Digital Photography Through the Year by Tom Ang

In Digital Photography Through the Year, Tom Ang answers the questions of "what to shoot", and "how to shoot different subjects in different situations". The book features lots of photographs in various sizes with explanations on how the results were achieved. It's divided into seasons so the reader is armed with ideas and inspiration for the whole year.

I loved this book! It not only offered tons of advice on how to shoot the things I'm already shooting, but also opened my eyes to other subjects that I hadn't thought of shooting. It's so inspiring. It gave me so many ideas that I couldn't wait to pick up my camera to start going through some of Ang's tips.

The book is divided into seasons, then further divided into three other sections, early, mid-, and late. For example, there's a part of early spring, mid-spring and late spring. While the four seasons may be been enough, I like the smaller sections. It divides up the information into "bite-size" pieces that can be easily digested.

On each two-page spread, there's a large photograph with 3 key points clearly labelled and explained. Ang also included camera settings (mode, lens setting, ISO etc.), alternative approaches (different ideas on how to shoot similar subjects) and one or two different sidebars with even more ideas. The spread also features a list of other pages that focus on similar subjects or situations. For instance, the bottom right hand corner of the page titled "Splash" lists the following references: "Waterfalls, pp. 134-35", "People under water pp. 174-75", "Watersports pp.182-83", "At the poolside pp. 200-201". I especially love this because it allows me to find the many examples of the look I'm trying to achieve. It also shows me things I never would have thought of.

At the end of each chapter, there's a "Exploring Technique" spread that deals with a specific aspect of photography. i.e. Camera Modes, Close-up and Macro, Exposure, Using a Flash. Ang uses text and lots of photographs to explain the different aspects of the technique.

I love that the book features 4 very distinct seasons. From snow in the winter and rain in the spring to sandy beaches in the summer. However, not everyone is going to have that, especially the snow in the winter. Ang makes sure there's something for everyone and includes photographs and tips that will be useful in all kinds of weather in each of the sections. He also includes lots of indoor shots/situations so the photographer will still be inspired when shooting outdoors isn't possible or when the situations calls for indoor shots.

I've also read and continue to use Ang's, How to Photograph Absolutely Everything (my review) and Digital Photographer's Handbook 5th Edition (my review). Both are excellent. This book, though, is my favourite out of the three.

Highly recommended. I'll be referring to this book time and time again.

For more information about this book or to browse inside, please visit DK's website.

For more information about the author and his other books, please visit Tom Ang's website. A list of other Tom Ang books available from DK can be found here.

I'd like to thank those nice people at DK Canada for this review copy.

Digital Photography Through the Year by Tom Ang, Dorling Kindersley (DK), ©2012. ISBN 9780756698348(Hardcover), 360p.