Digital Photography Pocket Guide

by Derrick Story

Today's digital cameras are affordable and provide quality images that rival their traditional film counterparts. Because digital images are easier to share, and because you only have to print the pictures you need, this new medium is both cost effective and environmentally friendly. Best of all, it's fun! With a digital camera, you can set free your creative spirit and take risks you never would with a film camera. The only obstacle is learning how to unlock all or this power and pleasure packed into these pocket-sized picture takers. Digital Photography Pocket Guide , 2nd Edition expands on the basic photography techniques introduced in the bestselling first edition to help you take the kind of pictures you've always wanted to--and now in full color! This book is the photo mentor you've always it explains each of the camera's components, shows you what they do, and then helps you choose the right settings. When you ask, "How can I get that picture?", simply pull this small guide out of your camera bag, backpack, or back pocket and find the answer quickly.This fully illustrated book covers everything from image resolution, shooting sports action, close ups and night shots, to memory cards, transferring images, archiving, making QuickTime movies, and much more. Topics in the guide's three main sections on "Digital Camera Components", "Standard Camera Functions", and "How Do I?" are labeled A to Z for quick reference. Or if you prefer, use the comprehensive index or table of contents to find the information you need. There's even an entire section of easy to read reference tables for quick look up of white balance settings, exposure compensation, camera mode explanations, and much more.

Genres: Photography, Reference, Nonfiction, Ebooks, Art

160 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2002

Reviews

[Stephen Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book (although a little dated) for new users of digital cameras. Goes over some of the basics on cameras and equipment and does touch a little on actual photography techniques. Would not benefit experienced photographers.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

While published in several editions in the first decade of the new millennium, this O'Reilly guide is still a helpful book today. Unlike many other publications of the era, this guide does not describe in detail the specifications of cameras and memory cards that today would strike readers as absurdly dated. Instead, it focuses on general feature of digital photography still relevant for any point-and-shoot camera sold today.

If all one wants to do is take photos in the "auto" mode of one's camera, then one hardly needs a guide. The value of this O'Reilly book, however, is that it describes all the other modes, introducing the reader to such photography basics as aperture, ISO value and shutter speed. Understanding this basic principles will allow one much greater control over the result. The guide puts these techniques into practice by giving advice on typical environments like portraits and landscapes. The guide also describes how to edit photos on your computer, namely operations such as scaling down, sharpening and cropping.

Cheap used copies of this book abound, and an ebook edition is easy to come by. I'd recommend it to anyone with a digital camera wondering how to use more of its features. It is not meant to be a complete course in photography, but will satisfy those who don't mind staying outside the field.