Customer Rating: 
Summary: Good and easy to read
Comment: Enjoyed reading this book and am looking at other books by this author. I found it easy to follow with good examples and explanations on when and why to use certain settings. It is definitely a beginner book which is exactly what I needed.
Customer Rating:
Summary: AWESOME book!
Comment: I've taken classes and read other books; however, this one is FAR SUPERIOR. It explains EVERYTHING you need to know to take great photographs (not snapshots!) and is written clearly from this photographers years of experience. It's not technical, rather it explains everything step by step. If you are a super advanced photography, this one probably isn't for you -- but even if, like me, you've had classes and some experience this book fills in the gaps.
The pages are quite nice -- glossy, colorful, and has "tip" boxes throughout.
I HIGHLY recommend this book.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good book, though aimed more for beginners
Comment: This is a good book. There are no bones about it. It is easy to understand, which is important when explaining complex principles. I have been reading and learning about digital photography quite a bit lately, and quite honestly, find the book a bit on the simple side. While, that is not optimum for ME, I do not think it detracts from the quality of the book, one bit. It still teaches tidbits here and there, and quite honestly, his notes on compisition throughout the book, was well worth the price, alone.
All in all, easy to read, easy to understand, good book. If you have a good understanding of compisition and exposure, this book would probably have very limited appeal.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A MUST-READ FOR BEGINNERS !
Comment: If you've been thinking about digital photography as a hobby, but aren't quite sure where to begin, then this is the book for you! Even if you don't have the camera yet(such as myself) and you're not sure if taking that leap into serious photography is the thing for you, then you can be rest assured that this book will help de-mystify the wonderful world of digital photography.
This book is, for the most part, for those thinking about or just starting to delve into photography as a hobby, be it casual or more serious. It is not a highy technical book that makes you shy away from all that camera jargon, but it does explain everything in easy-to-understand detail . It teaches you how to take photos the right way, so you don't have to spend all your time "doctoring" up your photos on the computer. It is, in the most pleasing form, an informative book that teaches you everything you do need to know about photography without talking down to you nor assuming you already know a lot. A perfect balance of information that is very easy to grasp.
Jim Miotke starts from the beginning, from getting to know your camera to all the basics such as exposure, lighting, and composition. He doesn't just tell you how to take great photos, but actually explains why some photos don't work and what comprises great shots. All the topics are accompanied by photographs to help the reader understand what is being taught. Each and every picture has a purpose and is essential in getting his explanations and points across.
What really impresses me are all the tips and side notes that are throughout the book. It's a perfect blend of enough text and information along with these great tidbits of info that will keep you reading and reading(You may find yourself reading the entire book in only a few sittings!)
Another plus are his "assignments" he has in each chapter. These are practical things that you can actually go out and do to put to test what you just read and learned. He understands that just reading about something doesn't quite make an impact as actually doing it.
In summary, there is a lot to be learned from this book for beginners or soon-to-be beginners. This is a very easy book to get caught up in, and is sure to be a great reference book. It will inspire and encourage you. It shows that with enough passion, patience, and know-how that great shots are not beyond the reach of us beginners and novices.
(For those who are interested in nature photography, you have to get Jim's other book, The BetterPhoto Guide to Digital Nature Photography . Written in the same style, it's the perfect companion book, focusing more on landscape, wildlife, and macro photography, also available here on Amazon)
Customer Rating:
Summary: Just what I was looking for
Comment: Two Points:
1. Excellent book for those who have just bought a digital SLR and want to know how to use it. The author doesn't patronize or irritate. It's simply, here's how I shoot, this is the result, this is how you can do it too.
2. The author lives in Seattle close to me, so some of his examples are places that I'm going. For me, this book is like the ultimate field guide to the subjects and lighting I come across all the time.
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