Reader's Digest Complete Photography Manual: A Practical Guide to Improving Your Photography

Without questions, there are myriad books on photography cluttering up bookstores' shelves across the world. Though, after having gone through most of them, I found myself often being able to predict ones I hadn't read before even picking them up, I was pleasantly surprised as I went through "Reader's Digest's Complete Photography Manual." First, a word of advice: if you're just starting out, this "might" not be the appropriate book for you. Although it's hardly a compilation of "advanced techniques," and though it does cover the basics, where it shines is in its frank and excavating discussions of technical matters. The photographs are wonderful, and the text is clear and interesting, but the book will probably appeal more to those who have a handle on photography and are still searching for a good book about a subject they love, than to those who're trying to understand how exposure works.

This book is not for absolute beginners. You won't appreciate all the concepts unless you've already been experimenting for a while and are now ready to move to the next level. Digital camera owners take note, every photography concept in this book applies equally to your digital camera so don't feel you need to get a book for digital cameras. For post processing of digital pictures, definetely get another book. This book teaches the basics that every camera operator should know regardless of digital or analog. The book also very clearly explains its concepts with excellent examples of photographs.

This is one of the best all-rounder books I've read on understanding the basics of photography. It is quite thorough yet takes you step-by-step thru the whole process and also covers digital imaging workflow. Another thing I like is that it covers other formats besides 35mm SLR, like the medium and large cameras, including studio lighting techniques and working in a B & W darkroom. You learn to appreciate where the SLR and point-and-shooters stand in the hierarchy of professional photography, and so are the wiser when choosing the proper setup for your photographic objectives.It also makes meaningful recommendations when applying certain techniques. For example, in macro photography, it covers the whole gamut from close-up filters to extension tubes, and gives the pro and cons of using each setup. Another example: with filters, it recommends the use of square ones with holders because it is more flexible than screw-on filters (you can adjust the placement of graduating colours) and you only need to purchase a single polariser that can be shared with many lenses of differing thread diameter. Tips like these can be found in every topic.Of course, it goes beyond the technicalities and discusses ways to improve your artistic abilities and photographic styles. Containing beautiful colour photographs, it emphasises exploration, previsualisation, and simplicity. And lots of practice!Definitely highly recommended.

This manual contains many photography tips with colorful examples to improve your photos.