Charles Paul Azzopardi

Press

Places Magazine

La Repubblica di Milano.it

From Basics to Fine Art – Joel Tjintjelaar & Julia Anna Gospodarou

I have the honour of having been selected to write the foreword, as well as being the technical editor and proof-reader, for this seminal book aiming to change the face of modern black & white photography. It has been glowingly received; if interested in acquiring the book, kindly do so here.

This is what several experts in the field had to say about the book:

“Outside of Ansel Adams’ Basic Photo Series, From Basic to Fine Art, by Joel Tjintjelaar and Julia Anna Gospodarou, is the best book on B&W photography written in the last 40 years.” (…) “The importance of the book is reached in Julia’s and Joel’s abilities to blend the practice of classical form and content in vision and technique, so that Form is Content. While others claim to have achieved this state of aesthetic grace, this is the first time I have seen it accomplished with great skill and with a brilliant explanation of how to get there.” (…) “ I consider Julia’s (en)Visionography and Photography Drawing the most important innovation in B&W photography since the invention of the Zone System.” (…)

– George DeWolfe – Fine Art Photographer, Instructor & Writer (Luminous Landscape)

“I have now finished reading the book from beginning to end. For anyone who is both passionate and willing to understand what Fine Art Black and White Photography is all about, this book in an absolute must buy in my opinion. The way in which both Joel and Julia explain everything is easy to follow and with great detail. Not only do they explain their personal vision but also share some of their secrets in what it takes to produce some of the best Fine Art Architecture images around today. I have been making Black and White photographs for a few years and I have learnt so much from these two photographers especially as they explain how to approach architecture, understanding the light and reaching out for a better composition. If architecture is not your thing but long exposure photography in general is, Joel and Julia explain everything there is to know about the subject including some of the pitfalls to watch out for. All in all, this is the one book which i will reach for time and time again for both interesting reading and also as a great reference source.”

– Ian Barber – Fine Art Photographer & Instructor

“If you’re interested in black and white photography, the names Joel Tjintjelaar and Julia Anna Gospodarou will probably need no introduction. The work of both photographers has helped define, and push the boundaries of long exposure photography, a relatively new genre in the fine art world. Julia and Joel have joined forces to write a new ebook called From Basics to Fine Art: Black and White Photography – Architecture and Beyond. It is principally aimed at photographers interested in using long exposure techniques to photograph buildings, with some chapters being more general and having a wider appeal. (…) You have two photographers whose work I admire immensely explaining how they create their images, from their general philosophy to the specifics of long exposures and post-processing. If you’re ever looked at their photos and wondered how they achieved the results they do then this ebook has the answers. It’s a tremendous act of generosity and sharing. No one else seems to be doing this stuff yet, or at least doing it and teaching it, so that makes some of the content unique. If you’re a fan of either of these authors, and want to learn the secrets behind their work, then it’s a must buy.”

– Andrew Gibson – Photographer & Writer (DPS – Digital Photography School Review)

“I’ve just spent the past 3 weeks, not just reading and learning about Black and White, Long Exposure Architectural Fine Art Photography, but feeling like I’ve shared an intimate conversation with it’s authors. “From Basics to Fine Art” is an echo of both Joel and Julia’s love for Architectural Photography, and it’s a book that’s far more than the pages it’s written on. (…) ” …to review this book would be like reviewing the Bible. An almost impossible task, due to the amount and depth of content to be covered.” (…) “I can only do this with words, “It’s a Masterpiece”, for anyone that has any interest in shooting Black and White Long Exposure Architectural Fine Art Photography. This title simply has to be on your bookshelf. If you’re just starting out, or already an expert in this field, again …. buy this book you will learn far more than you expect from it. I certainly did.” (…) “To conclude …. Circa 1950, Ansel Adams first published a trilogy of photography books called, “The Camera, The Negative and The Print”, widely accepted as the gospel in terms of producing and printing photographic images. I can’t help but think that Joel and Julia have produced a volume that will have the same effect as Ansel’s books did, and continue to do so to this day.”