Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
04-10-2010, 03:57 PM   #1
Forum Member




Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Northern Indiana
Posts: 56
Good beginner books?

What would be the best beginner guide?
DSLR for dummies?

I do not want something too technical
But I do want lenses, Aperture,ISO etc explained.

I do understand them individually buy putting them all together in different shooting scenarios would be great!

04-10-2010, 04:04 PM   #2
Veteran Member
casil403's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary AB
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,170
I used the Scott Kelby "The Digital Photography Book" when I first started out....mostly because it was easy to read, basic and to the point (no heavy mumbjumbophotolingo ) and I could carry it around with me easily in my backpack or camera back as a handy reference.
I still bring it out and use it when I need a refresher.

http://www.kelbytraining.com/product/the-digital-photography-book-volume-3.html
04-10-2010, 04:25 PM   #3
Veteran Member
jct us101's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Rohnert Park, CA
Posts: 3,793
I saw the DSLR for dummies book in Best Buy yesterday, thought it was kind of funny. I suppose it could actually be a good book to learn with though, but I think there's something called the Magic Lantern Guide, which a lot of people recommend.
04-10-2010, 04:26 PM   #4
Veteran Member
Pauld's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 507
A really good book to help you with understanding exposure is, well, "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. I'm sure a ton of members have read this book and I still read it at least once a year.

04-10-2010, 04:54 PM   #5
Senior Member




Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: northeast USA
Posts: 273
QuoteOriginally posted by Pauld Quote
A really good book to help you with understanding exposure is, well, "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. I'm sure a ton of members have read this book and I still read it at least once a year.
Agreed! This book is fantastic. Really, really helped me wrap my head around everything. I've only been at this for about 8 months and beside my camera, UE is the best investment I've made in my learning about photography.
04-10-2010, 05:56 PM   #6
Veteran Member




Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 773
QuoteOriginally posted by Naturenut Quote
Agreed! This book is fantastic. Really, really helped me wrap my head around everything. I've only been at this for about 8 months and beside my camera, UE is the best investment I've made in my learning about photography.
I would agree very strongly about this book.

Also, by the same author "Understanding Shutter Speed" and "Learning to see Creatively". Once you've digested these books you will know at least what you can do with a camera, how you can do it and also why you should learn to use this knowledge.

Learn to walk before you try to run and if you want to produce quality results there is, like most other skills, no real short cuts and no 'quick read' that will explain everything.
04-10-2010, 06:57 PM   #7
Forum Member




Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Northern Indiana
Posts: 56
Original Poster
Great! My library all those Bryan Peterson book available.

I have also been watching lots of you tube video tutorials.

I guess technique does not change just technology...
All those books were wrote in the 1950's

04-10-2010, 07:13 PM   #8
Senior Member




Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Sequim, WA
Posts: 198
You might want to check Pentax Forums Marketplace for a few.
04-10-2010, 08:48 PM   #9
Senior Member
Itai's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Montreal
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 209
QuoteOriginally posted by Pauld Quote
A really good book to help you with understanding exposure is, well, "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. I'm sure a ton of members have read this book and I still read it at least once a year.
That is definetely a good book but for absolute beginners I would recommend
starting with Reader's Digest Complete Photography Manual. It is pretty much
timeless and very easy to read and understand. Then if you want to move into
more practical advice my favorite is National Geographics Photography Field
Guide.

BTW, I have a bunch of reviews on photography book here:
Photography Book Reviews: Landscape, People, Exposure, Travel | NeoCamera.com

Have fun!

- Itai
04-12-2010, 10:42 AM   #10
Senior Member
HypnoCin67's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Portland, Maine
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 130
Good books

I agree with the Scott Kelby suggestion--anything by him in the Digital Photography Books series will be a big help, but won't help you really at all in understanding exposure.

However, Bryan Peterson's book, Understanding Exposure WILL help there--immensely, immeasurably and in a fun way with lots of examples of his work and things for you to try. And when you're ready, Bryan's book, Learning to See Creatively will also help! Good luck and have fun! Cindy

CFW Photography
04-12-2010, 06:03 PM   #11
Junior Member




Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: CT
Photos: Albums
Posts: 41
Try out Canon Australia video tutorials - Getting started

or

Photography tutorial available in YouTube.

This will be of help.

Infact, Pentax also should take some initative and bring some photography tutorial in the "Pentax Imaging" homepage.
04-12-2010, 07:56 PM   #12
New Member




Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 5
I am new to DSLR as well. Is there any website for beginner as well?
04-12-2010, 08:48 PM   #13
Junior Member




Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: CT
Photos: Albums
Posts: 41
YouTube had plenty of beginner tutorials. Ensure you go in sequence.

Try any of the following:

Photography tutorial available in YouTube.

OR

Canon Australia video tutorials - Getting started
04-12-2010, 11:20 PM   #14
Veteran Member
Pentaxie's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 429
Well, for me it is the dSLR for dummies (like me ).

Some link for dSLR beginners:
1) Digital SLR photography tips for beginners amateurs

2) The Best Beginner Digital SLR Camera

3) Digital SLR Photography Course for Beginners

Cheers.
04-13-2010, 09:05 AM   #15
Veteran Member
RioRico's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Limbo, California
Posts: 11,263
After reading the Bryan Peterson books, go to a physical public library and look for the old Time-Life Library of Photography series. These can sometimes be found on eBay for US$40 or so for the entire set (17? volumes). You needn't digest the film information, but they're loaded with explanations of how and why imagery and gear works, as well as being PACKED with stupendous photos. They teach a great deal about seeing, and thinking about seeing; about making pictures, not just taking them.
ADMIRING FRIEND: My, that's a beautiful baby you have there!
MOTHER: Oh, that's nothing - you should see his photograph!
--anon.
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
beginner, camera, pentax help, photography
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Photoshop Books jqjones Digital Processing, Software, and Printing 12 08-16-2009 01:17 AM
Books Denise Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 5 08-14-2009 07:34 AM
Books for PS Elements Damn Brit Digital Processing, Software, and Printing 9 05-18-2008 03:13 AM
Pentax K10D & K100D printed books versus e-books (in Adobe acrobat PDF) ebooks4pentax Pentax DSLR Discussion 32 01-09-2008 06:14 PM
Books on use of Filters RussellW Photographic Technique 1 12-10-2007 06:02 AM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:39 PM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top