Reviewed By: Missy Grote
Date: October 10, 2004
Section: Book Reviews
Publisher: O’Reilly
Authors: Derrick Story
Pages: 160
Retail Price: $14.95
Dot Journal Price: $10.47

Christmas shopping is coming and maybe you only have stockings left to fill; you might have run out of ideas on how to accomplish the goal of ‘meaningful stocker stuffers!’ Let me help you with this! Think: Digital Photography Pocket Guide, 2nd Edition by Derrick Story. Published by O’Reilly, this slim book is no larger than the size of your hand and can easily be stored in a pocket or camera bag. The size though is no indication of the meaningfulness of its contents. Consider it a take-along quick-reference photo mentor that explains all the components on a digital camera and how to use them!

The whole focus of the book is to give the control back to the digital camera user, instead of being at the mercy of the digital camera. With all the features that abound with digital cameras it’s amazing that most users still capture prints in automatic mode. This book will definitely lead you to get out of the box of automatic shooting and into capturing what you want to see.

The book is easily divided into 3 chapters: What Is It? What Does It Do? and How Do I? In the first chapter, What Is It? you’ll find a detailed map of all the components on a digital camera (top, bottom, sides, and inside.) An added bonus is the addition of an A, I, or B, depicting whether it is an advanced, intermediate, or beginner-level feature. The second chapter, What Does It Do? will help you determine how to use all those features. From digital zoom, to flash modes and self timer, this section will give you a handy refresher! I particularly liked the sample photos where you could read the shooting modes each was shot in. The final section, How Do I?, explains 15 professional shooting techniques in easy-to-understand language. If all this doesn’t sound great, there’s even more! The Digital Photography Pocket Guide, 2nd Edition also includes easy-to-use quick reference charts for the various shooting modes.

ith digital camera sales leading over the traditional film cameras, I have no doubt you know someone who would love to see the Digital Photography Pocket Guide, 2nd Edition in their stocking!

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