Disappointed in "Understanding Exposure": Ever since I joined UHH, I've seen countless recommendations of Bryan Peterson's book to newbies. I always thought I'd get around to buying it...

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

Ever since I joined UHH, I've seen countless recommendations of Bryan Peterson's book to newbies. I always thought I'd get around to buying it but never did and to be honest, I'm not really a book kind of guy anyway. The other day I was in a bookstore and saw it while waiting for my wife to finish up and took a look through it expecting revelation after revelation. They just weren't there. Everything in it, I've seen other places, mainly on websites I surf, and since like I said, I'm not really a book kind of guy, I found videos on one of my favorite sites that are far more entertaining to watch and that I could pause while I checked out settings on my camera that provide the same information. I realize I may receive a lot of sniping for saying so, but I was disappointed that there really wasn't info that I hadn't heard before.
Now, I'm not really a newbie anymore, so maybe I just waited too long to glance through it.

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

Maybe you're ready to write your own book for newbies... I hate when you really anticipate something for a long time and then it doesn't deliver, usually because you've set the bar too high. In my case, the '69 Cubs crushed me forever and I went to a long anticipated Aerosmith concert that was at the height of their excesses, they were so messed up they forgot the words and some of the music to Dream On... No sniping here, it is what it is...

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Whuff wrote:

Ever since I joined UHH, I've seen countless recom... (show quote)

I think many of us are in the same boat as you are. I have thought of buying the Peterson book but honestly, while I could probably not teach a class on understanding exposure, I do know enough about it and how it all comes together. I would not ever buy the book either but I have recommended it to new people who have no clue how the amount of light getting to their cards affects their photos. I see no reason for anyone sniping at you.

Dennis

tramsey Loc: Texas

Let me snipe ... just a little. When I was a raw newbie straight out of the chute the book was recommended to my by a member that I highly respected; anyone remember MWAC? I found it revealing, easy to read and in some cases my ahh ahh book. I have reread it recently and now I find it rather ho hum. I think it depends where you are in your hobby. I like to turn pages. I bought an e reader and gave it to my grandson, same with videos. I do not learn watching or hearing some one do it in front of me. I have to do it myself.

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

Mr PC wrote:

Maybe you're ready to write your own book for newbies... I hate when you really anticipate something for a long time and then it doesn't deliver, usually because you've set the bar too high. In my case, the '69 Cubs crushed me forever and I went to a long anticipated Aerosmith concert that was at the height of their excesses, they were so messed up they forgot the words and some of the music to Dream On... No sniping here, it is what it is...

No way am I ready to write a book as I am still learning. I don't want anyone to get the impression that I think I know it all - I don't. It's just that I had higher expectations for it. Sort of like you and Aerosmith.

Walt

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

dennis2146 wrote:

I think many of us are in the same boat as you are. I have thought of buying the Peterson book but honestly, while I could probably not teach a class on understanding exposure, I do know enough about it and how it all comes together. I would not ever buy the book either but I have recommended it to new people who have no clue how the amount of light getting to their cards affects their photos. I see no reason for anyone sniping at you.

Dennis

I agree that a newbie with no iota of experience could benefit from it. By seeing the differences in the pictures and paying attention to the settings used, especially where aperture is concerned showing the difference in DOF would be very educational.

Walt

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

tramsey wrote:

Let me snipe ... just a little. When I was a raw ... (show quote)

See there - that shows the value in a forum like UHH. I got most of my education as far as exposure is concerned before joining here, from other sites. I have to credit the members here for much of what I've learned beyond that, though. From studying photos in the photo gallery and reading the main photography discussions I've learned a lot about composition and features and settings of my camera.
Everyone has to learn in their own particular way.

Walt

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

tramsey wrote:

Let me snipe ... just a little. When I was a raw ... (show quote)

MWAC was a nice person and I think a knowledgeable source. Too bad she got "run off" by some jerks.

zigipha Loc: north nj

there is probably not much new in there for someone how has been around the block a couple of times. but its a great book regardless; in like the "good shot" "bad shot" comparisons.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Whuff wrote:

Ever since I joined UHH, I've seen countless recom... (show quote)

I had the same response to this classic book, it was dull as dishwater. It is almost a sacrilege to say that. I am a book learner but like you I think I already knew a little bit so it was not a revelation. There's a lot of books I've got more out of, that were better matched to where I was at the time. I still prefer books, but mostly those specific to something I'm interested in such as landscapes or wildlife, or some sort of post work.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

I acquired the book 3 or 4 months into the hobby. After months of just turning dials and hoping for the best, having read the book, that little Light Bulb went off. I finally understood how and why a camera functioned. There's not a lot I can't do with a camera now, compared to very little chance of getting the shot before I read the book. I highly recommend to everyone new to the hobby..

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

The book was a great help to me in the beginning. Today, it represents much of what I have learned. I don't think the intended reader would be a seasoned photographer. I wouldn't read a Dick, Jane and Spot book today. It is a tremendous book for someone new to photography.

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

minniev wrote:

I had the same response to this classic book, it was dull as dishwater. It is almost a sacrilege to say that. I am a book learner but like you I think I already knew a little bit so it was not a revelation. There's a lot of books I've got more out of, that were better matched to where I was at the time. I still prefer books, but mostly those specific to something I'm interested in such as landscapes or wildlife, or some sort of post work.

I know Peterson has written other books but I haven't seen any of them. Perhaps one of them would be more informative for someone past the newbie stage.

Walt

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

fstop22 wrote:

I acquired the book 3 or 4 months into the hobby. After months of just turning dials and hoping for the best, having read the book, that little Light Bulb went off. I finally understood how and why a camera functioned. There's not a lot I can't do with a camera now, compared to very little chance of getting the shot before I read the book. I highly recommend to everyone new to the hobby..

I first read it after being a photographer for 25 years.
The trouble with doing something for so long is that you sometimes forget and get lazy and fall into bad habits.
I cannot remember one new thing I learnt from the book.
BUT, I will recommend it to learners and seasoned photographers everytime, because it reminded of the things I had forgotten and gotten lazy about, it clarified a few little things, it refreshed me, emphasising important points, and it did it all so easily in such simple easy to understand language.

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

fstop22 wrote:

I acquired the book 3 or 4 months into the hobby. After months of just turning dials and hoping for the best, having read the book, that little Light Bulb went off. I finally understood how and why a camera functioned. There's not a lot I can't do with a camera now, compared to very little chance of getting the shot before I read the book. I highly recommend to everyone new to the hobby..

I kept thinking as I glanced through the book that some of the same information was in my camera's manual, but I do agree for someone new to the hobby that there is value in it.

Walt