The Basic Book of Photography (Fourth Edition) [Paperback]

Tom Grimm (Author), Michele Grimm (Author)

Book Description

Series: Basic Book of Photography | Publication Date: August 1, 1997

This fourth edition of the best and most comprehensive book in the field is the ideal handbook for beginning photographers and a valuable reference for pros. Completely updated and enlarged, the book has a new chapter on digital cameras, plus extensive information on APS (Advanced Photo System) models. 240 photos.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This substantial book, long a standard guide to photography, is so comprehensive that it serves as an excellent reference for both amateur and professional photographers. Written in a clear, conversational style, this work presents the myriad technical aspects of photographic equipment in an easily understood manner. Coverage begins with cameras and lenses, with emphasis on practical matters, such as how to load film and adjust lens openings. The authors then logically turn to film and discuss the selection of lenses and the use of flash equipment. In addition to equipment and materials, the two most important elements of good photography?lighting and composition?are considered. Although the emphasis is upon 35mm photography, other types of cameras, including point and shoot, Polaroid, and digital cameras, are also discussed in detail. The final chapter and appendixes offer an abundance of useful information, including recommended books, photography schools, workshops, competitions, and an extensive glossary of photographic terms. One would be hard-pressed to find a single volume that offers as much good, useful information about photography as this work. Highly recommended for all libraries.?Raymond Bial, Parkland Coll. Lib., Champaign, Ill.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Tom and Michele Grimm are freelance photographers and writers who have written and illustrated a dozen other adult and children's books. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 568 pages
• Publisher: Plume; 4 edition (August 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452278252
• ISBN-13: 978-0452278257
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #269,682 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for novice photographers, April 5, 2000

By 

DPS (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Basic Book of Photography (Fourth Edition) (Paperback)

Just starting out in SLR photography? You will probably learn a lot more by reading this book than you will in a beginners photography class (at least I did). This book covers in detail all basic technical aspects of SLR photography including; exposure, f-stops, shutter speed, light, film, and equipment selection & operation. There are also sections on composition and traveling tips. This book is well written and will provide you with a solid foundation of photographic skills

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The first and maybe last photography book you will need, August 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Basic Book of Photography (Fourth Edition) (Paperback)

This book was the only photography book that I really needed. It covers all the bases for learning photography (regardless of equipment) geared to a nonprofessional from a practical (non-academic) perspective. This book is loaded with practical advice on how take good pictures even when your equipment isn't operating well. There is specific information on how to get the most out of your point and shoot cameras as well as SLRs. This is a great book to read BEFORE you buy any (more) photography gear. It has a good section on what you may want to buy and what you may want to avoid. It also pointed out that the photographer is the most important part of making the picture, not the latest gear. There is good information on composition as well as tips when traveling with a camera. This book is inexpensive and to the point. I have found the information more valuable than books that I have bought at more than four times the price! The book does not contain color pictures (but spends most of its time discussing color photography). That is my only complaint with this book.

121 of 131 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A great guide for beginners, but in no way a pro reference., October 7, 1999

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Basic Book of Photography (Fourth Edition) (Paperback)

This book may be the best general guide to photography ever written for beginners, but should not be described as a reference for professionals. It will tell you, for example, all about depth of field, but does not illustrate how it works or provide any formulas for DOF calculations. It will not tell you how exposure value relates to actual exposures, or how to cut a mat, and states that average skin reflects about one stop more light than than a midtone gray, without mention of race. (Oops!) Overall, it contains few charts or tables of data, but seems to have an adequate glossary. My point is not to criticize the book, which seems excellent for the guide that it is, but to criticize the seller's synopsis and descriptions calling it a reference for pros, which it is not. I therefore gave it three stars which is halfway between five, as a guide, and one as a reference. I wish I'd had a book like this when I started out in photography, a long time ago...