This book was not written for me. I don't want to be a professional photographer, I don't want to spend whole hours, much less days, searching for the perfect image. Nor carry a tripod, and a bag full of lenses and filters.

And yet, this book has stirred something inside of me. Not, maybe, a new passion or direction for *my* life, but an appreciation for different cultures, and how to experience them.

In a way, this book has been more of a travel journal to me, than a photographic guidebook. Either way, I am glad I read it. ( )

This was the most enjoyable photography book I've read in ages. I've followed David duChemin's work for several years and appreciated his approach and his heart and soul in the images he creates. This book was an extension of that heart and soul.

Photography books are often either highly technical and not particularly useful at the craft side; or they're overly simplistic and repetitive; or they're high-view fine art things that make a reader roll eyes.
Within the Frame is a deep look beyond technique and composition and into the humanity of photography - that of the photographer and of her or his subjects. It's focused a bit on travel photography, but really it's a look at passion, craft and vision.

There are plenty of practical tips that are well-communicated (I really appreciated his discussion of layering fore/mid/backgrounds), and the usual discussion of shapes and colors and contrasts. However, the author writes humbly and easily, with a voice that is comfortable and friendly. The photos are generally excellent (even if some of the author's style is just not that attractive to me); and the paper and images are of excellent quality. Those little touches mean something.

Perhaps the best way to describe this book is 'inspirational' - not that I will go shoot like duChemin, but inspiring me to shoot like myself.

I'll reread this one many times. ( )

More of a photographic memoir. Useful mini-essays on how to translate vision into the frame, especially in terms of emotion and iconic scenes. A lot of this was pretty technical in terms of post-production with Photoshop. ( )

David duChemin's Within the Frame reminds photographers that vision, preparation, and patience are more important than all the technical skill in the world. Lucky for me, the author's major photographic interests mirror my own: he devotes a lot of time to photo essays, environmental portraits, street shooting, culture, and travel. Rich with ideas and experience, the book reinforces every point through striking photographic examples. Though I could do wihout duChenin's few forays into religious grace, he knows his photography, writes clearly, feels deeply, and covers a lot. Within the Frame inspires. ( )

non fiction, photography, travel ( )