PREFACE                                                                                                                 | Top of Page |

A great photograph begins when you recognize a great scene or subject. But recognizing a great opportunity isn’t enough to capture it; you also have to be prepared. A large part of being prepared involves understanding your camera well enough to capture what you see. Getting you prepared to see and capture great photographs is what this book is all about. It doesn’t matter if you are taking pictures for real-estate ads or self-expression, there’s a lot here to help you get better results and more satisfaction from your photography.

To get better, and possibly even great photographs, you need to understand both concepts and procedures; the "whys" and "how's" of photography.

• Concepts of photography are the underlying principles that apply regardless of the camera you are using. They include such things as how sharpness and exposure affect your images and the way they are perceived by viewers. Understanding concepts answers the "why" kinds of questions you might have about photography.

• Procedures are those things specific to one kind of camera, and explain step-by-step how you set your camera’s controls to capture an image just the way you want to. Understanding procedures gives you the answers to the "how" kinds of questions you might have.

This book is organized around the concepts of digital photography because that’s how photographers think. You think about scenes and subjects, highlights and shadows, softness and sharpness, color and tone. The procedures you use with the Nikon CP-950 digital camera are integrated throughout the concepts, appearing in those places where they apply. This integrated approach let’s you first understand the concepts of photography and then see step by step how to use the Nikon CP-950 ditital camera in all kinds of photographic situations.

To get more effective, interesting, and creative photographs, you only need to understand how and when to use a few simple features on your camera such as focus, exposure controls, and flash. If you’ve previously avoided understanding these features and the profound impact they can have on your images, you’ll be pleased to know that you can learn them on a weekend afternoon. You can then spend the rest of your life marveling at how their infinite variety of combinations makes it possible to convey your own personal view of the world. You’ll be ready to keep everything in a scene sharp for maximum detail or to blur it all for an impressionistic portrayal. You’ll be able to get dramatic close-ups, freeze fast action, create wonderful panoramas, and capture the beauty and wonder of rainbows, sunsets, fireworks, and nighttime scenes.

As you explore your Nikon CP-950 Digital Camera, be sure to have fun. There are no "rules" or "best" way to make a picture. Great photographs come from using what you know to experiment and try new approaches. Digital cameras make this especially easy because there are no film costs or delays. Every experiment is free and you see the results immediately so you can experiment step by step.

This book assumes you’ve mastered the mechanics of your camera. It’s about getting great pictures, not about installing batteries and connecting your camera to your computer. That information is well presented in the user guides that came with your camera, however it is summarized in the Appendix of this book.

REVIEWS                                                                                                                 | Top of Page |

Here's what a few of the early readers have written :

Seldom are my expectations met when reading material in the technical field. I have been in the computer industry for over 35 years and have had ample reason to study technical documentation (usually with great frustration). With rare exception, your book is enlightening, informative, well written and understandable at most any level. I was anticipating technical information written by a technician. What was received was a book that assisted me in understanding basic photography concepts, but most importantly you gave me enough to make me think, experiment and learn. I am
sure I will re-read your book many times and will place it with the others than I have found over the years to be well written (very small shelf). Thank you! (Loren)

I just bought your book about the Nikon CP-950 digital camera...It was great! Thanks. I'm having fun with the Nikon 950 camera as well! Is it possible that I have a link on my web site to your Photo Course info? I've enjoyed it myself and would like to give my digital imaging students a link to it. (Meg)

Talk about fast delivery. I ordered my Nikon Coolpix 950 digital camera book Friday evening and it arrived today. Thanks for the great service. As a weekend photographer I have a habit of using the point and shoot method. After two hours with your book my skill level has increased by a factor of 10. You have done an incredible job and I hope you sell thousands. (Jeff Poll)

Thanks for your answer- I am currently reading your book- Its refreshing to see that its not just a review of the Nikon CP-950's users manual. Some good tips. (Carl)

Got the book today and skimmed through it. It looks like the best $20 I've spent yet on my Nikon CP-950 ! (Randy)

Received your book yesterday. Great reading. Thanks (Bill)

Overall, I like it very much. I've historically been a point and shoot guy, and your book lets me know what situations would benefit from using the different options with the digital camera. Good stuff! (Joe)

Overall I found it quite good and well written. I have learnt a couple of things which I did not know (for example how the exposure adjustment works - based on 18% gray). So the book was definitely worth the money. Thanks for writing it. (MT)

They (the instructions in the book and free pocket guide) have worked extremely well for me, exactly what I wanted. They are complete, concise, articulate and a world away from the fragmented way that Nikon's documentation dealt with the camera. Have you contacted them about possibly using your instructions in the future? (Jack Winberg)

Kudos! Received a copy of your Nikon CP-950 digital camera book Friday and am enjoying it. It's an informative, easy read...easily worth the money. Thanks for writing it. Regards, Michael Rochman

Got it thanks! Nice book - easy to read yet informative. If only necx direct was so quick, I would have a camera to use the book with :) Craig.

I received your book on the Nikon Coolpix 950 just yesterday. Looks great. (Karl)

I received your book, Nikon Coolpix 950 Photography, and am in the process of reading it. So far it looks like a great expansion on the abilities of the Nikon CP-950, coupled with lots of conventional photographic techniques. (Bill)