Customer Reviews

Canon PowerShot G10 / G11: From Snapshots to Great Shots

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a book for beginners, people interested in photography and wanting to be more skillful and creative in their shooting but without immediate aspirations to be a pro or a fine artist. Since I'd classify myself in this category, the book was perfect for me. I've long had a good intuitive sense of light and composition, but this book help me connect that to core principles of photography as made possible by my camera. After reading the first four chapters alone, I was already taking noticeably better pictures. It combines a thorough introduction to the capabilities of the G10/11 with an excellent range of photography fundamentals covering light, exposure, and composition. I also read the popular Scott Kelby book, and 80% of its tips are integrated into this book in a more focused way, leaving out stuff you can't do without spending hundreds or thousands of dollars more on gear. The writing style is clear, personable, and concise, and the layout and production of the book (which the author did himself) is impeccable. Much is communicated through well printed exemplary photographs, which is strangely not the case in some other photography books. For its intended audience and purpose, I can't imagine anyone doing better.

This is a terrific book that goes beyond merely expanding on the G10/G11 Manual and embellishing on it so you know when to use what function. More importantly, it helps novices learn about ISO, aperture, focus area, etc. These are 'basic' kinds of tips--or should we call them SKILLS--that will help ordinary snapshots turn into great shots (eventually, with some practice). This book will help improve your overall photography (if you are relatively new to it) even when you advance beyond the G10/G11 (which is a very nice 'prosumer' camera) to a DSLR.

You might not use ALL the tips, and might find some trivial (e.g. don't forget a memory card), but overall this is a great addition for your expanding photography library. It would go well with some of the basic books on photography techniques (for that, you might want to check out some of Bryan Peterson's books).

Canon PowerShot G10/G11: From Snapshots to Great Shots
Before I begin this review, I want to make clear this is not "the missing manual that should have come with your camera." Rather, this is a photography book that uses the Canon G10 and G11 as the vehicle to help any photographer--but particularly one using a high-end point-and-shoot--improve his or her image-making skills. And to make his point, that anyone can make great images, the author--Jeff Carlson--illustrated much of From Snapshots to Great Shots with images submitted to his online Flickr group.
Although the goal of this book is pretty much the same as any photo book--to make the reader a better photographer--Jeff Carlson does take a different tact from many other authors. First, although this book focuses on the Canon G10 and G11, he describes their features more in terms of when and why to use them, rather than how. The "how" he leaves to the respective camera manuals to which he directs the reader using page-referenced "Manual Callouts."
Next, each chapter begins with an image (complete with shot data) analyzed for the topics to be discussed in the following pages. Last, as I mentioned, the author doesn't rely only on his own professional images to illustrate the techniques described in the book. He lets readers see that "real people" can make excellent photos with the methods he provides.
And, of course, as any good instructor should, Jeff asks his readers to take a break after each chapter and put what they have learned to practical use: to shoot images and submit them to the book's Flickr group.
As you'd expect, From Snapshots to Great Shots clearly covers all the necessary skills and techniques a good photo book should, with chapters on camera controls and modes, shooting techniques and image-making styles. I'd certainly recommend this book to G10 and G11 shooters (I'm a G10 shooter); but, I also believe any high-end point-and-shooter can also benefit.

I originally got this book book because I didn't like the manufacturer's manual and needed a reference book for a visually oriented person (I'm a graphic designer). I quickly noticed that the book a good photography book, full of of tips and ideas. I think that it should have been called "From Snapshots to Great Shots with the Canon PowerShot G11/G10" instead.

This book is meant for the novice to intermediate looking to take better pictures and needs to learn the basic concepts of photography and how to get there, using the G11/G10. You'll quickly learn about ISO, aperture, shutter speeds, depth of focus and how these factors interact with each other, in clear and easy to understand terms. You'll also learn many general tips and specific tricks to help you getting appealing shots. This book will help you grow into the high-end creative features that two of the most versatile point and shoot cameras offer.

This is one of the most intelligent, conversational and enjoyable photography books I have read. One of the reviewers said it best: "...this is a photography book that uses the Canon G10 and G11 as the vehicle to help any photographer." This is true because I own a Canon G9. After I started reading this book, I did not lust after a G10/Gll, but motivated to learn more about how to control my G9.

Clarity of intention is the hallmark of this book, every section and page feels like it was placed with a purpose, that is easily discerned from the section headings and pictures that illustrate the point of the page. The book feels like a well thought-out conversation from the moment you pick it up regardless of where you start. So much advice has been written about digital photography, it is hard to imagine what else can possibly be said? The author, Jeff Carlson, manages to offer valuable but unique voice to his opinions. For example, on pg.30, Advice for New Raw Shooters, he shares insightful and practical advice: "Don't give up on shooting RAW just because it means more work. Hey, if it takes up more space on your card, buy bigger cards...Will it take more time to download? Yes, but good things come to those who wait."

Ultimately, most beginners want more than How-to that show how to do something, we want inspiration to overcome our lack of confidence... We want to be enchanted to snatch up our camera and use any excuse to run out the door and capture something! If half the fun is getting there... This is a fun book!

Peachpit Press has accomplished something marvelous here.

The manual that comes with the camera tells you what all those buttons and menus are - Jeff's book explains how they work, but more importantly, WHY you want to use one combunation over another. He's combined learning the functions of your G10/11 with learning good photographic practice. Has helped me enormously!

This is a first time I write a review after buying many books on Amazon, that's how much I love this book!
I 'm new to photography and after contemplating about going to the photography school, I decided that I should learn my camera first and then attend classes if needed. From what I understand, photography is mostly about practicing and knowing your camera.
I started with reading the G11 manual and was completely overwhelmed, it was like a foreign language to me. After the new books on G11 came out, I bought two of them, including this book. I'm only two chapters in, but I feel like I already can navigate through the camera and understand some of the photography terms, such as white balance, ISO, and so on. I absolutely love the assignments at the end of each chapter and little tasks throughout the chapters. It forces me to apply the knowledge right away. Thank you for the great book!

Not just another user manual. It's a very complete digital photography book using the G10/G11 to present the examples. It will help you master the basic of photography and get to know your Canon camera at the same time. It's excellent for people who want to move away from basic point & shoot into more serious photography... 5 stars!!!

I owned the Canon G9 and upgraded to the G10. I have been very pleased with the images. I use this camera daily in my work and when with friends and family at special events.

This author has clearly explained how to take advantage of creative features deep within the camera's menu and function controls. I have enjoyed a broader range of success and creative control through Jeff Carlson's descriptions and examples.

I would definitely recommend this to users of the G10 and G11 who are thinking they have mastered their cameras. There is still a lot you can do. He can take you to the next level of professional results.

I'm only reviewing the Kindle version here, as downloaded to my 24-inch iMac and iPod Touch. First off, it was a treat to see the photos rendered in color. What wasn't a treat was the quality at which they were rendered. They were pretty much lifeless, and the resolution was way too low. Each chapter had a section devoted to poring over the photo with, presumably, callouts pointing out salient points of the image. These were illegible on both devices. For this reason I returned the book.

The first chapter did a good job of educating the reader about the camera's controls, and the first few were good at explaining the rationale behind the author's choice of settings. A novice photographer would find the whole book useful. Anyone experienced, less so. There may have been some good aesthetic guidance in there, but reliance on photos to communicate that undid any benefit that was there.

Bottom line is, if you're interested in this book, get the paper version.