Customer Reviews

Digital Photography Pocket Guide

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My Sony DSC-S85 was a Christmas gift last year. I've taken literally thousands of photos with it and deleted 80% of them. I've managed a few lucky shots that have impressed people who don't know any better, but my experience thus far has been frustrating at best and maddening most of the time. The owner's manual identifies the components and features, but is written for someone who knows what aperture and exposure and white balance mean and do. Bottom line, I don't. Or at least I didn't until I read this guide in a single sitting. Believe me, I've tried other books. They, too, were written for someone much less ignorant about photography than me. No, I'm not stupid, but this "hobby" was beginning to make me feel that way. Mr. Story wrote this book not for the experienced or even novice photographer but for the completely-clueless-wanna-be-photographer. While the language is not demeaning or patronizing, it clearly explains the common photography terms to which I'd never been exposed and tells me what they mean in terms of creating a viewable, viable photo. Finally, it all makes real sense.

Will I use this Pocket Guide as intended? You bet! It will be wherever my camera is at all times. I may understand it all now, but I won't remember it until I've used my new knowledge a few times. I highly recommend this book for anyone who possesses the most basic digital or the poor fool who, like me, owns way more camera than they think they'll ever know what to do with!!

Digital cameras are subject to the same fate as many film cameras: folks are excited to get them and love to take snapshots, but can often be disappointed with the results. The wildlife that seemed so very close at the time turn out to be tiny specks, or you get the perfect portrait of your toddler niece only to find out her skin comes out blue. Fortunately, this is a situation where a little learning can go a long way, and this pocket guide by professional photographer (and MacDevCenter.com editor) Derrick Story may be the best investment you make in your photography.

I should be clear about my own bias here: I work with Derrick at O'Reilly, and I've also been a client of his photography business. That said, I also know that he has an unwavering passion for photography and technology, and he's a great teacher. It's a winning combination for this little book. Digital Photography Pocket Guide distills the essentials of digital photography in a friendly and yet complete portable guide. It's jam-packed with tips and examples and covers an amazing variety of digital camera features.

The guide goes beyond camera features, though, and discusses situations in which you might use them. What should you consider when planning a museum visit? What are some general rules of thumb about composition? This book helps you get the most out of your camera, and the most out of the photographer.

One problem with most how-to photography books is that it's difficult to find the information you need when you're actually in the process of taking photos. That's why I especially like the comprehensive "Quick Reference Charts" in the Appendix of this book. It's all right there. The book is small enough to take with you, but still big on content.

At last, an O'Reilly book that my not-so-technical family can appreciate!

Excellent book, perfect for carrying with your camera. Well presented in an organized fashion. Just the facts, brief and to the point with many examples (black and white, not color, but good enough). Covers all the usaual digital photography basics and common problems plus a lot of extra suggestions and techniques. I would recommend this book to any one who feels they need a concise reference "on the road".

With three kids, photos are important to me as I want to capture many times of their lives so we may reflect on them with a visual aid. A good photo does make a difference. Again, with three kids, who has time to read a book or take a class to become one with a camera? This book fills that need.

It has three simple chapters with quick reference tables in the back of the book. It's small enough to fit into your camera bag, laptop case, briefcase, suitcase, or jacket pocket. The chapters address what is it?, what do I do?, and how do I? questions.
What is it? covers the basic, intermediate, and advanced features found on digital cameras. It's the shortest chapter as once you get familiar with the features, you won't need the chapter anymore and you still have roughly 85 pages of material to support you when you're out there trying to capture the world you see.

Once you've conquered the buttons and figured out what most of the symbols and modes mean, you're ready to dig deeper into the features and gain control of the camera with answers to your what does it do? types of questions relating to exposure and Flash compensation, white balance, ISO speed, and resolution.

The last chapter is more free flowing as you and the camera have become one. Get tips on taking outdoor and group shots including sporting events where players are moving fast. Capture kids, travel spots, and wedding memories with class. As kids grow up, you may not return to the same places, and weddings happen only once (we would hope, unless it's a renewal of vows).

Adding this book to your camera tool bag is a step forward to better pictures and a better understanding of those fancy photography terms - which aren't a big deal after you read author Derrick Story's simple and clear explanations.

Do you remember when you first hold your new digital camera? Have you got this strong desire to take a professional shots for every thing around you and the people around you?
Then, you hold your camera searching for the power button!! And face the fact that you need to know your camera to be able to get your professional shots. However, many people do not know much about their digital camera and its capabilities, losing chances of great shots.
The Digital Photography Pocket Guide, O'reilly's best selling book, leads you to know your camera starting from its components, features and software features to how to take good shots with your camera.
The first chapter introduces to you the digital camera and its features. The second chapter tells you alphabetically what every button and menu do starting from Aperture Value to Zooming.
The last chapter includes some useful tips and tricks to consider when taking your shots. And in the end of the book, Derrick Story included important indexes about your digital camera
Actually, the secret of the good shots is to consider your camera the extension of you hand that translate your eyes vision and ideas to camera shots. And the first step to achieve this is to know your camera.
This guide is a very useful for both beginners who want to get a new camera or the user that already have a digital camera but do not know much about it.

This is a great little guide for first time digital camera owners and even some good tips for amateurs. I recently purchased a Nikon Coolpix camera and didn't really know how all the functions worked. I read the first half of the book with my camera by my side and found out my camera does much more that I thought! This guide takes you through all the basic modes and buttons on your camera, then it has a alphabetical reference of functions. Lastly it gives you tips on how to take great pictures. I now own a Nikon D200 and just used the book again. It's small size makes it easy to carry in your camera bag for reference.

I had the second edition when I only had a point and shoot and LOVED it! Now I have an SLR...I was given recommendations for two other books and also bought this pocket guide. The other books are good (very technical) but this really brings everything together for me! With this book in my pocket, I will have the "reminders" and tips I need. Everything in a nutshell; technical AND practical!!!

If you are among the many millions who has purchased a new digital camera recently, this book is for you! Author Derrick Story, has done an outstanding job of writing a great book (3rd edition) on how to use your digital camera, by making you aware of every available feature and how they can help you make some excellent images.

Story begins by teaching you about every nook and cranny on your camera. Next, the author will help you answer the following questions about your camera: When do you use fill flash and slow synchro (?); when do you use fill flash (?); and, what is slow synchro good for? Finally, he explains more than a dozen important camera techniques.

In this excellent book, Story reveals how your digital camera is actually an extension of your vision. In other words, you're the one making the decisions, not the camera!

As I try to expand my knowledge of photography, I have begun to collect a few books covering the subject. However, none are easy to take on a hike (for example). This book easily fits in my camera bag serves as my "cheat sheet" when I'm away from the house taking pictures.

It contains all the basic information you'd expect. Explanation of terms, what all the camera features do, suggestions for shots, etc. I really liked the third section which contains the information on how to set up and take the best shots possible. I would have been happy with another 50 pages on taking pictures in various locations and lighting conditions. The pages are all full color as well - I have the Third Edition.

Even though it is a Pocket Guide, I was expecting more from this book. I'm not saying it is a bad book but it is very very basic; practically focussed to those who have never EVER used a digital camera. The only chapter (to my taste anyway) that I find with relevant/interesting/good information is the 3rd chapter where the writer describes some tips on "how to questions". In summary, if you have some experience on digital photography this book won't be that usefull and if you want to learn about aperture, shutter speed and so on..there are better books to learn those subjects.