For underwater photographers out there, a new book by Alex Mustard is always something to look forward to. But this is something completely new. A book to help people improve their underwater photography one assignment at a time. There are 52 different assignments in the book ranging from Black and White Wreck, Posing a Model, Off-Camera Strobes and everything in-between. You can tick each one off as you feel that you have successfully completed it. Start at the beginning and work through methodically or see what your next dive is going to be and select an assignment to suit. This book is going to be popular with both those just starting out in underwater photography and seasoned pros alike. The book breaks the mould of traditional underwater photography guides. Gone are the sometimes daunting, long chapters on techniques, settings and equipment. This offers a much more accessible and refreshing approach. Simple, useful, practical skills to try whatever camera you are taking on your dive. I love this idea and am looking forward to picking out an assignment that will fit each of the dives I have coming up.
-- Caroline Robertson-Brown * Scubaverse.com *
52 Assignments: Underwater Photography by Alex Mustard is the next photographic journal and guide book in the popular series from Ammonite Press. The 52 Assignment journals are handy project journals for photographers of all skill levels and are designed in such a way that over the course of a year the reader can try out one assignment a week and hone their skills and embrace new ways of being creative. This latest book is written by Alex Mustard, a celebrated underwater photographer and the author of the Ammonite Press book, Underwater Photography Masterclass (2016). This isn't a book to simply read, it is a book for those who really want to develop skills and improve. It is intended that you read an assignment and then get in the water and work on it. Each of these assignments will allow you to build a broad base of skills and experience across a diversity of genres. From capturing a sumptuous sunburst to taking a one-strobe macro of a strange sea creature there ideas a plenty... consider the classic black & white ship wreck photo or perhaps be daring and shoot from the hip, Alex has plenty of ideas for novices to, and veterans of, underwater photography.
* Underwater Photography magazine *
A perfect book for photographers who want to create breath-taking photos of underwater vistas, 52 Assignments: Underwater Photography is a valuable guide. Mustard, widely regarded as one of the world's leading underwater photographers, has presented 52 assignments to guide you to capturing unique photographs under the sea. Not simply a book about methods, this is one where you'll find a series of ideas, exercises, gadgets, and even gear that will build the skills of a beginner photographer and expand the skills of the those with more experience. Presented as a series of 52 assignments or weekly challenges with tips and photographs, they are designed to be completed in sequence so as to challenge yourself to try new topics and to keep yourself thinking and creating stunning underwater images.
* Photographic Society of America Journal *
Alex Mustard is the obvious author to curate and proffer this handy little pocket book. He is recognised as one of the world's leading underwater photographers and for decades he's taught and motivated people to capture their own underwater works of art, while taking great joy in watching his students flourish. This handbook collates some of these gems of wisdom into a concise, practical guide. This workbook is designed to encourage resourcefulness and imagination. ...the book encourages you to explore, learn and master. Over time this will allow you to build up a diverse portfolio of photographs as you expand the depth and breadth of your work. Overall, 52 Assignments Underwater Photography is a valuable guidebook to inspire your creativity.
-- Jenny Stock * DIVE Magazine *
The book is full of inspirational Alex Mustard shots, tips panels and the sort of direct writing that ensures that his advice lands. The simple approach works to focus attention on key elements. Some of the assignments cover initiatives such as entering competitions or producing magazine covershots (it's good to see one of the author's outstanding Diver covers used as an example of why so few images are actually able to stand up to the competition of multiple coverlines).
The problem that has no doubt occurred to you is that in the real world very few divers other than warmwater dive pros are lucky enough to have access to the variety of locations needed to fufil all these projects, certainly on a regular basis.
Mustard is clearly aware of this: "I have crafted assignments that can mostly be completed in a dive or a suitable diving day," he says in the foreword. "They are intended to be completed roughly in order, rather than you cherry-picking your favourites."
So I reckon the message is to do the best you can. For most underwater photographers serious about self-improvement, simply reading through this book will be an enjoyable process that leaves them with plenty of ideas to take on their next trip.
* Divernet magazine *
