The Basic Book of Digital Photography-Tom and Michele Grimm
I recently had the opportunity to interview Tom and Michele Grimm, who just released their book, “The Basic Book of Digital Photography: How to Shoot, Enhance, and Share Your Digital Pictures”. Their classic book, “The Basic Book of Photography” has sold 400,000 copies since its released in 1974.
Now, this husband and wife team have written a comprehensive digital photography follow-up. The book appeals to both point-and-shoot and (D)SLR camera users. It’s accessible enough for true beginners, but advanced enough to benefit more experienced photographers.
Read up on why you should never get too close to a pig-greased Papua New Guinean.
#1: Describe the process of writing this 528 page book. How long did it take?
The key to writing a reference book like ours is to begin with a very detailed outline. We began by listing 18 chapters, and then the 127 main topics within those chapters. During the two years we spent writing the book, we occasionally changed the order of the chapters and moved some topics to different chapters. Cross referencing (i.e, “see page …”) was important because some subjects overlap from chapter to chapter and we wanted to avoid repeating ourselves. For the most enjoyable reading, we kept the text informal and broke up most pages of copy with illustrative photos (there are 400 in the book) and text boxes with important tips or personal remarks.
#2: What was the impetus for writing a resource about digital photography?
Quite frankly, our publisher (Plume/Penguin) decided it was time for an all-digital book. “The Basic Book of Photography” was first published in 1974 and we updated and expanded it on a regular basis, including adding a chapter about digital photography in 1993. But we also wanted to do a totally new book, because digital photography was rapidly becoming more popular than film photography. Thus “The Basic Book of Digital Photography” was born and first appeared in bookstores and online sales outlets like Amazon.com three months ago.
#3: What target audience did you have in mind when you wrote it?
Based on our earlier success with “The Basic Book of Photography,” which has sold more than 400,000 copies, we also aimed our digital photography book to a wide range of photographers from novices to pros. It is far more than just a discussion of digital cameras and how to use them. For instance, we describe how to edit and improve your digital photos with computer software, and how to print them at home or use a local or online photo printing service. Very worthwhile is the chapter about composition that has our tips for how to become a better photographer. At the end of the book is an extensive glossary that explains every term you’ll encounter in digital photography.
World-traveling photographers and authors Michele & Tom Grimm visit with the King Penguins on South Georgia Island during an Antarctic expedition.
#4: What is it like co-authoring, shooting, and traveling as a married couple?
Pure hell! – just kidding. It’s really been a helluva good time for the past 39 years.
#5: Do you each have different favorite types of subjects to shoot (landscape, people, etc…)?
We both like to photograph people and wildlife, but it takes planning and patience to capture their best expressions. Tom also enjoys landscape and architectural photography, which requires a sturdy tripod for precise composition and a time when the light is just right (because you can’t move the scenery or buildings around).
#6: You’ve traveled to every continent and 130 countries. Where have been your favorite places to shoot?
We call our favorites the AAAs: Antarctica, Africa, Alaska. The reason is an abundance of wildlife. Animals, birds, reptiles and insects are real challenges to photograph but the reward is when you capture a great image.
#7: Where did your love of photography come from? Who has influenced your art?
Tom started shooting with a borrowed film camera in elementary school, and got into the darkroom during high school and college while working on the schools’ newspapers and yearbooks and in a local portrait studio. Michele learned from Tom, who was teaching photography at the University of California at Irvine when we got married. She attended under an assumed name for fear of being called the teacher’s pet.
#8: Do you have an interesting/favorite story from your photojournalism adventures?
Michele & Tom Grimm take a break from photographing the colorfully-painted faces of Huli Wigmen at Tari in the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea.
Do you want to hear about the bloody sheep’s head that was thrown at Tom while he was photographing people in a market in Djibouti, Africa? Or when a gray whale surfaced next to our rubber raft in Baja, Mexico, and spouted ocean water from its blowhole while we were changing lenses on our SLR cameras? Or the time a naked native who had covered his body with pig grease to stay warm in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea gave Michele a big hug while she was taking his picture?
#9: What is your photography philosophy?
Let your eyes be a camera lens so you can envision pictures wherever you go. Look all around you, not just at obvious subjects. Then shoot, shoot, shoot – everything.
#10: Do you have any advice for aspiring photographers?
Day or night, always carry your camera with you – a great picture could be just around the corner. Use your imagination and keep shooting – it really doesn’t cost anything extra to take as many digital pictures as you wish.
*Author Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the Basic Book of Digital Photography to review the book and interview the Grimms.*
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