The Digital Photography Book, Volume 3
by Scott Kelby
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Book Summary Information
Author: Scott KelbyEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-07-31
ISBN: 0321617657
Number of pages: 264
Publisher: Peachpit Press
Accessories:
- The Digital Photography Book
- Digital Shoebox: How to Organize, Find, and Share Your Photos, The
- The Digital Photography Book, Volume 2
Book Reviews of The Digital Photography Book, Volume 3
Book Review: Five Star With Reservations - The Good, Bad & Repeat Info.
Summary: 5 Stars
Okay, first a couple of quick disclaimers...
1. I'm a huge Kelby fan and think his prior two volumes are both fun to read and packed full of great information.
2. I like the biggest "bang for my buck".
3. I'm not a pro and not a complete amateur either but fall somewhere in between. If I find it too simplistic, professionals and serious shutterbugs are likely to be very disappointed. If I find it too complex, novice readers are likely to do so as well. That might provide a good measure as to whether this book is right for you or not.
Now, on to the actual book itself. Like many others, I ordered this on a pre-release status and anxiously awaited the delivery at which point I consumed the entire book quickly at one sitting. Readers of Kelby's other books will recognize the same friendly style, conversational tone and jokes.
For those that are wondering if Kelby can really "do it again"...the answer is a resounding - "sort of". Here's Why...
First, the Basics and the Bad....
This book is of the same general length and writing style as the two prior books however, prior readers will immediately recognize some of the content used as "filler" or a bit of "fluff" here and there. For example, one of the pages/tips is dedicated to "cleaning" the item before shooting, another instructs to "remove distracting elements" from the picture...duh! Does that really constitute a tip? I think not. Likewise, there are several more tips dedicated to how to use your camera (Canon and Nikon users) for things like dust cleaning or turning off the beep...personally speaking, if I wanted that information I would simply read my owners manual.
Other less than impressive tips included using a tripod for tack sharp product shots plus some information that is basically a repurpose of content from prior books such as which essential filters to purchase or to use a neutral density filter. It is also somewhat disappointing to see that some tips consist of nothing more than 1 very short paragraph or as little as 1-2 sentences in their entirity.
Finally, the chapter on how to select the right lens is perfect for those seeking to purchase a DSLR or new to buying but most experienced users will find this a bit too simplistic for an entire chapter. Essentially it describes each lens type (ie, zoom, macro, fisheye, etc...) then when to use each. It also includes how to clean your lens, how and why to use manual focus, the difference between prime vs zoom etc...
The Good...
Having said all of the above, I still rate the book highly due to the engaging and readable format, excellent examples... and of course, what we all come here for...the actual tips. There are some good ones scattered throughout that more experienced users will likely appreciate - although far fewer than in prior books. Overall, this book seemed more introductory in nature than the other two volume's; still, there are plenty of great reminders and always some true golden nuggets that make all the difference like getting creative with the white balance, how to get that star effect without a filter (there - you saved the cost of this entire book plus never have to hassle with that filter again just by reading that page alone!, how to create those great reflections so popular in product shots plus much more.
Bottom Line...
Good book and well worth the low price tag. Best suited for beginners but serious shutterbugs are still likely to find a few gems. Not quite up to the same standard as the first two volume's but perhaps the most useful of all three for complete novice users or those currently shopping for a camera/lens etc...
Targeted more for the general user (for example, Lensbaby coverage) rather than pro or serious camera buff but everyone is likely to find something they like that make the purchase price and time well worth the effort.
HIGHLY recommend for new users or those purchasing a new camera/lens etc...
Summary of The Digital Photography Book, Volume 3
Scott Kelby, author of The Digital Photography Book, volume 1 (the world?s best-selling digital photography book of all time), is back with a follow-up to his volume 2 smash best seller, with an entirely new book that picks up right where he left off. It?s even more of that ?Ah ha?so that?s how they do it,? straight-to-the-point, skip-the-techno-jargon stuff you can really use today to make your shots even better.This book truly has a brilliant premise, and here?s how Scott describes it: ?If you and I were out on a shoot and you asked me, ?Hey Scott, I want the light for this portrait to look really soft and flattering. How far back should I put this softbox?? I wouldn?t give you a lecture about lighting ratios, or flash modifiers. In real life, I?d just turn to you and say, ?Move it in as close to your subject as you possibly can, without it actually showing up in the shot.? Well, that?s what this book is all about: you and I out shooting where I answer questions, give you advice, and share the secrets I?ve learned, just like I would with a friend?without all the technical explanations and techie photo speak.?
Each page covers a single concept on how to make your photography better. Every time you turn the page, you?ll learn another pro setting, tool, or trick to transform your work from snapshots into gallery prints. If you?re tired of taking shots that look ?okay,? and if you?re tired of looking in photography magazines and thinking, ?Why don?t my shots look like that?? then this is the book for you.
This isn?t a book of theory?full of confusing jargon and detailed concepts. This is a book on which button to push, which setting to use, and when to use it. With nearly 200 more of the most closely guarded photographic ?tricks of the trade,? this book gets you shooting dramatically better-looking, sharper, more colorful, more professional-looking photos every time.
Digital Photography Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
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- Children's Books
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