Press Release
November 20, 2003
"Digital Photography Pocket Guide, Second Edition": Who's Really in Charge--Your Digital Camera or You?
Sebastopol, CA--The nature of your relationship with your digital camera
is determined early on in your association, and it all comes down to a
question of which of the two of you is going to be in charge. According
to Derrick Story, author of the newly released second edition of the
Digital Photography Pocket Guide (O'Reilly, US $14.95), you'll soon
reach a crossroads with two paths before you. Along the first path, you
take what you've learned about your camera in the first few minutes and
use that knowledge to take the best pictures you can. Here, the camera is
merely an acquaintance: it'll suffice to take snapshots on vacation or at
birthday parties. But it's clearly the camera that is in charge.
The other path, Story explains, is much different: "The first few steps
are the steps that everyone takes with a new camera. 'How do I make the
lens zoom?' 'Where's the battery compartment?' But after a short while,
you find yourself in territories previously unknown. You begin to wonder,
'How can I take a close-up of that flower?' or 'Can I shoot a portrait at
twilight?'"
The "Digital Photography Pocket Guide" is a friendly guide for those who
want to take the second path. Now in full color, the new edition expands
on the basic photography techniques introduced in the bestselling first
edition to help photographers take the kind of pictures they've always
wanted to. The book covers everything from image resolution, shooting
sports action, close-ups and night shots, to memory cards, transferring
images, archiving, making QuickTime movies, and much more.
"Digital cameras are great, no doubt about it," says Story, "but the more
features they get, the more they seem to control the picture-taking
process. I want the user to be in control. And based on the cameras I see
today, this is a very important issue if digital cameras are going to
reach their potential as tools for creative expression."
Story's friendly, matter-of-fact style of rendering perplexing technology
accessible has led many a budding digital photographer to new heights of
expertise. "I've been teaching and writing about photography for some time
now," Story explains, "and one comment that I consistently hear is that
most photo books 'talk down' to the reader, or they don't do a good job of
explaining the techniques. I wanted to write a book that spoke to the
reader clearly, intelligently, and with a hint of excitement about digital
photography. Based on the mail I've received from the first edition,
people like the tone of this book. One reviewer said that I was the 'Mr.
Rogers of technology.' I don't wear comfy sweaters, but I do like
clarity and brevity."
Like the first edition of the book, the new "Digital Photography Pocket
Guide" is divided into three sections:
"What Is It?" is an alphabetical quick reference to all the parts of a digital camera
"What Does It Do?" provides lessons on techniques and how to use the camera
"How Do I?" explains 21 professional techniques in easy-to-understand language
This handy pocket guide will prove useful to anyone who uses a digital
camera. Even advanced amateurs forget whether to overexpose or
underexpose in certain lighting conditions, and novices will appreciate
the clear explanations of the various camera functions.
Praise for the first edition:
"The pages are packed with information useful to new and intermediate
users of digital cameras as well as to persons contemplating their first
purchase...Several times I murmured 'Aha,' as the digital style of
exposure compensation became clear, or 'That would be nice [as a feature
in my next camera].' Most importantly, it eases the transition from film
to digital photography. If you've ever stood with your camera, wishing
you'd memorized your camera's CD-based manual, this book is for you. In
summary, this slim volume is worth every penny!"
--Mary Ginsburg, New York Personal Computer User Group
"Derrick Story's 'Digital Photography Pocket Guide' may be small in both
size and price, but it's long on useful information for the fledgling
digital photographer. I carry my copy in my camera bag and refer to it
often. It's the perfect gift for anyone just getting started with a
digital camera, but it's got plenty of helpful info for even more
experienced shutterbugs."
--Bob Levitus, Houston Chronicle, Dec 20, 2002
"If you're considering making the leap into digital photography, this book
proves invaluable for most everything from selecting the right camera to
making the most of its available features."
--Fotophile.com, Dec 2002
"The quality and depth of the information provided in this little pocket
book is truly amazing, and all digital photographers, amateur or
professional, can benefit by using it."
--Joseph Kluepfel, Broward Personal Computer Association, Dec 2002
Further reviews of the first edition
Additional Resources:
Digital Photography Pocket Guide, Second Edition
Derrick Story
ISBN 0-596-00627-6, 113 pages, $14.95 US, $23.95 CA, 9.95 UK
order@oreilly.com
1-800-998-9938; 1-707-827-7000
About O'Reilly
O'Reilly Media spreads the knowledge of innovators through its books, online services, magazines, and conferences. Since 1978, O'Reilly Media has been a chronicler and catalyst of cutting-edge development, homing in on the technology trends that really matter and spurring their adoption by amplifying "faint signals" from the alpha geeks who are creating the future. An active participant in the technology community, the company has a long history of advocacy, meme-making, and evangelism.
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