited to what was captured in the camera.

Sorry for rambling…

By: Ron Carroll

Ron Carroll — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:30:30 +0000

An excellent idea. Any suggestions on where to start, with texts, web sites, schools, etc?

By: Mario Brathwaite

Mario Brathwaite — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:55:56 +0000

David,

Hear, hear! Funny thing is, for me I started studying graphic design first, then migrated into photography.

/mnb

By: Chris Plante

Chris Plante — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:14:03 +0000

I agree. Photographers being visual artists, should really enjoy learning about the elements of design. I suppose the camera is an artists tool like a brush. The artist may know how to use the brush to get varying thickness of lines and such. However, the lines themselves need to be arranged in a way that is pleasing to the eye. Knowing the elements of design will achieve better results. There is much more to know than the rule of thirds.

Now if I can STOP my photos from looking like and Escher drawing!