Digital Photographer's Handbook [Hardcover]

As a relatively novice photographer (haven't owned one since my old Brownie Hawkeye) with some knowledge of computers and a new digital camera, I've been working my way through as many books on digicams and image-editing software as I can find. Some are pretty general, some are more specialized, but most seem to repeat the same mostly superficial information and advice on both photography and digital editing. This book is the great exception! Ang is a very talented photographer and this lushly printed... volume is crammed with his work, but he's also a very good teacher. The first part of the book, under the heading of "Total Photography," is a mini-course in types of cameras and lenses, lighting, optical physics, and the essential practical differences in using film-based and digital cameras. (There's also a survey of information on specific models of cameras, printers, and scanners, which will soon be outdated and which might have been omitted.) The second section, "Photography for the Digital Age," leads you through such topics as composition, zoom, optical distortion, color balance, and how to avoid or at least fix the most common mistakes; I learned a great deal from his clear explanations and visual examples. "A Compendium of Ideas" is almost a separate book, being an excursion through all the major categories of subjects that interest people with cameras, from buildings and travel to microphotography and high-speed sports; you'll want to return to this section now and then for leisurely browsing. "Radical Conversions" and "All about Image Manipulation" are worth the price of the book all by themselves, with very clear and often very detailed discussions of issues which I'm sure are old hat to experienced shutterbugs but which are new and often perplexing to me, including proper cropping, burning-in and dodging, sharpening, blurring, cross-processing, color vs. black-and-white, and lots of others. Ang is quite good at balancing received photographic wisdom with new digital ideas. He also gets deeply into such computer-specific subjects as levels, cloning, and the differences and similarities between channels, layers, and masks. (He seems not to have much use for such glitzy effects-filter tricks as stained glass and embossing filters, with which I have to agree.) "The Output Adventure" is very good on getting the color on your monitor to agree with the color your printer produces, and there's a final section on portfolios, copyrights, and the business of photography. I can't recommend this one highly enough.

Product Description

Generously illustrated with over 1000 photographs, this fine book covers virtually every aspect of digital photography. Photo editor and author Ang knowledgeably discusses digital technology, including cameras, lenses, scanners, and printers, along with computers, accessories, and software. He then goes on to explore the unique challenges and advantages of composition and exposure with digital cameras. Separate chapters deal with scanning, including troubleshooting and file management. Ang thoroughly addresses image manipulation and image output, including details on printing, developing a portfolio, and mounting an exhibit. He offers practical advice about selecting equipment and establishing a profitable business. This is certainly one of the best and most comprehensive books available about digital photography. Despite the depth and detail of the subject, the book is written in a clear, straightforward style. Both amateur photographers and seasoned professionals will find this handbook to be a very useful guide as they explore new photographic technology. Highly recommended for both general and subject collections in public and academic libraries.Raymond Bial, Parkland Coll. Lib., Champaign, IL Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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