No matter what type of camera you're shooting with--digital or traditional--this is the best all-around guide for learning how to photograph better and smarter. Acclaimed photographer John Freeman simply covers all the basics...and more.

Become a better photographer with hundreds of tips for taking more creative and expressive photographs with APS, SLR and digital cameras. Sixteen easily understood sections, including Understanding Cameras and Film, Photographing People, Nature, The Urban Landscape and more, offer valuable insights for improving the quality of your photos and increasing your enjoyment of the art. From artificial lighting to texture and hue, from increasing depth of field and the proper use of wide angle and telephoto lenses to the special challenges of photographing babies and children, every crucial artistic aspect of photography becomes clear. See how selecting the right background and props can dramatically enhance the composition, and learn how weather and lighting conditions affect the final print. In addition, tips for shooting film outdoors, in arctic and desert conditions, and even underwater are all included, along with guidelines for buying lenses, using filters, and the secrets of developing and retouching.