The Nikon D90 Companion: Practical Photography Advice You Can Take Anywhere
Category: Books,Arts & Photography,Photography & Video
The Nikon D90 Companion: Practical Photography Advice You Can Take Anywhere Details
Through easy-to-follow lessons, this handy book offers a complete class on digital photography, tailored specifically for people who use the Nikon D90. This is not your typical camera guide: rather than just show you what all the buttons do, it teaches you how to use the D90's features to make great photographs-including professional-looking images of people, landscapes, action shots, close-ups, night shots, HD video, and more. With Ben Long's creative tips and technical advice, you have the perfect, camera-bag-friendly reference that will help you capture stunning pictures anywhere, anytime. The Nikon D90 Companion will show you how to:Take creative control and go beyond automatic settingsLearn the basic rules of compositionCapture decisive moments, including fast-moving objectsDiscover ways to use a flash indoors and outdoorsLearn about different lenses, and the best time to use themUnderstand the options for shooting RAW, and whether it's right for youUse the D90's ability to shoot high definition video
Reviews
As I thought about what to say in this review, it occurred to me that the D90, as a "prosumer" camera, is intended to be a bridge between the point-and-shoot amateur and creative amateur to professional worlds. It has most of the functions point-and-shoot (PAS) cameras have -- auto focusing, auto modes plus program modes (portrait, close up, landscape, etc) -- plus it has the Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual modes (hereafter PASM) the more creative users would want. True, many if not most PAS cameras have these modes too. But when you select P, A, or S modes, the D90 offers a large number of additional functions: Color Balance options, Exposure Compensation, Flash Compensation, Bracketing, etc.So if you were writing a book for the D90, it would make sense to cover the basic functions needed to start shooting -- installing battery and memory card, camera "walk-around", reviewing and uploading photos, and the use of the basic programed modes -- and then the more advanced functions available in the PASM modes. But you would also want to encourage the D90 owners to cross the "bridge" if they haven't already done so. And you might want to provide sufficient technical background along the way to allow the reader to gain a basic understanding of the processes involved in creating digital photos.Ben Long's "The D90 Companion" is written in much this manner. He covers the basics including the Auto and programmed modes to get the new owner up and taking good pictures. The transition chapter, "Photography 101," introduces the novice to the concepts of light control and the effects of aperture and shutter speed. Long then moves into the more creative world made available in the PASM modes. Two chapters are dedicated to the PASM modes and the additional functionality they enable. The next chapter returns to photography itself -- it might have been named "Photography 110." The last four chapters cover special situations, flash photography, RAW (.nef) shooting, and customizing the D90.Long adds technical information where it might be helpful, but the reader can of course choose what parts to read.Observations: - Long does a nice job of explaining how to use the rather complex Nikon D90 and does so in an appropriate order. - There are too many references to the Nikon manual. Most of us buy these books in part to minimize reading the manual. However, none of these references are in particularly critical areas. - I find the recommended way to hold the camera when shooting portrait orientation awkward - hard to manipulate the controls with my right hand bent backwards and my nose is pressed against the view screen leaving an oily print. I prefer to cradle the camera in my left hand with my left upper arm pressed solidly against my body. My right hand holds the grip while the back of the lowest section of my thumb is pressed solidly against my forehead. - As others have pointed out, there are a few errors. While these are inexcusable, most if not all are easily caught from the context. And catching them does confirm you are paying attention.My search for a book of this type came down to Julie Adair King's "Nikon D90 for Dummies" and Long's book. I bought both and don't regret buying either. However, Long's book provides more technical background and more basic photography information. I read the two books about 6 months ago and find I use Long's book as a reference more than the "Dummies" book. Santa just brought me David Busch's book on the D90 so I cannot compare it to either of these two books yet.Lastly and probably most important are Long's repeated encouragements to practice. It's helpful to have your D90 at hand while reading any of these guides and trying things on it.