See the light (or, at least, the exposure settings)

In this all-new book review shootout, we put two books to the test. Read on to learn how Practical Artistry: Light Exposure for Digital Photographers by Harold Davis, and Focal Encyclopedia of Photography: Digital Imaging Theory and Applications History and Science by Michael R. Prese stand up to our editorial review.

Practical Artistry: Light Exposure for Digital Photographers

You may be passionate about photography and own a digital SLR with perhaps more advanced equipment as well. But do the photographs you take with this powerful equipment come out as well as you'd like?

With this fascinating and beautifully illustrated book, you learn how to apply the techniques and principles of classic photography so you can make great images with today's digital equipment. Harold Davis, author and fine art photographer, puts the focus in Practical Artistry on light and exposure, two crucial concepts you need to understand and master if you are to truly capture the images you see.

Davis presents a generous number of his own images in each chapter complete with technical information and an explanation of what he was trying to achieve. These striking photographs not only illustrate the lesson at hand but also serve as inspiration for your own efforts.

Connected Photographer's evaluation

In photography, it's all about the lighting. Davis' book provides a very interesting, uh, exposure to the subject. What we liked most were his photographs because virtually all of them included a nice description of what went into taking each one. This hands-on approach translates well into learning new lighting and exposure techniques.

Practical Artistry: Light Exposure for Digital Photographers by Harold Davis, published by O'Reilly Media Inc., is 176 pages and has a retail price of $29.99. We give Practical Artistry: Light Exposure for Digital Photographers a rating of 4 out of 5.

Focal Encyclopedia of Photography: Digital Imaging Theory and Applications History and Science

The role and value of the picture cannot be matched for accuracy or impact. This comprehensive treatise featuring the history and historical processes of photography, contemporary applications, and the new and evolving digital technologies provides an excellent technical synopsis of the current, as well as early worlds, of photography.

This Encyclopedia, produced by a team of world renown practicing experts, shares in highly detailed descriptions the core concepts and facts relative to anything photographic.

Connected Photographer's evaluation

What can we say? This is an incredibly beautiful book and a fascinating resource. If you can afford the relatively high price, it's a must for any collection.

Focal Encyclopedia of Photography: Digital Imaging Theory and Applications History and Science by Michael R. Prese, published by Focal Press, is 880 pages and has a retail price of $99.95. We give Focal Encyclopedia of Photography: Digital Imaging Theory and Applications History and Science a rating of 4 out of 5.