It is a real pleasure to write the forward
for this book by our friend Blair Howard, who has helped a whole generation of
photographers become more successful at selling their work. In fact, one of
the many lessons that I’ve learned during my 25-year involvement with the
photo industry is that great photographers aren’t necessarily good business
people. And in today’s extremely competitive environment, your marketing
skills are just as important as your artistic capabilities if you want to be
successful.
Blair’s first book on this subject—How to
Sell Your Photographs—has become somewhat of a classic since it was
published over 15 years ago. Much has changed over the past decade and a half,
in large part because of the impact of digital technologies on the art and
business of photography. Thankfully for us (and the next generation of
aspiring photographers), Blair has unveiled this new edition that will provide
the impetus and competitive edge photographers need to stay at the head of the
pack in our new digital world.
More than just a re-write, How To Take
Amazing Photographs is full of easy-to-follow and effective techniques for
improving your photographic skills and marketing your work. Blair has updated
many of the timeless principles from the original book and added a wide
variety of valuable new information—more than doubling the text.
How to Take Amazing Photographs
also includes a selection of striking new images that clearly illustrate the
tips discussed in the text. The result is an indispensable new tool for the
serious photographer.
With almost 30 books to his credit and too
many magazine and newspaper articles to list, Blair is an excellent writer and
teacher. And as you will see on the following pages, he’s a very accomplished
photographer as well.
I’m certain that Blair’s ambitious new work
will be a hit with the readers of Shutterbug Magazine because it
closely mirrors our mission of helping photographers improve their skills,
choose and use their equipment wisely, and meet their professional
aspirations.
Ron Leach, Publisher, Shutterbug Magazine,
Los Angeles, CA
