The seller was very helpful and timely in sending this product in time for class.

Pros: This book covers the basics of taking pictures with your digital camera plus managing them on your computer--with everything well illustrated and clearly explained.

Cons: No real cons, although the 2005 publication of the book made me wonder if some parts were somewhat dated.




This full-color, 380-page book provides great information for shooting, sharing, and editing digital photos. Like other "Dummies" books, it is very well written in clear English for beginners and intermediate users of digital photography. Its tips and well-organized information also make it a good reference book for advanced users who will certainly discover things they didn't know. As a book especially for the beginner, it is structured to cover a great variety of subjects, including providing an introduction to the subject of digital photography that places it in historical context with film-based photography.

The book is conveniently organized into five parts. Part 1 is "Peering through the digital viewfinder" and is an overview that also introduces topics that are explored in greater detail later in the book. These include what digital photography is and how it works, type of cameras and how to operate them, saving and displaying digital information, plus what you can do with them on your computer.

Part 2, entitled "Ready, Set, Shoot!," builds on information in the first part by explaining how to achieve the right camera settings, how to control exposure and focus, and in general, how to get optimal pictures.

Part 3 takes your digital photographs from your camera to your computer and beyond into ways to display, share, and print them.

Part 4, called "Tricks of the Digital Trade," provides a great overview of how you can use your computer and various programs to manipulate your digital image to achieve things virtually impossible with older film-based photography. Here you learn important skills like how to sharpen focus, cover flaws, create "new" photos by adding or removing elements, and a lot more.

Part 5 is a review and extension of what you have learned previously, with information structured as a series of "tens": 10 ways to improve your digital images, 10 great ways to use your digital images, and 10 great online resources for digital photographers (at least through 2005).

The book also includes a nice-done glossary explaining the terms used in digital photography that can make the beginner's eyes glaze over. Also helpful is a nice easy-to-use index. In addition, there is a companion website for the book listed on the back cover that would help keep its information current, for those wanting to take the additional time and effort to use it.

My initial approach to reading this book was to thumb through it and view subject headings, illustrations, and whatever caught my interest. Doing that I learned a lot and got a good sense of the subjects. Then I went back to ones of particular interest.

I especially liked the easy explanations of how to set up your camera and choose the right file format to achieve the quality of picture needed for the size photo you want. There were good illustrations of what too much compression does for a photo, and more, for example.

In sum, I found this book quite helpful, well organized, and will be going back to it whenever I have questions about how to use my digital camera to make great photos.

This was the first book on digital photography that I used when first starting out and I'm grateful I found it. It provided a solid foundation on which to build. I still refer to it occasionally. It does devote considerable space to image editing but I personally like this. Let's face it, 99% of people who do digital for very long end up using an editor. I don't use Photoshop, but the information is still useful.

The book has undergone many editions, and I noticed the latest version now in stores is by a different author. I took a look at it and in my opinion Adair's version is better, the fourth edition is anyway. There are a lot of crappy and totally useless books on digital photography out there. I can recommend this one for newbies without hesitation. It gets you started, then you'll learn on your own mostly from trial and error.

Having been an early adapter in digital photography, it is still hard to keep up with techniques and newly availablr formats. This book is great in taking you as far as you might need to go or further if you need to.

I guess I don't think of photo editing as digital photography. When I think digital photography, I'm thinking of the art of photography, taken with a digital camera instead of a film camera. That's all.

Photo editing, to me, is different. If you are looking for a book explaining aperture, exposure, shutter speed, f/stops, etc., this book only has 41 pages on those subjects.

There are 354 pages total (not counting the glossary) and 194 of them are on the photo editing Elements program.

I found myself skipping and skimming and flipping for more information. As if I had missed something, I would find myself going back and re-reading and still being let down. I wanted a book on taking better pictures, not taking OKAY pictures, and fixing them later with an outside program - and maybe that's my fault with the definition I have in my head. I didn't want a book on Elements, as I don't have that program.

I like how the book just breaks it all down and takes learning this subject step by step. The author also brings humor to the subject, which makes the reading an easy one. Published in 2005, things have advanced a lot, but the basic info is there. For instance, cameras with 4MP are considered the best in this book, and a 128MB memory card is considered the highest amount. These are minor and what you're reading the book for is the key phrase learning steps (f-stops, apeture, shutter, etc). Keeping that in mind and realizing that technology advances so quickly, it's a good basic book to start with.

Like all the 'For Dummies' books this one assumes that you are not really dumb but that you don't have much knowledge about the subject at hand. It fits in very well with the recent dramatic drop in prices of digital cameras. As I look at the array of cameras at the local stores, digitals now outnumber film by a couple of dozen to one.

As you would expect, the book starts with a general introduction to the cameras and the technology. The third chapter gets down to 'In Search of the Perfect Camera.' It can't help but be a bit out of date, for instance in talking about how many megapixels to buy she starts with VGA resolution and goes up to four megapixels. Just in the time it took to get this book into print (and it's already in its fifth edition) even inexpensive cameras now have more than four. In fact I just got an ad today for an 8 megapixel camera for $119.

About a third of the book is on using your PC to modify the pictures. She uses Adobe Photoshop Elements (the low cost version of Photoshop) as the photo editing software, and gives a very good introduction to the basic functionality.

All in all, an excellent introduction to the subject, just as you would expect from a 'For Dummies' book - a very good value for the money.

Like all the 'For Dummies' books this one assumes that you are not really dumb but that you don't have much knowledge about the subject at hand. It fits in very well with the recent dramatic drop in prices of digital cameras. As I look at the array of cameras at the local stores, digitals now outnumber film by a couple of dozen to one.

As you would expect, the book starts with a general introduction to the cameras and the technology. The third chapter gets down to 'In Search of the Perfect Camera.' It can't help but be a bit out of date, for instance in talking about how many megapixels to buy she starts with VGA resolution and goes up to four megapixels. Just in the time it took to get this book into print (and it's already in its fifth edition) even inexpensive cameras now have more than four. In fact I just got an ad today for an 8 megapixel camera for $119.

About a third of the book is on using your PC to modify the pictures. She uses Adobe Photoshop Elements (the low cost version of Photoshop) as the photo editing software, and gives a very good introduction to the basic functionality.

All in all, an excellent introduction to the subject, just as you would expect from a 'For Dummies' book - a very good value for the money.

Sorry but I haven't received yet the book.
Could you verify my problem
Thanks
Andrea Parmigiani

Very, very basic. Even the "technical info" was very basic and offered little technical insight. All digital editing information is from the single prospective of Photoshop Elements - a great plug for Adobe - though nowhere on the cover is it stated that the book's editing tips are based soley on this single editor. Maybe a third of the book was devoted to editing so a third of the book for those without AP Elements software is of very little value. Not much to learn from the book unless you have never owned a camera or taken a snapshot - in that case this book would likely have some utility to get you started.

This is a good intro book for those not familiar with the topic or those who need a quick refresher. The book follows the typical "Dummies" structure. It serves as a good introduction to digital photography, but do not expect a lot of advanced information or getting knee-deep on specific topics.

It does have a few minor inaccuracies, and some things could have been presented/phrased in a better way or explained in more detail, but again, when you try to write an intro book it is going to be a series of compromises.

I don't use Photo Elements. I also already know how to turn the camera on and press the shutter release. I was hoping this book would be like a beginning photo course, and that I would at least see some features like shutter vs aperature priorities, but I didn't see that type of stuff. (Actually I have done a bit of normal 35mm SLR stuff, it is only digital that is new to me). If you are a total newbie to all photography then this book would be better.

I don't use Photo Elements. I also already know how to turn the camera on and press the shutter release. I was hoping this book would be like a beginning photo course, and that I would at least see some features like shutter vs aperature priorities, but I didn't see that type of stuff. (Actually I have done a bit of normal 35mm SLR stuff, it is only digital that is new to me). If you are a total newbie to all photography then this book would be better.

Digital Photography for Dummies is the first Dummies book I have read. It is fully updated and revised now in FULL COLOR.
I can't imagine understanding all about RGB, CYMK and other colorful acronyms in chapter 2 if the diagrams were in black and white, color speaks volumes.
Digital Photography for Dummies shows you anything and everything you need to know about Digital Photography.
There are 16 chapters divided into 5 parts.
Covers understanding the differences between digital cameras and film cameras, also the pros and cons of digital photography.
It also gets involved with color, resolution and image size, some nice diagrams of RGB Channels, nice section of pixels and print quality, what's the difference in 300ppi, 150ppi, 72ppi, if you didn't know you do now.
Take a look at the shutter and aperture in a traditional film camera, worth a look.
Comparing SLR's and point-and-shoot cameras, also covers digital cameras removable media types.
A great tip on using non digital lenses with a digital body (Not all cameras do this) a great tip.
It also takes a look at transferring images to your computer, imaging software.
Making initial set up decisions, involves files, format understanding quality and picture size settings, this book really gets to grips with digital characteristics of your camera, resolution, white balance options, using flash, tweaking exposure.
Do I use flash or not? Here is the answer.
A blurry image is it poor focusing, or an unsteady hand? How you hold the camera is very important.
Covers capturing action shots, panoramas, zooming and camera noise, also camera raw, transferring files via camera to computer.
A good section on digital photography, choosing a printer, inkjet or laser. Choosing paper, the paper you choose can make your images have a completely different effect.
Using your photo's on the web, preparing your pictures for the screen. Making changes to part of a picture, why and when.
A good glossary in the back explains all those technical words.
I liked the use of the icons throughout the book, bringing important information to your attention.

Conclusion:
This is a very good book for readers who are new to digital photography. Advanced users may know most of the information but again the book is for Dummies.
Full of great information may be some information you will never need, but the information is better in than left out.
Diagrams are clear and clean, it's also nice to see screen shots from windows machines.
You don't get a CD with the book, bet you don't need one.

I give this book five (5) out of five (5).

[...]

I have been using a digital camera for some time and recently started taking pictures for different organizations. I wanted to "kick my picture taking up a knotch" and this book helped me with suggestions on equipment, software and general knowledge everyone can use. You would not be wasteing your money on this book.

Basic digital photography can be learned from this book. But there are too many pages of fluff and filler. More space is devoted to the value of using a tripod than making the most of basic camera functions.

Book devotes alot of space to using Photoshop Elements for editing. Valuable if you happen to buy that product. Product sample is included on CD. But book is VERY unclear on how to use the components of PE. Far from step-by-step. Big gaps are left in the explanations and it is rarely possible to follow an editing process from beginning to end.

Can't recommend this book. Not a credit to Dummies.

I have never read the any of the "Dummies" books...I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of this particular "Dummy" book. Digital Photography for Dummies contains just about anything you need to know about the world of digital cameras: storing images, transferring images, printing etc. and a bunch of (well marked) trivia you'll never use but you'll be glad you read....

It seems digital cameras and taking photos with aforementioned equipment isn't quite enough to fill an entire book. To skirt the lack of material afforded by concentrating solely on the taking a good picture and being done with the whole mess Digital Photography for Dummies includes plenty of pages spent on various digital image-editing programs. This may seem odd to those of you who are used to the way some traditional photography books read (many focus on getting the picture right the first time) but once you accept the benefits of going digital the inclusion of methods to manipulate the image is necessary. As Julie Adair King notes: you can make a pretty average picture into a pretty good picture if you spend a little time with a decent image-editing program. Don't believe Julie Adair King? That's okay Digital Photography for Dummies is packaged with a compact disc that contains a bevy of useful software including a Photoshop Elements demo so you can actually see for yourself just how powerful digital photography can be.

One of the better features of Digital Photography for Dummies is the photo examples found throughout. Julie Adair King's visual examples are the best use of figures I have ever run across. Every point Julie Adair King makes with a figure is very well made...Digital Photography for Dummies also includes something that I once thought I would never see in a twenty-five dollar digital photography book: Color Plates. Jammed right into the middle of Digital Photography for Dummies are sixteen pages of color plates. These pages are particularly informative and you're not going to get close to Digital Photography for Dummies's level of instruction with a book that is entirely grayscale.

Still, Digital Photography for Dummies has some miscues and errors. I'll focus on one: Apparently Photographers are ignorant to the standards of science...on the whole the book is very good. The inclusion of color plates is outstanding and Julie Adair King's touch with the visuals is remarkable. Go to your local bookstore and toss any books without color plates in favor of this one...

Covers all the important things that you had to learn as a film photographer. Lots of great ideas for getting the most out of a digital camera, like things that you had to pay Kodak for in the past. Calendars, cards, stationery, photos in data bases are but few of the tips offered. Intros to the software available for touch-up too.

Covers all the important things that you had to learn as a film photographer. Lots of great ideas for getting the most out of a digital camera, like things that you had to pay Kodak for in the past. Calendars, cards, stationery, photos in data bases are but a few of the tips offered. To help you decide how to get the most of your pictures, a CD is included. It provides demos and trial versions of various image editing software and links to the product web sites.

As a newbie to the field of digital photography, I found Julie's book to be extremely helpful. If you are new to this field like I am, disgregard the prior negative review. She does a very good job in explaining digital cameras and how they work. The included softward is outstanding and worth the price of the book alone. I read the book from cover to cover and can recommend it wholeheartedly.

Have you ever uncomfortably sat through one of those movies where a great comedian decides he has to become a great actor (Jim Carrey, Robin Williams)? Or a great actor decides he needs to do comedy (Robert De Niro)? I feel the exact same way about this author and this book.

Julie Adair King has no problem covering the basics of Digital Photography. She does a great job discussing the underlying technology of a digital cam (which is invaluable in picking out which camera is right for you to buy), tips on taking better pictures, exporting your pictures, touching up your photos, and finally printing them out. And this author is wonderful at describing this new technology in 'laymen's terms' for...well, for us dummies.

My only complaint about the book is where Ms. King tries to interject the classic humor that the 'FOR DUMMIES' book series is known for. She's definitely out of her element here. I can remember reading some of the first 'FOR DUMMIES' books that came out for computers. They were so well written, that you never realized that you were being taught, you could almost read them like a novel.

This book is great if you want to use it as a textbook, but it just doesn't have the flow and humor of the other books in this series. I guess if i want a page turner, I'll have to stick to ROBERT B PARKER mystery novels.

I'm pretty computer savvy, but knew little about digital cameras or photo manipulation software until I read this book. It's a very good primer and especially strong on the uses of graphics software. It's extremely readable for a computer tome, but yet has enough detail to use as a reference. I also found the programs on the enclosed disc to be a good sample of what's out there.

I found this book to be very helpful in producing excellent digital images. The examples were extremely well explained. Editing and creating a final product are important when using a digital camera and this book covered the topics really well.

I found this book to be a great guide for a person who uses digital photography as a hobby. It was easy to understand and following the step by step directions made one feel good about the finished product. Whether using digital photography for fun or for more serious production, this book is a great help.

This book is an OK overview of some basic photo software techniques, but really fails to say much about digital photography, that being the use of digital cameras. If you want a book that's mostly about photo editing software you could do much better, and that's the fundamantal point to this book. If you actually want to learn about digital cameras and digital photography look elsewhere, because this book has very little to say on the topic.