HANDS - ON Digital Photography A Step-by-Step Course in Camera Controls, Software Techniques, and Successful Imaging (Amphoto Books) written by George Schaub Reviewed by Carla Criqui

September 8, 2008

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<i>HANDS - ON Digital Photography A Step-by-Step Course in Camera Controls, Software Techniques, and Successful Imaging </i> (Amphoto Books) written by George Schaub<br><br>Reviewed by Carla Criqui

HANDS - ON Digital Photography A Step-by-Step Course in Camera Controls, Software Techniques, and Successful Imaging (Amphoto Books) written by George Schaub

Reviewed by Carla Criqui

For the novice photographer, HANDS - ON Digital Photography A Step-by-Step Course in Camera Controls, Software Techniques, and Successful Imaging, and successful imaging, cannot be beat. The ease with which author George Schaub explains even the most complex ideas will remove any anxiety a beginner may feel about his new endeavor and entice her to experiment and learn even more.

Article rating: 8.56

HANDS-ON digital photography certainly lives up to its name. This comprehensive book leads the photographer step-by-step through a wide variety of digital photography techniques. It is an extremely useful book for any photographer, and is not so full of technical jargon as to discourage the novice. Author George Schaub gives detailed descriptions of many essential features of digital photography and photo manipulation throughout the book. Dividing the book into three major portions, Schaub begins in Part One with 'Understanding the Digital Image,' continues in Part Two with 'In-Camera Controls,' and concludes the book with Part Three, 'Software Controls.'

Beginning in Part One with such basic concepts as defining a pixel and explaining file formats, Schaub eases the reader into the world of digital images. His interactive style is highly engaging for the individual reader. For example, Schaub gives a detailed, yet easy-to-understand definition for each new concept that he introduces. The definition is generally accompanied by illustrations and captions to further explain the concept.

Just as the subtitle suggests, the 'How It Works' section explains exactly how the concept works. For example, in the section 'RGB Channels,' S chaub explains how when Red, Green and Blue channels (or components) are combined, a full-color image is created.

Following the 'How It Works' section are the 'Try It' and 'Advanced Options' sections. 'Try It' suggests exercises that the reader can experiment with in order to gain a more hands-on understanding of each concept. Once that understanding is established, the reader can then move to the 'Advanced Options' to further enhance their skill level.

Once the reader has become familiar with some of the more basic concepts about digital images, Schaub then enters into the world of in-camera controls. 'A Quick Camera Tour,' the first section in Part Two, begins to familiarize the reader with many of the basic components of the average digital camera. With camera in hand, the reader is able to fully acquaint him/herself with the basic body of the camera.

The tour continues with close-ups and explanations of features that are basic to most cameras. From the various menu options available and how to access them, to exposure controls and focus modes, there is no question that the reader will quickly become comfortable with her camera.

Schaub explains digital filter effects, color bias, color matching vs. color mood, contrast and more. He illustrates how a photograph could be 'correct' as far as white balance, exposure, etc., but leave the viewer unmoved. He then shows how manipulating certain features and effects can lead to a more emotional or artistic image. It is helpful to the novice photographer to learn all of the various techniques and why or why not to use them in order to make educated decisions pertaining to the final outcome of an image.

In Part Three of HANDS – ON digital photography, Schaub moves into software controls. In this section, the reader learns how to manipulate images on their computer, as opposed to manipulating the photograph within the confines of the camera's functionality.

Schaub introduces the section with an explanation of memory cards and ways to download images. He then moves into the numerous methods of image manipulation available through image-editing software. From managing color saturation and exposure to cropping a photo or using special effects, the possibilities are endless.

For the novice photographer, HANDS – ON digital photography A step-by-step course in camera controls, software techniques, and successful imaging, cannot be beat. The ease with which author George Schaub explains even the most complex ideas will remove any anxiety a beginner may feel about his new endeavor and entice her to experiment and learn even more.

HANDS – ON digital photography A step-by-step course in camera controls, software techniques, and successful imaging is 176 pages long. It was published in 2007 by Amphotos Book.

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