Beginners Photography Book - Any Suggestions?

[Luv2Camp]

I checked into a beginners photography class in our area with no success, so I've moved on to books. Do you experts have any suggestions on a photography book that would be good for a beginner? Thanks for your help!

 

[mabas9395]

What was unsuccessful about the class? Many books will cover the same things probably covered in the class. Was the class too advanced or too basic? Does your camera have manual controls that you are trying to learn or are you trying to learn how to get more "artistic" looking photos?

The right book for you will depend on what you are trying to learn.

 

[Luv2Camp]

Sorry - I wasn't very clear on the class. Finding a class was unsuccessful. We live in the middle of a field, and the closest class I could find was at a vocational school, which wasn't offered for adults, only students. I'm waaaaay over that age! I thought a book might have the same info as a beginners class, such as the terminology and some tips. I've read through the S5 manual, and that may be a little too advanced for such a newbie!

 

[madge]

Try the Short Courses book for the S5, it will be a good starting point for both the camera and basic photography.

 

[BeautyLLM]

Also, take a look at "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. Excellent, easy to read descriptions of the basic functions of a camera and how to use them.

 

[madge]

Also, take a look at "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. Excellent, easy to read descriptions of the basic functions of a camera and how to use them.

I agree. I'd buy that, along with the Short Courses book

 

[boBQuincy]

I was not impressed with "Understanding Exposure", it contained far too many errors and inaccuracies among other things.

The funniest part was where he mentioned how to see depth of field on a camera without dof preview by pressing the lens release button and turning the lens 1/4 turn. This may have worked 20 years ago before Canon and others went to electronically controlled aperture!

Take a look at Alain Briot's "Mastering Landscape Photography", it is a very good photography book. You can try it before you buy it, some of the chapters are on The Luminous Landscape website.

 

[hddanis]

I just got the S5 myself and I'm in the process of printing out the Short Courses for it. I think it will really help me.

Also, be sure to read the s3/s5 thread..I've already taken tons of notes from it. Hopefully enough to get me some pretty decent pictures in January.

 

[Luv2Camp]

Thank you for all of the great advice! I just ordered the Short Courses book (thanks for the link!). I'll look into the other once I get this one read. Thanks again - I appreciate the help!

 

[boBQuincy]

Alain Briot on "Exposure":
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/determining-exposure.shtml

 

[AndrewWG]

I was not impressed with "Understanding Exposure", it contained far too many errors and inaccuracies among other things.

The funniest part was where he mentioned how to see depth of field on a camera without dof preview by pressing the lens release button and turning the lens 1/4 turn. This may have worked 20 years ago before Canon and others went to electronically controlled aperture!

Take a look at Alain Briot's "Mastering Landscape Photography", it is a very good photography book. You can try it before you buy it, some of the chapters are on The Luminous Landscape website.

I have to go back and read this book again, but the thing I did not really like about it was that when I bought it, I was using the S2 IS and I found that although the general concepts were the same between SLRs and the S2, the camera was not capable of doing some of the stuff that was being explained. I think it is about 50% the fault of this forum and 50% the fault of Bryan Peterson that made me buy the 30D! NONE of it was my fault. Glad I did though!

 

[Cplofdisneynutz]

100 Ways to Take Better Photographs by Michael Busselle

Just found this book tonight at Barnes & Noble, flipped through it and was impressed with the layout and simplicity of this book. Has specific example photos for each point and explanation on "the camera view" or what you need to do with the camera to get this type of picture. Also gave the EXIF info for each photograph which I have found helpful. I also found the pictures got my mind working in terms of inspiration for WDW photos