Confusion while reading "Understanding Exposure"

OfMikeandMen · Mar 12, 2013

Hello,

I am, well, brand spanking new to photography. I have a Nikon D40x with the stock lens. I am a little over half-way through "Understanding Exposure," and have come across several questions along the way, namely with lenses. So, I've decided to come here and ask everyone for some advice. What is a good book for understanding the camera itself, lenses, filters, etc. Sometimes everything seems very foreign to me when I am reading, and while I am comprehending the book for the most part, I would just like to be able to identify what precisely he is talking about. For example, a telescopic lens. Granted, I can probably figure it out just by the name, and there is of course Google. But, I'm a book person. I'd like to read something to further my knowledge with the camera itself. Not the settings or taking pictures (though if it's included in the book, I will certainly read that). Would the "Digital Photography Masterclass" be a good source? Thanks.

KmH · Mar 12, 2013

Understanding Camera Lenses
Digital Photography Tutorials

I have a low opinion of Tom Ang's books. I find them very cluttered, messy, and illogically arranged.

For a more practical resource I recommend Scott Kelby's 4 book series - Scott Kelby's Digital Photography Boxed Set, Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4

SCraig · Mar 12, 2013

Digital Photography Master Class is more oriented toward composition than learning the fundamentals of what makes a camera work.

I was going to recommend Cambridge in Colour however I noticed that Keith's second link is the exact link I was going to add. Their tutorials are very good and beginner-oriented.

tirediron · Mar 12, 2013

You may have good luck going to your local public library and looking through their selection. They often have good 'beginner' books (and there are hundreds, if not thousands of them). It doesn't matter if they're two months old, or twenty years old; very little has actually changed in photography between the film and digital eras, so even an old book will help a lot. Time-Life did a great series back in the early 80s IIRC.

thuchton · Mar 13, 2013

I agree with the Kebly series. Lots of great learning to be had in these books!

ABJayce · Mar 13, 2013

I also second the Kelby series. It's what we use at my college. Although you may be a book person, the book isn't going to be able to lay out everything in black and white for you. It can tell you the steps to get to where you want to be but ultimately the most learning comes from picking up your camera and taking picture after picture. When I was in the books I had my camera with me and when I would read about say, white balance. I would take my camera find white balance and apply what I learned to make changes so I can see the changes happening. I think that's the best way to learn, for me it was anyways.