Book Reviews

Exposure and Lighting for Digital Photographers Only; by Michael Meadhra and Charlotte K. Lowrie; Wiley; 368 pages; $34.99; (ISBN: 0-470-03869-1)
This book focuses on topics that are the two subjects that most beginning photographers want to know about. Staying on message, the authors give readers answers to pressing questions about how to get the best exposure for the kind of photograph they're trying to create. The book is nicely illustrated and the printing quality is quite good, making it possible for the reader to see what the authors are trying to convey. The section entitled "Painting with Light" provides useful information, insights, and applications on seeing light, which is often the biggest challenge for new photographers.

Digital Photo Design; by Paul Comon; Lark Books; 160 pages; $24.95; (ISBN: 1-57990-790-3)
Lark Books is now the keeper of the flame for Kodak Books and they've found a great home. With its subtitle of "How to Compose Winning Pictures" this is the perfect second book for the D-SLR newbie. Their first should be a Magic Lantern Guide for their specific camera so they know how to use their camera and once armed with that information they'll need this book to show them how to compose and make better photographs!
The clear, easy-to-follow text is illustrated with stunning examples of the photographic art that illuminates the text and makes the reader want to rush out and make better pictures. All of this is wrapped up in a big book that has the kind of high-quality production values synonymous with Lark Books.

Professional Filter Techniques for Digital Photographers; by Stan Sholik; Amherst Media; 128 pages; $34.95; (ISBN: 978-1-58428-1962)
Who says camera filters are dead? Not Stan Sholik, and I agree. As proof here's his wonderfully illustrated book that's full of examples of why you should use camera filters with your D-SLR. He begins with tips on choosing a camera filter system then jumps into how color conversion, light balancing, and color compensating filters fit in an AWB world. Bravo for the shot of the Macbeth Color Checker made under different light sources and kudos to Amherst's designer for making it full-page. There's a wonderful appendix on understanding light that I wish was the first chapter, and I recommend you start there. This is a fun read for filter fans and those who wonder what the fuss is all about.

Advanced Digital Photography; by Tom Ang; Amphoto Books; 144 pages; $24.95; (ISBN: 0-8174-3272-8)
Although this book looks at first glance like one of those "everything you want to know about digital imaging" British reprints beloved by American publishers, it is in fact a darn good read. It's also the best-designed book Amphoto has produced in many years and the content matches the packaging. While the first section called "Digital Imaging Principles" could hardly be called "advanced," the meat of the book is found in "Mastering Image Manipulation"--perhaps a better title for the book. The book includes tutorials on retouching, compositing, and monochrome conversion that are well illustrated and easy to follow for the intermediate-level digital imager who wants to learn more about improving their photographs.