Rick Sammon's Digital Photography Secrets

• #8 in Best Photography Books

24 Reviews

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I have no idea what the people who rated this book as 5 stars are talking about. I have used Amazon since the website was open this will be only the second book I ever returned!

This book is ONLY good if you have purchased your first digital camera and need some introduction to digital photography after you have read the manual with the camera -- for anyone else -- it is a joke!

Most of the book is used to help sell Canon or Westcott equipment. Most of the supposed secrets are 5 sentences or less with no real substance.

The DVD is mostly pointless and the paragraph intro to the DVD is basically trying to sell you his other DVDs. I have seen reviews of this book in photo magazines and everyone must be on lets make Rick Sammon's money band wagon because the information listed in this book is fairly useless to anyone outside of a pure novice.

I cannot tell you how dissappointed I am in this book -- it puts me off to anything else he may produce or write.

The secret of this book is there are no real secrets and fool and his money are soon parted!

If you are looking for a magician disclosing his secrets, this book is not for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for clear, concise, practical and easy to understand steps to take better pictures - this is the book you want! Each page has a suggestion as to how to improve your pictures - from better composition, to better awareness, to improving work flow, gear recommendations, improving exposure, focus, and the list goes on and on. I can honestly say, that I have learned something from each page and I found the perfect photo accompanying each page particularly helpful in reinforcing each page's "secret".

After reading each page, I am anxious to grap my camera and go out and test Rick's suggestions (of course the pages about winter/rain gear, I may just skip for now).

I highly recommend this book to anyone either new to photography or anyone that is looking to improve their skills.

Well aimed and straight to the point are Rick Sammon's "secrets". Actually my friend Rick has no secrets as he always shares his wealth of knowledge freely. It is as if he were answering questions in one of his seminars. In this book he devotes one page to each subject: from how to best photograph in the rain while protecting yourself and equipment to explaining the "Dis-Equilibrium" effect. Salient information without mombojumbo is how he presents his important bullets. I carry my copy of the book with me when I know I will have to wait, like for the car to be worked on. I scan subject after subject till the car is ready. I think it is a book best read in snippets in preparation for a shoot.

Definitely check out page 14 to find out how knowing the difference in dynamic range capabilities between your eye, film and digital media can improve how you can capture what you see.

It is a fun and wonderfully illustrated book that will help improve you photographic efforts.

David A. Page

Fine Arts Photographer (ret.)
Duke University

If you are a true beginner and don't know how to turn on the camera, this book is for you. If you have taken any photos at all, then skip this book.....

If you shoot with Canon this book will maybe excite you, but it is obvious that the author is sponsored by several companies....canon, ex officio etc because thoughout the book he is peddling fast for his buddy companies...I sent the book back. There is nothing in this book that is new or different....if you want to learn buy Bryan Peterson's books...they are excellent and he doesn't have anybody filling his pocket to write them.

There are not many writers that can make you feel
special, like they are writing directly to you. And
there are not many photographers that can have
their photographs speak so directly to you. Rick
Sammon is among the few. His book is packed
full of useful information on how you can extend
and improve your digital photography. Discover
the "Secret".

Although this book provides comprehensive content for photographers of all skill levels, it clearly aims at serious photographers wanting to advance. Primarily for DSLR and Photoshop CS users, it offers clear and concise instructions for shooting in dozens of specific situations. Color illustrations accompany all topics. DSLR cameras are explored in great detail. There are many excellent tips for various shooting subjects: Landscapes, People, Animals and Macro Photography are covered as are sections on photo and computer hardware and software. The included DVD has a dozen short QuickTime video lessons. This is a good book for any photographer's library, excellent as a reference.

I bought this book for my husband and he's been very enthusiastic about what he is learning. He read the first chapter and told me he picked up tips and ideas already. Now he's almost done with it (he's reading it cover to cover) and he's still enjoying it! I would highly recommend this book if you're interesting in improving your digital photography.

I bought several of his books as they were recommended on TWIP. For novice camera enthusiasts all of the books contain a ton of great info and recommendations. One little caveat is that he tends to repeat himself (incl, using same photos) between different books so the added value of buying a 2nd book by this author is something you would need to carefully balance. If you had to pick one book by him, I would recommend this book.

This book is filled with wonderful tips. I have seen reviews that say the book is only good if you are a Canon shooter, and nothing could be further from the truth. I am not a Canon shooter and I have always been able to pick up some extremely valuabe tips from rick's books. I have enjoyed every book that Rick has written because his style is so friendly and he writes almost like he is having a one-on-one conversation with you. If you ever get to see Rick Sammon live, do it !! He is a friendly, gracious man with an enormous talent for teaching. Check this book out....you will not be disappointed.

Rick Sammon really knows his stuff. Half a dozen of the tips in this book are worth the entire price, and you get a DVD to boot. Even if you think you know everything there is to know about digital photography, pick up this book and learn more. I picked up some techniques that I can apply immediately to my use of my Nikon D300.

If you are looking for a great book on photography advice, then look no further because this is the book for you! I am not a pro, but even a pro can learn something from this book. Rick's style of writing is simple to understand and is yet to the point on how to take great peoples with/out a flash to make it look more natural, how to control your exposure, what metering would be good, etc along with examples of pictures and technical information. I have other books similiar to this one from other authors but I must say this book has been the best and most helpful for me in learning to take better pictures. THANKS RICK!!

The author provides a good introduction for beginner photographers using DSLR cameras. The book is divided into sections for Landscapes, People, Animals and Close-up photography. It has a different topic on every page with an easy to understand tip and illustration. There are also sections on photography equipment and processing photos in the digital darkroom. This is a good reference book for the novice.
Rick Sammon's Digital Photography Secrets

I highly recommend this book! It is conveniently broken into sections such as Photographing People, Animals, Close-ups, Landscape, etc. so you can jump in at whatever area interests you most. Each page is devoted to an educational point or idea along with a wonderful picture as an example. It's a fast read, but I was learning so much and thinking of so many practical applications, I would definitely need to revisit areas. Rick Simmon includes a DVD with the book which is done in his dynamic and very entertaining style. Again, topics are covered separately with techniques and finished products. A great book to have in your library! I highly recommend it.

I don't see where Sammon has the time to go out take pictures, write his photography columns, mentor up-and-coming photographers, and then write books, too. He's generous with his time, generous with his advice, and freely distributes some genuinely useful secrets. If you want to read something that goes beyond the everyday tips you find in other books, you'll want to read and re-read this one.

One of the best, if not the best "How-To" books on photography I have seen. Well written and very easy to understand book on how to "make" better photographs. Every aspect of photography is covered with well explained details of each included photograph. The included DVD is very instructional. If you are serious about "making" better photographs, this book is a must read.

It's always a pleasure to read a book by Sammon. While he doesn't break new ground in this book, he covers important information in a rapid-fire manner - one page per topic. His enthusiasm for photography shows through on every page -- and his enthusiasm is infectious. Well worth the price and I'll refer back to it often.

Once again, Rick has written another great book about digital photography. The book is easy to read and understand and entertaining at the same time. The "secrets" he shares with the reader are great tips whether you are an amateur or a veteran at digital photography. I was lucky enough to be in Papua New Guinea with Rick on one of his workshops. My suggestion to all camera enthusiasts - they should visit his website ([...]) and try to experience the workshops first hand. This book is a great source of information if you can not get the actually hands on training from Rick himself. If your lucky enough to experience being on location with him the book is a great reference guide to have on hand at all times!!!

I originally bought this book for its use of oneon filters. However i discovered a real treasure. This is a GREAT book on digital photography and photography in general. Rick goes to great links to share with you his secrets on how to photograph many items. This is one book that you will use over and over again.

Every serious photographer should have it in their library.

I was looking for a guide that would tell me quickly how to set up shots without having to read through tons of technical information. I found this book very helpful and filled with page after page of tips on how to get the type of shot you are looking for. Color examples and short descriptions hold my attention. Useful manual for beginners and pros alike.

I have read many books on photography basics. This one is about the same, just a new name for a book about the basics of photography. Basics of focus, backgrounds, lighting, etc are covered in this book. Good book for beginning photographers. I disagree about the statement made on page 165 about not backing up on DVDs or CDs. Although photos are backed up on external hard drives and portable drives, those drives can fail and they often do. I use an external backup drive and always back up new photos on CDs or DVDS. Yes, it's extra work to make copies, but in the long run, it's worth it.

A previous review stated the objection of just being a Canon tome. While the author does state his preference for this company, overall the book is objective in the sense that the tips (secrets) would hold true with all makes of camera. I enjoyed his concise, bullet presentation and would recommend this to all levels of photgraphers, as there is something for everyone in this book. Also, the author gets to point, without a great deal of rambling. I would (and probably will) buy more from this author.

Excellent examples with descriptive details just enough to get me out and shoot some photos as recommended.

RICK SAMMON'S "DIGITAL Photography Secrets" Are not Secrets any more.Excellant,Full of GREAT IDEAS. BUT IT FELLOW PHOTOGRAPHERS.IHIGHLY RECOMEND IT TO ALL OF YOU.