Rating: 
Summary: Junk
Review: I've read reviews that this book is perfect for beginners and I'm at a loss to understand why. Things are explained in high, low, fast, slow, and rarely gives an example of what specifically is meant. The writer makes references to things that a beginning photographer, such as myself, might have the vaguest clue about without an explanation, or explanations that aren't very clear. Bracketing is mentioned throughout the book but I'm still understand what the purpose is. I expected clear explanations of the basics - composition, lighting, chosing a shutter speed, and choosing an aperture. The book seems to cover each thing in little bits, then moves on. There's approximately 40 pages (of large text) explaining everything from the different types of cameras, different types of flashes, compostition, lighting, metering, the different ways to meter (as well as the different devices), film, aperture and shutter speeds, and the many sub categories - I excluded all the pages of photographs, and much of the tip boxes since they don't really add much to what's already written on the page. There was more information devoted to the different types of cameras then anything else. I find the book to be almost completely useless. It hardly expands on the manual that came with my camera.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent resource for beginners!
Review: Mastering the Basics of Photography truly helps the beginner from start to finish. From describing the different types of cameras, to film, exposure settings, filters and light metering -- it's a well-written guide! This book even has "Self-Assignments" - that way, you can actually put the "theory" into practice. It has great suggestions on how to go about completing each assignment and some additional tips in taking photographs! My only peeve about this book is the fact that there aren't any sample photographs in color; There are loads of photos that the author took (with exposure and other settings recorded) but they were all in black-and-white. And although the book did suggest that the color versions of her photos can be found on her website (provided in the book), it would have been nice to see photos in color (along with the black and white versions) printed on the book itself. I would greatly suggest starting off with this book!
Rating: 
Summary: One of the best, I ever had.
Review: This book is ultimate in photography. It is one of the best, I ever had. For new photographers it is the best. Author's explanation for each and every small, small points to be aware of is very good.Only this I didn't like is, all photographs are in Black & White. So you have to use your imagination how picture must be looking in color, which is hard. When you learn photography, you expect to see colors. At one point she said that she loves color photography.
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