Photocrafty by Sue Venables is a new fun and quirky ‘how-to’ book aimed at digital SLR camera users who have yet to venture away from their auto setting. Available from 8th October, the book offers new and exciting ways of making the most of a DSLR, like a photography course which can be taken at the reader’s own time and pace. “What excites me about photography,” says Sue “is that the possibilities are endless – yet most people don’t even begin to explore beyond the basics. I see Photocrafty as an approach, rather than just a book. It’s about embracing the unknown and being a bit experimental. I want people to be saying ‘what would happen if I try that?’ rather than being stuck with the ‘point-and-shoot’ approach to photography.” Published by Punk Publishing, the 224-page paperback is available to pre-order from Amazon UK for £14.95.

Press Release

Photocrafty – new book champions a low–fi approach to mastering a Digital SLR

Photocrafty is a new fun and quirky ‘how-to’ book aimed at Digital SLR camera users who have yet to venture away from their auto setting. Available from 8th October, the book details 75 easy-to-follow projects which allow people to start taking amazing, creative shots – without needing to understand any technical jargon.

Promising not to melt brains with elitist camera-geek jargon, the book offers new and exciting ways of making the most of a Digital SLR, like a photography course which can be taken at the reader’s own time and pace.

Photocrafty is the term coined by professional lifestyle photographer and photography lecturer Sue Venables, the book’s author, whose mission is to encourage budding photographers to turn off the ‘auto’ and get creative.

Her ‘crafty’ tips and low-fi projects open up a whole new world, with ingenious ideas that will quickly expand anyone’s ability and understanding. In an age when the art of inventiveness is being lost to the easy, one-click approach of the Instagram generation, Photocrafty intends to re-inject some individuality and personality into photography – and encourage photographers to try new things and take a few risks along the way!

From mastering basic techniques such as shutter zoom and light trails, to the more ‘crafty’ projects like DIY aerial and pin-hole shots, the book has a range of ideas for beginners and more experienced photographers wanting to try something new.

Photocrafty projects – a snapshot of what to expect

·      Doing a Hockney – Inspired by the Granddaddy of Pop Art, try your hand at creating your own collage (or in Hockney’s terms – ‘Joiners’).  All you need is an interesting location, your camera and a bundle of wide-angle shots.

·      Slam Dunk – a still life shot is not so still when there’s tea and food flying around! Create amazing shots while mastering shutter speed.

·      Star Stacker – Set up camp on a starry night sky and let your camera play stargazer for magical results…

·      plus amazing tricks such as how to make a cool flick book, pop-up cards, a homemade fish-eye lens from cardboard and a security door viewer.

Other projects include Light Graffiti, Underwater Vintage Vision and Storm Chaser.

“What excites me about photography’ says Sue, ‘is that the possibilities are endless – yet most people don’t even begin to explore beyond the basics. I see Photocrafty as an approach, rather than just a book. It’s about embracing the unknown and being a bit experimental. I want people to be saying ‘what would happen if I try that?’ rather than being stuck with the ‘point-and-shoot’ approach to photography.”

“Hopefully the book will encourage people to explore their camera, to press a few buttons they haven’t used before - and as they learn new techniques in a fun, creative way, they may even surprise themselves at their own ability to take amazing and unusual photos”

About the author
Sue Venables studied Fine Art at Middlesex University and Cooper Union in New York, where she began to experiment with film and video techniques.  Now an accomplished lifestyle photographer, Sue also lectures in Video and Photography at City of Westminster College, London.

http://photocrafty.net/ 
http://www.punkpublishing.com/photocrafty

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