The Digital Photography Book

The Digital Photography Book #3

by Scott Kelby

Scott Kelby, author of The Digital Photography Book, volume 1 (the world's best-selling digital photography book of all time), is back with a follow-up to his volume 2 smash best seller, with an entirely new book that picks up right where he left off. It's even more of that "Ah ha--so that's how they do it," straight-to-the-point, skip-the-techno-jargon stuff you can really use today to make your shots even better.

This book truly has a brilliant premise, and here's how Scott describes it: "If you and I were out on a shoot and you asked me, 'Hey Scott, I want the light for this portrait to look really soft and flattering. How far back should I put this softbox?' I wouldn't give you a lecture about lighting ratios, or flash modifiers. In real life, I'd just turn to you and say, 'Move it in as close to your subject as you possibly can, without it actually showing up in the shot.' Well, that's what this book is all about: you and I out shooting where I answer questions, give you advice, and share the secrets I've learned, just like I would with a friend--without all the technical explanations and techie photo speak."

Each page covers a single concept on how to make your photography better. Every time you turn the page, you'll learn another pro setting, tool, or trick to transform your work from snapshots into gallery prints. If you're tired of taking shots that look "okay," and if you're tired of looking in photography magazines and thinking, "Why don't my shots look like that?" then this is the book for you.

This isn't a book of theory--full of confusing jargon and detailed concepts. This is a book on which button to push, which setting to use, and when to use it. With nearly 200 more of the most closely guarded photographic "tricks of the trade," this book gets you shooting dramatically better-looking, sharper, more colorful, more professional-looking photos every time.

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction, Reference, Art, Art and Photography, Technical, Self Help

264 pages, Paperback

First published June 21, 2009

About the author

Scott Kelby is an American author and publisher of periodicals dealing in Macintosh and Personal Computer software, specifically for design professionals, photographers, and artists.

Kelby is editor and publisher of Photoshop User and Layers magazines, president and co-founder of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) and is president of Kelby Media Group, an Oldsmar, Florida-based software training, education, and publishing firm.
Kelby is a photographer, designer, and the award-winning author of more than 40 books.

Reviews

[Stephen Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book is indicated as being Volume 3, it is not a 3rd edition of the book and like Volume 2 is a continuation of tricks and tips.
Where I found that the Volume 1 book was excellent for beginners, Volume 2 was more geared towards more advanced photography skills and studio and portrait shooting.
Volume 3 I found was actually also a good book for new photographers as well. While a beginner can read all books in the series I feel that Volume s 1 and 3 have more to offer them.
Again this book is written as many other Scott Kelby books. He has a groaner sense of humour and it comes out in every chapter. He also has the ability to explain techniques in a very straight forward manner. The tisp are very short usually one page and come right to the point. Volume 3 was not a disappointment and I took away a few tips from it as well.
I find that if I re read these books every year I pick up or remind myself of something I may have forgotten.
All in all I recommend these books to anyone who is getting into digital photography or may want to learn to get more out of their photography. Be warned however that if you buy or want to buy some of the gear suggested n the book it could cost you a pretty penny!

[Suzanne (The Bookish Libra) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good reference book from Scott Kelby as always, but I'm starting to wish that his volumes were broken down into categories - one for nature, one for portraits, one for sports, etc - rather than giving a smattering of each in each volume. I have no interest in portrait or sports photography, so I feel like I'm just breezing past those whole chapters and am left wanting more of the categories that I am interested in. Even though I still found some helpful hints in this book, I will probably skip Volume 4 unless I can find it for free at the local library.

[Staci · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got so much more out of this book after some experience with SLR photography than I would have several years ago. Lots of stuff I know, but some interesting perspective on things I hadn't considered or had experience with, and good reminders. Some might not enjoy his tone but I don't mind it. Definitely a good resource for pro-ish photographers.

[Yusuf Ks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buku seri ke-3 ini masih melanjutkan apa yang belum dibahas pada dua buku sebelumnya, tips lanjutan yang dibahas meliputi flash, studio, portrait, landscape, traveling, dan olahraga. Ada juga tema yang baru dibahas di buku ini yang belum pernah dibahas sebelumnya yaitu mengenai foto produk dan tentang lensa. Tema baru tersebut sangat menarik dan bermanfaat, terutama mengenai lensa yang dibahas tuntas oleh penulis dengan bahasa yang mudah dimengerti oleh orang awwam fotografi sekalipun.

Ada juga berbagai macam tips professional untuk mendapat foto lebih bagus dan tips menghindari masalah fotografi seperti seorang professional. Setiap tips selalu disertakan dengan foto sampel, semua foto tajam dan indah, dengan informasi tambahan cara mendapatkannya.

Kalau dibandingkan dengan buku sebelumnya, dua buku yang awal lebih berisi dan bermanfaat menurut saya dibandingkan buku ini, apalagi ada beberapa tips di bahas di buku ke-3 yang merupakan pengulangan/sudah dibahas pada buku sebelumnya. Tema baru mengenai foto produk dan pembahasan singkat padat jelas mengenai lensa adalah hal yang membuat buku ini jadi lebih menarik dan bermanfaat untuk dibaca.

Overall 3.5 Stars for this book.

[Alexandra Cross · Rating 4 out of 5]

My grandpa bought these for me for Christmas at least five years ago and I'm just now getting to reading them. But dang! They would have saved me a lot of anxiety in photography had I educated myself. PS. There is a multi-exposure option on our cameras. Turns out you don't have do it in photoshop!

[Nazmus Sadat · Rating 4 out of 5]

More geared towards Professionals.

[David Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is volume 3 (three book series as one).

[Gianfranco Nerdi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing special. A lot of tips on professional lighting, which aren't that useful to me right now (it's fairly expensive and I mostly do landscape shoots, and not much else).

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read all three of Scott Kelby's photography books in this series and I have learned many lessons that have served me well.

The first book is the most helpful for beginners and volume two goes into more detail for more advanced photographers and this volume, number three, seems to be a mixture of both.

Written in easy to read one page tips with all the details of how a picture was taken, it is a book that is worth looking at over and over again. This book also contains lots of information on equipment, lighting and studio shooting.

[Naomi]

A good book for novice photographers to pick up some simple tips for improving photos. A lot of the tips I've read before, but I did get some needed refreshers and did learn a few new things.

The Digital Photography Book, volume 2 has more detail info about portrait photography, among other info.

Volume 3 I've yet to read.

[Douglas Larson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very nice overview of photographic concepts, practices and equipment. This, volume 3 in the series, is well suited to a beginner to photography but since it contains such a wide variety of topics, it could serve professionals as well. Author Kelby has built a large photography education business offering seminars, photo safaris, online classes as well as these books.

[Benedetto Piscitello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet even more super useful tips and trick for many types of photography (people, sport, products, outdoors). Also gives many explainations about different typse of lenses and when to use them.
Finally it goes even more in depth with off camera flash and studio light. I've got many intresting website, links and products that i might by as soon as i need to ;)
A "must" to read

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scott has such a great style of teaching (fun/quirky). This helped me learn more about lighting and specifically off-camera flash. Great read if you are really into photography. The Digital Photography Book, Volumes 1 and 2 would be great if you'd like to begin learning!

[Mornblade Keltoislave]

This book is very well laid out and very helpful. Rather than mucking about in the ultra-fine details, this book tells you what you need to know to shoot better photos right now. You can then move on to the finer details later.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

I carry these three books by Scott Kelby around in my camera bag a lot of the time, when I go out looking for things to photograph. The format is conducive to setting tasks or projects for myself, and then following his tips to try and get good results. Very practical.

[Markus · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book builds on the ideas and suggestions of #1 and 2. Once again the focus is on studio-work/lightning. It also doles out great travel tips and general tips for any shoot, but the absolute beginner is better of with the first two and saving this book for later.

[Miguel Ángel Vilela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it because it contains enough useful stuff, but still has plenty of questionable points that make me doubt very much I'll ever read another book from Scott Kelby, or anything at all written by him.
Oh well, he makes his big money writing and I don't, so I'll stop writing right here :P

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book of his that I have read. I really enjoy his books. He really explains things in a great simplified manner. Off camera flashes and soft boxes are used for a lot of the "how to get this shot" examples.

[Hapzydeco · Rating 4 out of 5]

1, 2, 3 - Scott Kelby delivers another great instructional pitch with this volume. Builds on and adds to the previous two volumes. A good reference for the beginner as well as the professional photographer.

[Manish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Part 1 to 4 of this series.

Very helpful practical, technical book..

Buy this.. u will learn a lot about studio, portrait, landscape, travel, sports photography practical tips..

For any query mail at manish.ray03@gmail.com / write at https://www.facebook.com/raysclicks

[Daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book by Scott Kelby! This book is just as good as the first two volumes, but definitely a third volume so I recommend grabbing the other copies first.

[Robert Gad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful broad ranging guide for novice to intermediate

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Volume 2 and 3 of this series weren't really worth the money for me. Most of the tips are repetitions or slight elaborations of tips given in Volume 1.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend this book to anyone trying to become a better photographer. It would be a great one to own for frequent reference.

[Mohamed ben Othman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best photography book to read..

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

loved the first two books... but this one seemed like the authors way to get a "Volume 3" in print. Seemed like a moneymaking way to milk the title for a little more $$$?

[One Man Book Club · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very handy and clever. Love the "recipes." At times a bit overly simplistic, but perfect for those with basic photography questions.

[Cyrus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good tips...lot's of info that I already knew.

[Candace · Rating 3 out of 5]

The least useful of the three volumes, for an amateur photographer

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good hints and tips if you're nothing looking to get too technical.