Reviews: Digital Photography Captured (Volume 1)
Introduction
Digital Photography Captured (Volume 1) is the first in a series of DVDs that aim to help you understand digital photography and imaging. Volume 1 is split into various chapters that start with the basics of digital photography before moving on to how to get the best out of your digital camera. There are also a number of sections where professional photographers give their own viewpoint on digital photography. Volume 1 of the series is aimed at anyone who is considering buying a digital camera, whether they are just getting started in photography or switching from a film camera.
Price
(out of 5
stars)
Digital Photography Captured (Volume 1) is available to buy for $29.95. It also includes some free Photoshop plug-ins and a tryout version of Photoshop Elements 2.
Full pricing details can be found here:
http://www.knowledgetrek.com/purchase.html
Features
(out of 5
stars)
From a content point of view, Digital Photography Captured (Volume 1) covers the basics of digital photography, starting right at the beginning with a look at how digital actually works from a technological point of view and what you can do with a digital camera. It then moves on to choosing the right digital camera for you and how to actually use the camera effectively.
Other chapters include "What the Pros Say", which provides a fascinating insight into why a number of professional photographers have switched to digital, and "Quick Tips for Great Pictures", in which pro photographer Dan Harlacher reveals his shooting secrets.
The DVD is one hour long in total, but because it is divided into a number of chapters and sub-chapters, it actually feels longer. All in all there is a varied mixture of technical and technique-based information that will not only help you to understand digital, but will also (hopefully) improve your photography.
Ease of Use
(out of 5 stars)
Digital Photography Captured (Volume 1) is slickly produced, well-presented and played without any problems on my PC (1.2Ghz Athlon, 512Mb RAM).
Most of the DVD is presented by Greg Gilbertson, a quite affable presenter who won't get on your nerves too much! Greg sits behind a desk in a studio and talks you through each topic, helped by overlaid diagrams, software screenshots, footage of camera menus and so on. It is quite a personable approach that works well and helps to give the DVD its overall structure.
There isn't too much in the way of interaction in each chapter; you generally just pick a chapter and sit back and watch the action, listening to Greg and viewing the various graphics. It's perhaps not the most hands-on approach to learning, and is more suited to several viewings rather than watching it all at once, but I think it will suit the photography beginners that it is aimed at.
Overall, Digital Photography Captured (Volume 1) is easy to use and navigate precisely because it doesn't attempt to be too complicated. there is a clear liner path to follow, much like a book, although after you've watched it through once it's easy to dip into the sections that you want to view again.
Conclusion
(out of 5 stars)
If have never owned a digital camera and you're wondering what all the fuss is about or how the technology actually works, then Digital Photography Captured (Volume 1) is an ideal way to find out more information before you spend hundreds of pounds or dollars on a camera. Although digital camera prices are falling all the time, they are still quite an expensive purchase, and $30 for this DVD is a relatively inexpensive investment. It explains clearly and concisely how the technology works, what its benefits are and how you can get the most out of a digital camera, without confusing you with technical jargon. It's well worth the asking price and an evening of your time.