David Pogue's Digital Photography: The Missing Manual

by David Pogue

If you're ready to jump into digital photography or would like to increase the skills you already have, David Pogue's Digital The Missing Manual is just what you need. Bestselling author David Pogue provides a no-nonsense guide to the entire process, including how buy and use a digital camera; get the same photographic effects as the pros; manage the results on your Mac or PC; edit photos; and, finally, share the results with your adoring fans -- on paper, online, or on mugs, jigsaw puzzles, and blankets.After reviewing hundreds of digital cameras and photo services in his weekly New York Times column, David Pogue knows digital photography. With this new Missing Manual you

Get expert advice on how to choose a digital camera, including information on the only specs that matter. ( it's not about megapixels).Learn the basics of lighting, composition, and shooting lots of photosUnderstand how to choose the best camera settings for 20 different scenariosUnravel the problems of correcting images and storing themLearn David's tips and tricks for sharing and printing imagesGet a special troubleshooting section you can turn to when things go wrongDavid Pogue's witty, authoritative voice has demystified the Mac, Windows, iPods and iPhones for millions of readers. Now, he offers step-by-step instructions and plenty of friendly advice to help you join in the fun and get real satisfaction from digital photography.

Genres: Photography, Ebooks, Technology, Nonfiction

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

David Pogue, Yale '85, is the weekly personal-technology columnist for the New York Times and an Emmy award-winning tech correspondent for CBS News. His funny tech videos appear weekly on CNBC. And with 3 million books in print, he is also one of the world's bestselling how- to authors. He wrote or co-wrote seven books in the "For Dummies" series (including Macs, Magic, Opera, and Classical Music). In 1999, he launched his own series of amusing, practical, and user-friendly computer books called Missing Manuals, which now includes 100 titles.

David and his wife, Jennifer Pogue, MD, live in Connecticut with their three young children.

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good basic stuff.

[Roman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good introductory guide to digital photography. It covers often-overlooked topics like important features to look for when buying a digital camera, reducing blur, composing shots and many others. The downside of the book for me was that the author attempts to cover both SLR's and point and shoot cameras. I found it unnecessary and awkward as many techniques (trailing car lights, lightning, star-trails shot, exploding zoom, etc.) require an SLR. He even dedicates a separate chapter to SLR's. The best chapter of the book covers specific shooting techniques. Some of the pictures representing those techniques are not very good in showing that technique but that wasn't a big deal. In continuing with his theme of been an all-in-one type of book the author presents iPhoto alongside Picasa tutorials, which is confusing and unnecessary. Some information in the book is hopelessly dated, like the claim that a "typical internet account has a limited mailbox size...5MB or so". But that isn't the author's fault. The book was published in early 2009. Small issues mentioned notwithstanding I found the book to be a good wealth of useful information and a solid introduction.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are a LOT of books on this "The Missing Manual" collection for a great variety of softwares and computer-related stuff, but this is the only one I read so far.
I purchased this book because of my timid interest in photography. It's worth the purchase for amadour phtographers like me, because it explains the basics on purchasing a simple, cheap camera and how to make the best of your photos with it.
I really liked it and I'm constantly consulting the book for better results.

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compared to the other so-you-want-to-know-more-about-photography books that I've browsed, this one is better written, more balanced, and clearly has a particular audience in mind. Pogue demystifies the world of digital cameras just enough for a point-and-shoot, snapshot photographer (like me) to appreciate. Recommended for someone who's always disappointed with their photos or who wants to add a little technique before a vacation.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much about my camera from reading this book even though it's not specific to my brand and model. Recommended for those who may be new to digital photography, it really does expand on what your camera manual says and gives good tips along the way.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid guide for a laymen, but I was expecting more. Still some solid advice and great tips.

[Deanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice, but it was a 'flip-through' for me. Great insights, though!

[Rose]

excellent resource- so easy to understand...