What is the goal of dpinstruct.com?

Why are instructions necessary for digital photography?

Why is dpinstruct.com the best source of instruction for the beginner or intermediate-level photographer?

Before starting dpinstruct, we did extensive research on other digital photography websites and books. We were shocked to discover the following:

Most publications on digital photography are designed for people who already have a fair amount of knowledge. There is a distinct lack of material aimed at the photographer who is just starting out and knows little about the capabilities of his or her camera or how to use it.

While there are manuals and books aimed specifically at cameras, printers and editing software, no single source puts all this information together into one package.

Manuals and books on cameras and digital photography are for the most part complicated and hard to follow. They tend to be poorly organized and text-heavy, lacking clear concise directions, illustrations and actual photographs.

How has dpininstruct.com solved these problems?

We have designed our product for the absolute beginner.  We have addressed all the aspects that you need to know to get started in digital photography and be able to grow and develop.

We can help you select your equipment wisely, and perform the initial set up of that equipment.  We instruct you on the basic use of that equipment.

We provide one source of information on equipment, photo technique and photo editing. We have taken special care to design our information so it is easy to follow.  It takes a step by step approach with lots of illustrative pictures and fewer words.

Do I need the web-site, the book or both?

The book and the website are designed to compliment each other.  They have been developed to encourage people to use both, so they may take full advantage of our products.

The website contains additional information and more detailed discussions on many of the topics.  New articles and photographs are added frequently and information is continuously updated.

Of course, the book is more portable, easier to reference, and easier to use in the field. Some people prefer printed media, some more in-depth information: the decision is yours. We feel either, or both, will improve and enhance your understanding of digital photography.

Does the whole book and web-site apply to me?

Each photographer has a different level of knowledge regarding his or her camera and photography in general. In order to cover the needs of as many photographers as possible, there may be several sections of the book and website that will not immediately apply to you.  However, we feel that as you grow and develop, these sections will become relevant to you.

The book and website will also continue to grow and develop. The website will evolve on a continuous basis and newer versions of the book will yield analysis and discussion of new ideas, techniques and equipment.

How do I use the web-site?

Our web-site can be used in two different ways:

The Jump-in-Anywhere Approach: Go to any section that contains a topic you are interested in and start right there. Each topic contains comprehensive step-by-step instructions that are logical and easy to follow.

The Start-to-Finish Approach: Since sections progress in a logical sequence, you can start at the beginning and follow through in sequence.

Are some things repeated in different sections?

There is some repetition. Some procedures are performed in exactly in the same way in different editing programs.  Rather than refer you to other sections and pages, we repeat the information to ensure that its logical progression is not lost.  We have found that people simply do not enjoy jumping from one section to another in order to read the entirety of one article.

Some aspects of digital photography are repeated in more than one discussion because they are applicable in different situations and because their importance warrants this emphasis.

What is your approach to photographic techniques?

We find it interesting that different people can photograph the same scene with the same camera and get tremendous differences in the quality of the pictures.

The pros know the secrets of getting good pictures.  Sometimes it involves special equipment, but most of the times it just involves good technique.

We have broken these techniques down and simplified them to a point where we feel that they can easily be applied by anyone to dramatically improve their images.

Can I take pictures like the ones that you have shown?

The pictures on our website and in our book represent a great variety of locations and subjects.  Some are taken in remote locales and are of unique subjects; however, a good many are of common subjects taken close to home.

The photographic techniques we provide you with apply equally to both the exotic and the ordinary. We believe in the adage that you refine your photographic abilities at home and then apply them when you travel.

It should also be noted that a lot of our images were the result of patience and perspiration.

I have not register. Can I still access content?

Welcome! There’s a lot to see and do even if you has not register. Have a good look around. However, you will only be able to access a limited amount of content if you choose not to register. If you wish to access the entire site, you’re welcome to join now or later. Simply register and you’ll be able to view the entire website.

Who are the principals of dpinstruct?

Antony Chow is a commercial photographer who has worked extensively in the photographic retail field.  He also teaches photography and Photoshop.

Phil Kwan is an internationally acclaimed photographer.  He was ranked #4 worldwide in The Photographic Society of America’s International Salon’s Nature Print competition in 2005.

Robert Kwan is a professional computer programmer with considerable computer and web experience.

Henry Christiansen is a member of The National Association of Photoshop Professionals and teaches digital photography at entry College level.