arts and photography

I knew how to focus, point, and shoot, but I didn't know aperture, f-stop, shutter speed, exposure values, film speed or how these things could affect the pictures I take. Just after the first chapter, I understood more about my camera and the purpose of all of its options (and I'm using a Sony digital Mavica). John Shaw takes the time to explain what you need to know without getting too technical. And all of his many incredible photos throughout the book include descriptive captions of how he took the photo. Each photo emphasizes the point he is making.

This book was excellent for me as a beginner and includes many techniques for outdoor photography. I enjoy the humourous tone, particularly when explaining technical points.

The images are fantastic. Even if you don't read it, the book makes an excellent coffee table addition!

John Shaw's books are the best I have come across on the subject of "how-to-do" outdoor photography. Shaw is very purposeful in explaining the basics and supporing them with magnificent visual clues. What makes Shaw unique is his ability to intermingle the practical aspects of photography (exposure, equipment, composition) with the artistic vision. His style is entertaining, lucid and very easy to read and follow -- even for novice photographers. I highly recommend this book to amateurs and advanced amateurs who aspire for a higher quality outdoor photographs(to which group I belon as well)!

I won't dwell on this topic, but I've consumed many photogrpahy books in recent years and John Shaw is an excellent writer that gets his point across. I wish I had read it earlier than I did because it is fantastic. He writes exceptionally well and drives his point home from multiple angles. He starts with the essentials like exposure and.... I just can't say enough about the way John is able to communicate photographic concepts and photography in general. The best I have ever read. Second to John's book is, Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs With a Film or Digital Camera by Bryan F. Peterson; Bryan is also excellent. If you buy two books, buy these.