Digital Photographer's Handbook: 7th Edition of the Best-Selling Photography Manual

by Tom Ang

Encompassing both digital and conventional photography and revised to include the most up-to-date cameras, computers, peripherals, and software, the Digital Photographer's Handbook encourages traditional photographers to experiment with new technology while inspiring experienced users to reach new heights. Expert photographer Tom Ang shows how to get the most out of this new technology - from improving casual snapshots to learning the secrets of lighting, composition, and digital image manipulation. The accessible yet in-depth text, stunning photography, and quick-fix features provide a practical approach to producing better photographs in a snap.

Genres: Photography, Reference, Nonfiction, Art

407 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2002

About the author

Photographer, author, traveler and academic. An early pioneer in digital photography, I have written over 30 books on photography as well as on video. This work was recognised by the award of the HIPA Content Producer Award in 2019. I also won the Thomas Cook award for best Illustrated Travel Book for my coverage of the Marco Polo Expedition.

I was senior lecturer in photographic practice at the University of Westminster for over 12 years (1991–2004) and created the MA Photographic Journalism course. For over 10 years I photographed in Central Asia, traveling in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. I led a Know How Fund project that helped equip a radio studio for radio students and which reformed the journalism curriculum for the Kyrgyz Russian Slavonic University in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

I have written over thirty books on photography and video including Digital Photography Masterclass (now 3rd edition), Fundamentals of Photography,Tao of Photography, Digital Photographer’s Handbook (now 7th edition), Picture Editing (2nd edition), Eyewitness Companion: Photography, and Digital Video Handbook, How to Photograph Absolutely Everything.

I presented the BBC series ‘A Digital Picture of Britain’, first transmitted in 2005 on BBC4. A second series, entitled 'Britain in Pictures' was transmitted in 2007. I also presented an 8-part TV series for CNA (Channel News Asia) in Singapore which was broadcast in August 2009. This took a Bronze at the New York Film and TV Festival the following year.

I have served on juries of Hamdan International Photography Award, Wildlife Photographer of the Year, World Photography Award, Czech Press Photo.

I am a Sony NZ Digital Imaging Ambassador.

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better works on the subject, even experienced photographers will find useful material. There's enough copies out there it should be easy to find.

[Christina · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first clue that this book, published in 2002, is slightly out of date is in the chapter on choosing a digital camera. The author goes on and on about the merits of spending more to get a 2 Megapixel variety of point and shoot.

I mostly skimmed the rest of the book, skipping the outdated stuff. Most of the Photoshop and image editing tips were things I'd seen before and explained better, too.

And a warning for those who want to bring this book home: The author chooses to use a few nudes scattered here and there and has a short section on photographing nudes. For a book designed to appeal to a wide audience, I was surprised to come across that.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a photographer for many years (since about 2003).

This was a good book to teach some techniques.
Not only were the techniques about how to do better photography, but also how to edit photos too - such as cropping and colors, etc.

I would recommend if you are into photography as much as I am!

4.1/5

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 2 out of 5]

http://pussreboots.pair.com/blog/2016...

[Leah Markum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for covering all the more technical basics that are easy to skip over as an amateur photographer. I've been trying to fill in some gaps in my photography education, so some sections were more intensive to read and take notes on, while others were a good confirmation that I had already bulked up my knowledge.

Sections include the use of a digital SLR, composition, lighting challenges, measuring light, photo editing, project types, and gear knowledge to help with shopping. But especially with the camera and photographic conditions, I was surprised how many details I hadn't read or watched from hundreds of photography articles and videos.

I still wouldn't consider this book phenomenal, but it is perfect for officially graduating from beginner and lower intermediate photography. Further, use it to tell yourself that it's time to move on to greater, specialized challenges.

[venrir song · Rating 3 out of 5]

The reviews mention that this book is outdated, some aspects yes, other aspects it still holds up. If you appreciate doing some things the older way then this book is close to flawless.
Even with the internet this book still provides information that most photography youtubers or bloggers never bring up. I also appreciate how it went into the detailed physics of how cameras work while keeping it easy to understand.
Even now it acts as good reference material and refining the basic foundations of photography.

[Isaac Lambert · Rating 2 out of 5]

my grandpa gave this to me when I was a kid.... early 2000s? probably should read it sometime before 😅

my grandpa had a lot of how to books, I guess that's how he got smart at computers etc. some of the photography stuff is helpful, but a lot is about editing etc. also fun sections about what the internet is! how to start a business! and really out of date cameras.

will probably save this book cuz memories

[Krysteena Foglio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read. Has a lot of good reminders for digital photographers in this book and some things I didn't consider myself. I hope to put some of these items into practice to make my photography that much better.

[Deon Bester · Rating 5 out of 5]

a must-have book in your collection, it is a well-written book about all aspects of photography.

[Hitesh Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good guide for the people who are interested in photography . Every concept has been covered from basics to advanced

[Tim Roast · Rating 4 out of 5]

“With photography you can change the world,” says the author. This, the seventh edition of Digital Photographer’s Handbook (which is celebrating seventeen years in print) is very advanced in my opinion (there is a glossary for technical terms to help novices like me), and gives you everything you need to be a really top-notch photographer, even how to become a professional. So for an amateur like me there is probably too much information in here as it goes way beyond that, but for others this will be fantastic. Indeed it is less a handbook, more a photographer’s bible given it is a big, heavy hardback book with 400 pages.

“The aim of this book is to equip you with as many hints, tips, useful knowledge, and suggestions as can be crammed within its pages. Armed with informed ideas, you can marry your creative intentions with the vast technical capabilities packed into your smartphones, cameras, lenses, and computers.”

The book is easy to navigate with clear contents to chapters and sections. Throughout there are many beautiful photos giving examples to illustrate the points in the text, whilst also giving you something to aspire to in your own photography. The text is nicely laid out including with tips boxes, quick fix sections for common problems, example labelled photos broken down into parts to illustrate how what has been said in the text has been put in place to make a quality photo, tricks of the trade such as camera settings, lenses to use and so on.

There are six chapters within:

01: Core Skills – covering things like picture composition and framing.
02: Photography Projects – e.g. Documentary photography, weddings, portraits.
03: Image Development – covering things like file management and image manipulation software techniques.
04: Showing and Sharing – e.g. output to paper, art printing, photos on the internet.
05: Buying Guide – tips for buying “Your Ideal Camera” (including smartphones), “photographic accessories” and more.
06: Going Further – tips for learning more, including careers advice, building up your business, mounting an exhibition and more.

Overall if you are serious about your photography and want more than an introduction this would be more than suitable.

[jer1ch0 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent introduction to digital photography whether you have a cheap or expensive camera.

EDIT: July 2007:
After buying a new Dslr - Nikon D40, I am in the process of re-reading this book. I can indeed confirm my original review. This book is as relevant now as it was when it was first published. Even with all the progress in digital photography and lens technology the basic rules of "Taking a Picture" still apply.
Tom Ang knows this and while the technicalities of photography are covered in this book, the main emphasis is on taking, composing and producing a good, pleasing shot.

If you take any amount of photos, buy this book. Especially as its cheaply available in the bargain bin.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a graphic artist so this book was fairly redundant to me. I did like the different techniques and how he explains them. It is focused directly towards photographers only so my suggestion is if you want to go hardcore into business as a photographer this book is a must have. I think it is perfect for people who want to know as much as possible about photography as well this book will be perfect. I bought this book as a reference and I will enjoy it. The glossary and buying section in the back are extremely helpful. Great book over all. Tom Ang hit every point you could imagine.

[Nathan]

This book consists of tons of short little quips about various aspects of digital photography. All in all some interesting ideas, although nothing is taken deep enough. A good example was the section on studio lighting which had two pages with a dozen or so example photographs and how the lighting was set up. For each one it talked about what was wrong with the lighting, but it never showed some examples of what you _should_ do!

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive overview of photography composition, processing, sharing, equipment and more. It's breadth is a strength and a weakness. Any topic you want to be covered is likely to be here, at least in an introductory fashion, but the information can be unorganized, placing advanced applications before basic introductions. Worth reading, but suffers and benefits from trying to be everything for everyone.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had lots of information, very comprehensive. However, I wanted a short glossary at the beginning since he jumped in with terminology right away. I skimmed through the last sections about scanning film and image manipulation, wasn't interested in that right now.

[NuriieL [alwaysbemyself]]

buku ini sbagai pegangan seorang Fotografer Digital mendorong fotografer tradisional untuk bereksperimen dengan teknologi baru sedangkan pengguna berpengalaman inspirasi untuk mencapai ketinggian baru..

#akku berikutnya.. :D

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its kind of out dated but it still has a lot of interesting aspects of the digital age today. I tried a few the examples he gave and they worked great. I think if your a beginner photographer and you don't have one of those real expensive cameras, I think this book might work for you.

[Montana Marley]

An enjoyable practical guide.

[David Hack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good survey of equipment, techniques, and image manipulation software.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

From:Library"

[Nathanael Coyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some chapters I skipped but there are some great tips. The explanations on Photoshop blending modes is fantastic - haven't read anything like that anywhere on the web.

[Anton Klink · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice and juicy collection of pointers for the digital photography professional.

[Victor Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente para fotógrafos amadores e profissionais.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy informative reading with lots of picture!

[Marci · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay information...gave me a few pointers but I lot of it was stuff I already knew.

[JennLynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good general introduction to photographic techniques. Well illustrated throughout.