National Geographic Photography Field Guide: Secrets to Making Great Pictures

The National Geographic Photography Field Guide strikes a perfect balance in its approach. Beginning photographers will find this an effective reference, and the more experienced will benefit from advice from National Geographic's greats. And the book manages to cover this range without being either condescending or talking above the heads of newcomers. Sure, you'll get advice on how to avoid under-exposing a subject with a light background, and how to use a ceiling flash bounce to give your portrait subject a flattering illumination, but the main value of this book is the inspiration it gives to readers who aspire to take better pictures. The photographers' first-hand accounts of experiences and techniques are invaluable. The book itself is beautifully printed and is full of beautiful color photos. Just like the National Geographic Magazine, one buys this book in part simply to look at the pictures. An excellent book that will help you take better photographs. Covers everything from equipment to composition. Very highly recommended.

It is always a delight to read- and see- a National Geographic book. They are always well written and packed with superb photographs, so a Photography Field Guide could not be the exception. In this masterpiece, Peter Burian and National Geographic star photographer Robert Caputo will reveal to you the secrets to making great pictures. From the Essential Basics, that is cameras, lenses, light, flashes, film and composition to practical topics on how to photograph a "world of subjects" ranging from people to animals, from sports to architecture and from landscapes to close-ups, this book is a real help to anyone who wants to take a picture. Like other National Geographic books, this one is also well designed, user friendly and packed with beautiful photos. It is also updated with a section on Computers and Photography and contains a useful glossary and a directory of web sites and photography magazines and books. As I wrote in the title of the review, this book is dazzling and informative. I think that everyperson interested in photography, should have this Field Guide, it is outstanding, a book worth a million pictures and a million words.

The National Geographic Photography Field Guide is an excellent guide for beginners and a good reference for the more experienced. The information is clearly presented and features such as tips in the margins make the book easy to read as well as to use for later reference. Both the technical aspects of photography and photograph composition were discussed succinctly.Moreover, the book itself was entertaining reading and I enjoyed the sections where various photographers' styles were showcased. Not only were these sections useful in learning how to go about taking pictures, they were interesting in their own right as glimpses into how different artists work.

I found this book very useful. I refer to it often. The color photographs illustrate the text beautifully and completely. The book is a size (larger than a paperback novel, but smaller than a normal hardback) which allows me to carry it around easily.The interviews with photographers are informative and interesting. The variety of photographic styles cover a broad range of interests among these talented individuals and the reader. The "how to" portions are well-written and easily understood. The authors do not "talk down" to the reader, yet cover material well.The text is laid out in a way that makes it easy to find information. This book should prove very useful to the amateur, advanced amateur, or beginning professional.