As a DSLR newbie this book has been very helpful
340642
I have picked bits and pieces to read, but the overall quality of the book is great. I bought this along with a new Rebel T6i and it has proved to be very helpful since I have not used a DSLR before
3341996
As a beginner to the fancy part of photography brought to you by the letters P, A, S and M, as well as the concepts of f-stops, ISO, white balance, noise and shooting at 1/1000 of a second, I found this book to be extremely useful in explaining the basics without making me go cross-eyed with frustration.

The camera manual was helpful to a point, especially in explaining which button and dial does what, but got too complicated in explaining what happens when you push or rotate said buttons and dials, and how it affects your photograph.

Within a page or few, the light clicked on about underexposed and overexposed images, fast and slow shutter speeds, depth of field, and ISO.  I am now practicing shooting in Aperture mode (A), which is a huge step up from Auto, and although I'm not quite ready for Manual mode (M), I can see it in my future.

Written in simple conversational language with practical scenarios, this guide spends a lot of time on exposure, but also incorporates everything from holding the camera properly, to shooting landscapes, sunsets, moving subjects, RAW files, portraits, night scenes, star trails and HDR.  It even gives tips on buying cameras, lenses, equipment and software.

The only thing missing in this Kindle version are some of the examples and illustrations to go with the concepts covered.  Also recommended is a visit to the author's website ImprovePhotography.com where you can get daily tips with full colour examples.

Amanda Richards, November 17, 2011
153502
This contained much more than I expected.  I am new to photography, so my learning curve is pretty much straight up at this time  I enjoy macro photography and have been trying to get good shots for the past few months.  As I read this books, I discovered a few things I had figured out, but a wealth of information and tips that will help me help me become a better photographer.

The tips were very timely for me and are easy to understand and put into practice.  Thank you for this book.
4875550
Clearly written, well organized and very helpful for someone just starting out in digital photography because it covers a large range of information from basic composition and reading a histogram to HDR photography.  In particular, I really like the chapter on night photography because I learned how to get better exposures using the tips in this section. The video content is also great because it supports the technical information covered in the book with real world examples.
3196643
It just cuts right to the chase! This book is good for beginners and amateur photographers.  It gives the readers very concrete tips and advice on how to get the most out of a digital camera. It gives you the tips, in a very easy to read format. I enjoyed reading this book page by page since it shows me how to take shots correctly.

For example, if I want a faster shutter speed, the author said that I should try a lens that has a larger maximum aperture. I am a novice and I am really learning a lot from this book. There are still more tips you can learn from this book. Most importantly, the author avoids complicated and technical terms.

This book also gives people tips on how to reduce camera shake.  As a novice, I tend to do this a lot but after reading this book, I have learned how to do hand held techniques properly. I found this book perfect for me to pick-up while enjoying my coffee, and come away with some great new tips and advice that I can immediately apply. Each chapter focuses on 1 topic. It is definitely worth picking up!
4958760
I knew nothing about DSLR or the Canon T3 prior to purchasing it.  Once I did, I knew I had to learn the basics to make the most of my camera investment.  This book does a wonderful job of schooling a photo enthusiast such as myself.  I was able to read the book from front to back in about a week and was pretty well versed in using my T3.  I highly recommend this book to anyone buying a DSLR for the first time.  What good is buying a nice camera if you're going to set the dial on the green automatic setting all the time? Invest in this book, you won't regret it.
4880557
As a novice photographer, I found the insights provided by the author to be helpful. Provides concise explanations regarding exposure, and tips that are easy to remember. Also provides a handful of exercises that really bring the concepts home. (Although his examples use Nikon equipment, he provides information in the text for Canon camera owners.)

Although I've had SLR & DSLR cameras for almost 3 decades, I never understood exposure, so I always shot in an auto or semi-auto mode and prayed for the best.

I recommend this book for any novice that wants to shoot in manual mode, or just understand what's going on when you snap a picture.
2624897
I shoot with a DSLR camera and not a CCD camera. This book is designed for use with a monochrome CCD, therefore it was of limited use to me. That's not necessarily bad. The book is so good, that even limited use rates a five stars from me. It helps me to know the best targets that are out at any given time and how to best frame them. I consult the book nearly every week. I am glad that I purchased it. If you shoot either a CCD or DSLR camera you know the difference and what I am talking about. If you think the price of the book is worth the price of a guide book that shows you what is up and how to frame it, then purchase the book. If you think the book is going to give you tips on imaging and processing with your DSLR, then don't purchase the book. If you shoot a CCD, there is no question. Get the book.
300485
This book has been very helpful, particularly since the used camera I bought did not come with an instruction manual.  I get lost at times with the instructions because I'm not as familiar as I should be with f-stops, lens depth, etc.  It does refer to the instruction manual which I finally downloaded from the manufacturer but as a quick reference, it is great.
3581339
I'm fairly new to digital photography and as I particularly love landscapes, this book is perfect! I've picked up other books and been overwhelmed by too much detail, but this book is written in a really friendly style with all the basics covered, step-by-step, including advice for purchasing the right equipment. This is really important as the hardware can be expensive, and when you're starting out the choices can be overwhelming. I was able to take my 'book' along to the store and to make an informed decision about the equipment I purchased. That has to mean I've saved money! I appreciate the beautiful photographs the author has included, and the book is well structured so that it's easy to find a particular section for the type of image you want to capture. The author provides great tips throughout the book, accompanied by images that allow you to avoid common mistakes that a novice would make. The results so far have been great. Starting a new hobby can be daunting and expensive, but with this handy guide I'm already on the way to producing beautiful and professional-looking photographs in no time at all.&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Landscape-Photography-for-Beginners-Essentials-of-Success/dp/B00ZAUVY0A/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Landscape Photography for Beginners: Essentials of Success</a>
4761533
Glad I got this book (as an ebook on my iPad) because it helped me quickly learn about my camera before taking it on vacation. I haven't finished reading all of it and some of it doesn't apply because I have the 2nd generation rx100, but it is a heck of a lot easier to use than the online manual and I'm glad it was available.
837337
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.
1425963
This really is a helpful book. I have also got it on Kindle so I just need to take my ipad when I go on holidays instead of several manuals. If you are not familiar with DSLRs and you buy the Panasonic LX100 you may find the camera a bit daunting at first but this book will soon put you at ease and it is told in a very simple way.
2424382
Great book at a great used copy price.  Have used it the last few weekends when taking the used D7000 out to shoot I recently received.  While I am familiar with dSLRs, I'm not familiar with the D7000 menu system or where it stores all its various functions.  The index in this book is pretty well done.  I was able to find quickly the references to different, more advanced functions I needed.  Instructions on how to change camera settings are clear, concise, and basically step-by-step.  Magic Lantern Guides have never failed me before and this one hasn't either.
3720663
I've enjoyed reading this book and have learned a great deal from it. As an avid amateur photographer I am always happy to learn a new genre in the art.

Pros: He does not waste our time, like 99% of all other photography books out there, by spending half or more of the book reviewing which camera to buy, or what ISO is, or how to use the camera, etc. He assumes that if you're buying this book you already know something about photography. I wish other authors were brave enough to do that. There are several good introductory books out there, but not ALL books need to do that. Secondly, he gives many good resources and websites to look at. He shows work from other photographers. He sets out many of the principles of night photography.

Cons: One reviewer claimed that he read the book but thought it was too technical and that he still didn't know what to set his ISO at. That reviewer needs to actually read the book. In several places the author talks about native ISO and that we should use it. Read page 209. However, the reviewers point is well taken. The author could organize the book better, and include some basic charts for various nighttime set ups. This is the only reason I gave it four stars.

I recommend this book and think that an avid photographer will learn a great deal!
3302565
This is a really good book for anyone beginning DSLR photography.
The author has done such a great job in putting in as much information has he possibly could.
With so many valuable tips,it comes highly recommended!
2477818
I have always and I mean always loved to take a good picture. But I never had the means to get into the art of photography! I was finally able to purchase my first DSLR for Christmas, but before I even ventured into that price tag, I ordered Katie's book. Just by reading her basic information and relearning all the basic steps, I feel comfortable taking my camera from Auto to Manual. I was reminded how fun it can be and Katies book got me there. Thank you Katie!