1. Pages 18–19: Choosing a photographic subject
  2. Pages 44–45: The four sides of the frame / Figure-to-ground relation
  3. Pages 56–57: Curves / Odd numbers
  4. Pages 70–71: Horizon (eye-level)

Book · 2022

Throw Away
Your Camera

& Become a Photographer

George Tatakis

A book on photographic seeing, composition, light, and the mindset behind meaningful image-making.

Explore the book

Inside the book

Printed page 18: Choosing a photographic subjectPrinted page 19: Choosing a photographic subject
01 / 04 · 18–19Choosing a photographic subject
Printed page 44: The four sides of the frame / Figure-to-ground relationPrinted page 45: The four sides of the frame / Figure-to-ground relation
02 / 04 · 44–45The four sides of the frame / Figure-to-ground relation
Printed page 56: Curves / Odd numbersPrinted page 57: Curves / Odd numbers
03 / 04 · 56–57Curves / Odd numbers
Printed page 70: Horizon (eye-level)Printed page 71: Horizon (eye-level)
04 / 04 · 70–71Horizon (eye-level)

An invitation to look

What this book explores

More than a technical manual, this book brings together practical visual principles and a personal way of thinking about photography — from subject and composition to light, intention, and the deeper questions behind image-making.

A way of seeing

Five threads

  1. 01Subject
  2. 02Composition
  3. 03Light
  4. 04Visual structure
  5. 05Photographic philosophy

Behind the title

The camera is a tool.
The photograph begins elsewhere.

“Throwing away your camera when you want to be a photographer may sound weird at first, but all this book is about is escaping the first significant barrier in photography: photography gear.”

The book moves from equipment and technique towards subject, composition, light and artistic intention.

External perspective

Independent review

Reviewed by Readers’ Favorite in Non-Fiction / Art-Photography, the book was recognised for its treatment of composition, light, photographic philosophy and creative process.

The physical edition

Book specifications

Formats
Hardcover · Paperback · Kindle
Extent
224 pages
Language
English
Published
24 October 2022
Dimensions
6 × 0.72 × 9 in
ISBN-13
979-8359719544
ASIN
B0BKDK7M7R
George Tatakis

The author

George Tatakis

George Tatakis is a Greek photographer known for his black-and-white work rooted in Greek culture. His work has been exhibited at the Benaki Museum and Fragonard Museum, and published in National Geographic, The New York Times and LFI.

From readers

What readers say.

★★★★★
“This book provides us with sufficient knowledge to think outside the box and discover that there is still more to photography than meets the eye.”
Maria B. Reader review
★★★★★
“I have A LOT of photography books, I have spent A LOT of money on cameras and lens. I feel like George was speaking to me from my experiences. I have learned more about photography from reading this book than all the information I have read. This is a keeper and on my ‘read again often’ as well as recommending this book to others.”
Michaelwtt Reader review

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