Digital Photography

Film cameras have almost disappeared from the market, replaced by a mind-boggling array of smart-looking and much more versatile digital alternatives. And digital cameras have moved from devices for nerds and geeks to fashionable accessories and event-recording tools that are very much in the mainstream. Everywhere you go you can see people snapping pictures, with digicams, camcorders and camera-phones.

At the same, a huge change has occurred in the enthusiast photographers' market. From being a rarity only a few years ago, digital SLR cameras are now competitively priced and simple enough for novice users to cope with.

These days there's such a broad range of devices available with image recording capabilities - and almost as many different output options. Making the best choices for your own requirements can require a considerable amount of research. Digital Photography Pocket Guide outlines the key factors that should influence equipment and software purchasing choices for photographers at all levels of involvement, from casual snapshooters to serious enthusiasts, making it easier to buy devices you will use and enjoy.

New technologies are also being introduced to make picture-taking easier and ensure that more camera users than ever before get great-looking shots. But, understanding the strengths and limitations of your camera has never been more important because the new technologies are not effective in some situations.

To address these issues we've completely re-written our original Digital Photography Pocket Guide to include all the information you need to use your camera effectively. In this second edition we've provided lots of advice for anyone who's thinking about buying a new camera, printer or computer monitor - or investing in image editing software.

Vital topics like how to re-size pictures for different applications and cost-effective ways to calibrate your computer monitor for editing and printing image files are also covered in depth. Online photo sharing has become popular, due to aggressive promotion by the major service providers. But many digital photographers are unsure of its value for them. The fluidity of the online photo hosting and sharing market is creating issues for consumers.

With websites appearing and vanishing with amazing rapidity and many websites starting to charge for basic services, it has become important for photographers to be able to control all aspects of image sharing.

We also look at the emerging market for photo books and outline the types of services on offer and what you can expect to pay for them. We wind up this volume with special chapters on print permanence and image archiving to help you decide on the best ways to share and save your digital photos.

All these topics are covered in this slim, pocketable volume. 

Digital photography can be fun for everybody and an activity everyone in the family can participate in and enjoy, regardless of their age or level of experience and technological know-how. Through the information provided in these pages, you will have the confidence to plan purchases and decide what equipment and resources to take on trips. You will also gain an understanding of how to print, share and store your digital pictures so that your best shots will be preserved for sharing with your children and grandchildren - and generations to come. What better ways to enjoy the great photographic experiences this exciting new technology offers?

Like the other pocket guides in the Photo Review series, Digital Photography Pocket Guide is a key component in a three-part package that aims to help photographers of all kinds and levels of expertise maximise the opportunities digital photography presents. Its companion publication, Photo Review Australia magazine, which is published quarterly, carries inspirational portfolios and features on shooting and editing pictures as well as brief reviews of the latest imaging products.

Comprehensive reviews of the latest imaging equipment are regularly posted here on the Photo Review website (www.photoreview.com.au), which will also keep you advised about new products, often ahead of their local release. There's a wealth of additional information online about many aspects of digital photography for both novice and expert digital photographers.