Making the leap to digital: ten new picks for the photography bookshelf.(Bibliography)

Recently, a friend and manager of the local camera store mentioned to me that amateur photographers who once reluctantly spent meager sums for point-and-shoot cameras were now readily investing in expensive digital cameras and an array of accessories. After more than a decade of growth, digital photography is finally the rage among amateurs and many professionals alike--and for good reason. Photographers may now invest in a lot of pricey equipment (including cameras, computers, software, and printers), yet over time they save a small fortune in film and processing. Moreover, the quality of digital imagery has become remarkable, as has the relative ease of manipulating, storing, and transmitting images.

The book trade has been keeping pace with this demand, and the following are some of the most recent additions to the digital photography bookshelf. While not definitive, these introductory manuals cover the various aspects of digital photography for both public and academic libraries. Comprehensive collections or those serving advanced photographers may want all of these excellent books, while those serving primarily amateur shooters would be best served by Tom Ang's Digital Photography, Michael Freeman's The Complete Guide to Digital Photography, and especially George Schaub's Using Your Digital Camera.

Ang, Tom. Advanced Digital Photography: Techniques & Tips for Creating Professional Quality Images.

Amphoto: Watson-Guptill. 2003. 144p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 0-8174-3273-6. pap. $29.95. PHOTOG

This sumptuously illustrated book takes readers beyond the basics, guiding them through the myriad possibilities of digital photography. The author of a number of popular photo guides, notably on digital photography (see below), Ang first discusses digital imaging …