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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, April 7, 2002

BOOKS
Photography advice useful for amateurs, professionals

By Rick Sammon
Associated Press

I admit it. I sometimes judge a book by its cover. The back cover, that is. That's where publishers often list quotes by experts in the same field as the author who have read an advance copy of the book and recommend it. Such was the case with Russell Hart's "Photography for Dummies," one of the books in the "Dummies" series of how-to books.

"Photography for Dummies" by Russell Hart, Hungry Minds Inc., $21.99.
Sam Abell, National Geographic photographer, called it, "The most practical and inspiring basic book for photographers."

John Isaac, former chief photographer for the United Nations, said, "I wish I'd had a book like this when I started in photography." And Bob Krist of National Geographic Traveler said, "Chock full of advice ... even experienced photographers will pick up some valuable tips and techniques."

So, after reading the quotes, I thought it would be fun to get a copy for myself. I found the book packed with information and, perhaps equally important for "dummies," well-organized. Just about everything a beginner needs to know about point-and-shoot cameras, lighting, lenses, composition, film, photo processing and flash photography is in the 400-plus pages.

Even those who have been taking pictures for a few years can benefit from Hart's experience, which he gained as a professional photographer, and, more recently, as the technology editor at American Photo magazine. For example, in a chapter titled "Ten Favorite Places to Take Pictures" (which includes Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, Mount Rainier National Park in Washington and the Salton Sea in California), Hart describes some of the photo ops shutterbugs will encounter, and how to get the best shots.

Another book I like in the same series is "Digital Photography for Dummies" by Julie Adair King. The book, which includes a CD-ROM with sample imaging software, demystifies filmless photography. Check out dummies.com.

Rick Sammon is the host of the Digital Photography Workshop on the Do It Yourself (DIY) cable and satellite network.