Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb - the best book fon exposure for DSLR, 30 Jan 2009
OVERVIEW
This book is truly superb! Having been badly 'burned' by believing reviews and purchasing Michael Freeman's 'Digital SLR Handbook' which has *no detail* on exposure at all I took a lot of time and care to select a good book on exposure - as this is the 'beating heart' of potography.
As it lacks the 'look inside' feature of it's two main rivals I'll start with an overview of content and then move on to comparative reviews with these two 'rival' publications:
BOOK CONTENTS
Quite small sized, well bound and sturdy cover.
Introduction (clear, simple, 5 pages)
1 - The Baics Of Exposure (explains the triangle, good tips and clear explanations) p13-68
2 - Exposure In Practice (different scenarios with tips and help e.g. architecture, people, close-up) p69-100
3 - Ambient Light (Direction, silhouette, white balance) p101-120
4 - Flash Light (different settings, front-and-rear curtain etc) p121-144
5 - Filters (short and good into to key filters e.g. ND and polarising) p145-163
6 - Exposure in Digital Darkrooms (Brief photoshop tools overview and usage e.g. curves, dodge-and-burn, HDR intro and printing) p163-167
Glossary
Useful Websites
Index
That's the summary of contents - all of which is laid out in clear double-page speads with lcear text, helpful tips and lots of (but not too many) photos illustrating each point.
IN COMPARISON WITH OTHER BOOKS ON EXPOSURE
Having taken time to read and look at its two main rivals - Bryan Peterson's 'Understanding Exposure' and Peter Cope's 'Digital Photographer's Guide to Exposure' I feel I can compare this book to them with some confidence.
By comparison with Peterson's book 'Understanding Exposure' this is much more up-to-date and focused on digital SLR's rather than a hybrid of film and digital. More importantly though Ross Hoddinott's style is clear, simple, warm and jargon-free which compares to the jarring jokes, 'humour' and patronisingly simplistic terms Peterson's uses.
By comparison with the (also-excellent) book by Peter Cope (Digital Photographer's Guide to Exposure) I think this book has a few key advantages. It's binding is sturdy and the size is better for carrying around with you in a camera bag. Also the photo's are by Ross, which limits the style and subject matter a little (though he still has great illustratons and examples for the in practice section) however the REAL advantage and differentiator is the amount of information included with each picture. Not only are all the details of exposure settings included for *every picture* but also there are a lot of very useful juxtapositons of the same subject with two different settings showing the different effects and illustrating the differences or at times really emphasising that these are *effects* not 'right and wrong'.
IN SUMMARY:
A great book and having taken a LONG time to coose a good exposure book I'm really happy with this one which is up-to-date, clear, jargon-free and has key advantages over its rivals. I'd highly recommend this book, mastering exposure is the 'beating heart' of digital photography and if you're a new DSLR owner I'd say it's a 'must buy' and for experienced DSLR users this book will have some useful information: most importantly it will inspire you to take pictures and learn.
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Ultimate Exposure handbook, 25 Nov 2008
I only purchased this book a few days ago, and I have to say it's an excellent read. Unlike other books of this style there are no wasted pages on personal satire, just brief two and at times three page chapters on subjects from picture styles to metering from dynamic ranges to exposure compensation. It is impossible in this review to list every chapter but this is the perfect handbook for any digital SLR owner, whether a beginner or a professional. Bang up to date and in every day language that most DSLR owners will understand. Ross Hoddinott is without doubt a superb photographer and anyone already familiar with his photographs, critiques and explanations from some of the monthly Photography magazine publications will recognise his style is replicated within this book. Having met Ross recently on a photographic workshop I know his integrity and attention to detail is second to none within the profession and this is reflected within this book. A very practical sized hand book which fits snuggly into my camera bag, it will not be too big to fit in the glove box of the car either. A very useful reference book to draw on for years to come. It cuts to the chase and is not an excuse to show off personal pictures,(although they are good) the pictures merely demonstrate the subject of each chapter and are totally relevant to the text. I have wasted twice the purchase fees on lesser books and regretted it. But not this one, this is top drawer!
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A 'Must Read' handbook, 29 Dec 2008
I have been taking photographs since the 1960's and have always had a lot of questions I should have asked years ago about 'exposure' and everything it relates to. I picked this book up in Waterstones Exeter (sorry Amazon) a couple of days before Christmas and by Boxing Day I had read it and 'mopped up' on all the niggly bits which I'd never quite understood before - so basic but so essential. I would recommend that anyone starting out in digital photography treats this great and so easily understood book as a definite 'must read'. I have just ordered one for my nephew Tom who is just starting on his own photographic journey - I know it will do him well.
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