Product Reviews

This book covers everything you need to know about digital photography, from buying a digital camera through to printing and presenting your images. Even more impressive, though, is the way that authors Katrin Eismann, Sean Duggan and Tim Grey manage to cover the subject matter in a way that informs but doesn't get hung up on the specifics of a particular product. So when, for example, Adobe brings out yet another version of Photoshop, the principles will still apply.

An excellent example of its timelessness is the chapter 'Buying a digital camera'. Here it would be all too easy to fall into a comparison of what's on the market today. Instead

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they stick to describing generic characteristics of different types, rather than makes and models. Follow their 'Road map to a camera purchase' and the more detailed section on 'How to decide' and you're unlikely to spend your cash unwisely.

There is extensive advice on how to take pictures both from a technical viewpoint (everything you need to know about exposure and shutter speed, for instance) as well as important advice on subject selection and composition. Digital editing, retouching and finishing are inevitably on the menu and are also covered in a way that won't easily be rendered obsolete. Every subject is taught from the viewpoint of the principles involved rather than the all too common 'copy what I do to achieve this result' approach. The book ends with sections on printing, archiving and protecting your images from unauthorised use.

Real World Digital Photography isn't the cheapest book around on this subject but is worth buying because it will still be on your bookshelf in 10 years. Order online from www.compman.co.uk, though, and you'll get 30 per cent off, making it a much more reasonable £26.59. Not quite two for the price of one, but I dare say you'll find it more satisfying than rice cakes.