By: Scott Kelby Publisher: Peachpit Press Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Peachpit Press Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 240 Publication Date: September 02, 2006
Product 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 theory—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.
An Outstanding Purchase Love this book ...................Lots of great information within!! Great price and great service...........Thanks Amazon!
Can this book help you take better photos? Yes! I bought this book after purchasing my camera, but didn't review it closely enough. When I had a specific need to get some good shots, I went back to this book and studied it closely.
The learning and depth really occurs with the explanation of the manual settings on most popular brands. Namely, White balance, ISO (film speed), shutter speeds, F stops and Burst mode, for quick sequential shots.
Understanding these settings, and practicing with your camera, will improve your photographs. You can then return to the book, for a better understanding of the tips.
Many times, I'm trying to recapture exactly what my eyes are seeing at the moment not end up with something that is starkly lit by a "flash bulb". These settings, with the help of the book will give you a good understanding (or at least a lot of practice will) of how to capture the moment. I never realized how much better shots can be without the flash. Users really need to try to force themselves away from the "auto" setting on their camera, except for the MOST basic shots.
With storage space so cheap, it's so much easier than the days of film and film processing to get the practice you need.
The downside of the book is that it tries to cover almost too much info. (lenses, filters, kids & old people) I think some of this could have been left out, and focus around manual settings could have been covered in better depth.
I think the book is a very good starting point, and should also be used as an ongoing reference until you are comfortable with your brand of camera and its settings.
Go with a book the author recommends After reading the reviews here on Amazon I have to say I was highly disappointed in this book. Instead I would recommend Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition) which the author of this book recommends himself.
This book is full of lame jokes about shoving other photographers down and breaking their equipment to "get the best shot." There is no clear explanation of how shutter speed and aperture work together to give you the proper exposure. If any of my family or friends asked me if I thought this was a good book on photography, I would tell them to avoid it at all costs.
Great book if you wnat to improve your photography This is a great book if you want to improve your photography. To move to the next level of photography, you need to read this book. Scott is witty and this book shows you different ways to really great shots. K. Frank
Easy to follow! I had just purchased an SLR camera and was totally confused! This book is written in an easy to read fashion ...even easier that the "For Dummies" book! There are easy examples such as "If you want to take a photo that looks like this, then do this". I carry this book with me when I go out shooting now.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Tony's Online Tips
Trevor
