The Perfect Gift for the Photographer on Your Gift List
Do you know someone who loves books and photography? If so, I have the perfect gift idea for them. I too love both books and photography, so reading about photography is a natural for me.
My favorite series of photography books are written by Scott Kelby. Scott gives tips to the reader as if he were on a photo shoot with them. He doesn't bore you with tons of details but rather gets right to the point and says "try doing it this way". Whether you are a someone who just likes to take photos for fun or you are a new or not so new photographer trying to get the most out of your photos, Scott has some great tips for you.
I invite you to look over the books on this page and then think about those people on your gift list. I bet you have someone who would really love these books!
Happy Shopping
all photos by the author-mbgphoto
The Digital Photography Book - Scott Kelby
This book was my first introduction to Scott Kelby and I can tell you the pages are getting rather worn from all the times I have read and looked at this book. I love the way Scott gives you step by step instructions on how to perform various photography skills.
Scott starts out the book with a basic chapter on telling you how to get really sharp photos. The following chapters tell you how to shoot like a pro whether you are shooting flowers, weddings,landscapes,sports, or people. Scott also includes chapters on avoiding problems, traveling with a camera and printing. All of these chapters are great and the way they are designed you can review a certain chapter right before you are going to shoot that subject.
The last chapter in the book shows beautiful photographs and then gives you the formula for shooting the photo. The book has great, easy follow instructions.
Predawn Sky in Minnesota - colorful predawn sky
This photo used a tip found on page 62 of The Digital Photography Book . It is entitled The Golden Rule of Landscape Photography and states a landscape photographer can only shoot during two times each day; dawn and dusk.
The Digital Photography Book -Volume 2 - photography tips
Book two is written in the same format as book one and gives you many more great tips for photography. It adds a chapter on using flash, one on setting up a studio and a great chapter on shooting portraits. In addition it has chapters on landscapes, weddings, travel, and macro that give you more great tips on these subjects.
One of my favorite tips from this book is found in chapter 4 on page 114 where it tells you not to stop shooting after sunset. It states if you are patient and wait, after many of the photographers have packed up their bags, you will capture some magnificent shots. On many nights just after sunset the sky turns a deep,deep blue and beautiful colors appear. These will only last for about 10-12 minutes so you must be ready.
In September, I went to the grounds of a nearby college and I was shooting sunflowers at sunset. I had gotten some great shots, but then I remembered the tip about waiting around after the sunset for the great colors in the sky. I waited about 10 minutes and the sky broke out in beautiful colors. There was a fountain nearby and I photographed the beautiful sky reflected in the water of the fountain and pond. The resulting photo is seen below.
Beautiful Sky after Sunset
Beautiful Sky after Sunset
The Digital Photography Book- Volume 3 - tips to shoot like a pro
Volume 3 picks up where book 2 stopped. It has two more chapters on using a flash and using your studio. This book also has a great chapter about tips to using different lenses. it tells which lens to use under different circumstances. It also includes chapters on shooting products, people, outdoors and sports.
I have always found the fisheye lens to be fascinating, but was never quite sure when to use it. In chapter 3 of this book, Scott explains that he like to use a fisheye lens if he is sitting up high in a sports stadium and if he is shooting skyscrapers and wants to get them all.
The Digital Photography Book Part 4 - more advanced photography tips
This book is on my wish list for Christmas. It has great reviews. It picks up where volume 3 leaves off. One of the reviews I read said that if you are a beginner you will want to start with volume 1, but for the more advanced photographer part 4 is by far the best of the group. I can't wait to delve into this book.
The Digital Photography Books - boxed set
This set contains volumes 1-2-3-and 4. It also includes a new #5 that I have not read yet. It would make the perfect gift for the photographer on your list. Whether they are a beginner or someone who is more advanced, they are sure to find helpful hints in Scott Kelby's series of digital photography books.
Wonderful review, Mary Beth. I remember reading one of Scott Kelby's photography books years ago while visiting someone and it was sitting on their coffee table. I 'meant' to purchase my own back then because I remember finding the simple, practical photography tips fascinating. Since my photography skills are sorely lacking, I think Kelby's books would greatly benefit me, especially now that I have a new digital camera. :)
ReplyDeleteI definitely need to add these books to my own wishlist! Thank you for the book recommendations. I often need a little instruction. It takes the guesswork out of things if someone give us direction :) Thank you Mary Beth!
ReplyDeleteScott Kelby is golden in the arena of photographic training. I would consider that boxed set of books the ideal gift. Love the way you crafted this review with personal examples of tips found in Kelby's teachings. That fountain photo is gorgeous. You are a quick study, for sure.
ReplyDeleteThe photographs are gorgeous, and yes I would absolutely consider this to be a thoughtful gift. I'll save it to my gift idea board of course
ReplyDeleteBeautiful books and post! Always love to see your photos!
ReplyDeleteGreat review! My favorite time to shoot is just after the sun sets. That's when I usually take my photo walks or end them. Would Book 1 help someone with only a point and shoot camera?
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