lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

A friend gave me a copy of Scott Kelby’s “The Digital Photography Book: Part 1 Second Edition” as a Christmas gift. What if any of the other volumes in the series do other UHH’ers think might be o value to an advanced amateur photographer? My involvement with photography goes back to 1978 so I am not new to photography. I have and have read both series of (film based) photography books by Ansel Adams. Though I still have to obtain his “Examples” and “Polaroid” books. I am familiar with Scott Kelby from his Photoshop and Lightroom books. Part of the reason I am asking is that after spending a few minutes reading Kelby’s book I found a few errors and things I just disagree with. Wow, these books are expensive too for their rather short length. Do the books in the series go beyond general digital photography information or should I consider writing my own book? Do you know of any better up to date books?

Raider Fan Loc: Lake County, IL.

I have the entire set of the Kelby books along with his Lightroom tutorial. They are well written and easy to read and he presents the subject matter in a light and easy to follow manner.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

He certainly has written a lot of books, that's for sure. Have I read any? Nope
--Bob

THOSMITH Loc: DeKalb IL

What do people think about his switch from Nikon to Canon?

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

Mike,

I cannot write specifically to Scott Kelby, I can write about many other authors in the field of photography, including Ansel Adams.

The books, and the series, are intended to get the average person into photography, to give them a place to start. If an individual is going into scientific recording with photography he/she can't go wrong in acquiring the knowledge and skills to begin a long term career. If a person intends on creating fine art images then the books provide one method of capturing a subject in its best light, but they leave a lot of room for the creative side of photography.

The point here is, the books will get you started in the field of photography, they will provide methods of capturing good photographs, and the methods to capture those images. To proceed further you will need to understand the basic principles presented in those books, practice those methods, and be willing to experiment in modifying those principles.

Just because you may disagree with some methods does not mean you shouldn't try them for experience, they may teach you something new you can use in later projects. One author's method of photographing the Moon is not the only way to successfully capture an image of Luna. (Google photographing the Moon)

Michael G

ssohl Loc: NJ

I have all 4 of his books. Love them. Quick short lessons to try out right away. I found all of them helpful.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Michael G:

Your reply is probably along the lines of what I was thinking to begin with; to give the book a try and even if some of the information is repetitive for me or off-base I might learn something from reading and trying another spin. But I was curious to see what others actually thought of Mr. Kelby's books. It can be beneficial to actually try something or to try something new.

If anyone else has some specific comments on the content of Scott Kelby's books, I'd like to hear it.

Even though I am more or less answering my own question -- my mind works like that to organize my thoughts -- I still wanted to see others opinions on this topic. Like I find that often the best way to learn something is to teach it to someone else. Also I've noticed that when I've taken a photo class some students will complain that the assignment is boring, I've answered with I know why the instructor is asking us to do this, just go along with it and try it. Just like on the UHH there different people come in to a class with a different level of understanding and learning style. I am one of the ones who gets easily bored or frustrated so I do have to force myself at times to try something even when I know the results ahead. The mechanics of actually doing something can be valuable in it self.

- Michael W.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Odd but don't care, Pentax user here. He probably got a better endorsement from Canon. LOL.

Bram boy Loc: Vancouver Island B.C. Canada

you got to hand to these guys , they found a way to sucker buyers . by writing the same old recipes in a new book .where it is really over blown is
diet books there is thousands out there all the same as food has not
changed . it still is what it always was . but the way these books are being turned out you would think there is new food food being put on the planet every day . no diet works for losing weight and keeping it off . we are all on diets, as a diet is what you eat . I could tell you how to do it for life . the food
processors don't want you to lose weight . but if you know there tricks to keep
you hooked . you will beat them .

rfmaude41 Loc: Lancaster, Texas (DFW area)

Same here...

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

I think there better book to purchase that you'll refer to again and again. Look at books by:
Bryan Peterson
Roberto Valenzuela
Neil Van Niekerk
to mention only a few.

Bear2 Loc: Southeast,, MI

Me too.

ote=ssohl]I have all 4 of his books. Love them. Quick short lessons to try out right away. I found all of them helpful.[/quote]

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Just for the record, Part 5 was published in July 2014.

I gave the first few books in the series to my brother-in-law for Christmas. I have always liked Kelby's light hearted, but clear writings, and felt the Digital Photography series would be a good start for my B-I-L who is fairly new to digital. For those with a lot of experience there are probably more in depth books with more topic specific information, but for newer hobbyists, I think his books can be very worthwhile.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Thanks, that is likely useful information. (I've known of Mr. Peterson)