Books for beginners

[Starlite]

On a separate thread, Matt W. recommended to me "Master Lighting Guide", which I plan to purchase.

I took a brief look on Ebay at "Photography for Dummies" -

http://cgi.ebay.com/Photography-For...838QQihZ002QQcategoryZ712QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


Any comments or other recommendations?

 

[Tiberius]

Ansel Adams' writings are as applicable today (Even the one on Developing Film, with a bit of imagination is still quite applicable to digital) as they were when he commited them to paper however long ago.

 

[Big Mike]

I always hear 'Understanding Exposure' recommended.

 

[Starlite]

I just ordered "understanding exposure"... it looks good just from the cover.


thanks :mrgreen:

 

[Starlite]

dang Big Mike, I don't know what happened, but this got posted in the wrong room!

it should be in the beginner's place....

can you move it?

 

[ANDS!]

Ive seen a few PHOTOGRAPHY FOR DUMMIES books - the different editions look like they are actually authored by different folks. I'd check into that (I know the 2006 edition - 3rd Edition - is out).

 

[Starlite]

Ive seen a few PHOTOGRAPHY FOR DUMMIES books - the different editions look like they are actually authored by different folks. I'd check into that (I know the 2006 edition - 3rd Edition - is out).

Wow, you just saved me from the wrong book!!!!!


thank you! :thumbup:

 

[ANDS!]

Yea, that book you linked looked like it was written in 1998 - an eon in The Tech World.

Ive read through the 2006 one, and it looks really good. I even looked for chapters covering topics I've had questions on (exposure, ISO, apetures, macro shooting) and they are all there.

 

[Dylan]

I've only been interested in photography for a year but this book has helped me a lot. It's a bit pricey but I think it's worth every penney. It covers all of the basics and a lot more.

 

[cosmonaut]

Here's one we should all own...
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Yourself-Photography-Lee-Frost/dp/0071435050/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-8100947-4712950?ie=UTF8&s=books"]http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Yourself-Photography-Lee-Frost/dp/0071435050/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-8100947-4712950?ie=UTF8&s=books[/ame]
It's easy to understand and cheap. It covers everything a newbie needs to know. Read the reviews...
Cosmo

 

[Digital Matt]

For beginners, I highly recommend John Hedgecoe's series of books. He covers everything, from the guts of the camera, the optics, light, exposure, composition, and basic techniques for all types of photography. He has tons of books out, and you can buy them on Amazon.com.

[ame]http://amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/103-8359277-4048604?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=john+hedgecoe&Go.x=0&Go.y=0&Go=Go[/ame]

 

[Starlite]

Here's one we should all own...
http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Yourself-Photography-Lee-Frost/dp/0071435050/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-8100947-4712950?ie=UTF8&s=books
It's easy to understand and cheap. It covers everything a newbie needs to know. Read the reviews...
Cosmo

that's the one I bought!!!!



yes, it is very easy to follow, and I'm really enjoying reading it.

I'll see where I'm at after reading this, and then estimate if or what book I need to read next.


Any book out there cover the latest Digital cameras?

I'm getting ahead of myself asking this question, but it seems as though that is what I'm going to need to research next... the difference between regular and digital cameras, and what things about digital cameras I need to know.

 

[Digital Matt]

If you are shooting strictly digital, you outta pick up one of Scott Kelby's latest Photoshop CS2 books. If photoshop is too pricey($600), then try Photoshop Elements, and check out a book on how to use it. There are probably lots of them out, which deal specifically with digital photography.

 

[Starlite]

wow thanks for the tip Matt!


so I take it this book of his teaches HOW to take the photos -

http://shop.scottkelbybooks.com/ind..._id=30&zenid=a7e94dd560db28dd61cb21ee58b466fc


and this one talks about how to use Photoshop -

http://www.peachpit.com/bookstore/product.asp?isbn=0735712360&rl=1



Is that right?

I'm lucky in the fact that I at least have a few friends who know Photoshop pretty well, so they are willing to teach me how to use the software..... but I'm wondering if there is a lot of stuff that only a photographer would know, in Photoshop?

 

[Digital Matt]

I don't know if I'd buy a book on HOW to take photos by Scott Kelby. He's a graphic designer / photoshop guy, not a photographer really. His photoshop books are top notch thogh.

Look at the other books mentioned, which are written by professional photographers, if you want to learn photography basics. You can find most of these books at your local library for free.