A lot has changed since I wrote and published this first
volume of what became this guide series. One thing
hasnÕt. I still have the same enthusiasm and joy in
photography I had way back at the beginning of the
series. I have a lot more knowledge and experience now
and, occasionally even get close to taking good
photographs. ThatÕs the thing, see. I didnÕt know a lot
when I originally wrote this guide. I had been working
in photography since 1982 professionally. Everything
I knew, pretty much, was self-taught. In general, thatÕs
still true. ThereÕs no need for you to do it all by yourself,
too, though. This book and this series are meant to help
you get going with the basics fast. Yes, OK, I tend to
relate my own experiences, but that, too, is meant to
help you avoid some basic mistakes I made. And,
perhaps, I write in a tad too friendly manner, but think
of it as sitting down with me to have a friendly talk
about a passion we share: Photography!