Introduction to Digital Photography (2nd Edition) [Paperback]

Joseph Ciaglia (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0131175157 | ISBN-13: 978-0131175150 | Publication Date: March 14, 2005 | Edition: 2

Unique in approach, this is the first introduction to digital photography written specifically for beginning photographers. Using a photographer's perspective, it shows users how digital photography relates to traditional photography, how it can improve traditional picture-making, and how it diverges from traditional photography to open up new avenues for creative growth. The volume covers digital imaging, image capture and storage, basic and more advanced editing, digital printing and electronic publishing and more. For amateur and professional photographers.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This is truly a useful basic textbook about digital imaging that presents principles and essentials of the medium for photographers. Focusing on the most broadly useful aspects of Photoshop, author Joe Ciaglia demonstrates, with numerous illustrations, how the most important tools work together to make the software a powerful whole.

The choice of topics places a strong emphasis on the photographic qualities of imaging software. Topics in digital imaging are related to similar topics in the traditional basic photography curriculum.

Clarity of presentation is the organizing principle of this book. Features includes:

• Complex operations such as scanning, creating composite images, and resampling images are presented as easy-to-follow, illustrated step by step procedures.
• An easy-to-use format in which each technique, process, skill or family of software tools is covered on facing pages.
• Numerous color illustrations enhance the teaching power of the book. The illustrations were created or chosen to motivate the learner to want to learn the techniques discussed in the text.
• Projects are given that are suitable for individuals or whole classes.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

This book is written for students who have had at least one semester of traditional black-and-white photography. It links what students have learned about traditional photography with the basics of digital photography.

This book results from an exploration into the needs of teachers and beginning students in this new field. The author realized that nearly all the successful books about digital imaging fall into two camps. Some texts are aimed at experienced photographers. Others are encyclopedic software manuals about Adobe Photoshop that give excellent descriptions of every proverbial "tree," but no overview of the "forest." Neither kind of book provides what beginning students need. Beginners need a logical starting place and guidance about what is essential and what is less important.

A truly useful basic textbook about digital imaging would be one that takes the revolutionary step of not being encyclopedic; it would be one that presents principles and essentials. Consequently, this book focuses on the most broadly useful aspects of Photoshop, and demonstrates, with numerous illustrations, how the most important tools work together to make the software a powerful whole. An example of essential tools working together is the use of masks on adjustment layers. (See pages 79, 84, and 87).

The choice of topics places a strong emphasis on the photographic qualities of imaging software. The makers of Photoshop have added excellent vector graphics capabilities and expanded page/web layout and word processing features to their software. Professional users demand these features, but a school curriculum that is photographic at its core needs a basic textbook that stays focused on the photographic fundamentals.

Clarity of presentation is the uppermost value in the organization of this book. We wanted to organize the presentation to be both logical and interesting. An easy-to-use format is employed in which facing pages present a single idea, process, or family of software tools. Boldfaced topic sentences organize the topics on every page. Numerous color illustrations enhance the teaching power of the book. The illustrations were created or chosen to motivate the learner to want to learn the techniques discussed in the text. Whenever possible, topics in digital imaging are related to similar topics in the traditional basic photography curriculum. Complex operations such as scanning, creating composite images, and resampling images are presented as illustrated step-by-step procedures. The logical, easy-to-follow sequences of each procedure are clearly explained. Projects are given that are suitable for individuals or whole classes.

Without the help and experience of many others, an author cannot complete a book like this. Barbara London proposed and championed the project, and her knowledge of every aspect of creating a textbook helped the author in ways beyond measure. Sheena Cameron gave levelheaded perspective and warm support when it was most needed. Craig Collins helped with ideas about how to explain the ins and outs of Photoshop. Peggy Jones' years of experience with teaching several digital subjects provided a context for thinking about how students experience Photoshop. Bonnie Kamin helped when many additional illustrations were needed. M.K. Simqu helped with more insights about how people learn Photoshop. Fellow photography author Jim Stone helped with structuring the project in its difficult early stages. The many photography teachers who spoke with me about their experiences and the dozens more who contributed essays about teaching digital-.imaging to the book Magic Wand all helped in innumerable ways.

Producing a book requires professionalism. Editors and production chiefs from HarperCollins and later, Prentice Hall were extremely helpful to the author: Kimberly Chastain, Priscilla McGeehon, Harriet Tellem, and Bud Therien.

The classroom is the best test of ideas about teaching. This book is dedicated to my Digital Imagery I and II students at the University of New Mexico, Taos. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 2 edition (March 14, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131175157
• ISBN-13: 978-0131175150
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #233,421 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is great book as a reference tool., January 5, 2005

By 

M. Coleman (Homewood, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Introduction to Digital Photography (Paperback)

I found this in the Library at the college. After taking a photoshop 1 & 2, this book helped solidify the things I learned and then some. I liked his writing style, he communicates very well. I think he did a better job of explaining things than my professor. Good book.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best, October 14, 2009

By 

Cynthia Harris "sunsetdaze" (TASMANIA Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Introduction to Digital Photography (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

I've been using Photoshop for years, pretty much self taught but with the odd search on the internet for tips. I should've read this book right at the beginning because it explains very intelligently and completely, the correct way (and thus easier) of performing various functions. It doesn't leave you scratching your head by leaving a critical point unexplained. It covers most of the basics and explains the most used and important functions.

Nearly every page had me going "Ahh" is THAT how I should've been doing that! Or, actually smiling with pleasure at reading something which made me understand something, like paths, or how to correctly extract parts of an image. It is a brilliant book for novices and probably some more experienced users who have been set in their ways and chugging through actions more laboriously than they should've been.

This book I highly recommend. I came here looking for a third edition, but to my disappointment there isn't one. Being 2005, it could do with updating on some aspects.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Digital Photography, October 5, 2005

By 

A. Floyd "annie mae" (cincinnati, Ohio usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Introduction to Digital Photography (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

The book, Introduction to Digital Photography (2nd edition) by Joseph Ciaglia, is very helpful to those who are just begining to enter the digital world. If one already knows alot about digital photography, than this book is a great referrence to look up any questions.