The Basic Book of Photography, Fifth Edition (Paperback)

by Tom Grimm (Author), Michele Grimm (Author) "Using your camera artistically should be the primary goal of every photographer..." (more)
Key Phrases: autoflash units, focus detection area, sufficient light indicator, Advanced Photo System, Professional Ektachrome, Professional Portra (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
This substantial book, long a standard guide to photography, is so comprehensive that it serves as an excellent reference for both amateur and professional photographers. Written in a clear, conversational style, this work presents the myriad technical aspects of photographic equipment in an easily understood manner. Coverage begins with cameras and lenses, with emphasis on practical matters, such as how to load film and adjust lens openings. The authors then logically turn to film and discuss the selection of lenses and the use of flash equipment. In addition to equipment and materials, the two most important elements of good photography?lighting and composition?are considered. Although the emphasis is upon 35mm photography, other types of cameras, including point and shoot, Polaroid, and digital cameras, are also discussed in detail. The final chapter and appendixes offer an abundance of useful information, including recommended books, photography schools, workshops, competitions, and an extensive glossary of photographic terms. One would be hard-pressed to find a single volume that offers as much good, useful information about photography as this work. Highly recommended for all libraries.?Raymond Bial, Parkland Coll. Lib., Champaign, Ill.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
COMPLETELY REVISED AND UPDATED, THIS ESTABLISHED CLASSIC REMAINS THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO THE WORLD OF PHOTOGRAPHY!

2004 Edition

For nearly three decades, The Basic Book of Photography has been the ideal handbook for beginning and experienced photographers alike. This comprehensive edition has been expanded to include the latest technological innovations in digital photography and the most modern methods and products used in traditional film photography.

So whether you use a single lens reflex (SLR), compact, APS, single-use, instant, or digital camera, you'll learn everything you need to know about how to operate your equipment successfully to produce the most striking pictures.

This greatly enlarged edition includes:

* An all-new chapter on digital cameras and imaging
* Indoor and outdoor lighting techniques
* Descriptions of all color and black-and-white films
* Procedures for processing your own pictures
* Ways to enjoy your photography on the Internet

With more than 395 instructive illustrations and an extensive glossary, The Basic Book of Photography will help you become the photographer you always wanted to be.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 672 pages
• Publisher: Plume; 5 edition (August 26, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452284252
• ISBN-13: 978-0452284258
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #170,207 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for novice photographers, April 5, 2000

By	DPS (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Basic Book of Photography (Fourth Edition) (Paperback)

Just starting out in SLR photography? You will probably learn a lot more by reading this book than you will in a beginners photography class (at least I did). This book covers in detail all basic technical aspects of SLR photography including; exposure, f-stops, shutter speed, light, film, and equipment selection & operation. There are also sections on composition and traveling tips. This book is well written and will provide you with a solid foundation of photographic skills

118 of 127 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A great guide for beginners, but in no way a pro reference., October 7, 1999

By	Leon Vick ([e-mail]) (Utah) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Basic Book of Photography (Fourth Edition) (Paperback)

This book may be the best general guide to photography ever written for beginners, but should not be described as a reference for professionals. It will tell you, for example, all about depth of field, but does not illustrate how it works or provide any formulas for DOF calculations. It will not tell you how exposure value relates to actual exposures, or how to cut a mat, and states that average skin reflects about one stop more light than than a midtone gray, without mention of race. (Oops!) Overall, it contains few charts or tables of data, but seems to have an adequate glossary. My point is not to criticize the book, which seems excellent for the guide that it is, but to criticize the seller's synopsis and descriptions calling it a reference for pros, which it is not. I therefore gave it three stars which is halfway between five, as a guide, and one as a reference. I wish I'd had a book like this when I started out in photography, a long time ago...

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The first and maybe last photography book you will need, August 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Basic Book of Photography (Fourth Edition) (Paperback)

This book was the only photography book that I really needed. It covers all the bases for learning photography (regardless of equipment) geared to a nonprofessional from a practical (non-academic) perspective. This book is loaded with practical advice on how take good pictures even when your equipment isn't operating well. There is specific information on how to get the most out of your point and shoot cameras as well as SLRs. This is a great book to read BEFORE you buy any (more) photography gear. It has a good section on what you may want to buy and what you may want to avoid. It also pointed out that the photographer is the most important part of making the picture, not the latest gear. There is good information on composition as well as tips when traveling with a camera. This book is inexpensive and to the point. I have found the information more valuable than books that I have bought at more than four times the price! The book does not contain color pictures (but spends most of its time discussing color photography). That is my only complaint with this book.