Through easy-to-follow lessons, this handy book offers a complete class on digital photography, tailored specifically for people who use the Nikon D90. This is not your typical camera guide: rather than just show you what all the buttons do, it teaches you how to use the D90's features to make great photographs-including professional-looking images of people, landscapes, action shots, close-ups, night shots, HD video, and more. With Ben Long's creative tips and technical advice, you have the perfect, camera-bag-friendly reference that will help you capture stunning pictures anywhere, anytime. The Nikon D90 Companion will show you how to:

• Take creative control and go beyond automatic settings

• Learn the basic rules of composition

• Capture decisive moments, including fast-moving objects

• Discover ways to use a flash indoors and outdoors

• Learn about different lenses, and the best time to use them

• Understand the options for shooting RAW, and whether it's right for you

• Use the D90's ability to shoot high definition video

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 10 Ratings

My first photography book. - 2009-09-25
Reviewer Rating:
D90 was my first DSLR camera and after I tried to read the manual and failed miserably to understand much from it, I decided to buy and read this `companion' and I'm happy with my decision. The book is well written, teaching you techniques and explaining you concepts, step by step, not rushing into, and in the same time, showing you how to play with most important settings in your camera like speed, aperture, ISO, dynamic lighting, exposure value, flashing exposure etc. It is not an in-depth explanation of the manual but I did not want it to be. After reading this book, I was able to get back to the manual and finally understand all the settings and adjustments presented there. The book also opened up my appetite for photography; I love everything about photography and taking pictures now. Since it taught me everything step by step I had the opportunity to see how my pictures were getting better and most importantly, understand why...

Well worth reading - 2009-09-15
Reviewer Rating:
If you own a Nikon D 90 this book is a must! And, if you are new to DSLR cameras it is a double must. Of all the camera, computer and tech device related books I have seen, this is without a doubt the most skillfully written.
The author doesn't take time to repeat instructions from the user's manual when they are clearly written. Instead he references pages in that manual, and concentrates on explaining how and when to use features of the camera. He only repeats manual instructions when it's necessary to explain something more precisely than the manual does, or when it's needed to illustrate a point. The obvious is not repeated.
This is much more than just a camera book. In addition to showing and explaining the camera's features, he includes chapters on photo related subjects and he uses the camera to demonstrate those subjects. He devotes chapters to digital image basics, fundamentals of taking pictures including using flash, composition, and shooting in special conditions. He also touches on using the raw format to gain more control and improve image quality.
When I buy a book of this type, I usually use it as a reference, reading only the parts that relate to what I'm seeking information about. This time, I read it from cover to cover. His clear way of explaining the subject, resulted in my gaining a lot of insight into effectively using my new camera.
If you are looking for instruction about the Nikon D 90, and good sound information about DSLR photography, this is the book for you.

Really Good Book - 2010-01-12
Reviewer Rating:
Can't praise this book enough.

I bought a Nikon D90 a few weeks back. I went through a different book (also popular) but found it taught me little on how to actually use the camera to get better results in different kinds of situations.


This book is excellent. It teaches the user in plain, easy to understand language, both the basic principles of digital photography, and how they apply to the D90 and how the user can take advantage of the various capabilities of the camera.

The author explains various concerns that matter to most users like myself and why they present a problem and how to go about it using the D90. For example, low lighting conditions, bright backgrounds, landscapes, freeze-action vs depth of field, correct focus point selection and so on.

The author talks about the effect of shutter speed along with great ideas like effects of blur to capture speed (blurring the subject), or even better (but trickier) to freeze the subject while blurring the background.

The author talks about effects of aperture - depth of field, and the trade off between freeze-action power vs depth of field.

Most concepts are exemplified with images that show effects of various choices etc.

Over all this is a great book that also talks about ideas and photography tips, along with using the D90 for different situations. The book by David Busch is more like geared towards understanding all the different menu options and what they do, but some how I like this book much more.


The language is fluid and the book is fun to read.

Highly recommended.

Excellent Guide Book for the D90 - 2010-01-01
Reviewer Rating:
As I thought about what to say in this review, it occurred to me that the D90, as a "prosumer" camera, is intended to be a bridge between the point-and-shoot amateur and creative amateur to professional worlds. It has most of the functions point-and-shoot (PAS) cameras have -- auto focusing, auto modes plus program modes (portrait, close up, landscape, etc) -- plus it has the Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual modes (hereafter PASM) the more creative users would want. True, many if not most PAS cameras have these modes too. But when you select P, A, or S modes, the D90 offers a large number of additional functions: Color Balance options, Exposure Compensation, Flash Compensation, Bracketing, etc.

So if you were writing a book for the D90, it would make sense to cover the basic functions needed to start shooting -- installing battery and memory card, camera "walk-around", reviewing and uploading photos, and the use of the basic programed modes -- and then the more advanced functions available in the PASM modes. But you would also want to encourage the D90 owners to cross the "bridge" if they haven't already done so. And you might want to provide sufficient technical background along the way to allow the reader to gain a basic understanding of the processes involved in creating digital photos.

Ben Long's "The D90 Companion" is written in much this manner. He covers the basics including the Auto and programmed modes to get the new owner up and taking good pictures. The transition chapter, "Photography 101," introduces the novice to the concepts of light control and the effects of aperture and shutter speed. Long then moves into the more creative world made available in the PASM modes. Two chapters are dedicated to the PASM modes and the additional functionality they enable. The next chapter returns to photography itself -- it might have been named "Photography 110." The last four chapters cover special situations, flash photography, RAW (.nef) shooting, and customizing the D90.

Long adds technical information where it might be helpful, but the reader can of course choose what parts to read.

Observations:
- Long does a nice job of explaining how to use the rather complex Nikon D90 and does so in an appropriate order.
- There are too many references to the Nikon manual. Most of us buy these books in part to minimize reading the manual. However,
none of these references are in particularly critical areas.
- I find the recommended way to hold the camera when shooting portrait orientation awkward - hard to manipulate the controls
with my right hand bent backwards and my nose is pressed against the view screen leaving an oily print. I prefer to cradle
the camera in my left hand with my left upper arm pressed solidly against my body. My right hand holds the grip while the
back of the lowest section of my thumb is pressed solidly against my forehead.
- As others have pointed out, there are a few errors. While these are inexcusable, most if not all are easily caught from
the context. And catching them does confirm you are paying attention.

My search for a book of this type came down to Julie Adair King's "Nikon D90 for Dummies" and Long's book. I bought both and don't regret buying either. However, Long's book provides more technical background and more basic photography information. I read the two books about 6 months ago and find I use Long's book as a reference more than the "Dummies" book. Santa just brought me David Busch's book on the D90 so I cannot compare it to either of these two books yet.

Lastly and probably most important are Long's repeated encouragements to practice. It's helpful to have your D90 at hand while reading any of these guides and trying things on it.

Thank you Ben Long - 2009-11-25
Reviewer Rating:
I am completely loving this book! The Nikon D90 Companion is a true pleasure to read, explains everything very clearly, and goes into exquisite detail while describing a plethora of techniques. Unlike the dry presentation of another guide book I had read on the D90 which made me feel like I was studying for an exam, this book keeps me thoroughly engaged and pining for more with every page. I am a novice and this book has tremendously boosted both my confidence and enthusiasm.

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