The Camera Phone Book: How to Shoot Like a Pro, Print, Store, Display, Send Images, Make a Short Film (Paperback)

~ (Author), Robert Clark (Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Marketing experts predict that by 2009, nearly 90% of all cell phones will contain a camera, as manufacturers race to create cheaper, easier-to-use models with more sophisticated cameras, more pixels, flash units and even multiple lenses. Already revolutionizing audiovisual communication, it's a trend that will only grow more explosively—and who better than National Geographic to create a how-to book aimed directly at the millions who carry a camera phone everywhere and want to make the most of it?

Created by two top professionals, this generously illustrated nuts-and-bolts guide is the first of its kind to treat these units as genuine cameras instead of novelties, and the only one to include a full-color photo-essay demonstrating the full capabilities of the latest camera phones. In five easy-to-read chapters, the book explains how to choose good equipment; take better pictures; and store, print and send the best images. Readers will find practical tips on preventing or repairing water damage, protecting easily-scratched lenses inside pockets and purses, and retrieving accidentally-erased images. They'll also learn to access the events, advice, and opportunities of the burgeoning camera phone community, from film festivals to news organizations, moblogs, and more.

Featuring the technical savvy of CNet.com's Aimee Baldridge and the creative skill of National Geographic photographer Robert Clark, a camera phone pioneer, this compact yet comprehensive reference combines up-to-the-minute expertise with superb examples, at an inexpensive price that makes it a perfect gift book—or an ideal impulse buy.

About the Author

Aimee Baldridge is a writer and photographer based in New York. She covers photography and imaging technology for a variety of magazines and online publications and was previously a senior editor covering digital imaging at CNET Network Reviews.

Robert Clark, a freelance photographer based in Brooklyn, New York, has been a regular and award-winning contributor to National Geographic magazine. In 2005 he published Image America, the first photo book to use only images from a camera phone.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic; illustrated edition edition (May 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1426200900
• ISBN-13: 978-1426200908
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #552,968 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for anyone exploring cameraphone photography, August 24, 2008

By	Ron Cal (Northern California) - See all my reviews

I believe this book is perfect for anyone exploring the emerging trend of cameraphone photography. If you are skeptical of this trend, I believe this book will be even more relevant for you. Imagine any photography 101 book you've purchased in the past and now imagine it was written for users of camera phones. The authors do a great job of covering many aspects of the topic from "equipment" specs to shooting tips, and provide online references that will further validate that "mobile photography / cameraphone photography" is emerging and hear to stay.

4.0 out of 5 stars Take advantage of your camera phone, March 10, 2008

By	Gregg Eldred (Avon Lake, OH USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I would imagine that there are more camera phones than any other. Based on the photos posted on Flickr (and other photo sharing sites), there are a few of us that could use some advice on how to take better pictures using our camera phones, especially me.

The Camera Phone Book: How to Shoot Like a Pro, Print, Store, Display, Send Images, Make a Short Film by Aimee Baldridge, with photographs by Robert Clark, is a small book loaded with information on nearly every aspect of your camera phone. All of the photos in the book were taken by Robert Clark, using his camera phone, which helps to show you that you can take good pictures. Maybe not of the caliber of Clark's, but you will have the tools.

Contents:
Chapter 1: Choosing a Camera Phone
Chapter 2: Taking Pictures
Chapter 3: After the Snap
Chapter 4: The Camera Phone Community
Chapter 5: Troubleshooting

Baldridge packs a lot of information in 158 pages. As this is thin book, it is a perfect addition to your computer bag as a reference. I never thought about my camera phone, but Chapter 1 will show you that it is not a minor feature, especially if you are going to use it as your primary camera. How to frame and think about your photos is a major part of Chapter 2. Don't just point and shoot; lighting, background, and framing play a large role in a good picture. Chapter 3 will provide you with the tools for printing and storing your photos as well as improving them. Online communities, blogs, and mobile photo sites are the leading topics of Chapter 4. Some of the sites are well known, but others are specifically geared to users of camera phones. Finally, if you have issues with your camera phone, Baldridge provides plenty of tips and hints to resolving your issues in Chapter 5. Each chapter is loaded with web links; you will probably spend a lot of time surfing the listed sites. Including the photos of Robert Clark, all taken with a camera phone, shows the reader the possibilities and reinforces the text.

I get lucky with my camera phone (and my digital camera). Using this book, I should take away some of the luck and replace it with a little skill. At least I will have a better understanding of how to take a good picture. That, for me, makes this a worthwhile book. But it also opens the door to photo editing tools and online sources for additional information as well as sites dedicated to camera phone art. Small as it is, this book covers a lot of ground and does so quite well; from choosing your camera phone to participating in online communities, this book has nearly all aspects of your camera phone covered. But if you want to take away one thing away from this book, Baldridge's "Ten Rules of Thumb" for taking better pictures is worth the price. This is an excellent guide to your camera phone and one that will help you get more out of it.

2.0 out of 5 stars Not really worth it., September 21, 2007

By	M. Guy - See all my reviews

Very short book with little actual advice on how to shoot good cell phone pictures. Most of the information is available for free online. Not worth the money.