Many of those digital photography books assume a pre-existing basic knowledge of photography. They will likely discuss RGB histograms in detail, but not really explain the way f/stop and shutter speed relate to exposure. Best to look carefully for a book, digital photography or otherwise, that starts with the basics. I don't know whether or not the books you mentioned fit that bill...just sayin'..
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What am I getting myself into?
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Here's a happy little accident I took last week. I thought the flower was cool and as I was framing the picture, the bee paid me a visit. Scared me a bit, so the picture is slightly out of focus, but still not bad for a newbie
That's a great photo! You should post some more!
Very cool. I never knew about CinePaint. Thanks for the tip.
You can bet I'll post lots as I go. Already, before I decide it should be a hobby, I have about 8,000 pictures cataloged in iPhoto.
Scary to think what I might do with DP as a hobby. Thank you for the encouragement. I don't even mind getting beat up a little bit.
It's a great way to learn.
Very cool. I never knew about CinePaint. Thanks for the tip.
You can bet I'll post lots as I go. Already, before I decide it should be a hobby, I have about 8,000 pictures cataloged in iPhoto.
Thank you for the encouragement. I don't even mind getting beat up a little bit.
*thump* use *thwack* google *kick* to *wallop* your *base* advantage. *bang* Why * bosh* dont *oof* you *ouchie* go to *Eurf* your *smash* local (what the heck) newsagents and look for some Photography magazines. Don't buy just glance through, then see if you want to buy it. If you've got a good memory like me, I try to remember the URL to the online version (it's usually on page 2)
Nah, it doesn't really start tp get expensive until...
- You start "needing" multiple computer upgrades because of it
- You get into 'Bigma' telephoto lenses for wildlife
- You put the SLR in a housing for Underwater Photography
FWIW, on the first point above, don't forget the expense to your system of having a good, redundant data backup system invested in. One fairly safe way of doing this is to have three external HD's, which you then use to do a backup rotation...this way, you always have two spares when the one is being wiped & rewritten. Cost is proportional to what size HD's you buy.
You might be able to go with a set of Extension tubes (cheap!) to shift in the minimum focus distance of a lens to have it do double-duty has a macro.
Keep an eye out for used copies of Photoshop, which can often be used to buy Photoshop CS3 at the upgrade price.
-hh
Hmmm...maybe we need to put together a FAQ primer/comparisons chart?
I have no idea how I originally learned, but around ten years ago, I was getting ready for an 'expedition' and read one of John Shaw's books that dealt specifically with unusual photography situations. What was a very valuable surprise was that he had a "primer" of sorts chapter in the front of the book (it is essentially repeated in a few more Shaw books I've bought since) ... worth the price IMO.
Regardless of which book you end up with, its a good idea to have your camera and its owner's manual by your side when reading, so that you can pause while reading a chapter, find the relevant controls, go back and read it a second time, etc.
A definite 'maybe'.
In general, I'm tempted to say to not worry too much about it for an initial SLR, because its usually a bit premature to really say that you've been terminally bitten by the photo bug, and the kit lenses are usually inexpensive, and what can be more important than saving some money is for you to learn what focal length(s) of lens you like to work in. Otherwise, you might drop $1000 for a great {pick something}, but then discover that it collects dust because you don't particularly enjoy taking photos at the {something} focal length.
It has long been said that the difference between an Amateur and a Pro is the size of his trash can. What this is referring to is how critical you are of your own work before you show it to anyone. IMO, this probably has some bearing on how happy/unhappy you'll be with your equipment, as if something's consistantly "not good enough", you'll be rejecting everything, and then shopping for replacements.
The good news here is that the tougher you are on yourself, the more that your family/friends will think that you're a GREAT photographer, even if you have just a $75 Point-n-Shoot. If there's one skill that I'd say that many hobbiests lack, it is the discretion to cull your work before showing it to others.
FWIW, it sounds to me that you need more of a "basics" book than something specific to your camera model. As such, I'd try any of your local bookstores for copy to flip through (any author), as this will give you a basic idea of what's commonly covered.
In the meantime, for instant gratification and distance learning, here's the URL to a wonderfully humorous set of primers that were written for the UW-Photo discussion list by the (now late) Underwater Photo Pro Jim Church, which is very affectionately known as "Jim's Cows". To give you an idea of Jim's humor, the final chapter that Roger has online is Part VII:
ALL EXPOSURE METERS ARE MALE
Ladies, let me explain exposure meters in words you will all instinctively understand:
All exposure meters are male:
They won't stop and ask for directions.
They have only one thing on their minds.
If they don't get what they want, they cheat.
(For old hands, this is Jim's introduction into 18% gray)
-hh