Canon Powershot G12: From Snapshots to Great Shots

I am really glad I bought this book, it provided a user-friendly approach to learning the complicated and powerful features of this camera without having to wade through menus on a CD ROM. The two canon cameras I had owned in quick succession before this one (Canon Powershot S100, and then the S95...both with good stories with how I lost them), would have been much more useful had I acquired a guide, I learned that I am not one that wants to read a camera manual cover to cover, but Carlson's book demystified all the features and settings without being cumbersome, and reinforced them with assignments. Much cheaper than taking a digital camera course, and accelerated my knowledge of how to use a camera properly.In addition, I am really glad I selected the G12. It is much easier to hold compared to a rectangular compact camera, and takes superior photos to the S100/S95 which took forever to focus. It is worth the extra size/weight, and maybe this time I'll notice when it's missing.

This is an absolutely great book. Recommended on Amazon as I had purchased something G12 related in the past, I downloaded a sample chapter to the Kindle (a dangerous action at the best of times) and I was hooked. From Snapshots to Great Shots takes the very prudent and useful tact of assuming you already have the manual and want to go beyond ... but here's the rub, it doesn't just go advanced ... it bridges the gaps from manual and adopts a very practical and hands-on approach to taking great pictures. It doesn't assume you just want to know how to use the camera...it teaches you how to use it to take great pictures. This may seem rather obvious but the approach of all too many manuals is simply directed at explaining every feature as opposed to identifying a use and explaining in simple, but applied terms how you accomplish it.What does this mean in practice? Well, what hooked me was a quick introduction and then an introductory chapter that identifies the first 10 practical things that you can do to get up and running with your new G12. Make the right adjustments to settings, charge your battery and get shooting. The chapters each are provided with solid exercise following to get you using the things you learn. The book is all about good solid advice based on the author's own experience. The section on how the triangle of ISO, aperture and shutter speed combine to produce the desired image is probably the clearest most understandable explanation that I have found in any photography manual and this sets the tone for the approach taken by the author.Although advice by the author is to make sure you read the first four chapters in sequence and then by free to browse and jump about, I found the entire presentation so compelling and chockfull of advice I could immediately put to use that I just grabbed my G12 and started shooting and following along through the book.I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is well written and for me absolutely perfectly positioned to give the the advice needed to start using my G12 to its utmost. It is practical, fun and has give me a great new re-engagemwnt with photography.

If you already know how to take great shots with the G12 and are looking for a book to give you a few tips on how to get even better shots, then this book isn't for you. If you are the type of person who bought the G12, but always uses the auto setting because you think ISO means "in search of", then this book is for you. If you don't have a clue what the purpose of AF Frame, white balance or anything else that the G12 is capable of doing, then this book is also for you.The G12 was my first advanced point and shoot camera and I didn't want to use just the auto settings. I wanted to not only learn and understand the features of my new camera, but I wanted a book that taught me how to take full advantage of my G12. I had a lot of questions like when should I should use this, why I should use that and how do I use it with the G12? Those questions and more were answered in this book. The things explained are the basic things you would learn if you took a beginners class in photography, but you learn it using the G12. This was exactly what I needed. I needed to know where each setting was, what was the purpose of each setting and when should I use them.What I also liked were the little photography assignments in the book that helped you along the way. I found the book easy to read, follow and understand. My only problem was that I didn't realize the author was in "P mode" when going through the top 10 list of things to do first. Other than that, this book turned me from a beginner to an intermediate photographer.Note: You will still need to read the manual to get a basic idea of your new camera, however I did skim through it and went back to it from time to time if I felt the book was missing something. At least read a few pages of the manual because well, everyone should read it.

Having only used an Olympus point and shoot up until now, I wanted to be able to shoot better photos with my new Canon G12. I have just finished chapter four as the author suggests reading the first four chapters before skipping to other areas that interest you. I have learned more about the camera from this book than the literature that came with it (although I do admit that I haven't looked at the CD yet). I am a newbie to camera settings other than "auto" so it has been interesting learning how the different settings affect the image that you want and there are several sample images in the book that show comparisons between the settings. The book is easy to follow and the writing is actually interesting, not dry as you would expect from a technical manual. Oh, and I can't wait to try the setting that makes things look miniaturized!

I bought this with high hopes of a book that would help me to extend the use of my new camera. Even though I followed the detailed instructions, it soon became clear that this was a generic book intended for the G10 and G11, as well as the G12. As a result it was confusing and annoying to read. There were some helpful tips but, overall, I regret that this was one of my worst, and most expensive, Kindle purchases.The book needs updating and, preferably, with a G12 sitting at the side of the word processor. If this were to be done, it would be a much better book.

I have had many books on cameras, but this one helps to teach photography as well as the camera. On my last holiday I took the advice given, and improved my photography no end. It really is worth reading because of its practicality and sound advice together with the writer's own recommendations. Excellent.

I love this book! Technical information creatively presented that inspired and brought to life using my powershot.

This book is just what you need when moving up from a simple compact. Easy and clear information in dedicated chapters. Makes it so easy to explore your new camera by having it in one hand and the book in the other. Loads of tips and advice.

Forget about about the Owner's Manual. This SHOULD be required reading for this model of camera. I now have MANY, MANY treasured images captured from this machine that are due to the content of this book.Simple fact is; if you own a Canon G12 and do not possess this book, you need to check your sanity. It really is that GOOD. Don't just take my word for it, try it and see. You won't be disappointed.