Reviews (9)

Charming & Amazing
I am so happy I found a book with plentiful Glamour photos. I especially love the Norma Shearer pics and the Rosalind Russell pics (especially the rather gothic cloak pic.) This book is not only insightful about how the pics were done but who Hurrell was. Truly beautiful and a must for any coffee table and/or collector.

I'm very happy to have this book in my library
Once upon a time, I was reading Empire magazine and suddenly I saw a promotion of The book Hurrell's Hollywood Portraits. The cover picture was very impressive. I didn't know George Hurrell before. As soon as I saw the picture, I decided to buy this book. So, after buying it and see the pictures inside, I just said: Wow! What a photographer he was. He's a genius. His works are magnificent. Great use of light and remarkable composition are the typical of his works. Definitly he's a master in the art of photography. You can find many fabulouse black & white photoes of your beloved actors and actresses in 30s and 40s as well as an interesting and useful biography of Hurrell. If you love cinema you won't regret after buying it. Your library misses this book.

GORGEOUS
This book is just filled with gorgeous photographs, in a beautifully dramatic and romantic style that is often missing in the photographs taken in more recent times. A wonderful book for photographers looking for a little inspiration, or those who have had a surfeit of the modern, photojournalistic approach to portraiture. Look at the light, the composition, and the drama! As photographers, we've shown these images to prospective bridal clients, who thought they only wanted "candids" taken at their wedding - "very few posed images" - who summarily changed their minds about "stuffy posed photography." Many of our portrait clients, who came to sessions loathing the idea of having to pose for the camera have found themselves having so much fun they don't want to stop when we've introduced some of the more dramatic poses similar to those used by Hurrell in a session. This book is also a bonanza for movie buffs - to see images of a young Joan Crawford, BEFORE retouching, freckles and all, and then to see the results of Hurrell's handiwork, is fun for fans -and his techniques impress those of us who do this for a living.

Luminous and informative
I am not too familiar with the Golden Age of Hollywood, but I am entranced by the pictures of stars like Jean Harlow. Hurrell was a master of portraiture, using light in the most effective way possible.

My favorite pictures are of Harlow, Crawford, and Dietrich. I took a black and white photography course in college, so I deeply appreciate the virtuoso style of Hurrell. I am equally impressed with the information the author included about how these pictures were taken. This book doubles as a nice "coffee table" book and an instructional manual.

For book every Portrait Photographers Library
A wonderfully written book which follows Hurrells life before, during and after Hollywood's golden years. Hurrell's huge ego dealing with Hollywood's huge egos make for great reading. His genius behind the camera is represented in the beautiful photographs printed throughout the book. As a person who enjoys reading biographies, I feel this book would appeal not just to photographers, but to Hollywood history buffs as well. ... Read more

Book Description

Suitable for all level of techniques, this is the ultimate photographic handbook for the 21st century! This handbook encourages traditional photographers to experiment with new technology while inspiring experienced users to reach new heights. Readers learn how to get the most out of this new technology that's transforming the world of photography. From improving casual snapshots to learning the secrets of lighting, composition, and digital image manipulation, this book provides a practical, yet in--depth approach on producing better photographs. The Digital Photographer's Handbook includes comprehensive information on the most up--to--date equipment, software, and accessories. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

One of the digicam/image editing books I've seen!
As a relatively novice photographer (haven't owned one since my old Brownie Hawkeye) with some knowledge of computers and a new digital camera, I've been working my way through as many books on digicams and image-editing software as I can find. Some are pretty general, some are more specialized, but most seem to repeat the same mostly superficial information and advice on both photography and digital editing. This book is the great exception! Ang is a very talented photographer and this lushly printed... volume is crammed with his work, but he's also a very good teacher. The first part of the book, under the heading of "Total Photography," is a mini-course in types of cameras and lenses, lighting, optical physics, and the essential practical differences in using film-based and digital cameras. (There's also a survey of information on specific models of cameras, printers, and scanners, which will soon be outdated and which might have been omitted.) The second section, "Photography for the Digital Age," leads you through such topics as composition, zoom, optical distortion, color balance, and how to avoid or at least fix the most common mistakes; I learned a great deal from his clear explanations and visual examples. "A Compendium of Ideas" is almost a separate book, being an excursion through all the major categories of subjects that interest people with cameras, from buildings and travel to microphotography and high-speed sports; you'll want to return to this section now and then for leisurely browsing. "Radical Conversions" and "All about Image Manipulation" are worth the price of the book all by themselves, with very clear and often very detailed discussions of issues which I'm sure are old hat to experienced shutterbugs but which are new and often perplexing to me, including proper cropping, burning-in and dodging, sharpening, blurring, cross-processing, color vs. black-and-white, and lots of others. Ang is quite good at balancing received photographic wisdom with new digital ideas. He also gets deeply into such computer-specific subjects as levels, cloning, and the differences and similarities between channels, layers, and masks. (He seems not to have much use for such glitzy effects-filter tricks as stained glass and embossing filters, with which I have to agree.) "The Output Adventure" is very good on getting the color on your monitor to agree with the color your printer produces, and there's a final section on portfolios, copyrights, and the business of photography. I can't recommend this one highly enough.

New to (digital) photography? This is a great book!
A large portion of my work entails dealing with image manipulation on computers. I am very comfortable with Adobe Photoshop and other similar software programs, but I have never used an SLR camera, let alone a digital one. Although the first chapter was information I already knew about the technology aspect of digital photography, it would be great reading for someone who is new to the subject. I'll agree, the software emphasis is on Macs, but that's because if you know anyone who does any publishing work, they use a Mac.

The most useful and easily the best reason to own this book are the example photos. They are all in exquistite color! Heck, even if you could care less about digital photography or how to get the most out of your camera, this would make an excellent coffee table book because of the beautiful pictures alone. Each concept is beautifully illustrated with great example photos and explained in detail.

More Great Amazon Service
This was my second photography book purchase from Amazon in a month and again, the book is very good, the price is great (good bye Barnes & Noble) and again, Amazon's service is EXCELLENT !!!

Sumptuous production; flawed attempt at trying to do it all.
This is a beautifully produced collection of digital images, deserving of a place on the coffeetable. The author - a wellknown photographer and teacher - made a valiant attempt at covering the entire digital imaging field. Unfortunately, that includes a (long outdated) discourse on digital cameras, computers (current crop of PCs does as fine a graphics job as do Mac's), camera and computer purchase recommendations (ie, get a Mac). Well-illustrated sections on how digital cameras transform light into pixels are diluted in impact by 'how a computer works' and so on. The section 'Image Manipulation' is very well done with good screen shots on quality paper and sufficient detail to take a stab at it. Yet a beginning digital photographer will find even that excellent section lacking in how-to-to-get-started advice. The exhaustive sections on various photographic techniques (landscapes, portraits, closeups, buildings, animals and humans in the wild, etc) again are sumptuously and lavishly illustrated, but speak in sweeping generalities rather than in detailed specifics. I also was put off by the substantial bookspace taken up by scanning of film negatives and prints - whereas the title leads one to assume the text exclusively addresses digital photography. Overall: a beautifully produced idea book for advanced photographers -- but it is neither a tutorial nor a teaching manual.

Great for beginners as well as advanced photographers.
A year ago I transitioned into digital photography, prior to which I used regular cameras (pocket as well as sophisticated) for years. I found Mr. Ang's book perfect for a mixed audience, as it covers basics as well as advanced concepts, all well illustrated with pictures. The color pictures really trigger ideas about what is possible with your own photographs.

A full 20 -30 percent of the book is devoted to what technology can help you do once the picture is taken i.e. using software. That is so critical in digital photography - and Mr. Ang gives umpteen examples and tips.

This is the kind of book you will use as a reference constantly. It is not for sitting down and reading from beginning to end - but using different parts as you mature into digital photography.

I borrowed it from my local library, and eventually bought it - even though I have several digital photography books already.

I definitely recomend this guide - especially at the fantastic Amazon price (cheaper than the store). ... Read more

Book Description

In this comprehensive guide Lee Frost offers clear answers to the many questions raised about this popular, but largely misunderstood, area of photography. Through easy-to-follow reference charts, specially commissioned comparison shots and inspiring images, beginners will see what filters are available and how to use them: the more experienced can use the images as a source of inspiration. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

This is it !
when i search for filters book i found this book,
it's what really every one looking for,dont think
just take and you will thank me, it's very well
explained and good color photos and examples.

Lee Frost's writings are in an understandable format
I own other books by Frost, and I've always enjoyed his writing style. His writings are easily understood so the average person can apply his methods and see improved results. Frost show before and after results of filter use, giving full details on the filters and camera settings used.

Filters, The must have Book.
I have read several books on the subject and found this one to be very helpful.

A Refreshing Presentation
I've read several other books on the subject of photographic filters. Most concentrate on the physics of light and how filters affect light. Lee Frost's book finally got it right. He avoids a lot of technical detail and concentrates on the practical applications of filters, grouping them by their use: polarizers, ND's, color correction, B&W, etc. This format makes it easier to gain an everyday working knowledge of filters.

I own other books by Frost, and I've always enjoyed his writing style. It's down to earth. The photos in the book are excellent. Most show before and after results of filter use. In addition, Frost always includes complete exposure data for each photo, making it simple to duplicate his efforts.

If you are at all interested in how filters can improve your photography, I highly recommend this book. The photos alone are worth the price of the book!

he knows the filters
perfect explanations, clever advices.The author uses the filters, and he knows how to enhance photos.
One of the most required book. ... Read more

Book Description

• An 816-page All-in-One guide designed for both beginning and experienced digital photographers, offering seven minibooks on everything from buying a camera and choosing the right equipment to editing with high-end tools and restoring photos digitally
• Includes chapters on basics such as point-and-shoot photography, with later chapters exploring editing, printing, and shooting portraits or high-speed action
• This new edition covers the latest technology changes in digital photography, including Photoshop 7, new low-priced SLR cameras, updated storage and output options with DVD technology, and how each of these changes affects photography techniques
• David Busch is the author of more than fifty technology books, most covering digital photography, image editing, and digital restoration

Reviews (22)

Takes Digital Photography to the Next Level!
Dummies books always make good introductions to a topic, but this thick book really dives deeply into digital photography. Most digital photography books ignore the photography aspect in favor of techie discussions of hardware, sensors, and gadgets. Either that, or they expend most of their pages discussing image editing rather than photography.

This one covers all the bases. I loved the extensive chapter on shooting sports and action photos, the detailed coverage of portraiture, a very nice discussion of useful tricks for getting the best travel pictures, and an in-depth discussion of close-up photography. All of it relates to the special capabilities and needs of digital photography, too.

There's plenty of information on image-editing, too, for those who want to know how to fine-tune their digital images. I even liked the chapter on scanning.

Everything is well-organized into separate "books" which each have meaty chapters dealing with a specific topic. It's easy to zip through the table of contents and find the exact information you need. This is one of my favorite Dummies books!

True All-in-One Reference for Digital Photography!
This is one all-in-one book that is truly comprehensive! I was surprised at both the breadth and depth of coverage. I really liked the approach, too. The first section, "Book I" contains chapters that quickly summarize the essentials of digital photogaphy and image editing, providing both overviews and helpful advice. This part would make a pretty good stand-alone pocket reference on its own. The same topics are covered in more depth in later chapters of the book, but without needless repetition. The later sections pick up where the introductory chapters leave off.
Book II is a useful set of chapters on building your own digital photography studio, with lots of advice on selecting equipment and accessories. Book III has pro-level advice on taking great photos, with long, detailed chapters on close-up photography, sports, travel, portraiture, and shooting for publication. The other books show you how to edit and restore digital photographs with applications like Photoshop Elements, Photoshop, and Paint Shop Pro.
All in all, I loved this book. If you're going to buy only one book on digital photography, this is the one you need.

I'm using this as a textbook in my classes.
I teach digital photography at a community college, both for college credit and in evening adult education classes, and have found this book to be the perfect textbook for my beginner and intermediate courses. The first Overview book is about 82 pages long, and provides a good introduction to digital photography. My students learn a little about digital equipment, how to acquire photos, do simple editing, organize them, and make prints. I generally either skip the second book or assign it for extra credit, because it talks about choosing a camera and accessories, setting up a computer, and working with printers and scanners.

The Taking Great Pictures chapters in the third book are the core of my curriculum for both the beginner and intermediate classes, as the content is easy to understand, explains photographic techniques clearly, and can be applied by any digital photographer. The beginner classes simply receive less challenging picture taking assignments, as they work with composition, close-ups, portraits, and sports photography. They also get a lot of use out of the section on scenic photography, as the landscapes here are spectacular.

The beginner classes stop when they finish the fourth book on the Basics of Image Editing. The more advanced image editing chapters, which use Adobe Photoshop Elements, are reserved for the intermediate classes. I do put both groups to work learning to restore old photos, because everyone seems to enjoy this.

All in all I have found this book to be a wonderful learning tool, and like it better than traditional textbooks for teaching digital photography.

Excellent whether you're a beginner...or not.
This book is easy to read, has plenty of examples, tells you what to do to get good composition, talks about how digital cameras can get great photos, and much more. I have read the "Complete Idiot's" version of Digital Photography and while that book was OK, this one covers more information that I was looking for, particularly how to store and archive/organize digital photos as well as go into impressive detail on a lot of basic photography stuff. While this book isn't perfect, it's very, very good for a beginner to intermediate user and is fun to read. I have learned a lot so far. Also, it helps to have different books to read on the same subject of digital photography and this is a welcome edition to that learning "package."

I've looked at other books besides the Dummies and Idiots guides, and this may be the most complete reference to date for digital photography. There's lots of stuff in the book that pertains to ANY kind of photography. If photographers use the book the way Dummies books are really meant to be used--by turning to the topic that most interests them at the moment, or the part that will help them with a specific (photographic) problem--they'll find plenty of valuable information. One thing they won't find, however, is much about setting f-stops and shutter speeds (though there's quite a bit about the connection between film speed and shutter speed). But then most digital photographers just put their cameras on "P" (for program) and let the camera make those settings for them! While the reading and presentation is easy, the depth of material is actually surprisingly thorough. Beginning, or even some advanced photographers, will be referring to this book more than once, over time.. Hey, where was this book when I started in photography?

More like 3 books in 1, but all are good!
This book purports to be "7 books in 1" but that's stretching it a bit. There are actually three solid books within its 686 pages, all of them pretty darned good. One deals with getting started in digital photography, with lots of information on selecting a camera, setting up your computer, getting photos from your camera into your computer, and using accessories including tripods, scanners, and printers. The second book is a thick collection of chapters that deal with basic photography. Beginners will love this introduction to picture taking techniques, with how-to advice on close ups, sports, portraits, travel, and other topics. The third book deals with image editing, primarily using Adobe Photoshop and Elements, but also mentioning some competing programs so you can decide which one is best for you.

All three "books" are very complete and written in the usual entertaining Dummies style. After you've gone through this material, you'll probably want a more advanced book to really immerse yourself further, but I felt that this Desk Reference lived up to its name. It's a great volume to have sitting on your desk when you want to refresh yourself about a particular topic. ... Read more

Book Description

Color and light, the passing storm, a freckled girl, a screened porch--a summer's day--from 1976-1981, mostly photographed on Cape Cod. Lush, dreamy, sun-baked color. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Summer's Day
My grandfather, a Bostonian, purchased a home on Cape Cod, berore 1910. About five generations of his progeny have enjoyed The Cape since that time. A part of most of my summers - since 1935 - have been spent on the Cape. Mr. Meyerowitz's photographic essay truly captures the essence of The Cape. The beach, the redheads, the old home scenes all strike a chord of memories. I recommend it to all Cape Codders, wash-ashores, and prospective visitors. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A beautiful book
The photography and the text of this book has been described in other reviews, but I want to add that this is now one of the most beautiful books that I own. The typesetting is flawless, the paper is of a much higher weight than I have seen in other monographs, and, of course, the reproductions are class. These points are magnified by the sheer size of the book-- check the dimensions given in the details above. The book is a work of art.

"The Meaning of the Idea Photography" -- Alfred Stieglitz
This book clearly deserves many more than five stars. It is one of the most remarkable expressions about and by an artist in any genre that I have ever seen.

Before going further, let me caution those who are offended by all forms of nudity that this book contains many female nudes. These are all tastefully done, and will not offend those who look with a desire to see the essence of beauty.

Alfred Stieglitz was a seminal figure in 20th century art. One of the foremost photographers in the century, he also helped other photographers define what the aesthetic means in photography. He also was a champion for many of the best known photographers, and seriously boosted their careers. In painting, he was an early advocate of important 20th century artists like Arthur Dove and Georgia O'Keeffe. In addition, he published two influential journals about photography, and exhibited art in his famous gallery in New York. Clearly, though, photography was his first love. "I have all but killed myself for Photography."

This book focuses on his central vision of photography ("search for objective truth and pure form") which increasingly was about "antiphotographs" or images that move beyond simple representation. This concept is examined both in 73 of his best images and through numerous excerpts from his voluminous writings on the subject (over 200 essays).

This book is based on the famous 1983 show of Stieglitz's work, and has been reproduced with amazing care and quality. The images are produced in tritone to give more texture and detail. The paper is of archival quality. Most people's diplomas are not on paper this good or this thick. There is a luxurious feeling to just hold the pages.

The 73 images were selected by Ms. O'Keeffe, Juan Hamilton (her friend and assistant), and curator Sarah Grenough from approximately 1600 images in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Ms. Grenough selected the writings to be used, and wrote the wonderful introduction.

From looking at these remarkable images, I came away with the impression that Stieglitz was at his best (for my taste) when he was doing portraits, abstractions, and cityscapes. Those subjects seemed to allow him to strip away the unessential better than the others he used. My favorite images in the book are:

Sun Rays -- Paula, Berlin, 1889

From the Back-Window -- 291, 1915 Self-Portrait, 1907

Marie Rapp, 1916

Arthur G. Dove, 1911-1912

Charles Demuth, 1915

Hodge Kirnon, 1917

Marcel Duchamp, 1923

Georgia O'Keeffe, 1918 (3)

Margaret Treadwell, 1921

Waldo Frank, 1920

Dancing Trees, 1922

Music -- A Sequence of Ten Cloud Photographs, VIII, 1922

Equivalent, 1931

His writings are as rewarding as his photographs. I was particularly interested in his ideas about how humans make progress. "Progress has been accomplished only by reason of the fanatical enthusiasm of the revolutionist . . . ." "Experts . . . are the result of hard work."

After you have finished enjoying this astonishingly revealing volume, I suggest that you think about how you like to express truth and beauty in your life. How can you be more direct and simple in this expression?

Be sure to live a life of "constant experimenting" like Stieglitz did!

Wonderful collection of his writing and photographs
This is far more than a picture book; it contains 73 high-quality plates and its real treasures can be found is the twenty page introduction and the fifty pages of selections from his writings about his work and views on photography. As a full time artist, I found this book to be both rich and inspiring. If you have lost sight of why you shoot pictures, try this as a reminder of clearer moments. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Must-Have Reference
As with all his books, Lee Frost writes in a clear and easy to understand manner. This book covers an excellent range of techniques making them very applicable to everyday photography. This is one book I have recommended several times and will continue to do so. Worth every penny.

Very Practical Tool for Novice - Intermediate Photographers
I purchased this book 3 years ago when I first became interested in photography and have thoroughly enjoyed it since. The layout of the how-to sections are easy to understand and even make enjoyable reading. The section on exposure is excellent-IMHO.
I really enjoyed the "shooting floodlite buildings" section. The shot of the Eiffel Tower at night was so inspiring, that I told myself if I ever get to Paris, I wanted to shoot a similar picture. Well this past September 2001, my wife and I went to France and thanks to Mr. Frost, who told me the time of day to shoot, the film to use and to shoot at f8 for 20 seconds, I finally got my shot and have had a few offers for it! I uploaded it to a website known for desktop pictures for PC's. Excellent for those who want to improve in making pictures.

Biginner Photographer
This book is excellent for the techniques and tips to better photographs. The Lighting/Exposure and Grain chapters are excellent. Reading is easy to undesrtand and photographs for illustrating the technique are very inspiring. I really recommend this book to those who are just begining to learn the art of photography.

Good Idea Generator
I've read some of Lee Frost's other books, and really have enjoyed them. This book is probably best suited to the casual photographer who's wants to try a few things, but doesn't want to seriously pursue technique. At least, that's my best guess, judging from the format and subject coverage.

I can't say it's my favorite photography book. Other options would be Frost's excellent book on low light photography, or the National Geographic Field Guide series.

Excellent but a little bit outdated
This is a very good book, provides very detailed instructions how to do some tricks. It has plenty of superb illustrations, so everything is great. There is just one but. A picture taking techniques part is still very valuable, but most of special effects and image manipulations now can be done much easier through digital processing. If you want to add grain to your picture it's so much easier just to scan it and use software then mess with reprints, special contrast materials and processing etc. ... Read more

Book Description

Adobe Photoshop is the world's leading image manipulation software. Used by both professional and amateur graphic designers, it is the de facto standard for print and Web publishing.

Photoshop Imaging Workshop centers on a suite of 20 digital images created by Daniel Giordan and his staff at DigiRAMA design studios. Visually complex, and rich in layered tonality, these images are designed to inspire readers to push their understanding of Photoshop and its capabilities, while offering a glimpse over the designer's shoulder into how the images were created.

The reader will not only learn the techniques used by the author, but also how to apply them to their own images. They will learn how to use curves to correct color, silhouette images, use gradient maps, build custom brushes, use blending modes, and draw and paint into an image.

Reviews (8)

Excellent!
This is a beautiful book and I highly recommend it for any Photoshop user beginner, advanced or anywhere in between. I consider myself pretty advanced in Photoshop and I learned a lot from this book. Just overall a great book and you won't be disappointed.

The Most Beautiful Book Ever
I was looking for a book to complement a university level digital media class I was taking, and this was it!!! Not only did the beautiful imagery and artful presentation inspire me, but the description and image gallery showed me EXACTLY how to construct these works of art. This is by far my favorite book, and I treasure it as a piece of art!

beautiful
This book is not only beautiful in presentation and print, but very helpful as well. But do make sure you are familiar with Photoshop before purchasing, as it is geared towards those with some knowledge of the program. Have fun, I am. ;-)

Subtlety
Beautiful digital imagery with great tips and instructions for the intermediate photoshop user. The work is "classy" and doesn't have that cheesy pasted-together, obviously- filtered look that a lot of digital 'art' has. I love this book.

Trixie McGuire MyMac.com Book review
Intended user: Intermediate - Advanced

Although Daniel Giordan has written some of the clearest and best-organized books on "How to Use Photoshop", he has really outdone himself with his latest, The Art of Photoshop. It showcases Daniel Giordan's own work with clear step-by-step explanations. It is published in large format -10 x 10 inches- with color illustrations, keyboard shortcuts for both Macintosh and Windows users and screen captures, of the tools in Photoshop that all artists could master.

I must admit, that although I have learned tons from his "how to use" books, this book was a bit over my head. It is definitely aimed at the creative artist crowd! After picking this book up several times just to sit it back down. Several pots of coffee, brought me more than I ever thought I wanted to know about: PhotoShop - The following is a list ... from the book that I found ... explained and illustrated throughout the book.

Image Editing:

Optimizing - Tools for Optimizing the Tonal Range - The Histogram Window and The Info Palette are explained in detail ...

Enhancing Focus - Image focusing tools - The Unsharp Mask Dialog Box - ...- The Gaussian Blur Dialog Box ... - The Add Noise Dialog Box

Curves - Tools For Working with Curves - Curves Dialog Box ... Curves Tonal Grid ...

Color Correction with Curves ...

Adjusting Hue and Saturation ..."

Adjusting Layers ... Montage:

Silhouetting with the Extract Filter - The Extract Dialog Box ... The Painting Tools ...

Layer Masks - Layers Mask Controls in the Layers Menu - ... Layer Mask Controls in the Layers Palette ...

Clone / Stamp Tool - The Stamp Tools ... The Clone Stamp Options Bar ... The Pattern Stamp Options Bar - ...

Blending Modes - The Blending Modes Menu ...

Special Effects:

Custom Brushes - Brush Options Bar ... Brushes Palette ...

Distort Filters - The Distort Filters Submenu ...

Making Patterns - The Pattern Dialog Box ... The Tile History Options ...

Gradients and Gradient Maps ...

Liquify Filter - Liquify Dialog Box - View Options Control ...

Lighting Effects - The Lighting Effects Dialog Box...

I confess, I didn't create anything close to the illustrations showcased in this book. I did find new skills and inspiration, and I also managed the line scribble technique used on several of the illustrations in the book. Only my scribbles were not created with the same creative intention. I feel the book was a little overwhelming, and should have included a little more basic-basic Photoshop "how to" -Daniel Giordan is famous for bringing it down to the Intermediate level, but if you are looking for a book packed with advanced level options to create your own artistic statements -this is your book ... Read more

Book Description

  ... Read more

Reviews (51)

Honest memoir by an early super model
Janice Dickinson was one of the first models who not only broke the mold of the blonde, pale and WASP-y supermodel but turned it on upside down, in the tradition of Gia Carangi, Cindy Crawford and Beverly Johnson. Born with looks that turned heads and drove men to their knees, Dickinson was not as blessed when it came to her personal life and self-image. She seemed destined to self-destruct but somehow managed to recreate herself until time, drugs and her past caught up with her.
Does this sound like just another dreary tale of a beautiful woman who let fame go to her head. drugs muddle her brain and life pass her by? Think again. Pick this one up and I doubt you'll put it down again till you've read every sentence. FOr one thing, Dickinson has the courage to spill almost all about the ups and downs of her life (although I'd LOVE to read what she doesn't reveal) and that, in itself, is compelling. She's honest about many of her flaws and revealing about the lives of celebrities who cross her path, including Sylvester Stallone, Christie Brinkley, Jack Nicholson, Warren Beatty and others. This makes for a juicy read. I'll leave it to you to decide what is true and what isn't. What I CAN say is that this book definitely isn't boring or dry. CAUTION: There are some nude photos in the photo spread so, depending on your values, you may not want to leave this one lying around the house.

Not your average memoir !! Couldn't put it down!!!
This book was an experience to read! It was BRUTALLY honest in its language and its content. It was both a confessional and an insider view to the world of modeling. This book isn't boring for an instant! She writes not just with honesty, but with HEART! There is no b.s. about Janice! She also has a wickedly wry sense of humor. She can be acerbic and outrageous, yet very sweet and sentimental, especially when she's talking about her two children. I highly recommended this book, though I DON"T recommended it for the faint of heart or the easily offended. There are nude photos throughout and very graphic language. But she uses it to make her points, not gratuitously.
If you are looking for a refreshingly different memoir, this one is in a class by itself!

Into the world of catwalks
Janice Dickinson is the bitchy judge on America's Top Model. After reading her autobiography, you understand why and come to respect this woman. She is up-front and in your face, tell it as she likes it. The numerous allusions she makes to the people she knows who later become famous are amazing and tremendously fascinating. This book definitely plunges you right into her world. Janice expects to sympathies just that you know the truth.

Politically Incorrect...
You either love her or hate her. This book is perfect for people who are akin to risk, but want to be a voyeur.
Her bad language is nothing a bar of soap wouldn't fix.....

I read this for hours straight
To be honest I wasn't even that interested in the author in the first place, I was more interested in her lifetime adventures and connections such as Mick Jagger, Sly Stallone, Francesco Scavullo, Warren Beatty, Patti Hansen, Bruce Willis and so on. However, I did get to like her more throughout the book despite of her big (and at times very small) ego. She made me laugh a few times that's for sure. And she is very straightforward and honest, she even puts herself down many a time, I felt I could relate to her sincerity. She's a great story teller. Two things that were overused were, the constant blame she puts on her abusive father for all her mistakes and insecurities. Many happy, successful, stable people out there could use her same excuses and go and screw up their lives, but they don't, they just get on with it, it usually takes a long time, but you just do it. I understand how hard and disgusting a lot of it was for her, but how many times can she repeat the same thing. Didn't she get tired of not taking responsibility for her actions after a while? There was overuse of strong profanity too, lots of us swear here and there, but come on, I have to keep this book out of reach (and not only of children!), it could've still been interesting without all the heavy duty swearing. ... Read more

Book Description

The new edition: Two years after its original release, the new Obituary Cocktail has more bars, photos, drink recipes, and quotes. Six added spreads include the bar in the kitchen at Commander's Palace, The Circle Bar and its Herradura tequila shot with tonic--the Harry Tonic Jr.--and Butler's fantastically seedy interior.

WINNER Silver Medals, Publisher's Mktg Assoc & Ind Publ Assoc 2002! Book of the Year 1999 (New Orleans Gulf South Booksellers Association). ... Read more

Reviews (19)

A Bourbon Street Hopper
I don't think I've ever experienced anything quite like the bars in New Orleans! They are fantastic! The press has given Bourbon St. such a negative view, but I had no trouble the two times I went down by myself! I mean if you use a little common sense, then there's no problem! The people were some of the nicest I've ever met! Everyone treats you like family and you have such a great time! This book shows that down-home, friendly atmosphere! It was interesting for me too, to see a lot of the places off of Bourbon that I didn't get to see! You know, the 5 star places that cost an arm and a leg, and require reservations! This is just another great book to relive memories of your trip to "Sin City."

Obituary Cocktail: The Great Saloon of New Orleans
Growing up in New Orleans is a rare experience. Living away often makes one nostalgic and wistful.. Reading "Obituary Cocktail" brings the sights, sounds, smells and tastes roaring back. This is a beautiful book. The photos are warm, romantic and evocative. The commentary is pure magic and the recipes are fabulous. Whether you live there now, once were there or have never visited - this book captures the charm, the quirkiness and the mystery of New Orleans and her great watering holes.

It will make you thirsty
first of all, this is a beautifully produced book, with wonderful photographs of the great New Orleans drinking establishments and local scenary.

Secondly, it's a must for any bartender. Not much needs to be said on this topic except for the fact that many great drinks have come out of New Orleans and the bartender (professional or otherwise) should learn how to prepare them.

Finally, the book also presents some important historical information on New Orleans and its saloons. The two go hand in hand.

The Spirit of New Orleans
Ms. McCaffety has captured the essence of New Orleans with her wonderful book. The pictures are gorgeous, and the addition of a few traditional New Orleans cocktail recipes and the history of the saloons rounds out the book nicely. I can't wait to get back to New Orleans and visit the bars I've missed.

Wow!
What a book. The pictures are absolutly incredible and the stories match the color of the pictures. The timeless nature of the book makes it worth having. Everyone I've spoken to in New Orleans loves this book. WOW! ... Read more

Book Description

Photography and Photoshop go hand in hand. If you feel there isn?t enough photography in the average Photoshop book, and there isn?t enough Photoshop in the average photography book, then the book you?re looking for is right in your hands. This full-color book is packed with effective examples, simple to follow techniques, and tricks that serve as a jumping-off point to spark your own creativity into action. Examine Photoshop from a photographer?s perspective as you cover both traditional and leading-edge photographic techniques, and learn how to reproduce or enhance them in Photoshop. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

An Absolutely Inspiring Book
A truly beautiful book, with rich photographs and nice summaries. Inspiring to the last page - and particularly useful for igniting one's creative juices. A small note to the Amazon reviewer: Andy Goldsworthy was born in England in 1956. He lives in Penpont, Scotland, but is English - not Scottish.

Astonishing natural art
In "Stone," as in his other books, Andy Goldsworthy takes the natural play of a child--fooling around with sticks, leaves, water, stones, mud, and more--and elevates it to something above and beyond its natural status. He uses his adult design skills to create great manmade beauty from existing natural beauty. He never falls over the line into obvious, coy, or precious art--he simply lets nature be what it is with a tiny little bit of rearranging on his part.

The results are never short of astonishing. Witness the sharp-edged rocks against which Goldsworthy has "glued" (with plain water) the leaves of brilliantly red Japanese maples, thereby making the edges look almost bloodied (p. 76). Witness the delicate, calligraphic tracery Goldsworthy stitched up by pinning together rush after rush after rush with thorns and then hanging these on a gallery wall so that it appears that either Calder or Matisse have wandered in and scribbled elegantly on the walls (p. 83). Witness the balanced oval boulders Goldsworthy lays in a curvaceous line from beach to the sea, and see how they roll and disappear from view as the tide comes crashing in (p. 101). These are but three of the many visual astonishments Goldsworthy shares in this book. The book is a never-ending source of delight and admiration for the feverish workings of one of 20th-century art's most creative minds.

breathtaking simple beauty of nature & imagination
Andy Goldsworthy's art is so inspiring. In this book, the art pieces focus on, as the title says, stone. It's unbelievable. He just unveils so much magic in the world with his brilliant thinking. "Otherworldly" is surely the word to describe how much of the art in this book feels. I keep thinking it couldn't possibly be this planet, but I suppose it's not even a planet anymore; it's the mind of the artist. Time also plays a significant role in this art. He builds pieces with the intent to photograph it when the day moves & the light hits it a certain way. Or he builds things that the incoming tide tears apart. In a piece I love in this book, he gathered ice from a lake & put it on the shade side of a rock. The ice gradually melted & was shed. I wish I could have listened & watched. Something that adds so wonderfully to this book's beauty made from such simple natural materials is that he also accompanies photographs with very Haiku-like, very poetic, short descriptions of the art pieces & how they existed in time & in the act of his making them.

ingenious natural art
Of this book, my mother said, "I can't understand artwork that's not meant to last." I replied, "That's the whole point." The beauty of Goldworthy's artistry is in its impermanence -- the sand sculptures will be washed out with the tide, the leaves will be carried away in a river current, the cairns will fall...and part of the artist's charm is that he never harms the landscape. In time, his art will vanish and so will his footprints... Nature leaves us constant gifts, and it's up to us to see them, digest their beauty -- and accept wholeheartedly that it may not be here in a few minutes, days, or weeks. A wonderful book that provides insight into the nature of art -- time -- and the physical world.

Goldworthy's art is an unfailing source of wonder, delight!
This book is a revelation! Goldsworthy's conceptual art never fails to stir a sense of wonder and delight. As I paged through Stone, which is filled with beautiful photographs of Goldworthy's work, not only installed in museums, but in the natural settings which harbor some of his best (and most ephemeral) works, I was constantly calling friends over to see. The freshness and astonishing beauty of Goldworthy's work is evident on every page. All who love the beauties of art and nature should see this book. ... Read more

Book Description

In the 1960s the fishing village of Montauk became the surfer's paradise of the east coast. Located at the tip of Long Island's South Fork, the easternmost point of the Hamptons, this paradise existed primarily for locals-not surfers who migrated to the beach for the summer, but those who were out in the rocky reefs every day, year round. Today, a new tribe of surfers exists-young locals who live by their own rules. Rule number 1: Never tell anyone where the good surf spots are. Rule number 2: See rule number 1.

In the 1990s photographer Michael Dweck rented a house on Ditch Plains beach (site of the best surf break) and gained unprecedented access to this insular community. The End follows the surfers through their daily rituals from early morning wave reports to evening bonfires on the beach, capturing their youthful hedonism. Through portraits, nudes, and photographs of the landscape, this book celebrates lives lived only to surf-an endless summer of perfect weather and languorous beauty. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

visually stunning
Sensuous, seductive and unbearably sexy in its effect, The End celebrates the beauty of a group of young "all-natural" surfers in a small obscure fishing village.

Visually stunning and lavishly illustrated with duotone and color plates. "The End", is one of the sexiest photography books ever published.

Well Worth the Wait!
While visiting New York last September, I had the chance to see the exhibit at Sothebys and advance ordered a copy of the book, which was slated for a December release. Now, eight months later, the book finally arrived and I can say without hesitation that it was well worth the wait.
The End is a special work, a nostalgic chronicle of a unique and truly American place, a daring and effective foray into the relatively uncharted waters of narrative photography, and a beautiful book full of beautiful people.
Dweck has masterfully photographed young people in the most natural and unaffected ways. Here, he manages to capture the innocence and provocativity of each of his subjects without seeming exploitative. The End is destined to become one of the most sought after, if not the most referenced, photographic essays.

The End: Montauk, N.Y.
Michael Dweck's The End is a successful first book. In it, the photographer tells, visually, of his love for Montauk - the most remote point of Long Island. Indeed, The End is far more closely akin to a graphical love ode to Montauk than to a piece of photojournalism; absent is the comprehensiveness one would associate with an exhaustive look at Montauk and in its place is repeated harping on what makes Montauk - in the author's words - like an edenic "lost world."

Throughout The End, pictures of Montauk - its personalities (mostly surfers) as well as its natural features (mostly beaches) - are juxtaposed with pictures of beautiful people, often against a background of Montauk, but quite frequently indoors; witness, for example, "Julian checking out the sets, 6 A.M., Ditch Plains," which faces a posed picture of "Lilla, Napeague." This practice is quite striking - initially it seems disorienting and out of place - but it ultimately proves an effective way of conveying the sexually-charged beauty that Dweck clearly finds evident in Montauk.

Dweck's photography is effective and moving, with frequent flashes of brilliance. At its best, The End evokes Toni Frissell and particularly Martin Munkacsi. Its most successful posed pictures - including "Sonya getting changed in Gilles's truck, Trailer Park," "Lilla Napeague" (the fourth and fifth of the five pictures with that title), "Neva, Poles" (2), and the final "Shannon, Shadmoor Cliffs" - reach Peter Lindbergh-like heights in their effective portrayals of vulnerable feminine beauty.

Perhaps the most striking feature of The End is its narrative flow, which is remarkably both coherent and subtle. The book begins with several sequential historical photographs of Montauk, and moves on to illustrate a sort of "day in the life of a town," beginning with a drive to the beach - "David and Pam in their Caddy, Trailer Park" - moving on to the parking lot with perhaps the novel's most successful pair of photographs - "Sonya getting changed in Gilles's truck, Ditch Plains," and "Gilles at the parking lot, Ditch Plains" - then to the beach at dawn ("Julian checking out the sets, 6 A.M., Ditch Plains") then midday, with an extensive series of surfing pictures. The narrative, as it is, moves indoors with several sexually-charged photographs and the book ends after some brilliant evening shots (notably the spectacular "Bonfire, Trailer Park" series). Indeed, it is obvious that much care was given to The End's sequencing; even within the narrative, there are numerous visual games being played, from a figure in "Lifeguards, 1997" glancing across the page at the nude Lilla in "Lilla, Napeague" (5) to the pairing of the genuine American iconographic "Postcard I found at Joni's" with the nostalgic "Lilla, Napeague" (3).

These two themes - "watching" and iconography - recur throughout The End, a book which is seemingly obsessed with voyeurism (a perhaps unsurprising obsession for a photographer) and whose frequently-iconic images seem ready-made to implant themselves on the American conscience (with any justice, "Sonya getting changed in Gilles's truck, Ditch Plains," "Noel at Bettina's House, Turtle Cove," and "Beach dog, Ditch Plains" will find their way onto postcards everywhere and into the photographic canon).

Finally, it must be said that The End the book is a spectacular object. The photographs are printed vividly on a paper stock that is of supreme quality, the book itself is beautiful, from its cover to its binding, and it is indeed an actual pleasure to hold. ... Read more

Book Description

COMPLETELY REVISED AND UPDATED, THIS ESTABLISHED CLASSIC REMAINS THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO THE WORLD OF PHOTOGRAPHY!

2004 Edition

For nearly three decades, The Basic Book of Photography has been the ideal handbook for beginning and experienced photographers alike.This comprehensive edition has been expanded to include the latest technological innovations in digital photography and the most modern methods and products used in traditional film photography.

So whether you use a single lens reflex (SLR), compact, APS, single-use, instant, or digital camera, you'll learn everything you need to know about how to operate your equipment successfully to produce the most striking pictures.

This greatly enlarged edition includes:

* An all-new chapter on digital cameras and imaging
* Indoor and outdoor lighting techniques
* Descriptions of all color andblack-and-white films
* Procedures for processing your own pictures
* Ways to enjoy your photography on the Internet

With more than 395 instructive illustrations and an extensive glossary, The Basic Book of Photography will help you become the photographer you always wanted to be. ... Read more

Reviews (32)

A great comprehensive introduction to photography
This book simply is the most well-written and approachable all-in-one guide to photography that I've ever read. It goes from from beginning (picking a camera) to end (basic developing). The book is written in a very no-nonsense down-to-earth style that is very approachable. While it's certainly longer and more wordy than books like 'Photography for Dummies' and 'The Complete Idiot's Guide to Photography' there is no fluff. My only very minor quibbles with the book are these: (1) no specific equipment recommendations are made, though brief mention is made of camera brands, (2) no comparison of APS versus 35mm quality is made and (3) while there are quite a few pictures in the book, I wanted more examples (some in color would've been nice).

Buy this before the camera
In a word, this book is excellent. It covers everything you need to know about photography in order to start producing good pictures in almost all conditions. It doesn't delve into a lot of composition, but there is certainly enough to get you started, and that's the goal of the book. It has one of the best sections on filters I've seen, and while it is dedicated mostly to SLRs, even a point and shoot user can derive some value from this book(and after reading this, or any photography book, you will be wondering why even expensive Point and Shoot cameras don't have tiltable flashes). Color pictures would have been nice, but then the book would have been either skimpier in text or more expensive. As it is, for $20, you get A LOT of bang for your buck.

Great for beginners!
This book is well written and thoroughly explains the fundamentals of photography. I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning about photography. The only thing better is taking a class where hands-on experience and instruction are combined.

Worth the investment, but...
The Basic Book of Photography (2004 Edition) is a superb and comprehensive reference for beginners who want to learn about the technology available to improve their images--particularly their film images. It presents a tremendous amount of information in a manner that is highly accessible.

I have only one quibble: the cover states that this edition has been "Fully updated to cover the latest advances in film & digital photography." Well, one chapter and a few sidebar references to digital imaging doesn't really constitute a full update in my mind, especially in 2003-2004, when digital sales surpassed film for the first time.

If you need to learn about lenses, filters, flash, and photographic accessories--and particularly about film--this is the book. If you are looking for information about digital photography, you'll learn a lot indirectly, but eventually the experience is dissatisfying.

Very good intro
This is a great book for those who know nothing about photography outside of "you stick film in here and you press this button." The book was logically organized and flow logically. ... Read more

Book Description

Above Washington. The Nation's capitol is here celebrated with the eye of history and a elan of today's headlines Never before have America's monuments been so dramatically and lovingly displayed, as shown by Robert Cameron's aerial views and introduction by Alistaie Cooke. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Ordinary Joes Opinion
I sell books on Amamzon and I was listing this book and double checking it's conditon when I became drawn into the book.

This is an excellent book for the history buff,school library,or for anyone who has never been to Washingtton CD.

The before and after pictures are especially interesting.

If you are planing a trip to the capitol this would be a good book to read and reread first. Then you could compare the views when you return .

This would give you an excellent "feel" for the changing "life" of the capitol.

A nice pictorial - with dated pictures
Robert Cameron is undoubtedly one of the best urban aerial photographers in the country. However, the landscape of Washington has changed so dramatically in the twenty years since this book was released that anyone with a lot of knowledge about the area will be disappointed by what's missing.
It does contain a wide breadth of pictures, some which are definitely extraordinary. However, the book needs to be updated in order to capture the modernization in architecture and planning that has proliferated in Washington D.C. and the surrounding area since its initial publication.

The best of its kind
Washington, DC is an unique capital city and Robert Cameron shares his birdeye's view with us in this marvelous volume. For residents and vistors alike, this is extraordinary record of the city, particularly the juxtaposition of old and contemporary photographs. Others try to emulate Cameron in this genre, but he is the master who makes it look easy.

A Star That Fell From The Sky - A Little Too Long Ago
Above Washington, - like all of Robert Cameron's Above books - is a superb collection of historical to present day comparison photographs. The picture quality and composition is bar-none, especially for aerial photography. Any city planning or Washington D.C. buff will enjoy this book immensely. Please be advised, though: this book has not been updated in quite a while eventhough it has been reprinted many times. The most recent photographs are late 1970-'80s era pictures. Above Washington could definitely use an update. Nevertheless, it's a great D.C. history lesson and has many unique photographs of places such as the U.S. Naval Observatory where the Vice President lives, as well as an aerial view of Marine Ones parked like ducks in a row. Need good pictures for a project - Cameron's Above Washington is the way to go. Want a current picture or coffee table book - you better reevaluate. ... Read more

Book Description

This new edition of an all-time best-seller is completely revised and updated and details the components and step-by-step use of over forty of the most widely used film cameras. Significant new topics include time code and time code slates, video assist, and the Steadicam film stabilizing system. Among a few of the new camera systems are the Aaton 16mm; Arriflex 535, 35-3, 35-BL3 and -BL4, and 16BL; Fries 35R3; and the all new Panavision Panaflex 35mm and 16mm. The book teaches basic film camera procedures and troubleshooting techniques. It also looks at all the components, accessories (including lenses), and support systems.

Details the step-by-step use of most film cameras.
Updated to cover the newest cameras.
Describes both the technique and equipment necessary to be an efficient cameraman. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Best source for camera specs
Because it hasn't been updated Professional Cameraman's Handbook is missing some newer equipment, but it is the best source for information for pre-1994 camera equipment. I'll buy the 5th edition as soon as it isavailable.

EXCELLENT ,BRILLIANT AND A REAL HELP
I have bought this book in 1995 and it was a real help for me.I live in greece and most of the times d.o.p. stands as a camera operator too.I have made lot's of films since then but there was two of them with second-hand16 mm Eclair bought from two old filmakers.(no operators manual in it and ihave never heard this machines before!).As cinematographers know, manythings depend of the expirience someone have on specific equipment that isusing.this cameras was one Npr and one Acl (S16patend).My assistand getscared when he saw the Acl!! I JUST GIVE HIM THE BOOK AND EVERYTHING GOPERFECT!! THE AUTHOR IS A REAL PRO AND WE GET TOO THRU HIS KNOWLEDGE.THANKYOU. ... Read more

Book Description

Few individuals have exerted as profound an influence on 20th-century American art and culture as Alfred Stieglitz (1864-1946). This luxurious two-volume boxed set is the definitive catalogue of the Alfred Stieglitz Collection of Photographs at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, the most complete Stieglitz holding in existence, donated to the gallery by his widow, artist Georgia O'Keeffe.

Numbering 1,642 photographs, the collection represents the full range of the master photographer's work-from early studies made in Europe, to views of the majestic New York skyline, to incomparable intimate portraits of O'Keeffe. Coinciding with a major traveling exhibition and providing complete scholarly apparatus and a chronology, this sumptuous volume demonstrates how Stieglitz absorbed the most advanced artistic concepts of his time into photography and transformed the medium forever. ... Read more

Book Description

Showcasing the breathtaking work of French digital artists, Creating Photomontages with Photoshop: A Designer's Notebook will both inspire and educate as you explore the endless photomontage possibilities with Photoshop.Translated from French into English for the first time, this lavish collection of groundbreaking digital creations by well-known French artists is a visual smorgasbord for digital imaging professionals, graphic artists, photographers, and anyone involved in the creation of digital images or animations. Photomontages are multiple images artfully combined. When joined together, they assume a new and more complex definition that, if done well, is both believable and aesthetically thrilling. The stunning digital photomontages within this book offer a challenging and beautiful glimpse into a vibrant culture known for pushing the limits of imagination with photography, graphics, and art. Filled with splendor, energy, and creative risks, the images will change the way you see and perform your own work.But Creating Photomontages with Photoshop: A Designer's Notebook is more than a full-color feast for the eyes. It gives intermediate-to-advanced Photoshop users invaluable guidance through all aspects of the photomontage creation process--from an initial concept (including inspiration and specifications) through its step-by-step practical execution (photographing, retouching, special effects, and so forth)--and provides insight into the vision behind each creation and how that vision evolved to became a dynamic reality. This one-of-a-kind collection will compel you to explore new and inventive techniques for Photoshop, one of the most vital, powerful, and sophisticated tools in the graphics industry. Your photography, illustrations, advertisements, animations, and art-for-art's-sake creations will never again be the same.Reflecting the very best of French graphic design and digital graphics professionals, this book takes you to the heart of what's possible with photomontage and digital technology through Photoshop. It is suitable for your coffee table or your desktop--wherever you most thrive on creative inspiration. ... Read more