Books

Mastering Digital Photography and Imaging

Average customer rating:

Very nice book by a very nice guy
A basic guide
Good overview, but becoming outdated
misleading title
Covered what you want to know about digital photography.

Mastering Digital Photography and Imaging
Peter K. Burian , and Sybex
Manufacturer: Sybex
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Digital Photography | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Equipment | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Digital Photography | Graphic Design | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Graphic Design | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

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Pattern Recognition | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

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40 Digital Photography Techniques, 3rd Edition (Photography Techniques)
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50 Fast Digital Camera Techniques (50 Fast Techniques Series)

ASIN: 0782142907

Book Description

"A must-read for those who want to enhance their digital photography experience."
—George Schaub, Editorial Director, Shutterbug and eDigitalPhoto magazines

With a three or more megapixel digital camera or a good scanner, affordable image-editing software, and a photo-realistic printer, you have all the tools you need to create absolutely stunning images. But understanding all your options and getting the best possible results can be daunting. What features should you look for in a digital camera? What accessories do you need? How do you capture the best possible images with your digital equipment--and make corrections when you don't? What are the advantages of RAW capture? How can you get consistently great prints?

Peter K. Burian, coauthor of the best-selling National Geographic Photography Field Guide, has taken the digital plunge and lived to write about it. The result is a practical, accessible guide that demystifies the world of digital photography and imaging--a must-read whether you're a photography enthusiast making the leap to digital, a gadget lover looking for the latest technology, a novice photographer, or anybody who regularly works with images.

Inside you'll find:

A buyer's guide to the essential equipment and software: learn the pros and cons of compact digicams versus digital SLR cameras; choose a suitable scanner; find the right imaging program for your needs; select the perfect photo printer
Focusing, composition, and lighting tips for making snapshots that you'll be proud of
Pro tips and techniques for using all your camera's advanced features
Techniques for getting scans of exceptional quality, whether you're scanning prints, slides, or negatives
Recommendations on upgrading your computer and peripherals for digital imaging
Professional methods for fine-tuning your images in the digital darkroom
Techniques for creating color or black-and-white prints of exhibition quality
Tips on optimizing your images for use in e-mail, online albums, and web pages

Customer Reviews:

Very nice book by a very nice guy.......2006-11-21

I corresponded with Peter Burian briefly, six or seven years ago, getting advice on photographing my daughter ice skating. He was very nice, and very helpful. That same attitude comes through in this very attractive book. He covers all the important areas: cameras, scanners, software, and printers. This book will give you a solid and accurate understanding of all these areas. It's not going to give you up-to-the-minute details on Nikon and Canons' latest models, or try to convince you about which brand is the best. But if you haven't already made up your mind about one or the other, this book will give you the background to make sensible choices. This book is ideal for someone making their first move to digital, or moving up from snapshooting to something more capable.

A basic guide.......2005-05-16

I must admit that the book title had me fooled. The cover looked stunning and I believed that this would be a book that would, indeed, help one to engage deeply in digital photography.
However, the book turned out to be little more than a basic primer on getting started in digital photgraphy. In fact, it didn't go into sufficient detail on anything and, despite the excellent paper stock and beautiful color photographs, was an extremely disappointing buy.

Good overview, but becoming outdated.......2005-03-24

This book is best suited for people with little understanding of photography who are looking to get started with a digital camera; the first two thirds of the book are largely meant for this audience. However, there is quite a bit in the last third of the book for readers who are moving from film to digital or learning how to use digital editing software. For this more advanced audience, there is even some useful advice on picking a digital camera in the first sections.

Although the core concepts covered in the book should carry forward for sometime, much of the book is becoming outdated (for example there is no discussion of the new Adobe digital negative format as an alternative to compressed TIFF for archiving images, and camera specs are also behind the times). An updated version would be welcome for the intended audiences, and I would most likely rate that book 4 to 5 stars.

Because this book is a broad introductory text, and does not go in-depth into any topic, use of the word "Mastering" in the title, not to mention trademarking this one word, is inappropriate.

misleading title.......2004-11-20

this book is very very basic, most of what is covered ( software current cameras etc.)will be out of date soon. do not expect to learn anything regarding taking better pictures ( shutter speed , mastering the light meter , etc. ). if you have absolutly no idea of how - what or why regarding digital cameras then this book is for you , but if you have any knowledge then pass up on this book

Covered what you want to know about digital photography. .......2004-08-27

I carefully read through the book and found it is a very informative tool that gives the readers a lot of tips and advices.

For readers who like to buy or upgrade digital equipment, there are chapters that listed major considerations and technology differences of equipment categories. For readers who already own digital equipment, the book shows you how to optimize your equipment to get the best result. Readers who like to improve photography would found advices of taking better pictures, and technique of digital darkroom.

The book explained complicate but important concepts in simple language, with deep enough detail. I found the book easy to read and very helpful. I had a lot of "I see" and "Now I know why/how" while I read through the book.

If you are new to photography or moving from film to digital, this is a must-read book for you.

The Practical Guide to Digital Imaging: Mastering the Terms, Technologies, and Techniques

Average customer rating:

The Practical Guide to Digital Imaging: Mastering the Terms, Technologies, and Techniques
Michelle Perkins
Manufacturer: Amherst Media
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Lighting | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Reference | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Digital Photography | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Equipment | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Digital Photography | Graphic Design | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1584281502

Book Description

This thorough guide to digital photography provides instructions for every step of making photographs with a digital camera, from capturing an image to producing beautiful prints. Hints for choosing a camera, tips for evaluating images, and advanced techniques for manipulating pictures are discussed, as is the importance of selecting the correct software. Using digital images online is reviewed, with suggestions for minimizing file size to reduce upload time, ideas for using images to create graphics for a web page, and guidelines for creating a safe digital work flow.

Mastering Digital Black and White: A Photographer's Guide to High Quality Black-and-White Imaging and Printing (Digital Process and Print)

Average customer rating:

Not at all just for Digital Black and White
Outstanding Book
Disappointed
A Must Read for learning to print digitally either color or Black and White
A Misleading Title

Mastering Digital Black and White: A Photographer's Guide to High Quality Black-and-White Imaging and Printing (Digital Process and Print)
Amadou Diallo
Manufacturer: Course Technology PTR
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Fine Art Printing for Photographers: Exhibition Quality Prints with Inkjet Printers

ASIN: 1598633759

Book Description

The very nature of black and white photography places a premium on creative interpretation of the image. Advances in digital technology have expanded both the precision of imaging techniques and the interpretive possibilities for black and white imagery. Never before has such a wide array of tools been available to photographers who have a passion for black and white. Mastering Digital Black and White is written for these photographers. It serves not only as a comprehensive guide for creating black and white images and prints, but also examines the role of artistic craft in the imaging process. Learn how to employ your digital tools as extensions of your photographic vision. Read in-depth interviews with, and view images from, five accomplished photographers as they discuss their process and inspirations. Prepare to indulge your passion for gallery-quality black-and-white images in the digital darkroom. Additional supporting content for this book and a discussion forum for photographers and printmakers with a passion for black and white can be accessed at: www.masteringdigitalbwbook.com

Customer Reviews:

Not at all just for Digital Black and White.......2007-06-14

I bought this book because I was interested in better digital black and white workflows. The interesting thing, however, is that all of the book's excellent and clear topics are applicable to the color digital workflow as well.

Well written; easy to understand; and quite comprehensive especially when dealing with arcane issues that I've never seen dealt with in print before such as L* monitor gamma calibration.

Highly recommended!

Outstanding Book.......2007-06-11

This is a really excellent book for those interested in serious B&W digital printing. The book is extremely well written and researched.

Because of the software and equipment-specific references, the book will probably have to be updated from time-to-time to remain current. However there is enough excellent general material that the book will be useful to anyone who purchases it now for a long time to come,

Disappointed.......2007-06-11

Like other reviewers, I was disappointed that the material in the book didn't live up to the promise of the title. If you've managed to get some decent looking B&W prints from your current model inkjet using the relevant inbuilt driver settings and looking to move your output quality up a notch, this book sadly won't help you. Though there's some mention of Quadtone RIP and StudioPrint for linearization (plus alternative third-party inksets) the detail isn't there to show you why and how to get the most from them. In fact, the whole area of selection of media settings for optimal Dmax and tonal separation is absent. What's left is a rudimentary workflow that most anybody using Photoshop for their own output would already know. For someone just starting out, this could be an ideal book to paint the big picture though.

A few bloopers: On perceptual rendering: "When an image contains even a single color outside of the printer's gamut, all the color values in the image are shifted - by the same amount - until the out-of-gamut color is placed inside the printer's range of output" (page 85). On printer profiling: "The idea is to send a range of color values to the printer and compare the appearance of these colors when output on paper with known Lab input values" (page 95). On adjustment layers: "... when it comes time to flatten the image, Photoshop will combine the adjustments into a single edit before applying them to the image's pixels" (page 193).

In fairness to the author, I can't think of any book that meets the stated promise of the title any better. Other than being more up to date, it doesn't really cover much territory different to Harald Johnson's "Mastering Digital Printing" which remains a worthwhile introduction to the field.

A Must Read for learning to print digitally either color or Black and White.......2007-05-30

From capture to the digital Fine Art Print, Amadou Diallo will explain the tools of the trade in plain, patient language. He is a master printer and an excellent teacher. He'll take you shopping, and then show you how to select and use the technology to bring the best out of your images. I'm in my 70's, retired from professional photography, and now scanning and printing from my old files for exhibits. It wasn't easy for me to re-think the photo processes I had mastered and make the transition into digital, so I've been soaking up bits and pieces of technique and concepts for about 4 years now. This book wraps it all up into a coherent, step by step procedure to establish your own workflow to maximize print quality for your images. It's the book I've been waiting for.
Richard Massie, Photographer

A Misleading Title.......2007-05-23

Warning: This book is NOT for you if your primary interest is truly that of "mastering" digital black and white photography and printing.

Any time a book title includes the words "mastering" or "ultimate" my smell-o-rama sensor automatically activates. Such sweeping and arrogant suggestions are always over-cooked. "Mastering Digital Black and White" is no exception.

The book is nicely printed and features very good color illustrations, making many of Diallo's image processing points easy to follow. The overall design is easy on the eyes but has that independently-produced look due mainly to the lack of margins throughout the book.

I estimate that roughly only 15%-20% of the book's 357 content pages have any direct bearing on the title subject of "black and white", with many of these pages buried like Easter eggs inside broader topics. Like nearly all of the dozens of kindred books on digital printing and digital photography most of this book's content deals with basic tech and photo topics, survey-level smatterings of "current" software and printers, and little side-bars. While Diallo presents these topics interestingly and with good subject matter authority they can be found in many other basic books and have a rather short freshness life.

All this is not to say that the book is without merit. Although he does indeed mow some well-trimmed lawns Diallo offers some rather unique material and interesting perspectives. In chapter 8, titled "The Limited Edition", Diallo presents a good summary of the controversial topic of artificially editioning digital prints. Like other chapters, however, that same chapter manages to meander into other territories (papers, print storage, archival ratings) before it's terminated. Chapter 9, "The Portfolio", also nicely covers a topic that many will find interesting; that of constructing and presenting a contiguous portfolio of work. Diallo also features some interesting little interviews

In summary, this book delivers very little of what its title promises. Instead, it's really more of an intermediate-level general book on Photoshop and ink jet printing circa 2007. Nevertheless I really did enjoyed reading it, more so than most of its peers that I've read. But, like so many of its peers, its value is diluted by trying to cover far too much ground. I was disappointed that the title represented yet another bait-and-switch.

The market for the truly specialized "Digital Black and White Photography and Printing" work remains open. Next!

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