Teaches the steps involved in creating portraits by discussing tips on poses, lighting, makeup, framing, and equipment purchasing and maintenance.

The price of high-quality digital cameras has come down greatly over the last few years . . . and film-based SLR cameras can be had for a song. So it's not surprising that the number of consumers with higher-end, complex cameras has skyrocketed. The problem lies in making use of those high-end features to produce high-quality photos. More and more consumers are discovering that a great camera doesn't produce great photography without the skill and knowledge to use it properly. And that's where The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Photography Essentials comes in.

"It's fun to put all the pieces together." Now that picture puzzles are so hot, who better to put out a really fun book of picture puzzles than "The Complete Idiot's Guide(r)" series? In this entertaining book, readers will find: Puzzles of all difficulty levels for all ranges of ability Wacky, funny, silly, whimsical, and oddball pictures appropriate for all ages An easy-to-use answer key"

Offers advice on choosing a camera and lenses, selecting and loading film, framing a shot, lighting, indoor and outdoor photography, photographing animals, special effects, and developing film

A guide for beginning users demonstrates photo manipulation techniques, evaluates digital cameras, and explains how to adjust color balance, crop out unwanted elements, sharpen focus, apply special effects, and prepare images for printing.

You're no idiot, of course. You can snap a mean Polaroid on family vacations and capture memorable moments with a disposable. But when it comes to operating a camera with more than one button, you probably think your pictures are worth a lot less than a thousand words. Don't resign yourself to your Instamatic just yet! The Complete Idiot's Guide to Photography Like a Pro is where beginning and even experienced shutterbugs can learn to take dazzling professional-quality family shots, holiday snaps, and nature images, with even the most basic equipment. In this Complete Idiot's Guide, you get:

In this updated edition the focus is on expanded chapter coverage on the hottest trend in photography: digital cameras and electronic image editing. This book contains easy-to-follow instructions on how to choose and expertly use a point-and-shoot 35 mm and auto-focus SLR camera. Illustrations.