General

Digital media are not film. For any camera more complex than a point and shoot, a photographer will have to learn about a host of technical differences that effect the ultimate photograph, like white balance, histograms and file formats. Yet these same challenges also offer opportunities for new and creative uses that film doesn't provide.

Aaland aims his book at new converts to digital by explaining how digital differs from film. After a brief introduction to the subject, and the differences between the media, he offers individual chapters on shooting situations that explain how to shot pictures digitally. Chapters deal with portraiture, action and landscapes, among other genres. He uses case studies of particular photographs to show how the photographers adjusted their shooting technique to fit the requirements of digital cameras. I found these examples to be particularly helpful for understanding how I would have to change my shooting habits for digital. There is necessarily some overlap with the general techniques of photography, as when the author discusses lighting techniques for digital portraits. It's comforting to know that there is not much difference in this area between film and digital. On the other hand some of the advice is remarkably banal, as when he describes the "rule of thirds" and then tells you that you should develop composition skills on your own.

There are a few chapters in this book that are so peripheral to the theme of the book, but written about with such detail, that they seemed to me to be added as filler. For example, Aaland includes ten pages on object movies that seemed of little use to the average photographer. (Object movies are a series of digital photographs of an object, stitched together so that they can be presented on a computer as if one was circling the object. Their primary use is in advertising.)

Yet despite these failings, this book certainly eased the transition from film to digital for me. I wish that the author had spent more time using more genres as examples of the shifts required for the change but the book did the job I expected it to do,

Who doesn't have a digital camera these days? But how well do we understand our technologic wonders? Regardless if you are using a basic or prosumer camera, after reading Mikkel Aaland's Shooting Digital, you will be an expert ready for most any situation. Aaland, a well-published author, photographer and leading authority on Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, offers easy-to-understand tips from 34 professional photographers. Though packed with useful information for all users, reading is enjoyable and not laborious. Aaland properly introduces readers to their cameras as well as the technology behind digital photography. In depth discussion is offered for portraits, children, pets, social events, action, minimovies, traveling with your camera, interiors & exteriors, landscapes, panoramas, organizing and sharing your photos and much more. Numerous sidebars of text focusing on special tips and techniques are spread throughout the book. The book's companion website is disappointing since many pages are still under development. It is difficult to find anything to criticize about the book. Digital photographers of most all levels of skill will find Aaland's book of value and will likely refer to it often.

The idea of this book is good: include a variety of voices in a methodical coverage of basic photography topics and techniques. The result did not live up to the expectation, however. While the list of topics was good, the treatment was often shallow. (The "tips" and sidebars were distracting and seldom helpful.) Worse, several of the photographs were not well executed, in my view! Overall, I did not feel that my technique was improved having read this book.

Having said that, I did like the idea of including advice from a variety of practitioners. Aaland (and others) also provided sketches of their setups, which I found interesting.

My advice: wait for the second edition when hopefully a good idea will be improved. Meanwhile, wanna buy mine?