Beginners Guide to (Digital) Photography?

jamieo · Feb 4, 2002

Can anyone recommend a beginners guide to (digital) photography?

I've just got a G2 and it seems very nice. In the past I've mostly shot (non-digital) photos in auto modes.

I'm looking for some kind of general coverage of photography (ideally specifically digital), covering things like apature, shutter speed, over/under exposure, etc. From what I've already read, I understand what these things are, but what I'm looking for now is what these fundamental photography terms mean in terms of taking a picture - e.g. I'm shooting a portrait, exactly what sort of things should I be doing?

I don't care if such a resource is online or a book, anything will do.

I've looked in local bookstores and haven't seen anything that takes my fancy. Most digital photography books seem to be 25% basic computer usage (zero value for me) and 50-60% about digitally manipulating picutres - I'm just interested in the taking of them for now.

I'm also specifically interested in outdoor/landscape photography. In 6 weeks I'm off trekking in Nepal for a month and so want to take a Gb or two of photos

Any good books, resources or general advice people can offer?

Thanks,
Jamie

jamieo · Feb 4, 2002

Just found this thread:

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=2151259

That's a help, but anything more would be welcome, specifically recommendations on photography books - is there a "standard text" on this?

Cheers,
Jamie

Emese Gaal · Feb 4, 2002

Photography by Barbara London and John Upton is often considered THE definitive photography textbook.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0321011082/104-6070710-4276762

If you want to learn more about the technical and artistic side of photography, I definately recommend this book.

However, this book was not written for the digital camera specifically or the G2 for that matter. To get a shorter (perhaps less technical book about your camera) many people here recommend the short courses book:
http://www.shortcourses.com/bookstore/canon/book_canong2.htm

This should walk you through the basics of exposure, focus, composition, depth of field, etc.

Emese

--Pics: http://www.pbase.com/egaal/galleries

Iain Kennedy · Feb 4, 2002

This site is aimed at analog SLR users, but the information contained in The Art of Photography is still relevant to digital camera users.

http://www.camera.canon.com.my/photography/index.htm

Greetings frae bonnie Scotland!

Iain

Emese Gaal said:
Photography by Barbara London and John Upton is often considered
THE definitive photography textbook.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0321011082/104-6070710-4276762
If you want to learn more about the technical and artistic side of
photography, I definately recommend this book.

However, this book was not written for the digital camera
specifically or the G2 for that matter. To get a shorter (perhaps
less technical book about your camera) many people here recommend
the short courses book:
http://www.shortcourses.com/bookstore/canon/book_canong2.htm
This should walk you through the basics of exposure, focus,
composition, depth of field, etc.

Emese

--
Pics: http://www.pbase.com/egaal/galleries

ncyue · Feb 4, 2002

I just got it out of the library and can't remember its name, but it has basics like composition, use of flash, use of aperture, use of zoom, with full color picture picture examples. He has a special section on travel photography and lists not only the photographic equipment, but also the clothing and creature comforts to take along. He gives hints on balancing sightseeing time with photography time. I have read many beginning photography books but this one was the most practical that I have seen.

For example, I have never seen this hint anywhere before. When he comes across a landscape or monument that he wants to photograph, he takes a compass reading and determines what time of day he wants to return to get the sun at the right angle.

The full color examples are invaluable to me and missing in the smaller texts or monographs. I'll try to post the name tomorrow after I check it back at home. It is NOT a digital photography book although he has a chapter on it. After perusing this book I understand slow lenses and fast lenses for the first time.

Jimmer · Feb 4, 2002

This is a good general faq. It is written by someone who deals mostly with Sony cameras but it is applicable to all digital photography.

http://www.cs.duke.edu/~parr/photography/faq.html

... Jim

Nancy said:
I just got it out of the library and can't remember its name, but
it has basics like composition, use of flash, use of aperture, use
of zoom, with full color picture picture examples. He has a special
section on travel photography and lists not only the photographic
equipment, but also the clothing and creature comforts to take
along. He gives hints on balancing sightseeing time with
photography time. I have read many beginning photography books but
this one was the most practical that I have seen.

For example, I have never seen this hint anywhere before. When he
comes across a landscape or monument that he wants to photograph,
he takes a compass reading and determines what time of day he wants
to return to get the sun at the right angle.

The full color examples are invaluable to me and missing in the
smaller texts or monographs. I'll try to post the name tomorrow
after I check it back at home. It is NOT a digital photography
book although he has a chapter on it. After perusing this book I
understand slow lenses and fast lenses for the first time.

Jasen Hicks · Feb 4, 2002

Thanks for posting this guys. I went to Barnes and Noble and all the books there fell into one of two catagories. You either had the "This is a digital camera. This is the viewfinder where you can see your pictures after you take them...." Come on!!! I already know this stuff.

Then there was the catagory where the books were way over my head. I've been looking for something that isn't necessarily written for beginners but more of an intermediate type of book.

Thanks again,
Jasen Hicks

Jimmer said:
http://www.cs.duke.edu/~parr/photography/faq.html

... Jim

Nancy said:

I just got it out of the library and can't remember its name, but
it has basics like composition, use of flash, use of aperture, use
of zoom, with full color picture picture examples. He has a special
section on travel photography and lists not only the photographic
equipment, but also the clothing and creature comforts to take
along. He gives hints on balancing sightseeing time with
photography time. I have read many beginning photography books but
this one was the most practical that I have seen.

For example, I have never seen this hint anywhere before. When he
comes across a landscape or monument that he wants to photograph,
he takes a compass reading and determines what time of day he wants
to return to get the sun at the right angle.

The full color examples are invaluable to me and missing in the
smaller texts or monographs. I'll try to post the name tomorrow
after I check it back at home. It is NOT a digital photography
book although he has a chapter on it. After perusing this book I
understand slow lenses and fast lenses for the first time.

Click to expand...

jamieo · Feb 4, 2002

Nancy, if you could find out the name of the book that would be great.

Thanks to everyone else for the links.

Jamie

gkl · Feb 4, 2002

In addition to what other people have recommended,

The Idiot's Guide to Digital Photography looks not too bad.

See also the previous thread:
"Recommendation for G2/digitial photo newbies"

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=2127927

Of those sites, Terry Dawson's

digital.photography.home.att.net/writings

and Michael Reichmann's
http://www.luminous-landscape.com

are outstanding. Don't overlook Phil's Glossary on dpreview.com GKL

jamieo said:
Can anyone recommend a beginners guide to (digital) photography?

I've just got a G2 and it seems very nice. In the past I've mostly
shot (non-digital) photos in auto modes.

I'm looking for some kind of general coverage of photography
(ideally specifically digital), covering things like apature,
shutter speed, over/under exposure, etc. From what I've already
read, I understand what these things are, but what I'm looking for
now is what these fundamental photography terms mean in terms of
taking a picture - e.g. I'm shooting a portrait, exactly what sort
of things should I be doing?

I don't care if such a resource is online or a book, anything will do.

I've looked in local bookstores and haven't seen anything that
takes my fancy. Most digital photography books seem to be 25% basic
computer usage (zero value for me) and 50-60% about digitally
manipulating picutres - I'm just interested in the taking of them
for now.

I'm also specifically interested in outdoor/landscape photography.
In 6 weeks I'm off trekking in Nepal for a month and so want to
take a Gb or two of photos

Any good books, resources or general advice people can offer?

Thanks,
Jamie

jamieo · Feb 4, 2002

Marie R · Feb 4, 2002

The best in my opinion is from ShortCourses.com. I bought the book, well worth the money, all dedicated to the G-2, pictures and all. I knew nothing other that Auto mode but this book has helpedmbe a lot to get off auto and start using settings.

Marie

jamieo said:
Can anyone recommend a beginners guide to (digital) photography?

I've just got a G2 and it seems very nice. In the past I've mostly
shot (non-digital) photos in auto modes.

I'm looking for some kind of general coverage of photography
(ideally specifically digital), covering things like apature,
shutter speed, over/under exposure, etc. From what I've already
read, I understand what these things are, but what I'm looking for
now is what these fundamental photography terms mean in terms of
taking a picture - e.g. I'm shooting a portrait, exactly what sort
of things should I be doing?

I don't care if such a resource is online or a book, anything will do.

I've looked in local bookstores and haven't seen anything that
takes my fancy. Most digital photography books seem to be 25% basic
computer usage (zero value for me) and 50-60% about digitally
manipulating picutres - I'm just interested in the taking of them
for now.

I'm also specifically interested in outdoor/landscape photography.
In 6 weeks I'm off trekking in Nepal for a month and so want to
take a Gb or two of photos

Any good books, resources or general advice people can offer?

Thanks,
Jamie

Todd Walker · Feb 4, 2002

jamieo said:
Can anyone recommend a beginners guide to (digital) photography?

I've just got a G2 and it seems very nice. In the past I've mostly
shot (non-digital) photos in auto modes.

I'm looking for some kind of general coverage of photography
(ideally specifically digital), covering things like apature,
shutter speed, over/under exposure, etc. From what I've already
read, I understand what these things are, but what I'm looking for
now is what these fundamental photography terms mean in terms of
taking a picture - e.g. I'm shooting a portrait, exactly what sort
of things should I be doing?

I don't care if such a resource is online or a book, anything will do.

I've looked in local bookstores and haven't seen anything that
takes my fancy. Most digital photography books seem to be 25% basic
computer usage (zero value for me) and 50-60% about digitally
manipulating picutres - I'm just interested in the taking of them
for now.

I'm also specifically interested in outdoor/landscape photography.
In 6 weeks I'm off trekking in Nepal for a month and so want to
take a Gb or two of photos

Any good books, resources or general advice people can offer?

Thanks,
Jamie

This is a great resource:

http://www.kodak.com/US/en/nav/takingPics.shtml

Todd

--Todd Walker http://twalker.d2g.com

Gary Berg · Feb 4, 2002

If you are looking for general information about taking pictures, not specific to digital, the National Geographic Field Guide to Photography (that's not probably the exact title) is a really good resource.

I would expect that a B&N would have one, so perhaps you already looked at one and rejected it?

ncyue · Feb 4, 2002

KISS is short for Keep It Simple Series, name of book is Guide to Photography. Author is John Garrett and its $19.95, by DK (Dorling Kindersley). It's truly a book for amateurs, but goes into more depth than Photography for Dummies (which I also have), plus it's in color.

Hope that helps. I'm going to buy it myself since it is a library book.
Nancy

Bruno Costa · Feb 4, 2002

How about:

http://photographytips.com

jamieo said:
Can anyone recommend a beginners guide to (digital) photography?

I've just got a G2 and it seems very nice. In the past I've mostly
shot (non-digital) photos in auto modes.

I'm looking for some kind of general coverage of photography
(ideally specifically digital), covering things like apature,
shutter speed, over/under exposure, etc. From what I've already
read, I understand what these things are, but what I'm looking for
now is what these fundamental photography terms mean in terms of
taking a picture - e.g. I'm shooting a portrait, exactly what sort
of things should I be doing?

I don't care if such a resource is online or a book, anything will do.

I've looked in local bookstores and haven't seen anything that
takes my fancy. Most digital photography books seem to be 25% basic
computer usage (zero value for me) and 50-60% about digitally
manipulating picutres - I'm just interested in the taking of them
for now.

I'm also specifically interested in outdoor/landscape photography.
In 6 weeks I'm off trekking in Nepal for a month and so want to
take a Gb or two of photos

Any good books, resources or general advice people can offer?

Thanks,
Jamie

UCSDxB0i · Feb 4, 2002

Ooo thanks for the summary of links...

jamieo said:
OK, so here's a summary of the links people have sent (and those
within links to other discussions). Thanks to all.

Forum Links (Beginner):
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=2127927
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=2153633
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=2151259
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=2127927
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=2144636

Forum Links (Battery/Charger):
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=2140912

Forum Links (Case):
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=2141049

DP Review Glossary
http://www.dpreview.com/learn/Glossary

Canon Powershot FAQ and Links
http://www.botzilla.com/

Landscape/Nature Photography (Digital and Traditional)
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/

Shortcourse: Using your Digital Camera
http://www.shortcourses.com/using/index.htm

Shortcourse: Canon G2
http://www.shortcourses.com/bookstore/canon/book_canong2.htm

Digital Photography FAQ
http://www.cs.duke.edu/~parr/photography/faq.html

Terry Dawson's Digital Photography Home
http://digital.photography.home.att.net/

Understanding and Using Histograms
http://www.quiknet.com/~frcn/Histograms.html

Benefits of RAW Format
http://www.kleptography.com/notes-workflow.htm

Photoshop Tips
http://www.arraich.com/intro.htm

jamieo · Feb 5, 2002

Thanks.

Justme · Feb 5, 2002

Yeah, the KISS book is good and very colourful. Another good book I saw at the bookstore is 'A Complete Idiot's Guide to Digital Photography'. And then there's the G2 Short Course.

Nancy said:
KISS is short for Keep It Simple Series, name of book is Guide to
Photography. Author is John Garrett and its $19.95, by DK (Dorling
Kindersley). It's truly a book for amateurs, but goes into more
depth than Photography for Dummies (which I also have), plus it's
in color.

Hope that helps. I'm going to buy it myself since it is a library
book.
Nancy

Search

Beginners Guide to (Digital) Photography?

jamieo

Active member

jamieo

Active member

Emese Gaal

Forum Enthusiast

Iain Kennedy

Member

ncyue

Well-known member

Jimmer

Senior Member

Jasen Hicks

Member

jamieo

Active member

gkl

Senior Member

jamieo

Active member

Marie R

Well-known member

Todd Walker

Veteran Member

Gary Berg

Senior Member

ncyue

Well-known member

Bruno Costa

Member

UCSDxB0i

Forum Enthusiast

jamieo

Active member

Justme

Forum Pro

Keyboard shortcuts