The New Joy of Digital Photography [Book Review]

I recall making a review of the earlier ‘Joy of DP’ back in July 2007, describing is as “more about the art, not the nuts and bolts,” and recommending it as “Ideal for the less techy.”

The New Joy continues on the same path, presented as a handsome 28x22cm book with author Wignall’s message that “once you own the camera, digital photography is free” and that digital image quality “has long since surpassed film in virtually every respect.”
There are some early mission statements in the book: Exploring the Digital Frontier, Dancing with Your Creative Muse, an up to Date Flickring Your Way to Fame … then the book moves on to explanations of the technology: how a sensor works, the download process, resolution, camera types and so on.

Some common sense is imparted on the way, with the advice that it makes no sense wasting money on a DSLR, if all you’re going to do with your digital images is send them by email or make the occasional print. A useful discussion of the role of the upper level, fixed lens maxi-zoom cameras follows; Wignall comes down heavily on the side of the DSLR but stresses that a direct viewing (ie optical) viewfinder is essential in these cameras … but dismisses the mirrorless (Micro Four Thirds etc) type of camera as “an interloping camera design.” Sorry, Jeff, I think we are going to hear more from this sector!

There’s lots more: lenses, accessories such as Lensbaby, metering, etc then a fascinating digital timeline tracks progress from the appearance of the first transistor (1947), to the first Mac (1984) and on to Kodak’s final message that Kodachrome was finished (2009).

Overall I found the book to be more than a manual, more a good read, with some fascinating chapters on the landscape, lighting, colour enhancement and more.

An easy to read, fully-functioning overview on the whole business. For all levels of photographers.

Author: J Wignall.
Publisher: Lark Books.
Distributor: Capricorn Link.
Length: 288 pages.
ISBN 978 1 60059 568 4.
Price: Get a price on The NEW Joy of Digital Photography at Amazon where at the time of writing this it is 41% off.