I followed a recommendation on a book that I like very much for general understanding of photography. The KISS guide to Photography by John Garrett. I would also suggest you do an Amazon search find the most popular books on photography and check out customer reviews.
Thanks for reminding me. I need to review my readings.
One new book you might want to browse is "Shooting Digital: Pro Tips for Taking Great Pictures with Your Digital Camera" by Mikkel Aaland. Mr. Aaland is the author of the highly recommended "Photoshop Elements 2 Solutions", and his new book is focused (oops – no pun intended) on photographic techniques more so than editing. I don’t have the book; just thumbed through it at B&N on Saturday. You might want to read the reviews on amazon.com, then pick it up and look at it at a bricks-and-mortar bookstore before making a decision.
Chuck
I’d call that a draw, wouldn’t you Chuck?
Thanks guys. I didn’t know about the new Aaland book. I have his "Solutions" books and like it a lot. I’ll take a look at this new one. Thanks.
The KISS guide to Photography
Interesting title. "KISS" is a saying I have heard for many years for both artists and photographers.
Pete
KISS = Keep It Simple Series
I always go back to Mountain Light by Galen Rowell. It’s old, but it always reminds me of a couple ways to find better images.
Yeah Mark, I heard it stated that way but more often keep it simple, Stupid. (meaning that it is not smart to complicate the art by having too much in there).
KISS = Keep It Simple Series
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Sounds like a local beer we have around here, Eric. 🙂 Hmmm…I wonder if it would help me find better images?
Patti
Pick up the latest copy of "PC Photo" magazine, December 2003. An excellent article on using your camera’s ‘automatic’ features. It’s just one component of taking better pictures! The number one technique is "learning how to see", and paying attention to detail and composition, all within a split second. It simply takes time and some practice, but you’ll suddenly go from ‘snapshots’ to photographs. Have fun.
Walt
Walt, re ‘snapshots’ to ‘photographs’….I’m still waiting for that sudden shift….
🙂
Chuck
I’m reviving this thread because I need a good intro to digital photography (including possibly image manipulation with PSE) book for my Mom. We (my sibs and I) just got my parents their first digital camera this last Christmas and I think my Mom could benefit from a good reference book. I want to avoid those books that spend to much time talking about what to buy and/or digital technology. She has no interest in this info and she already has a camera. So I guess I’m looking for a book more geared to beginner digital photography technics. It’d be nice if it were Mac oriented particularly if it deals with iPhoto, but that’s not essential.
Anyone have any suggestions?
Joe
Joe, the first 100 pages or so of the Missing Manual for iPhoto are devoted to digital photography. Lots of stuff about camera features, but quite a bit about taking pictures, too. Might be worth a look.
Joe
If your mom has is plugged in then Kodak has a wonderful site for beginner photographers. Well intermediate and advanced can learn a trick or two from the site as well. The site is based on taking better photographs and doesn’t make a big distinction between digital and film. Finally at free the price is right.
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=38& pq-locale=en_US Grant
Barb,
Thanks for the tip, I ordered it from Amazon for $18.00. It’s for iPhoto 2 but that’s ok, there really isn’t a whole lot of new features in 4. It looks like just the right book for her.
Grant,
I’ll get her over to Kodak’s site. I’ve actually read through most of that site but until you mentioned it, I’d completely forgotten about it. The price is certainly right!
Joe
Joe, geeze, i thought a bunch of new features were added to iP 4….slideshow, transitons,audio
Joe, I think the iphoto 4 book was just released, but you’re probably better off with the older one. The new book combines iphoto and itunes, so it probably dumped the photography section in the interests of space.
Chuck,
I ordered that book earlier this week — with Amazon’s "super saver" shipping, I should have it by mid-July.
Byron
Joe, geeze, i thought a bunch of new features were added to iP 4….slideshow, transitons,audio
Jodi,
There are a few new features but they aren’t really significant. The main change, importantly, is that it finally has some speed. After two or three upgrades in two years they’ve finally got it to work like it should have originally. Better late than never.
Chuck,
Thanks for the recommendation. I’m actually going to get that one for myself! Mom can have it after I’m done with it. 😉
Jodi,
You’re right that iPhoto 4 did add some transitions (and a couple other minor features), but as Mark said the biggest improvement was speed. iPhoto 2 could do slide shows and use audio.
Joe
Assuming you’re looking for something more than a "how to" book, I recommend Ansel Adams’s three-volume "Photography Series," particularly volume 2, "The Negative." Here is a man who knew every aspect of photography inside out. It gets fairly techincial, but if you want to learn both the art and craft of photography there’s no better way than through these books.
This series will help you learn how to make creative judgements (that is, visualize the photo you want) before taking the shot, thus reducing the need for corrective (as opposed to creative) digital alterations later on.
By the way, when referring to PE photo manuals you mentioned the "best in the realm." As a newcomer to digital photography and PE, I have to ask what are these?
Don
