John Shaw's Guide to Digital Nature Photography

by John Shaw

Photography legend John Shaw returns with his much-anticipated guide to digital nature photography, complete with more than 250 extraordinarily beautiful photographs .

For over four decades, John Shaw’s authentic voice and trusted advice has helped photographers achieve impressive shots in the great outdoors. In his first-ever book on digital photography, Shaw provides in-depth advice on everything from equipment and lenses to thorough coverage of digital topics including how to use the histogram. In addition, he offers inspirational and frank insight that goes far beyond the nuts and bolts of photography, explaining that successful photos come from having a vision, practicing, and then acquiring the equipment needed to accomplish the intention. Easily digestible and useful for every type of photographer, and complete with more than 250 jaw-dropping images, John Shaw’s Guide to Digital Nature Photography is the one book you’ll need to beautifully capture the world around you.

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction, Art

240 pages, Paperback

First published March 17, 2015

Reviews

[Reet Champion · Rating 4 out of 5]

The wonders of nature are often brought to those of us through the medium of photography. We can't always seen and experience everything we would wish to and so photography is often the tool we go to in order to "half live" those dreams. And we couldn't do it without those adventurous photographers who venture to the wilds (and even in their own backyards). In John Shaw's Guide to Digital Nature Photography readers are introduced to this art. Whether you are an experienced photographer or beginner this is a title you won't want to miss.

Let's just say it like it is: The majority of my photographs turn out looking like crud. Like many others I would prefer to get it right in the camera rather than spend a lot of time trying to make something out of a horrible quality photo. This is a great book if you want to fine tune and step up your photography skills. And not just for nature. Different things that a reader would learn can be adapted for other subjects. Great read, highly recommend.

DISCLAIMER: In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” we would like to note that we received a hardcopy of “John Shaw's Guide to Digital Nature Photography”  through Blogging for Books in exchange for our honest review.

[Dorky Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book and even though I have been doing photography for a long time I learned a few new things about different types of cameras as well as different techniques when trying to capture the perfect shot.

Full Review Here
>> http://callievamp.blogspot.com/2015/0...

[Hugo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight for beginners

I appreciate the context that the photos throughout the book provide. The author does an exceptional job defining and simplifying concepts. Important concepts are visited multiple times throughout the book, which is greatly appreciated.

[Bassel · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is an amazing book, full of advice of a well seasoned professional photographer. definitely need a revisit every now and then to make use of the treasure of advice listed in the pages.

[Lincoln Lewerke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing photography and pieces of wisdom

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

John Shaw's Guide to Digital Nature Photography is thorough, comprehensive, and beautifully photographed. The author has written several previous books on the subject and it shows - this newest iteration really embraces the digital era while also answering about any question a new or even experienced photographer could ask about the topic. The information is well presented, easy to digest, but also extremely comprehensive in breadth and depth. The tone is friendly, encouraging, and very down to Earth. It felt very much like sitting down and getting a personal course from an expert.

The book breaks down as follows: 1: Gear; 2: Getting Started; 3:Lenses; 4: Composition; 5: Close Ups; 6: The Photographer At Work; Index. Although 200 pages may seem like a small amount, the contents will take several hours to pour through and even more to try and eventually master. There really is a huge amount of information packed into an efficiently formatted presentation.

In the beginning of the book, the basics of digital photography are deeply explained but always with the emphasis on nature/macro. The author gives his own tips, equipment, and what he's found works and doesn't work. At the same time, since he isn't backed or sponsored, you know he is giving an honest opinion on the equipment. But what I found most interesting is that he thoroughly explains all the different camera settings on typical digital cameras (he shoots Nikon and so uses it as an example but doesn't require readers to buy Nikon to understand). This is often a topic not covered by manuals or guides and really very useful.

Those more advanced in other photography disciplines or fields (e.g., portraiture) can easily skip the first chapters (or glance through to fill in learning holes) and delve right into the specifics of shooting nature. There are so many little things to know, understand, feel, and try - and getting this book instead of a group of lenses of flashes and fumbling through is highly recommended. The author does an excellent job of narrowing only in on what you need and what you can expect for your budget constraints. For once, this isn't a book that will recommend $5000 lenses or huge lighting rigs.

The subjects are varied - from animals to landscapes, macros to scenics. Perhaps the only subject I didn't see covered is underwater photography. But all subjects are thoroughly covered with much more writing than images (though the images are inspirational and numerous). As well, images match with the subjects and aren't just randomly strewn through the book. There is clearly a lot of thought gone into the book and Shaw has taken what he's learned from previous books to really make a solid guide to everything nature photography.

I read this on an online reader but I'd recommend either a physical copy or a graphical reader rather than a Kindle or Paperwhite. It's worth it for the lovely image and solid formatting - there's a lot of information here to go through! In all, an excellent book - one of the best on the subject I've read. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[MrsK Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

With artistic splendor, John shares his techniques and wisdom with those "called" to see the world from a camera's lens. This guide book is organized with starting points such as the right gear options, how to get started, and lenses. He moves you into learning about composition and close-ups. Finally he inspires you with how his world of photography has evolved.

Whether you have taken photography classes or photos cause you to stop in "awe" and ponder how those shots were captured, there is always room for more insights. This guide book is filled with valuable suggestions. John has a talent for inspiring you to "look" beyond what is seen and "seek" that which can be portrayed with splendor.

"To be a better nature photographer, be a better naturalist.
The more you know about nature, the more you will see to photograph.
Develop a deeper compassion for the world around us, and live by an ethic of concern for the subject matter."

Considering what image you want to capture requires an inner vision (pg. 153):

Have you chosen a good subject, out of all that are available to you?
Is this good light for the subject, or can it be improved?
Is there a pleasing background behind the subject?
Have you made a pleasing composition that reflects what you want to communicate?
Are you sure about your choice?
Ask: What I like about this scene is _________, so I will use this equipment, ___________, and these photographic techniques ______________ (articulate exactly what you're planning... "don't just take pictures...make photo-graphics."

At the beginning of this review, I mentioned the "browsing" with a book of beauty. Here are a few of John's "photo-graphics" which evoked our senses:

a cheetah yawning in Kenya (pg.5)
an image of a Ruddy duck swimming in BC (pg.10)
the flow and textures of Bond Falls in Michigan (pg.14)
the winter splendor of Vermillion Lakes in Banff National Park, Canada (pg.29)
the striking energy of the waves battering the shores of Sea Lion Island (pg.40-41)
the framing of a black-browed Albatross on the Falkland Islands (pg.70)
the haunting exposure of Ponderosa pines in an Oregon winter blizzard (pg.85)
the composition and framing of the California Redwood trees enshrouded in fog (pg.98)
the textured sharpness of eroded rocks at Shore Acres State Park in Oregon (pg.130)
the positioning and framing of the Goosenecks of the Colorado River (pg.165)
the intriguing designs captured of bubbles in ice in Alberta, Canada (pg.174)
the simplistic beauty of a sycamore leaf caught in a cactus in Arizona (pg.180)

Become inspired, be willing to become mentored by this gifted photographer, and begin using your lens to "engage the viewer's mind or emotions..."
MrsK http://mrskbookstogo.blogspot.com/

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved nature photography. Over the past 6 months, I have grown to love to take my own photographs of nature. My pictures have been taken with the camera on my iPhone. During a recent trip my photos were quite limited because of my camera. I decided to buy a digital SLR camera and then I was worried that I wouldn't know which settings to use, which lens was best for different situations, what exposure would be best, and so on. The next day I saw a copy of "John Shaw's Guide to Digital Nature Photography" on Blogging for Books and I knew that it would be perfect for me. I requested the book and it arrived 4 days later.

John Shaw divides his book into different sections: gear, getting started, lenses, composition, close-ups, and the photographer at work. In a book that could be too technical and dry, he inserts a slight sense of humor and beautiful pictures to make it interesting and engaging. John Shaw gives detailed advice and information about different aspects of digital photography. He pretty much covers any topic of digital photography that you would be interested in learning more about.

My favorite section of his book (although it was hard to decide on just one) was the composition section. He touches on focusing your picture on the subject and not including the surrounding areas that are not your subject. He writes quite a bit about lighting and how it effects the character and color of your subject. I will use his tips for framing every time I take a photograph from now on. And my favorite sentence in the book was when he defined photography. "The word photography means "painting with light." Notice that the subject of the photograph is not mentioned in this definition; photography is the process of capturing light, not capturing a subject." -John Shaw.

Along with teaching about digital photography, he has included absolutely beautiful pictures of nature scenery that go with each section as an example to show you how pictures would look if you use his tips and information. With each photograph he has included what equipment he was using, what lens was used, and what exposure was used.

This book is quite technical and would be very good for a digital photographer that has the basics down and now wants to focus on improving their photographs. As a beginner, this book had some technical wording that I needed to read carefully to understand. I think any digital photographer would find "John Shaw's guide to Digital Photography" very useful in instruction and helping improve their photographs. I'm now ready to take my Canon out to try to capture the beauty of this world.

Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review. All thoughts are my own and not swayed by receiving a free copy of this book.

[Doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I found myself in a little over my head with this one. This book is really for people who are going beyond the point-and-shoot cameras. The author said that too on page 62. However, I did learn some things that will help me even with my basic camera or even my phone camera.

This book really covers both the mechanics and the aesthetics of photography. He talks a lot about the equipment and what it all does. A lot of the technical information about f-stops and extension tubes was confusing to me…but I think it would be really helpful for someone who has a nicer camera and wants to take their photography to the next level…..people who want to do more than just photojournal their lives.

Here are a few things that I appreciated about this book.

1. He said the best camera is the one you have. He is not trying to get people to spend lots of money on new equipment….although there’d be plenty of information to help you do that if you wanted to. He acknowledged that photographers often get G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome). After reading this book, I want to use the different modes and scene options on my camera. It really encouraged me to learn the differences and try some new things.

2. I thought it was a good reminder that most people look at their photos on a computer screen; so therefore, horizontal pictures are a better option a lot of times. They can be viewed larger because our screens are oriented that way.

3. Chapter four was about Composition. This was really helpful as it applies to whatever camera you own. He said that a person should choose one subject to photograph. If you’re taking a picture of a flower, cut out the meadow, trees, and stream behind it. Less is more.

4. Shaw explained how light affects a subject you’re photographing and gave tips on how to choose the time of day or direction of the light to achieve your goal. Don’t take pictures at high noon!

5. He talked about how to frame your picture and what attracts and distracts the eye. I am looking forward to playing around with this more.

6. There were gorgeous photos throughout that illustrated the differences in techniques and equipment.

All in all, I am encouraged to get my camera out and try some new things. I think I’ll take better photos as a result of reading this book. However, this book would be really great for someone with more than a point-and-shoot camera.

Thank you to Blogging for Books for providing me with a free copy of this book for the purpose of this review.

For more info about the author: http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/aut...

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

"John Shaw's Guide to Digital Nature Photography" is a book about getting the most out of digital single-lens-reflex (DSLR) cameras and its gear. If you have a Nikon D3 or similar camera, or if you have thousands of dollars to spend on a camera body, lens, filters, software, tripods, and other equipment, then this book will make sure you get the best pictures that you can from that gear. It also explains what gear is good for what type of pictures, so you don't end up buying gear that you'll rarely use.

About 95% of this book is about selecting and using the DSLR camera equipment. The remaining 5% applied to using any digital camera. He generally assumed the reader had heard this more basic, general information before and only covered it as a quick review.

Unfortunately, I took the book description of "useful for every type of photographer" seriously. I've taken a college-level photography course before, but it was for point-and-shoot cameras and mainly covered composition. I wanted to learn about more manual control of digital cameras (f stops, ISO, etc.) and how to get better nature photographs, so I thought this would be the book for me. From the start, though, he assumed the reader knew what f stops, lens sizes, etc. were about and only later described that information to "remind" the reader. A glossary of terms or concepts would have been very helpful for someone like me, but there wasn't one.

His photographs where lovely, but he didn't explain the reasons he chose certain gear and settings for the photographs. I enjoyed looking at them, but I learned very little from them. He included only a few illustrations that demonstrated what he was explaining in the text. When he did, it was an immediate, "oh, I understand now!" for me. However, he generally told the reader to go out and experiment until you understand. So I ended up understanding very little of what appeared to be very detailed and helpful information since it didn't apply to the camera I actually own.

I received this book from the publisher through Blogging for Books.

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

“This book isn’t about point-and-shoot cameras or smartphone cameras. It’s about digital single-lens-reflex (DSLR) photography.”

I was naïve to not realize this, and so was a little bummed out. Since my camera has so many built-in features, I hoped I could apply some of the ideas in this book, but without a DSLR camera, there is not much left to work with. If I gain access to such equipment, though, this book will see me well prepared.

This is a very technical guide. The first chapter is on gear, jumping right into the heavy. The reason why most “extremely competent” people that feel they don’t know how to operate a camera is probably because the terms and numbers are like another language – if you don’t know what anything is, how can you make effective use of it? So, a glossary would be nice, or parenthetical notes each time a new abbreviation is introduced. However, if you do already know the jargon, this book tells you what you can do to take control of the technology. And, if you stick with it, the terms become clearer in meaning, as in any craft. This really is geared towards more professional photographers, or at least people who can afford expensive photography equipment, and can go to destinations. Not that there isn’t an abundance of photo-worthy subjects without having to travel, but that’s another discussion. The chapter on composition is most relevant to the general user, and for any non-photographer, the photos in this book are very nice to look at.

Note: I received a free copy of this title through BloggingForBooks in exchange for an honest review. For more reviews, follow my blog at http://matt-stats.blogspot.com/

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breathtaking pictures, detailed answers on the how-to and a great book for photographers of all levels. I am a newbie when it comes to photography as a craft or art, rather than just an aim and click with my phone type picture. I found this book a bit overwhelming and immensely inspirational at the same time. Overwhelming because so many of the terms or pieces of equipment were beyond my knowledge wheelhouse when I began the book, inspirational because the images provided throughout the book are just beyond comparison. I believe that everyone truly hopes to one day create pieces of art that look like many of his images.

The entire book is helpful and really left me with a sense of yes I want to master this skill, create some beautiful works of art and truly put on my bucket list wanting to take a photography course or trip like John Shaw mentioned in his book. I enjoyed learning all the intricacies about photography, but again did feel a bit overwhelmed at the beginning of the book with all of the technical terms, pieces of equipment, etc. since I am just starting my adventure into photography. My favorite parts of this book would be chapter 5 & 6 and the amazing images sprinkled throughout the book. Every time I started to feel like maybe I need to rethink this photography foray, I would see another beautiful landscape or animal portrait, take a deep breath and say no I can learn and achieve!

I think if you are just starting out, just interested in pretty images or an advanced photographer this book has something for everyone. After reading this book and learning more about this art I feel better equipped to proceed on my journey.

[Susan Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited to have the opportunity to read and review this guide. I’m a self-taught photographer and my favorite genre is nature/wildlife photography, so I figured this book would be helpful. I wasn’t disappointed.

I agree with some of what the previous reviewers have said. The most obvious to me was that the typeface could have been a bit bigger. Maybe the publisher was trying to squeeze in as much information as possible, which is understandable. John Shaw has been sharing his well-respected photography works and advice for over forty years - that’s a lot of information.

I love that Mr. Shaw doesn’t encourage readers to run out and spend tons of money on photography equipment. The concept of “the camera you have with you is the one you should use” is honest and forthcoming. I’m always surprised at the quality photos my older model Nikon produces. The accompanying photos in this guide are certainly breathtaking.

Mr. Shaw shares a great deal of practical photography advice. However, if you are a true beginner, you might want to start with a more basic guide. My advice would be to check out a companion manual for your camera. Most of these include some very basic, yet very helpful information that’s specific to your individual camera.

I would definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in building upon their current photography skills. The guide is reasonably priced and the photos alone are well worth the cost.

http://ebookreviewgal.com received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Allergykidmom's Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Take
If you love photography, then you're going to enjoy this book. I don't know anyone who doesn't like taking pictures, especially if they had the right camera on the right setting for the right situation. That is pretty much what it boils down to if you want a great photo to frame or even sell. Plenty of times I have taken photos that I thought were going to be amazing, just to develop it later and then go, "that doesn't look like what I thought it would". But with the right equipment and advice, all of your pictures (or at least most of them) can look like a professional took them.


John Shaw will teach you a lot if you invest in his book. Not only do you get to see some amazing photos that have been taken by him, he also tells you what kind of camera he used, the type of lens, and the settings that he had it on. You will also learn about the right equipment that you would need in order to take nice nature photographs, using the lens, different compositions, close ups and finally the photographer at work. I have to say my favourites were the discussion on High ISO (I have always wanted to know how to work with that) and close ups (my favourite kind of nature pictures).


So, if you (or someone you may know) are anxious about getting out there and taking amazing photos for your blank wall or to give someone on their birthday, John Shaw's Guide to Digital Photography will help you with that and so much more.

[Claire Talbot · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Shaw's Guide to Digital Nature Photography is a solid choice for someone seeking to improve their nature shots using a digital camera. Chapters are broken out into gear, getting started, lenses, composition, close-ups, and the photographer at work. I personally use one of the newer Nikon "bridge" all in one cameras, so I was hoping to learn more about the manual aspects of my camera, and which settings to use if I want to learn to adapt to shooting with a digital SLR camera. The book stresses the "why" of doing certain steps, and how shutter speed, lens aperture and ISO work together to deal with light. Shaw simply explains the difference between your cameras A, S, P, and M mode, and in what situations to use each mode. I really enjoyed the examples, and how it listed the settings used to capture the photograph.
Shaw does give you some general all-purpose advice like "Don't underexpose"- with digital captures, noise lives on the dark side. My favorite sections covered lighting and composition. I like the idea of taking the same scene, and showing it in different light to present different options.
My main issue with the book is the small type, which I imagine could be difficult for an older reader. I did enjoy the photos in the book, and the actual description of how Shaw captured the image. I received a copy of this book from Blogging for Books.

[Precious · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Shaw's Guide to Digital Nature Photography


Thanks to Net Galley/ Ten Speed Press for aproving my request in exchange for an honest review

Reason(s) for request ; Love photography, Interested in photography/being a photographer, & Love to see the artists work. PLUS great info!.

For me it takes, like, three tries with these types of books. First to read the first 10 pages and then just looking at all the photos. Second to read more about the area's that REally caught my eye. And Third reading it all.

The Photos are beautiful. Loved seeing the photo's from the Oregon Coast! Because It's places I've seen.Many times, not recently. And loved the photos from around the world, because of places i'd like to go one day. Amazing work. And for me, great info. Another nice note; Nikon seems to be John Shaw's camera of choice which is nice because it's also mine.
I enjoyed reading this. Hope to get the physical copy in my hands one day soon. *Watches public library like a hawk*
So happy to have been able to read this, and enjoy it and all of it's beauty. Thanks John! A+!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book at the most perfect time! A friend of mine thought it would be fun to take a photography class so we have been doing it together at home. It's a DVD class so it's just fun but we have learned a lot. Anyway I thought this book would be a nice addition to the class and I really enjoyed looking at the pictures in this book. The main thing I got from this book was how the author explained the details of how he created the picture. The shutter speed and ISO etc. Many of the details explained in this book were more than I understood. I'm still a beginner so a few of the things I didn't totally understand even after reading the details. I don't think some things are explained very well to those who are new to photography but probably for more advanced. The main thing that really bothered me was the really tiny print. I know this sounds silly but for a book like this I thought there was way too much jammed onto a page in very small print.

In any case I did learn a couple of things and can take away many ideas for shutter speed.

Four stars.

"I received this book from Blogging for Books for free in exchange for an honest review."

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do you take great photographs of the big natural world? Many of us love to take photos today and one of our favorite subjects is nature.

Often, however, our photos are disappointing. What are we doing wrong? How can we take better pictures?

This book is an excellent place to start. About half of the book tells about ways to better ways to use the equipment and better ways to compose photos. In the section on equipment, I learned about filters and flashes and metering and tripods and lenses and exposures. I’m a new photographer, so much of the information about ways to use the equipment was new to me, and some of it was over my head. But if you have more experience as a photographer, it will probably be perfect for you. For me, my favorite part of the book was about ways to better compose the photos. In this section, I learned about lighting, framing, close-ups, and learning to see “photo-graphically.”

I’ve had this book for several months, and I’ve read over it many times, in preparation for my trip this summer to Yellowstone Park.

[Tima · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Shaw is a well known, amazing photographer. He's combined some of his amazing photography with in-depth and practical advice for photographing nature at its best. Each page is filled with stunning views of nature and each chapter discusses a different aspect of DSLR photography.

I was definitely impressed with this book from the very first glimpse. The photography is, naturally, outstanding. The information is informative and helpful, especially for the beginner in photography. The text is very small, but was still readable for me. The authors instructions were more like a class than a conversation, but in his own voice. This book is amazing and will definitely be added to my library. I would recommend this book to anyone who is getting into photography or needs the information to take that next step in their learning.

I received this book free of charge from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Shaw's Guide to Digital Nature Photography includes many beautiful images in the book. But, overall the pictures do not seem as saturated in color as I would have expected. The author seems well qualified as a photographer and as a reader I appreciate his suggestions to start with what you have and truly evaluate what you need. Cameras and equipment can be amazingly expensive and feel out of reach to a beginner. John Shaw often encourages the reader to discover for themselves what works for them. A lot of detailed information is included in this book and there are many examples. Shaw borders on overwhelming, but just misses it. He starts with the basics and moves on. Most beginners willing to put in the effort will get a lot out of this book.
This title had a table of contents and an index making it easier to refer to individual sections.

NOTE: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Shaw's Guide to Digital Nature Photography is an extremely comprehensive, yet not intimidating, guide to how to best use your camera, especially with nature photography. It walks you through how to properly set up your camera, managing exposure, many different types of lenses, manual exposure, composition, and much more. Shaw presents this information in a very interesting and approachable way, unlike many photography books that tend to go on and on and lose you in the process.

If you're looking to get more comfortable with your camera and really put it to use, I highly recommend this book. Plus it is littered with amazing pictures!

4/5 Stars

I received this book from Blogging for Books to review.

[Liz Cleland · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book breaks down as follows: 1: Gear; 2: Getting Started; 3:Lenses; 4: Composition; 5: Close Ups; 6: The Photographer At Work; Index. This would be a great book for beginners who are interested in photography as it teaches you lots of useful information about different lenses and methods used to make great works of art. Each page is filled with stunning views of nature and each chapter discusses a different aspect of DSLR photography. **I received a free copy of this book to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

For many years now I have been dabbling in photography with the urge that I wanted to get better. I loved how this book really broke down the tips on how to get the best picture. He explained what type of cameras and lens would give you the look you were going for. I had no idea there were so many options out there. This is a very helpful guide and I will take it with me on every photo trip I take. I have also bought and given it to many of my friends.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book because of the nature photography on the cover. I did not realize that it was also an instructional book on how to take wonderful natural photography. The examples of photographs in this book are well worth it, but Shaw also provides a great overview of photography. You do not need to know anything about photography before reading, he explains everything.

[Nivaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since 1984 John Shaw has been a photographic inspiration to me and his words are what made me want to and become a photographer.

What I like most is his way to practically state the obvious that many seldom think about. This book brings his timeless wisdom into the current photographic times.

[Jordan Rock · Rating 3 out of 5]

(6/10)

This book is pretty good, but I don't consider it a must read.

First, so we're clear, this book focuses primarily on gear and technical aspects of DSLRs. If you're looking for a book on composition, this is not what you're looking for (though, there is certainly some good information and advice on composition, it's not very in depth and makes up only a small portion of the book). This book was more useful in helping me understand about different kinds of gear (filters, lenses, tripods, extender tubes, etc.) and when you should use certain gear (e.g, macro lens vs a diopiter/close-up lens) and understanding how to configure your camera and when to use certain settings (e.g, matrix vs spot metering; back button focus; etc.).

Second, while I liked Shaw's writing style (it can be somewhat conversational and humorous for an informative book), I feel like the Shaw never really decided what this book's target audience is. On one hand, he gets into some pretty technical things (e.g., math (if my polarizing filter reduces the light to my sensor by 2 stops and I want to shoot with the meter reading +1 stop, what shutter speed should I use?)) and some pretty specialty/high-priced great (e.g., tilt shift lenses). While on the other hand, he discusses how to chose your camera body and touches a bit (though, not too heavily) on the exposure triangle. So, while there is probably some good information in this book for both beginner and intermediate photographers, portions of this book will probably be somewhat inappropriate/unnecessary for your skill level.

Third, there are a good amount of pictures in the book, and I thought most of them were good/great, but I didn't like them as much as photos I've seen in some other books (though, this is likely due to personal taste).

In all, I definitely learned a good amount of useful information and tips from this book; however, I don't feel that the book is comprehensive or important enough to warrant a full re-read (unlike, for example, Art Wolfe's The New Art of Photographing Nature). Rather, I will primarily only pick this book up again when I want to reference a specific section on a specific kind of gear that I'm thinking of buying.