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Digital Image Making,
by Les Meehan

Digital Image Making  is another AMPHOTO how-to book that will teach you much. From the first essentials of proper scanning, to the finished top quality output, Digital Image Making not only tells you what to do, but also shows you with screen captures of each program setting used to create them. No guessing with this book. This soft-cover has 128 pages full of valuable information. Retails at $24.95    (Reviewed Feb. 2004)

This book takes over where most of the other digital how-to books leave off. This one is packed with info on creating pro quality digital images from start to finish, and fully illustrated on every step. But it doesn’t stop there. It also comes with a bonus CD that contains tutorials and all of the files needed to do a wide range of projects from simple touch-up work, to high-end artwork.  Users of this book will be far ahead of the game.

This soft cover book is about 8x10 inch, with 316 pages and retails for US$32.95.  Distributed by Focal Press at www.focalpress.com       
I Rate it:  A+ 
(Reviewed Nov. 2005)

Digital Infrared Pro Secrets
By David D. Busch

A lot of people are trying their hand at digital infrared photography.  Doing it with film has always been very time consuming and expensive, but other than magazine articles, there are not many books on the subject of digital infrared.  Here is a new one that makes up for all of that. This book is more of a combination how-to/manual that takes you all through this form of photography, plus all of the neat things that can be done with it digitally.  This book covers an array of subjects that can be used with infrared and not just the old-time standard landscape.  It is richly illustrated, including before and after shots, nicely captioned, and there are plenty of tips and ideas for your own IR work.  This is the kind of reference book that you will take along with you on all of your future IR trips.

This soft cover book is about 7x9 inches, with 270 pages, retails for US-$39.99 – and is published by Thomson Course Technology and can be ordered from: www.courseptr.com        
I Rate it:  A+
(Reviewed Nov. 2007)

 

Digital  Macro Photography
by Ross Hoddinott

This book would convince any photographer to run out and by a macro lens and get involved with the field of macro photography. The photographs included in the book are of amazing quality and you often find yourself saying, “I didn’t know that’s what seaweed looks like up close.” The photographs also do a nice job of supporting the concepts the author is explaining. Ross Hoddinott is an award-winning photographer who is well-known to the nature photography world. In his book he explains a variety of digital photography concepts common to all photography subjects, but discusses and demonstrates the results when applied to macro photography. Throughout the book is user-friendly layouts with tips, suggestions, and diagrams. Subjects covered in the book include equipment and technology, image capturing technique, different subjects, and post-camera processing. Anyone interested in learning more about macro photography or the impressive work of Ross Hoddinott will appreciate this book.

RATING
Text: A+
Layout: A+
Photography: A+
User: All Photography Levels
(Reviewed by EP March 2008)

Digital Nature and Landscape Photography
by Mark Lucock

Though this book is also published by Photographers’ Institute Press – PIP (same publisher of Digital Macro Photography), unfortunately, the images and layout are not as impressive. One of the purposes of the book is to convince the reader of the adequacy of digital or traditional film photography. The collection of photographs includes a lot of creative compositions and perspectives, but the exposure, lighting, and color are not high quality. These two PIP books have very different layouts. The previous book is easy to flip through and find important points and concepts. The layout and text of Lucock’s book, on the other hand, demands reading through a few pages to figure out the concept. This book has some good tips for digital photography workflow and would help the photographer looking for more advice.

RATING
Text: B
Layout: B
Photography: B
User: Beginning to Intermediate
(Reviewed by EP March 2008)

Digital Nature Photography is a new guide book on how to handle shooting nature images with your new digital camera. You will find many things that you have to do differently from how you used to do them when shooting film. This new book will show you what these differences are and how to use them. Digital Nature Photography is full of great images to prove the author's point, while at the same time inspiring the reader you to do the same.
    This soft cover book is 8.5x10.5 inches, with 160 pages, and retails for US$24.95. This book is published by AMPHOTO Books and can be checked out at   www.watsonguptill.com     
I Rate it:  A+ 
(Reviewed Sept. 2005)

Digital Nature Photography: The Art and The Science
By John and Barbara Gerlach

The cover of this book features a beautiful photograph of a hummingbird feeding on a flower. The entire book is full of more amazing photographs on every page that entice you to become a fellow nature photographer despite the doubts you previously held. It starts out with a chapter on why digital photography is the best advancement in photography for nature photographers since high-quality slide film. The book continues with describing the technicalities of the camera and capturing a quality exposure. There is an entire chapter on using lenses effectively to create interesting and unique compositions. The chapter on close-ups and macro photography has amazing images and useful tips.  Many photographers may never consider using a flash in nature photography, but these authors offer ideas of managing the artificial light effectively. This book is ideal for any photographer wanting inspiration, ideas, and techniques in the field of nature photography.

Paperback: 208 pages

Publisher: Focal Press (www.focalpress.com) (August 15, 2007)

ISBN-10: 0240808568

Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches

Retail Price: $24.95

I rate this book A+++ (EP)
(Reviewed October 2007)

This book is for the artist wanting to create digital fine art with Photoshop. The book shows the Photoshop user how the program can be used for more than photo enhancement. The book starts out with demonstrating how to create unique brushes and textured paper. It then continues with how to create traditional artistic media including oil, watercolor, charcoal, and pastel.

Text: A
Layout: A
Photography: A
User: Intermediate to Advanced Photoshop User
(Reviewed April 2009 by EP)

Here is a must-have book for anyone interested in turning their photo images into top quality fine art images. Airey is a world-renowned fine art photographer, author, and teacher, and when you see the work in this book you will know why these books sell so quickly. I have more than a few of them and not a one that I would part with, including this one. There are more techniques and ideas in this book than I could cover in ten reviews. If you are looking for new things to do over this winter, and the next five, you will want to add this book to your library. It wouldn’t even matter what subjects you shoot, you will learn how to create new works of art from them all.

This soft cover book is 8.5x11 inches, with 208 pages, and retails for US$29.95. Published by Lark Books and distributed by  www.sterlingpub.com
I Rate it:  A++ 
(Reviewed Dec. 2005)

Three of the books I have just checked out are;  An Intermediate Guide to Digital Photography by John Clements, ($19.95-US);

A Comprehensive Guide to Digital Landscape Photography by John Clements, ($21.95-US);

and A Comprehensive Guide to Digital Portrait Photography by Duncan Evans, $19.95-US. 

Each of these are done about the same way, but directed towards each book's main subject.

Each "how-to" section is demonstrated using a different pro photographer's work and explaining what was done to achieve the final results. There are not just a few photographers either, but depending on which book, range from 18 to 34 different photographers. Like today’s better how-to books, these also show what Photoshop commands were used to do the work, along with their settings.
(Reviewed July 2004)

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Ken Milburn's book is definitely for photographers. It assumes some basic knowledge of Photoshop such as the use of common tools and commands. What impressed me most was its emphasis on workflow. Speaking to a professional commercial photographer whose studio has gone into digital in a big way, her main complaint about new hires coming from the local schools and colleges was their total lack of knowledge of workflow. I credit that to the lack of emphasis that many Photoshop courses have in the basics of digital photography, and for me, that includes what do we do from the moment we take the picture, to sending it to the printer, to saving and archiving it and all of the steps in between.

Milburn begins by talking about what to look for in a good digital camera.  And then gives us a panoply of tips on how to prepare for a shoot and what to do when you return. In fact the book is full of workflow tips that not only facilitate getting the best from your images, but protecting those images as well. There are chapters on how to make panoramas and use filters from Photoshop and others to create works of art. There are lessons on how to restore photographs, as well retouch existing ones for product and glamour use. Milburn also covers the topics of calibration, compositing and even making archival prints for sale and how to best use the web to market your art. The softcover book is 400 pages and retails for $44.95US.       
I rate it: A+ 
(Reviewed Sept. 2004 by Michael Fulks)

Here is another one of those how-to books for beginners and for those other people who have a hard time learning from manuals. In easy to understand, and fully illustrated how-to steps, this book shows you how everything in the digital world works, and how you can use it. There is no guesswork with how things are done, as with many books that are written as if everyone has a technical mind. “We” all don’t and more authors should remember that fact.

This soft cover book is about 7x9 inches, with 380 pages, retails for US$24.95 - and is published by Sybex, an imprint of Wiley at   www.sybex.com       
I Rate it:  A 
(Reviewed Feb. 2006)

 

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This was the most fun I have had with a book in a long time. Full of great ideas written in a light, humorous style, there isn't something even a seasoned photographer won't find new and useful. Story begins by introducing you to various odds and ends you can attach to your camera. If you are new to digital photography this will also get you up to speed on basic terminology and camera parts.  This is followed by some basic day and night time photography tips and tricks which, even if you aren't into the digital end of things, will benefit your photography. Of course, any discussion of digital photography ends up with talk about computers and Photoshop. Most of the tips here can be accomplished with the cheaper Photoshop Elements, and  will leave you in charge of your digital images instead of at their mercy. Do you have a camera-phone? In Story's book you will also explore the creative potential of this new aspect of photography. 

The book ends with a grab bag of photo goodies, that will get your creative juices running, especially on those days when those juices aren't flowing so great. Gloomy, winter days will never be the same. The book is softcover, 332 pages, and retails for $29.95US.        
I rate it:   A+
(Reviewed Sept. 2004 by Michael Fulks)

For those readers who do their own digital printing, The Digital Printing Handbook, A photographer’s guide to creative printing techniques is one reference book that should be in your library. It combines many of the techniques that used to be done only in a darkroom, but which you can now do sitting at your desk using a computer. There is more how-to information than tech info, so it is not platform specific and anyone can learn from it. You can now learn how to recreate photo processes that used to take days of testing and work to get done in a darkroom, and now you only have to do the job once, but still make as many prints as you need. This 9x9 inch soft cover book retails for US$24.95.   Available from   www.watsonguptill.com   
I Rate it:  A+ 
(Reviewed Jan. 2005)

 

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Digital PrintMaking
by George Whale & Naren Barfield

This is a smaller 6x9 inch soft cover book, with 128 pages of print making info of all sorts, and it is well illustrated. I do have a big problem with the title though. It sounds like it would be for digital workers to print their own images like many of us now do, but it’s not. This book is almost 100% for people who want to make their own separations for mechanical printing. That means halftones, 4-color separations, and similar pre-press operations. There is almost nothing for anyone who prints on a home, or office inkjet, and the title should not make it sound like it does.  If you are learning the printing business though, this will be one very good book for your library, but not for photographers, unless you also should want to do all of your own work before sending it out to print. This one is also published by, http://www.watsonguptill.com/  and retails for $19.95-US.   
I rate it:  B
(Reviewed Oct. 2004)

Digital SLR Handbook
By John Freeman

This is another book from Amphoto Books on digital photography, but this one is geared towards experienced digital users who want to get more from their digital equipment and create even better images.  It is user friendly, even though it covers more advanced techniques, and it’s the kind of book that you may want to pack along on photo trips.  It is filled with info that you will use every time you go out shooting.

This soft cover book is about 7x9 inches, with 256 pages, retails for US-$19.95 – and is published by AMPHOTO BOOKS at:   www.watsonguptill.com        
I Rate it:  A
(Reviewed Nov. 2007)

 

Digital Wildlife Photography
By Chris Weston

Photographer and author, Chris Weston, uses stunning photographs, helpful diagrams, and clear text to cover the field of wildlife photography using a digital camera. An expert in the field, Weston starts with equipment fundamentals and continues with suggestions for in the field. Weston spends time talking about issues that non-wildlife photographers might not be as familiar with, such as camouflaging yourself, setting up camouflage for your equipment, and avoiding zoo fences and glass. Dispersed throughout the book are wild files, two page spreads featuring facts about a particular animal (grey wolf, red fox, etc.). The wild files include locations, habitats, sample images and suggestions for capturing photographs of the particular animal. The last part of the book offers techniques and a guide for postproduction in Photoshop.

Double Vision is a book about the styles used by two photographers, and the images they create by each approach. The subject matter may be similar, but the results vary with each artist, and the way they approach their work. The stories behind the images are both interesting and informative, and at times even familiar to my own experiences. This is one of those books that is just nice to sit back and read and enjoy the pictures, which are top quality.

This hardback book is 10x10 inches, with 170 pages, and retails for just US$29.95.  Check it out at  www.sterlingpub.com      
I Rate it: A 
(Reviewed Dec. 2005)

Dynamic Learning Photoshop CS3
By Jennifer Smith & AGI Creative Team

Here is a new Photoshop CS3 training book, but probably not like most others that you have seem.  Dynamic Learning was written by top Photoshop experts.  This is not just a book!  It also contains a training CD with 13 self-paced lessons - start at the beginning or start at the end, it's up to you, or go back to a previous lesson to refresh your memory.  The CD contains everything you need to do the lessons and it runs on both Mac & PC.  CD training is always easier than trying to figure out what someone was talking about in a book alone.

This soft cover book, plus CD, is about 7x9 inches, with 349 pages, retails for US-$44.99 - and is published by O’Reilly Media and can be checked out at: www.oreilly.com        
I Rate it:  A++
(Reviewed Nov. 2007)


 

Dynamic Wildlife Photography, Techniques for Creating Captivating Images
By Gordon and Cathy Illg
Review by Michael Fulks

Have you ever taken a picture of a deer and had your friends say, “It’s nice, but it doesn’t do anything for me”? If so, you’ll probably benefit from Gordon and Cathy Illg’s new book, Dynamic Wildlife Photography.  From the start, you’ll learn what makes a mediocre wildlife shot and what makes a great one. You’ll learn that the finest wildlife images are rarely snapshots but usually the result of hard work and perseverance, as well as skill.  It’s no longer enough to have technically proficient images.  They must cause the viewer to ponder, to linger on each image, and—maybe--to ask questions.

Where do you start? First, what kind of animal do you want to photograph? What kind of animal will let you take its photograph? This opening chapter is full of ideas and tips. The best one is, perhaps, the most obvious: choose a subject you’ll enjoy spending lots of time shooting.

Many photographers are oblivious to light and its effects. Often, the great photograph is the result of timing, good positioning, and the ability to take advantage of luck. But, first, you have to know something about the qualities of light. I have rarely seen a book on wildlife photography cover the subject so thoroughly. Even if you’re not into wildlife, this discussion will improve the way you take photos of a number of subjects.

Next, you’ll learn some of the basics of composition and how to apply them while taking photos of animals. Many of us already know the basics, but when we get down to the business of using them, we have a hard time translating knowledge into skill. The Illgs spend a considerable part of the book examining the skills involved in producing a good photograph--from the rule of thirds to more advanced considerations that any good photographer should know. But the book goes beyond the basics to include a whole chapter--a case-study of sorts--that examines perspective. In other words, the authors explain how to determine the best angle from which to capture the image of a particular animal. Theirs is the kind of discussion that could come only from people who have enough experience to know what works and what doesn’t.

Dynamic Wildlife Photography is wonderfully illustrated with countless great wildlife images. The photos themselves make the volume worthy of the price and a reputation as a good coffee table book. However, the inclusion of the advice and counsel of two experts in the field truly sets the book apart. Too often, the marketing of books on photographic subjects leads potential consumers to believe they are about to learn valuable tips.  However, they soon discover that the pages are full of photos but lacking in any information but notes on the technical aspects of the shots found within. Which tri-pod did the author use?  Which camera?  Which lens? These kinds of books are merely sales tools for the photographer/writer. For the most part, they say, “Hey, look how good I am!”

Gordon and Cathy Illg don’t have to brag. Their images speak for them. Moreover, they’ve gone beyond the usual. They share their passion. And they’re confident enough in their skills and their passion to also share what they know. Whether you’re a film or digital camera user, an occasional admirer of photos of this sort, or a photographer seeking to improve, Dynamic Wildlife Photography contains something for you. Even seasoned photographers will find, as I did, something to incorporate into their work. Most of all, if you want to get the most “oh’s” and “ah’s” from your wildlife photos, don’t miss this book. It’s published by Amherst Media and costs $29.95 US retail.
I rate it A+ 
(Reviewed Oct. 2004)