Customer Reviews

Camera Phone Obsession

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The ubiquity of cell phones has led to changing social situations and mores throughout the developed world. Then, in just the last year, cell phones have started to be commonly equipped with cameras, giving rise to the phenomenon of camera phones.

Aitken gives us many ideas about their usage. Still a feeling of novelty. Just as cell phones did in the mid 90s. The book has the expected tips for actual optimal photo taking. Experienced photographers may well wince at the current limitations, like no zoom lens, or low resolution.

All of these are valid critiques of camera phones. Yet, as the book shows, the sheer utility of a camera phone outweighs all these. Like the fact that the device is primarily for communication, so the camera is in some sense a bonus, without you have to lug around an extra device. Then, the all-digital aspect of the images is far more convenient than traditional wet film. Instant feedback. So you can make your own blog or website with photos you took. The book goes into extensive detail on these ideas.

A nice, cutting edge aura.

I'm not sure the ideal audience for this book actually exists. The book is not about how to improve cell phone cameras, which is what I would have expected. It's a book about the fundamentals of digital photography using cell phones as a starting point. That's an interesting idea. I'm just not sure if there are enough people interested in doing that to successfully market a book.

All that being said, the book is a reasonable introduction to digital photography. It starts with a section on taking the shot and composing the picture, the goes into processing and printing the shot. Then there is a cell phone only section detailing mobile blogging. The final chapter, on projects with your cell phone has some interesting ideas to spark your imagination.

Overall I liked the book, though I found the subject a little quirky. I personally didn't find it all that helpful since I have been into digital photography longer than cell phones have been around and there wasn't much on taking better significantly better camera phone shots. However, if you are looking for a book on digital photography for someone who is new to the whole field and whose only device is a phone, this is probably the right book for you.