Scott Kelby's Digital Photography

I'm just starting in the world of DSLR photography in order to do two things: product photography and concert photography. Those are very, very different aspects of digital photography due to so many factors -- depth of field, lighting, subject matter, framing -- and yet this series of books has given me untold amounts of aid in setting myself up to take some great photos. The first book in the series is sort of like a second primer; I wouldn't use it as the absolute first resource in learning digital photography, but once you've had experience, it's a great refresher and gives you some tips and "secrets" you probably didn't get from wherever you did start learning the ropes. The later parts of book 1, and pretty much all of book 2 and 3, cover specific types of photography, with each page giving you some detail, tip, or setup option, and telling you in plain terms how to achieve it. Pricing is busted out in 3 flavors: el cheapo, I got a little budget, and money's not an issue. This helps you determine where you can spend gads of money to get the best stuff, and where you can skimp to save a couple bucks. The tips and tricks are written as if Kelby was there with you, just pointing out how to achieve this or that. There's no "An arpeture refers to the size of the hole..." stuff. It's all "What do you want? Here's how you set up your camera to get that." You can pick up your user's manual or a ...For Dummies book on DSLR photography (or hit the web) if you're unfamiliar with anything Kelby talks about, but most likely, if you've got this book, you're already at least a little bit familiar with your camera. Best parts for me: how to build a studio (I did it on the cheap for the product shots, and so far it looks like I'll be able to get AMAZING photos for under $200 invested into the studio), portrait and natural light photography tips, and the sections of each book that give a random series of tips. Those sections are a gold mine, because they are the kind of tips that can apply in almost any given situation (what to carry, how to pack your camera bag, what items you'll access most often, quick routes through your camera's menus, etc.), which means that all 3 books have worthwhile info, even if you're not necessarily shooting some of the larger subjects in the books (i.e. weddings, portraits, products, sports, etc.). Easily the best ~$50 I've spent since I got into DSLR photography, aside from my ...For Dummies guide, which got me up and running. The two go hand-in-hand.

Kelby's approach is simple. Do this, do that and you should get the result you are looking for. He uses some humor to make you feel like you have a relationship with him. I learned bunches of things from him and they are making my pictures "pop". I have always taken clean, in-focus pictures. They lacked emotion and drama. This book will help you learn how simple touches make improvements. The techniques discussed include some recommendations for equipment. Only a guideline, but they offer 3 options: budget, mid priced and expensive. The possibility of properly using professional equipment exists by just following the instructions in each chapter. This set was recommended to me and it was a great reference. These three books have some overlap, but that is good. There is a lot of information in them and a little repeat (and variation on a theme) helps to get the point across. Delivery was quick and they come packaged in a holder that protects the soft cover. Went to book store and they were selling each book for $25.00. This was a great combo value with super content.

This series of books for anybody that has purchased a DSLR camera (or even have experience and just want to learn more). The style it is written in makes it easy to cut through the technical aspects of the camera and simply take great pictures. Rather than confuse you with details and the author focuses on what you should do to take better pictures with specific examples and advice for the types of photo you are taking. For a book on a technical subject it is easy to read and understand. In addition to the use of the camera there is good advice on composition and lighting. These concepts will help the beginner go from the world of blah photos to more interesting and professional looking shots that will make people say "wow". I dig these books and highly recommend them. Also, the concepts shared are not specific to any brand of camera, although there is a bit more information specific to Nikon and Canon DSLR's.

I've had a camera in my hands since I was 5. And there are many tricks I've picked up along the way to make my photos all the more enjoyable. I decided to get really serious about photography during the film to digital crossover. But there wasn't enough information to help that could get through to me. Having dyslexia makes learning through text virtually unbearable. All too often, I have to have someone read it to me. And then a couple months ago, I came across Vol. 2 of this collection at the local library. I flipped at the structure Kelby put his lessons into... Each page is a different lesson. Each lesson includes a photo. And it's all great information--much of which I could apply immediately--written as a conversation he'd be having with me while out on a shoot. Knowing all the technical jargon isn't as important as getting the shot. And with his instruction, I FINALLY understand what my owner's manual and all those magazine articles have been trying to explain! Kelby found a way to teach with hands on learning right out of a book. And when it comes to learning how to take great pictures, it's really the only way to go. After making it halfway through Vol. 2, I hopped on Amazon and bought the 3 volume set so I could start from the beginning. And lemme tell ya, my photos have never been better! Applying what I'm learning to photos I share with my friends just shot me into semi-pro status. Once I can financial tackle the suggestions he's made, going Pro doesn't sound so daunting anymore. I recommend this to every person I know with a DSLR camera; whether they're hobbyists, semi-pro or pro. This collection should be in every digital photographer's home.

Pros: - Scott has a great sense of humor and the books are fun to read - Topics are short and to the point, no fluff. Each topic is generally less than 1 page - Pages are nicely printed on glossy paper filled with great pictures Cons: - Expensive. For what they are I find the price quite high. As an invaluable tool for the serious photographer the price is worth it. I bought it at ~half price on sale and thought it was Ok but at full price I would have felt bad about it. Book #1 is great for beginners and if you don't intend on going further with photography then you may not need the other books which go into more detail on how to set up a photo studio. There are still some invaluable tips in them which I don't mind reading or having for reference. Summary: Great book set & I am happy I bought them and am already trying out some of the tips & techniques with my camera. Suggestion: Scott if you are listening, maybe a cheat sheet (folding) pamphlet that we can jam into our photo bags would be a good addition to the book set?

In english und auf Deutsch ENGLISH: Amazing set of books! Scott Kelby is great. Writes easy and really gives you the impression you can also do it!! Great hints and gives a lot of confidence while out there shooting. The structure of the books is "one concept per page" what gives a light reading and makes life easy if you have to read it in short in bits, like commuting. DEUTSCH: Unglaublich Bücher! Scott Kelby ist wunderbar. Einfach zu lesen und gib es die Meinung dass "Man kann auch es tun!"!! Sehr gute Tips und viele Selbstvertrauen geben zu fotografieren. Die Struktur den Büchern ist "eine Konzept pro Blatt" was ist leicht zu lesen und sehr nützlich wenn man in bisschen lesen muss, wie zum Pendeln.

I have been looking for a photography book to help me ease back into Photography. These books are the best photography investment to date, they have masses of helpful tips and tricks, and the pages are very glossy and detailed. The chapters are broken down in such a way you can flip from chapter to chapter till you get to the section you want to read about, eg Weddings, or Macro photography etc etc. The books are filled with info. I was however concerned when I read a review saying the books were cheaply made and wont last long. I found the opposite to be true, the pages are of a high quality as they have glossy photos on most pages (not sure if they had an earlier edition?) I also found there are a variety of tips in here that can benefit both newbie wannabe photographers and veteran snappers. For example how many people have heard of the "Death Grip"? this is just one of the tips showing you how to get a steadier shot when holding the camera by hand. The mix of comedy in the book also make for a very entertaining read. I originally thought I would read the sections I was interested in, but in the end I have read it cover to cover. This book is not an instruction manual of how to work a camera, but a guide on how to improve and experiment for yourself. As the old saying goes "you learn by doing" and I will be "doing" much better after reading these books.

Great set , I also purchased volume 4 that's what sold me to buy 1,2, and 3 , Between my busy schedule working full time as a visual artist and photographer i always pick up my books and read them over and over again because there is so much great information in theses book that i dont think you can find anywhere else for the price that i paid . I am a big fan of Scott and i am sure these wont be my last buys . [...]

Scott Kelby schreibt sehr unterhaltsam und motivierend - ein Schuss Selbstkritik ist immer dabei. Die Bücher sind angenehm zu lesen, gut aufgebaut und mit nachvollziehbaren Beispielen versehen.