The street aesthetic is more in vogue than ever, and rapidly becoming an essential part of every photographer's repertoire. Subjects are found around every corner, each moment offers a new and fresh perspective, and that excitement and spontaneity make it an ideal training ground for honing the skills needed to anticipate and successfully capture dramatic scenes on the fly. Getting great street shots is much more than just a matter of chance. Michael Freeman details the optimal strategies for anticipating the action before it happens, and the fastest techniques that ensure you're ready with your finger on the shutter for that critical moment. A thorough overview of which equipment is best suited for each particular style lets you make the most of the gear you have, even in the most challenging lighting conditions. And a series of exercises keeps you engaged and alert to the creative potential of countless scenes throughout your daily life. Beyond the gear and technique, you will also learn to think like a street photographer - recognising not just captivating scenes with engaging subjects, but also innovative angles from which to capture them, all with the split-second instinct of a professional.

Leave the Auto mode in the dust and take complete creative control of your images with this comprehensive guide to photography's most fundamental principles. Michael Freeman brings his years of experience to the table, teaching you all the professional techniques so you can nail the optimal exposure in-camera at the moment of capture, every time. Learn the particular nuances of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, understand the specific ways in which they interact within each exposure, and master their usage to quickly and efficiently achieve your creative vision, regardless of the lighting conditions or subject characteristics. Get under the hood of your camera with an in-depth look at how each of its metering modes works, so you can know exactly how to find the best options and settings for each scene. Then review some of the most challenging exposure scenarios - from a bride against a shadowed background to the neon lights of city streets - all explained with reliable methods and established techniques for delivering stunning results.

Designed by expert professional Michael Freeman, this complete course will let you take exceptional photos and develop a deeper understanding of what makes a great photo work. Inspired by the structure of a college course and the benefits of collective learning, in-depth lessons are punctuated by shooting challenges, encouraging you to get out and practice your new skills. Start by taking creative control of your images, learning the science behind exposure, getting comfortable with the full range of camera controls, and leaving Auto mode behind. Next, learn to read the light itself and capture consistently high-quality images even in the most difficult lighting conditions. Then take a step back and develop your photographic eye to recognize potential design and compositional choices, making the most of stunning scenes as they occur. Once you get back to your computer, wrap it up with a complete overview of the most important digital-editing techniques, cutting through the clutter and honing in on the tools and workflows that are relevant to your own photographic style. By the end of this course you will understand the principles of photography, you'll know what makes a successful photograph, and you'll have the skills to take excellent photos yourself.

Michael Freeman shows the techniques and all the technological advances available to take digital portraits to a higher, more professional level. Readers will find out about the more formal side of portrait photography, from posing your subject, planning the shoot and selecting the scene to choosing lenses.

Explore Earth's natural treasures, from their primeval origins to traditional uses and modern-day appeal with this illustrated guide to rocks, minerals, crystals, gems and more! Featuring sparkling crystals, vibrant gemstones, and other precious materials often prized for their beauty, such as amber, coral, and fossils, this illustrated guide is sure to captivate every rockhound and budding gemmologist. Learn how to identify more than 450 rock and mineral specimens through beautiful photographs and key characteristics. Discover more about rocks and minerals through folklore and historical artefacts, and find out the fascinating stories behind some of the amazing natural treasures, including the Hope Diamond and the Great Mogul emerald. Plus there is information on polishing and displaying your finds to further equip you with all the knowledge needed to become a rock and mineral collector. Dive deep into this riveting book on rocks and minerals to further discover: - Comprehensive coverage of more than 450 specimens of rocks, minerals, crystals, gems and fossils. - Expert text and high-quality images combine to make this an indispensable reference tool for every rockhound and budding gemmologist. - Detailed reference panels provide key at-a-glance information for identifying specimens. - Feature panels on folklore, historical artefacts, and famous gems tell the fascinating stories of rocks and minerals. - Includes information on collecting and showing rocks and minerals Practical advice on cutting, polishing, and displaying your finds further equips you with all the knowledge needed to delve into the arena of rock and mineral collecting.

The complete illustrated science encyclopedia covering the history, key discoveries, inventions and people This remarkable reference book reveals the story of scientific progress from the invention of the wheel to 21st-century climate solutions, including everything from ancient Greek geometry and quantum physics to the worldwide web. Explore every key moment of scientific discovery and find out how the concepts, inventions and the individuals behind them have changed our world. With stunning artworks and authoritative information this makes even complex scientific subjects easily comprehensible.

Drawing on the vast body of styles practiced around the world, including ancient and obscure styles from every continent on the planet, The Way of the Warrior is an indispensable, one-stop reference work for anyone interested in the martial-arts canon.