The Digital Photography Book, Volume 2 Reviews

• Expert Techniques Made Simple

  
  By A2RUUTTFJQ7CBH on 2008-01-11
  This book truly has a brilliant premise and here's how Scott Kelby describes it: "If you & I were out on a shoot & you asked me, `When I use my flash, the background behind the person I'm shooting turns black. How do I fix that?' I wouldn't give you a lecture on flash ratios, or start a discussion on flash synchronization and rear curtain synch. I'd just say, 'Lower your shutter speed to 1/60 of a second. That should do it.' Well, that's what this book is all about: you & I out shooting where I answers questions, give you advice, and share the secrets I have learned just as I would a friend-without all the technical explanations and techie photo speak."
  
  Each page covers a single concept on how to make your photography better. Every time you turn the page, you'll learn another pro setting, tool, or trick to transform your work from snapshots into gallery prints. If you are tired of taking shots that are "okay," and if you are tired of looking in photography magazines and thinking, "Why don't my shots look like that?" then this is the book for you.
  
  This isn't a book of theory-full of confusing jargon and detailed concepts. This is a book on which button to push, which setting to use, and when to use it. With nearly 200 more of the most closely guarded photographic "tricks of the trade" this book gets you shooting dramatically better-looking, sharper, more colorful, more professionally-looking photos every time"
  
  Table Of Contents:
  
  CHAPTER 1
  Using Flash Like A Pro
  
  
  10 Things You Wished You Had Known Before Reading This Book!
  Here Are Those Last Three Things
  Pop-Up Flash: Use It As A Weapon
  The Advantages Of A Dedicated Flash
  Get Your Flash Off With Your Camera
  Making Your Flash Wireless
  Going Wireless (Nikon), Part I
  Going Wireless (Nikon), Part II
  Going Wireless (Canon), Part I
  Going Wireless (Canon), Part II
  "Drag The Shutter" To See More Background
  How To Soften The Light From Your Flash
  Softer Light By Bouncing It
  Softbox-Quality Light From Your Flash
  Tip For Shooting Through A Diffuser
  Putting That Nice Twinkle Of Light In The Eyes
  Why You Might Want A Stand For Your Flash
  Mounting Flashes Anywhere
  Rear Synch Rocks (& Why You Should Use It)
  The Fourth Secret To Pro Flash Results
  Using Gels (& Why You Need Them)
  Using Gels To Get That SI Look
  If You Have To Use Pop-Up Flash, Do This
  Using A Second Flash
  Controlling Your Second Flash (Nikon)
  Controlling Your Second Flash (Canon)
  How Far Back Can You Stand Using Flash?
  How To Stand Back Even Farther
  Controlling Light To Add Drama
  Shooting Sunset Portraits With Flash
  
  CHAPTER 2
  Building A Studio From Scratch
  
  
  Studio Backgrounds
  Using Studio Flash (Called Strobes)
  Softening Harsh Studio Strobes
  Why I Prefer Softboxes To Umbrellas
  What A Speed Ring Does (& Why You Need It)
  Using A Molding Light
  Firing Your Studio Strobe
  Firing Your Studio Strobe Wirelessly
  Using Contiguous Light Instead
  Choosing The Size For Your Softbox
  Why You Really Need A Light Meter
  How To Use A Light Meter
  Adding A Hair Light
  Where To Position Your Hair Light
  Testing Your Hair Light's Position
  Keeping Your Hair Light From Spilling
  Which Mode To Shoot In
  Where To Position Your Main Light
  Using A Fan For Windblown Effects
  Want Softer, More Even Light? Feather It?
  What That Extra Panel In Your Softbox Does
  Using A Pop-Up Collapsible Background
  The Least Expensive Extra Light
  Three Backgrounds For The Price Of One
  Using Off-Camera Flash To Light Backgrounds
  The Advantage Of Shooting Tethered
  Getting Super-Saturated Background Color
  Lighting A White Background
  Which Color Reflector To Use
  Where To Position A Reflector
  Reflectors Without An Assistant
  Seeing The Light From Your Reflector
  Keep Light From Hitting Background
  
  CHAPTER 3
  Shooting Portraits Like A Prayer
  
  
  Don't Leave To Much Headroom
  Shoot In Portrait Orientation
  Shooting Portraits? Get A Battery Grip!
  The "Sun Over Your Shoulder Rule" Is Bogus
  Shoot Wide & Zoom In Tight
  Shoot Profile Shots In Horizontal
  Shoot Long For More Flattering Portraits
  Why Diffusers Rock For Outdoor Portraits
  Making A Better Background For Portraits
  Trendy Composition Tip
  Cropping Off The Top Of Their Head
  Group Photos Are Easier Outdoors
  Tip For Posing Group Portraits
  Great Tip For Casual Group Shots
  Don't Light You Entire Subject Evenly
  Want Better Portraits? Don't Count Down!
  Window Light: Where To Position Your Subject
  Window Light: Where You Should Shoot From
  Six Quick Tips For Fixing Facial Challenges
  Don't Shoot With Their Shoulders Straight On
  Making Your Subject Look Slimmer
  Using A Poser Chair
  Keeping Your Subject "In The Zone"
  Avoid Dappled Light
  Window Light: Where To Position Your Reflector
  Get Couples Really, Really Close
  Which Color Reflector To Use
  Shoot Outdoor Portraits Shallow
  Minimizing Shadows Under The Eyes
  
  
  CHAPTER 4
  Shooting Landscapes Like A Pro
  
  The Secret To Shooting Sunsets
  Cutting Reflection In Water
  For Landscapes You Need A Clear Subject
  Using Your LCD Monitor Outdoors
  How To Shoot A Panorama That Works
  How To Have Photoshop CS3 Put It Together
  Shoot Fast When Shooting Landscape Panos
  A Timesaving Pano Trick
  The Trick To Using A Fisheye Lens
  When To Shoot Streams
  Don't Stop Shooting At Sunset
  How To Shoot Fog
  Getting Shots Of Lightning (Manually)
  Getting Shots Of Lightning (Automatically)
  A Trick For Shooting Great Rainbows
  Removing Distracting Junk
  Where To Focus For Landscapes Shots
  Find The Great Light First
  How To Shoot On A Gray, Overcast Day
  A Trick For Great-Looking Flower Shots
  The Full Frame Camera Advantage
  
  CHAPTER 5
  Shooting Weddings Like A Pro
  
  
  Create A Shot List
  Have Backups For Everything!
  Silencing Your Camera's Beep
  Backlighting Your Bride
  Don't Change Lenses, Change Cameras
  Bring A Stepladder For A Higher Vantage Point
  Why You Want A Second Shooter
  When To Shoot In RAW
  Where To Aim Your Flash
  Shoot In Lower Light Without Raising Your ISO
  A Recipe For Balanced Flash In Church
  Add B&W To The Album
  The Advantage Of A Flash Bracket
  Tip For Posing The Bride
  Keeping The Detail In The Bridal Gown
  Getting More Flashes Per Wedding
  How To Lessen Noise In Your Photos
  Tips For Shooting The Brides Profile
  Wedding Zoom Effect Made Easy
  Read David Ziser's Digital Pro Talk Blog Daily
  
  
  CHAPTER 6
  Shooting Travel Like A Pro
  
  
  In This Case, Less Gear Is Good
  Working People Into Your Travel Shots
  Getting People To Pose
  What To Shoot On Overcast Days
  Shooting From Your Hotel Room
  The Magic Time For Cityscapes
  Get These Shots Out Of The Way First
  Shooting Famous Landmarks
  Air Travel With Photo Gear
  Shoot The Food
  Get A GPS For Your Digital Camera
  Shooting Where They Don't Allow Flash
  Look For High Vantage Points
  Give Yourself A Theme
  
  
  CHAPTER 7
  Shooting Macro Like A Pro
  
  
  Maximize Your Depth Of Field
  Why You Should Turn Auto-Focus Off
  Don't Touch That Shutter Button!
  Which F-Stop Works Best
  Point-&-Shoot Macro Photography
  A Tip For Visualizing Macro
  Why You Might Want To Shoot Indoors
  Buying A Macro Lens
  Perfect, Even Light For Macro Shots
  Making Your Lens Into A Macro Lens
  
  
  CHAPTER 8
  Pro Tips For Getting Better Photos
  
  
  Which Mode To Shoot In
  Choosing The Right ISO
  Which Format To Shoot In (RAW, JPEF, Or TIFF)
  Which Size To Shoot In
  WHIMS Will Keep You Out Of Trouble
  How To Lock Focus
  Zooming In Close? Use A High Shutter Speed
  When It's Okay To Erase Your Memory Card
  Why You Need To Get In Really Close
  What To Use Your Histogram For
  Leave Your Lens Cap Off
  Removing Spots & Specks After The Fact
  What Looks Good In Black & White
  Recompose, Don't "Fix It" In Photoshop
  Want To Be Taken Seriously? Start Editing
  Label Your Memory Cards
  Go Square
  Tips For Shooting At Night (Long Exposure Noise)
  The Very Next Book You Should Get
  
  
  CHAPTER 9
  More Photo Recipes To Help You Get "The Shot"
  
  

• If you take photos, you'll love this book--and use it!

  
  By A2UXGOTJI7OY1N on 2008-01-07
  Like Mr. Kelby's best-selling first Digital Photography Book, this book is a gem. Every page is a single tip, clearly explained and illustrated. It's like sitting next to the best photographer you know while he explains what gear you need, and when and how to use it. No matter what brand your camera, what level your experience, or how big your budget, you're sure to find this book useful.
  
  Highlights of Book 2 include how to set up and use studio lighting, flash, macro photography, weddings, portraits, and much, much more. At the end are sixteen "recipes" for getting specific types of shots, with all the details you need to know.
  
  Keep this one in your camera bag. Not only is it full of information, it's inspirational. And a great gift for the photographer in your life.
  
  

• Outstanding digital photography book

  
  By A3FY1GXS48WR8B on 2008-01-15
  The digital photography handbook,
  
  This is the most helpful book on digital photography I have seen in a while. Each page of the book has some scenario and a ways to work with is to get the best possible shot. It's also covers many different ways to overcome what ever adverse shooting situation you might be. Kelby Talks about cheap ways to overcome situations. He also talks about more expensive ways to overcome situations. On each subject where he discusses a scenario there are usually multiple photos to show you each effect of each solution will have on the photo. Each subject is covered very well in about two pages. The photography is outstanding and in color.
  
  Kelby covers all types of digital photography from portraiture to landscape, lighting flashes, different types of digital cameras.
  
  Kelby covers using a flash, building a studio from scratch, shooting portraits like a pro, shooting landscapes like a pro, shooting weddings like a pro, shooting travel like a pro, shooting macro like a pro, pro tips for getting photos and more photo recipes to help you get the shot. All of these subject are covered very well.
  
  The book is written in an easy to understand, easy to read and with some humor. Each topic is about one page in length.
  
  I consider myself to me an intermediate photographer and I can say that this is and continue to be very helpful to me. I This is a must for the beginner to intermediate photographer. The book is small enough to carry in your camera equipment bag. This book is packed with information and extremely helpful tips.
  
  

• Good reference book for the price

  
  By A2KWFSBGBMTLOL on 2008-01-19
  It's a good book for the price but I guess I was looking for a bit more.
  
  There are some good tips but the book is incredibly short. I went through the whole thing in about 2 hours. He gives some good advice on using a flash and setting up a studio for about 1/3 of the book. The last 2/3 are filled with photography tips showing pictures and then explaining how to get the same picture. Most of the advice I found was pretty basic although I did learn a few things here and there. This would have been a good book if I was brand new to digital photography. It's well written and his tips are good but I was looking for something little more in-depth than this,
  
  

• OK for aspiring beginners

  
  By A204K1OFE8OB9Y on 2008-02-09
  This book is good as an introduction and set of tips that can elevate the photography of aspiring photographers. Unfortunately it is just a collection of tips with very little information on the how of using the tips to actually create better images. An example is the tips on the use of reflectors which does not mention the different reflector needs based on the skin color of the subject or the ambient color temperatures involved.
  
  It is also unfortunate that so much space was devoted to wedding photography and provides just enough information as to encourage a novice to give it a try. What is missing is the perspective that the person who takes on the responsibility of being the primary and possible sole photographer for a wedding had better be prepared in terms of experience (with people and photo gear), technical proficiency under pressure, and have backup gear for everything, and be able to work without a net.
  
  This "no-retakes" approach would encourage the person contemplating wedding photography to do more than read a book of wedding photography tips and to truly apprentice themselves to someone with experience. As a 3rd photographer at a wedding, the novice is not likely to do any harm while they learn what to do and also what not to do.
  
  What this book is very much missing is a recommending reading list or recommendations on workshops which could take the reader the next step whether they are pursuing macro, wedding, wildlife, landscape, portrait, or other photography niche.
  
  In the end I would not recommend this book to anyone, as there are far better books on each segment covered, and is someone for example really wants to make better portraits they are far better served by spending $20 and getting a book that is dedicated to portrait photography.
  
  
• The BEST photography book I've read in a long time.
  By AXKF0K6XELSEC on 2008-01-10
  I picked this book up about a week ago and have been pouring over it reading it over and over again. I just ordered Scott Kelby's The Digital Photography Book as I found this one really great. I recently picked up a few photo books to try and gain some insight to what other photographers do. I don't have the money to spend on the Nikon Mentor courses and I think this pair of books would come pretty close.
  
  Scott's information is laid out in easy to read one or two page tips. The lighting sections are great and the tips for landscape photography are first rate. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is just beginning or all the way to semi pro/pro.
  
  Scott Kelby's The Digital Photography Book, Volume 2 is a must have for anyone with a digital camera and wants to get more out of it.
  
  Pete
  
  
• Great for intermediate-advanced DSLR beginners
  By A17J23XGHDUBIK on 2007-06-06
  The Good:
  - the book contains all-new info and picks up where vol.1 left off
  - written in the same "let me show you how it's done without going too deep into "why" style" - great for DSLR newbies like me
  - lottsa "aha!" and "oh, so that's how the pros do it" moments
  - Scott Kelby is a great teacher and writes in casual, easy-to-read style (although vol. 1 is by far funnier)
  
  The Bad:
  - Big section on Wedding Photography - I know these tips could generally be applied to shooting people indoors; however, at times the book is too detailed for regular folks like me who don't shoot weddings.
  - For $24.95 the book could've been thicker, and some tips are repeated either from vol. 1 or throughout the book.
  - When will we see a dedicated section on how to shoot fast-moving small kids (i.e. toddlers) ?
  
  Conclusion:
  If you are a DSLR newbie or intermediate-advanced beginner this book is perfect for you. Scott Kelby is the best!
  
  
• Great Photography book!!
  By AB9VIWH1OJY1Q on 2008-01-14
  This book is really refreshing because it tells you how the pros get some of the shots that look great. What really impressed me is the focus on taking a great shot, not the Photoshop fix which Kelby is a well known expert on. He explains lighting better than any of the books I have purchased. Great information on how various types of flashes and lighting works, price ranges to get the items he mentions with high low and middle pricing. Good explanation of what lens to use for certain shots and how to get the right shutter speed and aperature. I think I have a better understanding of why my flash cost so much and what all those settings mean and it says wireless too which is a very good thing! Good advice on portrait shots, vacation pics and wedding shots to name a few. Very easy to understand and down to earth on some complex equipment.
  
  
• You need both...
  By AU7MW8YQQYHXX on 2008-01-17
  Kelby is one of the best when it comes to letting the rest of us in on the techniques of good photography. His first book lead to a quantum (perhaps an exaggeration) improvement in my own pictures, both from a composition and execution point of view. This book adds to the first, updates a couple of things, and gives a broader application.
  
  In my opinion this book functions more as completing the set than as a stand alone work. If you do not have the first book then buy them both together and read them serially. Kelby's writing style is a bit (excessively?) "homey" and that can be a bit off-putting for some people. I personally don't mind and even enjoy his humor. There is no denying the effectiveness of his teaching though... short, pointed articles, each of which stands alone on its own but which add incrementally to the others. You can bounce around in his books to your hearts delight, pick up something and start using it right away and then go back and read something else which may add even more.
  
  This book, along with his first, should be standard items in serious amateur photographers' libraries.
  
  
• Great writer, sloppily wasting his talent
  By A1HTSLYD9JR2LK on 2008-05-25
  I always want to like Kelby's columns and books. He is a fantastic writer. He knows how to break things down simply. But perhaps in his mad rush to produce so many books and magazines and such he has not always attended to the details. I did not read Digital Photography volume one and chose instead volume 2.
  
  I read it cover to cover, twice! I really liked the samples, lay out, and coaching. But then as I tried out a few items I noted he often did not provide enough detail to replicate his technique. When shooting a backlit subject he suggested adding a bit of flash. Are we talking manual exposure? Is he using flash compensation to reduce flash output? Is he just shooting in auto with ttl flash? It would be helpful to know more details.
  
  I suspect, given his bibliography that many images are farmed out to others and this is why the writing is not as detailed or informed as it could be. This detracts from his ability to teach.
  
  I originally wanted to give him 5 starts, but took off 1 star for lack of detail or specifics. Then I tried a photoshop technique that appeared in a column. Again, great idea for correcting color, but leaves out enough details that I eventually gave up trying to get the same effect on one of my photo images. So, I'm taking off another start...down to 3.
  
  Then I looked under the hood. When I like an author, I like to read about him and see what he says in his bio or acknowledgements. The acknowledgements section runs 2 pages. Ah, details and specifics at last. Only here, it is unwarranted. Lose a half star. But then it ends with thanking "God and his son Jesus Christ." When I want ol' time religion I'll by the Kelby book on that, but I sure found it offensive to see it in this book. And for you bible-thumpers, imagine if he had thanked Allah and the Koran? Would it have taken away from this author's effort?
  
  Lastly, he repeatedly states he is not promoting products. And I bought that line until the end of the book. The last 4 pages contain ful page ads promoting specific products he is linked to. Now come on, even Jesus would call that hypocrisy. Sorry, fella, you just lost another star.
  
  This will be the last Kelby book I buy. I hate to see such a talent wasted.
  
  
• A must have for the amateur photographer
  By A1ZBFUG00D5YR3 on 2008-01-16
  Of his two books, I found this one the most helpful and useful. He covers portrait and group photography, the proper use of flash and studio lighting, and many other topics in a very clear and concise manner that simply changes the way you approach these areas of photography.
  
  Highly recommend this book...found virtually every page to be incredibly useful in my attempt at amateur photography.
  
  If you've read some of his other books, he has toned down his humor quite a bit so its not as 'overbearing' as some others have portrayed it in reviews of his other books. I find him funny for the most part...others don't care for his brand of humor...so if you don't, pick up the book anyway because its 'toned down' and contains 'to-the-point' hints tough to find anywhere short of a photography class.
  
  Excellent work Mr. Kelby!
  
  
• Short Cuts
  By A1F6PIIZ0ZHHD6 on 2008-05-23
  A photography tip is a short instruction on how to do something in photography - "put the softbox as close as possible to the subject for the softest light" - without trying to put the instruction into any larger context.
  
  This is a short book of photography tips that contains tips on using flash, studio photography, portraits, landscapes, weddings, travel, macro, and what should probably be called miscellany. There is a final section in which Kelby shows particular pictures and indicates his considerations in taking them. Each tip is less then a small page in length and includes an illustrative photograph.
  
  Kelby is a Photoshop guru turned photography guru, and his images while nice, certainly are not inspiring. Be warned: many people are put off by his sophomoric sense of humor, which he displays throughout the book (e.g., the Committee for Creation of Complex Sounding Studio Gear Names).
  
  I dislike tip books because they don't put photography technique within a larger context so that the reader learns a principle which he can apply to any circumstance. "Give a man a fish...." might have been written about tip books. For example, in the space of a few pages, the author tells us to shoot portraits with wide angle lenses and then tells us to use telephoto lenses. What might be called a comprehensive book would help us to understand the considerations involved in making a choice of focal length for portraits.
  
  Most of the tips that Kelby provides are really quite basic, and will be familiar to anyone who has spent any time at all learning techniques. (I acknowledge there is some value in being reminded about a small technique, although one could be reminded as well by reading a more comprehensive book.) Some of the tips are repeated, like telling us to keep shooting after sunset, or to buy a fast normal lens to shoot in dim places where you can't use flash. Some of the tips are even contradictory, as when he tells the reader not to cut off the chin in a close-up portrait and then does just that later on. I particularly resented a so-called tip to buy a book that Kelby just happens to have edited and which I found to be interesting but not essential reading.
  
  On the other hand, this is a book that you can pick up, read for a few minutes, and then put down. If you feel that's an essential quality for an instruction book, this certainly fills the bill.
  
  
  
• The Digital Photography Book,Volume 2
  By A3CRV1ZKX1AK41 on 2008-01-20
  Equally as good as volume 1, fast reading, great info, and FUN to read. Scott Kelby has done it again! I look forward to his next book!
  
  
• Thanks! We needed that!
  By A2BN67MBQQ23G1 on 2008-01-23
  In a way, this book is something of a marketing ploy. What do you do if you've written one of the best-selling (if not the best-selling) digital photography books of all time? Can you top it? Can you come up with a new, related topic? Hey, why not just come out with a Volume 2, so readers who were captivated by the first book will feel that they have to own the second one?
  
  That's actually a brilliant plan. Volume 2 may just be more of the same...but we needed more of what Kelby gave us the first time around. If you want to know more about studio lighting, close-up photography, electronic flash, or portraits, you'll find a treasure chest of valuable tips in this book, presented in an easy-to-digest form.
  
  Anyone who enjoyed the first book (and the reviews profile shows that an overwhelming majority of those who took the time to write a review did) you don't be disappointed by this latest installment. If you're new to the party, buy both these books and get up to speed faster than you would have believed possible.
  
  
  
• This is a Book That Should Accompany All New Digital Cameras
  By A23AV0GHH0KGH1 on 2008-01-24
  I wish I could meet Mr. Kelby in person. Because I would like
  to shake his hand and tell him face to face how fabulous this
  book and its predecessor are.
  
  The detail he goes into regarding flash settings and lighting tips
  in this edition are especially helpful. His cut to the chase
  explainations make it an easy read. His humor lightens up
  the instructions, as well.
  
  It is no wonder that he is a best selling author! I recommend
  this book without hesitation and look forward to any more
  volumes that may follow.
  
  Thank you Mr. Kelby.
  
  
  
• The Digital Photography Book, Volume 2
  By AY8YZ8E9UZ884 on 2008-02-15
  I have grown to be a Scott Kelby fan. His approach is as if he was with you and giving you tips as a freind would. Scott also tells you the exact settings for a particular result. Both volume 1 and volume 2 are great, but if you are skilled in photography, Volume 2 is the meat and potatoes.
  
  
• Super digital photo tips.
  By A3J90N37L7KD0O on 2008-02-23
  Provides the digital photographer with lots of great tips and tricks for getting super shots. Excellent layout and easy reading.
  
  
• Not recommended.
  By A1BEAO1DQ720KS on 2008-03-27
  The tips found in this book are mostly intuitive and doesn't need one or two pages to be explained, they all can be found pretty easily on the Internet. Also, a better sense of humor (or no jokes at all) would have made this book easier to read.
  
  
• Beyond my expectations
  By A1E8SNNT34NVIT on 2008-02-05
  This book answered so many questions that I had it. It was amazing. If your concerned about indoor lighting in studio, pick up this book. Also,if you're just starting out I think you'll find this book very refreshing. It is written like he says, as if he was just giving instructions to a friend. A ton of grrreat tips. Ive read a ton of books to help me a long, but I found this book and his previous one, to be the best ever. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
  
  
• Vol 2 is as good as Vol 1
  By A2FYAACQJGRT0J on 2008-02-15
  I purchased both books (Vol 1 and Vol 2) together, and so far no disappointment. My concern about vol 2 was that it may be just an updated version of vol 1. I was wrong - it's a totally different material, answers many questions, and written in a human language - meaning, you do not have to be a pro to understand everything. Of course, Kelby's humor ir right here as well, you like it or not.
  
  
• Short and to the point
  By A3R5ELFWMAS32D on 2008-02-18
  Scott Kelby did it again. He's short and to the point, easy to understand. One doesn't need to be a professional photographer to comprehend his instructions.
  
  
• A Must Have if you're into digital photography!
  By AWQ8EOKIKPQFD on 2008-02-22
  I thought the first volume couldn't be beat. WOW -- I was wrong. The insights in the book are clearly presented and will forever change the way you capture and process your images. WONDERFUL!
  
  
• Top Quality.....
  By A1BFG247EAD7ZL on 2008-01-29
  I loved this book for the following reasons:
  
  1. It is very easy to read and the lessons are short.
  2. It shows you how to create shots in very simple steps.
  3. The photo examples are great.
  4. Kelbys writing style is entertaining.
  
  I would highly recommend this book.
  
  
• Digital Photo Book 2
  By AUDK6SAFRIOGX on 2008-02-04
  Loved the book more than the first one. For me, the book payed for itself, when Mr. Kelby simplified the directions on how to fire an off camera flash via the camera. The flash and camera instructions we're driving me crazy. Thank you Mr. Kelby for helping me to remain somewhat sane. Some wonderful little tips on how to create some stunning photos. I would highly recommend the book to anyone. I am eagerly awaiting book 3.
  
  
• Kelby comes through again
  By AFZYJ31GTZAGP on 2008-02-06
  This book is a continuation of the original 'The Digital Photography Book' and covers new territory. For me, this book was worth the purchase price just for the section on lighting. In a few short pages Scott actually explained what you need, how it works and approximately how much it costs. This was amazing to me as I have been trying to figure out what all that lighting stuff does forever with not much success. The veil has been lifted!
  As for Scott's lame jokes - I love 'em especially page 71.
  j.
  
  
• Great book!
  By A1YREIUL7VDQ0B on 2008-02-08
  This book picks up right where the original Digital Photography book ends. This book is not a replacement for Vol. 1 - you'll want both books. These books are packed with useful tips you can start using immediately to improve your shots.
  
  
• Indispensable reference!
  By A25T6YF1ZH078G on 2008-02-08
  This is a continuation of Kelby's Volume 1--not an update to the earlier version. He picks up where he left off in the earlier book, by taking the reader on a virtual "photo shoot," explaining how to set up various shots. I found his ideas on lighting to be very useful. I own several photography books and this is simply one of the best. Kelby simply tells you what works and how to set up various shots. His book is much more useful than the "industry bible" by Hedgecoe.
  
  
• Extremely helpful
  By A2JZ17FAEOXMR9 on 2008-02-09
  I read both books and I love both. It tells you a lot about how to eliminate shadows and improve your portraits. The book also talks about using light meters, reflectors and light diffusers.
  
  
• This book is tops!! I love this guy!!!
  By A2XMX9PDHAQDEN on 2008-02-10
  Thats right, this book is fantastic just like the first volume. Mr Kelby hits the bullseye again with
  his "This is how you get the shot" writing style. I can't tell you how much I have learned from this guy.
  After reading the first volume, I got out there, and started taking pictures, and I LEARNED from working the camera, not reading book after book. Kelbys books gave me the boost to take the shot the right way, but I am
  learning from experimentation. I learned how to drive faster behind the wheel, than from reading the drivers manual. I have become a much better photographer just reading Kelbys books!! My confidence level is much greater from getting out there, and playing with the camera.
  
  Just buy this book, you will not be sorry. Also check out his adobe photoshop books too. I read one of his volumes on ELEMENTS version 5. It was also excellent, and very easy to understand.
  
  Last but not least, I have to say that Kelby has a great writing style with no hokus pokus crap. Kelby is
  a great guy, and great teacher.
  
  
• Great Book
  By A2TSRC3W2NMJX0 on 2008-02-10
  This is definatly a great book, it has helped me understand quite a few things. I am not a professional photographer by any means, I do my own work for myself and my family. Photography is a passion of mine and I continue to learn more and more every step of the way. This book helped me to make sense of many things, I didn't understand or that I really needed to know, but had nobody to ask. Thanks.
  
  

• The Digital Photography Book
• The Moment It Clicks: Photography secrets from one of the world's top shooters (Voices That Matter)
• The Adobe Photoshop CS3 Book for Digital Photographers (Voices That Matter)
• Scott Kelby's 7-Point System for Adobe Photoshop CS3 (Voices)
• Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition)