Customer Reviews

Better Available Light Digital Photography, Second Edition: How to Make the Most of Your Night and Low-Light Shots

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This book is simply too basic. I am just an amateur who has photography as a hobby. Over time I have picked up on the basics of photography, and this book teaches nothing beyond the very basics. Below I will give a brief but complete synopsis of the entire book, chapter by chapter. If there is anything new to you in my synopsis, then purchase this book. Otherwise, skip it.

1. What is available light? It is light that is available when you take the picture. The "golden hour" is good available light.
2. Basic exposure. Guess what? Shutter speed and aperture are related. ISO is related, too. Use your camera's Shutter Priority or Aperture Priority modes as appropriate. Or use Program Mode or Auto. Also, use the histogram and get the exposure right. Shoot RAW if you can.
3. Digital noise. Guess what (again)? High ISO will result in noise. Use an anti-noise PS plugin to help with noise in your photos.
4. White balance techniques. Set your camera's white balance to your environment, or set it to auto, or shoot RAW and don't worry about it.
5. Fast lenses. Use a fast lens for low light situations. Good lenses are expensive.
6. Tripods and other camera supports. Use a tripod for low light situations. Good tripods are expensive.
7. Available light photography at weddings. I have to confess, I did not read this chapter because I am not a pro doing weddings. If you are a pro, you do probably already know what is in this chapter.
8. RAW-image-file capture. RAW and JPEG formats have advantages and disadvantages. You know what they are, so decide what you want to do, but RAW is better.

There, you have the book. I saved you some money! But if you don't understand any the above, you might consider buying this book. Otherwise, save your money and move on. (Rated 2 stars instead of 1 because someone might get something out of this book.)