Digital Photography For Dummies^®, 9th Edition

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2019956418

ISBN 978-1-119-60964-3 (pbk); ISBN 978-1-119-60967-4 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-119-60965-0 (ebk)

Digital Photography For Dummies®

To view this book's Cheat Sheet, simply go to www.dummies.com and search for “Digital Photography For Dummies Cheat Sheet” in the Search box.

Table of Contents

Cover

Introduction

About This Book
How This Book Is Organized
Icons Used in This Book
Where to Go from Here

Part 1: Fast Track to Super Snaps

Chapter 1: Choosing the Right Camera
1. Choosing the Right Level of Camera
2. Looking at Lenses
3. Reviewing a Few Final Camera Features
4. So … Is It Time for a New Camera?
Chapter 2: Starting Out Right: Setup Do’s and Don’ts
1. Preparing the Camera
2. Choosing Initial Camera Settings
3. Looking at a Few More Setup Options
Chapter 3: Shooting Your First Photos (and Movies)
1. Looking at Automatic Shooting Modes
2. Shooting in Auto Mode
3. Stepping Up to Scene Modes
4. Recording Movies in Auto Mode

Part 2: Taking Your Photography to the Next Level

Chapter 4: Starting to See Like a Photographer
1. Exploring Composition Basics
2. Using Depth of Field to Artistic Advantage
3. Capturing Motion: To Blur or Not to Blur?
4. Becoming a Student of Light
5. Exploring New Subjects and Angles
Chapter 5: Taking Control of Exposure
1. Understanding Exposure
2. Adjusting f-stop, Shutter Speed, and ISO
3. Adjusting Autoexposure Results
4. Expanding Tonal Range
5. Bracketing Exposures
Chapter 6: Adding Flash and Other Lights
1. Enabling and Disabling Built-In Flash
2. Comparing Built-In and External Flashes
3. Adjusting Flash Power
4. Exploring Special Flash Modes
5. Improving Outdoor Photos with Flash
6. Considering Continuous Lighting
7. Setting Up a Small Lighting Studio
8. Looking at Simpler (and Cheaper) Lighting Setups
Chapter 7: Manipulating Focus and Color
1. Understanding Autofocus Options
2. Focusing Manually
3. Diagnosing Focus Problems
4. Playing with Depth of Field
5. Controlling Color
6. Looking at Picture Presets
7. Shooting Raw for More Color Control

Part 3: Pro Tips for Capturing Specific Subjects

Chapter 8: Shooting Frame-Worthy Portraits
1. Starting with a Classic Portrait Recipe
2. Creating Good Portrait Lighting
3. Building a Better Backdrop
4. Capturing More Memorable Portraits
Chapter 9: Photographing Action
1. Choosing an Action Plan
2. Freezing Action
3. Blurring Motion
4. Panning for Cool Background Effects
Chapter 10: Taking in the Scenery
1. Reviewing a Few Basics
2. Taking a Panoramic View
3. Photographing Tall Structures
4. Catching the Night Lights
5. Capturing Small Wonders

Part 4: After the Shot

Chapter 11: Discovering Cool Playback Features
1. Switching to Playback Mode
2. Adjusting the Playback Display
3. Getting a Close-Up Look at a Photo
4. Displaying Thumbnails and Calendars
5. Viewing Shooting Settings (Metadata)
6. Rating, Protecting, and Deleting Files
7. Checking Out In-Camera Editing Tools
8. Viewing Photos on a TV
Chapter 12: Downloading, Editing, and Sharing Photos
1. Sorting through Photo Software
2. Downloading Your Images
3. Preserving Your Files
4. Converting Raw Files
5. Looking at Your Printing Options
6. Avoiding Printing Pitfalls
7. Preparing Pictures for Online Sharing

Part 5: The Part of Tens

Chapter 13: Ten Fixes for Common Photo Flaws
1. Discover a Few Easy Exposure Fixes
2. Take Steps to Avoid Blurry Pictures
3. Scan the Frame Before You Shoot
4. Blur a Busy Background
5. Level the Horizon
6. Crop Away Excess Background
7. Solve Color Miscues
8. Turn Down the Noise
9. Deal with Dust Spots and Lens Flare
10. Watch Out for Weird Halos
Chapter 14: Ten Accessories to Enhance Your Photography
1. Invest in a Good Camera Bag
2. Pick a Sturdy Tripod
3. Consider Smaller Stability Solutions
4. Find a More Comfortable Camera Strap
5. Get a Better View of Your Monitor
6. Download Some Cool Apps
7. Calibrate Your Monitor with Precision
8. Dive In with a Waterproof Housing
9. Treat Your Wrist to a Graphics Tablet
10. Pick Up a Portable Printer

Index

About the Author

Advertisement Page

Connect with Dummies

End User License Agreement

List of Illustrations

Chapter 1

FIGURE 1-1: Each of these cameras plays a different role in my photography life...
FIGURE 1-2: The shot produced in Auto mode (left) lacked drama, so I used an ex...
FIGURE 1-3: Auto mode typically renders a waterfall similar to the left example...
FIGURE 1-4: With the right camera controls, you can specify whether you want th...
FIGURE 1-5: A photo that has 300 pixels per inch (ppi) compared to one with a m...
FIGURE 1-6: Read reviews to find out how high an ISO setting a camera can use w...
FIGURE 1-7: Although it’s not always the case, a mirrorless camera body (left) ...
FIGURE 1-8: The shorter the focal length, the wider the angle of view.
FIGURE 1-9: The white, red, and blue boxes indicate the angle of view you get w...
FIGURE 1-10: For the left image, I set the aperture to f/22; for the right imag...
FIGURE 1-11: Some lenses collapse when not in use, taking up less room in your ...
FIGURE 1-12: The various symbols on this camera dial represent shooting modes.
FIGURE 1-13: Some monitors can be adjusted to different viewing angles.

Chapter 2

FIGURE 2-1: Memory cards come in different forms; check your camera’s instructi...
FIGURE 2-2: Storage capacity and speed are two critical specs to check when buy...
FIGURE 2-3: Avoid touching the contact areas of the memory card.
FIGURE 2-4: Check the battery-status symbol frequently to make sure you don't r...
FIGURE 2-5: Here’s a look at some of the critical lens-mounting components of a...
FIGURE 2-6: Your lens may have a switch that sets it to autofocus or manual foc...
FIGURE 2-7: Some cameras offer access to exposure modes via an external dial.
FIGURE 2-8: With some cameras, you may set the camera to still photo mode or mo...
FIGURE 2-9: Although the controls used to adjust the shutter-release mode vary,...
FIGURE 2-10: With cameras that offer wireless connectivity, you may be able to ...
FIGURE 2-11: Zooming in on a digital photo enables you to see its individual pi...
FIGURE 2-12: A photo with an output resolution of 300 ppi looks terrific.
FIGURE 2-13: At 150 ppi, the picture loses some sharpness and detail.
FIGURE 2-14: Reducing the resolution to 75 ppi causes significant image degrada...
FIGURE 2-15: I used a high-resolution setting to capture the original (left), w...
FIGURE 2-16: When the monitor’s screen resolution is set to 1920 x 1200 pixels,...
FIGURE 2-17: Too much JPEG compression destroys picture quality.
FIGURE 2-18: But a lightly compressed JPEG produces excellent images while keep...
FIGURE 2-19: If the shooting data displayed on the monitor becomes distracting ...

Chapter 3

FIGURE 3-1: Auto mode is usually represented by the word Auto (left) or a green...
FIGURE 3-2: Wait until you see the “focus achieved” indicator to press the shut...
FIGURE 3-3: If a backlit subject is too dark (left), adding flash can help (rig...
FIGURE 3-4: The portrait setting produces a softly focused background.
FIGURE 3-5: Landscape mode produces a large zone of sharp focus and also boosts...
FIGURE 3-6: Close-up mode also produces short depth of field. Notice how all th...
FIGURE 3-7: To capture moving subjects without blur, try Sports mode.
FIGURE 3-8: The control that sets the camera to movie mode usually looks like a...
FIGURE 3-9: When you put the camera in movie mode, the display indicates the fr...
FIGURE 3-10: The red button is universally used to start and stop recording.
FIGURE 3-11: While recording is in progress, the time-remaining value updates, ...

Chapter 4

FIGURE 4-1: Positioning the horizon line halfway down the frame makes for a dul...
FIGURE 4-2: One rule of composition is to divide the frame into thirds and posi...
FIGURE 4-3: A variation of the rule of thirds, the golden ratio divides the fra...
FIGURE 4-4: A third compositional concept divides the frame into triangles.
FIGURE 4-5: The spiraling stairs, along with the patterns of light and dark, le...
FIGURE 4-6: You also can use strong diagonal lines to create movement.
FIGURE 4-7: In these images, movement is created by the colors and curves of th...
FIGURE 4-8: This shot looks chaotic because there's too much going on for the e...
FIGURE 4-9: Concentrating on just a small portion of the ride captures its ener...
FIGURE 4-10: Scan the background for distracting objects to avoid plant-on-the-...
FIGURE 4-11: Leaving extra space on the right causes the viewer to follow the s...
FIGURE 4-12: Give moving subjects somewhere to go in the frame.
FIGURE 4-13: A short depth of field causes foreground and background objects to...
FIGURE 4-14: With a long depth of field, the flower and gecko have equal visual...
FIGURE 4-15: A short depth of field helps a subject stand out from a similarly ...
FIGURE 4-16: I used a fast shutter speed (1/500 second) to “stop motion,” freez...
FIGURE 4-17: A shutter speed of 1/250 second caused the iguana’s moving arm to ...
FIGURE 4-18: Allowing a colorful moving object to blur completely produces a fu...
FIGURE 4-19: The midday sun strikes a New York street with bright, neutral ligh...
FIGURE 4-20: The fading sunlight in this scene lends a soft, golden tone to the...
FIGURE 4-21: The left image is a technically fine rendition of the scene, but t...
FIGURE 4-22: When shooting in the city, look for interesting reflections in win...
FIGURE 4-23: Here, the softness of the flower provides interesting contrast to ...
FIGURE 4-24: A feather, a few flower petals, and a watery background create a c...

Chapter 5

FIGURE 5-1: The aperture size and shutter speed determine how much light strike...
FIGURE 5-2: As the f-stop number increases, the aperture size shrinks, allowing...
FIGURE 5-3: A higher f-stop increases depth of field, or the distance over whic...
FIGURE 5-4: In addition to affecting exposure, shutter speed determines whether...
FIGURE 5-5: A slow shutter speed blurs motion; in this case, it makes the fount...
FIGURE 5-6: Caused by a very high ISO or long exposure time, noise becomes more...
FIGURE 5-7: Raising the ISO from 100 to 200 allowed a faster shutter speed, ena...
FIGURE 5-8: You may be able to view exposure settings in the viewfinder or on t...
FIGURE 5-9: The exposure meter indicates whether the current camera settings wi...
FIGURE 5-10: A histogram tells you how many pixels fall at each point on the br...
FIGURE 5-11: Try center-weighted or spot metering when your subject is much dar...
FIGURE 5-12: The original autoexposure setting left the palm tree too dark; rai...
FIGURE 5-13: Here, the autoexposure system blew out the highlights; lowering th...
FIGURE 5-14: Some cameras have features that brighten shadows without also blow...
FIGURE 5-15: Here you see one of the exposures that photographer Dan Burkholder...
FIGURE 5-16: The final HDR image includes a greater?tonal range than can be cap...

FIGURE 5-17: Some cameras offer automated HDR shooting, which I used to produce...

Chapter 6

FIGURE 6-1: A lightning-bolt symbol is typically used to mark the button that y...
FIGURE 6-2: Auto Flash Off exposure mode works just like Auto mode but prevents...
FIGURE 6-3: You may also be able to force the flash to fire via a Flash mode se...
FIGURE 6-4: This external flash features a rotating head, enabling you to aim t...
FIGURE 6-5: On most cameras, you connect an external flash via this connection,...
FIGURE 6-6: Blasting the subject from the front creates harsh lighting and stro...
FIGURE 6-7: Some compact cameras enable you to attach an external unit like thi...
FIGURE 6-8: Flash exposure compensation enables you to adjust the strength of t...
FIGURE 6-9: From LumiQuest, this diffuser is designed for use with built-in fla...
FIGURE 6-10: Got red-eye? Try using red-eye reduction flash mode for a better r...
FIGURE 6-11: Slow-sync flash produces a brighter background and softer flash li...
FIGURE 6-12: If you want motion trails to follow a moving object, set the flash...
FIGURE 6-13: With front-curtain sync and a long exposure, the motion trails app...
FIGURE 6-14: When subjects are backlit, adding flash can expose more details.
FIGURE 6-15: I used my camera’s built-in flash to add just enough light to brin...
FIGURE 6-16: This Smith-Victor LED light panel can attach to your camera via a ...
FIGURE 6-17: Using the built-in flash produced harsh shadows and uneven lightin...
FIGURE 6-18: Here’s a basic cross-lighting setup, which can produce shadow-free...
FIGURE 6-19: Here’s the portrait-shooting variation of the studio.
FIGURE 6-20: Here’s proof that you don’t have to invest in expensive lighting s...
FIGURE 6-21: I used two standard, clip-on LED lamps to light this still-life sh...
FIGURE 6-22: This product-lighting kit from Fotodiox has built-in LED lighting ...

Chapter 7

FIGURE 7-1: Some lenses have a switch that sets the camera to autofocus mode.
FIGURE 7-2: Autofocus points may be indicated by little squares in the viewfind...
FIGURE 7-3: The focusing area may instead by indicated by a single box, as here...
FIGURE 7-4: By default, the center focus point is usually selected (left); to s...
FIGURE 7-5: Cameras that offer bazillions of autofocus points (left) often offe...
FIGURE 7-6: With single-servo autofocus, you can lock focus on your subject (to...
FIGURE 7-7: A green light in the viewfinder or a green focus frame means you’re...
FIGURE 7-8: A rangefinder is a focusing aid that provides feedback when you foc...
FIGURE 7-9: When you handhold a camera at slow shutter speeds, camera shake can...
FIGURE 7-10: The less-than-sharp result on the left isn’t due to focusing probl...
FIGURE 7-11: The green focus rectangle indicates the focus point used for each ...
FIGURE 7-12: If moving objects are blurry, try using a faster shutter speed.
FIGURE 7-13: Shallow depth of field is ideal for portraits (left); landscapes b...
FIGURE 7-14: Changing the aperture is one way to adjust depth of field.
FIGURE 7-15: Zooming to a longer focal length also decreases depth of field.
FIGURE 7-16: I set focus in both shots on the die, changing just the aperture s...
FIGURE 7-17: In the RGB color world, red, green, and blue are the primary color...
FIGURE 7-18: Although Adobe RGB can capture more colors than sRGB, using the la...
FIGURE 7-19: Each light source emits its own color cast.
FIGURE 7-20: Using two different light sources confused the automatic white bal...
FIGURE 7-21: On some cameras, you use this type of control to adjust white bala...
FIGURE 7-22: You may be able to choose from several JPEG presets, each of which...
FIGURE 7-23: Here's a look at some of the color-related options available in th...

Chapter 8

FIGURE 8-1: A blurry background draws more attention to your portrait subject.
FIGURE 8-2: Set focus on the eye that’s closest to the lens.
FIGURE 8-3: The red rectangles indicate how much of a 3:2 original portrait can...
FIGURE 8-4: For soft, even lighting, forego flash and instead expose your subje...
FIGURE 8-5: Use a reflector to bounce window light onto the subject.
FIGURE 8-6: I shot the left portrait using window light and a reflector, elimin...
FIGURE 8-7: Aiming flash directly at your subjects often results in red-eye in ...
FIGURE 8-8: With a rotating flash head, you can bounce the flash light off the ...
FIGURE 8-9: Bouncing the flash and using a few other tricks enabled me to elimi...
FIGURE 8-10: Another option is to compose your shot so that your subject isn’t ...
FIGURE 8-11: Slow-sync flash results in brighter backgrounds and softer flash l...
FIGURE 8-12: Although usually considered a tool for nighttime shooting, slow-sy...
FIGURE 8-13: To keep your subject in silhouette, disable flash.
FIGURE 8-14: This photo captured my first furkid at his favorite post, keeping ...
FIGURE 8-15: Even on sunny days, backlit subjects benefit from a flash.
FIGURE 8-16: Shadows cast by the brim of a hat can also be eliminated by using ...
FIGURE 8-17: To eliminate the distractions in the background (left), I moved my...
FIGURE 8-18: Indoors, one solution is to have kids lie on a plain-colored carpe...
FIGURE 8-19: A piece of blue fabric hung from a closet door provided a nice bac...
FIGURE 8-20: Instead of adopting a formal pose (left), invite your subjects to ...
FIGURE 8-21: One of my favorite portraits of all time, this one required only h...
FIGURE 8-22: Three siblings enjoying a quiet, late-day walk on the beach made f...

Chapter 9

FIGURE 9-1: To choose the right camera settings, you first need to decide wheth...
FIGURE 9-2: Choose your camera’s maximum resolution setting so that you can fra...
FIGURE 9-3: A shutter speed of 1/500 second wasn't fast enough to freeze the ac...
FIGURE 9-4: Raising the shutter speed to 1/1000 second got the job done.
FIGURE 9-5: I used my camera’s burst mode setting to capture these images of a ...
FIGURE 9-6: Even though I captured these frames instants apart, the change in t...
FIGURE 9-7: It’s a portrait! It’s an action shot! It’s two, two photo challenge...
FIGURE 9-8: To ensure that the bird was properly exposed, I used spot metering,...
FIGURE 9-9: Because I was close to my subject, these camera settings produced a...
FIGURE 9-10: The last frame in this string of action shots produced a great por...
FIGURE 9-11: A slight blur adds drama by creating a heightened sense of motion.
FIGURE 9-12: I used a slow shutter to create these motion-blur images of a carn...
FIGURE 9-13: The slower the shutter speed, the silkier the water appears.
FIGURE 9-14: Using a slow shutter speed and panning the camera during the expos...

Chapter 10

FIGURE 10-1: The bench in the foreground helps provide a sense of scale to rein...
FIGURE 10-2: Here, the hikers not only provide a reference as to the size of th...
FIGURE 10-3: I shot this image just after an afternoon shower passed, leaving b...
FIGURE 10-4: The famous structures shown in these images are lovely, but it’s t...
FIGURE 10-5: Lens focal length determines angle of view and also contributes to...
FIGURE 10-6: Use a short focal length and a horizontal framing to capture the w...
FIGURE 10-7: I opted for a large depth of field for my wide-angle shot (left), ...
FIGURE 10-8: Adjusting the f-stop changed the depth of field; varying the shutt...
FIGURE 10-9: In this scene, taken on an overcast day, the polarizing filter red...
FIGURE 10-10: For this shot, the polarizing filter eliminated glare on the glas...
FIGURE 10-11: The filter on the left has a variable light reduction of 1.5 to 2...
FIGURE 10-12: A panoramic image has an uber-wide, short aspect ratio.
FIGURE 10-13: Here are the five individual frames I combined into the panorama ...
FIGURE 10-14: Some panorama-creation programs, like this free one from Hugin So...
FIGURE 10-15: If your architectural shots display distortion (left), you can st...
FIGURE 10-16: Adobe Photoshop offers a batch of tools for correcting perspectiv...
FIGURE 10-17: Here’s a look at the simpler perspective correction tool built in...
FIGURE 10-18: The lights on the bridge and reflections in the water add the spe...
FIGURE 10-19: For this shot, I opened the shutter as the rocket began its upwar...
FIGURE 10-20: A shutter speed of 10 seconds turns the taillights of passing car...
FIGURE 10-21: For this image, I chose exposure settings that would keep the dra...
FIGURE 10-22: The bare tree leads the eye from the predawn colors on the horizo...
FIGURE 10-23: When photographing this garden inhabitant, I used settings that d...
FIGURE 10-24: Adding flash enabled me to get a better exposure of the dragon an...
FIGURE 10-25: A macro lens enables you to focus close enough to fill the frame ...

Chapter 11

FIGURE 11-1: You may have the option to vary the amount of data displayed with ...
FIGURE 11-2: You usually can choose to display vertically oriented pictures upr...
FIGURE 11-3: Some cameras can display the focus point you used when taking the ...
FIGURE 11-4: Playback magnification makes it easy to check important details, s...
FIGURE 11-5: Many cameras allow you to display multiple images at a time (left)...
FIGURE 11-6: Checking picture metadata can help you understand how various sett...
FIGURE 11-7: A brightness histogram is a useful tool for evaluating exposure.
FIGURE 11-8: An RGB histogram offers both exposure and color clues.
FIGURE 11-9: Blinkies display mode makes it easy to see the location of any blo...
FIGURE 11-10: Rating photos makes it easier to find your best shots later.
FIGURE 11-11: A key is the universal symbol for a “locked” file.
FIGURE 11-12: Some cameras offer a built-in red-eye removal tool that you can u...
FIGURE 11-13: You also may be able to crop out extraneous background from a pho...
FIGURE 11-14: Some cameras even offer simple color and exposure re...
FIGURE 11-15: You may be able to connect your camera to a TV for p...

Chapter 12

FIGURE 12-1: Most camera manufacturers offer a free image browser and basic pho...
FIGURE 12-2: Apple Photos is a good basic tool for Mac users.
FIGURE 12-3: Microsoft Windows 10 offers its own free Photos program, shown her...
FIGURE 12-4: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic is a popular choice among photog...
FIGURE 12-5: Exposure X5 offers more than 500 presets that simulate various fil...
FIGURE 12-6: You can connect most cameras directly to a computer via USB (or US...
FIGURE 12-7: This card reader from Kingston works with types of camera memory c...
FIGURE 12-8: On a Mac, you can drag and drop files from a memory card using the...
FIGURE 12-9: Here's a look at the built-in Raw converter found on some Nikon ca...
FIGURE 12-10: Adobe Photoshop’s ACR (Adobe Camera Raw) offers multiple panels o...
FIGURE 12-11: I used a photo as the basis for this custom-made get-well card.
FIGURE 12-12: You can usually choose a playback display mode that indicates the...
FIGURE 12-13: In WIndows 10 you can check the pixel count by viewing the image ...
FIGURE 12-14: In the Mac Photos program, click the i button to display resoluti...

Chapter 13

FIGURE 13-1: For a brighter image, raise the exposure compensation value.
FIGURE 13-2: When subjects are in front of the light, use flash to better illum...
FIGURE 13-3: Many digital cameras offer tools designed to deliver better result...
FIGURE 13-4: Allover image blur (left) is usually due to camera movement during...
FIGURE 13-5: The tree directly behind the head of my male subject, along with t...
FIGURE 13-6: A shallow depth of field blurs background objects, making them les...
FIGURE 13-7: Either the ocean is sliding off the edge of the earth or I didn't ...
FIGURE 13-8: Some cameras enable you to display a grid in the viewfinder to hel...
FIGURE 13-9: Windows Photos offers an easy-to-use straightening tool.
FIGURE 13-10: The straightened image contains slightly less image area than the...
FIGURE 13-11: After selecting the crop tool, adjust the boundaries of the crop ...
FIGURE 13-12: The strong blue cast in the left image happened because I mistake...
FIGURE 13-13: Here's a close-up look at image noise, which can be caused by a h...
FIGURE 13-14: This spot was caused by dust or dirt on the image sensor.
FIGURE 13-15: Bright spots like the one in this photo are caused by lens flare,...
FIGURE 13-16: The white halos around the palm branches are the result of applyi...

Chapter 14

FIGURE 14-1: Sling-style backpacks enable you to access your gear without compl...
FIGURE 14-2: Rolling backpacks with stowage for a tripod are great for travelli...
FIGURE 14-3: The Joby GorillaPod lets you mount a camera nearly anywhere.
FIGURE 14-4: The Cotton Carrier (left) and SpiderPro Holster (right) offer two ...
FIGURE 14-5: To make it easier to see your monitor in bright light, consider a ...
FIGURE 14-6: The Google Snapseed app is full-featured and, even better, free.
FIGURE 14-7: Handy Photo from ADVA Soft offers some great special effects and c...
FIGURE 14-8: My original photo was okay (left), but applying a few special-effe...
FIGURE 14-9: Monitor calibration tools such as this one from Datacolor ensure a...
FIGURE 14-10: Intricate photo-editing tasks become easier when you set aside th...
FIGURE 14-11: Pocket-sized printers like the HP Sprocket 2nd Edition produce 2 ...
FIGURE 14-12: Need snapshot-size prints on the go? Check out larger portable pr...

Introduction

A few months ago, while cleaning my office in an attempt to put off sitting down to write, I came across the first edition of Digital Photography For Dummies, published in 1997. Flipping through the pages, I was struck by how much digital photography has changed in the intervening years. Consider these snippets from that first edition:

“For $800 to $1,000, you get a pixel count in the 1280 x 960 range.” Pixel count refers to resolution, which determines how large you can print a digital image. With a resolution of 1280 x 960 pixels — about 1 million pixels altogether, or 1 megapixel in today's terminology — the maximum print size is 4 x 6 inches. If you needed more resolution back then, a Kodak/Canon hybrid model offered a 6-megapixel resolution for $29,000. (No, that figure is not a typo.) Today, even sub-$100 cameras offer resolutions of way more than 6 megapixels.
“Some cameras suck the life out of a set of batteries in just a few hours.” This issue was a huge problem, and one that manufacturers did a good job of resolving. Most modern cameras can survive an entire day, or even days, without needing a recharge.
“On cameras that have LCD screens, battery consumption is even higher.” Wait — what? Digital cameras didn't have monitors back then? Well, some higher-priced cameras did, but the monitors then were nowhere near as large or as crisp as the stunning displays we now enjoy. And touchscreens weren’t even in the picture, pardon the pun.

I could go on, but I think you get the point: Digital photography has come a long way since its early years. What remains the same, however, is that figuring out how to use all the features on your camera can be intimidating. How many megapixels do you really need, for example? What's ISO? And are your pro photographer friends right when they insist that you shoot in the Raw format (whatever that means)?

The other thing that hasn't changed is that Digital Photography For Dummies has the answers to these questions and more. Completely updated to cover the latest technology, this ninth edition spells out everything you need to know to make the most of your digital camera.

About This Book

Digital Photography For Dummies, 9th Edition, covers all aspects of digital photography. It helps you assess your photography needs, determine the best gear to suit your style, and combine the latest digital-camera innovations with tried-and-true photography techniques. In addition, this book explains what happens after you get the shot, detailing the steps you need to take to download your pictures and share your favorite images online and in print.

Unlike other books on the topic, this one does not assume that you have any knowledge about photography, whether digital or film. Everything is explained in easy-to-understand language, with a little humor thrown in to make learning a bit more enjoyable.

I do assume, though, that if you're into photography enough to pick up this book, you probably own a “regular” camera — that is, one designed solely to take pictures, as opposed to a smartphone or tablet camera. For that reason, the book concentrates on helping you take advantage of features that are common to standard cameras but aren’t available on most mobile devices. A lot of the stuff I cover applies no matter what kind of camera you use, however — composition, for example, is key to a photo taken with any device, as is understanding lighting and focus.

How This Book Is Organized

As much as possible, this book is put together in a way that doesn't require you to read it in order, from front to back, to make sense of things. Instead, you can dip in and out of various chapters to get help with a specific topic. However, if you're brand-new to digital photography or to photography in general, you may find it easier to explore the early chapters, which provide some important basics, before moving onto advanced topics I cover later. The next sections preview the information in each part of the book.

Part 1: Fast Track to Super Snaps

As the part name implies, chapters in Part 1 are designed to make it easy to get better results from your camera, even if you’re a complete novice:

Chapter 1 helps you decide whether your current camera has the features you need to shoot the kinds of pictures you want to take. If the answer is no, I offer advice to help you choose your next camera.
Chapter 2 explains critical camera options, including shooting mode, shutter-release mode, resolution, and file type. Although the default settings for these options work well in most cases, you may need to adjust them for some shots.
Chapter 3 offers tips for getting the best results when you shoot in your camera's fully automatic exposure modes and also covers the basics of making digital movies.

Part 2: Taking Your Photography to the Next Level

When you're ready to advance your photography knowledge and skills, dig into Part 2.

Chapter 4 provides an introduction to photographic composition and explains which camera features affect characteristics such as how much of a scene is in sharp focus.
Chapters 5 and 6 are all about light. Chapter 5 explains exposure fundamentals and offers solutions for over- or underexposed photos. Chapter 6 helps you get better results when you use flash and introduces you to some alternative lighting solutions.
Chapter 7 explains how to achieve tack-sharp images and to use focus to artistic advantage. This chapter also color-related settings.

Part 3: Pro Tips for Capturing Specific Subjects

Chapters in this part of the book provide insider tips related to portraits, action shots, and landscapes.

Chapter 8 is all about photographing people, showing you camera features, lighting setups, and other tools that help you capture portrait subjects in the most flattering ways.
Chapter 9 moves on to action photography. Whether you want to shoot athletic events, birds on the wing, or any other moving subject, this chapter offers keys to success.
Chapter 10 covers tips for improving your landscape photos. It also details how to shoot special scenes such as fireworks displays.

Part 4: After the Shot

Visit this part of the book for information about picture playback and help with getting pictures off your camera’s memory card and out into the world.

Chapter 11 introduces you to cool playback features, many of which tend to be buried in camera menus and thus too often overlooked.
Chapter 12 explains options for downloading and storing photos. I also explain how to prep images for printing and online sharing.

Part 5: The Part of Tens

In the time-honored For Dummies tradition, information in this part is presented in easily digestible, bite-size nuggets:

Chapter 13 provides a troubleshooting guide, discussing ten common picture problems and how to avoid or repair them.
Chapter 14 shows you ten accessories that can make your photography life easier, more fun, or both.

Beyond the Book

When you have time to go online, visit www.dummies.com and enter the text Digital Photography For Dummies Cheat Sheet in the Search box. The Cheat Sheet offers a quick reference guide to important camera settings.

Icons Used in This Book

Here’s a quick guide to the icons used in this book:

This icon represents information that you should commit to memory. Doing so can make your life easier and less stressful.

Text marked with this icon breaks technical gobbledygook into plain English. In many cases, you don’t need to know this stuff, but boy, will you sound impressive if you repeat it at a party.

The Tip icon points you to shortcuts that help you avoid doing more work than necessary. This icon also highlights ideas for creating better pictures and working around common problems.

Read the text next to a Warning icon to keep yourself out of trouble and to find out how to fix things if you leaped before you looked.

Where to Go from Here

The answer depends on you. You can start with Chapter 1 and read straight through to the index, if you like. Or you can flip to whatever section of the book interests you most and start there.

The one thing this book isn’t designed to do, however, is insert its contents magically into your head. You can’t just put the book under your pillow and expect to acquire the information by osmosis — you have to put eyes to page and do some actual reading. With our hectic lives, finding the time and energy to read is easier said than done; but if you spend just a few minutes a day with this book, you’ll soon able to capture any subject, from a newborn baby to a towering monument, like a pro.

Part 1

Fast Track to Super Snaps

IN THIS PART …

Discover which camera features make it easier to take different types of photos. If you're ready for a new camera, get the information you need to find just the right model.

Get the scoop on essential (and sometimes confusing) camera settings, including the shooting mode, shutter-release mode, resolution, and file type (JPEG or Raw).

Find out how to get the best results when you rely on your camera's fully automatic shooting mode. Also take a look at scene modes, which automatically select settings considered best for specific categories of pictures, such as portraits and action shots.

Explore settings related to video-recording features and get help shooting your first movies.