Best book to learn photography?

[Starbucks Anarchist]

I'm totally new to this photography thing and was wondering what's a good introductory book that explains the basics in detail.

Keep in mind, I'm not a technical person, but I can understand it if it's explained simply.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[CC]

1. I just finished one called

Perfect Digital Photography by Jay Kinghorn and Jay Dickman that is really good and I thought easy to understand. Easy enough I told my SO to try reading through and using it (and he really knows zip about photography). Though it says digital it could be used for film in some parts. The first half is on photography itself, the second half on photo-shop (which can translate to paint-shop too) for photographers. They use great example pics to show what they are explaining and great little hints and tips extras that most of us might not think about. Both had long histories in film photography first and did the switch to digital. I would check the local library first for it and other books. Or spend a day in the book store really looking through what they have for more books.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

4. Thanks.

[Boo_Radley]

2. Book we're using at school

Is Photography 8th Edition By London, Upton, Stone, Kobre & Brill.

It's been a very good book for getting to understand all the basics. It covers everything you could need, though in an introductory form. Like how film works, why depth of field increases with a smaller aperature, what all those numbers on your lenses mean, what's a shutter, lighting schematics and all sorts of things.

It's expensive, like a hundred bucks, but it's also filled with good, high color, semi gloss photographs to demonstrate different ideas with example photography. I've been pretty happy with it.

It also has a companion website with chapter quizzes and examples and stuff.

It's worth looking into. Oh, and it covers film and digital, and a very basic introduction to photoshop, too.

[CC]

3. I have that book, picked it up

at a booksale.(Live near two colleges with very good photo programs so can find these things) It is a very good thorough book but I couldn't get the hubby to do more than glance through it. But he is difficult to get to actually read to learn. I keep it for me for reference. I didn't know about the website though.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

5. Yeah, I always see that one around.

I was looking around for cheaper versions. Do you know if there are any major differences between editions?
I ask because I saw 6th and 7th editions for far more reasonable prices.

Also, I was thinking of getting a digital SLR camera, which I understand to be a pro/semi-pro camera you can modify with lens, etc., but with a digital display, correct?

Any thoughts on specific brands/models at reasonable prices? Thanks again.

[Boo_Radley]

6. It's used as a textbook so . . .

There's probably no significant difference between editions. It's common for textbook printers to make minor changes so they can sell new books each year. Otherwise, almost all of the students buy used. I don't know if that applies to this book, but it probably odes. The only thing I would think would really be subject to change would be anything they have on photoshop. I mean, the idea of light diffusion or framing pictures, the basic principles of color film, the concept of an adjustable aperature, etc., hasn't changed in the last year, so a year old copy should be just fine.

Also, you may consider looking in used book stores, or see if your local university or community college has any used. Off-campus book stores are generally far cheaper than on-campus book stores, if you've been looking at those.

As far as a digital SLR, you'll find that Canon and Nikon are the most reccommended. Some people swear by one, and some people swear by the other. They're both very high quality, though. I use a Nikon D70, and I think it would be impossible for me to be any happier with it than I am, as an introductory digital SLR camera. I absolutely love the thing. Nikon also has the D50, which is very similar, but slightly downgraded, and significantly cheaper. You can get them for around $500 to $600. THe D70s (the current version of my two year old D70) is a little over a thousand. Canon has some comprable models that the Canon shooters would know more about.

Look at the camera reviews and feature lists, and the side-by-sides at http://www.dpreview.com/

[Starbucks Anarchist]

7. Great!

Thanks very much! :hi: