What are the topics need to be covered by a free ebook for beginner/amateur photographers?

Question

Some of my friends and I were thinking of publishing an ebook in our native language to help local beginner and amateur photographers. We will probably end up with a series of books later on but as a starter we'd like to publish a book with technical aspects of photography (and lots of photos to help them understand the camera settings better) that someone who is planning to start or has just started photography will need. Any suggestions?

EDIT: I have started working on the book. Here's a link to the work-in-progress version if anyone is interested. Thanks.

Asked by ShutterBug

Answer

Here would be my topics

• How to Hold a Digital Camera
• How to buy the right equipment for you
• Composure - Some basic rules and how to break them
• Shutter/Aperture settings - How they affect your shot
• Depth of field
• Lighting and Exposure
• How to use flash
• What is ISO?
• How to pre-focus and use auto focus effectively
• An introduction to White Balance
• Lenses and Focal Length
• Printing Your Work
• How to Clean a Digital Camera and Lenses

If that was a book when I had started I would have been very pleased

Answered by Rob

Check more discussion of this question.

How do I know if I'm ready to turn professional?

Question

I love photography.
I love capturing beautiful images and preserving precious memories.
I believe that I have a gift for this - one which I have worked hard to hone and grow over recent years.

I am wondering about trying to earn some of my income from my photography.
However, I find the thought very scary: surely I can't be good enough? Yet I think that I can consistently get results as good as most of what I find online.

How can I tell if I'm good enough?

Am I even asking the right question?

What questions should I be asking myself?

Answer

My tips:

• Don't assume you're good because friends and family say your are.
• Don't start with weddings. Wait until you've done a few simpler things first (christenings / babies etc). You may be a great photographer when snapping flowers but how are your people skills / planning skills etc.?
• Try to sell some stock photos or prints in a market.
• Go for it! Just don't quit your job until you have run out of weekends and are turning down bookings ;)

Good luck!

Check more discussion of this question.

What are the differences between an entry-level DSLR and a Canon PowerShot?

Question

A Canon Powershot series camera has program mode that lets the user control the shutter speed and aperture

Even though an Entry-level DSLR has more features, this looks similar to an entry-level DSLR.

In other words, is it necessary for an amateur to own a DSLR over a point and shoot camera such as a Canon Powershot?

Answer

The 1st difference, and arguably the most important one, is the image sensor's size. DSLR has an APS-C or Full-Frame (35mm) sizes CMOS sensors, where owershots have much smaller, some CCD some CMOS sensors. this translates to superior image quality in terms of digital image noise - the larger the sensor, the less noise is apparent in the image. In this picture from Wikipedia, the 1/1.6" and smaller rectangles are the realm of P&S:

Also important is the fact that DSLR have interchangeable lenses, as well as TTL (Through The Lens) Optical Viewfinders which lets you see what the sensor sees.

DSLR are generally quicker than P&S, and occasionally have more features (but not necessarily, as the Powershot line has compatible CHDK alternative firmwares which enable many of the DSLR features).

Is it "enough"? This is a very subjective question. Given the price tag, the different size and weight group and more factors, only you can evaluate the "enough-ness" of a P&S camera to your needs.

Check more discussion of this question.

Where is this photo of a bridge located exactly?

Question

! know this photo was taken somewhere in East Coast, but can someone tell me where it is exactly? Thanks!

Answer

It's the Benjamin Franklin Bridge; crosses the Delaware River. Connects Camden, New Jersey to to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

That bus is about to enter Philly, judging from this vantage.

Check more discussion of this question.