Opinion needed: Scott Kelby's Digital Photography Boxed Set, Volumes 1, 2, and 3

[Shen siung]

Hi fellow CSer,

I know this is consider a famous book. And I roughly go through it's content, I realised even the 3 books talking about some repeat topic (e.g. Landscape appear in more then one book, forgot either book 2 and 3 or 1 and 2) but not the same thing being discussed.

I wonder is this book (box set) a good buy?
Or should just buy the latest vol 3?

Just happen I got a gift voucher that allow me to purchase books.

Thanks for your opinion.

 

[blackreplica]

Although the topics seem similar...there is different points of discussion for these topics in each volume...it generally starts off with basic principles in the first volume then subsequent volumes improve on the tips he gave before (with more detail). Having read all 3 volumes, i highly recommend you get them all and start reading with volume 1, 2, then 3, for maximum benefit.

I've read many books and his series are the easiest to read, the most direct, and had the greatest impact in improving the quality of my photos

 

[furyhawk]

I read the whole series. Find it easy to understand. It's like all the tips and tricks summarize from the web.

 

[wildcat]

If you're planning to get, I would actually suggest Vol 1 and 2 rather than 3, which goes into a lot of specific details already (especially strobes, flash, etc).

Vol 1 was actually the first photography book I bought, a long long while ago.. haha.

 

[Numnumball]

I have all 3, i will say they are all worth the money spent..

 

[Fotophilic]

just curious, how much does it cost? i have never read them before, but i do heard of scott kelby. :embrass:

 

[Shen siung]

Thanks for all your opinions. Just happen I need to purchase a book with a gift voucher and run out of ideas

Though I consider myself usually crawl in the web for photo tips, but somehow a reading materials (like magazine and books) more comes in handy for me most of the time.

Somehow, sometimes (not always) good things don't come free ;p

just curious, how much does it cost? i have never read them before, but i do heard of scott kelby. :embrass:

Is about 80++ if not wrong in book shops. (The box set)
In mass sell section should can get 80 dollar.

In Amazon it is USD44.09 added with the slowest, cheapest shipment of USD9.9.

 

[sinned79]

vol 2 is very useful if you want to learn how to use flash cos it covers alot in flash subjects.

 

[pinholecam]

The books takes a situational + solution approach. Eg. Back lighted subject = use fill flash
The why or rather explanations and theories as to why its done is kept to the minimum
Its stated on the first page of the book that it takes approach
If you are the type who is looking out for theories/reasons or like me who wants a extra good reading material (and filler text ) then this may not be the best book.

IMO, some of the topics though well covered, are not through enough.
In fairness, its hard to provide very detailed coverage over a vast array of topics (Macro, Portraits, Strobing, Studio). Often, these subjects need a book in itself.


The good websites for various topics already provide lots of information.


Certainly no harm to get the book, if you are starting out and everything is fresh.

 

[kutten]

The books takes a situational + solution approach. Eg. Back lighted subject = use fill flash
The why or rather explanations and theories as to why its done is kept to the minimum
Its stated on the first page of the book that it takes approach
If you are the type who is looking out for theories/reasons or like me who wants a extra good reading material (and filler text ) then this may not be the best book.

IMO, some of the topics though well covered, are not through enough.
In fairness, its hard to provide very detailed coverage over a vast array of topics (Macro, Portraits, Strobing, Studio). Often, these subjects need a book in itself.


The good websites for various topics already provide lots of information.


Certainly no harm to get the book, if you are starting out and everything is fresh.

I agree with this, the books cover lots of topics, but not in great details

 

[Shen siung]

The books takes a situational + solution approach. Eg. Back lighted subject = use fill flash
The why or rather explanations and theories as to why its done is kept to the minimum
Its stated on the first page of the book that it takes approach
If you are the type who is looking out for theories/reasons or like me who wants a extra good reading material (and filler text ) then this may not be the best book.

IMO, some of the topics though well covered, are not through enough.
In fairness, its hard to provide very detailed coverage over a vast array of topics (Macro, Portraits, Strobing, Studio). Often, these subjects need a book in itself.


The good websites for various topics already provide lots of information.


Certainly no harm to get the book, if you are starting out and everything is fresh.

Thanks for your mini review. Yes this "not through enough" is actually my concern. But I felt that it could be hard to get the best of both world - comprehensive and thorough enough. It is like encyclopedia - wide coverage but each topics not detailed enough.

Just wonder any of you happen to have other photography books to recommend?
I have had some basic photography skills but some of it could be very wrong since the 1st day.... :sweat:

anyway my main aim is to use the gift voucher for books and since no other books are in my mind so photography books come to my choice. It doesn't mean i'm desperately need a photography book to learn photography techniques.

 

[pinholecam]

You may want to browse through a copy of TOM ANG : How to Photograph Absolutely Everything
I've only flipped through a few pages of it. Does seem to be the 'more detailed' type.

 

[Shen siung]

You may want to browse through a copy of TOM ANG : How to Photograph Absolutely Everything
I've only flipped through a few pages of it. Does seem to be the 'more detailed' type.

Oh the content looks interesting, and it is much cheaper Thanks

 

[Fotophilic]

Actually if u plan to just read the book and don't intend to keep it (and read it again or for collection), these books are available in the national library. I read the Tom Ang books there. Not bad.

 

[Anson]

Have read all the three books, quite straightforward and informative. :thumbsup:

 

[Minerva]

read all 3 vol... they are useful and straight to the point. He influence my photography the most

 

[Shen siung]

Have read all the three books, quite straightforward and informative. :thumbsup:

read all 3 vol... they are useful and straight to the point. He influence my photography the most

Thanks for the comment... At the end I ordered this book ;p Thanks for pinholecam's suggestion too