dk books

Customer Review:

Review by: Paul, 29 January 2011

'This book is packed full of inspiring pictures and is split into convenient chapters based on themes such as Wildlife, Architecture, Travel, Fashion, Events and Sports. I feel the content avoids being too technical and focuses on giving thoughts and tips on how to improve your pictures in a way that can help any level of photographer get better pictures, from how to frame your subject, looking for different perspectives and working with light and weather conditions to produce different shots. Each chapter contains short tutorials - giving you the tips and things to think about, image analysis - where a striking image is pulled apart and the key successes are pointed out and interviews with established professional photographers followed with a behind the scenes spread where the photographer shows what goes into producing some of their images on a shoot. I look forward to putting into practice some of the tips I have picked up from reading this book.'

Customer Review:

Review by: Tom Garretson, 28 January 2011

'Initially I was sceptical about a new book that touts itself as “The Complete Photographer”, as Dorling Kindersley already has a number of exceptional books published to cover this vast subject. Upon closer inspection though, I was delighted to find that the author, Tom Ang, has for the first time in any photography book I’ve read (and believe me, I’ve read quite a few), shows professional photographers at work in every topic covered by this book, adding to the tutorials, technique and theory in a most practical way. This itself makes it unique and different than the other hordes of photography books on the market – and truly exceptional. Any serious amateur (and some professionals, mind you) would greatly benefit from this title in their bookshelf. It covers the major fields of photography: Portrait, Landscape, Fashion and Nude, Wildlife and Nature, Sports, Documentary, Event and Milestone, Travel, Architecture, and Fine Art photography in clear, concise and no-nonsense language, without hyperbole or academic hot air. In effect, you’re getting ten books on photography in one! Every topic covered is illustrated by various subjects in sections touching on technique, image analysis, tutorials, assignments for you to do (learning is always best by doing), interviews with professional photographers, and – what really makes this book different from the others – a step by step “behind the scenes” pictorial and text overview of a typical session by a seasoned photographer. This latter addition is very helpful for a serious student because it lets you observe what the photographer does as he is actually doing it – just like a teacher would do in a photography class. And even better, not just one, but two photographic sessions per chapter are presented so that you can “participate” in each and compare – multidimensional indeed! The book is a delight to read, and even if you think you have too many books on photographic technique in your bookshelf, make room for one more. You’re getting ten masterclasses, and more insight from Mr. Ang than I received in two years of art photography school. This book is not meant to be an introduction to photography, so you should already have a solid understanding of the fundamentals such as aperture, shutter speed, lighting and your camera before diving into it. It is, nonetheless, a perfect companion, say, to John Hedgecoe’s “New Manual of Photography” (also published by DK) or a similar introductory guide. If you use this book as intended you’ll not only learn a great deal more about photography in these ten chapters, but most importantly, be inspired to go out and shoot more, and raise the bar on your own work. I certainly have. '

Customer Review:

Review by: G W Davidge, 28 January 2011

'Let me start by saying that I only took up photography in Dec-2009 when I retired. My family bought me a simple panasonic "point & shoot" camera. I am just about past that stage. I was impressed by the cover & whilst doing what all readers do when first getting a book of this type, flicking through & stopping at random when something took my eye, I must admit I thought this book is for me at that stage. Alas when I sat down & started to really read it I was first pleased then surprised at how quickly my lack of knowledge was exposed. I have to date barely reached page 62. This after rereading some of the sections over & over. The tutorials are great, they will help even a novice like me. Unfortunately there is a lot of stuff about lighting that is obviously for the professional who has a large variety of equipment to hand. I have just got a new camera & I am struggling to swap lenses. Even I can be amazed at some of the pictures shown, some are truly worthy of being called "Art". A lot of the photographers are unknown to me, but I can see what they are doing from the brief description. It is when the technical terms are used & some of the expressions are completely unknown to me that I get lost. If I was a professional I would probably give it 5*. Alas a beginner, as I now realise I am, can only give it 3*.'