Positives The book is widely praised as an excellent and accessible guide for beginners in digital photography. Reviewers consistently highlight its ability to explain fundamental concepts, such as aperture, ISO, and shutter speed, in a clear and easy-to-understand manner. Many found it highly informative for grasping their camera's capabilities, improving composition, and understanding various settings. The inclusion of numerous visual examples, often in color, is frequently cited as a significant strength, effectively demonstrating different techniques and their effects. Beyond just shooting, the book also provides helpful guidance on choosing a camera, understanding its features, and covers aspects of image storage, printing, and light editing. Several readers, including some with years of experience, found it a valuable reference or a helpful refresher for solidifying their knowledge.
Negatives Despite its strengths, some reviewers noted that the book can be too basic or repetitive for those who already possess a degree of photography experience or basic computer literacy. A recurring concern is that some content, particularly sections on transferring files or older software, feels outdated due to the rapid advancements in digital photography technology since its publication. Furthermore, specific editions, such as one translated into Bulgarian, faced severe criticism for poor translation, typos, and most notably, being printed in black and white. This decision rendered the visual examples, crucial for understanding photographic concepts, largely ineffective and diminished the overall value of those particular editions. A few readers also felt the book lacked sufficient depth on certain modern camera types or disproportionately focused on post-processing over actual shooting techniques.
Conclusion Overall, this book stands out as a highly recommended resource primarily for absolute beginners embarking on their digital photography journey. It is ideal for anyone who has just purchased their first digital camera, wishes to move beyond automatic modes, or seeks a foundational understanding of core photographic principles. While it can serve as a useful reference for more experienced amateurs, potential readers should consider its publication date, as some technical details may not reflect the very latest advancements. The book is best suited for those who value clear, straightforward explanations and learn effectively through visual examples, provided they secure an edition that includes the intended color illustrations.
