The Quintessence of Photography
Nasrul Eam’s The Quintessence of Photography: Understanding Composition is a precisely written reference book for anyone who is longing to step into the latitude of the true aesthetic world of photography.
The Art of Photography
Photography as an art is an expression of humanity, an effort to make a better world, which creates beauty out of life, in another form. From Leonardo Da Vinci to Pablo Picasso, from Vincent Van Gogh to Ansel Adams, all created their art in unique ways but all did it with proper knowledge of the science of light.
The Quintessence of Photography: Understanding Composition takes you around this panoramic world of photography and its art, from core science to beautiful aesthetic world, from classical notion to cutting edge technology and so much more.
The Complete Guide to Understanding Composition
This well-organized book contains everything you would want to know about composition. It provides compositional building blocks to develop one’s artistic vision.
It is so precisely written that no matter how much you think you know about photography, you will learn new insights in this book. It is a complete guide to understanding composition.
Browse Through The Pages






Nasrul Eam is a photographer and writer of the digital age. He was an award – winning web designer and worked as an art director for many years, then left to pursue a career as a photographer, photography writer, and instructor. He has a unique eye for observing nature and the lifestyle of people. Eam’s passion for photography, designing, writing, and art is remarkably absorbing and illuminating. Besides The Quintessence of Photography: Understanding Composition, Nasrul wrote books like The Essence of Close-up Photography, for developing basic photography vocabulary, while teaching one to do close-up photography artistically, Illuminating Nature: Moments in Reflection with more vivid examples for nature & wildlife photography, and The Happy Children of the Third World, for touching the meaning of life to its core.
Nasrul founded Light and Composition Magazine, from the travel – dream destination of Maenam, on the island of Koh Samui, Thailand, in the beginning of 2010, during his South East Asia tour. Then on June 12, 2010, the magazine first saw the light of this world. Nasrul spends most of his time studying, travelling, photographing, and doing research. Travelling through different cultures took Nasrul closer to people, life and nature. He learnt different languages to understand people. Besides this, he studies the scriptures of different religions in their original language, and researches these with today’s established science, in order to understand the meaning of life. His research on science and religion helped him accept Islam.
Almost two years have passed since I introduced one of our most important books in the field of photography: The Quintessence of Photography: Understanding Composition. I have presented it in seminars, workshops, field trips, and photo walks. It traveled with me as my close companion, from the mountain village of Manang to the overcrowded streets of Jakarta. Pioneers and amateurs of photography alike consumed and loved, appreciated the amount of work, experiences, and explanations I have put in this book.
Using this book to help teach young photographers in the university always gives me new ideas on how to improve it. Yes, I have just revised the book for the Second Revised Edition – March, 2011. Now I believe this is one of the most valuable books for those who love to step into the true world of photography.
Yes, I believe you should have this book too. You have read our magazine, and also gone through some of our most famous online articles like “Enigma of Capturing Light” and “Tales Beyond the Frame”. However, reading this book will open a new window, a window of visual rhythm and harmonies, taking you closer to different culture, making you understand the standard of photography, thus letting you analyze the art and fundamental rules with style that a photographer must have. As you read further, you will gain insight into how to produce the effects you want.
Revising a book like this, which covers vast amounts of material and rebranding is not easy. It needed a huge amount of time and work by many people. We have completely redesigned the website for the book, and opened a new online store both for magazines and books. I believe this will certainly change the promise we have made to take you towards the true essence of photography.
Nasrul Eam
Editor-in-Chief & CEO
Light & Composition

Pages: 125 pages
Language: English
Edition: Second Revised Edition (March 11, 2011)
IOCTN (ISBN): 141-1-91821-125113
First Publish Date: February 4, 2009
Author: Nasrul Eam
Size: 20.1 MB
Price: $ 19.99
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After I bought my camera, I was never really happy with the results. Then I found Light & Composition magazine, and got this book, and a month later, wow what a difference. “The Quintessence of Photography” is very easy to understand book, Trust me; It’ll change how you feel about your photography!
This book is very easy for me to comprehend! Topics are in logical order, and well written English. What make this book best are the recommendations after each section. I am happy and I believe you will be too. Thank you Nasrul.
I recently purchased this book. I could go into several details – but others here have covered them very well. I just want to add: I was so impressed with Nasrul’s book, that I have purchased all other titles. Love it and will recommend it to friends.
This book does a superb job of providing clear guidance for photographer. It makes my photography easier. It is for both new and experienced photographers. I highly recommended it.
Lessons given in this book are amazing. Summaries at the end of each chapter making it worthwhile. My first photography book that I have actually read from start to finish without even putting it down.
I really like the way Quintessence of Photography is laid out. Writing and the photographs making this book fun to explore. Nasrul draws the attention without overwhelming them. All in all a really good book; highly recommended.
My reckoning, most of these reviewers are quite correct. But considering other photography books, this book isn’t long, making this one of the best book I’ve ever read on photography. I am glad I purchased it. I will use it as reference often. Highly recommended!