Customer Reviews

Rick Sammon's HDR Photography Secrets for Digital Photographers

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

I originally removed this review after the author contacted me. I felt bad for him. But last night I ran into someone else who bought the book and felt cheated - just as I did. So... I am reposting the review in hopes of saving other people from tossing their money away.

This book is absolute fluff. If you've been doing HDR for more than a month you already know everything this book has to offer: start in aperture then drop down to manual, not everything is meant to be shot using HDR, etc.

Open to a random page and you'll surely find the words "This is my favorite HDR shot". Rick *loves* his own work, which is utterly surprising when you realize how overdone it is. If you really want to learn about HDR pick up Trey Ratcliff's book on the subject - it is intelligently written, thoughtfully done, contains a plethora of useful technical information (along with a meat-n-potatoes tutorial), *isn't* written in a 14-24 point font, and isn't a compilation of self-promotional material.

When Rick contacted me he felt compelled to share with me one of his mother's philosophies: "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all" - yes... he actually said that. I disagree of course. My hope is that I save you some money and an hour or two of reading a book that offers nothing but a gaudy cover.

Rick Sammon is an author whose enthusiasm comes leaping through his writings on photography, and this characteristic is so delightful that it makes reading any of his books a pleasure. In "Rick Sammon's HDR Photography Secrets for digital photographers" [sic] he turns his attention to high dynamic range photography ("HDR") and other techniques for extending the range of light in a photograph from the limited reach of digital cameras toward the range of the human eye.

After a hit-and-run set of general photography tips he talks about the general considerations of HDR photography including the importance of bracketing and the conflict between artistic and realistic output. He describes the use of what has become the most popular HDR software, Photomatix Pro, and then explains the effects of a Photoshop plug-in, Topaz Adjust. He also discusses a few other techniques that will expand the range of light like adjustments in Adobe Camera Raw, and then some special output techniques like panoramas and black-and-white photography. He describes his own equipment and lists several web sites that he finds useful. A few chapters consist mainly of Sammon's own HDR images without much explanation.

The discussions that I found most useful were the question of when to use HDR instead of standard processing and when each of the three modes in Photomatix (exposure fusion, detail enhancer and tone compressor) would be most appropriate.

When new technologies are introduced, I consider photography books worth reading just because they introduce the new techniques. As a technology matures, I hold books to a higher standard than the earlier books because the main questions that photographers ask are now apparent. This book would have been terrific a few years ago but today it just joins a host of books about HDR.

Among the more frequent questions I hear about HDR is how to use the many sliders and buttons in Photomatix to achieve certain effects and how to achieve realistic results while extending the range of light. Sammon explains what the sliders and buttons do, but his explanations are even briefer than those contained in the rollover instructions in Photomatix, and he merely tells readers to play with the sliders. As to achieving realistic results, the majority of the author's images fall into the artistic, or surrealistic, category that makes so many people dislike HDR. Moreover the plug-ins discussed, like Topaz, seem designed to create these surrealistic effects rather than truly extend the range of light. (Sammon believes that most of the Topaz effects can be created in Photoshop, although with more work than Topaz. I would have liked to see how this could be done.)

Another problem I've seen is that many photographers don't know how to set up their cameras in the most effective way to capture HDR images. Given the number of cameras on the market, such instruction is certainly beyond this book, but photographers should go over the manuals that came with their cameras to find out how to set up bracketing, neutralize settings and fire a burst quickly.

Because true HDR images are created by combining several successive images, moving subjects are a particular problem but this aspect is completely ignored.

In summary this book is a lot of fun to read, and useful if one has not read other books about HDR, but adds little to the existing body of knowledge. I suspect that what is now most needed for learning HDR photography is a book of tutorials with practice images that can be used to learn the specifics of Photomatix.

While there are beautiful HDR photos captured in the book, I don't think the book is much more than a "pep-rally" for HDR photogrpahy. The repeating theme is to just put the time in and play with the various sliders. The book heavily endorses certain programs such as Photomatix, Topaz labs, etc and my guess is that these issues are thinly veiled endorsements/advertising from the companies. There really aren't any thought out or elaborated technical aspects to HDR photography and you can easily learn as much from the brief manuel found with Photomatix (I use the program) or the myriad other books on HDR photography. The author has a palpable enthusiasm for photography but I'm not sure what is offered in the book that hasn't already been published. There certainly are no "secrets".

This book is a must for anyone who would love to do HDR.
It's been a great help to me, I have had a program for 12months
and thought I was doing HDR, till I read this book and started to play.
The secret is,not to be scared of experimenting with HDR, it's alot of fun.

Great book with beautiful, inspiring pictures and helpful info on how to take and make HDR images. The only reason that I deducted one star was because I was hoping for a bit more specific data on how to process HDR, such as for this type of shot take so many frames and then use these settings as a starting point. Photomatix is a great program but it overwhelms me. I guess no definitive starting place exists but it would be so much easier if it did!

If you're looking for a book is filled with before and after images that is fun and easy to follow-along, then this is for you. Rick Sammon is an excellent instructor and is a very enthusiast and passionate photographer. It shows in his writing style and in his photography.

Rick Sammon's HDR Secrets for Digital Photographers
Rick Sammon's book provides many photos (one per page) showing the advantages and disadvantages of HDR photography. He offers advice on when to use HDR and when HDR is not nesscary. The book gives many photo examples to make Sammon's point. Also, there is practical help on the use of Photomatix, Topaz Adjust, and Photoshop to process the HDR images. I heartily recommend Rick Sammon's HDR book to photographers who like the artistic aspect, as well as the natural side, of digital photograghy.

Rick Sammon is the cheerleader of all time for photography. I just got his new book on HDR Photography Secrets and it is wonderful. Rick's approach goes way beyond the computer geek approach that so much HDR info is based on. Rick's book is about PHOTOGRAPHY and using HDR. He has terrific examples and is very inspiring. He got me excited to try some new things with HDR. You can't help it when you spend time with Rick's writing and photography -- he makes you want to get out and do it yourself!

I think what really resonates for me are the terrific examples. So often photo book authors try to look good with elaborate text, but they don't put the effort into the photos. Rick does. And he tells you how he did it. One thing about HDR photography is that you have to do it. Reading books goes only so far, no matter what they say. I think that seeing what is possible with clear and well-written information about the photos is so important to encourage one to get out and take HDR pictures yourself. Rick covers what you need to know in order to take great shots with HDR. There are so many folks who have not even tried HDR, so a book like this is great because it treats them with respect and also gives great inspiration from the tips and techniques for advanced shooters. I am a pretty advanced shooter, and I got some ideas and tips from this book.

If you want to just look at beautiful images, this is the book for you. However, if you want to learn the nitty-gritty of HDR, find another book. With that said, there were two things I liked about the book. The author said to make pictures, don't simply take pictures. The other was to experiment with the programmes. Great advice. Worthy of $19 plus shipping? I think not!

The most frustrating thing of all for me was the constant references to "stuff you will learn in this book" or "as you will learn while reading this book" or "you'll learn about this stuff soon" or "you'll find all the information you need to make nice HDR images in this book" or "more on than later too." This, for me, was the theme of this book. All I can say is don't hold your breath.

My favourite paragraph in the book was, "On the remaining pages in this chapter, I share several other examples of expanding the dynamic range of an image. Before and after examples are used. I did not include any chitchat on those pages because I want you to see the pictures as large as possible." Huh? Since no "chitchat" was included, you have no other option but to try to guess how he achieved those results. (Unfortunately, at that point, I threw the book across the room, so I can't return it due to damages it sustained on it's impact with the wall. I'll be donating it to my local library.)

In my opinion, the latter part of the book was the worst. Ads! Software and hardware ads. I don't see what the brand and model of the author's camera, lenses, tripod, computer, hard drive, and cards have to do with HDR.

This book is well named, because after reading it, HDR photography is still a secret.

What I like about this fun-filled book is that Rick Sammon has more before/after and good/bad images that in the HDR books I have seen. What's more, he includes lots of screen grabs that show you how to navigate through Photomatix, Topaz Adjust and Photoshop - and even Adobe Camera RAW.

Rick also covers how to shoot HDR panos. I tried this technique and love it.

What makes this book really special is that Rick offers his favorite photography tips.

Finally, I like the fact that this HDR expert talks about when HDR is not a good idea. That's kinda cool.

If you like creating realistic images, this book is for you. If you like creating artistic images, this book is for you.

I can see why Rick Sammon's HDR seminars are totally sold out.