NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC COMPLETE PHOTO GUIDE

I dabble in photography on the side, but am a teacher by trade. I am also the yearbook adviser for my school. This book is by far one of the best for helping in improving my photography techniques.

Good book

If you want any sort of detailed or useful advice regarding technique or how-to, look elsewhere. Full of general, obvious advice with maybe two pages per subject of shallow and vague advice that just didn’t seem worth writing the book at all. I don’t understand the rave reviews about how it made them a better photographer - I can’t imagine how unless they are somehow technically proficient enough to need no actual instruction about photography but also have never given a single thought to composition or style or approaching people to photograph them…. Honestly, it’s all just so vague and obvious that I really feel cheated. Waste of money. There are so many better books that will teach you so much more. This is just National Geographic making money on their name without any real benefit to the reader. Disappointing. There are some beautiful photos here and there throughout, but don’t expect any details about those photos, like settings or how they were created - just vague info about why someone liked it, at most. Not that this isn’t interesting, but I would like actual instruction as well as a discussion of its merits etc.

I my opinion, it is not really a photo guide. All the topics are barely mentioned. The book doesn't delve into much detail. It's mostly a collection of photos and tips. I remember a different edition of this book from the 1990s which was very well done. It's not this one. Too bad!