Customer Reviews

Digital Photography Masterclass

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

From taking the photo, to the finished processed output, this book covers it all - but not in a way that makes it stretch itself too thin. The clear emphasis is on taking great shots, and the way the book is laid out, he breaks it up into sections, each regarding one aspect of photography, and he talks about ways to use it to get improved photos. Then, for each subject, he breaks down a specific picture, and goes over the use of the subject of that chapter in that photo itself, so you can really see how it is used. That is one of my favorite parts of the book. Another part is where other photogs (I assume they are amateurs, but it doesn't discuss) are given an assignment, and then Tom critiques the results, this part is also very helpful. In fact, it becomes even MORE helpful if you take on the assignments yourself, with the goal of incorporating the information in that chapter into your photo taking process.

The next large section is on post processing - the emphasis here is how to optimize the photo, although he does briefly go over more creative things, he just does not get in to too much detail on them, things like superimposing one image on top of another for different effects.

In the last section, he has Q&A sessions with some professional photographersof different genres, and discusses how they went pro, what they enjoy, how they do what they do, and discusses some of their photos with them. This section continues with the Assignments, which I really liked.

Overall I really enjoyed the book, the use of photos in this book was different from any other book I have read so far, it was so much more based on analysis of the image, and why he did what with the photo to improve it, as opposed to a photographer who wrote a book mainly to publish his own photos, or talk about how many awards he has won.

Finally, I would consider myself a very advanced amateur photographer, I am quite well versed in f stops and shutter speeds, and I pulled a great deal of information from this book; and at the same time, I would give this book to a beginner photographer without hesitation, as I think it can help a wide range of skill levels. No book can make someone a great photographer, but this book most definitely (if you actually apply its information) make someone a BETTER photographer.

I picked up this book a couple days ago after reading such books as Bryan Peterson's, Understanding Exposure, and Scott Kelby's, The Digital Photography Book Vol 1 and 2. Even though I still think Understanding Exposure is the best photography book out there, I believe it caters more to intermediate users like myself. However, Tom Ang has managed to create a wonderful book that caters to photographers of all levels by introducing techniques, terms, and instruction in easy to understand and well written material.

The book throws you right in and after you are done reading the first chapter and get to the first "assignment" you will be craving to take pictures with your digital camera. He does this by showing you various photographs with written accompaniment that explains the design, influence, and technical aspects that went into the photograph. He usually breaks down the photos in 4 pieces by showing a different section of the photo and explaining how that piece relates to the material being covered in the current section. He also shows 9 photographs in a "lightbox" and explains what each photo shows as it pertains to the chapter or section.

Tom Ang gives you an assignment after each chapter which gives you a chance to "do it yourself." The assignment always has to do with some lesson from the chapter. For example, the first assignment is to go out at night and find an area outside with lots of lights and use slow shutter speeds to create an amazing photograph. He asks you to do this because in the chapter he talked about shutter speeds and how they pertained to sharpness and creativity. He then shows examples his students have taken when completing the assignment he just gave. It's a super easy way to see if you are on the right track; you feel like he is actually in front of you teaching.

His material is wonderfully written with easy to understand material. He takes the complex jargon out of it and even if you do get confused by a word, there is a great glossary in the back! He points out myths and fallacies that are often misunderstood by even the most experienced photographers. Each page offers something new and makes you want to turn the page.

Out of all the photography books I have read, which is about 10, this is the 2nd best. This is second only to Bryan Peterson's, Understanding Exposure. If you are a beginner to intermediate photographer, read this first, and then go get Understanding Exposure. This book was great and I was not expecting such a great book when I first picked it up. I will definitely be checking out some of Tom Ang's other books after reading this one.

This is a great photography book, with tons of shooting ideas, and techniques, both capture and processing. Masterclass breaks down what might seem difficult, and makes it pretty easy. I find myself referencing it before some shoots to get ideas, and after to get post processing ideas. There are a lot of books about photography, but none as easy to follow as this one. No matter what your skill level, there is something in the book for you. A definate purchase.

Most of the books about digital photography start at a very basic level. Mr. Ang's book assumes that the reader is familiar with their camera and basic photography. He then goes on to illustrate his points with very specific photographs showing, for example, what happens to a cloudy sky as the weather conditions and light changes over time. The production values for the book are very high and all of the photo reproductions are excellent as is the writing.
I enjoyed reading the book and found good illustations of several points I hadn't considered previously. I would recommend this book to any photographer with the stipulation Digital Photography Masterclass that it is not a 'how to' guide for beginners.

This is an impressive book. It has a tremendous amount of content and the layout is visually very pleasing to my eye. The challenge for me is that I couldn't read it. I've tried 3 times now to read the book but in just a few pages I give up. The author's writing style just doesn't appeal to me.

For example, the authors opening paragraph on the topic of depth of field is this. "It's hard to get excited about depth of field in its usual definition. But in actual fact, it's about a lot more than merely the span of space within an image in which an object will appear acceptably sharp. Depth of field is really about the plasticity of the image - its feel, its handling of space."

Okay, what does that mean? I tend toward the logical so telling me depth of field isn't really about range of sharpness (even though that is exactly what depth of field is) but is, instead, about plasticity isn't understandable to me. What is plasticity?

Unfortunately, the author does not define or explain "plasticity". The only other comment he makes about it in the depth of field section is in his summary paragraph he writes, "The net result is that the plasticity of your image - how it feels and the way it conveys the picture space to the viewer - depends heavily on your control of depth of field."

So, in other words, the depth of field of an image impacts how that image looks.

Why not just say that?

Instead of making up a term - plasticity - and then not defining or discussing the term why not use the term depth of field, which is already commonly used and is the subject of that section?

Does substituting a new, undefined term (plasticity) for a well-know and commonly used term (depth of field) improve the readers understanding of depth of field or its impact on an image? Not for me and apparently not for the author, since the topic the author selected to discuss was "depth of field", not "plasticity of image."

This is just one example, there are others on almost every page I managed to read.

If the author's writing style works for you, then this is probably a good book for you. If an esoteric writing style is not appealing to you, then you might want to select a book by a different author. 3 stars for writing style.

This is simply the best photography book I own, period. It NEVER sits on a shelf.

I appreciate the format, which makes the information very accessible and usable. The book is loaded cover-to-cover with practicle tips, insights and information. It is easily understandable, even to beginners. This book educates, challenges, and inspires. I love the format. I love the assignments which guide skill development, and I love the interviews with real photographers near the end of the book, which give insights from up-and-coming talents.

I recommend this book to anyone catching the photography bug as the FIRST they should buy and use, no question. It definitely stands out from the run-of-the-mill, cliche' photography books that litter the market today.

Thanks Tom. Give us more!

After reading the reviews of numerous other photography books available on Amazon(Kelby,Peterson, Miotke, and the PhotoWorkShop series)I came to the conclusion that you can't please everybody, and everyone has strong opinions about their dislikes.

This book is published by DK, and those familiar with the dense slick graphics of that publishing line will have a very good idea as to what they are getting- a lot of material well-covered in a somewhat superficial manner. Photo examples are rather smallish (the "thumbnail complaint" mentioned by another reviewer is valid. ). I also understand why the writing style might NOT be to all readers tastes.

However, for a non-mathematical, advanced beginner digital SLR book, I believe Ang's book really does stand out from the crowd. For more comprehensive and technical coverage of the subject there are other, more specialized texts. The Amazon price reduction makes this book especially appearing. I gave this book as a gift to accompany a new Canon Rebel XS- and the recipient was quite pleased with both the material and presentation in the Masterclass book.

I'd recommend it for a starter.

I have lots of digital photography books and subscribe to the usual digital photography magazines in hopes of improving my DSLR skills. This is the best, single, all inclusive, digital photography currently on the market.

Its well-laid out, the author's prose is not burdened with technical jargon and the photo examples are especially good when used to illustrate techniques. My only criticism is that some of the photos, because of their size, are a bit too small to really see the differences a technique or camera setting might make. (but then, the book does have size limits)

If I were going to buy two photography books that would help improve my understanding of digital photography, inspire me to make better photos and contained examples of great photography, this would be my first choice. My second book would be Joe McNally's "The Moment It Clicks."

Its a bit pricey if bought at the list price, but its well worth the money. Buy it and you will never regret the purchase.

This book was an Amazon suggestion for my wife when she bought the book I had requested for Christmas. It was a totally unrelated product to what I desired, but I have read more of this book than the other book. It is first, a beautiful book, a DK product, with fine enamel paper, good bindings and great color printing. So when I read the small topical chapter about, say, how to make a droplet photograph so that reverse images are clear through it, the pictures are excellent, and the explanation is easy to read, and I get it. So when a houseguest asks another friend how to take pictures of droplets that aren't opaque, I have this book to show her. She read the chapter in 3 minutes, and takes the name down to buy herself. Each chapter can stand on its own to teach you a concept you have struggled with prior. Photo manipulation is made more clear and makes me freer to play with images I have.

Each chapter presents a short abstract, a topical paragraph, photos that show carefully how it shows the technique, and then has a few other folks' examples of photos using this technique and their dissatisfaction with the result, and a nice critique by others of how the image could have been done slightly better, helping solidify the concept.

This is both a teaching book and a reference book. I will keep it handy for consulting as I am freed to try some new techniques.

I have several general digital photography books by this author, and they all do a masterful job of teaching basics and more advanced concepts painlessly. The example photographs are excellent, and the tasks you're "assigned" are all useful for mastering digital photography. Highly recommended.