The Complete Idiot's Guide to Photography Essentials

This is exactly the book I was looking for. Had all the information for a person who knows only the basics of using a point and shoot camera who wants to upgrade to a digital SLR.

This book lays out the technical aspects of photography in very understandable terms. Excellent!

As a studying photo student, I have had to purchase entire collections of photo books recommended by my school that I never really read. The reason being all of those books were so big, far too text booky, intimidating and ultimately dull. Yet when I purchased this book after a friend recommended it to me, I was very pleasantly surprised. I've read so much more from this book already in the last few days than from all of those "other" books combined! I will tell you now that I never ever write reviews and I especially loathed doing those book review assignments we've all had to do as a kid. Yet this book really took me by surprise that it compelled me to share my thoughts. Some of the best things about this book was that it was the perfect size, unintimidating, small enough to carry around easily in any bag or simply in your hand, it uses simple language, and has lots and lots of visuals and color throughout, a key thing that all other photo books lack. There is an amazing mixture of photos in the book from commercial shots to candid shots, and it gets the reader excited because it makes photography look fun. As a reader of this book, I especially like the fact that it doesn't really matter what level of photography you are at , whether you are just starting out or a seasoned pro. You can read the book like a novel from start to finish, or you can keep it like a dictionary, if there is something you don't know, you can just find the section and read about it. While other books make photography look difficult, this book excels by simplifying all the key principles, encouraging the reader to break the rules and explore what's fun, interesting and exciting about photography. This is a must-have for every person who aspires to take good pictures and it's the most accessible book of its kind. Definitely give this one a shot!

As an intermediate photographer (I have been taking pictures for 30 years) I found this book not only to be helpful, but amazingly accessable. The writing is clear and concise and the examples are very helpful! As the father of two, I find myself taking many pictures in varying conditions and this book addresses nearly all of the situations that I have found or could find myself in. I would certainly suggest this book to anyone who takes pictures or is interested in taking pictures. Either way, Mr. Jenkinson's book can only help make your photos better.

I have purchased and borrowed several books in the past two years about SLR and DSLR photography. I consider myself a beginner/intermediate technician with an advanced intermediate to advanced sense of composition. I cannot recommend this book more highly. It is very clear and concise. The author explains everything, taking nothing for granted while not speaking to you like the "idiot" the title suggests. This is the book I have been looking for. I only wish it had been published much earlier. It may very well become the manual for all photography classes everywhere. Kudos to the author and editors for doing such a great job. It goes where I go and is now my all purpose reference manual. Thanks, Jay