Media and Consumer Reviews Digital Photography DVD

"Great titles for high school and college photography or multimedia courses, as well as for public libraries, this is highly recommended."

May/June 2004 (Volume 19, Issue 3)

Rated: 3 1/2 stars
Digital Photography
(2003) 2 discs. 85/98 min. DVD: $39.95 each. Media West. PPR. Color cover. ISBN: 0-9740965-0-4 (1), 0-9740965-1-2 (2).
Amateurs and professionals alike love the flexibility digital photography offers: the ability to preview, digitally edit, and organize images into searchable files, as well as send them electronically, or print them in a multitude of sizes has revolutionized the world of photography. The two-volume Digital Photography series, hosted by Brooks Institute of Photography graduate Brian Ratty, provides a comprehensive look at the art and craft of taking digital images. Presenting a general overview of the principles of photography followed by a specific look at digital photography, “The Camera” is divided into 14 chapters on choosing and using digital cameras, with plenty of tips for achieving professional-looking results. The second volume, “Crafting Images,” features 10 chapters covering the basics of creating terrific images, with topics including photographic design, visual themes, and critiquing images. As an added bonus, each disc also features text files, including a 20-plus page teacher’s guide, glossary, key terms list, quizzes, and shooting tips handout. Great titles for high school and college photography or multimedia courses, as well as for public libraries, this is highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (L. Stevens)

"This eighty-five minute DVD on digital photography is an excellent resource for art teachers and others just entering into the realm of digital photography...Compelling visual examples are present in all chapters."

School Arts Magazine
May-June 2004
Video Review Section
By Kent Anderson

Digital Photography, the Camera.
Brian D. Ratty. Lake Grove, OR:
Media West Home Video (800-888- 8273)
©2003. DVD format, 85 minutes. $39.95.

This eighty-five minute DVD on digital photography is an excellent resource for art teachers and others just entering into the realm of digital photography. However, it is not a DVD that should be shown to students in one viewing. Fortunately, it is broken down into fourteen chapters with information that can be viewed and reviewed. Each of these chapters (How Digital Works, Files and Memory, Depth of Field, Exposure Control, etc. all concludes with a listing of key terms and a website where more information may be obtained. Throughout the DVD host/narrator Brian Ratty covers everything you ever wanted to know about digital photography from the inner workings of the camera to the history of photography, where NASA's role in developing cutting-edge technology for digital imaging is recounted. Compelling visual examples are present in all chapters. Ratty comments that while most brands of digital cameras are quite similar, it is the person with the creative eye that makes the difference in image quality. He stresses that automatic doesn't always mean best and that manual controls are essential for images of a professional quality. A Teacher's Guide; a Digital Glossary and a suggested thirty-question Quick Quiz, including fifteen questions to ask when purchasing a digital camera, are included.