By Derrick Story
First Edition May 2004
Series: Hacks
ISBN: 0-596-00666-7
332 pages, $29.95 US

Your digital camera is more than new incarnation of your old film camera. Yes, it still produces photos, but it also offers new outlets for creativity, including instant gratification of seeing your photos now, the ability to experiment without worrying about expense, the technology to fine-tune your photos with advanced professional techniques, and the means to share your work instantaneously with anyone, anyplace in the world. It's no wonder that digital cameras are outselling traditional cameras for the first time ever. But the question most digital camera users ask is this, "How do I get from taking 'decent' photos to doing the things I'd really like to do? How do I tap into that potential?"

Digital Photography Hacks is your passport to taking the kind of digital photos you've always aspired to. Written by Derrick Story, photographer and author of Digital Photography Pocket Guide and other books, it goes beyond the standard fare of most digital photography books--such as camera basics, understanding memory cards, and when to use a flash--to the things that professional photographers have learned through thousands of shots' worth of experience, years of experimentation, and fiddling and hacking. The book includes a foreword by photographer Rick Smolan, author of America 24/7.

With exquisite, full-color photos throughout, the book presents a collection of tips, tricks, and techniques for photographers ready to move beyond the basics. And if you don't have the latest in digital camera photography, this book will show you how to extend the life and functionality of your existing camera. All the hacks in the book are platform-agnostic, designed for use on both Mac on Windows-based computers. You'll find 100 proven techniques in the areas of:

• Daytime and nighttime photo secrets
• Flash magic
• Digital camera attachments
• The computer connection
• Photoshop magic
• Fun photo projects
• Camera phone tricks

This book is for the photographer you are now, and the one you want to be. Digital Photography Hacks is for the creative adventurer who resides in each of us.

Sample Hacks and Related O'Reilly Articles

Member Reviews

Digital Photography Hacks
Reviewed by Michael Roman
This book is full of very useful information and tips/techniques. I was at first disappointed when I started reading it, because I was expecting tips on digital photography. But what I first encountered were 15 tips on digital camera accessories. However I quickly realized there were helpful tidbits among those tips, and then I got into what I was looking for! The 3 sections Daytime Photo Secrets, Nighttime Photo Hacks, and Magic with Flash were among my favorites because they were of the most benefit to me. The Computer Connection section was helpful with how to manage my digital images as well as some neat ideas for what to do with those images once they were in the computer. The Photoshop Magic section has some great ideas and helpful tips. It might be a bit too basic for people who have used Photoshop a fair amount, but it's probably a great introduction to the tool for newbies. And the section on Camera-Phone Tricks made it clear that there's something for everyone in this book. While the book will benefit less experienced photographers and those new to digital photography the most, as a serious hobbyist and long time photographer, I was still impressed and would give Digital Photography Hacks an 8 out of 10.