Clearly stated techniques for rookies and pros
I have to credit my uncle, Bill Thomas, with giving me the idea to do this post. The reason: he turned me on to The Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby and he gave it to me last year for Christmas.
I reference the book often and thought it might be something most of you—given that many anglers dabble in photography—could put to work while composing your shots. And the timing is good—this book, published by Peachpit Press, $19.99 U.S., would make a great stocking stuffer or even a main gift.
Kelby’s book offers a lot of basic tips that serve well as a refresher to shutter-bugs who actually snap for a living. There are also lots of sneaky tips that any amateur or professional could use. And the best part about it is Kelby tackles the subjects quickly, in a no-nonsense, one-page per subject fashion.
For example, in the book’s first section, Pro Tips for Getting Really Sharp Photos, Kelby dedicates single pages to these subjects—Getting Super Sharp: Mirror Lock-Up; Turn Off Vibration Reduction; Shoot At Your Lenses Sharpest Aperture; Avoid Increasing Your ISO; etc. These are all pretty basic practices, but Kelby also throws the curveball. In one section on photographing flowers he suggests, Don’t Wait For Rain, Fake It. And he proceeds to easily explain how to get the desired results.
One of the chapters that should resonate with anglers is Shooting Landscapes Like A Pro. Ever wonder why the Tetons just don’t look as good in your shots as they do in person? Maybe you need a person in the foreground for scale, Kelby suggests. Also there are entries on how to shoot waterfalls, forests, mountains, etc. Kelby also has a page dedicated to this: how to show size. And he doesn’t suggest holding a fish as far away from your body as possible.
You can find this book at all the big-time book stores and some independents or you can order it online at Amazon.