Customer Reviews

Rick Sammon's Digital Photography Secrets

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have no idea what the people who rated this book as 5 stars are talking about. I have used Amazon since the website was open this will be only the second book I ever returned!

This book is ONLY good if you have purchased your first digital camera and need some introduction to digital photography after you have read the manual with the camera -- for anyone else -- it is a joke!

Most of the book is used to help sell Canon or Westcott equipment. Most of the supposed secrets are 5 sentences or less with no real substance.

The DVD is mostly pointless and the paragraph intro to the DVD is basically trying to sell you his other DVDs. I have seen reviews of this book in photo magazines and everyone must be on lets make Rick Sammon's money band wagon because the information listed in this book is fairly useless to anyone outside of a pure novice.

I cannot tell you how dissappointed I am in this book -- it puts me off to anything else he may produce or write.

The secret of this book is there are no real secrets and fool and his money are soon parted!

If you are looking for a magician disclosing his secrets, this book is not for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for clear, concise, practical and easy to understand steps to take better pictures - this is the book you want! Each page has a suggestion as to how to improve your pictures - from better composition, to better awareness, to improving work flow, gear recommendations, improving exposure, focus, and the list goes on and on. I can honestly say, that I have learned something from each page and I found the perfect photo accompanying each page particularly helpful in reinforcing each page's "secret".

After reading each page, I am anxious to grap my camera and go out and test Rick's suggestions (of course the pages about winter/rain gear, I may just skip for now).

I highly recommend this book to anyone either new to photography or anyone that is looking to improve their skills.

There are not many writers that can make you feel
special, like they are writing directly to you. And
there are not many photographers that can have
their photographs speak so directly to you. Rick
Sammon is among the few. His book is packed
full of useful information on how you can extend
and improve your digital photography. Discover
the "Secret".

This book is filled with wonderful tips. I have seen reviews that say the book is only good if you are a Canon shooter, and nothing could be further from the truth. I am not a Canon shooter and I have always been able to pick up some extremely valuabe tips from rick's books. I have enjoyed every book that Rick has written because his style is so friendly and he writes almost like he is having a one-on-one conversation with you. If you ever get to see Rick Sammon live, do it !! He is a friendly, gracious man with an enormous talent for teaching. Check this book out....you will not be disappointed.

I bought several of his books as they were recommended on TWIP. For novice camera enthusiasts all of the books contain a ton of great info and recommendations. One little caveat is that he tends to repeat himself (incl, using same photos) between different books so the added value of buying a 2nd book by this author is something you would need to carefully balance. If you had to pick one book by him, I would recommend this book.

The author provides a good introduction for beginner photographers using DSLR cameras. The book is divided into sections for Landscapes, People, Animals and Close-up photography. It has a different topic on every page with an easy to understand tip and illustration. There are also sections on photography equipment and processing photos in the digital darkroom. This is a good reference book for the novice.
Rick Sammon's Digital Photography Secrets

I bought this book for my husband and he's been very enthusiastic about what he is learning. He read the first chapter and told me he picked up tips and ideas already. Now he's almost done with it (he's reading it cover to cover) and he's still enjoying it! I would highly recommend this book if you're interesting in improving your digital photography.

Rick Sammon really knows his stuff. Half a dozen of the tips in this book are worth the entire price, and you get a DVD to boot. Even if you think you know everything there is to know about digital photography, pick up this book and learn more. I picked up some techniques that I can apply immediately to my use of my Nikon D300.

Although this book provides comprehensive content for photographers of all skill levels, it clearly aims at serious photographers wanting to advance. Primarily for DSLR and Photoshop CS users, it offers clear and concise instructions for shooting in dozens of specific situations. Color illustrations accompany all topics. DSLR cameras are explored in great detail. There are many excellent tips for various shooting subjects: Landscapes, People, Animals and Macro Photography are covered as are sections on photo and computer hardware and software. The included DVD has a dozen short QuickTime video lessons. This is a good book for any photographer's library, excellent as a reference.

Well aimed and straight to the point are Rick Sammon's "secrets". Actually my friend Rick has no secrets as he always shares his wealth of knowledge freely. It is as if he were answering questions in one of his seminars. In this book he devotes one page to each subject: from how to best photograph in the rain while protecting yourself and equipment to explaining the "Dis-Equilibrium" effect. Salient information without mombojumbo is how he presents his important bullets. I carry my copy of the book with me when I know I will have to wait, like for the car to be worked on. I scan subject after subject till the car is ready. I think it is a book best read in snippets in preparation for a shoot.

Definitely check out page 14 to find out how knowing the difference in dynamic range capabilities between your eye, film and digital media can improve how you can capture what you see.

It is a fun and wonderfully illustrated book that will help improve you photographic efforts.

David A. Page

Fine Arts Photographer (ret.)
Duke University