The example graphics and photographs are outstanding and laid out attractively throughout the book. That made it easy on my 62-year old eyes to go through the book and really learn something without tiring and laying down the book.

Through the book, there are URL's of interesting internet sites on photography, and the Appendices at the end of the book have a listing of websites on photography, recommended books and magazines and of course the Index.

Part Four - Photographic Themes has the most informative and useful information I have read anywhere on photography. Please take note that I am just your average enthusiast who snaps away at family and friends, not even remotely an expert photographer. This chapter really is most useful for amateurs like me. And its fun and easy to learn.

Of particular use are "Putting your subject at ease" and "Posing and Camera Angles". A tip I really like: asking your subject to puff up their cheeks and then blow out the air hard.... to relax their mouth. I think this tip is a definite winner. With 352 colorful pages filled with useful information and tips aimed at the budding photographer, this book is a keeper.

Chapter 18 - Children - starts off with a full-page picture that will make you smile, maybe guffaw.

The book discusses digital photography as well as film. Very thorough, very authoritative, very uptodate and very interesting and a joy to read. I love this book.

10 of 10 found the following review helpful:

WOW!!! This book is great!  Feb 23, 2002
By Michelle
I am 14 years old. I just bought an SLR camera a few months ago. Having made the big decision to shell out the money to take photography seriously I decided that I needed a bit more than the camera's owner's manual, so out I went shopping for a how-to book. I did not expect to find a book as helpful as this. This guide showed me how to enhace my skills of photographing along with giving me websites,tips, and no-no's when it comes to taking pictures. It is simple and it was impossible for the photography lingo to confuse me becasue the book defined it all. Breathtaking pictures along with tips on technique have helped me to improve. If you are a beginner who is looking to take photography seriously then I STRONGLY suggest you buy this book!

6 of 6 found the following review helpful:

Excellent!  Sep 26, 2002
By sdominick "Sharon"
I have several photography books that I have had no desire to read from cover to cover. Then I found this one! This is by far the best photography book that I have laid my eyes on. I am reading it cover to cover and plan on reading it again. John Garret has written it in such a fun, simple way that really makes you understand photography. I've even learned more from this book than I have in a photography class that I have taken.

If you are just getting started in your photography adventure, I highly recommend this book!

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:

A great and useful tool!  Mar 04, 2003

I bought this book on a whim because I had just found my interest in photography, and I was done reading it two days later! Garrett makes all the concepts of photography understandable to those without any prior knowledge! I even found myself going through the book again and jotting down notes about film speeds and filters for easy reference later! I cannot wait to try out the things I have learned from this wonderful book! I only wish I had more to read! I recommed this for anyone who thinks he would not be able to understand the concepts of photography and the camera. This book is not written on a technical level so make this the first photography book you buy!

2 of 2 found the following review helpful:

One of the Best Photography Book I ever read  Mar 03, 2006
By Mufutau Towobola
I have several photography books that I have had no desire to read from cover to cover. Then I found this one! This is by far the best photography book that I have laid my eyes on. I am reading it cover to cover and plan on reading it again. John Garret has written it in such a fun, simple way that really makes you understand photography. I've even learned more from this book than I have in a photography class that I have taken.

If you are just getting started in your photography adventure, I highly recommend this book! I hope John Garret can write a very good book on Digital Photography too, because I am now into Digital but this book really helped understand a lot of thing that is common between Film and Digital Photgraphy.

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