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The Digital Photography Book, Volume 3 |  | Author: Scott Kelby
Publisher: Peachpit Press
Category: Book
List Price: $24.99
Buy New: $13.80
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Rating:  83 reviews
Sales Rank: 11590
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1 Original
Pages: 264
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 8.8 x 6 x 0.6
ISBN: 0321617657
Dewey Decimal Number: 775
EAN: 9780321617651
ASIN: 0321617657
Publication Date: July 31, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
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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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 83
 Five Star With Reservations - The Good, Bad & Repeat Info. July 29, 2009
javajunki
63 out of 68 found this review helpful
Okay, first a couple of quick disclaimers...
1. I'm a huge Kelby fan and think his prior two volumes are both fun to read and packed full of great information.
2. I like the biggest "bang for my buck".
3. I'm not a pro and not a complete amateur either but fall somewhere in between. If I find it too simplistic, professionals and serious shutterbugs are likely to be very disappointed. If I find it too complex, novice readers are likely to do so as well. That might provide a good measure as to whether this book is right for you or not.
Now, on to the actual book itself. Like many others, I ordered this on a pre-release status and anxiously awaited the delivery at which point I consumed the entire book quickly at one sitting. Readers of Kelby's other books will recognize the same friendly style, conversational tone and jokes.
For those that are wondering if Kelby can really "do it again"...the answer is a resounding - "sort of". Here's Why...
First, the Basics and the Bad....
This book is of the same general length and writing style as the two prior books however, prior readers will immediately recognize some of the content used as "filler" or a bit of "fluff" here and there. For example, one of the pages/tips is dedicated to "cleaning" the item before shooting, another instructs to "remove distracting elements" from the picture...duh! Does that really constitute a tip? I think not. Likewise, there are several more tips dedicated to how to use your camera (Canon and Nikon users) for things like dust cleaning or turning off the beep...personally speaking, if I wanted that information I would simply read my owners manual.
Other less than impressive tips included using a tripod for tack sharp product shots plus some information that is basically a repurpose of content from prior books such as which essential filters to purchase or to use a neutral density filter. It is also somewhat disappointing to see that some tips consist of nothing more than 1 very short paragraph or as little as 1-2 sentences in their entirity.
Finally, the chapter on how to select the right lens is perfect for those seeking to purchase a DSLR or new to buying but most experienced users will find this a bit too simplistic for an entire chapter. Essentially it describes each lens type (ie, zoom, macro, fisheye, etc...) then when to use each. It also includes how to clean your lens, how and why to use manual focus, the difference between prime vs zoom etc...
The Good...
Having said all of the above, I still rate the book highly due to the engaging and readable format, excellent examples... and of course, what we all come here for...the actual tips. There are some good ones scattered throughout that more experienced users will likely appreciate - although far fewer than in prior books. Overall, this book seemed more introductory in nature than the other two volume's; still, there are plenty of great reminders and always some true golden nuggets that make all the difference like getting creative with the white balance, how to get that star effect without a filter (there - you saved the cost of this entire book plus never have to hassle with that filter again just by reading that page alone!, how to create those great reflections so popular in product shots plus much more.
Bottom Line...
Good book and well worth the low price tag. Best suited for beginners but serious shutterbugs are still likely to find a few gems. Not quite up to the same standard as the first two volume's but perhaps the most useful of all three for complete novice users or those currently shopping for a camera/lens etc...
Targeted more for the general user (for example, Lensbaby coverage) rather than pro or serious camera buff but everyone is likely to find something they like that make the purchase price and time well worth the effort.
HIGHLY recommend for new users or those purchasing a new camera/lens etc...
Kelby does it again with a great book July 29, 2009
N. Hawkins (Chicago)
17 out of 20 found this review helpful
I'm starting to *think* I know what I'm doing when it comes to photography. I took that as a sign that I should go back to basics and learn from ground zero. I know from previous experience that Scott Kelby writes really impressive books (his Lightroom book, for example, is awesome), and this continues the same tradition.
The problem with learning photography in general is that it's intimidating. Most books will describe esoteric theory, and that drives most people nuts. If I'm any representation of a normal photographer, I'll look at a photo and go "that's awesome - how did they do that?" and want a nice example without having to dive into theory and other things. I just want to take the best pics possible that I can with what I have.
The layout of the book is rather simple - like a cookbook. There's a great photo, and then a description of how that photo was taken. The strength of each example is that it's not only easy to follow, but it explains enough theory for you to understand concepts and apply that in other situations. Most books don't do that - they'll tend to lose you on specifics.
Kelby's books are written with the beginner in mind and would even reach into those with intermediate skills. I don't think that seasoned professionals would learn much from these books, but they're worth their weight in gold. The Digital Photography book series is what I recommend to those who are interested in doing more with their cameras and photos. Not all of us can be professional photographers, but we can make our images look better than they are now.
Another feather in Kelby's Digital Photography series August 3, 2009
Charles W. Unitas (Connecticut, USA)
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
While I agree with the majority of the other reviews about this book (most with high praise for Mr. kelby) I must point out that it is unfair to disqualify portions of the book based on the reviewer's level of understanding.
For example; "javajunki" made a comment about the inclusion of oversimplified tips about cleaning lenses and using tripods, but you have to understand that Mr. Kelby has a tough task about second-guessing what his readers do and do not understand about photography. He includes a little of everything in his hope that everyone can learn to appreciate photography and improve their shooting skills. Many of these tips are great for novice and non-professionals who wish to make their point and shoot pictures a little better.
I have been a semi-professional photographer for many years and I still find the occasional "duh" reminders amidst Mr. kelby over-simplified tips. Even seasoned photogs need a little reminder of the basics.
The fact that Mr. Kelby touches on a broad range of topics has also allowed me to flex photography muscles that I may not experience in my day-to-day work-related shooting. For example; I tend to do a lot of commercial product shots. While I have a comfortable understanding of lighting, focal ranges and other aspect of my style of shooting, I find inspiration to shoot outside my comfort zone when browsing through Mr. Kelby's books.
As I do not shoot on a regular basis, I find I often forget or 'space out' on some simple tips I should know. Having these ready references is a big plus. I know as I get older my mind isn't going to get sharper. I have a feeling I'll be refering to these books for many years to come.
N. Hawkins describes it best with the analogy to a cookbook. While this format may not work for some it does work for others.
Easily the best in the series. December 16, 2009
Judge J Drhedd
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This series is truly progressing. And I think Scott as a photographer (Photographer, not as a Photoshop Wizard) has also improved tremendously since the time volume 1 was written and published. Just one prime indication: in vol. 1 many pictures used to illustrate the tips are from istockphoto, rather than the author's own takes. Here in volume 3, I remember only the two pages on Underwater Photography are from istock, the rest are either by Scott himself or his assistants.
The really useful tips have increased widely from Vol 1, Vol 2, to Vol 3. The chapter on Sports Photography in this book, for example, is meatier and useable. The studio shots are also more complicated and more varied. There's even a devoted chapter for Product Photography (new chapter) Just to cite two pages of solid tips: there is one regarding experimenting on white balance, and another on getting that starry effect from sunshine. You'll feel the sincerity in the informal teaching. Imagine: there's even one recommending to shoot puddles during travelling. Well that's been a technique not straightly being said in many books on Urban Photography, but you see it indeed every now and then on portfolios of "good, creative" travel photos.
The studio shots and setup are superb, the guides to getting these shots are very clear, there are even more inputs on manipulating sofboxes. The instructions are now longer, no feeling of being rushed. The accompanying website is also very useful and on a teaching mode. Other useful bits: a clear line drawn between continuous and hot-shoe flashes, a whole chapter on lenses (not afraid to take a stand and recommend what he actually uses). I also like how Scott shows what he packs for wedding, portrait, travelling shoots.
One of the unintended consequence though: Scott's recommendation for gears is getting more and more EXPENSIVE. From just discussing the several sizes of softbox in volume 2, we know have strip banks, grids, ring lights, beauty dish, cubelite, triflectors,... and these are just from one chapter! I think that's the point, however. If you are serious a photographer, your expense will also increase. You have to spend to get to the next level.
This is a very good book to complete the selection. But if you've started at Vol 3, best to just go back to Vol 2... then skip Volume 1. You'll feel shortchanged by Vol 1, and most tips in there are repeated in the last two volumes. I have no idea what is left to discuss for volume 4, except perhaps even more expensive gears, more serious location shoots, more complicated "recipes."
One other thing: Scott should also be congratulated for the choice for the girl model. Very expressive, very versatile, very pretty. :-)
I rambled too much here. But in a nutshell Im just saying, this book is easily the best in the series... so far.
Book three for Scott Kelby November 10, 2009
Robert A. Gouine (Sacramento, Ca)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I purchased Scotts first book and I really like it and then got two and now three and I can say that all of them are excellent. Scott has a way of explaining photography so that you get it. Just the right things to do to get great photos.
I teach beginning photography and I use his material all the time for my students as it is so well versed. This series is a keeper.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 83
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