Magic Lantern Guides: Sony a500/a550

- Offers a tiltable 3-inch LCD that displays fastest possible autofocus in Live View mode due to phase detection AF system: a Sony exclusive!

- Peter K. Burian is a stock photographer who is represented by three agencies and has written more than a dozen Magic Lantern Guides

Digital SLR Photography All-in-One For Dummies

A complete, full-color guide to all the elements of dSLR photography
If you have a digital SLR camera, you’ll find everything you need in this full-color reference to help you get the best results. Ten self-contained minibooks cover the basics of dSLR photography and address camera models from the five leading dSLR manufacturers. Topics include lenses, exposure, lighting, composition, processing and editing, a guide to manufacturers and systems, and a guide to camera settings, plus separate minibooks covering video and high dynamic range (HDR) photography.

• This full-color volume covers all the key elements essential to good photography as well as the basics of camera bodies and lenses, dSLR workflow, and advice on the best camera settings to use for different situations
• Covers lighting, composition, and exposure as well as macro and telephoto lenses
• Features minibooks on video, HDR photography, processing and editing images, and a guide to leading camera manufacturers and systems

Digital SLR Photography All-in-One For Dummies replaces an entire shelf of digital photography books and helps you get the photos you dream of.

Cameras, controls, editing, photography basics, video — this book covers it all! You don't have to be a pro photographer to get great photos with a digital SLR camera. This book shares the secrets professionals use to get their shots. Discover how to set your camera's exposure controls, work with various lens and flash options, compose your shot, enhance your photos, and even create videos with your dSLR.

• How dSLR is different — learn what you can do with a dSLR, all about lenses and controls, and how several popular cameras compare
• What makes a great photo — discover how to work with light, the essentials of good composition, and ways to control exposure
• Get out of auto mode — review the practical shooting guide for advice on how to set your camera for portraits, action shots, and landscapes
• Shift into video mode — find out how to capture video with your dSLR, edit it, and share it online or on DVD
• After you shoot — understand workflow, edit your photos like a pro, and learn to manage images

Open the book and find:

• How those mysterious knobs and menus can make you a great photographer
• The best lens to use for each photo shoot
• When to use your camera's built-in flash and when to shut it off
• The elements of exposure and how they control the quality of your photos
• Composition rules and when to break them
• How to choose the best software for editing your photos
• Recommended camera settings for shooting formal portraits

9 books in 1

• Learning about Digital SLRs
• Through the Looking Glass
• Hey, Your Exposure's Showing
• Lighting Strikes
• Composing Great Shots
• "Spiffifying" Photos in Software
• Shooting Videos
• The dSLR Reference
• Practical dSLR Tips

 

About the Author

Robert Correll is a creative professional whose skills include photography, music production, and design. He is author of High Dynamic Range Digital Photography For Dummies and coauthor of HDR Photography Photo Workshop. Robert has also covered Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo, Sony ACID Pro, and Cakewalk SONAR in his writing career.

Leica M Digital Photography: M8/M8.2 (Lark Photography Book)

Leica makes the world’s premiere luxury rangefinder camera system—and here’s the definitive guide to using the magnificent Leica M8 digital camera, as well as its brand-new complementary model, the M8.2. It’s written specifically for the many Leica photographers who want to take full advantage of a digital Leica’s potential and produce the very best pictures possible.

As a rangefinder digital camera, the M8 offers unique advantages, but it also presents specific challenges, which author and Leica expert Brian Bower addresses at length and in depth, enhanced by his own gorgeous Leica photography. He discusses digital controls, lenses, and accessories; close-up techniques and flash photography; and options for firmware, software, and hardware.

Leica Lens Practice: Choosing and Using Leica Lenses

Hove Books 2nd Edition 1993, Hardcover, 6 x 8-1/2", 192 pages, color and B&W illustrations. This comprehensive guide to Leica lens selection and use has been updated with all new lenses announced by Leica GmbH. A welcome new edition of this popular guide for the Leica owner and collector.

Contents:
The Leica Philosophy of Lens Design
The Two LEICA Lens System (M & R)
Applications of LEICA Lenses
Subjects
Choosing the Right Lenses
LEICA Lenses in Practice
LEICA Lens Directory.

 

Leica Camera Repair Handbook

With great detail this book outlines all of the techniques needed to repair and restore Leica cameras, lenses and accessories including light meters, winders/motors, viewfinders, and flash units. Each model of equipment is discussed individually with step-by-step illustrated instructions. Readers will not only learn how to disassemble and repair equipment, but also how to troubleshoot and make cosmetic restorations. A glossary of technical terms and an abstract containing the fundamentals of camera repair are included.

Thomas Tomosy is a European-trained master camera technician, teacher, and writer. He is the author of Restoring the Great Classic and Collectible Cameras, Restoring the Great Collectible Cameras (1945–70), and Camera Maintenance and Repair: Book 2. He lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Canon EOS 7D Digital Field Guide

No-fail formulas for getting great digital photos with the Canon EOS 7DIf you want to polish your photography skills, keep your camera bag stocked with the best equipment, like Canon's new EOS 7D camera and this practical, full-color Canon EOS 7D Digital Field Guide. Portable and packed with information, this handy guide helps you get the very most out of the EOS 7D's powerful new features. Discover professional shooting tricks, helpful composition advice, and invaluable tips on exposure, perspective, and more. The book also includes a grey and color checker card, so you can tweak your captured photos for optimal colorization.

• From menu screens to composition, this book provides no-fail techniques for getting the most out of your Canon EOS 7D digital camera
• Covers the camera's new features, including the 19-point autofocus, new metering system, integrated Speedlight Transmitter, 8-frames-per-second shooting ratio, and improved HD video capturing
• Helps you take your photography skills to another level with photography tips and tricks from professional photographer and author Charlotte Lowrie
• Teaches you photography essentials such as composition, exposure, perspective, and more
• Includes a grey and color card checker and full instructions with the book

Take memorable photographs with your new Canon EOS 7D and the Canon EOS 7D Digital Field Guide!

From the Back Cover

Learn to get the most from your EOS 7D With its 18-megapixel resolution, 19-point autofocus, Intelligent Viewfinder, and high-resolution HD video capacity, your Canon EOS 7D is a tool for telling stories. This go-everywhere guide is your one-stop resource for learning what your camera can do. You'll find practical suggestions for camera set-up, in-depth instruction on using camera features and how they work together, and advice on creative application. Then you can concentrate on the story you want to tell.

• Explore key technologies — the 18-megapixel CMOS sensor, improved high ISO noise reduction, and dual DIGIC 4 high-speed image processors
• Learn what each control does and how to set up your camera for a wide range of subjects
• Find out how to control exposure, use the new focusing system, and get great color
• Explore ways to customize the 7D to suit your shooting needs

Inside – your free gray and color checker card to help you achieve accurate white balance and color

 

About the Author

Charlotte K. Lowrie is a professional photographer and award-winning writer. Her photographic experience ranges from photojournalism and editorial photography to shooting nature photos and weddings. Charlotte's images have appeared in national publications, and she has written 11 books. She teaches photography courses at BetterPhoto.com. You can see more of her work at wordsandphotos.org. 

The Elements of Photography: Understanding and Creating Sophisticated Images

The kinds of topics that are addressed in this book are happening in a highly animated way among photography educators. The idea of visual literacy--photographers needing both technical and conceptual skills, being informed about their subject matter through interdisciplinary research, and using all of the tools available to make work--that is a distinctive driving concern for all of us engaged in this education.--Dennie Eagleson Associate Professor of Photography, Antioch College

Product Description

Photography is a complex craft. Some excel at the technical side of image-making, focusing perfectly on the subject, releasing the shutter at just the right moment and making exposures with the precise amount of light. Others are artists and storytellers, capturing a fleeting moment in time which inspires a viewer to gaze upon an image and ponder its meaning. The best photographers are masters of both.

In this highly visual, informative book, Angela Faris Belt discusses the four crucial elements of photography that are essential for successful technical and conceptual image-making:

.the photographic frame and its borders
.quality of focus as determined by the aperture or lens
.shutter speeds and their effects in relation to time and motion
.the physical media used to create the aggregate image

Step-by-step guidance including informative screen shots, traditional darkroom and Photoshop techniques, suggested exercises, and before and after images help both film and digital photographers improve their skills, learn new techniques, and better understand their craft. More than 300 stunning, full color images and portfolios featuring the work of over 40 prestigious artists provide visual inspiration as well as a gorgeous collection of artwork for photography enthusiasts.

*Learn from an expert author how to combine your creative vision with technical accuracy to produce images that are visually provoking as well as technically inspiring
*Includes over 300 stunning full color images and highlights the portfolios of 40+ prestigious artists
*Contains screenshots, before-and-after images, and how-to information to help both students and photographers practice skills and learn new techniques
*Follow the suggested exercises at the end of each chapter to develop your own portfolio of images

About the Author

Angela Faris Belt holds an MFA in Photography from the University of Michigan. She is a fine art photographer who has worked as a professional educator for fifteen years. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, and she has received several awards and recognition for her fine art work and her work in photography education. She lives with her husband David in the mountains outside of Denver, Colorado, and serves as full-time faculty at The Art Institute of Colorado. For more information about the artist-author, go to www.angelafaris.com.

Master Lighting Guide for Portrait Photographers

Time-tested lighting strategies that will improve the quality of a portrait are detailed in this book for beginning photographers. Terminology used by industry pros is explained, the equipment needed to create professional results is outlined, and the unique role that each element of the lighting setup plays in the studio is explored. Photographers learn how color, direction, form, and contrast affect the final portrait. The concise text, photo examples, and lighting diagrams enable photographers to easily achieve traditional lighting styles that have been the basis of good portraiture since the advent of the art.

About the Author

Christopher Grey is the author of Creative Techniques for Nude Photography and Photographer's Guide to Polaroid Transfer. He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Photographer's guide to shooting model and actor portfolios

Solid artistic abilities, technical knowledge of the industry, business and communication skills, and a great imagination are all required in shooting a strong model portfolio. This book teaches not just how to style, pose, and shoot great model portraits, but also how to develop portfolios that will get models working. Photographers will learn how to develop a professional relationship with their models and how to determine a model’s and agency’s goal—whether it is to get urban fashion work, television or stage acting jobs, or hair and makeup work.

About the Author

C. J. Elfont's work has appeared in Sierra, Travel and Leisure, and Glamour Photography Magazine. Edna Elfont is a professional writer. Alan Lowry is a contributing photographer to Glamour Photography Magazine. They live in Salem, South Carolina.

Freelance Photographer's Handbook

"The handbook includes representative photos, sample contracts, an extensive annotated list of resources, and a glossary. A companion blog is available."  —SciTech Book News

Product Description

Ideal for both hobbyists and full-time photographers, this book provides tips on becoming a freelance photographer and building a successful freelance business. It gives a complete overview of the field from how to get started—including business advice on running an office and managing pictures—to technological advice on photo equipment, computers, films, darkroom supplies and techniques, and custom processing. Detailing a variety of interest areas such as advertising, architecture, entertainment, fashion, glamour, photojournalism, sports, and travel, this book will offers aid to any freelance photographer.

About the Author

Cliff Hollenbeck and Nancy Hollenbeck are one of the top travel photo teams in the world. Their award-winning images are used by major airlines, cruise lines, and advertising agencies. They live in Seattle, Washington.

The Art of Infrared Photography

Paduano walks you through all the steps of infrared photography in a clearly written and illustrated text which makes every aspect of the process easy to follow. Topics include: The theory of infrared film, precautions, filters and focusing, film speed and image grain, exposures, night and flash photography, processing and printing, toning and handcoloring prints, color infrared film, and digital infrared cameras. -- Petersen's Photographic, October issue

Product Description

Enter the mystical world of infrared photography. Author Joseph Paduano covers the equipment and techniques one needs to produce stunning infrared images in b&w or color". . . . escorts the reader into a fascinating area of photographic experimentation".--NEW YORK TIMES.

About the Author

Joseph Paduano is a professional photographer and the author of Infrared Nude Photography and Wide-Angle Lens Photography.

Infrared Portrait Photography

Exploring the dynamic possibilities of infrared portrait photography, this book presents more than 50 black-and-white portraits and explains how each one was created. Using both traditional and conceptual poses and subjects, the reader will discover what portrait compositions photograph best in infrared, what to expect from different compositions, and which ones to avoid. It includes an explanation of the difference between types and brands of film, focusing techniques, and techniques for customizing and displaying infrared portraits. This guide also offers advice on selecting the best equipment, film, and filters, and tips for handling, processing, and printing sensitive infrared film.

About the Author

Richard Beitzel is a professional portrait photographer and photographic studio owner. He lives in Meyersdale, Pennsylvania.

The Complete Guide to Night & Lowlight Digital Photography (A Lark Photography Book)

Aimed at serious photographers, this lavishly illustrated guide takes a close look at every detail of lowlight photography. Michael Freeman (The Complete Guide to Digital Photography, Mastering Digital Black & White Photography) offers in-depth analysis of the many techniques photographers must master for night and lowlight shooting. Point by point, he discusses how to keep the camera steady, what lenses and camera settings to use, and how to best apply flash, bracketing, image-stabilizing, vibration reduction, and noise reduction. He also outlines common lowlight situations, from stormy weather and deep shade to twilight, moonlight, city lights, and nightclubs. Finally, Freeman examines software programs and processes that will increase the quality of lowlight photographs.

Macro and close-up photography handbook

Macro and close-up photography allow photographers to explore a world that few people ever experience: the delicate stamens of flowers, crystals, the texture of a butterfly's wing, stamps, or minute details on a piece of jewelry. With careful attention to the techniques taught in this book, photographers will learn how to capture these highly detailed, small-scale subjects on film, creating fascinating images of features too small to be adequately observed by the unaided human eye. With the advice in this book on selecting the latest 35mm equipment, and field versus studio considerations like focusing, lighting, film, and filters, consistent results will come easily to both the novice and professional photographer.
About the Author
Stan Sholik has written on photography for View Camera Magazine, Camera Arts, Photo Lab Management, and Petersen's Photographic. He lives in Santa Ana, California. Ron Eggers is a contributing editor with Rangefinder Magazine and a senior editor with NewsWatch Service. He lives in Costa Mesa, California.

Close-Up and Macro Photography

"In Close-up and Macro Photography the author has written and produced the most up-to-date and comprehensive book currently available on the subject. The book is very well written, easy to read and understand and well illustrated with graphs, charts and beautifully reproduced photographs. This book is designed for the 'serious amateur' or the seasoned professional photographer who is interested in the exciting and fascinating world of macro and close-up imaging. It includes chapters on cameras, lenses, studio set-ups and an in-depth explanation of the latest digital technologies and an ordered, sensible approach to digital workflow. I found the book to be complete, very informative and concise and I appreciated the fact that the author looked at close-up and macro photography as both an art and a science. Highly recommended." - Harold Naideau, professional photographer, educator and president of the Long Island chapter of the American Society of Media Photographers
 "Close-up and Macro Photography is one of the most comprehensible books on macro photography I have ever read. An un-missable resource for the experienced or amateur macro photographer." - Hugh Leslie, Macrophotography.org

Product Description

In this exhaustive guide to macro photography, respected author and photographer Adrian Davies takes a comprehensive approach to the subject, covering every aspect of the multi-faceted and often complicated world of close-up photography.

Everything about Adrian's approach is both practical and diverse, with optimal output always in mind. His coverage of equipment, for example, goes beyond cameras to cover the application of flatbed and film scanners for close-up shots (2D, 3D, reflective and translucent subjects).

Seperate sections cover cameras and equipment, lenses, lighting, workflow and image processing. Additionally, a seperate section on 'special subjects' covers techniques for shooting both common macro subjects (including insects, fossils and coins), as well as a range of technical elements such as shiny surfaces, texture, and polarised light. The appendix includes a technical discussion on depth of field, including detailed tables, and a range of optical formulae.

Clear, concise and comprehensive, and packed with stunning images, this is a must-have purchase for all photographers looking for professional quality macro results.

* One-stop guide to all things macro by respected author/photographer Adrian Davies
* Takes a comprehensive approach to a macro workflow, covering every aspect from pre-capture (including selecting equipment from compacts to film scaners) through to post-capture and image processing
* Packed with stunning macro photographs to inspire the reader and put the information in a practical context

From the Back Cover

Get professional photos of creative macro subjects with this exhaustive guide to close up and macro photography. Award winning photographer and author Adrian Davies guides you through each step of the macro process, from choosing the right camera, lenses and equipment, to macro workflow and optimum output. Packed with inspiring images this is an essential resource for any photographer looking for quality macro and close-up results.

The digital photography handbook

New updated edition of the UK's bestselling guide to digital photography. Concise, practical, up-to-date and easy to follow, The Digital Photography Handbook is the complete companion for any digital photographer. Going Digital - the basics, including choosing a camera and equipment, setting up, taking shots and camera care Using your Digital Camera - tips for taking great photographs, with inspirational ideas for every genre: portraits, holidays, weddings, children, flora & fauna, abstracts...The Digital Darkroom - improving, adapting and rescuing images on a computer: basic, advanced and professional techniques Output - getting the best end result, on-line or in print, and creating a portfolio

About the Author

Doug Harman has over 15 year's experience as a journalist, writer, photographer, and digital camera and technology tester. He has written extensively for a multitude of digital photography magazines and websites, including Amateur Photographer, What Digital Camera, Total Digital Photography, Professional Photographer and Photography Monthly. David Jones is a professional photographer with an extensive commercial portfolio, particularly in the fashion and advertising industries. He has also been widely exhibited and contributed photographs to many magazines and books, including Brunel, How to Keep Dinosaurs and Master Chef.

Portrait Photographer's Handbook

"This guide offers excellent advice on how to master the complex art of portrait photography."  —Shutterbug

Product Description

Combining time-tested practices with contemporary methods, this guidebook details the fine art of capturing formal and casual posed images. With advice and guidance from the finest and most decorated portrait and wedding photographers in the country, this instructional discusses subjects such as lighting in the studio and on location, improving improvisational shooting techniques, and how to retouch images in the post-production process to create truly flawless looks. A chapter addressing the common problems in taking portraitures—from working with subjects with glasses to subjects that vary in size, facial features, and skin tone—is also included.

 

Creative black-and-white photography: advanced camera and darkroom techniques

The revised edition of this guide teaches photographers to systematically re-think the photographic process and take their technique to a new level. The author introduces an array of advanced techniques and concepts and explains how to use them creatively to solve a wide range of challenging aesthetic problems. The uses of sophisticated techniques involving film exposure and development control, camera filters, innovative uses of print contrasts, dodging and burning, and bleaching are illustrated step-by-step using comparative sequences of black-and-white pictures. In addition, a new chapter provides insight into the issue of digital versus traditional black-and-white photography from an insider's perspective.

About the Author

Bernhard J. Suess is a professional photographer and photography instructor whose work has been widelyexhibited. His photographs have appeared in over thirty publications in seven countries. Author of Mastering Black-and-White Photography (Allworth Press), he has published articles on the techniques of black-and-white photography in journals such as Darkroom & Creative Camera Techniques and Outdoor & Travel Photography. He lives in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Photography: the art of composition

Product Description
Since the beginning of the twentieth century, photographic composition has been taught mostly by applying the principles from the field of graphic design. But the factor that distinguishes the work of master photographers is their ability to see and describe scenes visually. In his newly published book, Photography The Art of Composition, Bert Krages introduces a radically different approach that applies modern cognitive science to show photographers how they can develop their perceptual skills. The book follows contemporary educational methods used to teach fine arts such as drawing and painting, concentrating on teaching the perception of critical visual elements and understanding how they will be rendered photographically. "In many respects, this book can do for photography what Betty Edwards’ best-selling Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain did for drawing. Many people believe that seeing is a mysterious gift, the so-called ‘artist's eye.’" says Krages. The core of the book is a group of sixty exercise that readers perform to learn how to perceive points, lines, and shapes in static and dynamic settings. These exercises are structured enough to push photographers to develop their cognitive abilities while at the same time flexible enough to allow for individual creative expression. They also show the importance of knowing about the subject and provide some history about the specific genres at the heart of each exercise.
From the Inside Flap
Photographers can now perfect their ability to perceive and record scenes with this fresh approach to composition. Unlike other composition resources, which are based on graphic design principles, Photography: The Art of Composition uses cognitive science to help photographers develop greater artistic proficiency. Illustrated by more than 250 photographs, this book offers a series of exercises sure to help photographers see and perceive their environment differently. Chapters and exercises cover:

Developing your intuitive sense of composition to create better photos - Understanding how the human brain perceives images - Developing your visual acuity by studying art and photography - Learning how to shoot in a wide variety of genres including street documentary, photojournalism, nature, landscape, sports, and still-life photography - Thinking and working like an artist -Choosing the right camera equipment

This informative guide will help photographers develop their cognitive skills and take compelling photos.
About the Author
Bert P. Krages is a photographer and attorney who is the author of two previous photography books, Legal Handbook for Photographers and Heavenly Bodies The Photographer’s Guide to Astrophotography. He lives in Portland, Oregon.

Adobe Photoshop CS4 for Photographers: A Professional Image Editor's Guide to the Creative use of Photoshop for the Macintosh and PC

'When it's all said and done, tools-whether hardware or software-are just tools, and it's your ideas and images that matter. You'll find that Martin knows both sides of the equation and never lets the techniques distract from the vision. I think you'll find his perspective and experience invaluable.'

John Nack, Principal Product Manager, Adobe Photoshop

'Evening's Adobe Photoshop for Photographers titles have become classic reference sources, written to deal directly with the needs of photographers and filled with a wealth of practical advice, hints and tips to help you achieve professional results.'

Professional Photographer

'Richly illustrated with photos and screen grabs, this is an invaluable guide for anyone serious about Photoshop at a very reasonable price.'

What Digital Camera

'...the bible for digital photographers. Wonderfully illustrated and incredibly detailed to help you master all aspects of the program.'

ephotozine
Product Description
Martin Evening's Adobe Photoshop for Photographers titles have become classic reference sources for photographers at all skill levels. Whether you are an accomplished user or just starting out, the Adobe Photoshop CS4 for Photographers book contains a wealth of practical advice, hints and tips to help you achieve professional-looking results.
Adobe Photoshop CS4 for Photographers begins with an overview of the Photoshop interface and the fundamentals of how to use Photoshop, followed by how to configure and optimize your computer's performance to run the program and then it dives straight into the essentials of Camera Raw image editing. The Sharpening chapter shows how to use the Camera Raw controls to obtain optimum capture sharpening and noise reduction and the Essentials chapter outlines how to work with all the basic image adjustment tools that are in the program, some of which have been there since the very beginning.
Practical workshops show you how to master the essential techniques, such as color correction, retouching techniques, toning a black and white image, creating composite images and so on. Each technique is described in step-by-step detail, showing exactly which command to use, whether you are working with a Mac or PC computer.
The accompanying DVD contains a Photoshop for Photographers Help Guide. This is supplied in a web browser format that you can either run from the DVD or copy to your computer hard disk for off-line viewing. The Help Guide contains a complete guide to all the tools and panels in Photoshop as well as other items in the program. It is like having an off-line manual with which to learn more about what each Photoshop tool and palette does. The guide also provides 120 minutes of movie tutorials on Photoshop CS4. If you are just beginning to work with digital images or are looking for new ideas, the best techniques and ways to improve the quality of your work, this is the book for you!

* Learn Photoshop the Martin Evening way! Get up to speed fast with the essential information you need to create superb images in Photoshop CS4.
* Accompnying DVD includes the images you need to follow along as you read, with QuickTime movie tutorials for hands-on learning
* Contains over 750 professional, color images
About the Author
Martin Evening is a professional photographer and digital imaging consultant, as well as an Alpha tester for Photoshop and key demo artist for Adobe. Based in London, UK, Martin was inducted into the legendary Photoshop Hall of Fame in 2008.