Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Stunning Digital Photography

Top positive review

Just like fine wine... this books keeps getting better with time!

Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2012

UPDATED ON 12/10/2014:
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Well, it's been almost 3 years since I got this book and it's been a great journey. Couple of updates:
- Love the fact that this e-book is with me all the time. Whenever I need to check or read up on something I can pull it up on the Kindle (which I rarely use), or on my desktop PC or even on the phone while traveling (with the kindle reader apps). The latest and greatest updated version of this book just flows through to the device of your choice instantly. I love that aspect and it really helps to fine tune your photography at leisure or whenever that great light and fantastic place happens and you just have to click, but wished you could check on some particular info.
- The Facebook group for SDP has really grown by leaps and bounds in terms of quality as well as quantity. Lots of actually 'stunning' images are posted there everyday and get feedback from the active community which has photographers of all skill and equipment levels. Also there are weekly monthly challenges at times.
- Recently in the Facebook group, I have been seeing many updates from readers about their pictures being published in magazines and they thank this book for helping them. Personally, that to me feels like the kind of the highest acknowledgement for this book and author.
- There is also a separate website for this book. It's free for anyone who has purchased the book and is a great community to post your pictures, get feedback and also get some 'inside information' from the SDP world.
- The authors have a fun and interactive live web session once in a while where they give updates happening in the photography world and also they provide comments and advice on photos posted by readers.
- The different lighting setups mentioned in the book are great and have been really enjoying making pictures with those recently.
- Love the video updates that keep coming once in a while. It takes learning to a whole new level. Keep 'em coming!

UPDATED ON 05/21/2013:
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Having spent many months with this book, here are a few updates to my earlier review:
- There are a ton of advanced photography techniques covered in this book: Underwater, Star Trails, Macro, Light painting, advanced lighting techniques, etc. So it never gets boring or exhausted. As a amateur or pro photographer, there is always some challenge or technique that you can move on to.
- The Facebook group for this book is great and everyday one can see great images clicked by readers of this book.
- Great updated gear-buying advice
- Did I already say this books keeps getting better with time? I have seen a number of great updates since, a lot of them based on reader feedback and needs.
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This is a fantastic find and really helped me get a lot from my DSLR camera. Excellent instructions, tons of pictures and a friendly writing style makes one feel as if a pro photographer is guiding you step by step and teaching you his tricks. There are exercises that help you retain what you learn. I recommend you do the exercises (if you are new to the technique) and not just read the book passively. That way you can employ those techniques when actually shooting pictures.

I was under the impression that pro photographers always whipped out their cameras and right away shot their for-the-magazines-final pictures with each click. I felt editing a photograph was not ok and there were so many other myths that I had as a newbie. Being in the field for quite some time, Tony explains the need to persevere, take hundreds of pictures, keep just the good ones and discard the rest, edit and touch-up as required and so many things that made taking great pictures seem so much feasible and accessible to me. (Yes, most great work is still 99% perspiration as of today.)

This book does not dabble in a lot of unnecessary camera lingo and settings, but just what's necessary coupled with tips and techniques to actually get those pictures. While a photography student will not mind studying all the alphabets, others like me appreciate getting straight to the point on how to get a good portrait, how to get a good landscape, what are the pitfalls to avoid, etc. So this book works great in that respect. The author mainly gives Canon/Nikon examples, but they work well for someone like me using a Sony DSLR.

The organization of the book is great. The resources it mentions and links are great. The constant updates the author is committed to is amazing. Just yesterday, months after its release, I saw a new video added into YouTube for this book (which will make into the pages of the digital edition soon). Lots of great accessories are explained. Tony keeps in touch with the readers through the book's Facebook page and that is a great personal touch the author puts in.

I think it will be great if the index was a little more expanded with subheadings (at least the major ones). The other day I was looking for information on RAW files (I remember reading it earlier in this book) but had a hard time finding its location.

Overall an excellent resource for newbies and others alike. I have already recommended it to many and will continue to do so.

227 people found this helpful

Top critical review

Critical reviews›

Great for absolute beginners, less so for people familiar with the arts in general

Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2018

I am so-so on this book. I ordered it partly because of the thousands of 5-star reviews, believing it would be comprehensive and thorough; it wasn't what I was looking for.
It spends the first part of the book going over the absolute basics of photography, and any art school graduate or person who took a photography course in high school or college will be familiar with it. Then it goes into a break down on the basic rules of composition, then the basics of using your camera, and from there a short part on common problems you might face.
The rest of the book is concerned with "types" of photography and how to "master" them - portraits, landscapes, bird-photography, etc. One actual example of advice, "Try using a decorative perch from which to photograph birds to change it up".
Overall, it's a book filled with advice for achieving his sort of style, as opposed to an actual textbook on photography and learning the ins-and-outs so you can develop your own look for yourself. It's definitely not a course for "mastering" anything.

If you're a total beginner and have never taken an art class in your life, this book is for you. If you're familiar with the rules of color theory, composition, and know what an aperture is already, I suggest you look elsewhere.

137 people found this helpful

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From the United States

planetregin

Just like fine wine... this books keeps getting better with time!

Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2012

Verified Purchase

227 people found this helpful

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DLSR + Kindle HD = Must buy this book

Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2013

Verified Purchase

As you can tell from the title, this review refers to the Kindle version, not the hard copy.

I used to own a Canon T3i, and bought a couple of books specific to the use of that camera. I ended up giving it (and the books) to my oldest son, who is now in college and loves photography. I splurged (income tax refund) on a 6D, which I had been lusting after for quite a while. I then started hunting for books specific to it, but only one Kindle version was available at the time (this one: Canon 6D Experience - The Still Photography Guide to Operation and Image Creation with the Canon EOS 6D ). No hard copies were yet published, but there were several you could buy in advance. I ended up buying the Kindle version mentioned, and it has proven to be a pretty good resource for operating the camera.

But then, it occurred to me that it would make more sense to get a more generic book on the basics of how to take great photos, one that is applicable to all DSLR cameras, rather than one that relates to my camera only. So, after a search, I saw this one with the great reviews, read those reviews specific to the Kindle version, and I decided to buy.

Let me say right out front, NO REGRETS AT ALL on my purchase. The book takes you step-by-step through every facet of how to operate a DSLR and the things to consider before you snap the shutter. Every chapter has video links that take you to lessons related to what you've been reading (you need to be WiFi connected to access them, BTW). The videos do a great job of emphasizing what you have been learning.

The only negative about them is that some of them appear to have been made to promote the book, probably posted to YouTube or some other media, which seems a little odd when you've obviously already bought the book and are accessing the video through it.

One thing I do like, though, is that within some of the videos, Mr. Northrup leaves in bloopers or funny moments that would normally be taken out...it gives you a needed break from the seriousness of the lessons and they're just downright fun to watch. The videos have played on my Kindle Fire HD 8.9" with no issues, and their quality is outstanding....impressive, actually.

The chapters also have excellent photos that help to underline the lesson being taught. You can enlarge them for better viewing, which also requires a WiFi connection.

At the end of each chapter, you're given practice exercises to go out and perform so you can get hands-on experience to further ingrain what you have learned.

Like most books of this nature, you will get out of it what you put into it. If you take it seriously and apply yourself, and apply what is being taught through the practice exercises, once finished you will walk away knowing a great deal more than you did when you started...and that's the whole point, right?

Of course, I am making that statement as related to those of us who are learning photography. If you are already highly skilled in photography, and by that I mean you could write a book like this yourself, then it probably isn't for you. He does mention at the start of certain sections, however, something to the effect of "If you are already proficient in this area, skip to section...." Thus, the book is presumably worthwhile for those with intermediate to advanced skills as well. I'll know more about that as I get farther into it.

Lastly, I will point out that Mr. Northrup has a real skill for teaching via text and video. He takes you through the process in a very practical and methodical manner. He explains things in simple terms, while at the same time does not make you feel you're being talked down to. Because of the way this Kindle version is put together, with the videos and photos interlaced throughout the text, it really makes the learning process an enjoyable experience.

Right now I am about halfway through the book. I usually try to read a chapter or two every evening. As I continue to get deeper into it, if my opinion changes for whatever reason, I will update the review. At this point, however, I feel very confident in saying that if you have a color tablet, and if you want to learn how to get the best out of your DSLR, this is the digital book to have.

18 people found this helpful

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Kristine Hale

It's like getting an entire photography learning course for the cost of a paperback.

Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2015

Verified Purchase

This book is a crazy-bananas-insane good deal. For the same price as a late night run to Taco Bell, you get an incredibly useful book which is optimized for digital reading, hours upon hours of priceless video, PLUS a Facebook and Community group for ongoing learning. Part of the thing that has made photography books useless to me in the past is the fact that I can't take them with me. That 1,000 page DSLR tome is awesome when I am sitting on the sofa, but out in the field I find myself staring at the LCD screen of my camera straining to remember what it was that I am supposed to do in order to catch the perfect shot. Something about the F-stop? With this book I can bust out my iPhone and read about any situation - from getting that macro bee-in-a-flower shot to capturing the excitement of Fourth of July fireworks - so that I never have to miss that perfect shot again. And if that wasn't enough, I can also watch a video that will give me even more information on getting things right, no matter where I am.

All of that is great, but how is the content, you ask? Phenomenal. I've been shooting for 20 years (on and off) and I decided that I needed a refresher course. This book proved not only to be great for a beginner, but great for the intermediate photographer as well. I found plenty of tips and information that I didn't know I needed, but already it is making a huge difference in the quality of my pictures. Plus, the videos aren't just informative, they are entertaining. That makes it much easier to learn because not only are you getting the info you need, but you are having fun while doing it. And unlike some books, which tend to either just harp on technical aspects or only cover the more creative aspects, Stunning Digital Photography covers it all.

On top of all of that, you get free updates anytime the book is updated. I literally have 3 copies of my previous go-to photography guide in my basement because I had to buy a new copy every time the technology changed. That's 90 bucks worth of books. But this book is (right now) just 10 bucks and will never be out of date. What? I really can't recommend this book enough if you want to know more about the world of digital photography. For the price, you have nothing to lose, but it would be worth it even at 10 times the cost. I almost feel guilty, like I should have paid more. It's like getting a photography learning course for the cost of a paperback.

5 people found this helpful

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Dean Robinson

Light years ahead of the rest

Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2017

Verified Purchase

I just finished Tony Northrup's How To Create Stunning Digital Photography. I purchased the Kindle version and read it on my PC and it was also available on my iOS devices.

Tony and his wife, Chelsea, also an excellent photographer, have created an outstanding learning tool for budding (and intermediate) photographers.

This book covers a huge spectrum of photography with the first chapter introducing 6 "quick tips" that get you started on a wonderful journey of discovery. My favorite tip from the first chapter is to take LOTS of photos and delete most of them. With the advent of digital photography, you no longer have to wait for film to be developed to see your results. And digital "film" is free so do lots of experimenting to really learn the ins and outs of your camera.

The next four chapters cover composition, lighting and flash, controlling your camera (this chapter alone is worth the price of the book!), and problem-solving which covers a wide variety of techniques to solve those problems.

The rest of the book dedicates a whole chapter to each of the following subjects: Portraits, Weddings, Animals, Landscapes, Night Photography (including star trails!), High Dynamic Range (HDR), Closeup/Macro Photography and finally Underwater photography.

What really makes this a stand-out learning experience is the included links to hours and hours of high-quality video that demonstrates the subject at hand. These videos average about 5-6 minutes but can be as long as 30 minutes when covering a more complex subject. The book is designed to accommodate different styles of learning so you can read the book then watch the included videos as you read or you can go to Appendix A which is an index for every video so you can watch all the videos and use the book as a reference.

At the end of each chapter is a quiz to test your understanding of the subject. Each chapter also includes a series of suggested mini-projects or challenges for you to get hands-on experience with the subject.

Tony and Chelsea are very down-to-earth and their style is not cold and sterile but very engaging and fun. They go all over the world with a professional videographer and demonstrate techniques that really gives you an in-depth understanding of the topic. They joke and kid around with you and each other which makes them more engaging and fun to watch while you are learning.

While they also have a dedicated book for camera gear, Tony Northrup's Photography Buying Guide: How to Choose a Camera, Lens, Tripod, Flash, & More (Tony Northrup's Photography Books Book 2) , there are lots of tips and gear recommendations peppered throughout the book. They will tell you when it is fine to purchase a cheaper, generic piece of gear and when it is better to stick with name-brand equipment. They demonstrate how to get the best quality photos from budget gear and they also encourage you to find used gear. One of the lenses they discussed costs about $1300 new. But they showed me how to find the same lens "like new" that I purchased for $800!

I was so impressed with this book that I also purchased their books Adobe Lightroom 6 / CC Video Book: Training for Photographers and Photoshop CC Essentials for Photographers: Chelsea & Tony Northrup's Video Book .

Also they do video tutorials for just about every popular camera out there on their website (you will find their website with each link in the book). Each video is ~ 1 hour per camera and covers just about every knob, setting for that camera. Excellent! Their tutorials are far superior to the manual from the camera manufacturer.

If you are new to photography or an intermediate level photographer, this book is a no-brainer. This book demonstrates how technology really can make a book better.

182 people found this helpful

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Joe Muire

Free video training. Watch over 20 hours of fast-paced, hands-on video tutorials

Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2023

Verified Purchase

I am a more visual and hearing type learner than a reader, so the Free video training and I Watch the over 20 hours of fast-paced, hands-on video tutorials. They have helped me tremendously. Is there an SDP part 2? Either way, this book has made me a 100% better photographer. I always look out for all your other reviews and videos!! Great job you two on this book!! Hope there is a part two!!

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Darren

Perfect.

Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2013

Verified Purchase

I bought the print version of this book as it currently comes with instructions on how to also get the regularly updated e-book version for free, (in several of the popular formats). I'd have possibly just bought the e-book version otherwise, but this is a great idea that I wish many other publishers would consider and it definitely convinced me to spend the extra for the print version to read when I'm home, and to have the e-book version with me when I'm not.

I've only recently taking the jump from a bridge camera to a full blown DSLR. The (6 month) earlier jump I made from a simple point and click camera to a bridge camera that offered full manual and program modes, plus aperture and shutter priority modes really whetted my appetite and interest in photography further so I finally convinced myself that a Nikon DSLR was a purchase I could justify.

Within days of receiving the camera I decided a good reference and "how-to" guide would be useful. I didn't realize at the time I wasn't just buying a book - I was buying access to a wonderful online community, resource center, video tutorials, and much more. Wow. The lengths those responsible for this book have gone to to provide a truly fantastic resource for their readers is unprecedented and incredibly useful - for novices or more experienced and seasoned photographers. The private Facebook group allows those who have bought this book to post their photos and have their work critiqued and commented upon, often by the author himself, to ask for help and advice - or to give help and advice, or perhaps to just to feel connected with other like minded hobbyists and photography enthusiasts.

As for the book itself, it is presented wonderfully with full color examples where needed. The advice given is sound and comprehensive and there are many links to online video tutorials scattered through-out the book that further reinforce the lessons given on the page. The author took all the example photos himself rather than use stock images, so you know that what he is telling you gives you the essential knowledge to create your own similar photos.

This is a great book with great advice and it deserves five stars for that alone. The online community that the purchaser can access (for free) upon purchase means there are not enough stars available on the Amazon review system that this product deserves.

12 people found this helpful

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TheMomReview

This should be an example on how to write an e-book!

Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2013

Verified Purchase

I cannot say enough good things about this book.

I have been wanting to get better at photography for awhile, but was kind of hopping around between online tutorials and tips here and there, and didn't feel I was making a lot of progress. I decided to purchase this book to make sure that I had everything in an organized manner... and I'm so glad that I did!

The book starts at the beginning and moves through all the basic elements of photography, covering things like quick tips, composition, depth of field, lighting, etc. (Aperture, ISO, Shutter Speed, Camera Equipment, etc. are all covered.) After learning the basics, the book has later chapters that have detailed ideas for Portraits, landscapes, macro photography, photographing animals, weddings, night photography, underwater photography, HDR techniques, and more.

I am a natural editor, and I can't stand to read books that have a lot of "fluff," where I am constantly trying to fix the book in my mind. While this book has quite a bit of content, it is written so that every word counts. As you read it, you never feel like you're wasting your time. Each sentence is informative and interesting and occasionally funny.

The book is illustrated with lovely, original pictures and examples that really illustrate the principle being taught.

However, probably the best part is the VIDEOS. As you read, there are 3 hours worth of video illustrating and reinforcing each concept being taught. It almost feels like an online course. And when you combine the fact that purchase of the book gives you access to Tony's Facebook page where people including Tony and Chelsea give tips and techniques, this book is an incredible value. It is almost like taking a photography course, but so much cheaper! Well worth the money.

This book would be great in print, but it works especially well on an ipad or a kindle fire or something like that.

If you want to learn more about photography, this book is for you. You won't regret getting it. I have convinced several family members to buy it as well, and they all really like it.

And the proof is in the result. I started an album on my facebook (trying to follow Tony's tip to use your pictures) and do you know what some of my friends said? "Stunning."

146 people found this helpful

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J. Urie

This is why you want a Kindle

Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2012

Verified Purchase

I have recently purchased a Nikon 3100 and bought the corresponding "dummies" book, which about matches my photography expertise. So, now I know how to use my new camera....right? Nope. Now I need education on how to take photographs with my fancy new toy so that they look better than my iPhone snapshots. Enter Tony's book. Since there are a ton of reviews on the paper version, you can pretty much figure out that the content is excellent. I will focus on the electronic version.

First of all, this is a great book in any form--hard copy or ebook. However, as far as I can tell, there are a bunch of great paper books out there on DSLR photography. When I downloaded the Kindle sample and read through it, I knew that the ebook format was the way to go.

I've owned a Kindle since version 1, and now own the Fire. Tony's book should be a primer on how to properly create an ebook. The embedded links and videos, as well as the ability to grab the sample photos and enlarge for detailed study (need an Internet connection for the latter two items) is invaluable to rank photography newbs like me. The videos are top-notch and contain many side-by-side examples of how pictures are improved when applying the techniques that are covered in the video. The videos are stuck in the appropriate place in the book, which leads to excellent learning flow as you build on the lessons. The experiences on the Kindle Fire and the iPad and PC Kindle apps are equally excellent.

Tony has indicated that he plans on improving and updating the ebook contents, which all buyers will be able to download as they become available. This is a refreshing change to the "quick scan, make a buck and forget" mentality that the big publishers follow. I will try to update my review as this new content becomes available.

Finally, the price. Tony has evidently not subscribed to the overpriced ebook mentality that has been the source of thousands of complaints on Amazon. Compared to the phyiscal version, he is charging about half. Obviously Tony wants to sell many books reasonably rather than try to gouge us buyers. Again, very refreshing.

I am looking forward to improving my nonexistent skills over the years using Tony's book as my teacher. No matter which version you buy, you will do well. However, I strongly suggest you go for the ebook.

362 people found this helpful

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Derek D. Bergey

No one is doing this

Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2013

Verified Purchase

My favorite book on photography has always been Understanding Aperture. It's very good, and at some point you or anyone beginning should at least skim it. But, today, having only gotten 11% of the way through the kindle version, I wish I had read this first. I don't know if you would call me a professional photographer, but I do get paid to take pictures of all sorts of events and actors and such, does that make me a professional, don't really know depends on who you ask. What doesn't make me a professional is the years of trial and error I had to go through that simply knowing about or reading Tony Northrup's book, "How to create stunning digital photography" would have saved me. And I mean, months to years of walking around and trying new things, and burning calories walking and then staring at my monitor trying to figure out that could have easily been avoided had I just read his book.

Furthering that point, the community he has set up and the personally time and energy he takes and gives all for you purchasing a book is outrageous. Other photographers are charging monthly if not annual fee's for you to log on, read their blogs and see their photo's. Tony has set up a community on facebook that people can post their pictures, learn from others and get checks and helps out with as well. I bought the book because I left a youtube comment amongst the hundreds and he wrote to me and gave me some advice. I bought his book immediately after that. I didn't think I would learn a ton, but again, already getting paid for photo's, I'm 11% of the way into the book and I already found things that can easily make my photography better.

Furthermore, what makes this book better is the links to video's. There it no longer the learning curve of staring at a picture and it's explanation and saying... Wait. okay... How. No, I don't get it.
His book has links to video's that explain the entire sequence, and if that doesn't work, read them comments as I'm sure someone asked, and if they haven't, then ask, someone in the community will be happy to help.
This is social networking the way it was supposed to be, it's a collective group of individuals not keeping secrets and doing their best to help and benefit each other and the arts.
If I were told to spend $10 a week ago on this book, I would have shrugged and said, ehh. Okay. If I were told now all that comes with it, all the work that went into it and the community attached and was told to pay $50. I would jump at the offer assuming it was a one time deal and would go back up to a $100 by the end of the week.

2 people found this helpful

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Chaunie L

Yes, learn to get the most out of your camera!

Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2015

Verified Purchase

I have read this book through once on my old black and white Kindle. I need to read it through again on my computer so I can see the example photos in color and click on the video links.
That said, I find this to be a great book for someone like myself who has been taking photos for a long time without knowing much about how the camera works. I have a Nikon D5100 with a Nikon 18-200mm lens and a Tokina macro 100mm F 2.8 D. I take photos when out walking, lots of flower photos, and award photos for the American Orchid Society. I should say not very good award photos for the AOS judging center in my area.
I had been stumbling along, not really understanding anything about the ISO setting or distances, using aperture mode (at least I had learned a little about depth of focus) and manual focus, and learning very, very slowly.
I learned so much from this book about how I can improve my photos to get the type of shots I want. This book has up to date information on digital photography. It explains why I would want to shoot my award photos in RAW, why I would want to use processing software more sophisticated than iPhoto and what I should expect to get out of it. I also understand now why I will never get great bird and wildlife photos like those I see online. Because I am not willing, at least right now, to invest the time and effort to plan and execute the shots and to buy the equipment that would make that possible. But this book tells you how to do it. And having more knowledge I now know what an idiot I sound like if I ask someone what camera settings they used to get that photo - there is so much more to it!
There is a huge amount of information on how to shoot weddings, how to shoot indoor shots in low light, how to take portraits, and how to shoot sports events. I wasn't much interested in most of that, at least not right now, but the chapter on portraits is very helpful even for taking casual portraits. I can now chose the best location in the immediate vicinity (which spot in the backyard or inside the house) to take those shots and have people look their best at family gatherings.
I did get a lot out of all of the information on lighting.
I found this book to be very worthwhile and would recommend it for anyone who has reached the point in their photography where they would like to see improvement in their photos. It is within easy reach with this book.

One person found this helpful

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