Photography for Dummies For Dummies Lifestyles Paperback: Amazon.co.uk: Russell Hart: Books

Product Description

Your personal photographs have a worth that can’t be measured in dollars and cents. They’re likely the one thing you would grab on the way out of a burning house – an irreplaceable record of the life you lead, of friends and family, and of the occasions with which you mark passing years.

The funny thing is, most people aren’t entirely happy with their photographs. And that′s where Photography For Dummies comes in. You don′t need a fancy camera with multiple, removable lenses to get good pictures. The problem is, nearly every book on photography assumes that you′re using one. But this book assumes that you′re using a point–and–shoot camera for all your pictures. In fact, this may be the most complete guide available for taking pictures with a modern point–and–shoot camera.

This revised edition of Photography For Dummies helps you choose film (much simpler than you’d think), load film into the camera (no big sweat), and understand how to hold the camera (yes, there are right and wrong ways). You′ll also discover tips about dealing with your photofinisher – a far more important factor in getting good results than most people realize, especially in the digital age. What′s more, you′ll gain insight into

Working with your camera, and how different settings make your camera do different things
Understanding the importance of light in a photograph, and applying design strategies that make your subjects stand out
Getting shots that both flatter people and capture their personalities
Shooting landscapes, and the special considerations of travel photography
Taking pictures filmlessly, and the pleasures and pitfalls of digital photography
Troubleshooting your camera, and discovering what do try if it won′t shoot

Today’s point–and–shoot cameras are remarkably reliable devices. So why aren’t your pictures better? The main secret to better photographs is knowing what to shoot, when to shoot it, and how to shoot it. You need Photography For Dummies, because it lets you in on this secret.

From the Author

SLR users can also find good photo advice in this book.
Photography For Dummies may be the most complete reference to date for point-and-shoot photography, if I do say so myself. (To be honest, there's not much good competition in this category!) But it isn't meant to exclude SLR users: There's lots of stuff in the book that pertains to ANY kind of photography. A short list: tips for composition; capturing the best light; documenting your life, both every day and on special occasions; how to deal with your photofinisher (very important!); choosing a film; great places to shoot; interesting and helpful photo websites; even how to get the best results from an autofocus system. (You use the same basic technique to insure correct focus with an SLR as you do with a point-and-shoot camera--"lock focus and recompose.") If SLR photographers use the book the way Dummies books are really meant to be used--by turning to the topic that most interests them at the moment, or the part that will help them with a specific (photogra! ! phic) problem--they'll find plenty of valuable information. One thing they won't find, however, is much about setting f-stops and shutter speeds (though there's quite a bit about the connection between film speed and shutter speed). But then most SLR photographers just put their cameras on "P" (for program) and let the camera make those settings for them! Thanks for your interest. --Russell Hart --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

16 reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars

Write a customer review

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

Focuses more on technique than on gadgets. 28 Dec 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

After first reading Russell's book I admit I was not happy. I left the store not realizing this book was geared toward's point and shoot cameras...a fault totally my own since it is pretty clear after examining the cover. I'm glad I didn't return the book though. After mildly bashing Russell's book in my review here of the Idiot's Guide to Photography...I realized something. I had overlooked that, these two books work quite well together for the beginning SLR enthusiast like myself. The Idiot's guide goes the serious hobbyist/semi professional route by focusing on 35mm SLR cameras. Russell's book, while for point and shoots...really doesn't spend tons of time talking about equipment and accessories. Russell's book is heavy on "how to take darn good pictures." The Idiot's guide certainly has lots of good advice as well...but I think Russell's book actually exceeds Mr. Woodson's when it comes to explaining good techniques. I rarely recommend both an Idiot's guide and a Dummies book, but in this case I think it's appropriate. For learning about my new Minolta's features and how to buy, upgrade and understand my equipment, I'll refer to the Idiot's guide. For tips on taking great pictures, I'll refer to Photography for Dummies. Thanks to both authors for their efforts.

Comment |

Was this review helpful to you?

Yes

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

Finally! A book geared for point-and-shoot users 17 July 1999

Many of the comments on this book fault it for not showing how to use SLRs, as if there aren't a bazillion out there already. This book is a must-have for P&S users. How to understand the limitations of a P&S camera and then take the best pictures possible.

The only possible fault I can find is that the Kodak connection ("Prepared with the Support of the Photography Experts at Kodak") is quite annoying in the film section. Mr. Hart is obviously reluctant to mention any of Kodak's competitors or brands, other than *very* casually.

Point and Click - great SLR - okay 28 Jun 1999

This book, while doing a great job with point and click cameras, does not address SLR photogrpahy well at all. The really don't address what an f-stop is, what good settings are, etc.

The format is good, point and shoot camera users can really benefit from this book.