Black and White: From Snapshots to Great Shots

The book Black and White: From Snapshots to Great Shots is well written and lacking the usual acronyms you may find in forums and blogs. It took me weeks to figure out what OOF and IQ meant. Regardless, I know there were complaints about how this book (and DVD) were geared toward Lightroom and Nik Silver Effects Pro and their complaints are justified. However, I use both of them as well as Adobe Elements 10 and a few Topaz Labs plugins so I don't have the same complaint. John Batdorff presented the use of this software with some of his own images which he also described how he captured them and I thought he did it very well in both the book and the DVD but it helps if you are familiar with this type of software. My only complaint about the book and DVD is too much time is spent on 'whats in my camera bag'. I have one other book from PeachPit press that does the same thing and it's a waste of time. One thing I don't use Canon or Nikon gear, I use Pentax. In fact I have a Pentax K-5 and a K-7, along with a number of lenses that I have acquired over the past several years and I'm very satisfied with them. And I have no intention of switching to CaNikon because this sort of thing is at best a promo and that also includes the type of software being used. Finally, if you don't have this software this book and DVD won't do you any good. Personally, I like both software packages very much but don't go out and buy it because it's recommended. You will have to determine what your needs are and to have both packages will cost several hundred dollars, something to consider. Lots of stuff out there, do research!

I own a LOT of photography books, and I mean A LOT! This is the first one that I have read cover to cover............twice! I still use it as a reference on a pretty ongoing basis. The book is very clearly written and progresses in a logical manner covering everything from the what and why to convert images to black and white, to a detailed work flow for getting the look that projects your vision. The book is quite easy to read. The volume contains enough basic information for the novice and enough detail and tips to engage an experienced amateur. I found the chapters on how to "see" in black and white particularly useful, especially when this is coupled with the technical data for the sample photographs. John presents his workflow in a concise, logical manner. He carefully lays out not only what he wants to achieve and how to achieve that, but also why he takes a particular path with a given image. Check out his website [...] to see some of spectacular images he has created that appear as examples in his book. If you are at all serious about honing your skills in black and white photography, you must have this book! If you will use this book as much as I have, you should consider taking it to an office supply store for spiral binding. For a few bucks, they'll slice off the glued binding, punch the holes and snake through a spiral binding that will allow you to lay the book flat and significantly decrease the wear and tear on it!!

I bought this book in Kindle format and I wish I'd gotten the actual book. One of the great features in Batdorff's book is the analysis of some of his own shots, helping you to actually see his techniques in action. It was difficult to see them in the Kindle version, however the book is a great resource for improving your black and white skills from the moment you click the shutter release to the time you walk out of a store with the print in hand. It is not overly technical and is illustrated every step of the way. For some the section on using Photo Shop will be a great addition. For those of you (like me) who do not have it, it is difficult to wade through trying to apply it to the program you do have. I am an exception to the "rule" and if there was a way to put four and a half stars up there, I would have. Black and White: From Snap Shots to Great Shots is an excellent book to have on the shelf if you're interested in improving your black and white photography.

As the title of the book suggests, this is a good book for someone new to Lightroom as well as Nik Silver Efex 2. The author covers the whole workflow from capture to printing, and has advice on equipment selection as well as basic photography skills like composition and exposure. This will give someone stepping up from a point and shoot, or someone not familiar with doing their own post-processing and printing, a solid foundation. The book is mostly well written, and easy to understand.

Believe it or not, this is the book that got me off my butt and back out taking photos... I even upgraded to the SONY A7. That's how inspirational this book was for me. Love it... it's practical, no BS, to the point, and enjoyable to read. Very practical which means you can get out there straight away and start using the advice in this book. Use it or lose it!

THe contents of the book itself is worth having. Even if you have done photography for a while .. it will ground you and bring you back to the reason you fell inlove with photography. I was disappointed in teh condition of the book.. It was described as used in perfect condition and it was not. The cover was taped together and several pages were also torn inside the book. It is still worth the read!

This book is worth buying, it covers the entire B&W process and how to understand it. - it's easy to read not over technical and even spends time on the best of the B&W processing software offerings namely Silver Effect Pro. It's simple and easy to read and understand.

Very easy book to get the right strategy for post processing colour images into black and white. Found that more useful than first section on taking photos. But if new to photography very helpful

This is a very good book for monochrome but, only if you have Silver efex 2 software, and better still if you use lightroom as well.it explains in good detail the interface of silver efex 2,and then about using the various tools and sliders to get fantastic black and white photos, it starts out explaining how too see in black and white, and takes you through too printing, doing your own, using a print house,framing and sharing your photos,but like i said at the start, it is no good if you dont have the above software as it doesn't cover coverting too black and white in photoshop, or, elements etc.

An excellent and thought provoking book for all those interested in producing top class monochrome images. Useful in its in depth coverage of Light Room and Silver Efex Pro 2

Silver Efex Pro 2 it's a very complex program with more permutatations than you could wave a stick at! This book provides an invaluable insight into the possibilities to assist in your voyabe of discovery.

If you like black and white picture and you (want to) use Lightroom together with Silver Efex Pro, than this book is the ideal guide. Crisp and clear! A must have.

There are not too many "great shots" in this book. I am a film shooter, and I don't like to Photoshop my photographs.