Customer Reviews

Teach Yourself VISUALLY Digital Photography (Teach Yourself VISUALLY (Tech))

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

 

 

This book is basic in its approach to covering digital photography. But the illustrations make it a fun way to learn. Don't be fooled though, the content is powerfull and concise. Its a great book for beginners and those needing a refresher.

Teach yourself visually Digital Photography, 3rd edition, might be the book that makes beginners in digital photography jump in the digital technology photo-taking.
I know middle level executives who cling to their film camera because of the learning curve.
There are really TWO PARTS in the book : one on taking the photo and using the camera that takes 113 pages and the second part on processing the photos in the computer that runs from page 114 to page 265.

Here is an idea of the language used : Light and Color on page 26 " All colors within the color spectrum are contained in visible light. The amount of any particular color within the light is determined by its source , and for outdoor light, the time of day. For example, more reddish orange color is seen at sunset when ..."

The book will help you before buying a digital camera and once you have bought such a camera. You can read 2 pages within 15 minutes .

Basic but fundamental.

If you haven't yet familarized yourself with the Teaching Yourself Visually series, you're missing out on a GREAT teaching tool. The series covers many diverse subject areas and gives you the needed information to comprehend a subject. Try it! (This is the Wiley Publishing Co. who also publishes the "Dummies" series.)
In the TYV Digital Photography book, David Huss, the author, makes a complete learning cycle starting with choosing a camera and ending with editing, printing and sharing your photos...with gems of information along the way.
The paragraphs are short,very concise and to the point followed with color photos on every page. TYV Digital Photography covers topics such as camera functions along with basic composition allowing you to become a better photographer even while you're in the "auto mode" with either a very simple point & shoot camera or a DSLR.
The author often uses references/comparisons to film in order to help the new digital photographer; who previously used film; another tool to help comprehend the subject matter.
David Huss then takes you to the next level covering topics such as shutter speeds, depth of field, lighting, aperture and much more.
My favorite chapter is Chapter #9 titled "Pitfalls". The author talks about "real" photography mishaps such as "camera shake", "blowouts", and the infamous "pole growing out of the head". Best of all he teaches us either how to avoid them, or what to do once the pitfall is there.
The information given in editing uses BASIC Photoshop Elements. The information is accompanied with color photos and the results shown can also apply using a different photo editing program.
TYV Digital Photography is an excellent resource for the beginning photographer.

I was very impressed with this text, as it tossed me into digital photography at a very basic level. The photo-text presentation was very practical and helpful. If there is one concern, it's that so much of the book is a tutorial on Photoshop Elements. If you don't use Elements, it won't help you much. Otherwise, a nice book!

For the perpetual beginner like myself with a sieve-like memory, Teach Yourself Visually can be helpful and educational. With short segments and multiple graphics the book explains and illustrates all of the basic concepts of picture taking.

Be aware, however, that only the first third of the book deals with cameras. The rest deals with enhancing photos using Photoshop Elements and then publishing and sharing the photographs. As much as I like "Teach Yourself Visually" I was looking for a book that deals mostly with using the camera and goes into more detail.

Another book by Dave Huss, "How to Do Everything with Digital Photography" is an excellent book about using the camera to take good pictures and is a worthwhile read.

If you have some experience in photography, this isn't the book for you. If you bought your first SLR, this may do the trick. I was disappointed because it was too elementary.

Maybe I should have given this book FOUR STARS. It is informative for beginning photographers, and it has lots of very good illustrations.

TEACH YOURSELF VISUALLY: DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY, 3d ed.
Dave Huss and Lynette Kent

An easy to understand presentation of a difficult subject, this book will be useful for new digital camera users, for those transferring skills from film, and for people who want to better understand and improve the way they operate their digital cameras.

Part of an excellent series that addresses topics from algebra to jewelry making, scrap booking through car maintenance, this title offers both overview and detail, and is suitable for both amateurs and more advanced practitioners.

The reader is gently led from basic issues that are common to all photographic efforts, such as lighting and composition, through more complex processes such as image editing, emphasis here on working with Photoshop Elements. The authors state that Photoshop was chosen because of its market penetration among digital camera users.

For maximum value, one should have the camera and its manual available for reference while reading, as the authors' examples will allow both camera shoppers and current owners to understand the advantages and limitations of particular cameras.

A small caveat, it would have been useful to have a glossary as a quick reminder of what a newly defined word means. Skimming previous pages for a definition is somewhat frustrating.

The authors' bios indicate expertise in photography, computer hardware and software, as well as art. Lynette Kent has taught at both high school and community college level, skills which no doubt inform the clear explanations that mark the book in both the text and the accompanying screen shots.

Dave Huss, an experienced, prize winning photographer has also taught digital photography and photo editing classes. Definitely a winning combination.

I recommend this book for anyone who wants to begin working with a digital camera, as well as for those who want to expand their horizons in the medium.

I think these are useful books for beginners. Many (but not all) of the "Teach Yourself Visually" series books are good -- check reviews first on the one you are considering. This one (TYV DIgital Photography) is a good one.

This book is great for people who learn by seeing what needs to be done and how to do it. I'm with this book really getting to understand my digital camera and how it works.