Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera Paperback – 7 Aug. 2010

I rarely write reviews. I only do for things that inspire me and show me a step change from the norm. I started out with digital SLR seriously from about a year ago and have been reading up numerous informative guides/articles online to try and improve my skills. But this is the first 'photography' book that I ever purchased and I should say it is worth all the feedback. I learnt about composition etc. via Ken Rockwell and never bothered to go into Manual mode thinking I will lose all the photo-ops while wasting time twiddling the dials! Was I wrong though! I recently shot numerous indoor photos at a christmas gathering of constantly in the move kids (which means I needed to be quick) ,in dull tungsten light, all in Manual mode, following the tips and advice given in this book. I must say, great exposure everytime with atleast 95% of the snaps exactly as I wanted them to be. Once you truly understand exposure and how the camera's light meter works (it will obviously take practice and getting out to put the teachings in the book to practice before you can truly master the techniques)it doesn't really matter which mode you are in, including the dreaded 'M'! Thanks to this book I truly undertand what's happening with the light and how my camera really sees the picture. It has most definitely added substantial depth to my creative control over the pictures before I press the shutter and expect results as I intended. This book has given me foresight (understanding what to expect) rather than hindsight (looking at the feedback from the display after pressing the shutter and then applying corrections). I will whole-heartedly recommend this book to anyone who has some understanding of their camera and photography, now wanting to get into the driver's seat. Its easy to read, not too wordy and has great photo examples with the camera settings printed next to them. Ken Rockwell taught me the pleasure of flying an aircraft in the co-pilot's seat. This book has moved me to the captain's seat.... well and truly in control! Go buy it..... remembering you will still need a good eye for composition; neither this book or any one else will teach you that but will surely help with improving the eye.

This is is an excellent book to help you take that step up from basic to intermediate photography and maybe beyond. It breaks down photography into easy to understand concepts and then explains them in detail. At no time does it feel as though the author is talking down to you. What he is doing is giving you the creative tools and he shows you how he uses them. How you use them is up to you! He certainly includes some pleasing photography.I take good photographs, but not every time I press the shutter. For me I wanted the book to help me up my success rate. I wanted it to help me record the picture that I saw in my mind, and not necessarily exactly what stood before me. I think the book definitely helped me.There are even some arguments and concepts that even the more advanced photographer may not have resolved. The section called Diffraction vs Satisfaction was of particular interest. In this passage the author discusses the benefits of going for maximum depth of field with the smallest available aperture or going with a more contemporary view and using an a more intermediate aperture. I tend to favour staying within the sweet spot of a lens, but Peterson is right. Nobody thought about any of this in the days of film, you always went for maximum depth of field. I must admit after reading this section I had cause to rethink my opinion.In deed, much is written in the book about depth of field and hyperfocal distance. I found the authors view very interesting. I had always understood that there was a huge difference in the same apertures of different lenses. I had not understood the difference between apertures and camera formats. The concept that F8 on a point and shoot camera may be the equivalent of F32 on a DSLR had just not occurred to me. There is a cracking photograph of a village from his Leica point and shoot. He goes on to explain why such photographs are no good for commercial purposes. But, if there ever was an illustration that you can take good photographs on whatever camera you have, then this photograph is it.If you have no idea what I am talking about in the above paragraphs, then read the book. You will get the idea in no time at all. It isn't complicated, but it is important if you want to improve your photography.If you take perfect pictures every time then this book will be no good to you. If you need a refresher or want to take a step up the ladder or just see how professionals think, then you could do worse than this book.

Photography to me is not like riding a bike. After a pause of about 10 years and having moved from film to digital I needed a nudge.I can honestly say, without a doubt this book hits the nail on the head, it goes through the various elements of exposure and gives pictures on the effects available. Effects which you can go out and practice without being in some bizarre far off country.Theres a chap on here that says theres too many pictures - to that chap.... hello its a photography book, going into the science of photography and equations will learn you diddly squat - you may as well read a crossword.This book gives you examples, examples which you may find are similar to the picture you want to compose, it gives an explanation of what the photographer did, the aperture and timing and mode of the camera he used to achieve it.... Its striking how little variation is needed to produce wonderful results.But the main point is - the book is easy - its not filled with mumbo jumbo its straight to the point - you want to take pictures "go out and practice - heres what I did, start there and develop" excuse the pun!All in all a great affordable book which isnt just a bunch of pictures advertising the writers own works.. Ive come across countless books giving information which just seems cut and paste and then they say heres a wonderful picture and tell you nothing about how it was achieved.I can gladly say photography wise, an astounding informative read very easy for kids to apprehend and adults too shy to ask. It positively encourages you to go out and be creative. Make this the first book you ever buy on photography!!!!!!