Showing posts with label scott kelby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label scott kelby. Show all posts

The Digital Photography Book, Volume 3 Review

The Digital Photography Book, Volume 3
Average Reviews:

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I like Scott's first two volumes. But this one is lost in repetition, filler and useless information. I am not sure what kind of photographers' author is trying to target, typically it should be advanced photographers as it is 3rd volume. Some reviewers mentioned that it's good for beginners but I don't think so it contained some advance info and some very basic stuff and it also keep referring to 1st and 2nd volumes.
Good:
If you are product photographer then you have got some information in this book.
Bad:
Repetition Topics: A few examples...
1. Sharpest Aperture: We already discussed this in first two books and same info is shared as topic.
2. Wake up early in the morning.
3. Most of topics in Sports are already covered.
4. As usual screen shot of B&H Photo-Video site which is not relevant to that topic. Ohh wait! This time it's different page not homepage. Why do we require this site's pictures while author is trying to explain myth about card speed.
Filler: This is interesting. A few examples, these points are covered as full page topic in book.
1. There is separate whole topic on how to change lens. (May be in Vol-4, Scott will cover how to properly charge/install battery)
2. How to clean lenses.
3. Shortcut for formatting memory card.
4. Resetting camera setting.
Come on! These topics are covered in detail in operating manuals of every DSLR/Lens.
5. As usual too much advertising of websites and expensive gears.
I was expecting real professional info/tips and going beyond volumes 1 and 2, not the same information/filler. This book is certainly not for me. If you really want to get some interesting tips, you may want to check out `Understanding Exposure:...' by Bryan Peterson.


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Scott Kelby, author of The Digital Photography Book, volume 1 (the world's best-selling digital photography book of all time), is back with a follow-up to his volume 2 smash best seller, with an entirely new book that picks up right where he left off. It's even more of that "Ah ha—so that's how they do it," straight-to-the-point, skip-the-techno-jargon stuff you can really use today to make your shots even better.This book truly has a brilliant premise, and here's how Scott describes it: "If you and I were out on a shoot and you asked me, 'Hey Scott, I want the light for this portrait to look really soft and flattering. How far back should I put this softbox?' I wouldn't give you a lecture about lighting ratios, or flash modifiers. In real life, I'd just turn to you and say, 'Move it in as close to your subject as you possibly can, without it actually showing up in the shot.' Well, that's what this book is all about: you and I out shooting where I answer questions, give you advice, and share the secrets I've learned, just like I would with a friend—without all the technical explanations and techie photo speak."Each page covers a single concept on how to make your photography better. Every time you turn the page, you'll learn another pro setting, tool, or trick to transform your work from snapshots into gallery prints. If you're tired of taking shots that look "okay," and if you're tired of looking in photography magazines and thinking, "Why don't my shots look like that?" then this is the book for you.This isn't a book of theory—full of confusing jargon and detailed concepts. This is a book on which button to push, which setting to use, and when to use it. With nearly 200 more of the most closely guarded photographic "tricks of the trade," this book gets you shooting dramatically better-looking, sharper, more colorful, more professional-looking photos every time.

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The Digital Photography Book, Volume 2 Review

The Digital Photography Book, Volume 2
Average Reviews:

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The digital photography handbook,
This is the most helpful book on digital photography I have seen in a while. Each page of the book has some scenario and a ways to work with is to get the best possible shot. It's also covers many different ways to overcome what ever adverse shooting situation you might be. Kelby Talks about cheap ways to overcome situations. He also talks about more expensive ways to overcome situations. On each subject where he discusses a scenario there are usually multiple photos to show you each effect of each solution will have on the photo. Each subject is covered very well in about two pages. The photography is outstanding and in color.
Kelby covers all types of digital photography from portraiture to landscape, lighting flashes, different types of digital cameras.
Kelby covers using a flash, building a studio from scratch, shooting portraits like a pro, shooting landscapes like a pro, shooting weddings like a pro, shooting travel like a pro, shooting macro like a pro, pro tips for getting photos and more photo recipes to help you get the shot. All of these subject are covered very well.
The book is written in an easy to understand, easy to read and with some humor. Each topic is about one page in length.
I consider myself to me an intermediate photographer and I can say that this is and continue to be very helpful to me. I This is a must for the beginner to intermediate photographer. The book is small enough to carry in your camera equipment bag. This book is packed with information and extremely helpful tips.

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The iPhone Book, Third Edition (Covers iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, and iPod Touch) (3rd Edition) Review

The iPhone Book, Third Edition (Covers iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, and iPod Touch) (3rd Edition)
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I reviewed the 2nd edition of this book, and now here is my review for the 3rd edition.
This edition INCLUDES info for the 3G, the 3Gs, and the iPod touch.
I own many other Peachpit books (mostly for computer software), and three others by these authors: one by Scott Kelby (alone) and two by Scott and Terry White together (including the 2nd edition of this particular book). This is just as fantastic as my other Kelby books, if not more so.
I originally got this book (2nd edition - prior to the 3.0 firmware upgrade) because even though I was familiar with PDA phones (due to owning a Palm Treo for over two years), I was NOT familiar with the Apple iPhone. I had a feeling my new iPhone 3G had a bunch of hidden goodies I didn't know about, and this book proved me right. I bought my iPhone first, then this book. I fell in love with my iPhone the first week of using it, and this book made my love even deeper the second week! (As of re-writing this review, I have had my iPhone 3G for over seven (7) months.)
This book is illustrated with COLOR screen shots on EACH AND EVERY PAGE. It includes beginner, intermediate, and advanced instructions/hints/tips, so no matter what you want to use this phone for this book tells you how to do it - in EASY TO UNDERSTAND wording. It's like learning with your friend who talks like a regular person instead of a techie!
On some pages (at the bottom of the page) the authors include an additional tip (they nickname 'iTips') on whatever tool you are learning about. These tips can include external links to other websites to explore, or just shortcuts on how to make your iPhone experience more enjoyable.
In a tight economy, this book is a time saver (you know ... "time is money" ...) AND a money saver - the info on how to create your OWN free ringtones saves you money, and allows you to choose your own music instead of relying on what is available thru iTunes.
It is a quick and easy read - I literally read the entire book from cover to cover in about an hour and a half - and you walk away from it feeling smarter and more confident. The BEST thing is that you can refer back to it again and again to refresh yourself or learn something new.
You can also skip around - you DON'T have to read the chapters in order. Skim, scan, pick, choose. It's all good!
Here is the Table of Contents: (for the 3rd edition)
pages xvi-xvii - 7 things you'll wish you had known before reading this book (read it, trust me you'll be glad you did!)
Chapter 1: The Bare Essentials (the stuff you have to learn first)
Chapter 2: Phoneheads (how to use the iPhone's phone)
Chapter 3: Please Mr. Postman (getting and sending email on your iPhone)
Chapter 4: Surfin' Safari (using the iPhone's Safari web browser)
Chapter 5: Tool Time (iPhone's tools for organizing your life)
Chapter 6: The Song Remains the Same (using iTunes, the iTunes store, and the App store)
Chapter 7: Video Killed the Radio Star (using the iPhone's built-in iPod)
Chapter 8: One Hour Photo (enjoying photos on your iPhone)
Chapter 9: Cereal Killer (killer tips and tricks) THIS ROCKS!!
Chapter 10: The Trouble with Boys (troubleshooting your iPhone) This could also be called "Tips & Tricks, part 2".
Chapter 11: Setting Me Off (the ins & outs of your iPhone's settings)
Index
There are two additional FANTASTIC bonuses included with this book:
1. a link to a BONUS video
2. FREE online access to this book
I am CONVINCED that this book was written for "non-techies", as well as techies. Since I am somewhere in the middle, I found a few things I already knew, but many things I did not. (Granted, I do NOT use an "exchange server" connection for my email, but if I did I would know how to do it.)
I took a one-day Kelby training seminar last year, and was so very grateful for all the generous "bonuses" that came with my seminar fee. This book is NO exception to the generosity of Kelby. These folks just want all of us to be happy with our technology, and it shows.
I can't thank the authors enough for this book. I want to hug both of them and tell them it has changed (ENRICHED) my user experience of my iPhone. If you only glean ONE new technique, then it is more than worth it.
Thanks to all involved in writing this book!

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