Would you like to learn digital photography by getting a specific answer to a specific problem instead of a lecture on say "aperture"? This approach is what to me makes the best digital photography books.

I've always been bored by all that technical stuff about the elements of photography. I want to know what I need to do to get a specific look to my shot, that's it. I'll leave it to the folks who are pursuing a masters degree to learn about the nuts and bolt.

This is the criteria I used to make my pick of the best digital photography books and that fact will come shining through as you read.

The Digital Photography Book, Volumes 1,2 & 3 by Scott Kelby are without a doubt, the best no BS how to books for digital photography. Here is how Scott describes his books:

If you and I were out on a shoot, and you asked me, 'Hey, how do I get this flower to be in focus, but I want the background out of focus?' I wouldn't stand there and give you a lecture about aperture, exposure, and depth of field. In real life, I'd just say, 'Get out your telephoto lens, set your f/stop to f/2.8, focus on the flower, and fire away.' You d say, 'OK,' and you'd get the shot. That's what this book is all about. A book of you and I shooting, and I answer the questions, give you advice, and share the secrets I've learned just like I would with a friend, without all the technical explanations and without all the techno-photo-speak.

And that's why I love his books. Each page is a new tip or trick that the experts know and use but don't want you to know.

Scott has an easy, clean writing style and adds in enough humor to keep things from getting boring.