Scott Kelby's, The Digital Photography Book, Volume 2

The Digital Photography Book, Volume 2 is the sequel to Scott Kelby’s bestselling digital photography book, The Digital Photography Book: The step-by-step secrets for how to make your photos look like the pros’!.  I purchased this book back in July of 2007, but having just reviewed the first volume in this set (here), I thought I might as well make a few brief comments about Volume 2.

Whenever I see a sequel I naturally ask whether its sole purpose is to simply milk the cash cow or does it truly justify its existence? Was there really a need for another step-by-step secrets book?

This volume’s goal is identical to the first volume; that is to provide

“the step-by-step secrets for how to make your photos look like the pros’!”

The chapter titles are:

1. Using Flash Like a Pro
2. Building a Studio from Scratch
3. Shooting Portraits Like a Pro
4. Shooting Landscapes Like a Pro
5. Shooting Weddings Like a Pro
6. Shooting Travel Like a Pro
7. Shooting Macro Like a Pro
8. Pro Tips for Getting Better Photos
9. More Photo Recipes to Help You Get “The Shot”

These chapters, like the first volume, are all about “Shooting [something] Like a Pro,” but, unlike the first volume, this book gets a lot closer to its goal.  Whereas the first book contained tips any advanced amateur should know, the tips in this volume are closer to the semi-pro level.  I still wouldn’t consider these pro tips; more like pro common knowledge, but that doesn’t sell books.

Pros

• excellent digital photography book
• excellent quick reference guide
• excellent refresher for semi-pros and pros
• excellent quick read
• each page devoted to single tip
• tips are written in plain English and avoid technical jargon
• tips are short enough to remember

Cons

• again, weak attempts at humor detract more than help the message
• though the back cover still over-hypes the contents, it’s not nearly as bad as the first volume
• still greatly dislike pages of advertisements at the end of the book

Summary

Now to answer my lead-in question as to “whether its sole purpose is to simply milk the cash cow or can it truly justify its existence. This volume stands on its own and, as I stated in my review of Volume 1,

“The book’s real strength lies in the fact that it’s a nice compilation of photography tips all in one place. But don’t be deceived into thinking these tips will turn you into a pro.”

It accomplishes its goal within an easy-to-read volume. It should be on your bookshelf if you’re an amateur or semi-pro and, beyond that level, it’s a personal choice. Remember though, as with the first volume, this book is all about tips, not theory, and it makes no apologies about that fact; nor should it.

On a scale of 1-5, I’d give it a 5