Publisher's Synopsis
In our contemporary culture, in which we are conditioned to form an opinion about things according to an image, rather than the thing itself, photography has become an excellent means of communication. A medium, like language, through which it is possible to explain things, express feelings, exchange ideas, through which you can spread knowledge or talk nonsense, write novels or make shopping lists. In Nothing is Real, fashion- and portrait photographer Bart van Leeuwen describes his vision on photography. By way of analysis and a number of case-histories from his life long career, he provides us with an easy way to a clear interpretation of the images you're looking at, which can lead to a better understanding of what you're viewing. Don't expect a manual on shutter speeds or focal distances, nor a guidebook to digital editing, but a useful tool to discover some important issues concerning emotion and credibility, two of the most important elements determining the expressiveness of a picture. The fundamental idea always stays the same: communication. By looking closely and asking yourself what a particular image communicates, you're a long way down the road.
