Rick Sammon's Complete Guide to Digital Photography: 107 Lessons on Taking, Making, Editing, Storing, Printing, and Sharing Better Digital Images 
asked by scoobie on November 16, 2006 10:23 AM
Over 1,000 images teach shooting and Photoshop techniques in easy lessons for anyone wanting expert advice on digital photography.
In 2003, digital camera sales will explode following a 35 percent increase in 2002. Rick Sammon, one of North America's most widely read photocolumnists, covers all the steps in the digital photographic process.
Sammon begins with basic advice for those new to photography. Experienced film shooters will enjoy Sammon's ample coverage of Photoshop and digital image techniques. And in a bonus section, Sammon offers advanced tips such as taking glamour shots, producing e-books, and setting up a home studio.
Sammon answers questions such as "How do I select a digital camera? How do I store my images? What are the first things I should do when using Photoshop?"
Sammon's approach of "learning to see and seeing to learn" uses pairs of images, software screen shots, and the best photographs from his own vast library. The 107 lessons take the reader through each topic in friendly, concise steps. Includes a CD-ROM with "The Camera Looks Both Ways," a mini-course in photography. 1008 color illustrations.
Reviews
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This book helped me to go from being a good amateur photographer to a great amateur photographer. Each of the 107 chapters provides a short lesson for you to read and digest, before going out to practice with your own digital camera and computer. It took me about 3 months to finish the book, and a year later I still refer back to it from time to time.
FYI, although the auther uses the professional Photoshop program for around $650, I have been able to do just about everything using the lesser version for $93 (Photoshop Elements, Version 3.0 for Windows). Either way, Photoshop is a wonderful program, and you can always upgrade in the future.
The author provides great examples to help illustrate each of the concepts in the book. His photography is very creative while his writing is fun and personal. However, at the end of the day, what you put into it will definitely be what you get out of it!
FYI, although the auther uses the professional Photoshop program for around $650, I have been able to do just about everything using the lesser version for $93 (Photoshop Elements, Version 3.0 for Windows). Either way, Photoshop is a wonderful program, and you can always upgrade in the future.
The author provides great examples to help illustrate each of the concepts in the book. His photography is very creative while his writing is fun and personal. However, at the end of the day, what you put into it will definitely be what you get out of it!
reviewed by kmf on November 23, 2006 3:10 AM
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This book gives you some very good tips on how to improve your photographs. Excellent help with photo shop, (better than the photo shop help). The best part about this book and author is that if you have any questions, you can email Mr. Sammons. I had some questions about other books he has written and emailed him expecting not to hear back for several weeks. He responded the next day!
reviewed by ladyrunner on November 25, 2006 11:42 AM
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Excellent book. Well worth the price. Outstanding examples are shown in each lesson make it both easy to understand and enjoyable.
reviewed by tacos on November 29, 2006 7:26 AM
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This book provides tremendous insight to the world of photography through the eyes of a seasoned professional. Do not expect Mr. Sammon to tell you what setting to put you camera on. Do expect to see the effects and have them explained to you in a way that you are inspired to go out and take better photographs. I really appreciate that this book attempts to get us to take better pictures in the camera and not rely on Photoshop to fix all of our shortcomings. That is the golden goose in this book. As for computer systems Mr. Sammon just happens to use a Mac. I prefer PC's and have had no issues interpreting what he is trying to explain. This book covers all of the elements to make us better picture takers by showing what makes a marginal or bad shot to what makes an interesting or awe inspiring shot. The book is quite large but nothing says you have to read it one page at a time. I find myself perusing the book and stopping on what interests me at the moment. Buy this book if you need insiration to take better pictures (emphasis on get off your seat and go take a lot of pictures). If you need your hand held and told which button to push this won't help you. Look at the pictures in the book as tools that are as valuable as the written words. I personally have gained much from this book and my photographs have improved as a result.
reviewed by ladyrunner on November 29, 2006 10:54 AM
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Yes, this book was a present from my father in law. He knew about my interest in digital photography and bought this book in Japan for me.
What to say about this book..hmmm..each time I look at its size and compare it with the shallowness of its contents it makes my blood boil. Seems Mr. Rick Sammons wants to keep the real knowledge to himself and dish out only a small fraction of it to the readers.
I have learned much more from the internet and from second hand magazines than from this hefty book. His constant reference to plugins ticks one off as it seems he never wants the reader to know about photoshop's potential and the effects the program can create itself (don't know how much he was paid by nik color efex..his favorite plugin)
A hobbyist would love to know how to make fabulous images and not what Professional photographers have shot, about rules of composition (not just rule of the 3rds), exposure, 18% gray, how different colors in nature can assist you take a guess about the correct exposure if u donot have a grey card, how u can use the palm of your hand to take a meter reading, the use of manual mode for night photography, etc. All such vital information was either not given the required emphasis or was avoided completely by Mr. Sammons.
This book is a waste of money. Though my father in law paid for it, I still feel sad. If only I knew what he was buying and what the book was like, I would have advised him otherwise
What to say about this book..hmmm..each time I look at its size and compare it with the shallowness of its contents it makes my blood boil. Seems Mr. Rick Sammons wants to keep the real knowledge to himself and dish out only a small fraction of it to the readers.
I have learned much more from the internet and from second hand magazines than from this hefty book. His constant reference to plugins ticks one off as it seems he never wants the reader to know about photoshop's potential and the effects the program can create itself (don't know how much he was paid by nik color efex..his favorite plugin)
A hobbyist would love to know how to make fabulous images and not what Professional photographers have shot, about rules of composition (not just rule of the 3rds), exposure, 18% gray, how different colors in nature can assist you take a guess about the correct exposure if u donot have a grey card, how u can use the palm of your hand to take a meter reading, the use of manual mode for night photography, etc. All such vital information was either not given the required emphasis or was avoided completely by Mr. Sammons.
This book is a waste of money. Though my father in law paid for it, I still feel sad. If only I knew what he was buying and what the book was like, I would have advised him otherwise
reviewed by gilbert on November 29, 2006 3:43 PM