Rick Sammon's Evolution of an Image: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Creative Photographic Process

Rick Sammon’s Evolution of an Image illustrates the creative photographic process from start to finish. In this book, Canon Explorer of Light Rick Sammon pulls back the curtain to prove that creating amazing photographs is a well-thought-out process that involves several stages. Comprising 50 case studies that examine photographs taken by Rick around the world in a wide variety of shooting situations, Evolution of an Image shows the power of creative thinking, getting it right in the camera, and the careful use of image processing using Lightroom. By including his outtakes— and the reasons that he considers them outtakes— Rick suggests the steps that every photographer should take in order to improve their images. Combining technical advice with tips on lighting, composition and using Lightroom, this book will motivate and encourage those looking to evolve as creative photographers and digital darkroom artists. Key features include: • More than 200 before-and-after photographs • Fully illustrated sections on wildlife, seascape, landscape, scenic, action and people photography • Screen grabs showing Rick’s Lightroom adjustments • Suggestions on working in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom as well as Adobe Photoshop • Special section on Rick’s "Sammonisms," or quick tips on getting the best in-camera image • Advice on evolving as a photographer • Inspirational photographs from Provence, the Palouse, Kenya, Antarctica, Iceland, Alaska, Mongolia, Myanmar, Colorado and more

Table of Contents:
A Few Words About Rick Preface – My Sammonisms Introduction – The Evolution of an Image Using this Book Part 1 Examples Wildlife All in the Family From snapshot to great shot Pride of the Mara Capture animal behavior A Mother’s Love Backlight is nice light Two Brothers Make out-of-Africa pictures at wildlife centers On the Run Storytelling in a single photograph The Lion King Making Images with Impact Call of the Wild Days in the Life of a Travel Photographer People Memory of Myanmar Making a photograph Finding Frida Steal like an artist Simple Beauty Portrait retouching made easy Rendezvous at the Wonder Bar Play with plug-ins Abandon Dreams Analyze a scene and a photograph Seascapes Jewels of the Sea Create an image with impact Go With the Flow The mood matters most Sea Sculpture Composition – the strongest way of seeing Golden Light in the Glacier Lagoon Creative Visualization is the key Landscapes Autumn Leaves Begin with the basics Dancing Aspens Focus on the intimate landscape May The Force Be With You Your histogram is your friend I’ve Looked at Clouds from Both Sides Now Looking versus Seeing The View Master Panoramic Photography Scenic Picture Perfect Palouse Complementary colors are cool After Midnight Remove reality with black-and-white processing As Time Goes By A Quick Look at Lightroom’s HDR Action Here Comes the Sun Turn flat colors into fabulous colors Morning Run Gesture, get it right in camera and process with purpose The Wrath of Khan What makes a good photograph? Part II The Photoshop Advantage My Sweet Lord Love Those Adjustment Layers Eye-to-Eye with the Killing Machine Convert for Smart Filters Epilog Follow Your Heart - Evolving as a Photographer and Digital Darkroom Artist Acknowledgments Index

About the Author :
Canon Explorer of Light and award-winning photographer/author/educator Rick Sammon is a tireless, prolific and inspirational image-maker. He divides his photography time between creating images (for his 37 books and 13 online classes), leading photo workshops (five or six a year) and making personal appearances (more than a dozen a year). In his personal time, Rick plays guitar and piano daily. Rick’s enthusiasm for digital imaging and teaching is contagious. He is a man on a mission – a mission to make digital photography fun, creative, exciting and rewarding for others. Visit with Rick at www.ricksammon.com.