Categola

This is THE book to start with if you are taking the leap from point and shoot to photography.(Rating: 5)
I love photography. However, up to a few months ago I have really been shooting in automatic and "P" priority mode; even though I used a digital SLR. I wanted to be able to to make more targeted, creative pictures. I needed to attain a better grasp on "exposure" and how to use aperture and shutter speed in a more controlled manner to shoot better pictures (in manual mode). I reviewed, and purchased a number of books that I thought could help. But most of them, while great books, where not from the ground up (they implicitely assumed that I had the knowledge I was seeking) i.e. not the comprehensive primer I was looking for. This book, starts from the beginning, and takes you from concept to execution in a very clear, consise and digestible manner. He describes what setup should be used, under what conditions, and with the output objective in mind. He then provides the resulting image based on his selection of lense (and focal length), ISO, shutter speed and aperture; and how he uses his light meter. You can actually take that information and practice (after each page).

After I was half way through the book and starting leveraging what I was learning, my family and friends were actually asking if it was me that was taking those pictures or whether I copied them from someone else. With the exception of candid shots, I cannot see myself ever going back to shooting in automatic mode after this.

There are a number of great books out there, however if you are in a position where you are shooting in automatic and want to tap into your creative side and shoot in manual or as I would like to put it making the shift from taking pictures to photography. This is the first book I would invest in (and quite affordable).

Easy to Follow(Rating: 5)
I am only two chapters in so far and already feel completely comfortable with shooting in manual mode all the time. Topics I thought were confusing now seem so easy to understand. The picture illustrations are excellent and convey the principles of the chapters perfectly.

great(Rating: 5)
very nice deals on most stuff related to the subject (ISO, Shutter Speed, Aperture)... Good examples illustrated un photographs (some have a lot of grain in them but you can still get the idea). I hope the author also explain other similar subject in other books because I'd like to read them!

If you have a camera you need this book(Rating: 5)
You need this book whether you use a film camera or a digital camera. In either case your success in photography depends on manipulating light. That's what this book is all about. You will learn that not all light is the same. When is the best time of day to take pictures. What those numbers on your lens mean. And so much more. If you can only buy one photography book, this is probably the one you should get. The book is clearly written and profusely illustrated.

Good book(Rating: 4)
good book, lots of info. pretty concise and goes through most of what you need to know to further your photography. Nice color photos throughout the book and for the price you can't go wrong.