Professional Digital Photography: Techniques for Lighting, Shooting, and Image Editing

by Dave Montizambert

Book Overview

Going beyond a basic introduction to digital equipment, this book teaches photographers how to achieve high-quality, professional results with digital equipment and the application of traditional... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1584280816
• ISBN13: 9781584280811
• Release Date: July 2002
• Publisher: Amherst Media
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 1.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.5" x 11.4"

Customer Reviews

Good Tips on Advanced Contrast/Color Correction and Other Digital Editing Techniques

I recently decided to try and make the transition from amateur snapshot photography to a more professional/knowledgeable approach. I am a hobbyist and have no intention of trying to make a living as a photographer. Nonetheless, I found this book easily comprehensible and filled with helpful advice on image editing. There is a brief section on technique as it relates to actually taking the photo - recommended settings, advice on lighting, etc. I personally could have benefited from a more extensive discussion of these aspects of photography, but this was not the author's focus. If you are looking for that kind of instruction, you will need to get it from other books, particularly if you are self-taught. On the whole, I would recommend this book to anyone who is serious about trying to achieve professional results with their digital cameras with the disclaimer that you should look to supplement this book with others that take a more comprehensive approach to the art of photography.

Excellent book for film photographers converting to digital

I am a professional photographer/ retoucher who has helped the high volume commercial product studio where I work go digital, and I highly reccomend this book for professional photographers making the transition to digital. I think the previous reviewer who was unhappy with this book really needed a book simply about professional lighting for photography-- You can use all the same types of studio lighting (strobes, hot lights, etc...) with digital that you can with conventional photography. This book also provides wonderful alternatives for conventional photo lighting techniques that cannot be reproduced digitally, such as light painting (pack up the hosemaster). For imaging professionals like the previous reviewer who are interested in learning how to light professionally, I reccomend The Photographer's Guide to Using Light by Ted Schwartz. For veteran pro-photographers lost in the digital world (and I know you're out there) this book is a godsend--read & memorize every word.

A great book on lighting for digital photography

Some books are so good that, after reading them, you want to share the experience with others. That's exactly what happened with Professional Digital Photography -- hence this review.I think I need to qualify my review. I am an amateur with experience in film and digital. I got interested in digital because powerful tools are more affordable than their film counterparts. For example, I don't need tons of filters, hugely expensive light kits or my own color lab; Photoshop and a good photo printer go a long way for a fraction of the price.With this in mind, I am frustrated by recent titles on digital photography. Half of the books out there are essentially dictionaries. What's a CCD, what's a pixel, what's a computer? Yeah right.The other half are "me too" books on Photoshop tips and tricks. How to use adjustment layers, how to use the stamp or the corrector tool, and more. Useful but how many copycats do we need?Professional digital photography dare to be different. It focus on one specific topic: lighting for digital photography (including color correction and creative lighting) and it offers tons of information on the topic.The author share his (and his brother) experience on the subject. The book includes both a solid theoretical background and lots of practical (how-to) information. It discusses in great details those techniques that are unique to the digital process, showing you how to get more from the tools you already know.I feel like I'm on the other side of the mirror and have just stumble upon a fascinating new world. Dave Montizambert is a great guide in this journey.A word of warning though: as the other reviewer noted, this is not an book for beginners. Nor is it complete. If you are total novice to lighting, get yourself a reference in addition to this book (I recommend the "Lighting for..." series from Rotovision). But if you're past novice and you would like to get progress, make sure you get your own copy. You won't regret it.