The Digital Photography Book, Volume 1

The Digital Photography Book, Volume 1

Description:
Scott Kelby, the man who changed the "digital darkroom" forever with his groundbreaking, #1 bestselling, award-winning book The Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers, now tackles the most important side of digital photography--how to take pro-quality shots using the same tricks today's top digital pros use (and it's easier than you'd think).

This entire book is written with a brilliant premise, and here’s how Scott describes it: "If you and I were out on a shoot, and you asked me, 'Hey, how do I get this flower to be in focus, but I want the background out of focus?' I wouldn't stand there and give you a lecture about aperture, exposure, and depth of field. In real life, I'd just say, 'Get out your telephoto lens, set your f/stop to f/2.8, focus on the flower, and fire away.' You d say, 'OK,' and you'd get the shot. That's what this book is all about. A book of you and I shooting, and I answer the questions, give you advice, and share the secrets I've learned just like I would with a friend, without all the technical explanations and without all the techno-photo-speak."

This isn't a book of theoryĆ¢€”it isn't full of confusing jargon and detailed concepts: this is a book of which button to push, which setting to use, when to use them, and nearly two hundred of the most closely guarded photographic "tricks of the trade" to get you shooting dramatically better-looking, sharper, more colorful, more professional-looking photos with your digital camera every time you press the shutter button.

Here's another thing that makes this book different: each page covers just one trick, just one single concept that makes your photography better. Every time you turn the page, you'll learn another pro setting, another pro tool, another pro trick to transform your work from snapshots into gallery prints. There's never been a book like it, and if you're tired of taking shots that look "OK," and if you’re tired of looking in photography magazines and thinking, "Why don't my shots look like that?" then this is the book for you.

Customer Review:
this is the Best book for digital photo tips, very good info from an expert, written with great skill as not to be bland or boring
as Scott says he writes as if he was standing next to you giving you verbal advise.
i thoroughly reccommend this book to any one looking for simple straight forward uncomplicated info.

Customer Review:
The tips Scott provides in the first few chapters alone make this book worth it. I can't wait to read Volume 2.


The Moment It Clicks: Photography secrets from one of the world's top shooters

The Moment It Clicks: Photography secrets from one of the world's top shooters

Description:
THE FIRST BOOK WITH ONE FOOT ON THE COFFEE TABLE, AND ONE FOOT IN THE
CLASSROOM
Joe McNally, one of the world’s top pro digital photographers, whose celebrated work has graced the pages of Sports Illustrated, Time, and National Geographic (to name a few), breaks new ground by doing something no photography book has ever done—blending the rich, stunning images and elegant layout of a coffee-table book with the invaluable training, no-nonsense insights, and photography secrets usually found only in those rare, best-of-breed educational books.

When Joe’s not on assignment for the biggest-name magazines and Fortune 500 clients, he’s in the classroom teaching location lighting, environmental portraiture, and how to “get the shot” at workshops around the world. These on-location workshops are usually reserved for a handful of photographers each year, but now you can learn the same techniques that Joe shares in his seminars and lectures in a book that brings Joe’s sessions to life.

What makes the book so unique is the “triangle of learning” where (1) Joe distills the concept down to one brief sentence. It usually starts with something like, “An editor at National Geographic once told me…” and then he shares one of those hard-earned tricks of the trade that you only get from spending a lifetime behind the lens. Then, (2) on the facing page is one of Joe’s brilliant images that perfectly illustrates the technique (you’ll recognize many of his photos from magazine covers). And (3) you get the inside story of how that shot was taken, including which equipment he used (lens, f/stop, lighting, accessories, etc.), along with the challenges that type of project brings, and how to set up a shot like that of your own.

This book also gives you something more. It inspires. It challenges. It informs. But perhaps most importantly, it will help you understand photography and the art of making great photos at a level you never thought possible. This book is packed with those “Ah ha!” moments—those clever insights that make it all come together for you. It brings you that wonderful moment when it suddenly all makes sense—that “moment it clicks.”


Customer Review:
It's a great book. The best on lighting I ever seen. Looks like we're talking to Macnally on a coffee table.

Customer Review:
Before ordering this book I had seen JoeMcNally give a foreword in a video; Didn't think much of him from that.

This book opened a whole new perspective to JoeMcNally and more importantly, photography. He really really knows his stuff. The book has nice photos and the whole book rides on a concept where he lets you have a piece of his mind, like kind of explaining what led to a shot.

It really doesn't go much into the stuff of what aperture or shutterspeed and whatnot.
What the book is really about, is about learning to think, and see perspective to things. And in that, it's absolutely wonderful! The book is full of insightful advice and know-how. Good stuff.

Customer Review:
If you ever gonna buy one book about how to take a picture, and how to get there - buy and read "The moment it click's" - seriously!
Best regards, Eilif Stene, Norway.


Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition)

Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition)

Description:
For serious amateur photographers who already shoot perfectly focused, accurately exposed images but want to be more creative with a camera, here's the book to consult. More than seventy techniques, both popular and less-familiar approaches, are covered in detail, including advanced exposure, bounced flash and candlelight, infrared, multiple images, soft-focus effects, unusual vantage points, zooming, and other carefully chosen ways to enhance photographs. The A-Z format make sit easy for readers to find a specific technique, and each one is explained in jargon-free language. Top Tips for each technique help readers achieve superb results, even on the first attempt.

Customer Review:
I'm new to photography, trying to learn the basics in preparation for buying my first digital slr (I took a photography class 10 years ago, but had forgotten everything). This book is great, and I plan to read it many times. Even if you have little interest in actually using an advanced camera (like an slr), understanding the basics of photography is a good thing (and immensely interesting). As such, this book would be great for any person, even if he/she hasn't shown an interest in photography. This would be a great Christmas/birthday/etc gift for someone who is difficult to buy for.

Customer Review:
Even though this book is primarily written from a non-digital SLR camera perspective, the information and examples all work on your DSLR. After reading the first two chapters I was already snapping better pictures!!! I had a lot of questions and this book answered them! After reading this book I have a firm grasp on, ISO speeds, light readings and the ever important F/stop.

It is a must have!!


Customer Review:
I just bought a Nikon D300 DSLR Camera and thought I brush up my skills by buying a couple of books. Besides getting Understanding Exposure, I also bought The Digital Photography I and II. In comparison, Understanding Exposure is outdated and slightly over-rated.

1. Outdated. Some part of the books still refers film camera which I believe most readers, either wouldn't care or get confused. In today's digital world, why bother to have 8 pages (page 152 to 159) comparing digital and film (booked was first published in 2004 by someone who started shooting in the 1970s. no wonder). Wouldn't it be better to compare Digital Compact Camera vs DLSR instead?

2. Too basic for those have already have some shooting experience. Half the book talk about aperture, shutter speed and ISO. Big aperture helps blur the background, slow shutter speed gives a sense of motion and high ISO can be use in low lighting conditions. If you already knew this, then you might not learn so much from this book.

3. Compared to 'The Digital Photography Book', it doesn't give that many tips that will spur you into action immediately. Although after reading the book, you should know when to set aperture to f2.8 or f8 and shutter speed to 1/4 sec or 8 secs, it somewhat feels theoretical.

4. Does not talk about equipments and use of flash which I think are key in getting better pictures. But to be fair, this book is about understanding 'Exposure' not 'Photography'.

Having said the above, I did learn something from this book. My key takeaway are Back Lighting, Making Rain and fixing camera onto moving object like a bicycle. I recommend this book for those who are completely new to photography. But for those who already have some basic knowledge, Scott Kelby's The Digital Photogrpahy is more suitable.




Understanding Shutter Speed: Creative Action and Low-Light Photography Beyond 1/125 Second

Understanding Shutter Speed: Creative Action and Low-Light Photography Beyond 1/125 Second

Description:
The first book in the Understanding Photography series, Understanding Exposure, was a runaway best-seller, with more than 250,000 copies sold. Now author Bryan Peterson brings his signature style to another important photography topic: shutter speed. With clear, jargon-free explanations of terms and techniques, plus compelling "before-and-after" photos that pair a mediocre image (created using the wrong shutter speed) with a great image (created using the right shutter speed), this is the definitive practical guide to mastering an often-confusing subject. Topics include freezing and implying motion, panning, zooming, exposure, Bogen Super Clamps, and rendering motion effects with Photoshop, all with helpful guidance for both digital and film formats. Great for beginners and serious amateurs, Understanding Shutter Speed is the definitive handy guide to mastering shutter speed for superb results.



Nikon D40/D40x Digital Field Guide

Nikon D40/D40x Digital Field Guide

Description:
This guide’s Quick Tour is the perfect way to get started with your new Nikon D40 or D40x digital SLR camera. Read on and learn to customize your camera’s settings; get perfect shots of sunsets, landscapes, people, or sporting events; identify and use all your camera’s controls and features; then learn to download your pictures, troubleshoot common camera problems, and tweak images right in the camera. This book fits in your camera bag to go wherever your Nikon goes.

Customer Review:
This book by David Busch gives a better insight into the use of the D40 and D40x cameras than does the guidebook that comes with the camera. The book contains many color photos to illustrate the discussion.
I was moderately familiar with the D40x camera using the Nikon guidebook before I looked at the Busch guidebook so I could skip a lot of the introductory material. I skimmed the chapters QT (Quick Tour of taking and saving the first pictures), Chapter 1 (gives detailed names and uses of the camera functions), and Chapter 2 (essentials of camera metering, adjusting exposures, adjusting ISO, noise reduction, and retouching photos). I looked more carefully at Chapter 3 (playback menu, shooting menu, custom settings, and setup menu) as there are a lot of detailed settings that are easy to forget. I did not look carefully at Chapter 4 (exposure settings)since I have done this with a number of cameras. First time users should find these chapters useful.
I looked more carefully at Chapter 5 (lenses) as it describes in detail the confusing lens-naming scheme of Nikon. Only certain lenses (AF-I or AF-S) with internal focusing motors will autofocus with the D40 and D40x since the camera has no focusing motor. I, for instance, use the kit 18mm to 55mm lens which will autofocus and also my old 70mm to 210mm lens with no autofocus motor for this camera. This is fine with me as I do not need autofocus with this latter lens. I often use the 70mm to 210mm lens with a Nikon close-up lens (5T, 6T) so I would much rather have manual focus. Nikon also has a decent, economical 55mm to 200mm vibration reduction lens with autofocus for these cameras that costs only about $250.
Chapter 6 is mostly concerned with continuous and flash lighting. The D40 and D40x has a small built in flash although I usually use the Nikon SB-600 external flash on autosettings for a brighter flash. The various flash settings such as front sync, rear sync, slow sync, red-eye reduction, and exposure compensation are often confusing so this discussion should be helpful to many.
Chapter 7 is a long chapter that suggests ways to approach taking photos under various conditions such as sunrise-sunset, infrared, action, black and white, flowers, and landscapes among many. One can pick sections they want to check. For example, the infrared section is the only place I have found some details on the use of these cameras for infrared (Nikon would not give me any information on the infrared sensitivity for these cameras but apparently they are sensitive to the near infrared). The cameras can be used with a Hoya R72 or Wratten 89b filter which will filter out the visible light and allow the infrared to pass. Also starting points to begin taking infrared photos are suggested (ISO 200, f/11, 8 seconds, use tripod etc) since exposure and focus have to be done by trial and error due to the different characteristics of infrared relative to visible light.
Chapter 8 describes downloading and editing images mostly using software from Nikon (Picture Project, Capture NX, and Control Pro). Nikon Picture Project comes with the camera and can be used to transfer images to your computer, do minor editing, and sharing your photos. Nikon Capture NX has to be purchased separately (about $150), and it can be used to modify images that in some operations make it easier to use than Photoshop Elements or Photoshop. For instance, similar colors can be changed over the entire image in one operation without changing other colors in the image. I often use Nikon NX for changing colors and then return to modifying the image in Photoshop.
Also there is an appendix and glossary. The appendix includes topics on updating the firmware of the camera (controls camera operations such as processing and links to external devices). Also the appendix suggests how battery life can be extended, fixing flash problems, reviving bad memory cards, and cleaning your sensor.
In short, this book should be a good book for the beginner to intermediate user who want to find out about the details of the camera so that the best pictures can be made under a variety of conditions. The beginner who wants to use the D40/D40x cameras more as a point and shoot camera can just set the camera in programmed exposure mode and still obtain a lot of good pictures without understanding all the functions of the camera. The advanced user who has used a number of Nikon digital cameras would not probably find much in the book of interest. Thus the star rating would vary a lot depending on your level of experience.

Customer Review:
This book is good. I reveals most, maybe all, of the many features of the Nikon D40X. Since I read the manual that came with the camera I was somewhat familiar with most of the camera's features, but having an organized way to go through them again with suggestions as to how to best use them was well worth the cost of the book. The color pictures are a welcome addition to the text.

Customer Review:
I bought this book as well as the Magic Lantern book. I preferred the Magic Lantern book because it dealt strictly with the D40X camera that I had just purchased. The Digital Field Guide is a good book, but has several chapters on basic photography. As such, it is a good reference.


Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi/400D Digital Field Guide

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi/400D Digital Field Guide

Description:
This full-color book is designed to tap the exploding market in serious digital photography with over 250 pages of new and beautiful photos, essential photography how-to information and no-fail formulas for getting great digital pictures with the newly announced Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi/400D. It goes above and beyond competitive digital SLR books with step-by-step techniques that cover exposure, composition, and professional shooting tips on perspective, impact, and more. Charlotte K. Lowrie, author of two previous Digital Field Guides (see below), is an acclaimed photographer who was managing editor of editorial content for MSN Photos and now writes online instructional content for Canon.

Charlotte K. Lowrie (Woodinville, WA) is a freelance editorial and stock photographer and an award-winning writer. Her work has appeared in Popular Photography & Imaging and PHOTOgraphic magazines, and she is the author of the bestselling Canon EOS Digital Rebel Digital Field Guide as well as Adobe Camera Raw Studio Skills, the Canon EOS 30D Digital Field Guide, and Teach Yourself Visually Digital Photography, Second Edition, all from Wiley. Charlotte also teaches photography classes through BetterPhoto.com.

Customer Review:
More lengthy discussion of the manual. Half of it is actually in the manual, but the other half makes it worth buying. I have a bit of trouble reading the small print in the original manual, so this larger book is nice.

Customer Review:
I first purchased the Canon EOS Digital rebel XTi 400D by David D Busch. I find Davids book much more compelling in understanding the workings of the REBEL XTi. His format I find was easier to follow and use from a technical format. Charlotte's book is more of a narrative.


Customer Review:
This book really helps you understand the use of the 400D, something missing from most camera manuals. Worth every penny!


Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting

Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting

Description:
An amazing (and some would say magical) resource on photographic lighting that has been talked about in the community and recommended for years. This highly respected guide has been thoroughly updated and revised for content and design - it is now produced in full color! It introduces a logical theory of photographic lighting so if you are starting out in photography you will learn how to predict results before setting up lights. This is not primarily a how-to book with only set examples for you to copy. Rather, Light: Science and Magic provides you with a comprehensive theory of the nature and principles of light to allow you to use lighting to express your own creativity.

Numerous photographs and illustrations provide clear examples of the theories, while sidebars highlight special lighting questions. Expanded chapters on available light in portraiture, as well as new information on digital equipment and terminology make this a must have update!

*New four color art package with contemporary lighting examples
*Based on the behaviour of light
*Theory book for serious photographers

Customer Review:
no serious amatuer or pro photographer should be without this book on light and how to use it properly for better pictures.....film or digital it makes no difference

Customer Review:
It would be hard to add much to what has already been said by so many. This is an excellent book on lighting for photography. I'd highlight again that this isn't a cookbook but instead focuses on the fundamentals. If you're looking for step by step instructions on how to reproduce the latest lighting gimmick you've seen in magazine ads then go elsewhere. If you're looking for a book on the fundamentals that will allow you to create your own lighting with ease and reverse engineer anyone else's lighting then this is the book you want. There are lots of books on photography and lighting out there and few that have much useful to say. This is probably one of the highest quality and most consistently useful books in the field of photography I've ever seen.

Customer Review:
Recently, I was asked to photograph clear, glass dishware. My search for resources led me to "Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting" by Fil Hunter, Steven Biver, and Paul Fuqua. My questions about glass photography were answered, and the examples and hints given were extremely useful. This text will not answer all your questions, and other sources are needed for detailed operational instructions for flash lighting. Hunter, Biver, and Fuqua will give you an excellent overview of concepts and "how to" for key lighting problems including shiny metal, glass and protraits. An excellent use is as a text for continuing education photography students, and as an addition to the library of advanced, non-pro photographers.


Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book for Digital Photographers,The (Voices That Matter)

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book for Digital Photographers,The (Voices That Matter)

Description:
This book takes you beyond showing you which sliders do what to reveal the secrets of the new digital photography workflow using Adobe Lightroom, and he does it using three simple techniques that make this just a great learning tool: 1) Throughout the book Scott shares his own personal settings and studio tested techniques he s developed using Lightroom for his own photography workflow since well before Adobe released even the first Beta version. He knows what really works, what doesn t, and he tells you flat out which tools to use, which to avoid, and why. 2) The entire book is laid out in a real workflow order with everything step-by-step, so you can jump right in using Lightroom like a pro from the very start and sidestep a lot of productivity killing road blocks and time-wasting frustrations that might have tripped you up along the way. 3) In the last two bonus chapters Scott visually answers his No.1 most-asked Lightroom question, which is: Exactly what order am I supposed to do things in, and where does Photoshop fit in? Scott teaches this by showing every step of the entire process, from the initial shoot to the final prints. Both chapters start with an on-location photo shoot, including full details on the equipment, camera settings, and even the lighting techniques. You ll see it all as he takes the photos from each shoot all the way through the entire workflow process, to the final output of the 16x20 prints for the client.

Customer Review:
The book should be titled Lightroom for Dummies because this book lays out the ins and outs of Lightroom so that anyone can understand it. Each part of the work flow is broken down into it's own individual chapter. From there, whatever it is that needs to be done is further broken down into steps, rather than just a long chapter of reading and technical jargon.

I have used Lightroom on a few occasions, but never knew it's full capabilities until I read this book. I highly recommend it to anyone!!

Customer Review:
This book is so well written-Scott Kelby gives you it ALL every different way to click and his favorite ways. Why beat your head against the wall trying to figure it out. He has done it for you and then some. The time it takes to go thru the book will save you time and grief so many times over. He lives and breathes this stuff- this is how he makes his living and he is real good at it. If he was a surgeon, you would want to be under his knife. This is not a paid endorsement, just someone thankful for a tech writer who can make his topic accessable to all.

Dr Arthur Miller ( not the playwright- although I could write a View from the Bridge. What am I????? Scott also has a wonderful sense of humor.

Customer Review:
First I want to say that buying and shipping with Amazon.com across the ocean was a really pleasant experience. Good price (better than at home).
The book is a very good assistent when working with Lightroom. Easy to read, good examples and I discovered many features of Lightroom that I would not have discovered without this book.
I think that Scott Kelby is a funny man because of his way of writing. This could be disturbing, but to me it wasn't.
I really can recommend Adobe Photoshop Lightroom for Digital Photographers


Take Your Photography to the Next Level: From Inspiration to Image

Take Your Photography to the Next Level: From Inspiration to Image

Description:
This book is for the photographer who strives to achieve a higher level of results in their work. Take Your Photography to the Next Level is based on a series of essays originally featured on the popular Luminous Landscape website. Barr tackles some of the rarely discussed, yet essential aspects of successful photography. Here is where photographers will learn what is required in order to grow in their creativity and to gain a deeper understanding of their craft.

With a foreward by Michael Reichmann.

Topics include:

  • Creativity
  • Dealing with disappointment
  • Developing an "eye"
  • Making stronger images
  • What photographs well
  • Where to go looking for the best photographic subjects
  • How to approach subject material
  • A great image is just around the corner
  • Dealing with failure
  • Mind games
  • Becoming a self-aware photographer
  • Framing, cropping, & manipulating prints to create mood and transmit your message

    Customer Review:
    If you want to learn how to approach your photography in different light and work on composition b/c you have had enough practice with the technical stuff...I highly recommend you buy this book. Very well written, great humor and priceless information for the dedicated photographer.

    Pam Vasquez

    Customer Review:
    This book has some great text. It is insightful and motivating. I could say it `put few things in its place' regarding some photography subjects in my mind. It is easy to read and makes things look simple, understandable, reachable, and very clear. Author is very talented teacher.
    Unfortunately the images, that are everywhere and have a clear purpose to illustrate the subject being discussed, are disappointing and many of them should be replaced e.g. with the pictures of photographers that the author is often mentioning.
    Images have a big impact and in this book a negative one unfortunately. Author should have tried harder with the pictures and looked elsewhere first, e.g. just look at the accompanying pictures in `The photographers eye' by Michael Freeman etc.
    Yes, I think images are that bad.
    E.g. picture of his underwear on some table - it is there to make a point, but he could have made the same point in 100 other more aesthetically pleasing ways, remember the book title?
    All in all I really think this is a book about how to take your photography to the next level, but don't look at the pictures (seriously) just read this great text.


    Customer Review:
    I am always on the look out for ways to improve my skills as a photographer, and therefore I regularly read books that I think will give me new ideas and techniques. I regularly read the recipe and how to books, but more often than not I find that over half of those books tend to cover common topics that I already know. It is not bad that they have the topics, I just have read them time and again.

    George Barr offers something unique in refreshing in a photography book with his focus on his theory and process of capturing amazing photos. As he introduces in the very outset of his introduction, the book is an expanded version of a series of posts he made online over time. He has taken the best topics and refined them into a well organized education in doing what his title indicates, taking your photography to a level higher than it is now.

    What may be frustrating for those looking for the single "magic" answer should instead be motivating for most. Through the book you are given ideas and concepts to consider when approaching an opportunity to photograph rather than a recipe for success. Photography is an expression of onces on view and choices to interpret a scene; there is no one magic answer.

    After reading through this title I am now reading it again, a chapter at a time. With each chapter I am putting the book down and attempting to apply the principles being taught. I plan to have this book be a part of my growth in photographic skills for a long time.


    The Betterphoto Guide to Digital Photography (Amphoto Guide Series)

    The Betterphoto Guide to Digital Photography (Amphoto Guide Series)


    Customer Review:
    Like many other reviewers that have commented on this book ..... I also purchased Scott Kelby's book (vol.2). I think that this book wins hands down between the two excellent books.

    I have been interested in photography for many years, but I just recently purchased a higher-end DSLR camera. Thus, I enjoyed the content of both books. I really enjoy the simplicity of this book. This book utilizes very effective teaching tools that result in the readers quickly learning new techniques and methods of achieving better results.

    There really should be no debate.... Both books are excellent learning tools. Enjoy,

    DPerez

    Customer Review:
    One of the very best books I have read regarding Digital Photography. Ben Long is an expert in his field and is a very good communicator of his acquired knowledge. I have learned many good points from reading his book.I am not a professional photographer but I like knowing how to take great photographs. I am taking a college course in photography and this book is an excellent companion to the concepts being taught.

    Customer Review:
    This book is like a photography 101 class, with a little bit of information on DSLR's , digital file formats, and digital enhancement. If you already understand aperture, ISO, shutter speeds, basic composition principles, depth of field, etc, you do not need this book. I would get this book for a novice photographer who wanted to generally improve their understanding of basic photography principles.

    That being said, the book is easy to read with pretty good images to demonstrate the lessons, and it presents all concepts well. I do think it would be beneficial to someone who has n ever used a camera in manual mode. The "assignments" at the end of each lesson would be especially useful for getting more comfortable with the camera.

    Just not what I needed; still a good book for the right level of user.