DSLR Photography book recommendations for a novice please?

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Asmodeus

1015 posts

Uber Geek

#107636 15-Aug-2012 14:14

Hi guys,

Just wondering if any peeps had recommendations for some excellent digital photography books for novices? I'm not a total noob, I know what aperture, white balance and exposure times are, but it's just putting it all together to make great photos that I need to get my head around. Would be great to have it all explained well in a nice book with good examples, etc.

Doesn't need to be a $200 A3 coffee table book, just something well written and comprehensive for the novice photographer looking to get more serious over time.

I started looking here: http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/category/87/Photographic-Equipment-and-Techniques as they tend to have good prices and free shipping but there are 8000 books in the equipment and techniques subcategory alone...

Happy to order locally (and prefer as shipping is so much faster) if the price is not too much more. Oh, and I have a Canon 600D if that matters whatsoever. I have seen books written for specific models/brands but I don't think that's really what I'm after tbh

Cheers!

Disrespective

1925 posts

Uber Geek

#673180 16-Aug-2012 09:57

The Scott Kelby training books always seem to pop up when I'm looking for new resources. However it seems he doesn't dwell on why the pictures are the way they are, more just how to take them.

Also have a look at what Ken Rockwell recommends. He's been around the block and is pretty well known to any Nikon shooter but really knows his stuff when it comes to photography in general.

Of course it all depends on topic. If you want a book on lighting then there are plenty on that, composition, post production blah blah blah, the list goes on.

wmoore

510 posts

Ultimate Geek

#673200 16-Aug-2012 10:28

Why not do something online.

http://www.adorama.com/alc/ is a great start.

http://kelbytraining.com/ lots and lots here. $24 a month access.

or http://froknowsphoto.com/

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-- Abraham lincoln

Oblivian

7296 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#673216 16-Aug-2012 10:48

http://web.canon.jp/imaging/enjoydslr/index.html

Holds very basic clarification and examples of what the modes/functions also do.

Jaxson

8041 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#673241 16-Aug-2012 11:41

Ok, so not a book specifically, but....

Canon are very proactive at inspiring their customers:
https://canon.co.nz/worldofeos/learn/getting-started/

Highly recommend taking a look, seeing as you're part of the Canon family now

Jaxson

8041 posts

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#673292 16-Aug-2012 13:47

And there are some great tutorials on the web too.
Here's one example I just found

Oblivian

7296 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#673307 16-Aug-2012 14:10

^^ lol I've found hers before

Some more than 'interesting' tutorials locked away until you pay her money..

It's also very hard to get to the end of the video and actually remember any of the tips you have just seen.. not sure for the life of my why.

DoggNZ

437 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#673323 16-Aug-2012 14:43

That video makes me want to get into photography...........

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Disrespective

1925 posts

Uber Geek

#673415 16-Aug-2012 18:14

DoggNZ: That video makes me want to get into photography...........

That video makes me want to buy a pool table...

Asmodeus

1015 posts

Uber Geek

#673562 17-Aug-2012 08:15

I really enjoyed that but didn't learn a thing :)

Off to watch more of her tutorials now

Jaxson

8041 posts

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#673565 17-Aug-2012 08:34

Asmodeus: I really enjoyed that but didn't learn a thing :)

+1!

Not the best tutorial, but the best tutorial, all at the same time...

Congrats on your purchase mate, we will need to see some progress shots along the way now!

Do check out the Canon stuff, that's a very good place to start.

riahon

946 posts

Ultimate Geek

#673571 17-Aug-2012 08:53

Adorama, Gavin Hoey are two good youtube searches you should have a look for.

antaeusa

221 posts

Master Geek

#673572 17-Aug-2012 08:56

I have encountered her tutorial as well, but I forgot what he said about Shutter Speed/Aperture/ISO.

You could check this course: http://www.selwyncomed.school.nz/courses/431-digital-photography-slr-cameras-beginners I did this course before I went to Europe).

Gave me the basic understanding on all the details.

Watch videos here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb2qQhuk_Rk

And from here : http://www.youtube.com/user/JaredPolin

The trick is to get the balance within the photos i.e exposure/iso and all the bits and pieces.

http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/
http://photo.net/learn/basic-photo-tips/aperture-shutterspeed-iso/

All the best, let me know if you have any questions, I just started my own journey with Nikon D3100 SLR, its great to have control over Aperture/ShutterSpeed/ISO.

mjb

996 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#673573 17-Aug-2012 08:59

Man, that's a terrible video. Too many ums and ahs and not enough examples. Sure, she's trying to get you to visit her website so you'll sign up to see soft porn of her, but anyway.

contentsofsignaturemaysettleduringshipping

Jaxson

8041 posts

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#673582 17-Aug-2012 09:13

mjb: Man, that's a terrible video. Too many ums and ahs and not enough examples. Sure, she's trying to get you to visit her website so you'll sign up to see soft porn of her, but anyway.

Agreed, lets be clear about that, it was just an example of what is out there. I heard a rumour there was actually something about photography somewhere in that video. Many will see why I picked that particular video, but there are better ones to select that are quite good.

Depends on your learning style, but for the basic concepts, some of the multimedia type instructional videos can help many to make it 'sink in' as such. The combo of video plus audio etc can be more interesting than a 'dry' book, but it will depend on the individual. As I said earlier, the Canon videos are all about inspiration, so they're definitely worth a look.

Zippity

683 posts

Ultimate Geek

#673608 17-Aug-2012 09:58

Here is a book just for you

http://www.fishpond.co.nz/Books/Canon-EOS-Rebel-T3i-600D-Jeff-Revell/9780321776648