Sunday, March 25, 2012

Underwater Photography for Compact Camera Users

Underwater Photography for Compact Camera Users Review



Be inspired to take the underwater photographs you have always dreamed of using a compact camera.

'Book of the Year'Diver Magazine

Designed to help the beginner and the more advanced digital compact camera users, Underwater Photography for Compact Camera Users promises to inspire both snorkelers and divers to achieve fabulous underwater photographs.

Crammed with fantastic tips and photographs to illustrate the techniques, it delivers the expert advice without confusing the beginner or patronising the advanced user.

Included in Underwater Photography for Compact Camera Users:

  • Choosing and caring for your camera underwater
  • Understanding the settings on your camera
  • Using accessories
  • Underwater composition
  • Lighting your subject underwater
  • Natural light photography
  • Downloading and sorting your images
  • A special 'guest gallery' to inspire and show you how to capture the photographs you have always dreamed of


Saturday, March 24, 2012

Realm of the Pygmy Seahorse: An Underwater Photography Adventure

Realm of the Pygmy Seahorse: An Underwater Photography Adventure Review



For millennia, climatological and geological processes created the necessary conditions for the tropical Indo-Pacific to evolve into the most diverse area among marine ecosystems. The Indonesian-Philippines area is the epicentre of this amazing biodiversity. Award-winning photographer Constantinos Petrinos chose the Lembeh Strait in North Sulawesi, Indonesia to document this fascinating underwater wonderland. He spent 5 months in the region, did 320 dives and took 25,000 slides. "Realm of the Pygmy Seahorse" features 280 of these amazing photographs. Underwater photographers will find a wealth of information on technique. For the naturalist, the rich text explains the spectacular behaviour seen in the photos.

The author attempts to give the reader an insider's view on the daily lives of the animals in this complex ecosystem that features a variety of habitats. Seemingly barren volcanic sand slopes and rubble areas reveal elusive, rare creatures, such as the wonderpus and the mimic octopus. Tiny pygmy seahorses adorn "Muricella" sea fans. Spectacular nudibranchs are everywhere. The rare and unusual seem commonplace.


Friday, March 23, 2012

Complete Digital Photography

Complete Digital Photography Review



COMPLETE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY, SIXTH EDITION guides you through every aspect of digital photography, from shooting through postproduction and printing, to help you master the theory and technical skills required of a great photographer. In an easy-to-understand format, you'll uncover the fundamental photographic knowledge you need to solve common dilemmas and challenges and advance your photographs to a new level. You'll learn everything from how a camera works and how to choose the camera that's right for you, through shooting, image editing, output, and workflow. You'll also explore the basics of artistry in photography, including finding a subject, composition, lighting, and more. This sixth edition features new material covering Photoshop CS5, Camera RAW, Micro Four Thirds cameras, and post-production, and a revised and more user-friendly organizational structure. Tutorials and exercises throughout the book will help you practice the techniques presented in each chapter.



Bonus Chapter Excerpt

Five Key Steps to Choosing a Digital Camera

  1. First, determine how much you're willing to spend. Your goal is to get the best camera you can for your budget. Best is defined as the balance of features that serves your particular needs.

  2. Next, decide whether you are looking for an SLR or a point-and-shoot camera. If you can't make this decision right away, that's fine. It will probably become apparent pretty soon after you start comparing cameras, or maybe even as you read further into the chapter.

  3. Next, determine what resolution you need for the type of output you're creating.

  4. Among the cameras with the right price and resolution, select the ones that have the shooting features and controls you want.

  5. Of those cameras, make your final choice based on which model delivers the best image quality.

    This last point will be your most crucial criteria. If you've narrowed your choice to two cameras, and one has great features but the other produces better pictures, you should go with the second camera. Of course, it's frustrating not to get everything you want in a camera, but you can work around most feature deficiencies. Trying to work around bad image quality is much more difficult.



Download the full bonus chapter of Ben Long's Complete Digital Photography. [PDF]


Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Adobe Photoshop for Underwater Photographers

Adobe Photoshop for Underwater Photographers Review



Using the digital darkroom to perfect underwater images, this guide is loaded with tips on how to finesse, fine-tune, retouch, and enhance underwater film scans and digital images with Adobe Photoshop. This comprehensive look at the required setup for a digital darkroom outlines the necessary hardware, monitor calibration, and room lighting, in addition to providing a survey of the top editing tools and descriptions of the most tried-and-true correction techniques. Step-by-step instructions explain how to group underwater images for editing; approach corrections for images that require a multi-step enhancement process; and choose the right output options for printed images, video, slide shows, and Web viewing.


Tuesday, March 20, 2012

The Digital Photography Book, Volume 3

The Digital Photography Book, Volume 3 Review



Scott Kelby, author of The Digital Photography Book, volume 1 (the world’s best-selling digital photography book of all time), is back with a follow-up to his volume 2 smash best seller, with an entirely new book that picks up right where he left off. It’s even more of that “Ah ha—so that’s how they do it,” straight-to-the-point, skip-the-techno-jargon stuff you can really use today to make your shots even better.

This book truly has a brilliant premise, and here’s how Scott describes it: “If you and I were out on a shoot and you asked me, ‘Hey Scott, I want the light for this portrait to look really soft and flattering. How far back should I put this softbox?’ I wouldn’t give you a lecture about lighting ratios, or flash modifiers. In real life, I’d just turn to you and say, ‘Move it in as close to your subject as you possibly can, without it actually showing up in the shot.’ Well, that’s what this book is all about: you and I out shooting where I answer questions, give you advice, and share the secrets I’ve learned, just like I would with a friend—without all the technical explanations and techie photo speak.”

Each page covers a single concept on how to make your photography better. Every time you turn the page, you’ll learn another pro setting, tool, or trick to transform your work from snapshots into gallery prints. If you’re tired of taking shots that look “okay,” and if you’re tired of looking in photography magazines and thinking, “Why don’t my shots look like that?” then this is the book for you.

This isn’t a book of theory—full of confusing jargon and detailed concepts. This is a book on which button to push, which setting to use, and when to use it. With nearly 200 more of the most closely guarded photographic “tricks of the trade,” this book gets you shooting dramatically better-looking, sharper, more colorful, more professional-looking photos every time.


Monday, March 19, 2012

National Geographic Ultimate Field Guide to Travel Photography (National Geographic Photography Field Guides)

National Geographic Ultimate Field Guide to Travel Photography (National Geographic Photography Field Guides) Review



This superb practical guide to travel photography combines the best of all worlds: convenient size, comprehensive coverage, and useful, straightforward advice from the experts of National Geographic Traveler, the highest circulation magazine in its field. It’s the perfect "how-to" for anyone seeking to master the veteran photographer’s trademark skills: a strong sense of place; a swift, decisive eye; and a sure instinct for the dramatic scene.

Be it a weekend escape or far-flung adventure, every occasion promises the chance for a great photograph. Whether you’re after that once-in-a-lifetime shot or just want a vivid travelogue to share with friends, The Ultimate Field Guide to Travel Photography will help you achieve your goals. It explores such key genres of photography as panoramas, portraits, and creating a narrative in photographs. Always, the focus is on engaging your subject and working—often quickly—to get the best shots.

Chapters cover everything from inspiration and research to the practicalities of purchasing the right equipment. Practical information including checklists, essential contents of a camera bag, and other helpful resources are listed in the back. Designed especially for active travelers, the book fits easily in a backpack or pocket for handy access.


Saturday, March 17, 2012

Westwood Light and Lens Bundle: Light and Lens: Photography in the Digital Age

Westwood Light and Lens Bundle: Light and Lens: Photography in the Digital Age Review



Light & Lens: Photography in the Digital Age is a groundbreaking introductory book that clearly and concisely provides the instruction and building blocks necessary to create thought-provoking digitally based photographs. It is an adventurous idea book that features numerous classroom-tested assignments and exercises from leading photographic educators to encourage you to critically explore and make images from the photographers' eye, an aesthetic point of view. Acquire a basic foundation for digital photography. Light and Lens covers the fundamental concepts of image-making; how to use today's digital technology to create compelling images; and how to output and preserve images in the digital world. Explore the history, theory and methods of digital image-making. Light and Lens translates the enduring aesthetics of art photography into the digital realm. You'll view, capture and think about images from a new perspective. Increase your ability to analyze, discuss and write about your own work and the images of others. Learn with exercises and assignments by leading digital educators. Innovative techniques will train your eye to make the strongest visual statement. Solve visual problems and overcome image challenges. Whether you use a digital SLR or a point-and-shoot camera, you'll get new strategies to master composition, design and light. View the full range of the digital terrain with stunning images and commentary by over 190 international artists. Robert Hirsch is a renowned photographer, educator, historian and writer. His book credits include Photographic Possibilities: The Expressive Use of Ideas, Materials and Processes; Exploring Color Photography: From the Darkroom to the Digital Studio; and Seizing the Light: A History of Photography. He has had many one-person shows and curated numerous exhibitions. Hirsch has also conducted many workshops and interviewed eminent photographers of our time. The former executive director of CEPA Gallery, he is now the director of Light Research in Buffalo, New York, and on the Visual Studies faculty of University of Buffalo/The State University of New York.

Robert Hirsch's new edition of Exploring Color Photography is also now available from Focal Press!

*Applies technology in the service of ideas *Emphasizes conceptual problem solving in photography today

* Full of beautiful and inspiring images

 


Friday, March 16, 2012

Tony Northrup's DSLR Book: How to Create Stunning Digital Photography

Tony Northrup's DSLR Book: How to Create Stunning Digital Photography Review



This ultimate comprehensive photography book is revolutionary in four ways:

  1. FREE VIDEO TRAINING. Integrated into the book's content, the author shows you exactly how he took the photos. The print book includes links you can type into your web browser. If you buy the eBook and your eReader can play video (such as the Kindle app on an iPhone/iPad/Android, or the Kindle Fire), clicking the links when you have an Internet connection will load the video directly within your eReader.
  2. NEVER OUTDATED. This book is regularly updated with new content (including additional videos) that eBook owners receive for free. As new photography trends emerge and new camera equipment and lenses are released, you'll see them described in both the print and eBooks immediately. 
  3. 350+ HIGH RESOLUTION, ORIGINAL PICTURES. Detailed example pictures demonstrate both good and bad technique, all taken by the author himself in nine different countries. Most photo books use stock photography taken by other photographers. On the eBook, zoom into the pictures by double-tapping your screen (on a Kindle Fire) or pinching-and-pulling your fingers apart (on an iPad/iPhone/Android).
  4. HANDS-ON PRACTICES. Complete the practices at the end of every chapter to get the real world experience you need.
In this book, Tony Northrup (award-winning author of more than 30 how-to books and a professional portrait, wildlife, and landscape photographer) teaches you both the art and science of creating stunning pictures. First, you will master these basic concepts:
  • Composition
  • Exposure
  • Shutter speed
  • Aperture
  • Depth-of-field
  • ISO
  • Natural light
  • Flash
  • Posing
  • Troubleshooting bad pictures
  • Using raw files
  • Studio lighting
  • Night photography
  • HDR
  • Macro/close-up photography
Then, you will learn the pro's secrets for photographing these subjects:
  • People (candid, casual, formal, and underwater portraits)
  • Weddings
  • Pets
  • Wildlife (mammals, birds, insects, fish, and more)
  • Landscapes
  • Cityscapes
  • Sunrises and sunsets
  • Flowers
  • Forests, waterfalls, and rivers
  • Fireworks
  • Stars
When pictures don't turn out the way you hoped, you can refer to Chapter 5 for tips on solving common problems.

UPDATE HISTORY:
  • 12/11/2011: Initial release.
  • 1/10/2011: Expanded section on baby portraits (including video).
  • 1/18/2012: Added links to integrated videos covering aperture and depth-of-field, light painting, HDR, and macro.
  • 2/14/2012: Fixed minor reader-submitted errata.


Wednesday, March 14, 2012

How to take stunning underwater photos using inexpensive point and shoot cameras

How to take stunning underwater photos using inexpensive point and shoot cameras Review



Waterproof cameras that once cost thousands of dollars have been replaced by small modern digital versions that look and feel just like any other pocket camera. Learn the exciting new sport of Underwater Photography while taking home vacation memories.

Underwater photography is easy to learn, fun to share, and a great way to learn about underwater life. Scott's plain talking, non technical, easy to understand style will make learning quick and easy. The book is filled with stunning photos all taken from simple point and shoot cameras with explanations so you can quickly take better photos.

Scott has taught hundreds of people to take better photos and now he shares the secrets that will change the way you view undersea life.

If your looking for long discussions F stops then this is not the book for you, but if you want plain talk, easy to understand language and discussions on how to take stunning photos without expensive underwater housings or strobes then this is the book to read, and re-read.

Underwater cameras can be used for documenting maintenance, fishing, skiing, snorkeling, diving or even recording an underwater video. These inexpensive cameras are the prefect solution for any wet activities.

In this book we discuss how to take amazing underwater and wet action photos with inexpensive point and shoot waterproof cameras.

Topics covered-Introduction
How to snorkel
Tips for holding your breath
Breath of fire and strengthening the diaphragm
Lesson number one - stabilize the camera
Buoyancy control
Keeping it together
Underwater photography
Standard photo concepts fail underwater
Stop the action
Learn to use macro
Progressive close ups
Study your subject
Add action
Zoom or macro
Puffer fish
Jellyfish
Up the odds with extra photos
Stationary targets
Decide on what you want to the photo to say
Family fun
Sunny choppy days are more difficult than overcast days
Blurs on the lens
Having trouble focusing?
Octopus
Schools of fish
Coral
Photographing sharks
Close up photos of action fish
Camera settings
Flash
Free software to edit an underwater photo
Documentation of maintenance
Photos around the water
Great fishing photos
Photos of wildlife taken from the skiff
What to look for when buying POS underwater cameras
The simple answer
Video
Underwater video cameras
Warranty
Depth
Shock proof
Dependability
Reshot time
Camera care


Monday, March 12, 2012

An Essential Guide to Digital Underwater Photography: A Complete How-To Guide

An Essential Guide to Digital Underwater Photography: A Complete How-To Guide Review



An Essential Guide to Digital Underwater Photography: A Complete How-To Guide Feature

  • Complete Digital "How TO" Guide
  • Lighting Techniques
  • Elements To Good Composition
  • Photo Editing & Management
  • Hints - How To Shoot Better
With the explosion of underwater digital photography this book is an absolutely essential guide for those who want to shoot beautiful digital pictures underwater. It is a complete “How to” guide that includes detailed descriptions and professional secrets, step-by-step instructions about choosing and using digital cameras underwater, exposure, use of light and shooting techniques for macro and wide-angle imagery. It is packed with information, key points, tips and techniques of underwater photography, and even some professional secrets. An Essential Guide to Digital Underwater Photography takes you from the basics, channels your creativity to greater heights and guides you to produce some of the most beautiful pictures of the sea. It will also help you to learn the art form of photography and master the vocabulary of digital imaging. It is a complete digital "How To" guide. An important new title for all underwater photographers. For easy referencing, the pages are color-coded. Above all this book will open your eyes to the enjoyment of digital underwater photography increasing the fun factor of your diving.


Friday, March 9, 2012

Master Guide for Underwater Digital Photography

Master Guide for Underwater Digital Photography Review



From camera selection to enhanced exposure, everything necessary to capture underwater digital images is available in this handy reference. Photographers will learn how to select, test, and use digital cameras for technically perfect images, adapt traditional photo techniques to underwater conditions, confidently shoot and light underwater images for great exposure, and remedy common problems that plague underwater photographers. Helpful hints on maintaining, cleaning, transporting, and insuring a digital camera are included. With full-color images that both instruct and inspire, this handbook provides information on every conceivable aspect of creating the right conditions for beautiful underwater photographs.


Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Underwater Wonders of New Zealand

Underwater Wonders of New Zealand Review



This collection of underwater photographs portrays some of New Zealand's marine life, including the Poor Knights Islands marine reserve, the last resting place of the Rainbow Warrior and the active volcano of White Island, as well as the South Island's Fiordland.


Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Photographing Nature: A photo workshop from Brooks Institute's top nature photography instructor

Photographing Nature: A photo workshop from Brooks Institute's top nature photography instructor Review



25 years of nature photography instruction in one gorgeous, full-color, hands-on course

Anyone can photograph nature—just step outside and you’re on location. But becoming a good nature photographer takes expert training. In Photographing Nature, Ralph Clevenger, whose images have appeared in such publications as Nature’s Best and National Geographic, shares the techniques he’s been personally using and teaching to aspiring photographers for the last 25 years in his popular nature photography course at the elite Brooks Institute.

In this stunning, four-color course-in-a-book, each chapter opens with a spectacular photo spread from the natural world that Clevenger uses to illustrate themes and techniques essential to mastering nature photography. Just as he does in his classroom at Brooks, Clevenger explains how each photo was captured, the tools and techniques used, and typical problems related to capturing such a photo, along with solutions. Chapters also include sample Q&A sessions as well as assignments you can try yourself.

By the time you’ve worked through all of the techniques in this beautiful, yet informative book, you’ll not only photograph the world differently, you’ll see it differently as well. With a foreword by George Lepp, one of North America’s best-known contemporary outdoor and nature photographers.


Thursday, March 1, 2012

The Photographer's Vision: Understanding and Appreciating Great Photography

The Photographer's Vision: Understanding and Appreciating Great Photography Review



In The Photographer's Eye, Michael Freeman showed what a photographer needs to do in the instant before the shutter is released. In the sequel, The Photographer's Mind, he explained the way that professional photographers think a picture through before taking it. Both of these international best-sellers featured Michael's own photography: stunning landscapes, revealing portraits, and fascinating street photography. Now, in The Photographer's Vision, he examines the work of photography's greats, explaining how to look at a photo - and how to learn from looking at it.

- Michael Freeman is the author of the global bestseller, The Photographer's Eye. Now published in sixteen languages, The Photographer's Eye continues to speak to photographers everywhere. Reaching 100,000 copies in print in the US alone, and 300,000+ worldwide, it shows how anyone can develop the ability to see and shoot great digital photographs.

- Features work from some of the most distinguished names in photography's history: Nick Knight, Frederick Henry Evans, Frans Lanting, Tim Page, Wolfgang Tillmans, Nan Goldin, Paul Outerbridge, Walker Evans, Cindy Sherman, Elliott Erwitt, Trent Parke, Jeff Wall, Paul Strand, Romano Cagnoni, Horst Faas, James Casebere and many more.

- Provides visually stunning photos as well as intellectually authoritative narrative.


CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC.
THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED AS IS AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
Cheap Underwater Photography This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate
advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Amazon, the Amazon logo, Endless, and the Endless logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.