I have room for only one reference book in my camera bag. I carry my camera manual and the third edition of Digital Photography Pocket Guide. The information is up to date and constant. Buy it and use it.

If you have used point-and-shoot camera for a while and want to learn more tricks like me, I would not recommend this book because two third of the guide gives the basics you should already know, and the last third has few tips you might think useful. In addition, this book is B&W print that makes the example photos not standing out between different settings.

This book is pretty decent for a beginner's guide, but not as in-depth as you might expect. Overall, I'm happy with it, but if you really want a great photography book, get Understand Exposure by Bryan Peterson.

This book is a good reference pint to start with for beginners or intermidiate. Cover many topics and list many functions. Good book to have

Even though it is a Pocket Guide, I was expecting more from this book. I'm not saying it is a bad book but it is very very basic; practically focussed to those who have never EVER used a digital camera. The only chapter (to my taste anyway) that I find with relevant/interesting/good information is the 3rd chapter where the writer describes some tips on "how to questions". In summary, if you have some experience on digital photography this book won't be that usefull and if you want to learn about aperture, shutter speed and so on..there are better books to learn those subjects.

Even though it is a Pocket Guide, I was expecting more from this book. I'm not saying it is a bad book but it is very very basic; practically focussed to those who have never EVER used a digital camera. The only chapter (to my taste anyway) that I find with relevant/interesting/good information is the 3rd chapter where the writer describes some tips on "how to questions". In summary, if you have some experience on digital photography this book won't be that usefull and if you want to learn about aperture, shutter speed and so on..there are better books to learn those subjects.

I feel this is a perfect little guide for beginning digital photographers. I've been taking photos with my digital for about 3 years now and this little pocket guide still comes in handy and is very useful. It's size is perfect for carrying it with you in your camera case and it gets right to those frequent questions that come up.

A good little book to own!

I feel this is a perfect little guide for beginning digital photographers. I've been taking photos with my digital for about 3 years now and this little pocket guide still comes in handy and is very useful. It's size is perfect for carrying it with you in your camera case and it gets right to those frequent questions that come up.

A good little book to own!

The book I orderd that I thought was going to be better than his 2nd edition fell short. But it was a good book.

This book is a good introduction in Digital Photography; it shows the hardware specifications and features of most digital cameras, and also techniques on how to take snapshots. It is easy to take it wherever you go; I'm putting it with my camera's equipments.

It was a good help in understanding the basics, especially when I started PADI's Digital Underwater Photography course.

This is a good book for beginners. It covers a lot of basic material regarding photography. I was expecting it to be a bit more like all the other O'Reilly Pocket Guides that I normally use in IT but it didn't quite live up to that standard.

Thie volume is an excellent introduction for one wanting to get the most from their new digital camera ... non-technical in presentation and easy to understand ... a REAL 'pocket guide' ....

Thie volume is an excellent introduction for one wanting to get the most from their new digital camera ... non-technical in presentation and easy to understand ... a REAL 'pocket guide' ....

As an advanced novice regarding digital cameras and photography, I found this book very valuable for all the reasons other reviewers listed. And yes, the size is wonderful for accompanying the camera everywhere it goes.

As an advanced novice regarding digital cameras and photography, I found this book very valuable for all the reasons other reviewers listed. And yes, the size is wonderful for accompanying the camera everywhere it goes.

First, this is very succinct, well written and takes no time at all to go through.

I concur w/ others, this for newbies... the casual shooters who want to "up their game" and perhaps bothered their photos don't look good. This book can help you better understand your camera's features such as "slow synchro shooting mode" and basics of photography, such as composition.

Because it is such a quick and easy read, it's a great place to start and I would suggest this as an adjunct gift if you buy a digicam for someone. It's as important as batteries and film (or memory chips).

Very speedy shipping! Produce arrived in excellent condition. Thanks again!

I had the second edition when I only had a point and shoot and LOVED it! Now I have an SLR...I was given recommendations for two other books and also bought this pocket guide. The other books are good (very technical) but this really brings everything together for me! With this book in my pocket, I will have the "reminders" and tips I need. Everything in a nutshell; technical AND practical!!!

Well thought out and very easy to use. The appendix (page 139) is especially helpful for finding the right camera set up under almost every possible conition. From point and shoot to SLR, beginner to advanced there is a lot to be gained from owning this little book.

This is a great little guide for first time digital camera owners and even some good tips for amateurs. I recently purchased a Nikon Coolpix camera and didn't really know how all the functions worked. I read the first half of the book with my camera by my side and found out my camera does much more that I thought! This guide takes you through all the basic modes and buttons on your camera, then it has a alphabetical reference of functions. Lastly it gives you tips on how to take great pictures. I now own a Nikon D200 and just used the book again. It's small size makes it easy to carry in your camera bag for reference.

Its a good book but suggered only for beginner photographs which have no interests in professional photography. I don't recommend this book for intermediate or professional photographers.

Do you remember when you first hold your new digital camera? Have you got this strong desire to take a professional shots for every thing around you and the people around you?
Then, you hold your camera searching for the power button!! And face the fact that you need to know your camera to be able to get your professional shots. However, many people do not know much about their digital camera and its capabilities, losing chances of great shots.
The Digital Photography Pocket Guide, O'reilly's best selling book, leads you to know your camera starting from its components, features and software features to how to take good shots with your camera.
The first chapter introduces to you the digital camera and its features. The second chapter tells you alphabetically what every button and menu do starting from Aperture Value to Zooming.
The last chapter includes some useful tips and tricks to consider when taking your shots. And in the end of the book, Derrick Story included important indexes about your digital camera
Actually, the secret of the good shots is to consider your camera the extension of you hand that translate your eyes vision and ideas to camera shots. And the first step to achieve this is to know your camera.
This guide is a very useful for both beginners who want to get a new camera or the user that already have a digital camera but do not know much about it.

If you are among the many millions who has purchased a new digital camera recently, this book is for you! Author Derrick Story, has done an outstanding job of writing a great book (3rd edition) on how to use your digital camera, by making you aware of every available feature and how they can help you make some excellent images.

Story begins by teaching you about every nook and cranny on your camera. Next, the author will help you answer the following questions about your camera: When do you use fill flash and slow synchro (?); when do you use fill flash (?); and, what is slow synchro good for? Finally, he explains more than a dozen important camera techniques.

In this excellent book, Story reveals how your digital camera is actually an extension of your vision. In other words, you're the one making the decisions, not the camera!

I bought this after I bought my Canon Powershot S2 IS. Luckily I didn't regret my purchase but I highly recommend that anyone buying a digital camera to buy this book first and read the first two sections of the book to understand all the features available in most modern digital cameras so that they can make an intelligent decision and buy a camera with all the features they need. Everything's explained in an easy to understand manner especially for the photography newbie. Lots of useful practical examples and tips. Easy and short to read, and a great reference. Small size makes it easy to carry in your camera bag or pocket.

This is an ideal gift for a new digital camera owner, or a handy slim guide to take along with you on your vacation. It's short, but it does a good job walking through the basics of digital camera function, picture composition and post processing. There are handy tables at the end of the book that give advice on what settings to use in what conditions.

As I try to expand my knowledge of photography, I have begun to collect a few books covering the subject. However, none are easy to take on a hike (for example). This book easily fits in my camera bag serves as my "cheat sheet" when I'm away from the house taking pictures.

It contains all the basic information you'd expect. Explanation of terms, what all the camera features do, suggestions for shots, etc. I really liked the third section which contains the information on how to set up and take the best shots possible. I would have been happy with another 50 pages on taking pictures in various locations and lighting conditions. The pages are all full color as well - I have the Third Edition.

With three kids, photos are important to me as I want to capture many times of their lives so we may reflect on them with a visual aid. A good photo does make a difference. Again, with three kids, who has time to read a book or take a class to become one with a camera? This book fills that need.

It has three simple chapters with quick reference tables in the back of the book. It's small enough to fit into your camera bag, laptop case, briefcase, suitcase, or jacket pocket. The chapters address what is it?, what do I do?, and how do I? questions.
What is it? covers the basic, intermediate, and advanced features found on digital cameras. It's the shortest chapter as once you get familiar with the features, you won't need the chapter anymore and you still have roughly 85 pages of material to support you when you're out there trying to capture the world you see.

Once you've conquered the buttons and figured out what most of the symbols and modes mean, you're ready to dig deeper into the features and gain control of the camera with answers to your what does it do? types of questions relating to exposure and Flash compensation, white balance, ISO speed, and resolution.

The last chapter is more free flowing as you and the camera have become one. Get tips on taking outdoor and group shots including sporting events where players are moving fast. Capture kids, travel spots, and wedding memories with class. As kids grow up, you may not return to the same places, and weddings happen only once (we would hope, unless it's a renewal of vows).

Adding this book to your camera tool bag is a step forward to better pictures and a better understanding of those fancy photography terms - which aren't a big deal after you read author Derrick Story's simple and clear explanations.

My Sony DSC-S85 was a Christmas gift last year. I've taken literally thousands of photos with it and deleted 80% of them. I've managed a few lucky shots that have impressed people who don't know any better, but my experience thus far has been frustrating at best and maddening most of the time. The owner's manual identifies the components and features, but is written for someone who knows what aperture and exposure and white balance mean and do. Bottom line, I don't. Or at least I didn't until I read this guide in a single sitting. Believe me, I've tried other books. They, too, were written for someone much less ignorant about photography than me. No, I'm not stupid, but this "hobby" was beginning to make me feel that way. Mr. Story wrote this book not for the experienced or even novice photographer but for the completely-clueless-wanna-be-photographer. While the language is not demeaning or patronizing, it clearly explains the common photography terms to which I'd never been exposed and tells me what they mean in terms of creating a viewable, viable photo. Finally, it all makes real sense.

Will I use this Pocket Guide as intended? You bet! It will be wherever my camera is at all times. I may understand it all now, but I won't remember it until I've used my new knowledge a few times. I highly recommend this book for anyone who possesses the most basic digital or the poor fool who, like me, owns way more camera than they think they'll ever know what to do with!!

This was a great book for me. I learned a lot from it and I think it could help anyone

Digital cameras are subject to the same fate as many film cameras: folks are excited to get them and love to take snapshots, but can often be disappointed with the results. The wildlife that seemed so very close at the time turn out to be tiny specks, or you get the perfect portrait of your toddler niece only to find out her skin comes out blue. Fortunately, this is a situation where a little learning can go a long way, and this pocket guide by professional photographer (and MacDevCenter.com editor) Derrick Story may be the best investment you make in your photography.

I should be clear about my own bias here: I work with Derrick at O'Reilly, and I've also been a client of his photography business. That said, I also know that he has an unwavering passion for photography and technology, and he's a great teacher. It's a winning combination for this little book. Digital Photography Pocket Guide distills the essentials of digital photography in a friendly and yet complete portable guide. It's jam-packed with tips and examples and covers an amazing variety of digital camera features.

The guide goes beyond camera features, though, and discusses situations in which you might use them. What should you consider when planning a museum visit? What are some general rules of thumb about composition? This book helps you get the most out of your camera, and the most out of the photographer.

One problem with most how-to photography books is that it's difficult to find the information you need when you're actually in the process of taking photos. That's why I especially like the comprehensive "Quick Reference Charts" in the Appendix of this book. It's all right there. The book is small enough to take with you, but still big on content.

At last, an O'Reilly book that my not-so-technical family can appreciate!