Reviews (29)

A MUST HAVE FOR ANY TRUE MADONNA FAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I purchased this book when it was originally released for $50.00.I have recently seen them going for about $250.00 and up.If you own it save it.This book will probably never go back into print again.I strongly recommend this book. It has amazing photos by Steven Meisel.Interesting pictures featuring Madonna,Isabella Rosellini,Ingrid Casares,Naomi Campbell,Big Daddy Kane, and yes even Vanilla Ice.This book will go down in history never before has a singer/actress and now writer released a book which has caused so much controversy.

EROTICA,SEX AND ROMANCE!
That just about sums up the content of this book. Its just a shame that it has taken some people this long to realise what a true work of art this book really is. Even the most controversial scenes are works of art. I think that she looks best in the picture where she is leaning over a wall with vanilla ice leaning behind her, also the one where she is lying back (topless) on a sheepskin rug smoking a ciggarette,oh yes, and who could forget the famous scene where she is hitch-hiking in the nude with only a cigarette and handbag as her fashion accessories! PURE CLASS! The only fault which i could pick would be the the magazine thing at the end which i found a bit tacky! but hey, it made me laugh. Theres no doubt that madonna is the undisputed diva of the nineties! Who else could create so much controversy with one book? Of all the derogatory things which have been said about madonna for doing this, it all goes to show just how two-faced society really is! TRUE GIRL POWER!- YOU GO GIRL!

Dita the mistress of fetish!
Creatively thought out and daring concept, the book is more along the lines of fetish and erotica. Maybe this was the inspiration for much of the current fetish/erotica/BDSM scene?
to be read with an open mind and appreciation for fetish.

Depraved rubbish by an aging skank?
People are dumb enough to buy anything. You can usually find this in the dollar store.

The best book i've seen that was published in the 90's
I've never been a huge madonna fan but i did like listen to her music sometimes. And i figured this book might be a good investment so i bought it and i now have decided to start collectig madonna stuff. I think this is an exelint book and a must for the collection of any madonna fan. ... Read more

Book Description

All of the libraries in the world-whether small or large, public or private-serve the same purpose: to preserve, cherish, or show off the riches of human knowledge. Now, for the first time, an internationally renowned photographer takes the reader on a journey to more than 20 of the most historic of these magical places, all architectural treasures. From the dramatic, baroque Library of the Institut de France in Paris, to the splendid Vatican Library in Rome; from the majestic Royal Library in El Escorial, Spain, to the famed New York Public Library, a Beaux-Arts masterpiece-here are some of the most exquisite libraries of the Western world.

Included are national, scholarly, and religious libraries from 12 countries, which have in common a distinguished heritage and an architectural setting that emphasizes art and culture. The accompanying text traces the history of libraries to the present day, and describes how they came to serve famous personalities and men of letters. Libraries must be counted among civilization's crowning achievements; this elegant book is a fitting tribute to that accomplishment. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Treasure for Bibliophiles and Architecture Lovers
This beautifully photographed book might appear, at first glance, as another "coffee-table book": that is, a book someone gives you as a gift, which thereafter sits on your coffee table unread. That hasn't been my experience. Since receiving it as a Christmas present from my wife, I find myself picking it up every few weeks, reading about how famous book collections were formed, and gazing at the stunning architecture of libraries built as temples to literature (rather than on the how-many-shelves-can-we-cram-into-this-square-footage principle).
There are university libraries (e.g., Oxford, Trinity College Dublin), royal libraries (Vienna, Prague), religious libraries (The Vatican, and several monasteries), and more democratic ones (The New York Public Library). Most of the libraries are European, except for three: New York, The Library of Congress (which is featured on the cover), and the Boston Athenaeum.
There could be more in the text about the contents of these libraries; the emphasis is more on the sheer physical beauty of these places. And beautiful they are, some of them decorated by leading artists.
Some of these libraries are easy to visit; some are accessible only to scholars with appropriate references. Some, like the library of the French Senate (a serene retreat overlooking the Jardin du Luxembourg), are available to a select few. This delightful volume lets us in, for a while. Enjoy. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Countless black women would rather attend church naked than hatless. For these women, a church hat, flamboyant as it may be, is no mere fashion accessory;it's a cherished African American custom, one observed with boundless passion by black women of various religious denominations. A woman's hat speaks long before its wearer utters a word.It's what Deirdre Guion calls "hattitude...there's a little more strut in your carriage when you wear a nice hat. There's something special about you." If a hat says a lot about a person, it says even more about a people-the customs they observe, the symbols they prize, and the fashions they fancy.

Photographer Michael Cunningham beautifully captures the self-expressions of women of all ages-from young glamorous women to serene but stylish grandmothers. Award-winning journalist Craig Marberry provides an intimate look at the women and their lives. Together they've captured a captivating custom, this wearing of church hats, a peculiar convergence of faith and fashion that keeps the Sabbath both holy and glamorous.
... Read more

Reviews (26)

Symbols of Reverence
"Crowns: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats" is a genuine treasure and a breathtaking illustration of fine art. Photographer Michael Cunningham and journalist Craig Marberry exemplify the meaning of a queen with their artistry. The first portrait invites you to begin a journey that will lead you page by page through history with the inspirational and candid stories of each woman bearing a Sunday worship service crown. Truly this book extends to all religions by exploring one simple, but ever important symbol of showing reverence to God.

Insight into why "We" wear hats!!! It's me all over!!!
I am called the "Hat Lady". I relate to the queens in the book. In fact, some of the ladies made comments that I found to be very profound, i.e, wearing a hat in a coffin. I wear hats and love them. Like the ladies, when I put on a hat I stand taller, walk with a strut, and feel I am invincible. It's something about a hat that seems to add to my stature. "Crowns" gives a lot of insight into why we look so good in hats. It's true it's all about attitude and self-esteem. I try to wear them at all times. "Crowns" is relative. I felt so good about myself after reading it. The queens really put hats in their proper perspective in relation to African-American women. I always get a compliment like, "Girl, you're wearing that hat" from one of my sisters and from strangers I hear, "That's a bad hat you got on." (Mostly males) Several times I saw myself in those. I smiled and shook my head at the comments. It is a story that needed to be told. I commend the author & photographer, for I found no fault with "Crowns". A good read.

Hooray for Hats !
The black and white photos are as expressive as the wonderful stories about how these charming ladies began their love affairs with hats. Each story is unique and also very much like the others. There is lots of unexpected humor. I have been inspired to continue wearing and buying more hats. Love the book. Thank you Mr. Cunningham and Mr. Marberry and all the ladies who shared their thoughts and their hats.

Gorgeous elegance
"Crowns: Portraits of Women in Church Hats" brought to memory many Sundays in church when I was a child. Women walked with regal grace when wearing their church hats. I saw some of these women during the week and many were plain and quite ordinary in appearance. But at 11:00 on Sunday morning, they were elegant and stately as they strutted, in their church hats, towards their seats in the sanctuary. The photgraphs are as beautiful as the women they portray. This is a "must have" book for any woman who loves gorgeous hats and the women who wear them.

A Must Have for Students of American History
This is THE book that friends will pick up FIRST from the top of your coffee table at home or at work.

Beautiful message, pictures and content. ... Read more

Book Description

LIFE captures all the drama...passion...and excitement of the world's greatest adventures across the centuries - collected in one stunning volume!

Now, for the first time, in one lavishly illustrated heirloom volume, the editors of LIFE have captured the riveting drama and endless fascination of the greatest adventures the world has ever seen.You'll be enthralled by gripping storytelling wedded to stunning art, photography, and richly detailed maps drawn from the archives of the Royal Geographical Society, the Smithsonian, the Bettmann Archive, and the Time Inc. library.

You'll be privileged to journey with Marco Polo along China's Silk Road at the dawn of the 14th century... join Lewis and Clark on their exciting exploration of the American West... and attempt to conquer Everest in 1922 with George Herbert Mallory.

For these legendary men and women, no obstacle was ever too formidable, no endeavor too daunting.Their heroic deeds have shaped our world.Join them all now on their quests for fortune, fame, and the thrill of discovery. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

0 stars for the forward by Robert sullivan
The stories and photos are both excellent and engrossing, although the essays are needlessly truncated for the modern one minute attention span.This could have benefited greatly from a bit more detail, a bit more fleshing out of the characters and circumstances.Something of a Cliff Notes for recent explorations.

What I and two other people I spoke with found utterly offensive was the forward by Robert Sullivan.This guy literally says there were no "adventurers" before 1900.He discounts everyone from Columbus to Lewis & Clark to Leif Erickson, and his reasoning is wholly specious, as if modern explorers did not have patrons or ulterior motives.Do yourself a favor and skip his naive and offensive ramblings and get right to the lusty tales of the ambitious souls who have bravely expanded our horizons.

This book should never have been called the "Greatest Adventures of All Time" since it's really only the greatest adventures of the last century, but in the end that is sufficient.It was an amazing Century and an amazing time to be alive.

Life the Greatest Adventures of All Time
All the major adventures of the previous century that you really ought to be familiar with! Simply impossible to put down once you've picked it up, this book is required reading. Illustrated with contemporary photographs throughout, most have been seen before and much of what is written and illustrated is to be found elswhere. What you have here, though, is the whole lot - end to end. If this doesn't fill you with awe - nothing will! ... Read more

Book Description

A beautiful coffee table book on the links golf of Ireland featuring the landscape photography of LC Lambrecht.Every links in Ireland is featured and the text is provided by golf scribes from Ireland who really know the subject.This over sized book is a treasure for anyone who appreciates the beauty of golf course architecture. ... Read more

Book Description

The Polaroid camera combined two of Andy Warhol’s obsessions--the disposable nature of modern consumerism and the photograph as ready-made. An inveterate and relentless user of Polaroid cameras, he made tens of thousands of instant photographs during the 1970s. Many of these were made over a short time span and focused on one individual or subject, sometimes a formal sitting for a portrait, an informal event with friends, or a party at The Factory.

Between 1970 and 1976, Warhol established a rigorous system of cataloguing. He would take home the Polaroids, edit and sequence them, and then enter them in individual red Holson Polaroid albums. These albums, with Warhol’s original sequence and themes, have remained intact.

Red Books is a red wooden box containing 11 of Warhol's Holson Polaroid albums. Each book contains a facsimile reproduction of Warhol’s sequence. The themes include a study of Paloma Picasso, a day trip to Montauk, Mick Jagger, the "Asshole" painting, and John and Yoko. In addition to the 11 red books, a black book is included which contains a text by François-Marie Banier explaining the significance of these albums within Warhol’s oeuvre and how they act as a visual diary of his work, offering unrivaled insight into his creative process. Essay by François Marie Banier. Other, 5.5 x 3.5 in. / 300 pgs / 220 color. ... Read more

Book Description

In November 2003, the musician and photographer Bryan Adams began photographing a cross section of influential American women dressed in new and vintage Calvin Klein. Shot mainly in New York and Los Angeles throughout 2004, American Women is a tribute to the beauty, strength, and character of American women. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Katie Couric, Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson, Hilary Swank, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Lindsay Lohan, Christie Brinkley, Sarah Jessica Parker, Eartha Kitt, Aerin Lauder, Marlo Thomas, Nan Kempner, Paula Zahn, Cindy Crawford, Alice Sebold, Amber Valletta, Katie Holmes, Eve Ensler, and Lauren Hutton are just a few of the women Adams selected from among America’s most notable actors, journalists, musicians, artists, businesswomen, athletes, and philanthropists, all lovingly and glamorously captured by the camera of a rising star in the field. Produced in close collaboration with the Calvin Klein company, American Women is Adams’ third book of important women. His first, Made in Canada (Key Porter, 1999), benefited the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and featured influential Canadian women such as Linda Evangelista, k.d. lang, Shania Twain, and Pamela Anderson. Based on its success, he published a second book, Haven (Trebruk, 2000), in the U.K. Benefiting the Haven Trust, a breast cancer support center in London, the book raised a considerable sum for the charity and received widespread press. For that book, Bryan photographed HRH Queen Elizabeth II, the Duchess of York, Vanessa Redgrave, Elizabeth Hurley, Kate Moss, Julie Christie, Joan Collins, and forty other influential British women. Proceeds from American Women will benefit the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in support of their ongoing breast cancer research programs. ... Read more

Book Description

Providing a concise look at the foundations of posing, this guide illustrates the ways in which key posing strategies flatter the lines of the body, creating definition, dynamic lines, and a camera-friendly posture. Photographers learn how to analyze the facial features of their subjects to ensure the most flattering positioning, how to finesse fingers for delicate or strong hand positions, and how to adapt a pose for a man, woman, or child. Strategies for artfully posing couples, large groups, under- and overweight clients, the elderly, and everyone in between are detailed. With techniques and images from nearly 50 of the industry's most notable artists, this valuable sourcebook offers something for every film and digital photographer. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A great instructional book with stunning photographs
Upon opening The Portrait Photographer's Guide to Posing I was presented with a stunning photo of an exuberant bride and I realized immediately that I could learn much from this book. I was not disappointed as I learned many subtleties about positioning the face, placing the hands and fingers and identifying flaws and working around them, etc.

The book is illustrated with extraordinary photography from many masters of portrait photography. The work is so beautiful and the text so insightful that it pulled me along turning pages like it was a new Dean Koontz novel.

I didn't think that posing was a subject that warranted an entire book but I am proved wrong by the Guide to Posing and I look forward to applying what I learned in my work. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Though he is probably the world's most honored recent war photographer, James Nachtwey calls himself an "antiwar photographer," as the preeminent critic Luc Sante notes in his excellent foreword to Inferno, a landmark collection of 382 war-crime photos. Nachtwey has taken shrapnel and had his hair literally parted by a bullet, but he's never lost his compassionate outrage. The stunning images in this huge-format book--brutally abused Romanian orphans, Rwandan genocide victims, a rat-hunter family of Indian Untouchables barbecuing dinner, skeletal dehydration victims in Sudan, the miserable in Bosnia, Chechnya, Zaire, Somalia, and Kosovo--are excruciating to look at, yet impossible to tear your eyes away from. Nachtwey's art is meant to force us to face unbearable facts. Faces are the key: you can't gaze into the eyes of a Romanian toddler tied to a bed, or wired to a primitive "electromagnetic therapy" device, and not grasp the horror more fully than you would by watching a TV news item or reading a newspaper piece. (The book's text explains each photo's context.)

Inferno is also a masterpiece in strictly aesthetic terms. The power of Nachtwey's images transcends journalism. Bloody handprints on a living-room wall in Kosovo, the ghostly imprint of a Serb victim's vanished body on a floor, a Hutu with crazed eyes displaying the machete gashes he received for opposing the Tutsis' butchery, a howling orphan in a crib, one eye contracted in anger--these are compositions that depend, like Goya's, on the artist's skill as much as the subject's legitimate claim on our conscience.

Nachtwey's photographs make us capable of imagining that it could have happened to us. They are hard to forget, or forgive. --Tim Appelo ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Into the Fire
A book that is not for everyone, yet everyone should see it. These are the faces of death and despair, the tears of anti-war, the bravery of war, the fear of not living another day, the fear of living yet another day...the courage, the persistance, the failure to give up...the hurt, the pain, the tears, the anger..in the lives that nightmares are made of... When you look at the photographs, you will never be the same. Study them. Let them go to your heart. Cry for them. Then reach out to them. And never, never forget......when I went into the Inferno, I never realized the impact it would have. We can be so distant to the people, but in this book...they come into our lives, making us aware that the world can be a living hell. James Nachtwey did a fantastic job catching the lives that we so often want to pretend don't exist. I highly recommend this book to all. Step into the fire. We all need to see........

Pictures that will sear your mind and wound your soul
With this book/pictorial, it becomes quite clear, that yes indeed, a picture is worth a thousand words or more.... Each picture means more than any news report or article you've ever read... You see the evil in the world with a clarity rarely shown in few other works of media... When you look at these pictures, tears of anguish, tears of a simmering anger begin to well in your eyes... the question we all must ask ourselves, "How can we let this happen? and why does it happen?" No one should ever suffer like those people suffer in this book, and it is heartbreaking and disheartning to realize that so many Americans and others don't really give a darn enough to stand up and do something...

Il lato peggiore dell'uomo
E' impossibile trovare le parole per descrivere queste immagini. Sono fotografie che parlano da sole e colpiscono duro, lasciandoti solo, con mille domande, a cercare una risposta che è solo sussurrata nel vento....
Dedicato a tutti coloro che pensano che la guerra possa portare a qualcosa di buono.
Un grosso grazie a James Nachtwey che per fare quello che fa deve essere parecchie spanne sopra tutti noi...

Brings out emotions that have been hidden
Like many other reviewers, I think this collection of photos is beyond words.

It may sound cliche to say this book brings out emotions inside you that have been hidden or you never knew existed, but it is true.

I heard about this book and had seen a few of the images from it in a TIME issue from sometime ago. I found a copy and looked through it.....

I could not stop and finally took the copy and bought it...

It had seared itself into my mind and I needed to own a copy because I could not ever let myself forget that the images inside this book are real and to forget they exist or happen would be like losing part of my humanity.

Highly Recommended!!!

5-star pre-review
I don't know if you'll accept a review from someone who hasn't seen the entire collection yet, but I'm giving this book your highest rating. I recently witnessed "War Photographer", a documentary about Mr. Nachtwey and his work at The Human Rights Film Festival at New York's Lincoln Center and can't get his images out of my mind. He should be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

I wish I'd known...
This is a very useful book for anyone trying to refine their lighting skills. Each section features a large number of finished shots, and on the opposite page is an easy-to-understand lighting diagram, and a few paragraphs about how the shot was done.

I wish I'd known before buying this book, however, that it includes the complete contents of three Pro Lighting series titles (i.e., Nudes, Erotica and Provocative Shots). The Pro Lighting Series books are great, but you don't need to buy those three if you buy _Lighting the Nude_.

One of the Best in this topic
I like this book very much for several reasons:

1. Great photos - interesting techniques on topics ranging from classical nude to outdoor nude, accessories/props to hair/makeup.

2. Good taste - this is NOT a book filled with sleazy / low-class photos of naked women. I find all of them tending towards modern, fine art types.

3. Superb format - Minimal text with essential descriptions, simple diagrams showing the studio setup, camera settings

4. Good value - Hardcover with 400 over pages (each with clear examples), printed in in full color on glossy paper.

I use this book as a source of ideas and to experiment with different lighting setups.

Comparisions:
There are numerious books on this topic, and I've read many others. This book is similar to "Lighting for Nude Photography" (also by Rotovision) - "Lighting The Nude" is twice as thick and provides more ideas/techniques. If you like Prolighting series books - which has great illustrations and simple instructions, you will love this. But if you like long-winded, text-intensive book, telling you stories about each picture, then this is not for you. Another book I like is "Successful Glamour Photography" by John Kelly but this book is a little old now. ... Read more

Book Description

Dramatic aerial images by renowned photographer Terry Evans celebrate one of the world's foremost cities at the outset of the 21st century. One hundred and twenty sumptuous four-color photographs take the reader on a fascinating tour of Chicago and its environs in all four seasons, revealing its unique features: its incomparable lakefront, cutting-edge skyscrapers, and diverse residential neighborhoods, as well as the lush farms and landscapes beyond the city's borders.

With the population of the Chicago region expected to increase by two million over the next 25 years, ensuring that the city grows in a manner that adds to rather than detracts from its beauty, desirability, and prosperity is essential. In Revealing Chicago, Evans's spectacular photographs and Charles Wheelan's thoughtful text not only tell the current story of the city but also expose the challenges-environmental, economic, and social-it faces with continued development. An aesthetic tour de force, this singular volume highlights the importance of making decisions today that will enable Chicago to sustain its prominence into the future. AUTHOR BIO: Terry Evans, a Chicago resident, is one of the world's foremost landscape photographers. Her work has been exhibited widely and is in the collections of many major museums. She is a recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship. Charles Wheelan, also a resident of Chicago, is the former Midwest correspondent for The Economist and author of Naked Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science. He is a lecturer in public policy at the University of Chicago. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Bitterly disapointed
After scanning a few pages,it became painfully clear that this book did,nt reveal anything new about Chicago,save for a
few shots here and there...Anticipating a fresh,updated ver-
sion of Robert Cameron,s magnificent "Above Chicago",this book has too many steel mills,deserted beaches,generic shots that
could have been taken anywhere for anyone to care.The emphasis SHOULD have been on the skyline and its hundreds of superb photo
ops.
A missed opportunity,misleading effort,a waste of time... ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Pleasant Surprise.
I've been collecting David Hamilton books and prints for more years than I'd admit. In the course of those years, I have seen photographers attempt to copy Hamilton's style. Many poor quality books were made of those attempts in the 'seventies, and usually they were awful. That's why people know who Hamilton is but have no idea who those others are. Those are not true artists, and as a collector of Hamilton's work I'd finally believed that he would just never have an equal. Now that he's retired from publishing, I'd guessed that my collection was complete.

Then I found this book here. I'd never heard of this photographer, but I'd read on another site that his work was 'Hamiltonesque'. Sceptically, I bought it. When I received the book, I was pleasantly surprised. The criticisms above are void when we discuss Richard Murrian. While his pictures clearly bear Hamilton's influence, there is a dark and moody feel. There seems to be almost a melancholy recognition that the time of childhood is ending and the more complex world of adulthood, with all it's trifles of relationships, sexuality, and responsibility, is arriving for his models. In style, something of the classical masters is present in the way these pictures are illuminated. One particular picture (on page 119) looks like the Mona Lisa. In terms of composition he comes in tighter, with a majority of the pictures being 3/4 body and portrait shots. Also, his models appear a little older than Hamilton would choose. I'm guessing most of the girls in this book are around 15,16 years, and some of them look to be at least 18. A few might be a little bit younger (the book says he photographed the girl on the cover from age 14 to 18). These are blossoming young women, not Hamilton's "Lolitas". So while his pictures are clearly influenced, they are at once definitively unique. As for the photographer himself, while I don't know his age, there are two photos of him in the book and he is clearly a young man. This isn't another old "has-been" from the 'seventies, this is a vibrant new artist. That is what I find most interesting and exciting, because it makes me wonder what is to come from this guy?

Thank the stars, the world has a new 'Hamilton'. And considering the pace at which this world seems to be regressing into the failed moral constraints of yesteryear, he could not have come at a better time. Godspeed to you, Richard!

A beautiful work of art
This book is a masterpiece.

The female body is beautiful work of art on it's own and has long been the subject of artists of all media. Richard's technique of catching them in such beautiful light and settings, seemingly unaware of the camera, is to be applauded. I have always loved the Pre-Raphaelite soft focus style of photography, and this book is an excellent example of it. I own all of David Hamilton's and Robert Farber's books and Richards book certainly fits in right beside the masters.

I've keep up with Richard Murrian's work from the time he opened "PhotoDreams" until now. I find it amazing that he only started photography in '98 and then only to shoot his, then girlfriend, Nancy. He has proven to have a very gifted eye. I love this book and highly recommend it for anyone who likes the works of David Hamilton and Robert Farber. I look forward to your next book, Richard.

A Thrilling New Vision of BEAUTY !!!
This is the book that longtime fans of Richard Murrian's work have been waiting for. At last - it's here!!!

It's been a long and often frustrating road. Given the supposed "controversy" of Murrian working with young females as nude models, few publishers had the courage to even enter into discussions about publishing his work. But finally, the renown and immensely respected publishing house Edition Skylight took him under their wing and gave Richard the platform he deserved. The result is this book, Reanna's Diaries, and I doubt that anyone will be disappointed. Indeed, it is arguably the most daring and exquisite vision of the human form published in the last decade.

The main subject matter of the book is the young and beautiful Reanna, who first collaborated with Richard when she was just fourteen years old, but there are several other young models featured as well, each a slender, impeccably perfect beauty. Portrayed in Murrian's magical, delightfully romantic and ethereal style, his subjects transcend all traditional concepts of grace and beauty and take on a glorious, almost celestial quality. So, prepare to be spellbound. The production quality of the book itself is flawless (typical of Edition Skylight) and its dimensions of 10.5" x 8.5" is very satisfying. The preface and introductory text are in English, German, and French. It features 201 color plates set against a glossy white background. As an added and very intriguing bonus, each plate is accompanied by commentary (located at the back of the book) where Richard provides details of the picture such as its title, model information, his photographic technique, and various other elements that went into creating the image. A main strength of the book is that even though there are over 200 plates, they are culled from the enormous collection of work that Murrian has amassed over the last few years, and is something of a best-of-the-best collection. This is very cool ... but really puts the pressure on Murrian if he's wanting to produce a follow-up book that equals or surpasses this most amazing initial effort.

The controversy that hovers around Murrian's work is his vision that young girls, at the genesis of womanhood, are subjects worthy of artistic study. But only the most radically puritanical will find anything offensive in the work presented here. Murrian's work is so highly stylized, his sincerity so obvious - if anything this work is immensely and eternally uplifting. Murrian's portraits and nudes are intimate, breathtaking glimpses into the wondrous physical and spiritual qualities of these girls. It reminds us of all the hope and promise, and the splendid perfection of youth that is so precious and so fleeting. This makes Murrian not only one of the most daring artists of our time, it also makes him one of the most important. My only hope is that the world is enlightened enough to understand what he's trying to convey.

Great but not all Reanna
I thoroughly enjoyed the pictures in the book. I was a little disappointed, however, to find out that not all of the pictures were on Reanna. I did not see that anywhere in the description, so I assumed that they were all of her. Instead, there are eight models that are featured, and Reanna is only one of them. Still, though, I found it very enjoyable. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

This book is a classic - timeless and striking.
The Family of Man - first published in 1955 - is the pictorial record of one of the most riveting exhibitions of photography of all time. The book, which contains some text, is a poignant treasure of the human condition - from birth to death. It shows man's relation and connection to life, regardless of country or language and all that we share through love, pain, rituals and simply coping. The phrase " a picture is worth a thousand words" comes alive in The Family of Man.

A brilliant presentation of the human spirit on film
This book details the Family of Man photography exhibit composed of photos that Edward Steichen collected from photographers throughout the world. From the intro by Carl Sandburg (his brother in law), to the photographs of birth, life, death and the emotions and events in between, the book shows true humanity through the eyes of the camera. Featuring works by many famous, but yet unknown photographers, this book is a true treasure. When you glance at its pages you will discover new perspectives, or maybe something inside yourself. This is not a picture book, but a photo biography of the human race. If you are tired of coffee table books that sit unopened, pick up this book a few times and share it with your friends. You will read it again and again, discovering new secrets with every turn of a page.

Most wonderful wonderful and yet again wonderful
First time I saw the pictures collected by Edward Steichen was in the permanent museum of the exhibition, Clervaux in Luxembourg.

I was keeped almost in silence from entering to exiting and the message of the pictures was striking to me then - and 15 years later it still is.

This is a collection of pictures from all the world, picked between Thousands to be the best pictures to describe the family of man as we ALL are. No matter of colour, religion, origin or political believe we are all sons, fathers, lovers, hungry, thirsty, at times fearful and at times playful - WE ARE ALL ALIKE!

This message is as important now as it was in the 50` and looking at extreemist and the war of terror, you can only wonder how come we have learned nothing in 50 years.

The book brings me back to Clervaux and the thoughts about life, and each time I stop at a different picture or text, that captures the essence of where I am at that time of life. The book is universal not only to man but also to moods.

However happy I am to own the book it is nothing compared with the exhibition in Luxembourg. I can only say that I returned and will return again, and for the full experience of these pictures I will recommend it to all.

Note that all (but one) customer reviews are 5 stars!!!
This is simply the best collections of photographs that I have ever seen. The book dates from the 50's, but the subject matter... humans... are the same today. Buy this for yourself, of as a special gift for a special person, and you'll not regret it. (I only wish it were still published in hard cover)

Beautiful, Thoughtful
I have given this book as a gift many times over the years, and can't recommend it enough. The photographs are beautiful, giving the viewer a sense of what is common in the overall human experience. Simple, straight-forward in content, and very moving. An essential volume of photographs. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A grunt Marine.........
This is as close as you can get in 2 dimensions to the 'reality' of 'war',words so often used but rarely, and really, never understood by those who have never lived through the experience.
The passion expressed in the photographs and words of the contributors to this work evoke memories to those of us who were there that will never completely fade. The experience has changed us all forever, and that is good. Vietnam was no different than any other war, people die, most innocent, some not, but what have we to gain from it ? ... Read more

Book Description

Just about anyone who works with digital images needs to know to how to use Photoshop, but its complexity can be confounding even to experienced users. In Photoshop 7 Savvy, artist and teacher Steve Romaniello draws back the curtain to reveal the secrets behind Photoshop's power. Based on Romaniello's Mastering Photoshop 6, this insightful guide shows how to combine theory with practical techniques to get results that are inspirational and satisfying. Whether you're in the graphic arts, publishing, printing, photography, web design, or any other field that requires Photoshop savvy, this is the book that will get you there.

Photoshop 7 Savvy features hands-on tutorials that let you apply your knowledge to complex real-world projects, a 32-page full-color section showcasing color-related examples, and a CD packed with practice files from the book and demos of some amazing plug-ins.

Like all Savvy books, Photoshop 7 Savvy is printed on quality, coated paper for crisp image reproduction. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Good for beginners
When I first got Photoshop 7 I really didn't know much about it, however after I bought the Photoshop 7 Savvy book I became much more experienced with Photoshop 7. I was able to explore new areas within the Software that I would have never discovered on my own. There are lots of good tutorials for advanced layering techniques and advanced selection tools that can be very useful for the first timer in Photoshop.

The only thing that kept me from giving this book 5 stars is the fact that it did not explore much into advanced filtering techniques. There are so many interesting effects you can create using the filtering tools and this book hardly covered any of them. Other than that this book is great.

Different, but not necessarily better...
As a constant "student" I am always looking for new books to give me a great handle on a program.

Photoshop 7 Savvy is not only a new book, but also one that has a somewhat different taste than most other Photoshop how-to books.
The book was quite thorough in the new features of Photoshop 7, which was the main reason behind this pruchas, and I liked the different graphics and illustrations incorporated with the lesson tutorials, but as for the set up of each lesson, I didn't find it completely effective.

I already had a fairly strong handle on the software, and was looking for a book to update me fully on Photoshop 7 since it has been a while since I have used Photoshop at all...

There is a lot of cramming information regarding features, etc, before you actually get to a tutorial to solidify the knowledge. Then, the tutorials have a tendency to be "half-completed" leaving me feeling like the teacher did the hard part before I just finished it off. Admittedly, this might be effective for a lot of people but for me, I felt that I was a little ripped off - I learned how to select in one chapter, but in the next, it had all been done for me, and the focus was on something else. Effective for quicker learning, but not for thorough application -

As for everything else, it is extremely complete when it comes to exploring features, new possibilities, etc, but I still don't feel as attached to it as I do my other favorite Photoshop books. It boils down to great content, fabulous and new tutorials, great exploration of each possibility in the software, but lack of thorough application for the user, and a lot of cramming before getting to a point where the new knowledge can be used.

Good Photoshop learning book
Overview.
I am impressed with the quality of the content of this book from the Savvy range. I am sure that as programs get better, so does the production of how-to books associated with them. Possibly because not all the information needs to be re-written, now that the good programs don't have to re-invent the wheel with each new issue.

Features.
Easy to read and understand without talking down to the reader.
Useful lessons, in a sensible format.
Removes the mystique from a complicated program.
Gives good examples of problems likely to be encountered by the average user, and the means to correct them.
Includes instructions on the use of ImageReady.
I felt that a little more time could have been spent on explaining the use of curves and levels, with more examples. These are the major image preparation tools for photographers and graphics manipulators, although what is here is well explained. These two elements of Photoshop alone, could probably have books written about them.

Bottom Line.
This is more than just a useful book on the use of Photoshop 7. This book is one that can be used for any edition of Photoshop. Some of the commands may differ, but the new features of version 7 are highlighted as you go. The rest is a good book on using Photoshop, and why things work the way they do. The book contains a CDrom with tutorials that relate to examples and instructions, and some free and demo programs to enhance your work.

Book Description.
A paperback book of 600 pages broken into 5 sections.
1. Photoshop Core contains most of what you need to know to use Photoshop of any release.
2. Part 2 deals with colour and how it works.
3. Part 3 is more advanced, and teaches about the retouching and manipulating of images.
4. Part 4 is devoted to the Web, and how you can use Photoshop with digital video.
5. Appendices, which contains tool descriptions, file formats and most importantly, blending modes, how they work and what they mean.

To use Photoshop you really need to understand the way that the different commands affect the image that is being worked on. This book does a good job of explaining these things. If you know what is supposed to happen when a command is applied, and why you would use that command instead of another, you are much more empowered than just following a rote learning system.

Every program has it's own jargon, and a lot of the graphics programs, because they come from a print based background, use terms that can confuse the beginner. If you don't believe me, try explaining a clipping group to someone with no knowledge of this type of program.

The descriptions of how to repair old and torn images is very good, and most useful for professional and hobbyist alike. Photoshop 7 has a healing brush which is like a glorified clone tool to make this job easier, but other versions can use the same principles.

Not too much time has been spent in detailed use of all the filters, except for the most useful ones, and the others are explained in an easily unserstood way. Filters can be used to excess very easily, but once again, if you know what is likely to happen when a filter is applied, you can use them sensibly, and this book takes time to put that point across..

There is quite a large section on image preparation for the Web, and there are good tips on how to reduce file size without sacrificing quality. Also, a lot of time has been devoted to print needs as well, and the differences between the two fields.

There are descriptions of the different file formats and when and how to use them, along with descriptions of some of the more obscure settings that appear when saving or exporting files. Normally you just accept the defaults, but with understanding comes more control.

Type gets it's own section, and it is a very detailed one. This is all good and useful typography information, as the new version of Photoshop offers more flexible use of text, which is treated as vectors and not rasterised as before. For earlier versions, do your text in another program and then import it as an image file, but there is some sensible help here.

Layers are covered mainly by use of a hands on excercise, which is probably the best approach for those unfamiliar with this incredibly powerful aspect of all graphics programs. They are not too difficult to understand, but are best explained in a practical way.

The index section at the back of the book is large and detailed and a really useful resource. This consists of, A. Tool Tips, B. File Formats, C. Blending Modes, D. Keyboard Shortcuts. Maybe this section will get overlooked, but resist the temptation to skip it. Having read the rest of the book, this section is a useful quick reference on tools and what they do.

It is no secret that I like the Sybex Savvy series, just from reading two of them, but I think that the formula that is being used is a good one, and I guess that progress in the field of written information must change as we think differently about what was useful a few years ago, and what is applicable in the more sophisticated world of programs that we now have.

Might not be the best book for beginners
I ordered Photoshop 7 Savvy because I wanted to get deep with Photoshop. While I consider myself a novice user, I have done enough work with the program to make basic manuals redundant. This book fits the bill nicely. It covers some basics and it gets more advanced as number of chapters increase. I would have given it 5 stars except for the many typos I've found. Many of the keyboard shortcuts are simply wrong and will confuse, or worse discourage, someone who is new to photoshop.

Good book for someone new to Photoshop
PHOTOSHOP 7 SAVVY
AUTHOR: Steve Romaniello
PUBLISHER: Sybex
REVIEWED BY: Barbara Rhoades

BOOK REVIEW: The first thing that is noticeable in Photoshop 7 Savvy is the color images that goes with each chapter are not included in the chapter but rather in a center section. It is very inconvenient to have to flip to this section to see in color what the chapter is describing.

For anyone new to Photoshop, Photoshop 7 Savvy is a wealth of knowledge about all the wondrous abilities Photoshop has available to the artist. Retouching old photos, creating backgrounds, warping images or text, changing color to Black and White, enhancing the color of a photograph, the ability to work in levels, and, of course, making the graphics web-ready are all explained in this book. There is also a section on Digital Cameras and resolution and image versus monitor resolution.

A CD is included and contains the images so you are able to work through the tutorials in the book. There is also a demo of Photoshop 6 Learning Studio by Sybex, an interactive trainer and reference to the features of Photoshop. This allows you to learn at your own pace and go back over anything you are unsure of or just want to review again. And finally, the CD contains a trial version of Photoshop-friendly plug-ins.

This book has over 600 pages of insightful and power-packed information for getting the most out of Photoshop 7. It will become a Bible for anyone needing the most from Photoshop. ... Read more

Book Description

An intimate photographic journey through Edward Gorey's home. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A specialty item for the true Gorey collector
Even dedicated fans of Edward Gorey will probably know very little about his personal life: he was an enigmatic recluse and few were permitted past his front door. Photographer Kevin McDermott's Elephant House will delight students of architecture and photography, providing rich duotone works of Gorey's intriguing home and its contents. A specialty item for the true Gorey collector, Elephant House is an impressive photographic showcase and a welcome addition to both architectural studies and photographic studies reference collections.

Fruitful Coursework
M. McDermott's luxuriant photos admirably capture the subversive hermeneutics of desire at work in every compartment of Edward Gorey's capacious mind. To judge from these photos, at home as much as in his work Gorey enacted a subaltern erotics of duplicity and dialectic: the precise, almost fussy, arrangements of salt shakers and stones, frog spectators and secret guests which echo the Edwardian-styled detail of his famous books and their ecstatic decodification of heterosexual longing into a polysemous weave of interleaved multitextuality illuminate a life's work spent dancing on a metacritical pin. Queer and gender theorists take note: Elephant House will reinvigorate your every critique -- about Edward Gorey and his work, and of course, the texts his prism redacts.

At Home With Edward Gorey
Kevin McDermott's Elephant House is an impressive new photography book. The photographs, taken only days after Edward Gorey's death, afford us an intimate portrait of the man as he lived. The book contains insightful photographs that capture the fine details of the way Edward lived and worked in his own space. Gorey clearly had a fascination with light and texture. He scattered a massive array of objects all about his home with a nearly curatorial eye. McDermott's well composed photos not only capture this aspect of Gorey but illustrate a common thread between these two artists: texture. One photograph depicts groups of small stones as they congregate idly on the rough wood of the porch. The cityscape of salt and pepper shakers and a plate of gourd-like, spherical shapes are beautiful studies in the texture and form of ordinary objects abstracted from their normal contexts, while many others are still lives made of the house's windows and the eclectically arranged objects in front of them. The blue bottles in a few images glow like stained glass as the washed-out light of a cloudy day streams in through them. What makes many of the color images so interesting is the spare, nearly monochromatic palette of colors in the rooms which are offset by only the blue luminosity of bottles or the green leaves of spring showing in the background. These are beautiful photographs independent of their connection to Edward Gorey, but serve also to enhance our understanding of him. The text is an entertaining and candid glimpse of Gorey as a friend knew him, and provides a nicely guided tour through each room. This book is handsomely crafted and thoughtfully designed, and I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in photography or Edward Gorey.

Elephant House or the home of Edward Gorey
Edward Gorey was a mysterious personage. His works often leave one thinking "what next?". Elephant House by Kevin McDermott helps relieve much of this worry. Mr. McDermott has captured through his photographs and text what it was like to spend time with the elusive Mr. Gorey. This is a personal and moving tribute to a friend that never feels intrusive, but rather illuminates Mr. Gorey and the daily world he invented and inhabited. For those of us who have made Mr. Gorey a part of our own daily lives, Elephant House lets us spend some quality time with the man through his surroundings. A gem and a gift.

Elephant House, Or the Home of Edward Gorey
This Fabulous book gives us a photographic incite into Edward Gorey, the man. It enlightens the reader with an increased knowledge of the sources of the characters and whimsy of the Groey books. The personal anecdotes of McDermott, made you wish you could have known the man in real life. Gorey would have been pleased with his friend's understanding of who he was. The photographers eye, saw the "art" of Gorey in his everyday surroundings. It was like walking in Gorey's shoes from room to room. A must have book for every Gorey fan. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

What a work of creative and artistic genius!
What a work of creative and artistic genius!

What to say about such an amazing work? For the first few times I
mainly absorbed the photos of his works, with only reading the
little captions and it wiped me off my feet. After a few rounds
of these I decided to read all of the writing in the book that
accompany the works he made and it totally blew me away. This
book has definitely altered something deep inside about the way
Ilook at nature, change, the seasons and time in general.

Time, as the title of the book suggests is the main topic of the
book and Andy Goldsworthy's art in general or at least his
approach and intention towards it. The body of work presented in
numerous photos and with corresponding writing in the form of a
journal covers the whole range Goldsworthy's work. For example
works made from stone, wood, leaves, snow, ice,...

As a result it gives an excellent overview and introduction of
his work and via the numerous writings a very deep, personal and
detailed insight into how he approaches different places, how he
reacts to change and works with the weather. The writing is on
par with his work. Very clear, direct, honest and poetic.

His insight into the concepts of time and change and seasons and
nature is truly breath taking. The introduction he wrote for the
book is a wonderful example illustrating this. Part of it can be
read by using the "Look inside the book" feature of Amazon.

Spending time with this book really cracks ones mind wide open
about time, change, nature and seasons and how to look at it and
perceive it.

And honestly I don't know what's more amazing. These amazing
and unbelievable pieces of art. Or the incredibly crisp and poetic
writing, deepening so much ones understanding of the works and
give insight into Goldsworthys view and approach and thoughts. Or
simply that out there somewhere a human being is walking this
earth with such an amazing understanding of time and nature and
able to transform this into amazing art an writing.

If the idea of Goldsworthys work is for him to work with time and
change and nature and to further his awareness of these concepts
and make sense of them in the most beautiful way then that is
exactly what this book excells marvelously at for the reader.

Another superb look at Andy Goldsworthy's ephemeral art
Andy Goldsworthy's artwork is utterly ephemeral and fleeting, and perhaps because of this, utterly transfixing. There is something of the ancients in the way Goldsworthy puts together stone, or wood, or leaves--or even in the way he lays himself down on a dry patch of ground in the rain so that when he gets up, we see a sort of reverse shadow of his body. There is an astonishing intellect at work here, and a soul which sees the value in what some art snobs might term "mere beauty."

Goldsworthy's many mediums are covered in "Time," which features sumptuous photography by Terry Friedman. We see perfectly constructed stone cairns--some pyramidal, some only half done and all the more startling for what isn't there as for what is. We see ruddy sandstone arches four times the height of a man. But Goldsworthy's most consistently inviting work is done not in stone, but in the ephemera nature leaves for him everywhere he looks. Goldsworthy's work is sometimes so fleeting as to question the very nature of whether it constitutes art when it lasts only minutes or hours. The frost shadows, for instance, are simply photographs of the still-iced patches of grass over which Goldsworthy stood in the early morning, then stepped aside so that a photograph could be taken. Of course these are gone within minutes as the sun warms the now-exposed grass. Is this art? Merely the fact that you question it shows your engagement with the work--Goldsworthy fosters a kind of subtle dialogue between reader and artist and the dialogue is consistently engaging. Another heat-destroyed piece is the thinnest imaginable sheet of ice, laid against a moss-covered rock, and Goldsworthy's handprint visible on it. As it thawed, it buckled and disappeared and we see its disappearance in the photographs. It's lovely, it's witty and it is, improbably art.

Other things disappear, too, but not from the sun's warmth. There is a "stick hole" Goldsworthy built early one spring which he and Friedman came back to photograph throughout the summer until the final photograph shows it utterly covered with the lacy ferns which grew up around it. There are the perfectly circular or perfectly ovoid leaf rafts Goldsworthy stitches together, then sends on their way down a meandering stream, having their path photographed before they disappear. There are the piled of rocks he constructs leading into the ocean so that the tides swallow them up--each stage meticulously recorded on film.

Perhaps the most transformative art in the book is the mud wall displayed on the cover. Goldsworthy applied mud to walls and floor in such a way that when the mud cracked and dried, it showed the meandering, snakelike pattern he'd put into it. It has become something entirely different solely through the passage of time. This book is filled with surprises and delights, and will have you utterly absorbed, charmed, and astonished. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Mature Work by a Great Artist
This is perhaps Goldsworthy's most elegiac and moving book, a profound meditation on time and change. If you like his work, you won't be disappointed. This volume and "A Collaboration with Nature" are wonderful and permanent sources of inspiration.

Time
Entropy. Order versus Disorder, structure versus chaos, these are the forces that we all deal with, and Andy Goldsworth displays this primal struggle elegantly in this beautiful new book. What the artist creates nature returns to itself. We see the process from inspiring begininng to intriging end with the key player being Time. It is hard to envision a more perfect book of this artists' work.

The best yet
If you are already an Andy Goldsworthy fan, this book is an essential coming together of his various design phases. It explains chronologically his life's work. The commentary describes his methods and his feelings. The photography as always is breathtaking making every page a joy.

If you are not already a fan this book represents a 'best of' summation of his work and makes his other three books a more indepth look at each phase of his working life. So buy this one first. ... Read more

Book Description

This absorbing book, by professional photographer and author Ken Milburn, offers a ton of expert advice to those who are ready to move to the next level with digital photography. Rather than a general discussion of photography principles, Digital Photography: Expert Techniques focuses on workflow: time-tested, step-by-step procedures based on hard-nosed experience by and for genuine practitioners of the art. The book's conversational tone presents detailed information about what to look for in today's affordable high-end digicams, how to use simple techniques and equipment to shoot breathtaking shots, instructions on shooting great panoramas, dos-and-don'ts for creating better Photoshop masks, and professional digital darkroom techniques for everything from knockouts to restoration to transforming your photos into watercolors. It even shows you how to get your most prized photographs printed and ready for exhibition.

Contents include:

Understanding your digital camera from the inside out.

Creating effects with the camera: making panoramas, high-resolution matrixes, infrared photos, and more.

General composition and managing your workflow.

Using the digital darkroom and Photoshop CS to make your images professional caliber.

Understanding the power of Photoshop CS selections and masks.

Using special effects to save what's good, and get rid of the bad and the ugly.

Creating fictitious photos: bend and wrap images to fit an object, insert a more interesting skyscrape, and more.

Professional color and tonal management

Creating portfolios and presenting your images on the Web.

Digital Photography: Expert Techniques is in four-color front to back, allowing you to see each step in the Digital Photographer's workflow, including the steps in-between.Serious photographers, including professionals, who want to take advantage of the unique creative powers available through digital photography and digital image processing will find this problem-solving book invaluable. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Above and beyond the typical digital photography book
There are many books available explaining how to make the most of Photoshop or how to get everything you can out of your digital camera. While this book goes into some of these topics, it goes a step further by looking at it from the point of view of a professional photographer. This insight is particularly welcome, which shifts the focus of the book from knowing how to use Photoshop to how to be a better photographer.

The author takes the professional photographer's perspective (although this book can really be read and enjoyed by anyone serious about digital photography), which includes discussing issues such as storage, cataloging, CCD basics, and software. The author discusses some of his file naming techniques, shows some of the tools he uses, and provides recommendations for camera purchases.

Rather than simply rehashing the same Photoshop tricks available in every other digital photography book, the author shows what professional photographers do (bracketing photographs) as well as different software that might be better suited for a specific task (stitching software to combine many individual photographs into one large image). Naturally, many other image manipulations are discussed, however, the central point of the discussions are always how to make a better photograph. I found discussions that focused on the photograph rather than the software tool very refreshing and quite interesting and useful.

The author wraps up the book by providing some ideas on how to break into the business as a professional photographer. There is a discussion on printing photographs and how to create some beginning marketing materials. In all of these discussions, the focus remains on the photograph. I enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to individuals interested in a book that gives you more than the rest of the digital photography books out there.

Great advice from a seasoned professional
I'm impressed with Ken Milburn's insight into producing top-quality digital images. His tips are not always those found in other books on Photoshop or digital photography. For example, Ken recommends slightly underexposing all photos you shoot. Too much light, he explains, can wash out details. But if the subject is slightly underexposed, then lighting can be adjusted in Photoshop without loss of fine details. That's a very useful tip that I had not read anywhere else (in my PS books, at least). He also affords readers sufficient photographic evidence to convince them to use R