I purchased this book for my wife when I got her a digital camera for Christmas. It was well worth the money. The book explains photography as well as post processing which is a critical part of digital photography today.

Matt Bamberg's book Digital Art Photography for Dummies is an excellent resource for both the beginner and the advanced student of Digital Photography. I have read the book and of especial interest to me were the numerous overt and subtle suggestions about technique and execution. Suggestions which I have used to great effect to dramatically improve my own compositions and to better concentrate and focus my shots.

In addition I really benefited from the suggestions regarding how to process and enhance your work, post shooting. One of the more important foci of the book regards how to transform your work from more simple photographic imagery into more complex renditions which can be considered artistic. Matt explains these techniques for image modification easily and logically and it was not difficult with the right equipment and software for me to begin experimenting with altering my works to produce far more spectacular work. Work which others have expressed interest in. I have even become my church photographer and have recently had other people ask me to undertake photographic assignments on their behalf. In addition I have started the process of taking previous shots and altering them for inclusion into my written works, as graphic enhancements to my writings.

However the book also contains a myriad of techniques which are useful and helpful for the amateur and for the individual who uses photography as a part of their other work. I am often involved in investigations and through some experimentation and adaptation I have used techniques suggested and explained by Matt in order to clarify, focus, and render my investigative photographs far sharper, clearer, and more relevant for my clients. So the book has indirectly benefited me professionally as well.

I have enjoyed Matt's book, have visited his blog and site, and found him to be an accessible and helpful author. Additionally he obviously knows his subject matter and is therefore professionally well-qualified. He seems very experienced and yet eagerly experimental, two traits I like in any individual who is trying to teach me something new.

I have Matt's book and consider it a valuable addition to my personal library on the subjects of both art and photography.

I recommend the book.

Jack.

This is a great book for anyone using digital photography -- whether
you are just starting out or have some experience. There is something
for everyone! I found it to be a great source of information when it comes
to Photoshop. Of all my Photoshop books, I find I reach for this one the
most. It is permanently planted by my computer for quick reference when
I need it. It has GREAT editing tips and is easy to read and comprehend.

The book does an OK job at covering basic photography concepts but rushes through some fundemental rules and enforces a couple of myths such as pixels are everything and film cameras have no practical advantages (e.g. resolution for landscapes). I found it more of a motivational pro digital camera book and hence a lot of tips are directed at how to get closer to the final image at the start with minimal post processing.

What is interesting about this book is it tries to be as practical as possible in what photographs will actually make you money and how to make a living as a beginner photographer but isn't artistic enough for my taste being a hobbyist photographer, not someone working in the field.

Personally, I found just reading articles online like kenrockwell's stuff more helpful and basic concepts are not rushed over like in this book.

I read only 50 pages of this book and in those 50 pages there was so much misinformation I almost cried. The author claims that:

1) Film cameras have no advantages to digital other than a bigger more comfortable size (what about DSLRs?) and being more durable even though having more moving parts. Doesn't the author realise that for landscape photography, the resolution advantage of film is enormous even compared to state of the art 18 or 40 MP cameras? - And what about price? - a film camera costs a hell of a lot less than a digital one of similar quality, you'll need to shoot years worth of film before you get to the same price range.

2) Megapixels is everything, if you get a 2 MP camera, you will have no better quality than a phone camera. Has he not been around when prosumer digital cameras only had 2 MP? -- If you compare the results to 8MP ultra compact cameras, 2MP prosumers are still at an advantage because of the better optics match, wider,faster lenses that capture more light, zoom lenses to not have to crop, etc, etc.

3) Author states an lcd is just as good as an optical viewfinder, just takes time to get used to. Has the author ever tried to manually focus accurately/quickly from an even 2.5" LCD or take a panned or action shot? - its practically impossible. The LCD has advantages to be able to shoot from unusual angles and whitebalance is more accurate but it is certainly no replacement to an optical viewfinder which is why pros use SLR and DSLR, not because they are used to optical viewfinders.

4) Other tidbits like most prosumer and dslr cameras shooting primarily in TIFF for higher quality which is not true, how you'll be making good money in no time from photography, etc.

I'm a beginner photographer that wanted to learn how to get the most out of my new Nikon D50, instead, I read about how any photographers still on film are obnoxious and hostile, how I should spend all the money I have on a couple of pixels and how I'll be rich doing photography.

Not recommended!

I know Matt Bamberg's writing and love his blog (digitalartphotographyfordummies.com). If you're new to photography and confused by all the terms, Matt takes you through the basics (although he says the book assumes you know the principles of photography, he patiently explains the technical stuff). If you're a seasoned pro, skip the refresher course and just enjoy the fabulous photos--which, by the way, everyone will appreciate.

I'm the outgoing vice president of NLAPW Palm Springs--we were honored to be among Matt's first speaking engagements--and have seen our members create beautiful digital art photography. Thanks to Matt's book, I now know how it was done! Artists seeking to sell and exhibit their work will find great career guidance. For other shutterbugs, the book will eliminate some of those photos that you cringe at later (I know I have a few!)

The image manipulation tips in Photoshop are extremely valuable. This is a terrific book, even if you've only toyed with the idea of doing digital photography. Matt's vivid, lively prose makes this a pleasurable read.

I know Matt Bamberg's writing and love his blog (digitalartphotographyfordummies.com). If you're new to photography and confused by all the terms, Matt takes you through the basics (although he says the book assumes you know the principles of photography, he patiently explains the technical stuff). If you're a seasoned pro, skip the refresher course and just enjoy the fabulous photos--which, by the way, everyone will appreciate.

I'm the outgoing vice president of NLAPW Palm Springs--we were honored to be among Matt's first speaking engagements--and have seen our members create beautiful digital art photography. Thanks to Matt's book, I now know how it was done! Artists seeking to sell and exhibit their work will find great career guidance. For other shutterbugs, the book will eliminate some of those photos that you cringe at later (I know I have a few!)

The image manipulation tips in Photoshop are extremely valuable. This is a terrific book, even if you've only toyed with the idea of doing digital photography. Matt's vivid, lively prose makes this a pleasurable read.

If you are a digital photographer that is starting out or trying to get into the "art" side, then this book is for you. This book is well written, easy to understand, and full of excellent images and great walk throughs. I can tell that Matt is very comfortable with this topic and is an expert in his field. It touches on many easy ways for new shutterbugs to expand their knowledge without taking the fun out of photography. His Adobe Photoshop knowledge is also very useful when post processing scans of film, slides, or negatives as well as existing digital images.
Matt, thanks for your time and energy in writing this book. I will recommend it to both family and friends.

If you are a digital photographer that is starting out or trying to get into the "art" side, then this book is for you. This book is well written, easy to understand, and full of excellent images and great walk throughs. I can tell that Matt is very comfortable with this topic and is an expert in his field. It touches on many easy ways for new shutterbugs to expand their knowledge without taking the fun out of photography. His Adobe Photoshop knowledge is also very useful when post processing scans of film, slides, or negatives as well as existing digital images.
Matt, thanks for your time and energy in writing this book. I will recommend it to both family and friends.

I ordered Matt's book last week having the book arrive last Friday. I have been reading so I can report back to you.

I am a amaturer photographer who is interested in creating digital art, professional images and learning how to enhance my photos using image technology. I found Matt's, book easy to understand and read plus offering helpful graphics and images to go along with each chapter.

I have purchased many self help books, Digital Art Photography for Dummies, written by Matthew Bamberg is one book I have read from cover to cover and will refer back often when working on my photography projects.

I ordered Matt's book last week having the book arrive last Friday. I have been reading so I can report back to you.

I am a amaturer photographer who is interested in creating digital art, professional images and learning how to enhance my photos using image technology. I found Matt's, book easy to understand and read plus offering helpful graphics and images to go along with each chapter.

I have purchased many self help books, Digital Art Photography for Dummies, written by Matthew Bamberg is one book I have read from cover to cover and will refer back often when working on my photography projects.

I liked this book because it helped me in my work as a Realtor. I now frame and compose pictures better for my listings.

It has some good techniques for taking pictures indoors using available light rather than flash.

If I get back to the office and a picture did not come out quite right, I can fix it with photoshop using Matt's tips.

I would highly recommend this book.

This book is great. It's given me lots of ideas to use to make my photography more appealing in the small newsletter I publish. Thanks, Matthew Bamberg!