Stunning Digital Photography

As you can tell from the title, this review refers to the Kindle version, not the hard copy.I used to own a Canon T3i, and bought a couple of books specific to the use of that camera. I ended up giving it (and the books) to my oldest son, who is now in college and loves photography. I splurged (income tax refund) on a 6D, which I had been lusting after for quite a while. I then started hunting for books specific to it, but only one Kindle version was available at the time (this one: Canon 6D Experience - The Still Photography Guide to Operation and Image Creation with the Canon EOS 6D). No hard copies were yet published, but there were several you could buy in advance. I ended up buying the Kindle version mentioned, and it has proven to be a pretty good resource for operating the camera.But then, it occurred to me that it would make more sense to get a more generic book on the basics of how to take great photos, one that is applicable to all DSLR cameras, rather than one that relates to my camera only. So, after a search, I saw this one with the great reviews, read those reviews specific to the Kindle version, and I decided to buy.Let me say right out front, NO REGRETS AT ALL on my purchase. The book takes you step-by-step through every facet of how to operate a DSLR and the things to consider before you snap the shutter. Every chapter has video links that take you to lessons related to what you've been reading (you need to be WiFi connected to access them, BTW). The videos do a great job of emphasizing what you have been learning.The only negative about them is that some of them appear to have been made to promote the book, probably posted to YouTube or some other media, which seems a little odd when you've obviously already bought the book and are accessing the video through it.One thing I do like, though, is that within some of the videos, Mr. Northrup leaves in bloopers or funny moments that would normally be taken out...it gives you a needed break from the seriousness of the lessons and they're just downright fun to watch. The videos have played on my Kindle Fire HD 8.9" with no issues, and their quality is outstanding....impressive, actually.The chapters also have excellent photos that help to underline the lesson being taught. You can enlarge them for better viewing, which also requires a WiFi connection.At the end of each chapter, you're given practice exercises to go out and perform so you can get hands-on experience to further ingrain what you have learned.Like most books of this nature, you will get out of it what you put into it. If you take it seriously and apply yourself, and apply what is being taught through the practice exercises, once finished you will walk away knowing a great deal more than you did when you started...and that's the whole point, right?Of course, I am making that statement as related to those of us who are learning photography. If you are already highly skilled in photography, and by that I mean you could write a book like this yourself, then it probably isn't for you. He does mention at the start of certain sections, however, something to the effect of "If you are already proficient in this area, skip to section...." Thus, the book is presumably worthwhile for those with intermediate to advanced skills as well. I'll know more about that as I get farther into it.Lastly, I will point out that Mr. Northrup has a real skill for teaching via text and video. He takes you through the process in a very practical and methodical manner. He explains things in simple terms, while at the same time does not make you feel you're being talked down to. Because of the way this Kindle version is put together, with the videos and photos interlaced throughout the text, it really makes the learning process an enjoyable experience.Right now I am about halfway through the book. I usually try to read a chapter or two every evening. As I continue to get deeper into it, if my opinion changes for whatever reason, I will update the review. At this point, however, I feel very confident in saying that if you have a color tablet, and if you want to learn how to get the best out of your DSLR, this is the digital book to have.

This book is a crazy-bananas-insane good deal. For the same price as a late night run to Taco Bell, you get an incredibly useful book which is optimized for digital reading, hours upon hours of priceless video, PLUS a Facebook and Community group for ongoing learning. Part of the thing that has made photography books useless to me in the past is the fact that I can't take them with me. That 1,000 page DSLR tome is awesome when I am sitting on the sofa, but out in the field I find myself staring at the LCD screen of my camera straining to remember what it was that I am supposed to do in order to catch the perfect shot. Something about the F-stop? With this book I can bust out my iPhone and read about any situation - from getting that macro bee-in-a-flower shot to capturing the excitement of Fourth of July fireworks - so that I never have to miss that perfect shot again. And if that wasn't enough, I can also watch a video that will give me even more information on getting things right, no matter where I am.All of that is great, but how is the content, you ask? Phenomenal. I've been shooting for 20 years (on and off) and I decided that I needed a refresher course. This book proved not only to be great for a beginner, but great for the intermediate photographer as well. I found plenty of tips and information that I didn't know I needed, but already it is making a huge difference in the quality of my pictures. Plus, the videos aren't just informative, they are entertaining. That makes it much easier to learn because not only are you getting the info you need, but you are having fun while doing it. And unlike some books, which tend to either just harp on technical aspects or only cover the more creative aspects, Stunning Digital Photography covers it all.On top of all of that, you get free updates anytime the book is updated. I literally have 3 copies of my previous go-to photography guide in my basement because I had to buy a new copy every time the technology changed. That's 90 bucks worth of books. But this book is (right now) just 10 bucks and will never be out of date. What? I really can't recommend this book enough if you want to know more about the world of digital photography. For the price, you have nothing to lose, but it would be worth it even at 10 times the cost. I almost feel guilty, like I should have paid more. It's like getting a photography learning course for the cost of a paperback.