A lot has changed since I wrote and published this first volume of what became this guide series. One thing hasnOt. I still have the same enthusiasm and joy in photography I had way back at the beginning of the series. I have a lot more knowledge and experience now and, occasionally even get close to taking good photographs. ThatOs the thing, see. I didnOt know a lot when I originally wrote this guide. I had been working in photography since 1982 professionally. Everything I knew, pretty much, was self-taught. In general, thatOs still true. ThereOs no need for you to do it all by yourself, too, though. This book and this series are meant to help you get going with the basics fast. Yes, OK, I tend to relate my own experiences, but that, too, is meant to help you avoid some basic mistakes I made. And, perhaps, I write in a tad too friendly manner, but think of it as sitting down with me to have a friendly talk about a passion we share: Photography!