 One of the digicam/image editing books I've seen! |
| Review Date: February 7, 2003 |
| Reviewer: Michael K. Smith, Gonzales, Louisiana |
| As a relatively novice photographer (haven't owned one since my old Brownie Hawkeye) with some knowledge of computers and a new digital camera, I've been working my way through as many books on digicams and image-editing software as I can find. Some are pretty general, some are more specialized, but most seem to repeat the same mostly superficial information and advice on both photography and digital editing. This book is the great exception! Ang is a very talented photographer and this lushly printed... volume is crammed with his work, but he's also a very good teacher. The first part of the book, under the heading of "Total Photography," is a mini-course in types of cameras and lenses, lighting, optical physics, and the essential practical differences in using film-based and digital cameras. (There's also a survey of information on specific models of cameras, printers, and scanners, which will soon be outdated and which might have been omitted.) The second section, "Photography for the Digital Age," leads you through such topics as composition, zoom, optical distortion, color balance, and how to avoid or at least fix the most common mistakes; I learned a great deal from his clear explanations and visual examples. "A Compendium of Ideas" is almost a separate book, being an excursion through all the major categories of subjects that interest people with cameras, from buildings and travel to microphotography and high-speed sports; you'll want to return to this section now and then for leisurely browsing. "Radical Conversions" and "All about Image Manipulation" are worth the price of the book all by themselves, with very clear and often very detailed discussions of issues which I'm sure are old hat to experienced shutterbugs but which are new and often perplexing to me, including proper cropping, burning-in and dodging, sharpening, blurring, cross-processing, color vs. black-and-white, and lots of others. Ang is quite good at balancing received photographic wisdom with new digital ideas. He also gets deeply into such computer-specific subjects as levels, cloning, and the differences and similarities between channels, layers, and masks. (He seems not to have much use for such glitzy effects-filter tricks as stained glass and embossing filters, with which I have to agree.) "The Output Adventure" is very good on getting the color on your monitor to agree with the color your printer produces, and there's a final section on portfolios, copyrights, and the business of photography. I can't recommend this one highly enough. |
Beautifully done - Excellent content - I use it in my class
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| Review Date: January 22, 2003 |
| Reviewer: James L. Wilson, Boca Raton, FL United States |
| As an instructor of digital photography at Florida Atlantic University, I recently selected this work for use as a required Textbook for all my classes. It is a must read for a variety of levels of experience. The selection of pictures, illustrations, use of color are well thought-out. Even the gloss-coat paper gives a notice of quality. Let me say this another way; I had already begun writing my own textbook, being unsatisfied with what was available, until I came across this book. My classes contain many diverse students, from practicing medical doctors, attorneys, e-bay retailers, photography enthusiasts, and of course college students. All are quite satisfied with this 400+ page work of art. Jim Wilson ... |
Excellent reference book for intermed+ , not Photog 101
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| Review Date: September 12, 2004 |
| Reviewer: jeanne425, Redmond, WA USA |
This is an excellent digital photography reference book, but it should be noted upfront that it is not "How to take photos 101". If you need to understand basics like f-stops and exposure, there are 100's of other books out there better suited for you. I mention this because another reviewer was critical for those omissions. The author assumes you have basic photographic understanding, and works upward from there. I don't want or need basic information, and it was refreshing to find a current (2004) book that doesn't waste space on the elementary. I'd checked out a dozen books from the library prior to this one (which had a waiting list), and this one was the only one I am purchasing.
This is not a book intended to be read front to back. It is a reference book best digested in chunks. It starts off with some technical info on digital, as well as film, cameras, followed by info on PCs, monitors, scanners, printers and software. Not terribly exciting, but I read a few paragraphs here and there and did learn a few things. From there the book is organized in "topic format" allowing you to quickly find on your present interest, be it photographing buildings, clouds, animals, sports, children, etc. Then it progresses into scanning, color management, cropping, correcting and enhancing images, filters, and other creative processes prior to finalinzing your image, and also speaks to certain software.
Overall the book is intelligently organized. Interspersed throughout are "Quick Fix" charts for a multitude of issues, enabling a quick scan across a page or two to find your issue, which is a real benefit. At the end of the book, there is also an extensive glossary, a couple of pages of web resources, and a list of manufacturer and software websites, as well as some further reading suggestions. Lastly, there is an extensive index, a real plus for any reference book.
The book does have a few weak points, such as needless text on the internet and viruses. And the inclusion of information on hardware is risky due to frequent technology changes. But I do admire the author's idea to include complementary material.
The book is loaded with beautiful photos on nearly every page, which will serve to inspire your creativity. The pages are top quality stock, coffee-table book quality, and the hardcover is a full color replica of the dustjacket. I plan to keep this out in full view on a table, not buried in a bookcase.
If you are a competent digital photographer looking to refine your technique and expand creatively beyond merely saving/printing photos with little editing, this book is for you. The intent is to make a good phographer a great photographer. |
Beautiful book, well written and very helpful.
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| Review Date: November 10, 2002 |
| Reviewer: Crispee, Westminster, CO United States |
| This is the perfect book not just for digital photographers but all persons wanting to get more out of their camera. The writing is friendly and clear, the illustrations are outstanding -- in fact there is more color photography in this book than I expected (I don't know why, but I was thinking it'd probably be that kind of book that has 32 pages stuck in). It walks you through everything and is like a little course in photography in a book. Highly Recommended. |
Digital and Conventional Photographic Techniques
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| Review Date: July 29, 2003 |
| Reviewer: Rebecca Johnson, Washington State |
If you are looking for a book that is jargon-free and will demystify the technical elements of conventional and digital photography, this might be for you.
Tom Ang is the Senior Lecturer in Photographic Practice at the University of Westminster, London. He has worked as a technical editor and picture editor. His photography has been widely exhibited and he contributes regularly to magazines. He now writes for MacUser magazine.
Tom gives his secret hints and tips on the essentials of good photography. He explains the processes behind digital photography and explains how you can achieve excellent results. There are a few practical projects so you can create your own evocative memories.
If you were to purchase this book for the photographs alone, it would be well worth the price.
Some of the Contents Include: Digital Camera Features, Film-based cameras, Choosing the best lenses, Zoom lenses, Camera Accessories, Memory cards, Accessory lighting, How color monitors work, How Scanners Work, Software, Printers, computers, Picture composition, Image Orientation, Quick Fixes, Color Composition, Silhouettes/backlighting, photographing clouds, Close-up photography, vacations, Journeys and Travel, Photographing Children, landscapes, Mirrors, Bird?s Eye views, pets, sports, Festivals, Urban Views, Natural History and Panoramas.
This book will also show you how to:
Scan Images
Manipulate Images - cropping, sharpening, blurring, color adjustments, tones, tinting, filter effects, masks, grayscale and color.
Once you have your pictures you can then print them out and create your own books. There is information on how the Internet works and how to deal with copyright concerns.
If you are looking for a book with all the basics, I think you will be pleased with this information. I like making kaleidoscope pictures from friend's pictures. It looks like a picture of their souls. What is amazing is how the picture reflects their personality or dreams. I always add a bit of snow to the picture and then change it into a kaleidoscope.
~The Rebecca Review |
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