Notice to Readers Jul. 15, 2004 : Updated content

We are working on an updated Chapter "TO POINT" and expect to release on/about Jul. 20, 2004.

Email will be sent to readers to download the free revised/additional parts. If reader does not received our email before Jul. 30, 2004, please send email to us to follow up.

That is the advantage of electronic book. Readers' copies can be updated whenever a revision is made.

Hint Number One: About LOOK-IDEA-ARRANGE

The first three Chapters, i.e., LOOK, IDEA and ARRANGE, may be taken by some as not relevant to the digital photographic technique that they looked for.

As I use to say, most people misunderstand what is photography about. It is not digital technology that one can take 'photo' just with a click. Digital technique is only for the recording and the manipulation afterward. The requirement for taking good photo remains unchanged.

What makes a photo good, the subject, the composition or the exposure? It is certain that all elements must be good to have the final image successful. Among them, the subject is undoubtedly the most important one. Without a good subject, the photo will never be nice to look at. But, we must know that everything on earth is good. It depends on how photographers catch that very moment from that special angle, with own artistic touch and finishing technique. Of course, we have failure, lots of them. No master can take masterpiece from each shutter release.

Also mentioned earlier, we do not have big mistakes anymore with today's technology especially digital imaging. Therefore the most important part is how to get the best presentation of our chosen subject.

I have started to teach photography about thirty years ago and from the first day, I decided to find the best way to guide my students to take good photo by themselves, never allowing them to copy from me. It is certain that my methods used in the early stage were not so promising in compare with the later period. It is not possible to tell everything here. Let's have a glimpse of how I guide beginners to start taking photo.

FIRST, I shall not show any example.

SECOND, photo trip will be arranged as soon as possible for every class.

THIRD, a simple guidance will be offered for them to take photo that they like.

FOURTH, each student will select two to three photos and every student will be requested to comment, followed by my summary and advice for each one.

FIFTH, such arrangement will be performed again for all practical work in that class.

There had been a location, a small garden that has been chosen for photo practice for tens of classes for almost eight years. Each time, there are some surprising photos taken by beginners entirely unique.

Unfortunately, I cannot have such arrangement for the ebook. That is why I spent a lot of time figuring out how to guide beginners far away to build up this important concept. The three Chapters are created for this purpose. However, there are photos that may be taken as examples. Frankly speaking, I really try not to do so, yet it may be hard for anyone to go through three Chapters without images nowadays.

If readers find it hard to understand, do not waste their time on this part. Just go to the other Chapters and start to take photos. After some practice, it may be good to read the first three Chapters again.

F. H. Tong

Hint Number Two: About TREAT

Those demonstrations are for guidance. Since the size of ebook, I tried to make them just enough to show the important steps. As mentioned, there are other functions provided by Photoshop. Those are either not needed for normal image handling or for special application and effects. For some, it may be interested to try. I do not include special effects because there is no technique at all, we can master by trial and error.

The application of each demonstration is not limited to that work only. Readers are encouraged to try their own way of image manipulation. It may be good to work with Photoshop alongside the ebook. For most PC, there should be enough RAM and available space to have both running. This will be easier to learn the various adjusting techniques.

F. H. Tong

Hint Number Three: The best way to gain from our advice

Readers of "DigiPhoto Guide for Beginners" can send photo for advice. As mentioned, we accept email sent from registered email address and the image file must not over 800x600 jpeg format.

Resizing image demo

As mentioned in the book, it may be difficult for beginners to judge their works and therefore hard to improve. Just take photos according to the suggestion. Then choose the best one, resize and send to DPB@t-photo.com.

For the time being, we shall not post the advice on the site. An email will be sent to the reader, stating the problem and the way to improve.

Read the advice carefully and arrange taking photos again. If in need, select the best one and send again.

Reader can continue to seek advice.

Due to privacy protection, we shall not post any photo from reader unless we have their agreement.

F. H. Tong