Shooting Digital: Pro Tips for Taking Great Pictures with Your Digital Camera

Reading this book will teach you A LOT about how to use advanced features of your digital camera like aperture, focal length, ISO settings, and shutter settings. The author targets those who know a little, but only a little about cameras. Even for the complete novice, this would be a useful book. For those like myself, who have been using cameras for many years, but without any advanced knowledge, this book is perfect. He also goes into depth on photographic techniques for framing shots, catching elusive shots, and taking an ordinary shot and making it into something special. He even has a great little section on taking movies with your camera. Highly recommended! BTW, this book has excellent color photos to illustrate his points.

SHOOTING DIGITALMikkel Aaland.Published by Sybex Books. http://www.sybex.comISBN: 0-7821-4104-8Shooting Digital is probably a must-have book for anyone taking digital photography seriously. It is 270 glossy pages of in-depth useful information garnered from an extensive list of professional photographers.Mikkel Aaland himself has been a professional photographer for years and it appears that he really knows his stuff.I like the way that the book describes the differences between film and digital photography and lays many of the myths associated with the value of one against the other. He manages to explain these differences simply enough for newcomers to the field, yet with enough technical information for long term SLR experts. The book does not assume that everyone has a professional quality camera and the abilities of a variety of cameras is compared.Sensible advice on use of filters and accessories could save the reader a lot of money and heartache, and the setting up of simple studios and use of alternative light sources is extremely useful.A lot of time is spent teaching how to work with a subject, whether animal or human to create brilliant portraits. This includes really useful diagrams of lighting setups and use of equipment and how to make the most of what you have available, as well as what sort of tripods, lights etc are needed. These sections are named Accessories That Make a Difference, and are scattered throughout the individual chapters. Also scattered are Know Your Camera, and Software Solutions, and these are sort of shortcut sections which are really useful.Many other photographers have contributed works and information for the book so it is not just one man's view. Digital is here to stay and a lot of professionals are changing over, and are contributing real information in the fields of their own expertise, from portraits to action to minimovies and even how to get the most out of working in different situations and lighting conditions.There is a whole section on interior and exterior photography and the information gained is invaluable. Use of natural and artificial light is something that is approached the whole way through the book, and this makes a lot of sense.There are a lot of differences between the way that images are taken using film and digital and these are highlighted and explained all along the way. This is important if you are a film person moving to digital because, although a lot of the same terms are used, they do not necessarily equate to each other in the way you would expect.If you are just using digital then it is best to ignore the differences and go for what your digital camera can do for you. Each shot is shown with the make of camera used and the settings involved, which gives a good insight into what sort of camera you buy and how you use it.Obviously software is important for getting your digital images to their maximum, and this is well covered too. Including good information on use of filters an

Who doesn't have a digital camera these days? But how well do we understand our technologic wonders? Regardless if you are using a basic or prosumer camera, after reading Mikkel Aaland's Shooting Digital, you will be an expert ready for most any situation. Aaland, a well-published author, photographer and leading authority on Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, offers easy-to-understand tips from 34 professional photographers. Though packed with useful information for all users, reading is enjoyable and not laborious. Aaland properly introduces readers to their cameras as well as the technology behind digital photography. In depth discussion is offered for portraits, children, pets, social events, action, minimovies, traveling with your camera, interiors & exteriors, landscapes, panoramas, organizing and sharing your photos and much more. Numerous sidebars of text focusing on special tips and techniques are spread throughout the book. The book's companion website is disappointing since many pages are still under development. It is difficult to find anything to criticize about the book. Digital photographers of most all levels of skill will find Aaland's book of value and will likely refer to it often.

Shooting Digital reveals so many tips to exploit your digital camera that it will keep you busy for hours. Combine that with the great color photos and the many techniques of great photographers explained in detail by the author, and you have one of the best books on digital photography.Included are tips for shooting under water, shooting in low light, shooting action and many others that will help me improve my techniques. The RAW image file format is also explained.Hardly any digital camera subject is not covered in some detail - you can read this on its own or with your camera in your hands.

After reading Mikkels' book Photoshop Elements 2 solutions, I realized I needed something more to help me focus on taking better pictures with my Fuji 3800.I really enjoy taking pictures of my children, but they dont always turn out as planned or hoped...After reading the first 5 chapters in this book, I have an even greater love for my hobby. Mikkel gives very clear scenarios with excellent quality COLOR photographs to help give you a visual example of what he is trying to teach you. I have learned so much in "technique" alone. Being familiar with how a camera operates and the "lingo" is recommended. This is NOT a dummies book, far from it, but much, much more.Taking pictures for me, is just a hobby, but something I strive to be better at with every shot, and reading this book so far has opened my eyes to what I can accomplish.The book gives plenty of examples of "how-to's" and "what-if's" about taking pictures in many different environments and with many different subjects.Recommendation: buy this book if you are wanting to get the most out of your digital camera, and your pictures will show your progress.Two thumbs up, well written and worth every penny.