Photograph Like a Thief: Using Imitation and Inspiration to Create Great Images from Rocky Nook is by photographer, author, and retoucher Glyn Dewis. Dewis embraces the idea of "stealing" and recreating other photographs in order to improve as an artist. By analyzing other people's work, you can reverse engineer those images to create an image that not only pays homage to the original, but is also an original in its own right.

Glyn begins by sharing the process of "stealing ideas" and finding inspiration, and he also goes over the gear he uses as well as his retouching and post-processing workflow. In a chapter dedicated to reverse engineering you will learn how to read an image by looking at the catch lights, shadow and highlight positions, and the hardness or softness of the shadows. With these valuable skills you will then be able to create a unique and specific look for your own photographs.

Glyn goes through a series of images inspired by movies, books, history, and a few legendary photographers, discussing everything from the initial concept to the end result. He reverse engineers each shot to describe how it was created, then discusses the gear used, the lighting, and the post-processing in Photoshop. This book will allow you to work alongside Glyn, as he generously makes files available for you to download so you can discover how other work can influence you. Learn to find inspiration around you, improve your photographic and post-processing skill set, and begin the journey to defining your own unique style.

And who knows? Perhaps soon, others may be stealing from you.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Photograph Like a Thief
3. Reverse Engineering
4. My Commonly Used Techniques
5. Annie Leibovitz Inspired
6. Internet Inspired
7. Joey Lawrence Inspired
8. World War II Inspired
9. Action Movie Inspired
10. Nick Brandt Inspired
11. Movie Poster Inspired
12. Book Cover Inspired
13. Movie Poster Inspired
14. Group Shot: K.I.S.S. Inspired