Book Description
COMPLETELY REVISED AND UPDATED, THIS ESTABLISHED CLASSIC REMAINS THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO THE WORLD OF PHOTOGRAPHY!
2004 Edition
For nearly three decades, The Basic Book of Photography has been the ideal handbook for beginning and experienced photographers alike. This comprehensive edition has been expanded to include the latest technological innovations in digital photography and the most modern methods and products used in traditional film photography.
So whether you use a single lens reflex (SLR), compact, APS, single-use, instant, or digital camera, you'll learn everything you need to know about how to operate your equipment successfully to produce the most striking pictures.
This greatly enlarged edition includes:
* An all-new chapter on digital cameras and imaging
* Indoor and outdoor lighting techniques
* Descriptions of all color and black-and-white films
* Procedures for processing your own pictures
* Ways to enjoy your photography on the Internet
With more than 395 instructive illustrations and an extensive glossary, The Basic Book of Photography will help you become the photographer you always wanted to be.
Customer Reviews:
A great intro to photography.......2007-05-16
After doing photography my whole life with a point and shoot camera I finally bought a "real" camera. A Canon SLR that I had no idea how to use. So after a lot of research at the bookstore I settled on this book, and I am very happy I did. It teaches a beginner all the different important functions on your camera that you need to learn and why you need to know it. This book is very concise and detailed. All the functions on my camera are explained in detail in this book. If you have a new SLR that you don't know how to use I highly recommend this book.
nice reference for beginners.......2006-06-26
I found this book to be a nice reference for beginners like me. It does not require you to read it from cover to cover. You can pick and read any chapter you like. The illustrations are good enough and the book is not overfilled with them tunlike some other books that focus so much on illustrations that they never take time to write those simple concepts.
I think its worth having this book on your shelf if you are gradually starting photography as a hobby.
basic understatements.......2006-03-30
The first print of the book came out in 1974. Needless to say, photography has changed a great deal since 1974. Noted, this book is "fully updated" to cover the digital world, but I advice you if you have any desire to learn about the details of any apsect of photography this is not the book for you. The book reflects the fast changing field of photography-so many pages were devoted to films, instant Polarids, darkroom techniques, processing and protecting films..all extremely important but OUTDATED topics. Photography has mostly gone digital--very few people still take film (I perfer film, but I am a rare exception) and digital world was covered in the most basic way. To be fair, I believe that the samples of photos to illustrate authors' points were welll-chosen. (Many woderful color photos are inculded) However, a comprehensive discussion from film speed ratings to different types of flash gave a reader a strong feeling that this is a "Jack-of-all-trades" and "master-of-none" book. Another words, the book contains every thing basic (ie how to hold a camera) but if you want to learn how to covert RAW digital images from your Cannon to JPAGs for easy internet postings , good luck!
Ready to stop taking snapshots, and step up to real photography?.......2006-02-27
I recently decided to really learn something about photography, so I could stop taking lifeless snapshots and actually take some meaningful pictures instead. Until now, I have just snapped away with disposable cameras or an early model, low-quality digital point-and-shoot camera. I recently decided to buy a more sophisticated digital camera and learn to use it effectively.
This book is a great guide for someone who wants to step up to taking some real pictures. It assumes no amount of expertise on the part of the reader, which was a problem I had encountered in other books; you will not find yourself reading jargon that goes unexplained. On the other hand, you don't have to worry about it being over-simplified; it will give you all that you need to really become competent. Not only does it present a wide variety of information, it is organized and composed very well. It is very readable, very well-written.
The only way the book could be improved would be to write a new edition dedicated solely to those who are venturing into photography for the first time in the present digital age, without ever getting involved in film photography. The most recent edition of this book was released in 2003, when the changeover to digital photography was underway but by no means complete. 3 years later, in 2006, most people deciding to take up photography as a hobby are now going to straight to the digital world without bothering to familiarize themselves with film photography. Readers of "The Basic Book of Photography" should know that they will be educated in the field of photography first through film, and then that knowledge will be used to explain digital photography later in the book. 3 years ago when this edition was published, writing most of the book about film and then attaching digital may have been the right way to write a book about photography, but that has changed. Now it is probably time to write a book about digital photography that has one little chapter on film, not a whole book about film with one special chapter on digital. That having been said, you will still benefit enormously from reading everything in this book because the digital photo world evolved from film; if you understand its origins, you will still be learning things valuable to a digital photographer.
The bottom line is this: if you've been taking snapshots your whole life but now you want to know how to really turn photography into a serious hobby, buy and read this book. If you only buy one book on photography, make it this one.
Not really for digital shooters.......2006-01-01
I picked this up looking for a back-to-basics book only to find that the book doesn't really talk to a modern audience. It's very film-centric in ways that may not help people dealing with the very different choices offered by digital cameras -- that is, it's not going to give you much guidance for either taking digital snapshots or using more advanced technical controls. This really is a book from the early '90s with a 21st century gloss on it.
Customer Reviews:
Perfect example of what a fine photography book should be........1998-07-18
This book represents all the finest points of an excellent photography book. It is well written and imformative for the novice to the professional. You will find only the highest quality work throughout the book. It covers everything from black and white to color picture taking to final print development. The hundreds of photographs that illustrate each aspect of photography are beautiful. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
Book Description
The continuation volume to the highly successful Basic Techniques of Photography: Book One, this profusely illustrated manual offers a contemporary guide to Ansel Adams' brilliant approach to creative photography.Expanding on the fundamental principles of photography presented in Book One, this volume enables the committed amateur or student photographer to advance to higher levels of creative expression. Book Two offers essential chapters on exposure and development, including what is perhaps the clearest, most effective explanation of Ansel Adams' remarkable Zone System ever written.Dr. Schaefer goes on to explain and demonstrate the most important approaches to printmaking for those interested in darkroom and digital work, including such alternative printing processes as cyanotypes, salt printing, platinum/palladium printing, and gum printing. The theory and practice of color photography and printing are explained, and a thorough introduction to digital imaging is featured--all illustrated by numerous examples of work by Ansel Adams and many other photographers. Basic Techniques of Photography:Book Two is a "must-have" for anyone who wants to improve their skills as an image-maker.
Customer Reviews:
Learning Basic Techniques.......2007-04-11
Well, it's a great book for basic techniques. I bought the 'Book 1' and was able to understand the second one, unless you know about photography, you don't need to read the first book.
The 'Book 2' is really the continuation of the first one, and so it continues on subjects like exposure, development and printing. I am disapointed by the chapter on exposure though. I was searching for a deeper understanding on the exposure notion. Still! Great book.
Riddled with errors but still worth the price........2007-02-16
I posted an in-depth review of this book previously but, for some reason, it did not show up here so I will try again. However, this time I will be more brief. This book is excellent but, like the other two books I have by Schaefer, it is riddled with technical errors. There's no excuse for that. The experienced photographer may catch most of the errors but the student probably won't and that could cause some real problems. The section on film testing, for example, has many serious errors.
I find it a bit irritating that Schaefer literally plagiarizes Ansels photography series of books. By that I mean, Schaeffer lifts whole pages, text, illustrations, etc. Some pages even have the same font styles as Ansel's books. If you took away what has been taken from Ansel's books, this book would be a lot slimmer. I have no idea why Schaefer doesn't simply speak for himself. It's fine to make references to Ansel's writings and photography but to copy it is another thing. But the one good thing about that is that the parts that are copied from Adams are at least correct.
This book has large sections on alternative processes. For someone really interested in those processes, the information doesn't have enough depth. However, it is a good overview of those techniques.
The sections on digital imaging are downright funny. They are so out-of-date that the reader should get a good laugh from them. This book should have stuck with traditional photography because digital photography is changing so fast that it is more suited for periodicals.
If you use this book as a reference for film testing, etc., be very careful. There are so many errors that they can lead you seriously off the path. I have made so many corrections in my book that I might as well have written it myself. I cannot understand why Schaefer didn't have someone proof-read it. And some of the errors are glaring!
All that said, I still think this book is a good addition to my photographic library.
Nice book.......2004-12-02
I like this book very much because it explains different concepts and terminology in simple terms -- good for people who are trying to learn photography but not knowing much yet (like me). There are a lot of pictures in the book, so it isn't boring at all.
It also explains traditional photography very well, including cameras, darkroom etc. However, don't expect much from the technology section of the book since it is quite outdated, however it does give you a brief background with the technology though. (It's only a minor problem... anyway)
Recommended to those who are interested in photography.... also get Book 1 as well.
A Curiosity - Buy It Used.......2004-09-03
This is a beautifully printed curiosity / collector's item.
Contrary to the book's title you won't find much useful information about photography in this book. Most of its pages are devoted to arcane and obscure film print development techniques. While many of these techniques are interesting and can produce fascinating results, let's face it; do you really want a book that teaches you how to print a black and white film photo with pasta sauce and Epsom salts?! If so, this is the book for you!
The rearmost 1/4 of the book is cursorily devoted to digital image processing. Note that this book dates back to 1998, absolutely ancient by digital standards. So although the basic concepts presented are good the changes to the digital scene have rendered the digital material basically useless. Which is probably fine with the author (note that that's NOT Ansel Adams), as I could almost hear him hissing as he wrote that section of the book.
I bought this book at a bookstore (what's that?) and it was shrink-wrapped in plastic. So all that i could learn about it was in the blurbs on the cover...which are very misleading.
GREAT CHOOSE.......2000-05-31
Schaefer has taken on a major task in reworking the material to reflect changes in equipment and materials while maintaining the thoroughness, attention to detail, and spirit of the Adams' series. I feel that he has succeeded nicely.
While a lot has been borrowed directly from the previous work there is also much new material and the format itself has been changed substantially. The book now opens with a thoroughly enjoyable, albeit brief, history of photography before getting down to business...Although targeted at a bit different readership than its predecessor, An Ansel Adams Guide: Basic Techniques of Photography, Book I is a good read and destined to become as much a classic as the original.
Book Description
In just a weekend, crafters can get their creative juices flowing with this goldmine of creative techniques and projects-448 jam-packed pages worth of great ideas. Every one is fun, easy to complete, and doesn't require a major investment of time or money. Use dried flowers in new and unique ways to enhance cards and candles, and to create lovely aromatic coasters. Out of paper come beautiful photo storage boxes, Japanese washi bracelets, and even a chic checkerboard. The quilting section features a score of practical and exquisite items, including silk pillbox hats and embroidered window valances. And with the ideas for macramé, metal embossing, and decorative finishes for furniture found here, anyone will achieve fantastic results, and become a skilled crafter, too.
Customer Reviews:
Good for anyone just starting!.......2007-05-24
This is a great book for anyone interested in a variety of projects. It gives very in depth information and is an excellent way to get started with projects.
where is my book?.......2005-09-07
This book was to be delivered by the 30th of August. It is now the 7th of Sept, and still no book. One star is generous, and predicated on the hope the book is still to come.
Product Description
This book covers simple techniques needed to make realistic scenery for a layout of any size or scale. Each chapter includes step-by-step color photos, illustrations, and diagrams that demonstrate the basic steps to adding prototypical scenery elements to a layout. It includes many one-evening projects.
Customer Reviews:
Missing a clear final objective.......2007-05-15
This book is in fact a series of tips and/or techniques but the reader will never see where the author tends to drive him. Each article starts with a very small (and partial) picture of the target but at the end of the explanations, no review of the final result. No global project as it was supposed at the very begin of the book. That's a pity.
The comments, in other hand, is sometimes missing details and precisions.
This book did not give me any confidence to try any of the explained techniques.
A Very Good Introduction.......2006-12-05
There are two main approaches to model RR scenery. One is to rely on commercial systems and the other is to make things from scratch. While this might be intuitive for something like a model of a barn, it is much less so for the modeling the white water of a mill stream or the detritus of a forest floor. This book looks at both approaches, but does not do so from the perspective of either/or. Instead a situation is postulated and then the author explains how he would handle the situation. Sometimes this means mixing chemicals and installing commercial products and sometimes this means going out and getting a bunch of dead leaves to put in a blender. The approaches are mixed together and the result is an easy to read and easy to understand explanation that can be extrapolated for many situations.
The book is well illustrated and the actual construction steps are presented step by step. It is easy to follow.
I tend to distrust the natural approach, fearing that in time, organic matter will decay. I am less distrustful of it now and have some new ideas to try.
Scenery for anyone.......2006-03-19
The simple step by step in this book covers just what we needed for all aspects of our 4x8' layout. We have been constructing it based on articles in Model Railroader magazine but there was not enough detail for ground, roads etc. This book has absolutely fabulous methods with easy to follow instructions and the results are fabulous. I never thought my son and I could achieve the kinds of realism that we constantly see displyed in magazines but with this book we are! And it is very easy to do.
The author's systems are very well documented and use inexpensive materials when ever possible.
Great Idea Generator.......2006-01-23
The projects outlined in this book not only offer the reader step-by-step instructions, but will also encourage the modeler to branch out on his/her own. I highly recommend it.
Great book, don't be fooled by the title.......2004-02-13
While the title say "Basic Scenery", it's not about the difficult level, but basic scenery that's needed in every model railroad. The book is divided in several projects (two to four pages), with color photos to illustrate the techniques presented and tips on small details.
It's a book for modellers at all levels, but it is certain that intermediate and begginers can get the most from this book. To guarantee that, projects are well described on a very didactic language. I recommend the book for everyone planning the first or next railroad empire, even if it's a small one!
Book Description
Third Edition, newly revised, the companion edition to the bestselling Basic Book of Photography.
This completely updated edition of Tom Grimm's classic how-to darkroom guide explains all the steps necessary to develop and print professional quality photographs at home. This third edition of The Basic Darkroom Book is totally current with the latest technology and equipment, including electronic imaging in the "digital darkroom."
Like most books on darkroom techniques, The Basic Darkroom Book contains illustrations, but what sets it apart is the amount of explanatory text devoted to each step in the development process. Written with clarity and concision by a 40-year veteran in the photographic arts, this accessible master reference is the only darkroom assistant a photographer needs.
Customer Reviews:
SO ****ING BORING.......2006-09-17
This book, is so hard to read, i don't know how any one could possibly turn a book that i, a darkroom hobbist my self could have wirtten in perhaps two hundered pages into a 464 page snooz fest. he includes all this unessiccary stuff aout how the film works and summerizeds stuff hes going to explain before he explains it... WHO CARES!!?? if i wanted to know how film works id buy a book on film! If you want to set up a drak room, eihter take a class, or buy a diffent book, thats not so hard to read, its basicly a text book. is it a bad book? nay, but don't expect to use it as a instruction manual, it has about fifty pages of nonsense between the actaul process of making a god damn darkroom!
Superb Darkroom Manual.......2005-12-17
This book by Tom Grimm is by far the most comprehensive and practical handbook on darkroom information and procedures that I have yet read. I have been involved in photography since the early 1950's and this is one of the best books on this aspect of photography that I own. I believe it surpasses that excellent book "Enlarging" by Jacobson and Mannheim that I also own and still use (1975 edition). I just do not understand the previous criticism made that the book requires "a degree" to understand it! The only criticism I would make is that products listed by the author are not always available to UK photographers, as it has, naturally, an American bias, however, even with that small defecit, the book is well worth the price!
Best Photography book!.......2004-09-10
This is one of the best photography books around, in my opinion. Very very detailed coverage of most all aspects of B&W and color photography. The author does not assum that you have your very own private dark room and makes sigguestions as to how you can use things you probably allready have around your house instead of expensive photography equipement. For instance, the author sigguests that you might use a fish tank and heater to control the temperature of color chemicals! And I tell you what, that is a lot less expensive compared to buying a rotary processor from Jobo.
The author gives detailed explinations of how processos work, and some hostory behind them. He also lets you just jump ahead to the quick and simple overview. This lets you learn about what your doing, if you new to the area, or get a quick review if you're not sure your quite remember how to do something.
Truly a great book, or even textbook for college classes.
Terrible book!.......2001-07-26
I am writing this review in order to warn new-comers to the field of photography against buying it. Although the title specifies, "for beginners through experts," this book almost requires a degree to comprehend it. Techniques discussed are not for beginners! The book insists you need to spend vast amounts of money and time to develop prints; this is untrue. In fact, a beginner would need to read 6 chapters of the book, which are extremely confusing, before being able to develop a black-and-white print. The process could quite easily be explained in less than a page.
In short, I do not recommend anyone buy this terrible book.
This "Basic" Darkroom Book has it ALL........1999-08-14
As it says on the book's cover, for beginners through experts. Basic indeed! The author covers virtually every subject in photofinishing from basic black & white printing through color processing & printing with various films, papers and chemistry to delving into the digital darkroom! The author explains each subject in entertaining and conversational style to build the foundation for a more detailed and thorough explanation of the science & art of custom darkroom procedures and techniques. Photographs, illustrations and tables compliment the text. Loaded with information making it a valuable reference book even for those of us who have been doing custom black & white and color darkroom work for 20 years! If you have only one book on this subject, this is the book to own. The Basic Darkroom Book third edition is a must have.
Book Description
Arguably the best book yet written for those wishing to pursue photography seriously, Basic Techniques of Photography, Book 1 has been completely revised and updated in order to keep pace with fast-moving technological advances in the field. The revised edition includes more than fifty new illustrations, offering still greater clarity in presenting Ansel Adams legendary approach to photography.
Since its publication in 1992, The Ansel Adams Guide: Basic Techniques of Photography, Book 1 has sold more than 100,000 copies and is used in many introductory photography courses. This revised edition offers new information on: -variable-contrast papers -digital cameras and view cameras -the Advance Photo System
Book 1 is organized to present the principles of black-and-white and color photography to a broad range of photographersfrom the serious beginner to the advanced amateur. It draws extensively on the philosophy and techniques of Ansel Adams, the best-known writer/teacher of photography of all time, and is profusely illustrated with Adams own work as well as that of other photographers. Adams technical writings were famously difficult to understand. However, in Book 1, John Schaefer skillfully interprets Adams words, theories, and art as a foundation for a more clearly written, understandable, and actively up-to-date guide to creative photography.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent book on general photography........2006-11-14
I found the Ansel Adams books on "The Print" and "The Negative" a bit on the heavy side, but John Schaefer's book is a superb addition to any aspiring photographer's library. It covers the photographic field very comprehensively and in easily understood English, and without the frills of technical jargon so loved by some authors.
Although the book deals with colour photography as well, I would thoroughly recommend this book to any aficionado of black and white photography-- it is, without doubt one of the best books on photography I have in my library!
*whew*.......2003-09-02
This book has everything, and then some. It will take you from not knowing anything to being a quasi-expert in a fairly short amount of time.
That said, it is pretty dry. Very textbookish in form, the book is difficult to read straight through. This is made more palatable by the extreme depth that the book goes into for each topic that it discusses.
Starting with the differences in photo gear, the author leads the reader through selecting a first camera to selecting a lens to selecting a film and finally the development of the negative and print. The book is exhausting in its depth and breadth.
Much time was spent on Adams' Zone system and its usefulness in taking beautiful photographs. This focus throughout the book really drove home the importance of exposure.
The pictures used in the book are fantastic and the personal accounts of some photos by Adams himself are very interesting.
The only thing that I felt was skimped on was the process of selecting a shot. Adams was a large-format photographer so he wasn't able to make the hundreds of shots of a scene that a 35mm photographer could make, so it was important for him to select his shots carefully. More text space devoted to Adams' method or instinct for finding shots would have been the final piece of information that would have made this a complete guide to photography.
It wasn't easy reading, but I learned a lot and was able to immediately use the information in the book to improve my own photography.
Good book - too text bookish!.......2002-04-19
This is indeed a great book. It talks a lot about the basic photographic techniques and is a good read for a beginner. However, most of the book is limited to black and white photography. The book is also a bit out dated.
Overall a good book for a serious beginner. It will help a person get accostomed to both the scientific and the creative aspects of photography.
Practical Introduction to Black and White Photography.......2001-12-14
The majority of the text concentrates it's efforts in educating the reader in the art of B&W photography. Color photography is briefly touched on at the book's end. The first half of the book deals with various camera systems, accessories, film choices, photograph visualization and film exposure. All of these topics are covered exceptionally well. The second half deals with the developing and printing process. If the prospective reader will not be involved in the developing and printing process then the Ansel Adams Book 1, "The Camera", and Book 2, "The Negative", may be better choices. However to receive the maximum benefit from the art of B&W photography one must eventually delve into the darkroom. The book details those processes equally well.
Great book ON Adams, not BY Adams........2001-08-30
Although I loved this book, and knew what I was buying, Amazon's attribution of this book to Ansel Adams is misleading. This is a book about Ansel Adams' technique, and his zone system in particular. It's not a book by Adams. If you want Adams' own take on the basic techniques of photography, check out his three books: The Camera, The Negative, The Print, as well as his book of case studies, The Making of 40 Photographs. It takes a lot of nerve to write a book like this when Adams has already done a bang up job of it himself. Surprisingly, Schaefer's effort doesn't pale in comparison to the master's own. Plus you have the advantage of a single book rather than Adams' three. Schaefer provides an excellent guide to Ansel Adams' zone technique, with great illustrations. And despite a bit more attention paid to color photography than in Adams' own books, it still seems like an afterthought.
Product Description
Using a step-by-step photographic approach, this book offers proven, easy to follow techniques for installing of sturdy trackwork, including fitting the roadbed, laying sectional or flexible track, and finishing the track with lineside details. Also covers installing turnouts, cleaning and maintaining trackwork, and other special techniques suitable for a layout of any size or scale.
Customer Reviews:
A Good Introduction.......2006-08-22
This book is just what the title claims it to be. It is an introduction to laying track for model railroaders. It does a good job of teaching that subject.
The author considers such subjects as roadbeds, sectional track, flex track, turnouts (switches), specialty track, painting and detailing track and provides a buyer's guide. Within each of these subjects, he explains the basic skills that everyone should know in a step by step manner accompanied by lots of photographs. He is a good teacher.
This is not exciting reading but it is informative.
Great Begginners Guide!.......2006-03-19
This is a great starting point for any 1st timers to the world of model railroading, its actually has alot of good ideas for a begginer or even an advanced model railroader, track buyers guide in the back of the book is exremly usefull to a must buy for any begginer!!
A track-buyer's guide is included.......2004-06-08
Basic Trackwork For Model Railroaders: The Complete Photo Guide by model railroading enthusiast Jeff Wilson is a "user friendly", highly recommended, step-by-step walk-through for model railroading hobbyists especially focusing on creating realistic, functional, and appealing track layouts. A wealth of color photographs complement the straightforward instructional text, making Basic Trackwork For Model Railroaders an easy to follow guidebook and resource. A track-buyer's guide is included, along with a wealth of information especially concerning necessary measurements and scale.
Book Description
Offers expert advice on the step-by-step basics of developing and printing photographs in black and white media. Helpful illustrations guide you through each step of the process.
Customer Reviews:
great book with easy to understand explanations.......2002-06-10
Starting back up in the dark room after 12 years I needed some refreshing and bought this book. It is great for beginners or those to need to refresh their memories. Easy to understand, going through the process step-by-step.
this book is great for beginners wanting to learn developing.......1999-01-09
i was curious about developing my own pictures so i purchased this book to see how hard it was i read the book and the next weekend i purchased the equipment for a dark room [in my bathroom] and the chemicals and try'd it and my pictures turned out great. this book made it very simple to understand. read this book,do it,and you will be very impressed i was. dan.
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- The Double Bind: A Novel
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- The Great American Pin-Up (Midi)
- The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir
- The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography (Oprah's Book Club)
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