Stunning Digital Photography

As you can tell from the title, this review refers to the Kindle version, not the hard copy. I used to own a Canon T3i, and bought a couple of books specific to the use of that camera. I ended up giving it (and the books) to my oldest son, who is now in college and loves photography. I splurged (income tax refund) on a 6D, which I had been lusting after for quite a while. I then started hunting for books specific to it, but only one Kindle version was available at the time (this one: Canon 6D Experience - The Still Photography Guide to Operation and Image Creation with the Canon EOS 6D ). No hard copies were yet published, but there were several you could buy in advance. I ended up buying the Kindle version mentioned, and it has proven to be a pretty good resource for operating the camera. But then, it occurred to me that it would make more sense to get a more generic book on the basics of how to take great photos, one that is applicable to all DSLR cameras, rather than one that relates to my camera only. So, after a search, I saw this one with the great reviews, read those reviews specific to the Kindle version, and I decided to buy. Let me say right out front, NO REGRETS AT ALL on my purchase. The book takes you step-by-step through every facet of how to operate a DSLR and the things to consider before you snap the shutter. Every chapter has video links that take you to lessons related to what you've been reading (you need to be WiFi connected to access them, BTW). The videos do a great job of emphasizing what you have been learning. The only negative about them is that some of them appear to have been made to promote the book, probably posted to YouTube or some other media, which seems a little odd when you've obviously already bought the book and are accessing the video through it. One thing I do like, though, is that within some of the videos, Mr. Northrup leaves in bloopers or funny moments that would normally be taken out...it gives you a needed break from the seriousness of the lessons and they're just downright fun to watch. The videos have played on my Kindle Fire HD 8.9" with no issues, and their quality is outstanding....impressive, actually. The chapters also have excellent photos that help to underline the lesson being taught. You can enlarge them for better viewing, which also requires a WiFi connection. At the end of each chapter, you're given practice exercises to go out and perform so you can get hands-on experience to further ingrain what you have learned. Like most books of this nature, you will get out of it what you put into it. If you take it seriously and apply yourself, and apply what is being taught through the practice exercises, once finished you will walk away knowing a great deal more than you did when you started...and that's the whole point, right? Of course, I am making that statement as related to those of us who are learning photography. If you are already highly skilled in photography, and by that I mean you could write a book like this yourself, then it probably isn't for you. He does mention at the start of certain sections, however, something to the effect of "If you are already proficient in this area, skip to section...." Thus, the book is presumably worthwhile for those with intermediate to advanced skills as well. I'll know more about that as I get farther into it. Lastly, I will point out that Mr. Northrup has a real skill for teaching via text and video. He takes you through the process in a very practical and methodical manner. He explains things in simple terms, while at the same time does not make you feel you're being talked down to. Because of the way this Kindle version is put together, with the videos and photos interlaced throughout the text, it really makes the learning process an enjoyable experience. Right now I am about halfway through the book. I usually try to read a chapter or two every evening. As I continue to get deeper into it, if my opinion changes for whatever reason, I will update the review. At this point, however, I feel very confident in saying that if you have a color tablet, and if you want to learn how to get the best out of your DSLR, this is the digital book to have.

This book is a crazy-bananas-insane good deal. For the same price as a late night run to Taco Bell, you get an incredibly useful book which is optimized for digital reading, hours upon hours of priceless video, PLUS a Facebook and Community group for ongoing learning. Part of the thing that has made photography books useless to me in the past is the fact that I can't take them with me. That 1,000 page DSLR tome is awesome when I am sitting on the sofa, but out in the field I find myself staring at the LCD screen of my camera straining to remember what it was that I am supposed to do in order to catch the perfect shot. Something about the F-stop? With this book I can bust out my iPhone and read about any situation - from getting that macro bee-in-a-flower shot to capturing the excitement of Fourth of July fireworks - so that I never have to miss that perfect shot again. And if that wasn't enough, I can also watch a video that will give me even more information on getting things right, no matter where I am. All of that is great, but how is the content, you ask? Phenomenal. I've been shooting for 20 years (on and off) and I decided that I needed a refresher course. This book proved not only to be great for a beginner, but great for the intermediate photographer as well. I found plenty of tips and information that I didn't know I needed, but already it is making a huge difference in the quality of my pictures. Plus, the videos aren't just informative, they are entertaining. That makes it much easier to learn because not only are you getting the info you need, but you are having fun while doing it. And unlike some books, which tend to either just harp on technical aspects or only cover the more creative aspects, Stunning Digital Photography covers it all. On top of all of that, you get free updates anytime the book is updated. I literally have 3 copies of my previous go-to photography guide in my basement because I had to buy a new copy every time the technology changed. That's 90 bucks worth of books. But this book is (right now) just 10 bucks and will never be out of date. What? I really can't recommend this book enough if you want to know more about the world of digital photography. For the price, you have nothing to lose, but it would be worth it even at 10 times the cost. I almost feel guilty, like I should have paid more. It's like getting a photography learning course for the cost of a paperback.

I have recently purchased a Nikon 3100 and bought the corresponding "dummies" book, which about matches my photography expertise. So, now I know how to use my new camera....right? Nope. Now I need education on how to take photographs with my fancy new toy so that they look better than my iPhone snapshots. Enter Tony's book. Since there are a ton of reviews on the paper version, you can pretty much figure out that the content is excellent. I will focus on the electronic version. First of all, this is a great book in any form--hard copy or ebook. However, as far as I can tell, there are a bunch of great paper books out there on DSLR photography. When I downloaded the Kindle sample and read through it, I knew that the ebook format was the way to go. I've owned a Kindle since version 1, and now own the Fire. Tony's book should be a primer on how to properly create an ebook. The embedded links and videos, as well as the ability to grab the sample photos and enlarge for detailed study (need an Internet connection for the latter two items) is invaluable to rank photography newbs like me. The videos are top-notch and contain many side-by-side examples of how pictures are improved when applying the techniques that are covered in the video. The videos are stuck in the appropriate place in the book, which leads to excellent learning flow as you build on the lessons. The experiences on the Kindle Fire and the iPad and PC Kindle apps are equally excellent. Tony has indicated that he plans on improving and updating the ebook contents, which all buyers will be able to download as they become available. This is a refreshing change to the "quick scan, make a buck and forget" mentality that the big publishers follow. I will try to update my review as this new content becomes available. Finally, the price. Tony has evidently not subscribed to the overpriced ebook mentality that has been the source of thousands of complaints on Amazon. Compared to the phyiscal version, he is charging about half. Obviously Tony wants to sell many books reasonably rather than try to gouge us buyers. Again, very refreshing. I am looking forward to improving my nonexistent skills over the years using Tony's book as my teacher. No matter which version you buy, you will do well. However, I strongly suggest you go for the ebook.

These days books have to compete with videos and YouTube. Tony Northrup had the idea to combine the two. He produced a beginner’s book on photography that comes with 12 hours of online videos that further explain the topics covered. Many of these videos are already available on his YouTube channels but some are exclusive to the book. He also promises to update the information and videos for life. This is an ambitious undertaking. He provides chapters on camera control, lighting, portraits, weddings, wildlife, landscapes, night photography, HDR, macro and underwater photography in 232 pages. This breath means that only basic information can be provided on each genera. Obviously many entire books have been written on each topic so don’t expect to this one to take you into the details and whys. It will give you a basic introduction to many topics and provides tips on how to get started. Each chapter ends a few ideas for practice and a quiz on the material. The book could use a little tighter editing. It also offers some advice that could be better explained, like take a lot of shots and delete most of them. There are occasions when it is appropriate to hold the shutter button down but there are also times when the light will not last and you have to get it right in one exposure. I would recommend this book for a beginner who wants to survey many areas of photography. As they say, a journey of a thousand miles starts with a one step. This book is a good first step but will not take you to the journey’s end.

Buy this book, join the Facebook group and their online forum (only open to people who buy the book). I am astounded (which isn't easily achieved with me) at what a great investment this has been. The book is written very well. It has a lot of very deep but useable information. The authors are very experienced in what they do. And they are relaxed about stuff and easy to listen to and watch on video. Most importantly, it inspires me put my Kindle down, grab my camera and go take photos. Some of their suggestions are quite simple: Lean against a tree to get a more stable shot. Some of their suggestions are very technical. Their best suggestion "Take tons of pictures, delete most of them". The book is great, informative, full of videos that are very easily accessible with smart devices or your computer. But the book is just the tip of the iceberg. People who purchase this book gain access to a dynamic, living community of photographers from all over the world. The people in this community are helpful, kind, honest and all want 1 thing; to help each other take the best photos possible. But, the (e)book is updated constantly with new products, reviews, etc. There is even a chance to send your photos to the authors who will then do a substantial video of them opening, critiquing, editing, improving, complimenting reader's photos. You can see how they would "tweak" the photo to make it a little "better" (better being a subjective term, but they're pretty good so I listen to their opinions very closely). Ok, I've typed enough words here. Let me finish by saying I feel like I got a $5,000 membership to a photography club with many great teachers, all for the price of one little eBook.

I LOVE this book! I have learned so much in the short time I have had it! The book is very complete, from basics to advanced photography tips. Being new to photography, I was skeptical that I could learn from a book. Boy, was I wrong! This is like having a course in photography with the best teacher you've ever had! It's well written, not boring (like some books), as he does not get all crazy technical and bog you down with lots of technical terms that melt your brain cells. That's important for those of us just starting out! You do learn those terms, they just aren't thrown at you, all at once. There are lots of videos, great pictures to illustrate the things you are learning, and even tips for how to use your specific camera. Oh, and the FB group is an excellent way to get advice. I am not disappointed that I bought it, and think it is a steal for the price, considering all that you get, and how effective it is! Buy it, you will NOT regret it!

I have read this book through once on my old black and white Kindle. I need to read it through again on my computer so I can see the example photos in color and click on the video links. That said, I find this to be a great book for someone like myself who has been taking photos for a long time without knowing much about how the camera works. I have a Nikon D5100 with a Nikon 18-200mm lens and a Tokina macro 100mm F 2.8 D. I take photos when out walking, lots of flower photos, and award photos for the American Orchid Society. I should say not very good award photos for the AOS judging center in my area. I had been stumbling along, not really understanding anything about the ISO setting or distances, using aperture mode (at least I had learned a little about depth of focus) and manual focus, and learning very, very slowly. I learned so much from this book about how I can improve my photos to get the type of shots I want. This book has up to date information on digital photography. It explains why I would want to shoot my award photos in RAW, why I would want to use processing software more sophisticated than iPhoto and what I should expect to get out of it. I also understand now why I will never get great bird and wildlife photos like those I see online. Because I am not willing, at least right now, to invest the time and effort to plan and execute the shots and to buy the equipment that would make that possible. But this book tells you how to do it. And having more knowledge I now know what an idiot I sound like if I ask someone what camera settings they used to get that photo - there is so much more to it! There is a huge amount of information on how to shoot weddings, how to shoot indoor shots in low light, how to take portraits, and how to shoot sports events. I wasn't much interested in most of that, at least not right now, but the chapter on portraits is very helpful even for taking casual portraits. I can now chose the best location in the immediate vicinity (which spot in the backyard or inside the house) to take those shots and have people look their best at family gatherings. I did get a lot out of all of the information on lighting. I found this book to be very worthwhile and would recommend it for anyone who has reached the point in their photography where they would like to see improvement in their photos. It is within easy reach with this book.

I seldom review the books I read, even though I am a voracious reader who lately is reading everything about photography I can find. However, this book, and Tony Northrup’s Lightroom book, are so outstanding, so head and shoulders above just about everything else, that I feel compelled to spread the message to get his books. The book is perfect for the Kindle, and incorporates a novel technique that I am beginning to see others use as well. You read for a while, and then, when appropriate, you are invited to click on a link to a video on the web, much like a You Tube Video, where Tony, and often his charming wife, Chelsea, give a video instruction, where you can watch the technique under discussion being used in practice. The book is divided up into neat chapters devoted to just about every discrete subject that you can think of that ought to be mastered by the serious digital photographer. The chapters on nature photography interested me in particular. The book is full of practical tips, and he will even on occasion tell you what brand of equipment offers the best bang for the buck. The subjects are addressed lucidly with just enough detail to be complete, without wearying the reader. This is not to suggest that he skimps. He doesn’t. If you read this book cover to cover, and watch the videos, you will be well on your way to mastering the art of digital photography. Do the same with his book on Lightroom, which is every bit as good as this book. The author and his wife are actually very likable. You can’t help thinking these are people that would be fun to hang out with. They enjoy their chosen profession. That is apparent. And their enthusiasm is infectious. I cannot praise this book (and the Lightroom book) enough. If you read any book on the subject make it this one. If, like me, you read everything on the subject you can get your hands on, include this book. In fact, read it first. You will not be disappointed. I can practically guaranty it.

Ottimo libro, con tantissime pagine e tantissimi capitoli per andare a trattare ogni argomento della fotografia. Spiegazioni molto chiare e precise. Pieno di riferimenti a Video creati dall'autore e da una sua assitente per poter migliorare la propria tecnica fotografica e comprendere più facilmente i concetti spiegati. La lingua è in inglese ma è scritto in maniera semplice e molto piacevole, si legge che è un piacere. Ricco di esempi e di foto per capire i vari insegnamenti. E' un vero e proprio corso di fotografia di alto profilo, leggendo questo libro si può acquisire tranquillamente una tecnica come dopo un corso da 200/300 euro. Per curiosità sull'autore e sui suoi video, andate a vedere il suo canale su Youtube: Tony Northrup 5 stelle meritatissime!!!

Anyone getting into photography or in need of a refresher will appreciate the material and how it is delivered in this book. It is also backed up by a bunch of videos which make learning photography that much easier. Tony has gone the extra mile (or two) on this one so I'm very happy with the purchase.

New to Digital photography there is a lot I have learnt and understood form this book. As Tony says in the initial chapters I find a difference in the photos I have taken since then. Book is very well organised in terms of knowledge and exposure to techniques. Its has a good balance of Photography Techniques, Equipment, Composition, Lighting , Post precessing, with a very good introduction to Different domains such as Landscape , Portrait , Macro, Under water and more. Videos aid in conveying the idea Tony and Chelsea Present in the chapters. A blend of books and Videos from the authors with their YouTube Channel is an amazing way to start this never ending journey into photography. Though Yet to own a SLR rather my first Digital Camera ,restricted by finances as a student I have been postponing it for later in life. I bought this book before a 14 hrs long journey, reading this book has inspired me to start with what I have. I have been experimenting with my mobile camera and I realise there is a lot you can learn even before you get your camera. I strongly Recommend this book for amateurs and beginners for a strong and clear basic foundation. I am sure a hobbyist or even professional can gain a lot. Authors have shared a lot of resources. I am definitely buying the next Book for Lightroom and eagerly waiting for the one on Photoshop. @Authors The story behind the covers of the books is amazing. Though I am a bit late for Christmas but here are some wishes. I thank the authors for this amazing book and learning resources they provide.

Sou fã e cada dia fico mais feliz em ter conhecido o canal do Tony e a Chelsea. Do canal parti para os livros, e não me arrependo nem um pouco. O que aprendi com eles não consigo quantificar. Esse livro é essencial para quem já conhece um pouco ou nada sobre um ou mais assuntos. É completo demais, não sendo tão superficial mas também não sendo tão detalhista: ensina o suficiente para atiçar o leitor caso ele queira adentrar naquele tema fotográfico. Valeu cada minuto de leitura!

I started to feed my photography passion with webs and blogs, then I discovered some interesting youtube channels thanks to gear reviews and finally I discovered Tony and Chelsea Northrup. They have become a key reference for me with their analytical assessments and unbiased reviews. This book contains a bunch of very pragmatic tips plus several videos where this smart couple explains in a simple and funny way how to make better pictures. I would recommend to check on their free youtube videos first, if their style suits you, go for this book. Apart from the videos you also have brilliant quizzes at the end of each chapter to check a good understanding. An easy way to learn a lot!