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*not a sponsored review

I enjoy learning things through self-investigation, so I will sometimes pick up a book and discover tips and guidance from the pros.

Well, such as it was when I spotted the photography book, Your Camera Loves You, Learn To Love It Back, by Khara Plicanic. The book cover was so cleverly designed that it lured me into plucking it off the shelf because it didn't look like your traditional photography book.

It looked PLAYFUL. And I like anything to do with being playful.

Honestly folks, this book is a treasure chest of gems for anyone who yearns to learn more about digital photography. Khara starts with the basics, and then gradually moves to slightly more advanced techniques.

And what I especially love about this book is the way Khara explains everything – with ease, simplicity, and a great sense of humor.

She’s an awesome teacher!

After reading the first chapter, I was able to take two of her instructionals (two effects which I have always wanted to learn how to do) and apply them to my photographs. And guess what? It was really easy!

So, thank you, Khara!

*blur effect at night


*milky effect from running water

Here are some highlights from the book:

-Move beyond the “Auto” mode to take advantage of more of your camera’s features and settings

-Discover how to best use the features of whatever camera you already have – whether it’s a high-performance DSLR or a basic point-and-shoot camera

-Learn from Khara’s  fun, friendly voice and techno-babble-free explanations how to easily improve your photos

-Learn how to backup and store your photos for safekeeping

So if you’re looking for a book that will help you better understand your digital camera, I highly recommend, Your Camera Loves You, Learn To Love It Back.

It really gets you excited about trying new things with your camera and photography.

This book is listed under Beginner, but I have a feeling that even those who are much more experienced than I in photography, may find some great pointers.

Enjoy!

And happy snapping!

*If you would like to view some of Khara’s photography, please visit Kabloom Studios.

*The camera I use : Canon PowerShot SX160 IS

46 comments:

  1. Thanks for the referral! A lot of what I read is to advanced and then I end up putting it aside. This looks like just my speed. :-) Great shots!

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  2. Hi Ronnie,
    This book looks like so much help and fun, too!
    Wow; you nailed your shots!!
    To tell you the truth, I am in a re-evaluation phrase with my Photography.
    I was very "hands on" for getting through manual mode( a went back to my guidebook , bought a "how to" DVD & yes, articles), but it takes more for learning other methods.
    Wonderful find, babe!!
    See you soon.
    xox

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  3. First, I love your pics. Never knew how to do the blur effect and truthfully, didn't know the last picture was an 'effect.'

    I'm all for learning if it doesn't involve the manual! Does she includ how-to photos, even thoug everyone's camera may be different?

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  4. I agree with Bijoux and Chrissy, trying to learn from a manual is useless. That's why I go it alone and learn from my mistakes. The book sounds really interesting though, perhaps I should get something like that. Thank you for sharing, you always provide little gems that benefit others.

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  5. Great review, Ron! And I love the effects you created with your photos. The one of the milky effect is so beautiful. I don't even have a camera and it makes me want to get one. I take photos with my phone, but have yet to purchase a real camera.



    Have a wonderful day, Ron!

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  6. Cool photos Ron. I never read instructions/manuals/books where it comes to learning about things I own. I'd rather experiment and discover for myself, its more fun.

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  7. Really COOL effects, Ron! They look professional. I've always wondered how the blur effect was created. Ever since I got the camera you recommended I've been getting more and more interested in learning about photography. Your passion is rubbing off of me, dude!

    Great book review! I will look into this book for sure. Thanks for sharing your recommedations.

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  8. Hey Chrissy Girl!

    " A lot of what I read is to advanced and then I end up putting it aside."

    Same here! But that's what I LOVE about this book - she explains everything SO clearly and easily. I need things explained simple for me to learn, and she does that. Also, she's very funny!

    Thanks for stopping by, girl!

    X

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  9. Good morning Bijoux!

    "Never knew how to do the blur effect and truthfully, didn't know the last picture was an 'effect.'"

    Me neither. I've always loved that effect, but never knew HOW it was achieved. And yes, the last one is an effect as well. I've seen it several photos and thought that it was achieve in post-editing, but it's done THROUGH the camera. And really, it's very easy.

    "I'm all for learning if it doesn't involve the manual! Does she includ how-to photos, even thoug everyone's camera may be different?"

    Yes she does. In fact, she shows photos using both a DSLR camera AND a point-and-shoot. She even gives the settings so that all you have to do is set your own camera and VOILA!



    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend!


    X

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  10. Gooood morning Valerie!

    "...trying to learn from a manual is useless."

    Thank you! And the worst thing about it is that they don't even give you a paper manual anymore, you have read the manual from the CD download on your computer. USELESS.

    "The book sounds really interesting though, perhaps I should get something like that."



    I know you're very interested in photography like me and enjoying learning through trial and error. Yet, sometimes I'll pick up a book and read certain tips and advice from the pros and then try them myself. This book is wonderful because it's easy, simple and very CLEAR.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, dear lady! Have a wonderful Wednesday!


    X

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  11. Hola Denise!

    "I take photos with my phone, but have yet to purchase a real camera."



    I have to say though, that I have seen some AWESOME photos taken with a cell phone camera. My brother just got a Smartphone and the photos (and videos) he's shared with me are VERY impressive. The quality is so good!


    Much thanks for stopping by, girl. Have a wonderful day!


    X

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  12. Hiya Matt!


    Glad to hear you're still enjoying the Nikon. It's a super camera that I leaned so much from. And isn't something how when you get a camera, you end up getting more an more interested in photography? I was the same way.


    I love this book because it explains things whether you're using a DSLR or point-and-shoot camera. And she explains things so simply. Trust me, if I can do it anyone can do it because I am SO NOT technical.


    Thanks for stopping by, bud!
    X

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  13. Hey there Dale!

    " I never read instructions/manuals/books where it comes to learning about things I own. I'd rather experiment and discover for myself, its more fun."



    Me too. But every so often I will pick up a book and try certain things from the pros, as a guide. And this book has really taught me some great things.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. I am so enjoying all your guest posts in Blogland. You GO, boy!


    Have a super day!
    X

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  14. Hi Barb!

    "This book looks like so much help and fun, too!"



    Yes, it's been of such great help, but also, the manner in which she explains things is so much FUN. Almost child-like!


    Thanks for stopping by, my friend!
    X

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  15. Thanks mate. I'm a blog-slut, I'll write for anyone.
    Hahahaha

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  16. Bwhahahahahhahaha!

    You CRACK ME UP, MAN!!!

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  17. This is one more example of why I love the Internet, Ron -- so much information is out there, and I love getting recommendations from my friends!

    Khara's book is available on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Your-Camera-Loves-You-Learn/dp/0321784103/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376493194&sr=1-1&keywords=your+camera+loves+you+learn+to+love+it+back) for those preferring to shop online.


    I love the "blue" effect and the "milky" water photos -- isn't it fun learning new things and being able to put them into practice right away??


    Have a super Wednesday, dear!

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  18. Helloooooo Debbie!

    "This is one more example of why I love the Internet.."

    Meeeeeee too! OMG, I can't tell you how many times I've discovered things from someone's recommendation online. What did we do before the Internet, I ask? Isn't it wonderful?

    Yes, that's actually the link I gave to her book - Amazon - because it's cheaper than buying it in a book store.

    " isn't it fun learning new things and being able to put them into practice right away??"

    You said it! I was so happy when I actually DID these effects because I had no idea how they were done or that I could do them myself :)

    Much thanks for stopping by, dear lady. Have a SUPER Wednesday as well!

    X

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  19. Oh I am definitely going to check out that book, those pics are amazing Ron! I always wanted to do that "blur' effect, the right way. I have a new camera that I'm still swearing at, at this point. ;<) Maybe me and my Fuji can be friends if I read this one. Thanks for a great review.
    I have a review blog in case you want to check it out:
    www.myreallifereviews.com
    in addition to my wp blogs.
    Happy Wednesday, G

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  20. Hello there Geraldine!

    " I always wanted to do that "blur' effect, the right way."

    Me too and I could never figure out how to do that without blurring the WHOLE photo.

    "I have a new camera that I'm still swearing at, at this point. ;<) Maybe me and my Fuji can be friends if I read this one. "

    Honestly, this book is a gem because she explains thing so easily and simply. And if I can do it, anyone can because I am SO NOT technical.

    Thanks for sharing the link to your review blog. You are so diverse! I used have THREE blogs in which I shared different things. I finally ended up putting them all together on this blog.

    Have SUPER day, dear lady!

    X

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  21. Great pics, love the second one. Isn't it rewarding moving past auto mode? I love getting that effect with running water, makes streams and rivers look like you can reach into the photo and touch the water.

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  22. Hey there Suzi!

    Thanks, my friend :)

    "sn't it rewarding moving past auto mode?"

    OMG, you said it! And you're photos are always so wonderfully inspiring. Your last post of the mountains took my breath away!

    "I love getting that effect with running water, makes streams and rivers look like you can reach into the photo and touch the water."



    Isn't it the COOLEST?????


    Much thanks for stopping by and have a terrific Wednesday!


    X

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  23. I'm so glad you are getting to know your camera more Ron. Wait until you get to taking a moving object, while keeping that in focus, with the stationary background taking on the blur. Love your photos :)

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  24. Aw, thanks, Babs. And I'm soooo freakin' excited about learning more!!!

    "Wait until you get to taking a moving object, while keeping that in focus, with the stationary background taking on the blur."

    OMG, okay, I can't WAIT to try it!!!!!!

    Thanks SO MUCH for sharing that, my friend!!

    (((((( You ))))))

    X to you and Mo!

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  25. ron, i read this on my phone - partially - at work and you know what? i thought the photos you shared were from the book!


    man you are getting good. i like the 2nd one a lot. that's an angle we don't see a lot of photos from.


    well done, my friend.

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  26. Thank you, Val....X

    And please know that how grateful I am to you for helping me pick out a new camera and for all the advice and inspiration you share from your own photography!

    " that's an angle we don't see a lot of photos from."

    For some reason I love 'extreme low angle shots' - there is just something about a view from from the ground up that I like. I also love 'extreme high angle shots' as well.

    " is there a link to your photos on this life?"

    You know, thank you for mentioning that because I haven't done it yet. I only recently started storing my photos there, so I need to get the link and place it on my blog. Most of the photos there are what I post here, except they're BIGGER in size.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl! Hope you're having a FABU week!

    X

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  27. Hi Ron! I've missed you. Been a bit busy and boy have I hated it.

    So glad I made the time to read this post! I've always wanted to know more about photography...and my camera! It sounds like a book I could definitely learn from! Thank you soooo much for the tip!

    Hope you've been doing well and enjoying this cool summer weather. It's strange but I think pretty darn nice!

    Have a fantabulous rest of the week!

    ((HUGS))

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  28. OMG Pam....for the past two days you have been in my thoughts and wondering how you were.

    Yes, I had a feeling you were busy this summer. And can you believe it's almost FALL!?!? Time has flown by this summer and I have to say that I really enjoyed this summer.

    " I've always wanted to know more about photography...and my camera! It sounds like a book I could definitely learn from!"



    I love this book because it's simple. And I need simple. And it's also such a FUN book because of the way Khara explains everything. I think you would love it.


    Yes, hasn't the weather this summer been strange? July was HORRENDOUSLY hot and humid, but August has been gorgeously cool. And btw, don't you have a birthday coming up because I know you're a LEO?


    Thanks a bunch for stopping and touching base. GREAT to see ya, my friend!


    Have a FANTABULOUS rest of your week as well!


    ((((((( You )))))))


    X

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  29. Ron, these photos are awesomely awesome! That last one of the milky water is so cool! But I also like the blur pictures as well. Especially the second one. This book sounds great. And if I had a camera I would get it because you make it sound special.


    Thanks for sharing. Great book review!

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  30. Hey ho Robert!

    Thank you. I had so much fun learning how to do these two effects. And the book made it sooooooo easy!

    And yes, it is a special book because there is something in the the manner in which she explains everything that makes learning FUN. She gets you excited about photography.

    Thanks for stopping by, buddy. Hope you had a super Wednesday!

    X

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  31. Looking great! It's all about exposure time, if ya ask me. And it's also important to spring for a tripod. Any cheap one will do. But soon after that you'll begin lusting after more expensive camera bodies. Then you're browsing the web for lenses. By the time you're looking at filters you can be sure that your camera addition is in full bloom, and not even an intervention will help. ;-)

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  32. Thank you, Herman, and you are so right...it's all about exposure time!

    " And it's also important to spring for a tripod. Any cheap one will do."

    OMG...it's ironic you mentioned a tripod because that's exactly what I'm looking into now. I truly NEED to get a tripod.

    "and not even an intervention will help. ;-)"

    HA! I know, that's what I'm afraid of!!!

    Thanks so much for always sharing your support and kind words. Appreciate it, buddy!

    And thanks for stopping by!

    X to you, Karin, and Mr. Tyler!

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  33. Nice! Very nice. Looks like the book was helpful for you and gave you ideas that paid off!
    Tripods mean setting the camera down and being stationery for a bit of time. Ummmmm.... :-/ *laughing* Those are tough requests for a gal like me. I don't do 'still' well. I wanna move and do and go on to the next thing! And I don't want folks to confuse me with some professional photographer with this and that and another two bags to haul around.....that's not 'fun' for me. What's fun is the ability to snatch the bag I have and just GO and wander and come back to find out if anything actually turned out. It's rare something doesn't (I must have a good little camera!) And if it's not quite to my liking, there's an excuse to have another adventure!


    There are those rare occasions that I wanna pull out the tripod I DO have, set the exposure and come back the next day to discover what I actually got. (yup--I'd want shots of meteors and moons and night stuff) But I'm good with not getting it on camera, too.
    I do have a wee tripod that I never use--it's the mono-pod that I prefer. Mostly cuz it's a quick move and collapes to fit into the bag I haul around--and it's not intrusive if you know what I mean. *laughing* My crutches take up more space!


    And I do try different settings on the camera when I remember. LOL I'm hard pressed to recognize the difference in the finished product--mostly cuz I can't remember which ones I turned it to on which photo.....ROFL. Yes, I'm hopeless.

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  34. Hiya Mel!

    "I do have a wee tripod that I never use--it's the mono-pod that I prefer. Mostly cuz it's a quick move and collapes to fit into the bag I haul around--and it's not intrusive if you know what I mean."

    Yes, that's actually the kind tripod I've been looking at and want to get....a mono-pod, because they're small and easily transportable. I can't IMAGINE carrying around one of the HUGE tripods!?!? I want to get a tripod though, because there are certain settings and effects I want try my hand at that require the camera to be absolutely still. This new camera I have has an image stabilizer, but even that doesn't work for certain images.

    "It's rare something doesn't (I must have a good little camera!) And if it's not quite to my liking, there's an excuse to have another adventure!"

    Your photographs are always SPOT ON! So keep doing whatever you're doing!

    Thanks for stopping by, dear lady. Have a terrific Thursday!

    X

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  35. You know... I really want to get this book now. It sounds so good. Even about backing up. My neighbor who moved is a photographer in the Navy. He spent thousands for a huge backup system for his work. Which reminds me... I need to back up MY stuff!!!

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  36. Hellooooooo Katherine!

    Yes, it IS good! And because I know (like me) you're really getting into your camera and photography, it's the perfect book because she explains everything simply, easily and FUN!

    I never used to back up (or store) my photos on an online website, but I've started to do that for two reasons. One, it frees up space on my computer. Two, just in case something happens to my computer, I will always be able to get to them online. Some people use an external hard drive to store and back up.

    And I actually need to start doing that with my blog too. Backing it up.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. Hope you're having a wonderful week!

    X

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  37. This actually sounds awesome! Ever since I started blogging I have been jealous of the millions of awesome photos I run across daily and wish I could do something like them. Maybe I will pick this book up and give it a shot!

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  38. Hiya Shae!


    What's really great about this book is that is SIMPLE and makes things EASY. And I need simple and easy.


    Me too, when I first started blogging I was in AWE of the some of the photos I saw on blogs. It made me want to LEARN how to do it myself.


    You are VERY creative, Shae, so I think you would be awesome at photography!


    Thanks for stopping by and have a most excellent weekend!


    X

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  39. Great, I'm pretty sure I'm going to buy the book, Ron!


    Thanks again for the review and your passion!

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  40. You are so welcome, Matt. Enjoy the book!

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  41. Hey, ROn, thanks for the tip! These pictures look great. I have the standard PHD camera--"Press Here, Dummy!" But I'm thinking of getting something more sophisticated. If I do I'll be sure to get this book!

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  42. Hey there Rob!

    Thanks, bud. I am having so much fun with this new camera - it's teaching me so much.

    "I have the standard PHD camera--"Press Here, Dummy!"

    OMG...you crack me up! You are so FUNNY, man!

    Thanks a bunch for stopping. Have a faaaaaaaabulous weekend!

    The weather is FLAWLESS!

    X

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  43. Cool. I would like to know how to do the blur thing.


    SInce I edit my photos with Picasa, I store them on-line for free with them. But I also periodically transfer them onto an external hard-drive just in case both my computer and the internet fails. :-)

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  44. You're a NATURAL with photography, girl! You're photos are AWESOME!


    I like this book because it's SIMPLE. And you know us Libras...we need simple.


    Yes, I know several other bloggers who edit and store with Picasa and really like it.


    I really to get an external hard-drive - and not just for photos, but also to backup my blog.


    Thanks for stopping by, girl!

    X

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  45. Hi Ron! I'm so glad you enjoyed the book! Thanks for the sweet write up... and great job on the photos!!! :)

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  46. *jumping up and down*


    OMG...KHARA!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by for a read and leaving a comment! I can't believe you even found this post?!?!


    Listen, you are so welcome, and thank you, because your book has helped me TREMENDOUSLY to understand my camera better, as well as photography. I saw your most recent book on the shelf at Barnes and Noble the other day, so I will be picking that one up soon too!


    Again, thank for stopping by. You made my day!


    The best to you always!
    X

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