Amazon.com

When Gianni Versace was shot dead outside his Miami villa on July 15, 1997, few believed that his fashion empire would survive. The chutzpah and flamboyance of Versace the fashion house seemed inseparable from Versace the man. And yet, a year later, Versace remained buoyant, its reputation and market position if anything enhanced by its creator's tragic fate.

This book goes some way toward explaining why. From his first 1980 collection, Versace cannily engaged a great photographer, Richard Avedon, who stylishly wedded his designs to a potent blend of celebrity, beauty, flesh, sex, and humor, which became instantly identifiable as Versace--poised, pansexual, tongue firmly in sculptured cheek. Whether in trademarked group shots of intricately entangled supermodels, Stallone nude and stone-faced, Elton gleeful in drag, or Bon Jovi proudly strutting his buff bod, Avedon equals Versace--to the extent that he can show Kate Moss, without a stitch of Versace (or anything else), and we know that she is thinking Versace. This gorgeous volume collects more than 170 photographs, and gives us, as it justly proclaims: "A glimpse of the impassioned shameful opulent titillating sewmanship of that daredevil magician of art and artifice who was and will always be Gianni Versace." --Alan Stewart ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Nostalgic and somewhat delightful
This is an archive of the advertisments and editorials for Versace. His pictures, like his clothes are refreshing, and surprising. Those who buy this book will encounter some director's cut images. However, "The Naked" lacks the better Versace campigns. Those familiar with Versace photographs will wonder why they did not include the better shots... Some pictures are amazing, yet, some didn't have the luster. And unfortunately, the bad outnumber the good. With the price, it is still a good buy but leaves you craving more. ... Read more

Book Description

Concurrent with the tenth anniversary of 7th on Sixth, the organization that hosts New York's Bryant Park-based Fashion Week, InTents is your all-access pass to the only U.S. staging of this yearly event-from the backstage bustling of barely clad models to the front row jockeying of the A-list editors and celebrities du jour. With this monograph, famed celebrity and fashion photographer Patrick McMullan celebrates a decade of fashion and our unending fascination with it. An unparalleled opus combining documentary and fashion photography in its most intimate moments, InTents captures, in a uniquely McMullan-esque take, runway shows of the established and upcoming designers. Featuring quotes by the fashion world's most famous players, and chronicling the highly charged lives of supermodels, celebrities, and fashion editors during this electric week of shows, InTents also pays tribute to the machine behind the scenes-the stylists, photographers, publicists, hair and makeup artists, and all those who make it happen every season. "I enjoy the collections here in New York under the tents more than I enjoy the collections in Paris. It's something I always look forward to, and I'm never disappointed." (Donald Trump) A portion of the proceeds from the sale of InTents will be donated to the Entertainment Industry Foundation's National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

You can feel like you're in the front row too!
Patrick captures the mood and the moments in this beautifully put together book.If you're into fashion, the models, backstage access and the special moods and moments that only a photographer like Patrick can capture, than this is the book for you.What a great coffee table book.

I couldn't put it down
Makes you feel like you are living and breathing the excitement and creativity of Seventh on Sixth, from the controlled chaos of backstage to the seamless perfection of the shows themselves.Patrick McMullan's photographs are stunning, and extraordinary in that they so realistically capture the very essence of Fashion Week's explosive and beautiful frenzy. A must have, must read, must see!!!

I love this book!
The photos and editorial combine to make a great evening read. The energy from behind the scenes came alive from the pages of this book. Highly recommended!

Smile!
Patrick McMullan and his photos are one of the big reasons that NYC's fashion week has become a global event.From the early shows in nightclubs and attic spaces to the million dollar events thrown by the likes of Marc Jacobs; Patrick has been exactly where everybody else wishes they were...right in the middle of it all.

The photos are beautiful but they also have a very warm feeling, like the kind you would take of friends and family...it feels almost like fashion week's yearbook. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Each One Believing isn’t your standard tour memento, but then the tour it chronicles was pretty extraordinary, too. Paul McCartney’s 2002-2003 world tour demonstrated just how much mania an ex-Beatle could trigger more than three decades after the demise of the Fab Four. McCartney, who was approaching his 60th birthday when the tour began, headlined a rapturously received extravaganza that took him from Milwaukee to Moscow, from Tokyo to Tacoma. Each One Believing attempts to capture the tour from all angles via numerous on stage andbackstage photos, interviews,and press quotes (no need to toot ones own horn when you have a Mexico City newspaper tagging a performance "the most legendary in history forever"). Don’t expect anything in the way of grit in this road tale; the clean-living superstar and his entourage dine on the best vegetarian food money can buy and the youngish sidemen are simply delighted to be performing "She’s Leaving Home" with the legendary Sir Paul. Each One Believing isn’t revelatory in the least, unless one is desires how many crewmembers it takes to construct a stadium-sized rock stage these days (some 140, it seems). But the many who saw McCartney on the triumphant excursion (or Back in the U.S. DVD) and diehard Beatles fans will find it to be a breezy, eye-catching coffeetable book.--Steven Stolder ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (19)

Lovely Work
Well crafted photographs of naturalists, mostly in the seemingly obligatory beach milieu. Many of the subjects are living 'the last day of summer' -- that is, the particular halcyon moment of adolescence wherein anything is possible. Yes, they are predominantly nudes, but photographed with respect and compassion. A special few are among the finest portraits I have seen, truely bringing forth the soul of both photographer and subject. My only complaint is that some of the pictures in the book inexplicably cross the fold in the binding, disrupting the image. A slightly smaller format on just one page would have been prefered.

Superb artist, not quite so superb book
A slightly less than perfect monograph by one of my favorite artists.

Regarding the work itself, i've not seen any work that surpasses, and little enough that matches, the beauty Sturges portrays. His models are not chosen because they are exemplars of some cultural standard of beauty. They are not high-fashion, trendy, or striking in the ways most people are used to seeing.

They are simply ordinary people. The girls are unenhanced, average girls. No different from any other you may know. But therein lies their beauty. Sturges shows them with a warmth and intimacy borne of long aquaintance; capturing the inner beauty present in all (though hidden in most).

His models are comfortable with themselves and their surroundings; and show that comfort in their unashamed attitudes. They look at the camera, as they would look at one another, not hiding or embarrased; just being who they are. He shows them as humans beings, with their friends and families; rather than the iconic or archetypal abstractions that most photographers portray.

The images themselves are exquisite. There is a gradual smoothness to the tones that echoes the bodies of the models themselves. Lighting and contrast reproduce in the sand and water of the beach scenes the skin tones of the models -- so much so that the girls almost seem to meld with their environment. Both seem to glow in the early morning and late afternoon sun.

Unfortunately, my praise for the book is more reserved. The quality of the printing is excellent. Having seen the original prints in several gallery showings, the duotones in the book do a very good job of capturing the feel of the originals.

A few quibbles, however. The arrangement of the photographs in the book are not in the chronological order that Sturges originally intended; so the progression of his models from youth to adulthood is lost. Many of the images are spread across two pages, instead of being printed on one; which is results in a degradation of the quality of the image.

Sturges himself was not happy with the Aperture monographs (_Last Days of Summer_, _Radiant Identities_) for just this reason (as well as some other problems with the Aperture staff); and has re-released most of these images through Scalo.

Unfortunately, there are some images in this book and the other Aperture monograph which are not available in the Scalo release. I would recommend buying the Scalo book, titled _Jock Sturges_, to see the images as the artist intended; and the Aperture books for the additional images.

More beautiful photography
These are some of the most beautiful photos I have ever seen.

Sturges has an incredible way of capturing his subjects. Not subjects, really, but collaborators, they are the people in front of the camera who help him make pictures.

The scenes with two or more people are the ones that hold my interest most closely. Parent and child, siblings or friends - there is so much more at work when I see the people together. There is contrast, or affection, or the young woman's later life shown in her mother. Some of the subjects themselves seem to evoke both the children they were and the adults that they will become.

I just have to say it again: these are incredibly beautiful pictures.

STUNNING book
"The Last Day of Summer" is a MAGNIFICENT work. Sturges' photographic style is breath-taking and hypnotizing. I've owned this book for several years and still find myself completely and totally enraptured by these portraits. (...)

A significant, beautiful work
This is a beautiful body of work that I am proud to have in my book collection. Beyond the fact that they are expertly executed, Sturges' photographs are intimate, direct, and above all, honest. They hide nothing, and in fact reveal much - about the subject, photographer, and the viewer. They reveal a level of trust and understanding between photographer and subject that I challenge anyone to find anywhere else. And this is a critical aspect of Sturges work. He does not haphazardly choose subjects, moving from place to place with no long-term interest in the people he photographs. Rather, he will photograph the same people in the same places year after year, photographing the same individuals summer after summer, essentially creating an intimate photographic chronology of a person that may span decades. He is close to his subjects. And unlike so many other photographers, he is truly interested in the lives of these people, and more importantly, the people themselves.

I find it unfortunate at best that Mr Sturges' work has so often been met with such hateful and often irrational opposition as it has. In my opinion, the controversy surrounding his photographs is wholly unwarranted. More often than not, the most violent objections come from (what I would call) religious extremists who claim to be speaking up in defense of his subjects, who they apparently feel have been exploited. A lot of the problem seems to stem directly from a willful refusal to distinguish between what is sexual and what is erotic. Sturges' work is sexual, yes, but it is not erotic. Sexuality is an inherent aspect of the human experience that can hardly be excluded in an honest image of a person. We are sexual from birth. And to find fault with Sturges' work because it doesn't deny this detail of humanity is a rather backwards way of looking at things. But regardless of what minor sexual element may be contained in his images, it is important to note that these images are not erotic. They are neither meant to be sexually arousing nor do they have that effect. If the contrary were the case, then maybe his biggest detractors might have a point, but in fact this is not how it is.

Sturges work is significant. And if you are willing to approach this or any other volume of his photographs with an open mind, I think you'll understand. The photographs and words contained herein are luminous and not likely to grow old with many goings-over. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. ... Read more

Book Description

Playboy celebrates its 50th anniversary with this lavish collection of the very best of the magazine's photography. More than 250 full-color photographs, chosen from the ten million images preserved in the Playboy archive, chronicle five decades of brilliant, life-affirming art. Playboy: 50 Years revisits the girl next door, the sex symbols, and the gods and goddesses who shaped our culture. It visually tracks the changing politics, fashions, and mores through the frenzied peak of the sexual revolution and beyond - from the almost nostalgic eroticism of the 50s bachelor, a martini his secret of seduction, to the highly charged images of modern sexuality. Celebrity models such as Raquel Welch and Cindy Crawford, along with interview subjects such as Mohammed Ali and Salvador Dali, and infamous bunnies such as Anna Nicole Smith and Pamela Anderson reveal all. Portfolios devoted to the bachelor pad, the perfect cocktail, fashion, and sports cars celebrate Playboy as the ultimate wish book. From the history-making red velvet shot of Marilyn Monroe, "posed with nothing on except the radio," to the highly charged images of such masters as Herb Ritts and Helmut Newton, this book is a breath-taking photographic tour de force. The definitive gift of the season, Playboy: 50 Years is also the only book being published in the fall to coincide with the launch of the magazine's 50th anniversary. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Tasteful!
Women shun playboy with exploitation yells while men flock to the magazine racks to keep playboy an institute. The bottom line is that Playboy is a mix between male fantasy and giving ladies an opportunity to reach fame in tactful photos. Ironically, the magazine that start all the scandals has converted into the gentleman of adult magazines. This book takes you down the past 50 years to demonstrate how Playboy has remain true to their intentions of presenting lovely ladies in daring, yet tasteful, photos.

I Love Women!
For a man like me, this book was the ultimate (belated) Christmas present because I truly love women, and I truly love the beauty of women as these master Playboy photographs portray them. How lucky we are to live in a free society where we can feast our eyes on such God-given glory. And for any man who loves women as much as me, and who enjoys giving women gigantic pleasures, they should also look into the videos "Goddess Worship" and "New Sex Now" -- all 3 of these great products are for men with great appreciation of the female essence and come most highly recommended.

Not all that I hoped for
This book gives some great photographs over the past fifty years, but I was hoping for a little more than what I got. There wasn't enough photo's of playmates. And plus I really didn't think the collection of playmates they put in there were really that great. Back in the mid to late 90's Jenny McCarthy was all over Playboy and none of her photos are included in the book, other then a non nude cover she was on. Pretty sad being she was a Playmate of the Year. I never saw any of Carmen Electra either. I really think they should of did more like what they did for the January 2004 magazine and had every centerfold picture of each playmate in the book. But not in such a small picture. There was a lot of huge playmates and celebrites that posed nude that they didn't put in the book, but yet they put in not as big stars as Darva Conger & Sandra Bernhard in it. I also noticed they edited one of the Madonna photos in this book. When she posed way back in the 80's she had armpit hair and they gave her a shave through modern technology. So for all I know there could be other photos that were edited from their orginial magazine photos. I feel this book was poorly thought out by its creators and could of been done much better to celebrate the past 50 years. Maybe I expected too much, but when the book says 50 years the photographs, I think they should of at least had more playmates than just 36 different playmates (most of them were from prior to 1980).

Brilliant but less than I anticipated...
Although it is a well put together book, I was a bit disappointed moreso from some of my own expectations. If you are a PLAYBOY fan, buy this book! I was, however, expecting to see all the playmates which did not happen :-(

The photography is first class as they had selected the best of the best from its archive of over 10 million images. It is a brilliant review of 50 years of not only PLAYBOY but the history of that past era and it is well worth it.

glimpse
I glimpsed at this book. wowwwwwwwww the art is so beautiful. it isn't smut. its all beauty, all love. ... Read more

Book Description

Spectacular views of New York from high above it all. A collection of aerial photographs from then and now. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Stunning aerial vistas well worth the price.
Robert Cameron lets us share his special vantage point of New York City. Spectacular color aerial photographs of the most famous skyline in the world cram the book from cover to cover, sprinkled with a few b&w historical photos to show how the city grew. Captions are informative and knowledgeable. The photos and printing are clean and bright, unlike previous books like "New York from the Air." Sections are organized by location, and the outer boroughs aren't neglected. Lifelong native or weekend visitor, you probably have never seen NYC like this. Worth the full price, but a steal at Amazon's price -- especially if you compare the cost of a 15 minute helicopter tour! If you like New York, this is a must-have.

Spectacular
Above New York is one of Robert Cameron's best books of aerial photogrpahy, possibly because when your subject matter is the New York skyline, you really can't go wrong. But, come to think of it, that's not true. (see New York from the Air)

We see dozens upon dozens of skyscrapers and get a good idea as to the general geography of Manhattan, but what would have been really great were several shots looking straight down over the city, so you could see the tops of buildings and every street that went around them. What Cameron really ought to do is do another one of these books in about three years, to perfect each section and show any of the unfortunately many buildings that were under construction during the shooting of this book. Still, the majority of the photographs are purely specatacular.

Glorious collection
Robert Cameron's "Above New York: A Collection of Historical and Original Aerial Photographs of New York City" sets itself apart from other similar books. In no particular order:

a) the photos are unbelieveably crisp and the printing is of top-notch quality;
b) don't ask me how, but Mr. Cameron makes the city look like a place where human beings actually live and work, rather than making the cityscape look like an architectural diorama;
c) other boroughs are represented! New York is not just Manhattan, as so many other books would have you think.

The contrast of the modern skyline with the older photographs is very effective, as others have mentioned. But what is also appealing is the changes of the skyline between the time these photos were taken (ca. 1988) and today, as we New Yorkers would notice. The images of the World Trade Center are poignant, but I'm glad that the publishers did not update the book, in order to remove them. As time takes its healing course, we can look back fondly on those buildings--still with pain, but now with some acceptance. "Above New York: A Collection of Historical and Original Aerial Photographs of New York City" remains a glorious collection that has yet to be eclipsed in quality.

Rocco Dormarunno
author of The Five Points

The Best Photographic Book
This is the best photographic book I have ever seen. Its pictures of The Big Apple are magnificent! Comparative pictures taken in years past, many in the 1920s, show how sections of the city have changed. Whether one is a fan of New York and who isn't, you will enjoy this book. It makes me want all the other "Above" books now.

Great book
This book is really great. I recommend it to anyone who loves NY! ... Read more

Book Description

First published in April 2000, The Children and its companion volume, Migrations, have been garnering tremendous international attention ever since. Exhibited across the globe, from Brazil to Paris and Germany to New York, Sebastião Salgado's photographs continue to tour and to transform the perceptions of those who view them. As a testament to both their power and their relevance, a major exhibition of photographs from The Children was mounted as part of the United Nations Millennium Assembly in 2000.
... Read more

Reviews (5)

The Children by Sebastiao Salgado
Sebastiao Salgado has produced many works under the topic of "concerned photography" and this book effectively displays some of these works. The Children compiles a number of photographs of children from around the world living in poverty and under the most destitute conditions imaginable. Upon reading the introduction, the reader is given a background to what Salgado has intended to do with these photographs and what he experienced while taking them. In an instant, the reader is placed in Salgado's shoes with a camera in hand and eye peering through the viewfinder.

From looking at these portraits alone, many questions come to mind: "Who is this kid?" "Where does he/she live?" "How old is he/she?" "What does the future have for them?" The way Salgado took these portraits yields a story behind each child. Black and white film is used perfectly to display the feeling of passion and intensity. It is amazing to see some of these children smile despite their living conditions. It gives a sense of hope for both viewer and subject. The look on their faces and the stare of their eyes creates a great feeling of sympathy for anyone who chooses to view the photographs. This is exactly what Salgado wanted to do. "We cannot afford to turn away."

If You Are Going to Save the World, Save the Children
Salgado shows us what war, poverty, and disaster does to the innocent. He has captured faces of children, who through some cruel fate have reaped only hardship in short time on earth. Yet, despite conditions of despair, some of these children manage a smile, a look of hope, and an attitude that defies their situation.

No words or captions are attached to the photos, rather Salgado lets each child convey their own message to you through their portrait. He brilliantly uses black & white film to heighten the intensity of each face, a face that looks you right in the eye and I swear, talks to you. If you want to know more about each photo an appendix is provide with date/place.

This is book that will stay in my collection, as it should, it is brilliantly done! "Children, Refugees and Migrants" desires to be prominently displayed in my house and it will be. Highly recommended

Children
Look at the hands, expressions and in the eyes of those children. Now, try to understand why Mr. Salgado took those pictures. When Mr. Salgado arrived in the refugee camps, a lot of children became curious about his job, about the equipment and so on. Then, Mr. Salgado took those pictures to avoid that a lot of small eyes follow him during all the time. But, the quality of those pictures are so good, that when those forgotten rolls were developed, he could see that those eyes, hands and expressions could tell a different story. As a Brazilian I am very proud of Mr. Salgado and his work. Suggestion: Migrations and Children have a exposition that will be in 19 countries around the world. Try to see those expositions. Natural size pics will give you an amazing view.

Famous Photographer, Nameless Children
These stunning portraits of displaced and refugee children are dismaying. They provoke an immediate response: grief, and then - one hopes - an immediate check in the mail to "Doctors without Borders" or a comparable international relief organization. What seems strange and distressing, however, is the intentional namelessness of each child. Each startling and heartbreaking portrait is captionless. Maybe Salgado believed them to be more effective, that way. You check the terse notes at the back of the book. The subject, in this case a boy missing an arm, stares forthrightly as the photogrpapher. He is identified as (for example): "38. The Natinga School Camp for displaced Sudanese. Southern Sudan, 1995." This Euro-bureaucratese is followed through-out. Each child is unnamed by the author, and this is a failing of this book, and one which serves to reinforce the initial crimes committed against these young people.

Nothing new!
I know all the Salgado's books but after so many years from his last project I was waiting for something new and more challenging it's always the same soup! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Joy
If, like me, you enjoy photography books more for the photos than for the accompanying text then you will find American Photographs 1900-2000 a joy. Of the 400 pages that make up this volume, only 6 pages have text. The restare devoted to a wide and wonderful range of photographs. It is simply andstylishly laid out. Each left had page lists the photographer, the title,the date, size and type of the photograph. On the opposing right-hand pagethe accompanying photograph is beautifully reproduced. The plates are not'cramped', as they can be in other books commemorating a century's worth ofphotography. Photojournalism, fashion photography, scientific photography,'art' photography and Hollywood glamour photography are all covered. It isa pleasure to own.

Amazing!
The photography contained in this book is masterful! The black and white and color photos capture the essence of a country on the move. The captions help the reader to connect events and people to American history. ... Read more

Book Description

Written by noted AP photographer and photoeditor Brian Horton, this is an insider’s manual to one of the most glamorous and exciting media professions. Emphasizing the creative process behind the photojournalist’s art, Brian Horton draws upon his three decades of experience, as well as the experiences of other award-winning photojournalists, to instruct readers in the secrets of snapping memorable news photos every time. With the help of more than 100 photographs from the AP archives, he analyzes what constitutes successful news photos of every type, including portraits, tableaux, sports shots, battlefield scenes, and more, as well as offering tips on how to develop a style of your own. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Nice introduction book
I bought this book since I want to become a photojournalist.
I am a photographer who has graduated a photo school few months ago. this book isn't for beginners, The little technical data may be misleading if read by a novice. Instead, it deals with content and the thinking and working process of photographers in this field. I find it as a nice introduction to the world of photojournalism,though a little "too good to be true" kind of book. The book definitely doesn't deal with the problems, the deadlines, the failures and the risks. This is like a postcard, where everything is perfect. There is a good side though, it is easily read, and very interesting. You want a more serious book, look some place else...
If you have the spare bucks though, don't hasitate and buy it!!!

Don't Bother
Anyone writing a positive review of this so-called book must be a relative of the author.

Being an avid reader of all things photography, most of the books that actully get published seem to have at least some merit. This book actually achieves the dubious distinction of being utterly useless.

It is nothing more than a scrapbook or stream of consciousness diary of sorts with no substance, no direction and no worthwhile information regarding the picture taking process. This literally could not have taken any effort to "write". The only people who put any effort into this one were the people who chopped down the poor trees to make this thing and the printers and bookbinders who assembled it. Don't waste your time or money on this one. Other than the foregoing, I enjoyed it immensely.

How to think, but not how to see
This book is an excellent primer on the basics of photojournalism, and a good how-to guide on becoming a journeyman photojournalist. With chapters on each of the "bread-and-butter" categories of newspaper photography - sports, features, news, etc. - each section has interviews with veteran AP photographers on how they approach these sorts of assignments, and tips to help ensure that one will come back with a serviceable picture. In short, it's a good book for someone who's just getting their feet wet in the business of newspaper photography, and I'm glad it was one of the first books in my photojournalism library.

But much like AP photojournalism itself, the focus of this book is on how to create simple, clean images that tell the immediate story of the day. Except for some talk of basic "picture packages" in the features chapter, there's no suggestions on how to brainstorm and develop an in-depth photos essay, nor is there much type given on taking risks visually with photography, and creating new and innovative images while documenting the world.

In short, this book is a primer, and a fairly decent one at that. But I would urge anyone who picks this up to also get a book or three of photo essays and see how they can take their work to the next level.

MUST read for Photojournalists
Brian Horton's book is a must read for photojournalists. Do NOT be misled that this is only for Associated Press photographers. Brian has interviewed many photographers on many aspects of being a photojournlist. Be sure to check out his interviews with photographers on how they handle fast-breaking situations. This book is not an f-stop and shutterspeed book but gets into the photojournalist's mind.

Associated Press Guide to Photojournalism
This is a great inside look at photojournalism as it is practiced by the photographers of the world's leading news agency. Their work methods, how they think and react to a situation, and the forces that motivate them are all fascinating reading. And, the book is so current. It seems like only yesterday that we saw many of the photographs in this book first in our daily newspaper. Several of those photographs are analyzed in depth. The future of photojournalism also is discussed. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

Beautiful pictures.....
Simply elegant and inspiring pictures are captured within the pages of this book.The fan of simple, straightforward, bonsai designs that reflect nature, will be quite happy with the selected works of art.Also, the admirer of the more complex and fantastic manipulations of the trees will be pleased.

The writing throughout the book, on the other hand, leaves much to be desired if one is interested in learning any how-to tips.I was able to look through and read sections of this book before I bought it, and was aware that there was little information or substance to it.I purchased it for its pictures, nothing else.If you want to know how to grow bonsai, buy another book.If you want inspiration and pretty pictures, this book will fulfill your needs.

The Art of the Bonsai
First of all, this book is beautiful:from the trees in it (a truly amazing array, photographed simply to highlight the beauty of the bonsai) right down to the paper it's printed on, the book itself is a work of art.Wonderful design, good captions, and good color, too.An homage to the art of bonsai, and indeed a bonsai-lover's must-have for its beauty alone.

Second of all, I actually liked the text.It's not a basic how-to or a boring dense history- it focuses instead on the philosophy and, again, the art of bonsai.Just reading the book is calming. ... Read more

Book Description

Timeless, limitless images--monumental 14 x 20 inch platinum photographs -- of one of the world’s most mystical places by a renowned artist. More than any other photographer, Izu has made over thirty visits to the sacred Cambodian site of Angkor Wat. And, like the makers of the sacred image of Buddha, who utter three prayers for each stroke of the carving tool, Izu himself considers the act of picture-making a type of divine practice. His photographs capture essence and light. Of his famous photograph of Tibet's Kailash in which the snowy peak is seen in otherworldly light, he recently said the image was a ""gift from God."" The photos are accompanied by the poetry of Helen Ibbitson Jessup, inspired by Izu’s work. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Lust and Trust: Nan Goldin
Nan Goldin is one of this decade's most influential photographers. She is very much a part of the world that she photographed and therefore she has unlimited access to her subjects. There is no sense of exploitation even though these people, who are on the margins of society, are often caught off guard in private moments. Her work is raw and snapshot esthetic--a recurring theme is that the subjects never quite belong and are lost and lonely in what can often be a bleak and hostile urban environment. She shares with us quite eloquently a form of diary; one can relate so much of their own lives, fears, desires, and pain. She put it best: "I used to think that i could never lose anyone if i photographed them enough. In fact, my pictures show me how much i've lost." ... Read more

Book Description

Experts in photographing weddings with a journalistic eye provide their photographs and tips for taking spectacular and unique wedding photos. Michael Ayers, Frank Cava, Robert Cavalli, Frank A. Frost, Kelly Greer, Travis Hill, Elaine Hughes, Phil Kramer, Heidi Mauracher, Martin Schembri, Monte Zucker, and other master photojournalists offer advice on everything from lenses to lighting to photographing the preceremony excitement and the ceremony itself. In addition to tips and sample photographs, this book details the equipment, planning, and keen sense of observation needed to capture all the wonderful moments of the wedding. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Part-time wedding photographer
I found this an easy read, and very helpful. What I liked about the book it was not just by one photographer, but many. Each one brought to the book their point of view about wedding Photojournalism, and how they do it. I'm starting to do weddings in this style, so it was nice to hear how the real pros shoot them.

Hmmm...
I'd be very dubious about buying a book on wedding photojournalism when the book features 2 out of 3 shots that are obviously posed ( the front cover and the flying bride/nun ). I've seen some Amherst Media books and they're pretty low-end and very traditional ie cheesy, buy Bambi Cantrell and Stephen Swain instead, and chech out www.jeffascough.com and www.yervant.com for two of the best wedding photogs around.

Great Book
Very Informative Book, I've read it before my first wedding shoot and It helped me a lot, the pictures are amazing as well. One thing I realy like about it is, most of the pictures are done with a digital slr.

Cutting Edge
I waited months for the release of this book, and it was worth it. One of the best modern photography books available. Informative, inspirational a pleasure to read. Recommended for photographers, pros and beginners. If you are looking to spice up your wedding photography this is the book for you. You will learn cutting edge techniques and tips to capture magazine quality photographs. This is not a 'traditional' photography book. Lots of pictures inside. ... Read more

Book Description

Acclaimed American documentary photographer Mary Ellen Mark (b. 1940) made her first iconic pictures when living in Turkey on a Fulbright Fellowship in the mid-1960s. Her photographs of Bombay brothels, shot in the late 1970s, were published in 1981 in Falkland Road, a book that became legendary and confirmed her status as one of the most prominent and provocative documentary photographers working today.

Mark’s pictures are a celebration of humanity in its most diverse and eccentric forms. Circuses, gypsy camps, children yearning for adulthood, the poor and destitute are some of her recurring themes. Mark has the unique ability to capture gestures and expressions that translate the intense emotions of her subjects. Compassionate but never literal, her pictures can be humorous, tragic, enigmatic, shocking, and oftentimes all of these simultaneously.

This book presents for the first time a selection of the strongest pictures of Mark’s forty-year career, drawing from emblematic series such as "Falkland Road," "Indian Circus," and "Twins," as well as a selection of previously unpublished images. The photographs are accompanied by an introduction by Weston Naef, and an interview with Mark that provides context and behind-the-scene anecdotes. Together Mark’s images and words provide intimate insights into the lives of others, presenting compelling stories of human strength and suffering. ... Read more

Book Description

From IDEO, the global innovation and design firm responsible for such landmark products as Apple's first computer mouse, comes a primer in the observation method that keeps their practice human-centered and ever ingenious. People unconsciously perform ultraordinary actions every day, from throwing a jacket over a chair back to claim the seat, or placing something in the teeth when all hands are full. These "thoughtless acts" reveal the subtle but crucial ways people behave in a world not always perfectly tailored to their needs. Thoughtless Acts? is a collection of dozens of (often humorous) snapshots capturing such fleeting adaptations and minor exploitations. This method of observation demonstrates the kind of common-sense approach that can inspire designers and anyone involved in creative endeavors. Thoughtless Acts? is a privileged peek at how IDEO creates the people-friendly products, services, and spaces for which they are so widely recognized. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

How to overcome "the invisibility of the obvious"
For some people, this volume merely offers a collection of "humble images" accompanied by a relatively brief narrative which establishes a context or frame-of-reference within which to present the photos. For others such as I, this book achieves Suri's expressed objective which is indicasted when she wonders how"designers might be influenced [by the images provided] visual evidence of the realities of everyday behavior, of design in use. Might reference to such images help designers to be more sensitive to people's experience and needs?" Her hope is that those who see them "will take this same lens to the real world to enrich their own perceptions....The key is looking carefully at what people actually do in various situations and asking [themselves] various questions" to explain what they see. Suri explains that she and her associates at IDEO constantly observe common, everyday human experiences (i.e. "thoughtless acts") to stimulate, guide, and sustain "intuitive design."

Suri explains how this process highlights human needs and problems worth solving; frees designers from existing paradigms through a focus on action; reveals what is intuitive and thereby supports the design of appropriate "cues" (i.e. that which evoke recognition the purpose and accessibility of products, spaces, and services when designing them); tunes designers into relevant cultural patterns and meanings; uncovers significant, often overlooked emotional experiences; harnesses tacit knowledge which inform the design process; and inspires more flexible and enduring solutions to unmet needs.

Of special interest to me is that the photos in this volume capture moments which are comparable with those I experience in my own life. Oh sure, I have been aware of such images but, until sharing Suri's perspectives, I seldom (if ever) gave much thought to them as resources for stimulating new or improved ideas about human relationships, the aesthetics and utility of commonplace products and services, and the physical environment within which people as well as products and services interact. Adults can learn much from children about what is referred to as "the invisibility of the obvious." Those who question that should take a long walk with (let's say) a four-year old. Children notice so much that adults do not. Suri has reminded me of how interesting, and sometimes how valuable "thoughtless acts" can be.

Those who share my high regard for this book are urged to check out Tom Kelley'sThe Art of Innovation: Lessons in Creativity from IDEO,America's Leading Design Firm. His book seamlessly complements Suri's. Also check out Donald A. Norman's Emotional Design: Why We Love (Or Hate) Everyday Things and The Design of Everyday Things, and, Alan Cooper and Robert M. Reimann's About Face 2.0: The Essentials of Interaction Design as well as Edward Steichen and Carl Sandburg's The Family of Man, Robert Frank's Robert Frank: The Americans, and William Eggleston's Guide. Collections of "humble" (and not-so-humble) images can help us to see more than what we expect, to recognize and appreciate human experience from a variety of different perspectives, and thereby to activate, energize, expand, and nourish our own powers of imagination.

Pictures say more than 1000 words
This book ties human interactions beautifully with everyday pictures. It is not a book for a person who wants to read or get direct knowledge, rather it is a book for the observer, the person who learns from everyday newances.

It did change my perspective on Human Interactions with surrounding objects and environments. I do believe this book is meant to provoke and inspire towards observing more carefully.

more PR than content
I bought this book because of an interest in intuitive design but learnednothing. It is 99% photos that get boring about mid-way through. The whole "read" took 15 minutes. The commentary at the end is too general to be of much use.
This book is yet another product of the impressive IDEO PR machine.If that interests you, you might wantto get it. Otherwise, I would not recommend this book. Just not enough value here for the money. ... Read more

Book Description

Whenever John, Paul, or George went on a trip, they would send Ringo a postcard. Now, for the first time, Ringo Starr is opening his private archive to share this delightful and very intimate correspondence. Whether it's John advising Ringo to record a "great & simple" song like Blondie's Heart of Glass, Paul and Jane Asher dropping a note from Rishikesh to report on their meditation lessons with the Maharishi, or George writing from the Great Barrier Reef to confirm plans for Christmas dinner, each postcard is a warm and personal snapshot of life in (and after) The Beatles. The 51 postcards -- many of which are covered in whimsical drawings -- are colorfully reproduced, both front and back. Ringo's droll commentary fills in the blanks, though he does confess that at times he had to consult the Internet for details! Often funny, occasionally bittersweet, and always revealing, Postcards from the Boys is a must for Beatles lovers. ... Read more

Book Description

Organized chronologically and illustrated with more than 150 photographs, Life Year in Pictures 2005 is a pictorial encyclopedia of the year gone by.Revisited in classic images and insightful text are the most notable people, places, and events of 2004.Also remembered are a years work of fashions, trends, films and foibles. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

a dissapointment!
If you are a serious collector of early photos,this is not the book for you.Besides the terrible organization of photo subject and type reference,some of wich have no reference at all,some of the photos would probably be already quite familliar to you,and are all done over in this sepia like tone instead of their true colors.As well,some of them are not quite so early.The text is taken from books of other people who have done great works on crime photogrphy,(Eugenia Parry),and so are the photos.if you want artsy,you might appreciate it.If you want a serious book on early photos of crime or the like,don't waste your money

Exploring the Dark
Joel Peter Witkin is long established as a master of the visually bizarre, creating studio photographs that push the envelope of believability to the precipice and then encourage the viewer to accompany the descent. They are manufactured by the artist. But here Witkin has gathered bits of real life that far exceed the contrivances of his own photography. Distorted and leaning toward nauseating as some of these real life photographs from history may be, they are all the more strange because they are Documentation instead of Creation. And who better to compile this odyssey into the dark realm but the man who spends his creative energies devising fabricated scenarios that parallel these photographs? A fascinating survey of just how untameable is this planet we call home........

Get out of the Way
While the photographs here were shocking, they were also exploitative. Just because they are old does not lessen the impact of photos of murdered children and freaks of nature. I am not sure what this book wanted to do, but it did not do it well. It is like reading a book version of the trashy Faces of Death video series.

one word.
daaaaamn

Ecellent, but not for everyone.
Although its the right size, Joel Peter Witkin's Harm's Way is not a coffee table book. Its photographs are thematically grouped from murder victims to medical horrors to the insane, and all the photos are circa 1875 to maybe 1920. These are accompanied by articulate essays explaining why the photos are being published at all insofar as most folks will find them grotesque and not a little disturbing - which is probably just the point. The subjects of the pictures were real people, the bizarre situations were also real. Try and hide as we will, we cannot hide from them. If you like poking about places you shouldn't be, this book is for you. If not, it's not. ... Read more

Book Description

This book considers the advantages that digital photography and image-editing software have brought to photographing the nude.Filled with stunning images of nudes photographed by a pro, this true art book reveals detailed explanation on how to take and improve photos.Focusing on the subject from image capture to image output, this guide provides step-by-step instructions for reproducing the beauty of the human form.Using full-color in an effective portrait layout, this book is aimed at those new to photography who have been enticed by the falling prices of basic, but efficient, digital cameras. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good overall reference
This book is obviously aimed at the digital crowd, and therefore, most of the examples and techniques benefit digital camera users. However, there is a lot of basic information in here that pertains to silver-based images, too. I liked the author's approach -- aimed at someone that would like to do nudes but not really knowing where to start. It's a good reference and how-to for aspiring photographers. The post-processing sections are also very good tutorials.
Overall, I recommend it -- even to aspiring photographers that would like to do nudes with a film camera. ... Read more