Michael Langford was a major influence on British photographic education. He was a fellow and Course Director in Photography at the Royal College of Art and was renowned for producing a string of 24 books, translated into many languages, which have remained the standard reference works for students and professionals alike across the world.
Michael started his career at the age of 16, as a photographer’s apprentice, was later assigned to the RAF Photographic Section, worked with a press photography firm and as an industrial photographer. Michael continued as a professional photographer throughout his life and his work has appeared in a range of mediums, from postage stamps and book covers to TV commercials.
Michael went on to teach full-time at Ealing Technical College (now Thames Valley University), whilst teaching evening classes at the London College of Printing, after which he moved to become Head of the School of Photography at Birmingham College for Art and Design. He served as an external assessor for several BA courses, as well as an adviser to national examination boards for photography at school and college levels. He moved to the RCA in 1967, became a senior tutor in 1973, departmental head 12 years later and from 1994 to 1997 he suitably held the position as course director.
As a result of his intimate involvement with photography courses and examination syllabuses at all levels he fully understood what a student needed from a textbook. One of his most successful books, Basic Photography, was first published in 1965 and is now in its eighth edition after a complete revision. Other works include Advanced Photography, The Darkroom Handbook, Langford’s Starting Photography and the Story of Photography.
As a writer, teacher and practitioner Michael Langford was a legend in the world of British photography. Along with Michael’s other titles, this fifth edition of Langford’s Starting Photography will ensure that he lives on through his work, providing guidance to everyone who shares his great passion for photography and wants to develop and learn more.
Michael Langford, photographer, teacher and writer
28 February 1933–28 April 2000
Philip Andrews is a photographic professional who is consumed by two great passions – making great images and showing others how to do the same.
He is an international best selling imaging author and currently has over 20 titles to his name. In addition several of his titles have been translated into Japanese, Spanish, German, French, Polish and Portuguese. His books include Raw Workflow from Capture to Archives, Advanced Photoshop Elements 5.0 for Digital Photographers, Photoshop CS2: Essential Skills, Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0 – A visual introduction to digital photography, Photoshop Elements 5.0 A–Z and Adobe Photoshop CS2 A–Z.
He is also the author of over 250 articles in more than 15 magazine titles over five countries. He is currently the co-editor of Better Photoshop Techniques (Aust.), contributing editor for What Digital Camera (UK) and contributes regularly to ShutterBug (USA) and Better Photography (Aust.).
He is an Alpha/Beta tester for Adobe digital photography products and acts as an Adobe Ambassador for Australia and New Zealand. He is an accomplished teacher/demonstrator who, over the last 20 years, has lectured in photography, digital imaging and multimedia at trade shows, schools, colleges, universities and online in the UK, USA and Australia.