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Digital SLR Handbook
Every digital SLR should come with this user-friendly guidebook. Sales of digital SLR cameras are up an astonishing 400 percent in the last two years. That€™s a lot of cameras. But not a lot of people know how to get the most out of a digital SLR. Digital SLR Handbook takes readers through all the steps needed to get great photographs from these powerful devices, from choosing equipment, to understanding memory and modes, from composition to photographic themes to special applications like underwater or night photography. After the picture is taken, this comprehensive book takes readers straight to the darkroom for downloading, storing, and backup, plus tips on using Photoshop, printing, and more. Perfect for professionals as well as beginners and beautifully illustrated with hundreds of stunning guide to getting great pictures from any digital SLR.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
2 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
John Freeman
407 books34 followersLibrarian note:
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This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name
For other authors of this name, see:
John Freeman - English poet and essayist, 1880-1929
John Freeman - Book critic, Editor
John Freeman - British politician, diplomat, broadcaster, 1915-2014
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name
For other authors of this name, see:
John Freeman - English poet and essayist, 1880-1929
John Freeman - Book critic, Editor
John Freeman - British politician, diplomat, broadcaster, 1915-2014
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 19, 2009
An up-to-date manual on creating beautiful photographs on a digital camera. Similar to Hedgecoe's New Introductory Photography Course, Freeman's SLR Handbook is packed full of sample photographs, tips for creating various effects in one's photowork, as well as practical considerations one might take when approaching various photographing opportunities. I am finding this to be a really helpful read.
December 12, 2010
The DSLR Handbook is a pretty good starter book for people who know nothing about photography (like myself). It's written in an accessible, friendly style that assumes you don't know a lot but also doesn't condescend. A few thoughts:
* The early chapters are the best. After you get past the chapter about how to put the battery into your camera (seriously), there are a couple "theory" chapters that explain how DSLRs work and why they're better than point-and-shoot cameras. There's also a helpful chapter or two about the different settings and what they mean. I also like the fairly long discussion of the difference between wide-angle and telephoto lenses, and why you might want to think about them.
* As the book goes on, though, it becomes less of a book to read and more of a book to refer to (hence the "handbook" moniker, I guess). While this is useful (planning to shoot outside landscapes? refer to this chapter), it ruins the book as something you'd read to get an overall survey, mostly because he repeats himself over and over. I think the book would be twenty percent shorter if you cut out all the times he says "be sure to bring along a tripod, and use a cable shutter trigger." It's good advice, but goes a bit long in the tooth. This book also fails, as a handbook, because it's too big and pretty to carry in your pocket or your photo bag. The O'Reilly programming Pocket size books would be a good example for Freeman to consider. Perhaps this book could come in its present form, with a thirty page condensed version that could fit in a cam bag.
* Freeman also assumes a level of interest and commitment to DSLR photography that probably exceeds the level of anyone using this book. In other words, if you have studio lighting and a dozen lenses to choose from, you probably don't need this book. But then again, I wouldn't have any idea why I might want studio lighting until I read this book, so it's a chicken-and-book thing, I guess.
* My favorite bit is fairly early in the text, where Freeman talks about the questions you need to ask yourself when you're taking photos. There are about a dozen to think of, including lighting and Fstop and ISO and on and on. Then he says something to the effect of "Some people might find all these questions intimidating or annoying to ask. But as someone who has invested in an amazing piece of photographic equipment like a DSLR camera, you are clearly committed to a different level of photography." I was reminded of a late-night episode of a sports-memorabilia show in which they were selling Michael Jordan jerseys along with bits of the floor he played his last game on for $5000. One of the salesman's gambits was, "When people walk into your house and see this piece, they will know you're serious. They will know you are somebody."
* The early chapters are the best. After you get past the chapter about how to put the battery into your camera (seriously), there are a couple "theory" chapters that explain how DSLRs work and why they're better than point-and-shoot cameras. There's also a helpful chapter or two about the different settings and what they mean. I also like the fairly long discussion of the difference between wide-angle and telephoto lenses, and why you might want to think about them.
* As the book goes on, though, it becomes less of a book to read and more of a book to refer to (hence the "handbook" moniker, I guess). While this is useful (planning to shoot outside landscapes? refer to this chapter), it ruins the book as something you'd read to get an overall survey, mostly because he repeats himself over and over. I think the book would be twenty percent shorter if you cut out all the times he says "be sure to bring along a tripod, and use a cable shutter trigger." It's good advice, but goes a bit long in the tooth. This book also fails, as a handbook, because it's too big and pretty to carry in your pocket or your photo bag. The O'Reilly programming Pocket size books would be a good example for Freeman to consider. Perhaps this book could come in its present form, with a thirty page condensed version that could fit in a cam bag.
* Freeman also assumes a level of interest and commitment to DSLR photography that probably exceeds the level of anyone using this book. In other words, if you have studio lighting and a dozen lenses to choose from, you probably don't need this book. But then again, I wouldn't have any idea why I might want studio lighting until I read this book, so it's a chicken-and-book thing, I guess.
* My favorite bit is fairly early in the text, where Freeman talks about the questions you need to ask yourself when you're taking photos. There are about a dozen to think of, including lighting and Fstop and ISO and on and on. Then he says something to the effect of "Some people might find all these questions intimidating or annoying to ask. But as someone who has invested in an amazing piece of photographic equipment like a DSLR camera, you are clearly committed to a different level of photography." I was reminded of a late-night episode of a sports-memorabilia show in which they were selling Michael Jordan jerseys along with bits of the floor he played his last game on for $5000. One of the salesman's gambits was, "When people walk into your house and see this piece, they will know you're serious. They will know you are somebody."
November 10, 2015
There is some okay-ish info in here for a beginner. Just okay-ish.
Some of this is a little out of date but, to be fair, it was published in 2007 and digital photography has made some advancements since then. I would call this a novice's guide to becoming familiar with the bare bones of digital photography. The book introduces the reader to DSLR cameras, including things as simple as how to insert the memory card or change the battery, then proceeds to explain some of the settings and how they effect the photo. The breakdown of shutter speeds, aperture, ISO, etc. are very user friendly and easy to understand. There's also an almost useless overview of various accessories that you can buy. This section felt like it either needed to be expanded upon (particularly where the lenses were concerned) or omitted altogether.
The book takes you through various types of photography (landscape, portraits, architecture, etc.), even a section on nude photography, and features loads of bright and glossy photos sure to appeal to a novice. I wasn't particularly moved by any of them, they're all sort of generic, but they would be good shots to imitate if one was trying to get the hang of their camera. A lot of the process of finding yourself as a photographer comes with experimentation. When it comes to practical application, though, I felt this book ultimately failed to make any compelling arguments for or against the suggestions it was making to the reader. It rather seemed to be more of an account of the author's personal preferences.
I likely wouldn't recommend this to a more seasoned photographer but a new photographer may be able to glean some kernels of useful information.
Some of this is a little out of date but, to be fair, it was published in 2007 and digital photography has made some advancements since then. I would call this a novice's guide to becoming familiar with the bare bones of digital photography. The book introduces the reader to DSLR cameras, including things as simple as how to insert the memory card or change the battery, then proceeds to explain some of the settings and how they effect the photo. The breakdown of shutter speeds, aperture, ISO, etc. are very user friendly and easy to understand. There's also an almost useless overview of various accessories that you can buy. This section felt like it either needed to be expanded upon (particularly where the lenses were concerned) or omitted altogether.
The book takes you through various types of photography (landscape, portraits, architecture, etc.), even a section on nude photography, and features loads of bright and glossy photos sure to appeal to a novice. I wasn't particularly moved by any of them, they're all sort of generic, but they would be good shots to imitate if one was trying to get the hang of their camera. A lot of the process of finding yourself as a photographer comes with experimentation. When it comes to practical application, though, I felt this book ultimately failed to make any compelling arguments for or against the suggestions it was making to the reader. It rather seemed to be more of an account of the author's personal preferences.
I likely wouldn't recommend this to a more seasoned photographer but a new photographer may be able to glean some kernels of useful information.
January 8, 2009
Because I'm a bit of a dumb dumb when it comes to anything mathematical or scientific, I found this book to be great for understanding the basics of SLR photography - from understanding settings such as ISO and shutter speed, to how to compose a good photo. I've always taken pretty good photos (if I must say so, ugh how smarmy)- but once I stepped on my ego and stepped up and learnt the basics, I was a happier person. Because now I will conquer the world.
Or get more books on the subject so I can step into intermediate territory.
Or get more books on the subject so I can step into intermediate territory.
April 4, 2019
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Contents
Introduction
1. The Dslr System
2. Getting To Grips With Your Dslr
3. Seeing The Picture
4. Landscapes
5. Nature
6. People
7. Architecture
8. Action
9. Getting More From Your Dslr
10. The Digital Darkroom
Glossary
Need To Know More?
Index
Acknowledgements
.
Contents
Introduction
1. The Dslr System
2. Getting To Grips With Your Dslr
3. Seeing The Picture
4. Landscapes
5. Nature
6. People
7. Architecture
8. Action
9. Getting More From Your Dslr
10. The Digital Darkroom
Glossary
Need To Know More?
Index
Acknowledgements
July 27, 2011
Well-written and in-depth handbook on the use of SLRs under a variety of conditions.
December 18, 2012
Good book for beginners (like me). Does really drill in the point about reflecting light, and filters that get used.
February 2, 2013
Very useful with practical information about the actual DSLR that helps understand its functions as well as info about settings, recommended settings for various situations, etc.
June 4, 2011
Good book with some fantastic examples. Really good place to start on DSLR.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews