Digital Outback Photo - Photography using Digital SLRs

-- Note: Our E-Booklets cover a much newer and updated content. --

 
 
Front Page Index
 

Digital Outback Fine Art Photography Handbook

© by Bettina & Uwe Steinmueller

 
 

1 Introduction


 

1.1 About this book

1.2 Digital Outback Photo

1.3 How to sponsor this project

1.4 A very pragmatic Book

1.5 A Photo Book

1.6 Cameras, Printers, Tools and Software

1.7 References: Web Sites

1.8 References: Personal

 

 

1.1 About this book
 

What is this book about? We share our experience in using digital SLRs for fine art photography. We will not get into such questions as "Isn't Film better than digital?". This might be a valid question if you want to decide to go the full digital path. We had made the decision 2 years ago. The only question for us is "How can I get the most out of our digital cameras" and of course we are convinced that we are capable to produce Fine Art photos. At the time of this writing (April 2002) in many areas film still might get better ultimate results than digital cameras (except the BetterLight scanning back which seems to beat 4x5" film but cannot capture moving objects). This gap gets closer every year and if the Foveon technology succeeds then digital will surpass film also using digital SLRs.

What does the term Fine Art mean in this context? These are photos, which are printed and presented in a way that buyers like to decorate their homes, galleries to offer them and they even might end up in a museum.

 
1.2 Digital Outback Photo
 

Digital Outback Photo is our web magazine with exactly the same goals. After now more than 18 months it has its place with many readers around the world. It also got us in touch with other photographers sharing also their experience in the magazine. I can say that this book would not be possible without all these helpful contributors.

You also might be interested in our photos which we present on our (Bettina's and mine) photographers site www.photodotcom.com.

 
1.3 How to sponsor this project
 
If you want to sponsor this project and also to get more information about the digital workflow then buy one of our e-booklets.
 
 
 
1.4 A very pragmatic Book
 

We will try to be as pragmatic as possible. Here is an example:

We don't really care how a CCD works as we don't think it helps us to make better photos (understanding a car engine does not make better drivers). If you want to know these details, then you have our full sympathy and you will find on the web all the information you are looking for. We are interested in how the characteristic of our camera influences how we make photos. Where are the limits. On the other side we will add a lot of reference sections with links for further reading. You the reader can contribute to this book in getting us the needed information

Also this is not a book which describes how to use your camera. You can read the manuals or other books to help you. We also assume you know the basics of photography, how to handle your camera and then we try to tell you some things how to improve your work.

 
1.5 A Photo Book
 
We will also show a lot of our photos as this is the main language we speak. If you don't like to watch our or others photos this might not be a book for you. We try to be relaxed and don't take things to serious. This helps to keep the eyes open and not to miss some nice photos.
 
1.6 Cameras, Printers, Tools and Software
 

We will only talk about cameras, printers, tools and software that we use or have used. That does not mean that other cameras, printers, tools or software might not be as good or even better for the same purpose. Also it is often better to really understand a good tool than to look permanently for better ones (this bug hits us all the time). But of course if some new camera, printer, tool and software is clearly better than it might be time for a change and here the living book will help to show the new possibilities.

Even if you use different cameras, printers, tools and software we hope that you learn from this book as very often the experience can be transferred to an other context.

 
1.7 References: Web Sites
 

The following list of website which inspired and helped us most during the last 2 years is not a list of complete useful resources which are available on the net but just our main influences.

 

We have to give Michael Reichmann's site "The Luminous Landscape" a special mentioning as there is hardly any other site which presents so many little yet important details. This will be also reflected in many links to his site for the various topics.

Also his DVD based "The Video Journal" is first class. It does not only provide great information but also has great film presentations of wonderful landscapes. Highly recommended!

 

 
 
1.9 References: Personal
 
These are the people who helped us constantly to improve our magazine and view on photography. This is again only the list of our closest and permanent contacts over the last two years.
 
  • Alain Briot
  • Paul Caldwell
  • Mike Chaney
  • Jim Collum
  • Greg Governale
  • Michael Reichmann
  • Bjorn Rorslett
  • Ellen Rudolph
 
 
 
 
References
 

The Luminous Landscape
Robgalbraith.com
Digital Photography Review
Steve's Digicams
Imaging Resource
Bjorn Rorslett
Photo.net
NaturePhotographers.net
FredMiranda.com
Alain Briot

 
 
 
 
 
© by Bettina & Uwe Steinmueller
 
 
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