Customer Reviews

Rick Sammon's Canon EOS Digital Rebel Personal Training Photo Workshop [DVD Edition]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This is a great DVD for a very limited audience. That audience is a person who just bought a Canon Digital Rebel Camera, knows nothing about photography, doesn't want to spend more than two hours learning about the camera, and doesn't want to read a book.

The presenter is Rick Sammons, a noted photographer and instructor. Sammons covers a lot of ground in a number of short clips, covering everything from holding the camera, to exposure and focusing to flash photography, without ever leaving the shallow end of the pool.

Sammons is a great instructor, whose energy and enthusiasm are beyond belief. One wonders why the producers felt the need to shoot pictures of him, a student and an assistant at a angle, or why the film flashed graphics across the screen for every point, or why the graphic-hip reviews had to be longer than the presentations, or why there had to be an incessant up-beat musical track that could give someone older than the MTV generation a fit. Perhaps the screen time could have been used for more in depth training.

I wondered why the publisher was offering this video for sale, when it looked like it ought to be stuck in the box with the camera by Canon.

Still, if, and only if, you are the audience described in the first paragraph, this video is for you.

I have had my Canon Rebel XT for 2 years and am just now really learning how to use it, thanks to people like Rick Sammon. This DVD is very easy to follow and is divided into clear sections so you can go back and review as needed. He is very easy-going and makes it a lot of fun. I am already taking better pictures because of going through the DVD. For someone who is looking to learn the specifics of this camera, this is the best source I've found. I wish Canon could include this DVD with every camera they sell!

As the co-host of The Digital Photography Show, I've interviewed scores of photographers and instructors. Rick Sammon is one of the best. He has an amazing gift not only for explaining technical skills in a simple way, but he also infuses his audience with a great enthusiasm and passion for photography.

What many people don't realize is that the most inexpensive DSLRs available today give you 80% of the functionality of the most expensive cameras you can buy. Whether you have a Digital Rebel, a Nikon D40 or a Sony Alpha, you have an amazingly powerful, versitile tool. What you may not have is the knowledge to get the most out of it.

That's where the incredibly engaging Rick Sammon comes in. Rick will lead you though the use of your camera, explaining all the basic and intermediate concepts you need to know to turn the shot in your head into the shot your camera captures.

Best of all, you don't even need a Digital Rebel to learn from this book. Any DSLR user will benefit from the concepts and skills Rick teaches you in this informative introduction. I rate it five stars, but only because they won't let me give it six.

Both my daughter and I have Canon Digital Rebels and we've always

taken great photos with our cameras. But after buying Rick Sammon's

newest DVD ( I have two of his books) his on camera photography tips

are helping us raise the quality of our photography. I would

recommend this DVD not only for Digital Rebel users, but for any

digital camera user looking to turn their "snapshots into great shots"!

Positive points:

I am visual so it is easier then reading a book.

Negative points:

The DVD three is confusing, but aren't they all.

The same clip is used in 2 different parts in the DVD. (Exposure => Basic Picture Modes=> Sports & Getting a Great Shot => Sports Shooting)

They should have used 2 cameras for filming, One behind Rick's shoulder especially when he is saying stuff like: "push this button" and we can't actually see which button he is touching!

It looks like they are always rushed (clips are running of an average of 2-4 minutes top , I was hopping for more details).

I wished it had more stuff about exposure & tack sharp picture.

It is a well documented fact that you need a tripod to have Tack Sharp pictures, but you never see them use one (except once)!!!

I think that Canon should include it with the camera when you buy it!

I have taken private workshops with Rick, and this info-packed DVD is

like having Rick along side of you, showing you not only how to use the

XTi, but how to take great pictures indoors and outdoors, in low light and

in bright light, and with a flash and without one. This is the "must have"

DVD for all Canon shooters.

Rick consistently makes photography fun and easy for everyone. I love his style that makes you feel he is talking right to you and addressing your needs. Photography should be fun and Rick works to make it exactly that for all photographers. He gives you the techniques that make any camera give professional results.

I was hoping for a little more detail and analysis than that provided and the pace is just too slow. Each segment is so short, you'll spend half the time pressing the next button, watching reviews and listening to the same music clips.

There are some good tips buried within but this DVD is probably best for someone new to the camera who does not like to read manuals.

I consider myself an advanced digital photographer but I am always looking to learn more and improve. I like Mr. Sammon's books so I jumped on this DVD when I came across it.

The pace of it is rather slow but that is what the 'next' button is for on the remote I suppose.

The information on the DVD is well organized and very well presented. All topics are reviewed at the end of each section.

I have learned several things about my XTi/XT and a number of things about photography from this DVD.

Rick Sammon's Canon EOS Digital Rebel Personal Training Photo Workshop

I bought this DVD hoping I would get some useful tips on taking better pictures. I just purchased my digital Cannon XT and just playing with it for 10 minutes, I figured out everything that was covered in this DVD. I was hoping for more but got much less. If you've never used any type of camera (digital or otherwise), I would recommend this DVD but if you're looking to polish your current skills, even if your skills are minimal, try another route.

In a nutshell, this DVD was a big disapointment for me I learned everything I needed to use the camera in about 10 minutes and then wasted $20 thinking I'd get more.