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"Who's really in charge--your digital camera or you? The nature of your relationship with your digital camera is determined early on in your association, and it all comes down to a question of which of the two of you is going to be in charge," maintains Story, who says that when you become a digital photographer, you'll soon reach a crossroads with two paths before you. Along the first path, you take what you've learned about your camera in the first few minutes and use that knowledge to take the best pictures you can. Here, the camera is merely an acquaintance: it'll suffice to take snapshots on vacation or at birthday parties. But it's clearly the camera that is in charge.
The other path, Story explains, is much different: "The first few steps are the steps that everyone takes with a new camera. 'How do I make the lens zoom?' 'Where's the battery compartment?' But after a short while, you find yourself in territories previously unknown. You begin to wonder, 'How can I take a close-up of that flower?' or 'Can I shoot a portrait at twilight?'"
The "Digital Photography Pocket Guide" is thus a friendly guide for those who want to take the second path.
"I've been teaching and writing about photography for some time now," Story explains, "and one comment that I consistently hear is that most photo books 'talk down' to the reader, or they don't do a good job of explaining the techniques. I wanted to write a book that spoke to the reader clearly, intelligently, and with a hint of excitement about digital photography. Based on the mail I've received from the first edition, people like the tone of this book. One reviewer said that I was the 'Mr. Rogers of technology.' I don't wear comfy sweaters, but I do like clarity and brevity."
At a lean 100 pages of text with many illustrations, the DPPG doesn't pretend or intend to be a comprehensive treatment of the topic, but rather a quick and concise reference to taking charge of your digital camera and getting them best results from it. The just-released second edition of the "Digital Photography Pocket Guide" is now in full color.
There are just three chapters, plus a few pages of Quick Reference Charts, and index in this book, but there packed with useful information.
Chapter One, "What Is It?" explains the features and capabilities of your digital camera, or tells you what to look for in a prospective purchase. Topics discussed include Digital Camera Components, sub categorized as either basic, intermediate, or advanced, including lenses; ports; sensors; flash; controls; LCD displays; and so on. There are also sections on batteries; exposure meters (various types explained); image sensors; and memory cards.
Chapter Two, "What Does It Do?" explains how to use a digital camera, with discussions of Auto Exposure; Burst/Continue Shooting Mode; Close-up Mode; Composition; Compression Or Image Quality; Digital Zoom; Erasing Images; Exposure Compensation; Exposure Metering; File Format; Flash Compensation; Manual Exposure Settings; Movie Mode; Panorama Mode; Resolution; Zoom; and much more.
Each topic gets two or three paragraphs--rarely more than a page, with plenty of illustrations where appropriate. There are also sidebars titled "Pro Tip" and "Practical Example" covering such topics like "Exciting Nighttime Portraits" and "Capturing The Decisive Moment. "
Chapter 3 is titled "How Do I. . . ", and is more conversational than the first two chapters, being a collection of short tutorials and shooting tips and tricks, covering how do I. . . " Take Great Outdoor Pictures" ("get close," "use fill flash"); Set Up Group Shots; Capture Existing-light Portraits; Shoot Good Self-portraits; Take Interesting Kid Shots; Capture Engaging Travel Portraits; Take Pictures That Prevent Red Dye; Take Pictures From The Stands Of Sporting Events; Capture Action Shots; Shoot In Museums; Shoot Architecture Like A Pro; Shoot Items Using Tabletop Photography; Create Powerful Landscape Images; and Take Flash Pictures Of People Who Blink At Flash.
There is also a short section of "Computer Tips And Tricks," answering "how do I. . . " Send Photos Via Email; Get Photo Quality Prints; Present A Digital Slide Show, and Archive For Future Use.
The Quick Reference Chart section includes an Exposure Compensation Reference Guide; Flash Mode Settings; White Balance Settings; Camera Modes With Explanations; Miami during modes with explanations; Exposure Starting Points For Sunset And Astrophotography; Megapixels To Print Size Reference; and a Number Of Pictures To Capacity Of Memory Card Reference.
There is also a nine page Index.
If someone on your Christmas list has a digital camera or is going to receive one under the tree on December 25th, this little book will make a nice gift or a stocking stuffer that will be appreciated long after the lights and tinsel are put away.
For more information about the book, including Table of Contents, index, author bio, and samples, see:
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/digphotopg2/
Digital Photography Pocket Guide, Second Edition
Derrick Story
ISBN 0-596-00627-6,
113 pages,
$14.95 US, $23.95 CA
order@oreilly.com
1-800-998-9938
1-707-827-7000
http://www.oreilly.com
Charles W. Moore
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