The Complete Idiot's Guide to Digital Photography (3rd Edition)

The book really does start at the beginning, with a short history of the camera and photography, plus the basics of composition. But it progresses quickly into an overview of today's digital tools. Instead of bogging down the reader in myriad details about camera models, computer software and hardware, and other minutiae, the book gives an overview of the available technologies, describing which system or format is best for different kinds of tasks. This is a good thing--hardware and software evolve rapidly, and some of the details mentioned in the book as "up and coming" are now standard. (See the sections on camera resolution for examples.)

After a look at how the gear works, the text dives into a lesson on photography basics (composition, lighting, shutter speeds, and lens focal lengths) and the details specific to digital photography (image resolution, monitor and printer calibration, and compression). The companion CD-ROM includes a demo version of Adobe PhotoDeluxe, and chapter 13, "Improving Your Images," goes into detail on using this image-editing application to improve the pictures you've already shot.

What good is instant digital photography if you can't instantly share your work on the Web? Chapter 22 addresses this specific issue, covering the basics of building a Web site (nothing fancy) and how to compress and upload your favorite pictures for everyone to see.

No particular platform is favored in this book--the contents of the CD-ROM are compatible with both Macs and PCs. Overall, this book succeeds at teaching the principles and basics of how digital photography works, and how to set up for it. Practical, useful, and enlightening, this is a good first step on a complex road. --Mike Caputo

Product Description
Third edition features the latest version of Adobe Photoshop Elements to demonstrate image editing concepts and techniques. Updated reference for budding amateurs and digital-bound professionals alike. Softcover.

The sections on monitors and printers is essential in clearing up the confusion of "Why doesn't my printed picture look like the one on my computer screen". I highly recommend this book to anyone considering buying a digital camera, whether you are an experienced amateur or beginner.


Easy to read and "user friendly"look at digital photography.   October 28, 1999
266 out of 267 found this review helpful

This is a great book! It is easy to read and at times even humorous. It starts with a very useful and important explanation of photography including exposure, lens types, and camera types. I found the chapter on composition very useful and it has already helped me to take better shots. The book describes, in detail, how to buy a digital camera and what features and pitfalls to look out for. The book also has many very easy to follow demonstrations on how to improve my images including color and brightness/contrast manipulations. Later in the book, Steve describes how to make photo collages, masking (selections),use filters, and even how to build a web site. I also found the chapter on printing and calibration really helped me print out my photos exactly how they looked on my monitor.

I looked at a lot of other digital photo books and this was the most complete. I think Steve's perspective as a working digital photographer is very useful. I also found the book very useful and from a beginners point of view very "user friendly" I think even an advanced user will get a lot from the book. I highly recommend it.


it's good for beginners   January 30, 2001
adead_poet@hotmail.com (Austin, tx USA)
26 out of 34 found this review helpful

this is a good book for those who know nothing about photography (thus, the "idiot's guide"). and i gave it four stars for that reason. but, for the amateur or student photographer, this book is worthless. the author covers the basics, and will give the reader a good idea of what photography is and how to take pictures. he gives a great intro to the digital world (this was the first book i bought, but quickly moved on to better, more specific books). i gave the book four stars because it is what it is supposed to be, an introduction to digital photography (you can't fault the author because the reader has some basic knowledge). i would have given him five stars, but, he didn't use photoshop as his program. adobe photoshop is the most widely used digital photography program. most people have it or will get it. so after you learn his tips, you have to relearn or adjust them to photoshop. still, i recommend this to those who don't know anything about digital photography.


Great book to get started in digital photography   August 3, 2001
michael E. Dorsey (Germantown, Wi.)
22 out of 22 found this review helpful

I have had a digital camera' a Kodak DC280 for many months now. I have ben a 35MM amature for over 30 years and this book has helped me make the transition to digital photography better than anything else I could have done.Before I got this book, I had many problems with doing this as the manuals on the software were very poorly written and had many things just skipped over or missing entirely. Before I got halfway through the Book there were many things that helped me greatly That were just not in the manuals that came with the software. It has made everything much easier and faster. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is just starting in digital photography.


Great all round book   July 7, 2001
Karen Slater (Esperance, W.A Australia)
14 out of 16 found this review helpful

I bought this book after reading many reviews on digital cameras. What I was looking for was a book on digital cameras and how to help me choose the correct one. What I got was a good all round book on cameras, composition, exposure, lighting, compression etc.

Certainly a great book if you have or are thinking of purchasing a digital camera. I did purchase a book purely on digital cameras but it was a tad heavy going.

This is an easy reading book which you can read cover to cover during the adds when watching TV.