I have a bridge camera (I have totally forgotten which one, temporarily but will update with make when I remember!) but have no idea how to use it.

I bought it so that I could learn to use the manuals but could still take nice pics in the interim.

I'm wanting to take better photos now and learn how to use it. Does anyone have any book or magazine recommendations for a beginner with a bridge camera please? I've seen loads of books but don't know which one would be best for me!

Thanks!

For inspiration and technique watch this DVD: http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/9283806/The-Genius-Of-Photography/Product.html then go out and take lots of photos.

K.

THB Lotti, if you're just starting out, try a different magazine each month. See which editorial style you prefer.

To start with everything you read will be learning. Most of the magazines cover similar subjects each month I've found. Some are aimed at the beginner and take more time explaining technical stuff some are more about the resultant image and less about how you got there (perhaps better once learnt the basics to develop your eye for a picture).

Have a look around the web for tutorials on certain subject areas, there are a lot of people who have kindly written up ideas for techniques and so on.

Maybe worth looking at Flickr etc for some inspiration. I would imagine most folks there would be more than happy to talk to you about how they achieved a particular look/feel to an image.

Most importantly, while reading go out and experiment :)

For techincial know how, a great boook is Brian Patterson's (iirc) Understanding Exposure. This is the very book that got my head round photography and how ISO, aperture, shutter speed all realte to make a good exposure.. It also demonstrates in what scenario are the best settings and a good reference on how to meter in difficut situations.

Its cheaper than 3 magzines, Its great for reference to keep going back to. My copy is now on to its 6th person. I havent seen it in 2 years!

Thanks guys - that's fab. I will be getting into it just as soon as things calm down at work! I'm under piles and piles of paperwork but looking forward to knowing how to take a decent photo!

Don't bother spending £4-5 on a magazine each month, and £10 on a book. Seriously, any and all information they contain is on the web for free. The best way to spend your time is to go out and shoot lots of photos... Post them up on here and other forums, get critique and ask lost of questions.

A specific photography forum can help massively, try Photography On The Net. :)

lotti: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Digital-Photography-Book-Step-step/dp/032147404X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275661994&sr=8-1

I've just bought these on offer

Mr Strix's sister recommended them

You can usually find some good photography books in The Works.