Digital Photography

COMPUTER BOOK REVIEW  

568 words

Title: Digital Photography: by David D. Busch; MIS:Press; ISBN: 
1-55828-448-6 Softcover, 195 Pages, 16 color plates; US$39.95  CAN$55.95

Reviewer: Raymond Saint Arnaud, "In Digital Photography The author has 
explained this complex subject in a clear and easily understood fashion, 
and he did it without writing a book the size of a telephone directory. It is 
an authoritative gold mine." 

Digital Photography

Can a photographer really make money with all that fancy digital equipment, 
computers and software? This is one of the key features discussed in Digital 
Photography. David D. Busch stresses the need to justify the expense of 
embracing digital photography. He provides examples of photographers 
who have made the switch from film and have made money doing it. 

Digital Photography is written in the language of the working photographer as 
opposed to that of a computer user. This is a logical premise, as many of the 
techniques and special effects created by digital photography and computers 
are replications of common commercial photo techniques. 

Of course, technology is a mistress that must still be served, therefore you
will find technology discussed in this book, but it is well covered and
clearly explained. The author explores all aspects of creating a digital image
with a variety of input devices such as high and low end digital cameras, film
and desktop scanners. 

He examines various output devices from the common ink jet printer to film 
recorders. Several chapters cover software options and configuration of a 
desktop imaging station. 

An impressive feature of the Busch approach is his willingness to identify 
those specific features that are important in assessing equipment. In some 
cases, these features relate to the kind of market the photographer is selling 
to, in other cases it clears the air of the hyperbole that often accompanies 
advertising and product information. 

Where does he stand on the great Mac versus PC debate? He owns and 
uses both kinds of systems for digital photography and admits to each 
having their own plus and minus features. 

Chapter 2 of this book, "Digital Pros and Cons For Professionals," is of
special interest. The author discusses the pros and cons of digital versus 
film photography. He finishes with a listing of current uses for digital 
cameras. If the reader is serious about embracing digital photography, this 
list of uses could serve as a starting point in creating a marketing file. 

In the review of software, the author explains the choices and options 
available to the photographer. He provides an analysis of the more salient 
features and their use. The software choices are related to the kind of market 
the photographer serves. 

A universal selection will be image editing software. Selections here include 
the ubiquitous Adobe PhotoShop, as well as some other examples including 
a new generation of image editors like Live Picture and Xres that handle very 
large image files more effectively. 

Other classes of specialized software covered include natural media software
like Fractal Design Painter, Add-On Filters and Vector-Oriented software like
Corel Draw. You will also get a quick look at color separation and
calibration, rendering, type manipulation, animation and morphing software. 

The author wraps up his book with a look at some current successful users of
digital photography. It gives the reader a sense of the profound change that
is working its way through the entire photographic industry. Digital
photography dominates the catalog business. It is expanding rapidly in the
coverage of news events and making inroads in the portrait business. 

The author's objective was to help photographers make a knowledgeable 
decision about their future in digital photography. In "Digital Photography" 
he has explained a complex subject in a clear and easily understood fashion, 
and he did it without writing a book the size of a telephone directory. 

An authoritative gold mine.