This book's title made me skeptical at first. Is there really enough difference between digital photography and traditional photography to fill a book? We see so many books that use current buzzwords in their titles, even though said buzzword has little to do with the true subject matter of the book.
December 8, 1998
Once I started reading, however, I found that Learn Digital Photography in a Weekend is a very good book that covers its proclaimed subject matter very thoroughly and well. General photographic topics like composition and lighting are covered, but everything is discussed in the context of digital photography. And, as the title implies, the book is mainly about taking photographs, not about digitally manipulating them in Photoshop, although that topic is covered also.
Another refreshing surprise about Learn Digital Photography in a Weekend is that the authors are photographers, not simply computer experts who did a little brushing up on photography, as is the case with so many books. Their knowledge of photography and commitment to quality shine through in every chapter. Unlike so many computer boosters who insist that low-quality solutions are "good enough" for most folks, the Brauns tell it like it is. A decent digital camera, with the necessary accessories, will cost you about $1,000. Any camera with a resolution of less than 1,000,000 pixels (a "sub-megapixel" camera) is a child's toy.
Many people mistakenly believe that if their intended use for a digital photograph is the same size the camera provides or smaller, there is little purpose to purchasing a camera capable of higher resolutions.
[However,]…
Digital photographs are like other types of data - the better the initial quality, the better the output of any kind.
The authors also quite rightly point out that, if you want advice about digital cameras, you should go to a camera store, NOT a computer store. They've also learned that it's a bad idea to seek advice at stores that only carry one or two brand names. Whatever brand the store happens to carry will coincidentally turn out to be the best, while all others are crap. Find a store that carries a wide range of models from several manufacturers.
No "consumer" digital camera (those with price tags under $10,000) comes close to the quality of film (yet), so digital cameras aren't for everyone. Of course, for Web developers, digital cameras are just the thing. Again, these authors are pros who know their stuff, not blissfully ignorant computer-worshippers like the authors of so many other books.
Digital photography differs from the traditional kind in several ways. Most obvious, you don't have to worry about wasting film. Also, since the photos can easily be manipulated in software, a lot of things that can ruin a traditional photo are not that big a deal with a digital cam. For example, if a photo is too dark, it may not be a problem, as this can often be fixed in software. Of course, digital photography has its own disadvantages too. Digital cameras don't do well in very bright light, for one thing.
There's lots of good photographic advice here, with tips on how to shoot various types of subjects, how to deal with different lighting conditions, and how to choose lenses and filters. There is also very extensive information about the features of various digital camera models, and advice on how to choose one. The authors cover the basics of scanning, and offer pretty detailed information about using image-editing software.
The Kodak DC-260 and the Olympus D-100%L are discussed here more often than others, as these were two of the best consumer-level digital cameras available when the book was written. As the authors point out, of course, this field is changing fast, with new models coming out daily (it seems).
Digital photography is a natural for Web developers, and can be useful and fun for anyone who takes pictures. Learn Digital Photography in a Weekend is an excellent companion to that digital camera. The added utility you'll get from your camera makes this book a very good investment.
