The Art of Photography (Digital Photography Book 2)

Book Review: The Art of Photography (Digital Photography Book 2)

The Art of Photography (Digital Photography Book 2), published in 2014, is a compact, beginner-friendly guide that aims to nudge photographers beyond the basics of camera settings into the realm of creative expression. Part of Judge’s Digital Photography Series, this 128-page eBook (or paperback) builds on the technical groundwork of Mastering Digital Cameras (Book 1), focusing on composition, artistic intent, and finding inspiration. With a conversational tone, clear visuals, and profiles of diverse photographers, it’s a solid stepping stone for hobbyists eager to make their photos pop. However, its brevity, shallow dive into artistry, and dated perspective make it less compelling for advanced shooters or those seeking a deep exploration of photography’s creative potential. Here’s a detailed look at what works, what doesn’t, and why this book still has a place on the digital shelf in 2025.

What’s It About?

Judge sets out to help readers create images that feel alive—photos that don’t just capture a scene but stir emotions. The book is split into a few key areas:

• Camera Settings: Quick tips on settings for genres like landscapes, portraits, or wildlife.

• Composition: The nuts and bolts of making a photo visually appealing, like the Rule of Thirds or using lines to guide the eye.

• Inspiration: Ideas for staying motivated, including stories from eight featured photographers, from pros to passionate amateurs.

• Visual Examples: High-quality images, many with camera settings, to show how it’s done.

The book assumes you’ve got a handle on your camera’s basics (shutter speed, aperture, ISO) and want to focus on the “why” and “how” of making photos that stand out. It’s short, clocking in at under 130 pages, and leans heavily on visuals to drive its points home. The photographer profiles are a unique touch, sprinkled between chapters to show real-world applications of the book’s ideas.

The Good Stuff

First off, this book is easy to read. Judge writes like he’s chatting with you over coffee, breaking down concepts without making you feel like you need a PhD in optics. If you’re a beginner who’s just figured out how to switch your camera to manual mode, this is a great next step. The section on camera settings is practical, giving you starting points—like f/11 for sharp landscapes or a fast shutter for birds in flight—that you can try out right away. It’s not exhaustive, but it’s enough to get you shooting with purpose.

The images are a big win, especially in the Kindle version. Unlike some eBooks where photos look like blurry thumbnails, these are crisp and zoomable, letting you see the details. Many come with settings listed (e.g., ISO 200, f/8, 1/250s), which is a godsend for newbies trying to connect the dots between settings and results. One Amazon reviewer raved about this, saying, “The higher resolution images in the kindle edition are a standout. You can actually see what he’s talking about.” The visuals don’t just illustrate—they inspire, showing you what’s possible with a bit of thought.

The photographer profiles are the heart of the book. Judge highlights eight folks, from a pro nature shooter to an amateur nailing urban abstracts with a cheap point-and-shoot. Each gets a two-page spread with their photos and a short story about their approach. These aren’t just fluff; they show that great photography isn’t about gear or credentials—it’s about seeing the world in your own way. One profile of an amateur who turned a $100 camera into gallery prints stuck with me, proving you don’t need a fancy rig to make art. Readers on Goodreads echo this, with one noting, “The amateurs prove you don’t have to own thousands of dollars worth of gear to produce great images.”

The composition chapter is solid, if basic. Judge covers classics like the Rule of Thirds, leading lines, and framing, explaining why they work (spoiler: our brains are wired to like them). He also touches on trickier stuff, like using color or blur to evoke mood, which gives the book a slight artistic edge. A reader on Amazon said it helped them “develop an artist’s eye,” especially in noticing light and backgrounds. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s clear and actionable, perfect for someone whose photos feel flat and wants to know why.

Where It Falls Short

Here’s the rub: the book promises to explore the “art” of photography, but it only skims the surface. Judge talks about creating emotional images, but the advice often stays generic—think “plan your shot to convey feeling” without much on how to do that. For example, he mentions a “miniature toy” effect using selective blur but doesn’t explain the aperture or post-processing tricks to pull it off. An Amazon reviewer called this out, saying, “He talks about cool effects but doesn’t tell us how to do them.” If you’re expecting a deep dive into the soul of photography, like Bruce Barnbaum’s The Art of Photography, you’ll be disappointed.

At 128 pages, the book feels more like a pamphlet than a comprehensive guide. Composition gets a quick overview, but there’s no room for advanced techniques or creative experiments, like playing with unconventional angles or intentional rule-breaking. The inspiration section is nice but thin, mostly leaning on the photographer profiles rather than offering exercises or prompts to spark your own ideas. Compare this to Michael Freeman’s The Photographer’s Eye, which packs in diagrams and projects, and Judge’s book feels lightweight.

The commercial angle is another misstep. Judge often mentions how photographers sell their work, which is fine if you’re dreaming of Etsy sales but feels out of place in a book about art. One reviewer griped, “It talks too much about the commerce of photography, not the art.” This focus can make the book feel less about personal expression and more about churning out marketable shots, which might not vibe with everyone.

It’s also showing its age. Written in 2014, it’s all about DSLRs and point-and-shoots, with no mention of smartphones, mirrorless cameras, or AI editing tools that are everywhere in 2025. The post-processing tips are stuck in the Photoshop era, ignoring apps like Lightroom Mobile or Snapseed. While composition is timeless, the tech context feels like a time capsule. Newer books, like Scott Kelby’s The Digital Photography Book, keep up with modern gear and workflows, making them more practical today.

Finally, the book doesn’t fully stand alone. Judge assumes you’ve read Book 1, so terms like “bokeh” or “histogram” pop up with little explanation. If you’re starting from zero, you might feel lost. On the flip side, advanced photographers will find it too basic, with no meaty discussions of lighting ratios or abstract composition. It’s caught in a weird middle ground, not quite beginner enough or deep enough for pros.

How It Looks and Feels

The visuals are a high point, with vibrant, detailed images that make the eBook shine. The photographer profiles are especially engaging, showing off everything from misty forests to gritty cityscapes. But not every image includes settings, which is frustrating when you’re trying to learn. One reviewer noted, “He doesn’t always include camera settings, which is important for figuring out how to take a similar picture.” The layout is clean, with text and images balanced nicely, but the short length means you’re left wanting more examples.

Practically, the book is best for hobbyists who want quick tips to level up their snapshots. The settings cheat sheet for different genres is handy, and the composition rules are easy to apply on your next photo walk. But there’s no interactive element—no challenges or projects to push you to practice. Books like Kelby’s include “try this” assignments, which would’ve made Judge’s guide more engaging.

Why It Still Matters in 2025

Even with its flaws, The Art of Photography has a place in 2025, especially for beginners dipping their toes into creative photography. Its core message—focus on vision, not just gear—cuts through the noise of Instagram and TikTok, where flashy edits often overshadow substance. The compositional tips, like avoiding cluttered backgrounds or using color to set mood, work whether you’re shooting with a Canon DSLR or an iPhone 16. The photographer profiles are a reminder that anyone can make art, which is empowering in an era of gatekeeping influencers.

For educators or camera clubs, the book’s simplicity and visual focus make it a decent starter text, though it’s better paired with hands-on workshops. It’s less relevant for pros or tech-savvy shooters who need guidance on mirrorless systems or AI tools. Compared to Art Wolfe’s The Art of the Photograph, it’s less visually stunning and practical, and it lacks the philosophical depth of Barnbaum’s work. But for its target audience—hobbyists moving past “auto” mode—it’s a quick, motivating read.

Final Thoughts

The Art of Photography (Digital Photography Book 2) is a short, sweet guide that delivers on accessibility but stumbles on depth. Al Judge nails the basics, with clear writing, sharp images, and inspiring photographer stories that make you want to grab your camera. It’s perfect for beginners or casual shooters who want their photos to feel more intentional without wading through a 400-page tome. But its shallow take on artistry, dated tech, and commercial bent keep it from being a definitive guide to photography’s creative side. If you’re starting your journey and want a nudge toward better compositions, this book’s a good friend—just don’t expect it to hold your hand all the way to mastery.