Customer Reviews

Photography (7th Edition)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For those impatient enough: if you are to buy one book that would teach you photography - this should be the one. This book has survived seven editions and it has enough information to make your head hurt. Needless to say, this book does not offer a silver bullet that would make you Ansel Adams, but it has enough information to build a solid technical foundation upon which you could leverage your creativity.

Make no mistake: this book is first and foremost about film photography. While there is a somewhat obligatory chapter on digital photography, it is hardly more than a very brief introduction. The rest of the book implies film photography (needless to say, that information on exposure and lens is generally applicable to both film and digital photography techniques).

Furthermore, the book is seriously geared toward black and white photography. There is plenty of information about the color process but it feels complementary to the narration.

On the negative side, there are only a couple things to note:
- Having so many precise instructions, this book ought to have an appendix containing all data in one place (from reciprocity failure correction numbers, to N+2 development time increase, to film processing checklists). It is a shame, the book doesn't have such a reference chapter.
- The price of the latest edition is way too steep. While I am far from suggesting sacrificing quality for lower price (as unfortunately so many other books do), I still think that the price has risen way too high compared to older editions.

All in all, it is an excellent basic reference. It is unlikely to be the only book on your shelf, but it will definitely be an extremely useful one while you are mastering advanced photography. Bottom line: buy this book now.

This is a fantastic book that has something for beginners and advanced amateurs alike. I bought this book for my photography class at Temple University, and it will happily be on my bookshelf and referenced for a long time (or perhaps until the 8th or 9th edition)?

The book contains many useful lessons for beginners, if that is your level, for basic photography. I would have liked for there to be more about digital photography though, but I'm sure that will come in later editions as that medium evolves. There is also plenty to offer a budding photographer about lessons in the darkroom, and that was very useful and continues to be.

This is the ultimate photography book that will more than get a beginner started, or be a big help as a refresher to an amateur. However, the price is a tremendous drawback - it's a lot of bang, but for the bucks you pay, I'd try getting a used copy - there are many great dealers on Amazon that can help. This book is well worth owning though. It misses the 5-star mark because of cost.

This book may have a hefty price, but it is well worth it. I purchased it originally just for photo class, but it is the best book that I could have bought. There is everything photographers could ever want to know, and it grows with you. If you are a beginner, then just start slowly with the first few chapters that guide you through cameras, film, and developing and then progress to more complicated things. I recommend this book to every photographer because it is a wonderful reference book for any questions you have.

I have greatly enjoyed the 20 year old version of this book I purchase ...at a used book store. It provided me with a comprehensive first look at many photographic concepts with enough detail to put my newfound knowledge to practical use.
I highly recommend this book for people interested in a detailed overview of photography.

I'm currently enrolled in a level 1 photography class and this book has been paramount in my learning/understanding of the basics. It has filled the sometimes large gaps left by my instructor and his style of teaching. I would recommend this reference without a second thought for those of you looking to learn the basics, and then some! It's full of photos that explain what words cannot at times, and better yet - it's written in plain English!

This book is a must-read for any serious budding photographer. It is designed to achieve professional photographer standard, and does it well. It is up to the student how well they assimilate the information contained. Happy snapping!

This book was recommended to me by a professional photograher. She told me she reviews this book on a regular basis. As a person who loves to take pictures as a hobby, I found this book to be perfect for my needs. Tips on everything from equipment (with alot of instructions on proper lighting) - To how to get that perfect picture.

Book came only 3 days after I ordered it, which is a lot earlier than I thought. Great condition like he said. 5 stars is definitely deserved!

This was just what I needed for my class! Great price and arrived in the condition it said it was in.

I had to buy this book for school. Its an great book. Good example photos and very easy to understand.

Check out my photos at:www.myspace.com/davidjwright1