Point & Shoot: Easy Ways to Take Great Pictures

I have purchased NUMEROUS books/videos/DVDs to learn techniques/principles of photography...and would no doubt purchase special magical potions if it would work.NO ONE even comes close to Manny Pontoriero's genius in breaking down the core principles of photography and translating them into usable techniques that can transform your picture-taking instantaneously.AND that is kind of magical!Manny Pontoriero's latest DVD (POINT AND SHOOT) is another masterpiece.(I own three of his other wonderful DVDs.)And while he says this great POINT AND SHOOT DVD is for amateurs..who are not interested in becoming professional... ...and while I TOTALLY agree it is a WONDERFUL!!!! resource for beginners with POINT AND SHOOT cameras...I really believe EVERY ONE...at all levels... will love it for its clarity...even if it's only as a review.How so!When shooting...whether using an advanced camera or a POINT AND SHOOT, there are basic questions to be answered. Advanced photographers no doubt know these principles...but there is something so powerful about the way Manny Pontoriero demonstrates how to make and implement your choices.FOR ACTION Manny asks....(I took notes)"Do you want to freeze the action?" OR"Do you want to capture the action by getting a blur?"DECISION ABOUT BACKGROUND IN PICTURES"Do you want to blur the background? (as with flowers)COMPOSITION "Where do you put your subject?"LIGHTING "How to use available light to your advantage?"..............plus other questions that help clarify choices.THEN, he shows how to EASILY use the AUTOMATIC SETTINGS (AV, TV, P) to achieve professional-looking results with your POINT AND SHOOT.BUT he doesn't just explain how to use the camera settings...he demonstrates EVERY! SINGLE ONE of his great photographic tips/principles...in real life situations...that most of us encounter and want to shoot! BELOVED PETS. CHILDREN........INDOORS,........OUTDOORS-PLAYING...............On Swings, On Sliding Boards, ETC.........AT SPORTS EVENTS CARS (also beloved) FLOWERS COUPLES at SUNSET INTERIORS/EXTERIORS........to make a house a home (as he describes it)........Etc.And he shares fun techniques for capturing the most wonderful expressions...on children...worth the cost of the DVD! (Hint...DO NOT! ask them to say, "Cheese.")But I wouldn't want beginners to be put off...by my saying that more advanced photographers will love it. His directions couldn't be clearer and more easy to follow for EVERYONE!It's like Manny Pontoriero is there with you...to help you use your camera.For example...if you want to capture your children's sports events. such as a baseball game...he provides the perfect clues...how to assess whether 1/200 will freeze the action...okay for the short stop. But, then 1/400 is needed and BEAUTIFULLY CAPTURES the pitcher's throwing the ball. And the to-die-for shot of the batter...swinging...1/500 does the trick. And then he takes the shots to show how it's done! You can't help but conclude..."I could do that, too."And he demonstrates! techniques that I've never seen so clearly illustrated...as for example PANNING ACTION to capture a dog or child in motion. Wow! The dog...almost in flight.And he provides the kind of clues that most beginners probably would NOT know...or even guess...but can ruin pictures if they don't know it...such as... taking pictures in sunlight especially noon "is not conducive to taking good photgraphs."And he shows you how to solve lighting challenges. Often simple. Too much light on the car...just move the car out of the parking lot into the shade. Duh. Well, yes, kind of obvious but many might not consider it. (One of his main messages...take your pictures in the shade whenever possible...)But, he shows you what to do when you can't find shade. (I can't tell you everything...here...there is just so much!)I think what makes Manny Pontoriero stand out...is his style/approach to teaching. He makes it fun! Exciting. Joyous...even. And like it's something every one of us can do!Plus, he is just so generous in sharing the techniques gained over years of professional photography...and then making them seem so simple and obvious...when they are actually the often-missing clue needed to turn a ho-hum or even potentially unusable picture into a treasured memory...to be savored for a lifetime. (Turning the lights on...in a house...when taking a night shot...makes the house glow.)I know I probably sound like I'm a family member or such. Not at all. To be honest...this is probably one of my favorites...because in it he shows how to take the kind of pictures I typically take...or want to take...whereas Manny Pontoriero...as a professional photographer...understandably is typically more focused on portraits of models...or other people carefully posed...which I don't typically do...though many of the same principles apply.So... seeing how he captured pictures of children swinging on swings...going down a slide...a dog playing outside...a couple strolling in the evening, etc. was so helpful...even if the same principles from his other DVDs could have helped me achieve the results he demonstrated...it was transforming to see how he did it...in real life situations. And while he provides setting recommendations for automatic settings for POINT AND SHOOT cameras they easily apply to manual settings...which is what I typically use.THAT'S why I deeply! believe Manny Pontoriero's latest POINT AND SHOOT DVD is a must-have DVD for everyone who loves taking pictures and wants to improve...at any level! And it is a must-have DVD for everyone who cares about learning how to take GREAT PICTURES...with any camera.

I bought thisDVD to use with a photography club in my senior community. We are delighted with it. We have members who are using all sorts of digital cameras -- from iPhones to DSLRs. Most of us,though, own and attempt to use some sort of point and shoot camera -- generally not the newest. Maybe it has as many controls as Manny's, maybe it has more or fewer. The point is, we are a support group -- not a competitive photography club -- and Manny's personal style, hie warmth, his good ideas, and his showing us examples immediately after they were taken are all very effective. We have members who can update the technical advice for us or translate it to meet the requirements of our various cameras.We find the production of the video quite effective, too, since we end to talk about Manny as if he had been in the room with us. From a bunch of people who have been around the block a few times and who appreciate a DVD that helps us to enjoy the important things of life, Many thanks!

Manny's Point and Shoot photography video is wonderful! We've purchased all of his videos and his style is terrific!!! He is really a great teacher. He has a way of making complex items seem very simple. He takes you step by step through each technique and builds on what you've already learned. He moves slow enough to stay with him and doesn't assume you know everything. This video is good for beginners but is also good for those that are more accomplished. His videos seem to appeal to either a newbie or someone that's been at it for years. I would highly recommend this video and any others of Manny's. He knows his stuff and is able to share that with you using the everyday type of things we run into.Thanks Manny for making this video. I continue to watch it and others of yours over again and I pick up more info each time. This review is listed as Penny but I'm her husband Doug and am writing the review. She bought this as a gift for me. A big thanks to my wife for all of Manny's videos!!!

Great for those who are new getting into basic photography. Teaches about photo composition when taking pictures in different situations such as children, homes, cars, night, etc. Only problem is that it assumes your "point and shoot" has advanced camera settings such as shutter and aperture priority. Otherwise, it's a good introduction.

This is an excellent DVD for beginning photographers. It gives great ideas on how to take fantastic pictures in various settings and different times of the day. I truly recommend this DVD for people with "point and shoot cameras".

Very good program by a master photographer aimed at the beginning photographer with tips that apply even to experienced photgraphers. Highly recommended along with this photographer's other programs that are aimed at more experienced photogs.

Great buy