A Short Course in Nikon Coolpix 990 Photography

Rating:
Summary: Good for beginners, better than nothing for others
Review: A Short Course in Coolpix 990 Photography

I have to admit that when I first thumbed through this skinny book, I was a bit disappointed. It covers a lot of basic photography concepts, like depth of field, that I didn't really feel the need to go over. It seemed like a real beginner's book. But, once I started reading it, I found it to be extremely well written and informative.

The author has a gift for explaining technical concepts very clearly and concisely. This is a very information dense book, and a clever beginner might not need any other books. Every concept is precisely explained and illustrated through photographic examples or diagrams. It is a beginner's book, but swallowing my pride, I have to admit that it has been a good review for me.

More important for my needs, after using a 990 for 2 months, and then reading this, it has helped clear up several confusing areas in camera operation, and brought several features to my attention that I hadn't noticed when I first read Nikon's manual. A typical gem of knowledge is the explanation that the brightness control, unlike exposure compensation, adjusts midtones, which can save detail in shadow or highlights. I wouldn't have known if I didn't have this book.

Complete beginners should probably read a lengthier generic book on photography, but I never expect any single book to suffice for learning a new discipline. This would be a very good second book on photography, reinforcing the lessons from the first book with specific instructions on how to apply those lessons on this camera. Experienced photographers will probably wish for a more detailed and in-depth book. I do, but there doesn't seem to be one available. Given that this is the only supplemental book on the Nikon 990 , I think it is worth the money.

Rating:
Summary: Good for beginners, better than nothing for others
Review: A Short Course in Coolpix 990 Photography

I have to admit that when I first thumbed through this skinny book, I was a bit disappointed. It covers a lot of basic photography concepts, like depth of field, that I didn't really feel the need to go over. It seemed like a real beginner's book. But, once I started reading it, I found it to be extremely well written and informative.

The author has a gift for explaining technical concepts very clearly and concisely. This is a very information dense book, and a clever beginner might not need any other books. Every concept is precisely explained and illustrated through photographic examples or diagrams. It is a beginner's book, but swallowing my pride, I have to admit that it has been a good review for me.

More important for my needs, after using a 990 for 2 months, and then reading this, it has helped clear up several confusing areas in camera operation, and brought several features to my attention that I hadn't noticed when I first read Nikon's manual. A typical gem of knowledge is the explanation that the brightness control, unlike exposure compensation, adjusts midtones, which can save detail in shadow or highlights. I wouldn't have known if I didn't have this book.

Complete beginners should probably read a lengthier generic book on photography, but I never expect any single book to suffice for learning a new discipline. This would be a very good second book on photography, reinforcing the lessons from the first book with specific instructions on how to apply those lessons on this camera. Experienced photographers will probably wish for a more detailed and in-depth book. I do, but there doesn't seem to be one available. Given that this is the only supplemental book on the Nikon 990 , I think it is worth the money.

Rating:
Summary: There are Better Alternatives
Review: Does not compare with Mastering Nikon Compact Digital Cameras (CP950/990), an e-book (on CD-Rom) authored by Peter iNova. That e-book has high resolution photos, full coverage of the Nikon Coolpix Cameras, explanations of digital photgraphy,and many tips, tricks, and digital darkroom aids which are all lacking in the Curtin book. INova's digitalsecrets.net also provides full support for the e-book something you don't get with the really "short course" by Curtin!!

Rating:
Summary: There are Better Alternatives
Review: Does not compare with Mastering Nikon Compact Digital Cameras (CP950/990), an e-book (on CD-Rom) authored by Peter iNova. That e-book has high resolution photos, full coverage of the Nikon Coolpix Cameras, explanations of digital photgraphy,and many tips, tricks, and digital darkroom aids which are all lacking in the Curtin book. INova's digitalsecrets.net also provides full support for the e-book something you don't get with the really "short course" by Curtin!!

Rating:
Summary: An Invaluable Aid
Review: I found Dennis P. Curtin's book to be an invaluable aid to exploiting the features on my Coolpix 990. Recognition plays a minor role in the capture of a great picture. The photographer also needs to execute the "whys" and the "hows".

The "whys" are the fundamental photographic principles that universally apply to taking pictures. They include primers on exposure and sharpness. The "hows" are instructions on setting the camera's features to achieve the effects you desire.

The book is organized around digital photography's basic concepts. The author leads the reader into discussions of scene, subject, color, tone, highlights, shadow, sharpness and softness. He introduces you to the photographic concept and then how to exploit it using the features on the Coolpix 990.

The time spent reading and studying this book will result in your capturing more effect, interesting and creative images.

Rating:
Summary: An Invaluable Aid
Review: I found Dennis P. Curtin's book to be an invaluable aid to exploiting the features on my Coolpix 990. Recognition plays a minor role in the capture of a great picture. The photographer also needs to execute the "whys" and the "hows".

The "whys" are the fundamental photographic principles that universally apply to taking pictures. They include primers on exposure and sharpness. The "hows" are instructions on setting the camera's features to achieve the effects you desire.

The book is organized around digital photography's basic concepts. The author leads the reader into discussions of scene, subject, color, tone, highlights, shadow, sharpness and softness. He introduces you to the photographic concept and then how to exploit it using the features on the Coolpix 990.

The time spent reading and studying this book will result in your capturing more effect, interesting and creative images.

Rating:
Summary: Better Than the Manual
Review: I found this book to contain a clear and orderly presentation of basic photographic methods and considerations. At no point does the author's explanation become too complex to understand and follow.
Perhaps more to point, again and again I have had to leave the official manufacuter's manual and go to this book to understand the camera's many features.
Because Coolpix 990s were manufactured for such a short time, this book would seem to have a limited audience; however, as far as I can see, Nikon simply replaced it with the 995 with a 4x optical zoom, a popup flash and --------- a proprietary battery. It is a blessing that the 990 uses readily available and relatively affordable AA batteries ( and readily rechargable ).
In short, the 990 book by Mr. Curtin should apply to the vast majority of the settings and features on the 995.
It was through this book I learned of the use of the Command Dial while in the Play mode - allowing you to review dozens of conditions and settings in place when each photo was taken. Having trouble taking a photo? Simply go back and Play a photo you previously took under similar conditions in order to review your settings - this has saved much frustration, helped me learn a lot about the camera and lead to learning about photography (digital) under various light conditions.
A definite thumbs up for this author. Worth every penny and then some.

Rating:
Summary: Better Than the Manual
Review: I found this book to contain a clear and orderly presentation of basic photographic methods and considerations. At no point does the author's explanation become too complex to understand and follow.
Perhaps more to point, again and again I have had to leave the official manufacuter's manual and go to this book to understand the camera's many features.
Because Coolpix 990s were manufactured for such a short time, this book would seem to have a limited audience; however, as far as I can see, Nikon simply replaced it with the 995 with a 4x optical zoom, a popup flash and --------- a proprietary battery. It is a blessing that the 990 uses readily available and relatively affordable AA batteries ( and readily rechargable ).
In short, the 990 book by Mr. Curtin should apply to the vast majority of the settings and features on the 995.
It was through this book I learned of the use of the Command Dial while in the Play mode - allowing you to review dozens of conditions and settings in place when each photo was taken. Having trouble taking a photo? Simply go back and Play a photo you previously took under similar conditions in order to review your settings - this has saved much frustration, helped me learn a lot about the camera and lead to learning about photography (digital) under various light conditions.
A definite thumbs up for this author. Worth every penny and then some.

Rating:
Summary: Good value, well worth buying...
Review: I learned more about my CoolPix 990 in a few hours by reading this book than in the past 2 weeks of pouring over Nikon's Guide to Digital Photograpgy that came with the camera. The book is a great value and well worth the price and the time you invest in reading it.

Rating:
Summary: Good value, well worth buying...
Review: I learned more about my CoolPix 990 in a few hours by reading this book than in the past 2 weeks of pouring over Nikon's Guide to Digital Photograpgy that came with the camera. The book is a great value and well worth the price and the time you invest in reading it.