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Preface
Before we get to how cool your Rebel XSi/450D is, I want to clear up an important issue:
Why in the world do you need this book? is camera comes with a very detailed manual,
so you might be wondering why you should slog through another big batch of pages.
If you’ve already looked at the manual that came with your camera, then you’ve probably
discovered that it details each and every button in reasonably clear language and it’s well-
organized, leading you from simple features to more advanced ones. However, knowing
what each button on your camera does won’t necessarily mean you can shoot great pic-
tures. Personally, I know the basic concept of a paintbrush, but I can’t paint a decent paint-
ing to save my life. To use a creative tool well, you must understand both the technique
and the craft of the tool, as well as have some sense of artistry when you use it.
at’s the idea behind this book. While the automatic systems in the Rebel XSi/450D
mean you can shoot snapshots that are almost always properly exposed and possessed
of great color, if you want to go further and create images that express something more
than a simple documentation of an event, then you need to know something of the art of
photography. is book is intended to serve as a full-on photography class, one that cov-
ers everything including technical matters and exposure theory, composition theory, ...