Digital SLR Cameras & Photography for Dummies (For Dummies) - David D. Busch

...describes the basics behind a digital SLR (dSLR), while the second part discusses the actual photography itself. Part 3 is one of the more technical, discussing RAW shooting and various photo techniques, but also has some general photography tips. The fourth section deals with post-processing - editing your photos in Photoshop or other applications and printing. The fifth section is what sells the book to me more - ways to go further with your photography, ...
...to try with your camera.

There's a chapter within this last section which lists 10 online resources available, which is particularly useful in an area where books tend to go out-of-date fairly quickly. Those recommended range from general review stes to stock photography websites, as well as Ebay! Another chapter goes into accessories for the SLR in a bit more detail, such as flashguns and extra lenses. While this isn't so great for ... more

A warning - though this book is part of the established "for Dummies" series it does assume a basic knowledge of photography. I'm no expert but have read a few photography books and magazines, and still found it confusing in places. It's also rather American - a hazard of the series.

The book is divided into 5 sections. Part 1 basically describes the basics behind a digital SLR (dSLR), while the second part discusses the actual photography itself. Part 3 is one of the more technical, discussing RAW shooting and various photo techniques, but also has some general photography tips. The fourth section deals with post-processing - editing your photos in Photoshop or other applications and printing. The fifth section is what sells the book to me more - ways to go further with your photography, both in refining your technique and in suggesting new things to try with your camera.

There's a chapter within this last section which lists 10 online resources available, which is particularly useful in an area where books tend to go out-of-date fairly quickly. Those recommended range from general review stes to stock photography websites, as well as Ebay! Another chapter goes into accessories for the SLR in a bit more detail, such as flashguns and extra lenses. While this isn't so great for indicating prices (it's all in dollars) I thought it was pretty comprehensive, though brief.

I have to say, having read the section on file formats, it remains gibberish to me, but I'll have a go at re-reading it a few times! There's a lot of technical info in the chapter and in the post-processing bit - they actually state that they assume you're looking to go beyond straightforward imaging editing as you're using a dSLR. Although the main focus is Photoshop use, they do discuss the other image editors too, with pros and cons of each. Evenif you're not interested in that side of photography, there's still more than enough for you to use in this book.

There's really quite a lot to take in overall. I'd count that as a good thing - despite being "for dummies", it allows you to be much more expert by the end of the book. It's over 300 pages long, and each page is packed with info. More complex ideas are illustrated to make their point; in fact, overall there are a good number of illustrations in the book, which makes it a much easier read than it would otherwise be.

At £19.99 it's not cheap, but it's a hell of a lot cheaper than the SLR you've just bought! 

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