Equipment Books

Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition)

Bryan Peterson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 458 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

great book! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I bought this book after knowing quite a bit about my SLR digital camera, such as how to change the settings, and knowledge of what ISO, shutter speed, focal length and ASO are. This book was AMAZING. I learned so much within the first few chapters that I was ready to head outside and try them out, and they worked just like Scott said they would. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to sharpen their skills and take it to the next level. I will be buying his other books as well.

Editorial Review:

For serious amateur photographers who already shoot perfectly focused, accurately exposed images but want to be more creative with a camera, here's the book to consult. More than seventy techniques, both popular and less-familiar approaches, are covered in detail, including advanced exposure, bounced flash and candlelight, infrared, multiple images, soft-focus effects, unusual vantage points, zooming, and other carefully chosen ways to enhance photographs. The A-Z format make sit easy for readers to find a specific technique, and each one is explained in jargon-free language. Top Tips for each technique help readers achieve superb results, even on the first attempt.

The Moment It Clicks: Photography secrets from one of the world's top shooters (Voices That Matter)

Joe McNally

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Total reviews: 116 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

THE FIRST BOOK WITH ONE FOOT ON THE COFFEE TABLE, AND ONE FOOT IN THE
CLASSROOM
Joe McNally, one of the world’s top pro digital photographers, whose celebrated work has graced the pages of Sports Illustrated, Time, and National Geographic (to name a few), breaks new ground by doing something no photography book has ever done—blending the rich, stunning images and elegant layout of a coffee-table book with the invaluable training, no-nonsense insights, and photography secrets usually found only in those rare, best-of-breed educational books.

When Joe’s not on assignment for the biggest-name magazines and Fortune 500 clients, he’s in the classroom teaching location lighting, environmental portraiture, and how to “get the shot” at workshops around the world. These on-location workshops are usually reserved for a handful of photographers each year, but now you can learn the same techniques that Joe shares in his seminars and lectures in a book that brings Joe’s sessions to life.

What makes the book so unique is the “triangle of learning” where (1) Joe distills the concept down to one brief sentence. It usually starts with something like, “An editor at National Geographic once told me…” and then he shares one of those hard-earned tricks of the trade that you only get from spending a lifetime behind the lens. Then, (2) on the facing page is one of Joe’s brilliant images that perfectly illustrates the technique (you’ll recognize many of his photos from magazine covers). And (3) you get the inside story of how that shot was taken, including which equipment he used (lens, f/stop, lighting, accessories, etc.), along with the challenges that type of project brings, and how to set up a shot like that of your own.

This book also gives you something more. It inspires. It challenges. It informs. But perhaps most importantly, it will help you understand photography and the art of making great photos at a level you never thought possible. This book is packed with those “Ah ha!” moments—those clever insights that make it all come together for you. It brings you that wonderful moment when it suddenly all makes sense—that “moment it clicks.”

Understanding Shutter Speed: Creative Action and Low-Light Photography Beyond 1/125 Second

Bryan Peterson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 21 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Leaving the intellectual muddle out of it, this is a book you'll want to own as a glorious idea generator 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

When I first looked at "Understanding Shutter Speed" by Bryan Peterson on Amazon I wondered how shutter speed, only one of the components of an exposure, made up a book. In fact, there are some organizational problems that are caused by choosing this particular slice as a wedge into the topic of photography. A good editor might well have wondered what the final chapter on "Composition" is doing at all in this particular book.

The great strength here is idea generation. It's hard not to look at the illustrations in this book and say, "Hey why don't I try that?" The caption information is explicit enough so that you can recreate the ideas shown for yourself, or use them as a jumping off point. As an idea book, "Understanding Shutter Speed" is well worth its price.

Personally, I find the text (as opposed to the photo captions) problematic. Peterson seems out of his depth when it comes to digital. He really seems to think that from a noise viewpoint you are better off underexposing by two stops and adjusting in RAW as opposed to boosting the ISO and exposing properly (he's wrong). His discussion of ISO using a metaphor of hundreds of carpenters struck me as simply silly and without much point.

But leaving the intellectual muddle out of it, this is a book you'll want to own as a glorious idea generator.

Editorial Review:

The first book in the Understanding Photography series, Understanding Exposure, was a runaway best-seller, with more than 250,000 copies sold. Now author Bryan Peterson brings his signature style to another important photography topic: shutter speed. With clear, jargon-free explanations of terms and techniques, plus compelling "before-and-after" photos that pair a mediocre image (created using the wrong shutter speed) with a great image (created using the right shutter speed), this is the definitive practical guide to mastering an often-confusing subject. Topics include freezing and implying motion, panning, zooming, exposure, Bogen Super Clamps, and rendering motion effects with Photoshop, all with helpful guidance for both digital and film formats. Great for beginners and serious amateurs, Understanding Shutter Speed is the definitive handy guide to mastering shutter speed for superb results.

The Big Penis Book

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Wow! 5 out of 5 stars.
16 of 19 people found this review helpful.

Oh dear. I am a 70 year old woman and I just happened across this big penis book in my son's room. My son is 45 years old and still single. I think he might be gay. That said, his big penis book is now in my room under my bed. So now my 45 year old single son is probably gay and angry. Well, he should get a job anyway or at least go find some real penis and stop reading about them in books like this. Good Lord this is a big penis book. And I love a big penis. And so does my son, apparently. I give this book ten thumbs up. I can't believe I never knew he was gay. He should get a job. Maybe as a dancer. Anyway, if you like a big penis, you will like this big penis book. Lord there are big penis's in this book. I mean big. Oh dear.

Editorial Review:

This hefty volume is profusely illustrated with more than 400 historic photos of spectacular male endowments, including rare photos of the legendary John Holmes. The majority of the photographs are from the 1970s when the sexual revolution first freed photographers to depict nude men.

Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting

Fil Hunter, Steven Biver, Paul Fuqua

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 88 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

An amazing (and some would say magical) resource on photographic lighting that has been talked about in the community and recommended for years. This highly respected guide has been thoroughly updated and revised for content and design - it is now produced in full color! It introduces a logical theory of photographic lighting so if you are starting out in photography you will learn how to predict results before setting up lights. This is not primarily a how-to book with only set examples for you to copy. Rather, Light: Science and Magic provides you with a comprehensive theory of the nature and principles of light to allow you to use lighting to express your own creativity.

Numerous photographs and illustrations provide clear examples of the theories, while sidebars highlight special lighting questions. Expanded chapters on available light in portraiture, as well as new information on digital equipment and terminology make this a must have update!

*New four color art package with contemporary lighting examples
*Based on the behaviour of light
*Theory book for serious photographers

The Betterphoto Guide to Digital Photography (Amphoto Guide Series)

Jim Miotke

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 73 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A great, easy to understand Book! - GET IT! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This is the kind of book that can help someone learn photography without the help of a camera.

Ofcourse if you have a camera then you're in for a much better ride then I was, but to understand the logic behind exposure, shutter speed, aperture and ISO just reading will do fine.

One other great thing about the book is that you are given assignments to see if you can do what the book tells you. So right there you need a camera. I dont have a camera yet...I wanted to see if I can understand photography before buying a camera and boy did this book do well!

All I can say about the book is "get it!"

Haven't put it down yet! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Just got this book this afternoon and have already read most of it and skimmed through all of it. It is very informative and well written. TONS of pictures showing examples of different techniques used. Overall a great basic book you can always refer to when you need some extra help. I like that it doesn't go too much into Photoshop. I try to take good photos that don't need to be manipulated later and I have no idea how to use my Photoshop anyway...so this is a great book for me! It will explain all you need to know to start taking some great pictures that are more than just snapshots for the photo album.

Nikon D40/D40x Digital Field Guide

David D. Busch

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 40 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Nikon D40/D40x Digital Field Guide is filled with everything you need to know inorder to take amazing photographs using your Nikon D40 or Nikon D40x. This full-color portable guide walks you through the essential controls, features, and functions of your Nikon D40 or D40x digital SLR using step-by-step instructions and full-color images of each menu screen.This robust guide not only shows you how to adjust white balance, autofocus, exposure, and choose lenses, it also teaches you when and why you should adjust each of these key settings. The Nikon D40/D40x Digital Field Guide goes beyond camera settings to offer you a refresher guide to the principles of digital photography, covering the essentials of lighting, composition, and exposure. Filled with amazing examples, this book also presents you with a variety of tips and tricks to capturing portraits, candids, sports, travel, macro photography, and much more. Table of Contents: Acknowledgments. Introduction. Quick Tour: Shooting Your First D40/D40x Picture. Part I: Using the Nikon D40/D40x. Chapter 1: Exploring the Nikon D40/D40x. Chapter 2: Nikon D40/D40x Essentials. Chapter 3: Setting Up Nikon D40/D40x. Part II: Creating Great Photos with the Nikon D40/D40x. Chapter 4: Exposure Essentials. Chapter 5: All About Lenses. Chapter 5: All About Lenses. Chapter 6: Working with Light. apter 7: P

David Busch's Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi/450D Guide to Digital SLR Photography

David D. Busch

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Well suited for the beginner or intermediate dSLR user! 5 out of 5 stars.
33 of 33 people found this review helpful.

Okay, I admit it- I am very much a noobie to dSLR cameras. I have been reading some of the same sort of generic books that many others have that are recommended to all photographer-wannabes and I've been slowly ascending the dSLR learning curve. But I wanted a book slanted towards beginners or intermediate users that was specifically meant for XSi/450D users. THIS IS THE BOOK! And I have had it on pre-order for almost a month as it was to be one of the first books out specific to this camera.

It has been worth the wait! The very first chapter tells you how to get out there and start taking photos that are much more than merely acceptable. The second chapter is a virtual roadmap to the camera with plenty of large color photos detailing the location and purpose of all the various buttons and knobs. And from here on, the book just gets better! There are chapters on setting up your camera, getting the right exposure, working with light (natural and flash), downloading and editing images, and a great deal more.

My favorite is an entire chapter devoted to working with lenses. For an absolute beginner like me, this chapter has been sooo helpful. Not only does this chapter explain various lens types but it also explains the dos and don'ts of how best to use them. And wonder of wonders, there is even a section in this chapter subtitled "Ingredients of Canon's Alphanumeric Soup" that gives simple explanations of the data engraved or painted on the barrel or the ring surrounding the front of a lens. To professional or even advanced amateur photographers I'm sure that this is information assimilated long ago, but then this book isn't so much geared towards you. This sort of information is invaluable to dSLR beginners such as me and perhaps even to many intermediate level photographers.

Throughout the book there is extensive use made of fairly large color photographs and I should probably also mention that there is a good size glossary in the back followed by an extensive index.

I notice that Busch is nothing if not a prolific writer and based on the large number of favorable reviews on most of his books, he's a darn good one. And finally, no...I don't know the guy but I think I would probably enjoy being a student in a class if he taught them because he writes on a level that I can understand- not too simplistic and not too far over my head.

Editorial Review:

As the new owner of a Digital Rebel XSi/450 you are serious about photography and want to take professional-looking photographs. You also want to quickly and easily discover how, when, and why to use the most important features of your cutting-edge camera. "Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi/450 Guide to Digital SLR Photography" provides you with a concise guide to the essential functions and features of the Digital Rebel XSi/450, teaching you how to select the best autofocus mode, shutter speed, f/stop, or flash capability to take perfect pictures of any kind under any conditions. Brimming with full-color images and examples, this book will help photographers of any level enhance their digital photography skills and techniques. You will also learn how to edit and enhance your photographs, as well as troubleshooting tips to maintain the condition of your Digital Rebel XSi/450 and its accessories.

Complete Guide to High Dynamic Range Digital Photography (A Lark Photography Book)

Ferrell McCollough

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Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Complete Guide to HDR Digital Photography Ferrell's new book is about the new and exciting techniques in HDR photography. Learn how to get started with HDR and progress into expert status with this excellent how to manual loaded with more pictures than pages making it an excellent coffee table book as well. Learn the latest technique in HDR that Ferrell has pioneered and calls Flash Merging. It's the hottest and latest technique made possible only through digital. High Dynamic Range Photography is the process of taking several pictures of a scene at various exposures, then merging them into one file. So the entire photo can look crisp and detailed, from highlights to midtones to shadows, and photographers needen't sacrifice any part of their image. And the best way to master this exciting technology is with this thorough, easy-to-follow, and visually spectacular guide. No other title does justice to these cutting-edge techniques, which actually take the viewer into worlds far beyond normal photography - sometimes even beyond normal human perception. Ferrell McCollough, a widely respected photographer, pushes the boundaries and inspires others to pursue their artistic vision, too. The amazing results simply can't be achieved any other way

Learning to See Creatively: Design, Color & Composition in Photography (Updated Edition)

Bryan Peterson

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Total reviews: 101 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Almost everyone can "see" in the conventional sense, but developing photographic vision takes practice. Learning to See Creatively helps photographers visualize their work, and the world, in a whole new light.

Now totally rewritten, revised, and expanded, this best-selling guide takes a radical approach to creativity. It explains how it is not some gift only for the "chosen few" but actually a skill that can be learned and applied. Using inventive photos from his own stunning portfolio, author and veteran photographer Bryan Peterson deconstructs creativity for photographers. He details the basic techniques that went into not only taking a particular photo, but also provides insights on how to improve upon it—helping readers avoid the visual pitfalls and technical dead ends that can lead to dull, uninventive photographs.

This revised edition features the latest information on digital photography and digital imaging software, as well as an all-new section on color as a design element. Learning to See Creatively is the definitive reference for any photographers looking for a fresh perspective on their work.

* New edition of a best-selling title
* Updated to include digital
* All new artwork, and a totally revised and expanded text
* All-new section on color as a design element
* Written by one of Amphoto's bestselling authors