Book Description

The Newspaper Designer’s Handbook is a step by step guide to every aspect of newspaper design, from basic page layout to complex infographics. The new edition is now in 4-color and introduces a new chapter on web design.

This textbook is for journalism students and professionals alike. It is loaded with examples, advice, design ideas, and exercises that teach students how to manipulate the basic elements of design (photos, headlines, and text); create charts, maps, and diagrams; design attractive photo spreads; add effective, appealing sidebars to complex stories; create lively, engaging feature page designs; work with color; and redesign a newspaper. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

This is a great book that's fun to read
After several years as a reporter, I switch to teaching journalism. My duties included advising the student newspaper. It was obvious the students needed help with the design, but I didn't know a thing about the subject.

A friend in the business recommended this book. I bought it and used the exercises in the editing class. The students loved it and their enthusiasm showed in their assignments. This year, the book is a required text.

If you don't know anything about newspaper design, buy this book. The spiral binding means you can lay it on the desk next to your computer, and refer to it while you work.

Plus Harrower's wacky sense of humor makes the concepts easy to learn and remember.

It's great even for an experienced news designer
I'd had plenty of credible newspaper design experience before I bought this book. Problem is, the other page designers didn't. This book clearly explains and demonstrates all the things I've been trying to explain for months! It sums it all up nicely. Mr. Harrower could have gone more in depth into logo and flag design, however. The page and story design sections are impeccable, but I'd have liked to see him get more into the hardcore details of more creative graphic design.

Great for college journalism design class
I'm a college student and taking a class on editorial practices. Our instructor gave us these books to use because the school bookstore didn't get the ones he wanted in.

Almost all of the text has some graphic explanation. There wasn't a lot to read, which is great for a college student. The graphic examples make it very clear what the author is trying to tell you.

Another great thing about this book is that it is very easy to understand. All of the newspaper terms used have clear definitions, along with a diagram. It is in the first chapter, and a photocopy makes a great cheat-sheet when you are working on a layout of your own.

entertaining and factual
I love this book. I teach high school journalism and I use it all of the time as a resource for page designers. The chapters have a fun, lively voice and the examples are effective.

My students love Harrower, too. When I tell them to look something up in the Harrower book, no one complains.

I've even bought this book as a gift for graduating seniors!

Good text for students
I use this book to teach page design to my high school journalism and yearbook students. Middle school students could also benefit from this book. However, it is not limited to 6-12 education. Any person who needs to know about layout would be well served by this book.
Furthermore, the resources available on the CD-ROM are outstanding. Chapter quizzes, self tests, photo cropping examples, crossword puzzles, and more really make this book stand out. The disc also links to the McGraw-Hill website which offers even more content to supplement the book.
Overall, a terrific resource for journalists, designers, teachers, and students. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Just one question!
Having spent some ten years in Libya,I found this to be an enjoyable, and very readable book on a most significant, though generally overlooked area of Greco-Roman antiquity. There is still a vast amount of excavation needed, and politics have not helped. There is one point on which I should take issue, however: The author refers to the city of 'Lepcis' in Tripolitania. Either she knows of an alternative spelling, or this is a serious typo. To my knowledge, she is referring to the city of Leptis Magna.

Fascinating topic marred by poor photos
The Roman ruins of Libya have been seen by very few Westerners in recent decades. They are in a remarkable state of preservation. The enormous basilica of Septimus Severus at Leptis Magna, while a ruin, looks like it could easily be put back together to it's former glory. The excellent state of preservation is due both to the desert climate and to the near complete absence of tourism. Eric Newby writing in "On the Shores of the Mediterranean" describes the difficulties he went through in arranging a visit under the Quadaffi government. This book was produced by Italian archaeologists who remarkably have been able to continue their field work during Libya's current international isolation. The book is marred by the poor reproduction of the photos. The pictures are almost all underexposed with muddy shadow areas, flat highlights and an overall lack of contrast. A pity but the book is still worthwhile for a look at sites that most people will never be able to see.

Roman Civilizations-Buried by Sand
This book is magnificent.The first 180 pages are devoted to the western province of Tripolitania, where ruins of the Roman cities of Sabratha, Oea(present-day Tripoli),and Leptis Magna are located along the North African coastline in the Gulf of Sirte. The next 50-odd pages cover the eastern province of Cyrenaica toward Egypt where the Greco-Roman cities of Cyrene, Apollonia, and Ptolemais are found.

The photographs of these cities are without a doubt some of the finest in existence.Heretofore,I have only seen random scenes of these ancient cities, but nothing organized in a book like this.

Unless one has been to Lybia,as I have,it is difficult to imagine the splendor of these ruins.Greco-Roman ruins in Europe pale in comparison.A primary reason for their preservation is the dry climate,and their burial for 1000 years by the shifting sands of the Sahara from the 9th century A.D. Excavations began in the early 20th century.

The Italian authors are experts in archeological research of the Roman era,specifically in North Africa where they have conducted many missions. Their knowledge of the rise and fall of these wealthy,elegant,and powerful cities and their importance to Rome is well presented in the text throughout the book. The writers describe what life must have been like in these cities,and provide accurate maps and reconstructions of their original dimensions where still buried by sand.

For anyone interested in the period of history when these cities flourished-7th century B.C. to about the 4th century A.D.-this book is a must. If you don't like to read-just look at the pictures.

Good-looking picture book on Roman ruins
This is a beautiful book showing some of the extensive Roman ruins left in North Africa. Highly recommended for enthusiasts and browsers.

The book is pretty large, and the pictures are clear and give you a good sense of the urban spaces pictured. ... Read more

Book Description

For more than ten years, wildlife photographer Steve Bloom traveled all over the world, roaming through the jungles of Borneo, the African savannahs, and the frozen banks of Antarctica to assemble this dazzling collection of photographs of animals in their natural environments. With an international range that is rare in books of animal photography, the 200 photographs in Untamed bring to life a vast panorama of animal diversity, and of the landscapes, climates, and habitats in which they live.

Here we see the serene gaze of a gorilla relaxing in the trees, a shark jumping in midair to catch its prey, a Siberian tiger traipsing through the snow in search of food, and penguins congregating on an ice floe. Bloom's anthropomorphic approach reveals rage, tenderness, and even humor in his subjects, capturing those fleeting moments when the gap between animal and human seems to disappear altogether. These amazing images, augmented by a personal account of Bloom's unforgettable career as a wildlife photographer, make Untamed an essential volume for all animal and photography lovers. AUTHOR BIO: Steve Bloom is an award-winning wildlife photographer who also founded his own wildlife stock photo agency and fine print gallery in the mid-1990s. His first photography book, In Praise of Primates, has been published in ten languages. His other publications include Thank You for Being a Friend! and We Are Family! . ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Reviews (6)

Worthwhile
This book really helped me figure out how to use this camera. If I hadn't bought this book it would have been a much greater challenge.

Very Helpful
I recently sold my Rebel 2000 camera and bought the Digital Rebel. Since the Magic Lantern for the 2000 was so helpful, I ordered this book and I am glad I did! This book was even better than the book on my old camera. It helped me figure out things about using a digital camera that I just didn't understand at all, like resolution, file types, what is best for what use, etc. The camera's instruction book did not explain these things in ways that I could get a grasp of and this book did a great job. I would highly recommend this to anyone from both the perspective of understanding the digital side to learning all about camera controls. It is well worth the money because it will add to your enjoyment of the camera

Great Guide for a Digital Rebel Owner
I just bought my first digital SLR, the Digital Rebel, and I am an enthusiastic amateur. I found this book seemed to be written for me, the photographer, and not the long-time digital pro. It gave me far more than the manual did, with a lot of really helpful photography tips beyond the camera basics. The author seems to really know the camera as he does more than simply report on the features but also comments on them to make them easier for people like me to use them.

Info the Manual Does Not Have
I don't understand why people can be so arrogant about books they don't like. I thought this was a tremendous help for me. It illustrates so much that the manual covers in such a basic way. There is stuff in here that evidently Canon doesn't even know because it is not in the manual, such as how to make the review image stay on screen regardless of the time set for review. This book saved me a lot of time in getting to know this camera and is well worth its low price. Plus it gives a lot of great how-to advice that I can't imagine any manual including.

Magic Lantern Guide: Canon EOS Digital Rebel
Don't buy this book. It has absolutely nothing to offer unless you don't have the manuals that came with the camera. There is nothing interactive and no hands-on lessons to help you to better understand the camera. Stick with what you already have and practice rather than buy this worthless book. ... Read more

Book Description

What is a friend?

Reviews (1)

excellent
I saw the exhibit of these photograghs at Grand Central Station when I was in NYC. The pictures were beautiful, and you could truly see the humanity in the eyes of the people photographed. The photographers really captured the spirit of the people in these pictures. I was so moved just looking at the pictures. If you love photography you will love this book. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Beautiful and extraordinary nature photography
This is one of if not the most beautiful book of nature photographs I have ever seen.

Best nature photos I have ever seen
All photos are done in the field---No staged photos. The patience required to obtain these photographs is hard to believe. This book has the finest nature photos I have ever seen.

Breathtaking photography
Not only were the images beautiful, the descriptions and articles on the photographs were very informative. As a nature lover and artist this is a book that I would recomend having for reference ... Read more

Book Description

Your personal photographs have a worth that can’t be measured in dollars and cents. They’re likely the one thing you would grab on the way out of a burning house – an irreplaceable record of the life you lead, of friends and family, and of the occasions with which you mark passing years.

The funny thing is, most people aren’t entirely happy with their photographs. And that's where Photography For Dummies comes in. You don't need a fancy camera with multiple, removable lenses to get good pictures. The problem is, nearly every book on photography assumes that you're using one. But this book assumes that you're using a point-and-shoot camera for all your pictures. In fact, this may be the most complete guide available for taking pictures with a modern point-and-shoot camera.

This revised edition of Photography For Dummies helps you choose film (much simpler than you’d think), load film into the camera (no big sweat), and understand how to hold the camera (yes, there are right and wrong ways). You'll also discover tips about dealing with your photofinisher – a far more important factor in getting good results than most people realize, especially in the digital age. What's more, you'll gain insight into

• Working with your camera, and how different settings make your camera do different things
• Understanding the importance of light in a photograph, and applying design strategies that make your subjects stand out
• Getting shots that both flatter people and capture their personalities
• Shooting landscapes, and the special considerations of travel photography
• Taking pictures filmlessly, and the pleasures and pitfalls of digital photography
• Troubleshooting your camera, and discovering what do try if it won't shoot

Today’s point-and-shoot cameras are remarkably reliable devices. So why aren’t your pictures better? The main secret to better photographs is knowing what to shoot, when to shoot it, and how to shoot it. You need Photography For Dummies, because it lets you in on this secret. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Let me share a story.
May 25th. 1998 I walk into a local photography store and start chatting with the manager about cameras, having no clue about them. 25 minutes later I find I am the newest employee of the Nations largest photo retail chains (later to become thier digital imaging expert).

So what did I do? The only thing a rational person would do, buy a "how-to-book". Now I've had some experience with "For Dummies" books, and for some of them, I found them very insulting, however, for a total newbie to the photography field this was my saviour.

I read the book from cover to back. It taught me in laymens terms, how to use a point and shoot camera to shoot like the pros. Explained photographic techniques, tips and tricks, even down to how to choose a good mini-lab to process your pictues.

Well, within a month I was spouting the glories of this book to my co-workers and friends, as well as my customers, many of whom later thanked me for recomending this book. My sales were through the roof and customers would love to come in to get ME, ME, the novice, to critique thier photos based on the concepts I learned from this book.

I must say Russell did a bang up job, and is probablly in large part responsible for the success of my career with that chain, not to mention my current pasion for photography.

The text is easy to understand, well indexed, acts as a tremendous reference to readers who wish to come back to it, and the examples are visually stunning. The only issue I had with the book is that they pushed Kodak products, these being the ties of corporate sponsorship I suppose.

The one thing Russell did leave out was information on how to select a film and paper combination. He did cover how to select the proper film speed, but any photographer worth thier salt will tell you that shooting on Kodak film and printing on Fuji paper vs printing on Kodak paper will give you diffrent results. Other then that, very comprehensive, very smart, and very easy to use.

I love how the book destroys the myths and fears of the novice user and takes the power from the pro and puts it into the average users hands. No longer do you feel incapable of producing awe inspiring works, and feel guilty for trying to learn. I like how Russell pushes the learning aspect of photography, encourageing users to burn through a few rolls to learn thier camera, to learn how light works, learn how colours and flash and focus become tools to enhance as opposed to destroy photographic art. It's a very inspiring and empowering book, very well done.

As for the information on how to choose the right paper/film combination, I'd be more then willing to assist anyone that e-mailed me. Other than that I would stake my reputation as a "photography expert" and photographer on the quality and invaluable advice contained within this book,

Good job Russell!

Lucid, practical advice seamlessly combined with aesthetics.
If you want a really first-rate Christmas gift for your favorite camera buff, I'd highly recommend Russell Hart's Photography For Dummies. Hart's lucid, jargon-free explanations of both the basics and refinements of taking good photographs and the new technologies are seamlessly combined with discussions of the aesthetics of the art. Don't be put off by the title. Read the two pages of commentary by the experts just inside the noisy Dummies cover. This book is affordable too. Everyone with a camera should read and have this work as a reference.

A word from the author about the Second Edition...
I'm chiming in just to say that this is an all-new edition of Photography For Dummies, fully updated with the latest details on digital point-and-shoot photography. But as with the first edition, I've made it my business to simplify the often intimidating processes involved in taking and printing pictures without film. That said, the book contains all you need to know to shoot with film, as the majority of amateur photographers still do. I've tried to weave together the digital and "analog" approaches so that whichever type of camera you're using, Photography For Dummies can serve as a complete guide to easy picture-taking. The book also contains an entirely new section of color illustrations, many if not most of them shot with digital cameras. But its basic premise is that whether you're shooting digitally or with film, many of the same simple tips and techniques can dramatically improve your photography. Thanks!

Moms, dads, kids and grads - this one's for you!
Hey, you don't have to be a dummy to get a lot out of this easy-to-read and fun book! It's written for all those who want to turn their snapshots into great shots. My wife and ...son found some great tips! And, I was reminded of some of the basic stuff I had forgotten. If you want to have more fun with your camera, I recommend this book.

Bad book. Too long and too few pictures.
Forget it folks... keep looking for another book.

While this book is written for the novice/amateur photographer, there are MUCH better ones. In a nutshell, this book is filled with VERY logn chapters that never seem to end, not enough photos (there are about 8 pages in the center of the book that have some color pics - but that is it!!), and some explanations that are too confusing.

Two books that Amazon carries that I recommend highly are: 1) 101 Essential Tips : Photography (a great little compendium of helpful facts and tips) and 2) KOdak: How to Take Good Pictures (a superb book!).

Again, skip this one. (I bought it and shortly thereafter returned it to Amazon.) ... Read more

Book Description

Sante D'Orazio is one of the most important image-makers working in the area of fashion and editorial photography today. Manifested in the sexy and vibrant campaigns he has produced for clients such as Versace, Tommy Hilfiger, Victoria's Secret, Revlon, and L'Oreal, D'Orazio's signature style-a unique blend of art and commerce-has become a mainstay of the fashion industry. Since the 1980s, the photographer has also worked editorially for numerous magazines including American Vogue, Esquire, Town & Country, Detour, Max, Interview and Vanity Fair. In this follow-up to his enormously successful first book, A Private View (1998), D'Orazio again presents his most thrilling images of supermodels like Kate Moss, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, and Helena Christenson, while sharing his best portraits of such entertainment personalities as Catherine Zeta-Jones, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Cameron Diaz, Johnny Depp, Sean Penn, and Antonio Banderas. Produced in a large format design, and exquisitely printed on fine Italian paper, Sante D'Orazio, Photographs is certain to delight anyone interested in the art of fashion and portrait photography. Containing loads of previously unpublished material as well as D'Orazio's classic editorial work, Sante D'Orazio: Photographs is a sexy tribute to one of today's most impressive photographers. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

private view redux
I hate to post something unenthusiastic about such an exciting photographer, but "Photographs" was somewhat dissapointing for me -- I'd read/viewed with great interested his previous book, "a private view" -- which was fantastic. "Photographs" brings back a lot of those same images in a larger format, on worse paper, without the exciting layout and at twice the price. (Had "private view" not been published or were it out of print, I would have rated this book higher.) I think D'Orazio is one of the most exciting fashion photographers working today and I was ultimately saddened that there's not a whole new books worth of photographs here. If you have the option, buy "a private view" instead.

Relaxed Female Nudes
If photography books were rated by how relaxed, natural, and open the models are, this book would be a five star book. Many of these images have not been published or shown before.

Before going further, be aware that this book contains many tasteful female nudes and one male nude. If this book were a motion picture, it would probably have an "R" rating.

The book has two serious flaws. First, many of the two-page spreads are devastated by the center crease of the binding. The images should be been skipped or reproduced differently. Second, many of the images are vapid. Whenever Mr. D'Orazio moves away from doing a female nude in motion or with a prop, there's often not much there.

The best of the book is outstanding, and if you overlook the spoiled and uninspiring images, you will be very pleased. Mr. D'Orazio at his best has good talent in composition and use of shadows that make his work much more interesting. When he models work with a prop, whether a cigarette or something more substantial like an easel or a skull, magical things usually happen. The book uses a very fine quality matte paper that reproduces the subtle shadings well.

His unadorned and propless female nudes are a tour de force in one sense. He shows you something you haven't seen before in these people (most of whom are celebrities). Few photographers can accomplish so much with so little, but the viewer (unless totally addicted to the celebrity) wants a bit more.

I found Mr. D'Orazio's portraits of men and humanless scenes much less rewarding. Julian Schnabel and Mike Tyson were the exceptions. He captured something there that was quite remarkable.

As Mr. Yau says in his brief essay, "His subjects seem to have stopped for a moment, relaxed and let down their guard." "Some have even transformed themselves into someone unexpected . . . ." For example, you will see a different side of Julia Roberts. "The men . . . project their image of masculinity . . . ." "All of this D'Orazio captures with a painter's eye . . . ." I disagree with that last comment. The images seem to me to be much more sculptural than painterly, and that is to the good.

Here are my favorites:

Kristen McMenamy, 1986, Shelter Island, New York

Eva Herzigova, 1996, Long Island, New York

Sofia Loren, 1999, Milano, Italy

Julia Roberts, 1996, Culver City, California

Frederique, 1996, St. Barth's

Suzanne Lanza, 1986, Peconic Lodge, Shelter Island, New York

Eva Amurri, 1999, New York City (this is quite remarkable and appears on the back of the book's dust jacket)

Mike Tyson (the second one), 1996, Las Vegas, Nevada

Sylvester Stallone, 1996, New York City

Claudia Schiffer, 2000, London

Eva Amurri and Susan Sarandon, 1999, New York City

Polly Mellen and Leilani, 1992, New York City

Kate Moss, 1995, Glen Cove, New York

Julian Schnabel, 1990, (paint splattered with canvas and easel), Montauk, New York

Courtney Love, 1999, Los Angeles, California

Stella Schnabel with Skull, 1999, New York City

Drew Barrymore, 1993, Hollywood, California

After you enjoy this book, I suggest that you think about what the book teaches about relaxation. When do you drop your "social mask" to be relaxed and experience yourself more fully? Those who are most relaxed here, look most alive. How can you achieve this more often and benefit from it?

Take off your cares and worries!

A stellar work!
Finally, a book of celebrity photographs which transcends the formula of merely exposing famous skin! Here is a book of rare and intimate sensuality which brings to the viewer's eye a private and lush sensuality which seems coaxed out of the sitters and never forced. D'Orazio is a genius and this book is one of the most amazing gifts I have received in years. I am buying it for several friends as it is a surefire, sophisticated winner. MORE!!

Class & Quality for Grown Ups
A classy arrangement of fashion and famous, in the flesh. Top quality paper and dense inks ensure faithful and luscious reproductions without MTV-in-your-face-image-overcrowding. I bought this book as a gift for my husband; I probably should have bought 2 -- one for pin-ups and one for the coffee table!

Impressive.
Sensual intriguing images showcase D'Orazio's artful style. An elegant and lush volume of work that will add spice to my personal collection. D'Orazio has a style all his own that is truly inspirational. I love this book. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Henri Cartier-Bresson spent four decades traveling the world as a photojournalistin search of what he called "the decisive moment"--the instant when visual harmony and human significance coalesce. Published in honor of his 95th birthday, Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Man, The Image & The World is a handsome volume that reproduces more than 600 photographs, film stills, and drawings and includes essays by art, photography, and film experts. Trained as a painter in his native France, Cartier-Bresson began his photography career during a trip to the Ivory Coast in 1931. After shooting his way through Europe, Mexico and the U.S., he became an assistant to filmmaker Jean Renoir and directed documentaries in support of the Spanish Civil War. Imprisoned by the Germans during World War II, he escaped to document the liberation of Paris. More than a quarter-century of magazine photography followed—-including vivid glimpses of modern life in India, China and the Soviet Union—-before he put aside his camera in favor of his sketchbook. Cartier-Bresson's ability to capture peak moments resulted in unforgettable single photographs, like that of a woman in a group of former concentration camp prisoners who suddenly recognizes her Gestapo informer and reaches out to hit her. His constant watchfulness led to images that capture fleeting emotion—-lust, pride, despair, expectation, glee—-on the faces of people going about their daily lives in grim cities, sleepy villages, and vast landscapes. Shaped by compassion and a self-effacing absence of personal judgment, these photographs reflect a worldview no longer fashionable but forever relevant to human understanding. —Cathy Curtis ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Very well-done Cartier-Bresson retrospective
I am a big fan of Cartier-Bresson's photography, so this review could be considered a little biased. This is a great book -- lots of Cartier-Bresson's photos (all my favourites, and there are many), well-printed, with just enough text to add some substance to the book without overwhelming the images. There are even a bunch of photos of Cartier-Bresson at the end for those who are curious what he looks like. A few of his sketches/paintings and some information on his films are also included, which may interest some. The only downside is the book weighs a ton, and is an awkward size that doesn't fit in my bookcase. ;-) Highly recommended.

Henri Cartier-Bresson: the Man, the Image & the World
"I have never been interested in photography," asserts the greatest image-maker in the history of the medium, and he put his camera away, thirty years ago, in order to focus on drawing, his first love. Perhaps Cartier-Bresson was more interested in the act of seeing than recording an image on film, but this massive portfolio of images from the 1930s through the early 1970s shows his mastery of composition, his fusion of candor and humanity, and his gift for capturing the decisive moment. It's superbly produced, and every architect will delight in his brilliant sense of shadow and light, and his interweaving of figures and buildings-notably in the opening spread of the church of San Francisco in Ranchos de Taos. (Michael Webb is the book reviewer for LA Architect magazine.)

A superb comprehensive collection of HCB's photography
This title is in my opinion by far the best, most comprehensive single book on the works of Henri Cartier-Bresson ever published, or ever likely to be published. The selection of photographs is huge and they are printed superbly on very heavy fine art paper. The accompanying essays provide a very useful insight into Henri Cartier-Bresson's approach to photography, in particular into his concept of the "decisive moment". The sections on his life provide further substance to the book and raise it well above the level of a coffee table publication. My only (very slight) reservation is that because of the huge number of photographs included, not all could be printed at full-page size and several of my favourites are reproduced a little small. However, the title in its present form is already the heaviest in my collection by a considerable margin and to make it any thicker would have made it too difficult to manage. This title is great value for a fine art book of such quality - if you have any interest in HCB at all, get it!

An essential for every photographer's collection
"Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Man, the Image and the World: A Retrospective by Peter Galassi, Robert Delpire" is an essential purchase for anyone with more than a passing interest in photography.

As the images and essays in this retrospective of HCB's work make clear, Cartier-Bresson invented 35 mm photography as a visual form. What studying, or even browsing through this massive collection makes clear is that despite being known as a "photographer," Cartier-Bresson is not being disengeuous when he eschews that descriptive: he is not a photographer; he is an artist whose primary tool for about 50 years was a camera. But he wasn't "taking pictures," he was creating art, and happened to use a camera to do it.

A careful examination of this collection of images leaves one with the impression is that the reason HCB has had such an enormous impact on the history of photography in many different forms - including "street photography," "photojournalism," and "documentary photography," is the fact that he is one of the great artists of the 20th century.

Even if you think you know all Cartier-Bresson's work; even if you own all the books in which most of these photos originally appeared over the past 50 years, "Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Man, the Image and the World: A Retrospective" is a book worth owning because of the overview it provides, and because of the insightfulness of several of the essays included. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

The past is reborn!
Being a Rajput whose father is from the Jaipur dynasty, I was very impressed with this book. Like the latest book (please refer to "Maharaj's Jewels"), I found this book very ornate with beautiful pictures and rich historical details. The book is full of facts and intersting tidbits a reader will find facinating. Like all table top books, this one will add integrity to one's collection...

excellent work
keep it up we must talk as i am a landscape photographer from india but in dubai uae we could work something together pl email me and see my books elements

Best Images on Jaipur
Jaipur: The Last Destination which was among the six books chosen by Christie's first catalog of art books under its Islamic/Oriental/Indian Section and recommended for its "stunning images." Published by St. Martin's Press in North America and I.B.Taurus in Europe, the book also received a national award from the Indian government, and has become a landmark in Indian art book publishing by having four reprints. ... Read more

Book Description

The Camera, together with The Negative and The Print, comprise The Ansel Adams Photography Series, a legendary triad of books about photographic technique that has become the most influential "how-to" series on photography ever written. The first edition of this series was completed in the 1950s. Adams completely revised and updated it just a few years before his death, making it his last word on the technical mastery of his medium. Three generations of photographers have learned how to approach the artistic possibilities of their art form through this seminal series. Now available in paperback, it remains as vital today as when it was first published.

The Camera covers 35 mm, medium format, and large-format view cameras and offers detailed advice on camera components such as lenses, shutters, and light meters. Adams' concepts of "visualization" and "image management" are the philosophical cornerstones of the book. Extensively illustrated with photographs by Adams as well as instructive line drawings, this classic manual belongs on every serious photographer's bookshelf. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Wanna learn to take pictures, start here.
Einstein wrote a book for lay people to explain the theory of relativity. I've read it twice, and I stilldon't know what Albert's talking about. Ansel Adams wrotethree books on photography, The Camera, The Negative, and The Print, for lay people to explain how to takegood photographs. I've read 'em all, and at least I know what Ansel's talking about, even if I can't take photographs like his yet (gimme fifty years of practice). Whether you like Adams' style or not, in technique, he is to photography what Einstein is to physics: a single authoritative master who's work can be relied upon.Of the three books, _The Negative_ is the most important;but if you are just getting started, the Camera iswhere to begin.

A brilliant introduction to the camera
Ansel Adams is indeed one of the most highly regarded photographers ever, and in this first of three instructional books, he reveals much of the foundational wisdom that he gathered over a lifetime taking pictures. The focus of this book is the camera and deals with all types and formats of film cameras and techniques for using them to take wonderful photos.

This book is one of the most common and cherished textbooks used in beginning photography but is indispensable for any interested in better understanding camera arts.

Truly a masterpiece
Just like his photos, this book is a classic. It explains the fundamentals quite clearly, with intuitive diagram and real pictures. Its coverage on view camera is extremely valuable. Although not many people use view camera these days, that chapter is an eye-openner for appreciating some of the best pictures ever taken by Ansel and other classic photographers. Its coverage on the basic principles are very thourough too. A must read for every serious photographer.

Classic
A must have for all those wanting to expand their understanding of cameras in the process of making beautiful fine prints

Great series
This whole series (The Camera, The Negative, & The Print) are highly recommended for anyone seriously interested in learning more about photography and improving their skills. If you're not interested in that, then the books are probably still worth adding to your collection just to see all of Adams's stunning images. ... Read more

Book Description

Transform traditional photo albums into beautiful scrapbooks that tell stories and engage the imagination. Handwritten notes, thoughtful design elements, and related keepsakes all bring life and immediacy to photographs of life's special events. The Complete Book of Scrapbooking features 450 color photos and explains a wide range of scrapbooking techniques that include paper tearing, punching, stitching, rubber stamping, chalking, and using vellum With 24 pull-out templates, 20 special projects that provide ideal starting points, and step-by-step instructions and engaging text, this book provides all the techniques that, once mastered, enable anyone to create keepsake scrapbooks for every occasion. Adding personally written memories and attractive design elements to photographs and other ephemera creates cherished scrapbooks for both present and future generations. ... Read more

Book Description

As far as sequels go, Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 belongs in the ranks of The Godfather: Part II – a sequel that improves on the original. What made the first release of Elements so impressive wasn't that it was especially easy to use; it was how much of Photoshop's power you could get for such a low price. Elements 2.0, however, takes big steps forward in both power and ease.

Photoshop Elements 2.0 For Dummies explains this program from the ground up, assuming that you know absolutely nothing about the program or even about image editing in general. But step by step, concept by concept, tool by tool, you'll gradually work through a thorough examination of Photoshop Elements 2.0 and the incredible things it can do for your images.

While this book is organized in logical order, with the lofty idea that you'll read it cover to cover, the best thing about Photoshop Elements 2.0 For Dummies is that you don't have to. Feel free to skip around if you get restless. There are even 16 color pages stuck in the book to show you things that can't be explained in black and white. You'll gain insight into

• Getting to know the Photoshop tools and palettes
• Editing your images
• Saving your files in proper format
• Making a bad image better
• Painting and distorting your images

Just as one CD contains both the Windows and Mac versions of Elements, so this one took tells both Windows and Mac users everything they need to know to use Elements on their system of choice. And because Elements 2.0 runs on both Windows XP and Mac OS X, we've also updated the figures in this book to show off the spiffy look of these two new operating systems.

As an Elements user, you've got a whole lot of Photoshop power coiled up inside your computer, waiting for you to discover how to harness it. Photoshop Elements 2.0 For Dummies is your guide for doing just that. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Very Worthwhile but Do Not Start Digital Photography Here
(Based on the Dummies version for Photoshop Elements 1)
This is a wonderful book for explaining the workings of all the amazing tools available with Photoshop Elements -- and a steal at the bargain Amazon price. (How well you get on with Dummies cutesyness is your business).
However, in general it does not give one an overall sense of what makes for good photography with good image-editing. (Exception: with the blur tool it does explain that this can be used to help increase attention to the foreground). You may not be able to see the wood for the trees if you start here.
As a starting point the best book I have found is Bill Corbett, A Simple Guide to Digital Photography, which covers both taking photos and some important uses of Photoshop (notably the key Levels stuff).
I am taking the liberty of posting this against both versions of the Photoshop Elements Dummies book.

photoshop elements 2 for dummies
I could not find anywhere in the book any good descriptions on using the tools. There is no reference at all to the clone stamp tool. I wanted help with this tool and there were no instructions.

Not So Great
This book has some good basics in it, but they are not well illustrated or explained . Much time is spent showing how you can alter images with odd colors or other relatively useless things. The practical information here could have been said in one-quarter the pages. Most of us want to use this ap to make our basic pictures better and to retouch old family photos. You have to dig pretty hard to find that information.

The jokes and smart remarks are not very funny, and you get tired of wading through them to find what you are after. After 20 pages of this, you want the authors to just get to the point.

A Good Beginner's Book
I found this to be a good beginner's book. It covers a great deal of basic detail on colors, saving documents in different formats and polishing up photos. It provides a good mix of theory and practicality. My major criticism is that the author's attempts at humor were trite and excessive. Too much space was devoted to feeble attempts at humor instead of more solid information on filters, layers and tools.

Excellent book
I don't really think of myself as a dummy, but I didn't know anything about this program. This book really helped me get going with it, and my pictures look great now. I recommend this book very highly. ... Read more

Book Description

The big, bold, seductive, and surprising color photographs of German photographer Andreas Gursky set forth a stunning image of our contemporary world of high-tech industry, international markets, big-time sports, fast-paced tourism, and slick commerce. Tracking the zeitgeist from his native Germany to such far-flung places as Hong Kong, Brasilia, Cairo, New York, Shanghai, Stockholm, Tokyo, Paris, Singapore, and Los Angeles, Gursky has earned acclaim at the leading edge of contemporary art with a polished signature style that draws upon a great diversity of ideas, precedents, and techniques. Created in collaboration with the artist, this oversize book surveys the fullness of his work to date with gorgeous colorplates, generous two-page details, and a wealth of supporting illustrations. The first in-depth study in English of Gursky's art, this book was published in conjunction with a major retrospective at The Museum of Modern Art, New York.

Essay by Peter Galassi.
Foreword by Glenn D. Lowry. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Utterly jaw-dropping
The Andreas Gursky exhibition at MoMA (and beyond) and its attendant book will be remembered as one of the biggest splashes that a photographer has made in the art world in nearly a decade.
His mentors Bernd and Hilla Becher devoted decades to the formulaic documentation of industrial archetypes. Gursky takes a similarly cool precisionist vision and blows it up to satelite simulcast proportions: everything is saturated color, super-scaled and hyper-detailed in this collection of hyper-mega-super-synthetic 'modern world as lurid theme-park' landscapes. His depiction of discount stores, sports arenas, hotel lobbies and stock markets are so crisply rendered that every dollar sign and pock-marked cheek are clearly seen. Images haven't had this kind of imformation density since Jackson Pollock was at his height. Then he follows it with images of such minimalist austerity as to turn a Prada boutique into an object of Zen contemplation. As his work has evolved, Gursky has made increasing use of digital manpulation to clean-up and enhance his environments. But it hardly serves qualify the veracity of these artificial spaces. This is our age with the volume turned to high shriek.

At Last: -a book that does justice to Gursky's work
Again and again, devotees of Gursky's work find themselves struggling to describe the sheer physical impressiveness of his prints. Pristine, perfect and awe-inspiring as they are; they ... in the viewer, challenging one to see more, to make sense of this information overload.

Previous coffee-table monographs on Gursky failed pitifully to convey the experience of viewing his finest work: such as the retrospectives at the Tate Liverpool (UK) or this latest show at MOMA NY -from which this book arises.

This MOMA book succeeds where others have failed: thanks to its designer's skill in taking portions -sometimes very small portions- of Gursky's images and placing them in the book as visual puzzles. They challenge the reader to recognise what they are, from which images -and where they belong. They also serve as an implicit yard-stick. "my God" the reader realises, "if this double page spread is only that tiny part of the whole image, I can imagine just how big and detailed the whole picture must be".

So, if you've not seen Gursky's actual prints yet, then please do: there is no substitute. But -having seen them - this is the only book that will come anywhere near to reminding you of that delightful experience.

Bill Hirst

***Andreas Gursky; Modern Master of Photography***
First you must understand why this book was put together. Peter Galassi, the Museum of Modern Art in New York's Chief Curator in the Department of Photography made this book as a sort of large catalog to accompany the Gursky retrospective which was in May 2001. The Gursky's photos are huge, the exhibition at MOMA was huge and the book is - well, big, but other's will more than likely agree, it could be bigger especially in context to Gursky's work. (12" x 13.5")

Inside you'll find two things Gursky's photos and Peter Galassi's essay. More than likely you'll thumb through the book ogling the photos first, only to find the treasure of Peter's research about Gursky much later. Galassi's writes with authority and intellect as he discusses the "artistic contexts and origins of the work" in detail. In the preface Galassi admits that the introduction is lengthy but is only meant to encourage further study. Indeed, you are curious, you are pulled in. Here is a sample "Andreas Gursky's best pictures of the past decade knock your socks off, and they're meant to. They're big, bold, full of color, and full of surprise. As each delivers its punch, the viewer is already wondering where it came from - and will continue to enjoy the seduction of surprise long after scrutinizing the picture in detail." Galassi continues with bringing non-photo experts up to speed on the environment of the European aesthetic over the past 150 years, with much of the focus being on the 1950'6 - 60's. Fortunately attention has been paid also the Becher's, one of Andreas Gursky's mentors from the Kunstakademie (art academy), as well as the changes that had occurred in the practice of what was being taught there. Influential artists are named and noted and neatly woven into the grand picture. There is more, but for my purposes here, the result is a writing that so thoroughly saturates the history of the artist and his medium, that it is indispensable to the book as a whole. If it were only a book of slick, meticulously composed scenes on a gargantuan scale, it would be just another coffee table book; left to collect dust in some neatly arranged corner.

The discovery of Gursky's photos is a big one. (Quick note, anyone who has ever been remotely associated with graphic design will appreciate the clean lines and layout of text and photos.) Not only is the book highly readable, it looks modern. Pages 43 -186 are entirely the color plates. They are huge. They are fascinating.

I have read a variety of descriptions of Gursky's works, many of them come from very different starting points and all come to the conclusion that he is a master artist. The photos are everything from "...modestly scaled, infallibly exposed, sharply focused images..." and "focus on the recent phase of capitalism, reified leisure, consumerist fantasies and global transformation of production." His works are "complex and labor intensive process", "Olympian" in their "detached observation of setting and stilled activity," and " overwhelmingly dense image(s) rendered with astonishing visual clarity." My point being, that you cannot escape something mesmerizing, which is the view on the world only Gursky can offer. He shoots everything from alpine landscapes to stock exchange rooms, sunsets and shoe racks, rock concerts to factories, all with the same omniscient eye. The result is astonishing; it is a sucker punch. Urbanscapes, which encompass both, views of the micro and the macro, and often render a feeling of disbelief.

There is something in these photos for EVERYONE. Literally in the sense that Gursky has traveled the world to capture these scenes. Figuratively because there is something here that everyone can relate to. Above and beyond shopping for candy, watching a sunset, standing on the mezzanine of a hotel balcony, this work conjures big questions about: commerce, ultra-consumerism, mass development and cultural homogenization, the feeling of being alone in a crowd, great energy spent on insignificant things and more. The conclusions are here for you to discover.

In summary, the book is wonderful. It is eye candy and it is brain candy. In no way is the book a substitute for seeing the artwork, but if you have to take "the next best thing" surely this book is it. I highly recommend this book for students who are actively pursuing a degree or career in photography, for art historians, teachers of art or photography, and anyone interested in social - political - environmental - or spiritual commentary by a modern artist.

Awesome!
The best photo book I've seen in a long time. I only wish the book were bigger.

A Revelation
Every photograph in Andreas Gurskey's book is a revelation. It's not a page turner-you'll linger at length over each photograph's wealth of detail, painterly composition, and absurd landscape. The images in this book have an amazing ability to startle and provoke. They are at once humorous and full of despair, alienating and invigorating. Traveling all over the globe to capture these moments, Gurskey has created a discourse about utopiansism, mass culture, work, consumerism, nature, and modern design. While the reduced size of the photographs (in contrast to the MOMA exhibit) means they lose some of their power, the book is ordered in a way that puts the images in dialogue with each other. And it reads better than any novel I have read in recent memory. ... Read more

Book Description

This book teaches the beginning 35mm/Digital photographer (9th grade level) the simple and practical methods of correctly exposing a subject. It covers in detail the applications of a camera's meter, an off-camera spotmeter, an off-camera incident meter, and easy-to-remember techniques for exposing sunlit to moonlit subjects without a meter. The book uses Farzad's simplified 5-stop technique using 100 ISO color slide film as its base, but the same techniques can be applied to digital, black and white, as well as color negative photography. Since all the thinking is done before the photographer takes the picture, the book is ideal for the new millennium's photographers using one-hour processing labs or Photo Editing software such as Photoshop on their Computers. The highest level of math required from the reader, to follow the technique, is to be able to multiply and divide a number by two. This book is also the world’s first Zone System book that addresses the application of the Zone System of exposure with manual digital cameras. This 3rd edition (November 2003) also includes manual exposure/spotmetering cheat sheets for the following cameras: Canon EOS 3, Canon EOS 10D (D-Slr), Canon EOS A2 / A2e, Canon EOS Elan 7 E, Canon EOS Rebel 2000, Canon EOS Rebel Ti (300V), Canon PowerShot G3 (Digital), Canon PowerShot G5 (Digital), Minolta Maxxum 5, Minolta Maxxum 7, Minolta Maxxum 9, Minolta Maxxum STsi, Nikon CoolPix 990 (Digital), Nikon CoolPix 995 (Digital), Nikon CoolPix 4500 (Digital), Nikon CoolPix 5000 (Digital), Nikon CoolPix 5700 (Digital), Nikon F4, Nikon F5, Nikon F100, Nikon N55, Nikon N60, Nikon N65, Nikon N70, Nikon N75, Nikon N80, Nikon N90/N90S, Nikon N6006, Nikon N8008s, Pentax 645N (Medium Format), Pentax ist (*ist), Pentax MZ-S, Pentax PZ1p, Pentax ZX-5N, and Sony DSC-F717 (Digital). ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Hats Off to the Author
As someone who has taught the zone system at the college level for many years, I find this book to be both helpful to any photographer - and faithful to the fundmentals of the zone system. Clear graphics and text combine to take much of the mystery out of exposure control. No camera, no matter how expensive, can guarantee the right exposure - that's always a creative decision. This book will help you understand that process. The "cheat sheets" at the end of the book can help anyone to take creative control back from the high tech camera and put it in their hands and heart - where it belongs.

An SLR Beginner's Book
I bought myself my first SLR just recently. I have never heard about the zone system before but had the opportunity to use manual SLRs (Canon AE1 Program) several years back so I had some idea about the features available to an SLR; but it was just "point and shoot and hope the picture turns out well" kind of stuff.

Anyway, the book is quite simple to understand. It really gave me a good idea on how the camera metering works and how to go about using the SLR in manual mode. I now enjoy using the manual mode of my camera instead of the auto features. However, the discussion sometimes becomes too simple (specially the analogies) that I get lost at times. Better stick to the actual context on the camera subject than the analogies. The illustration pages could've been printed in color for the readers to appreciate how the author exposed the pictures.

Finally, on my last few notes, the index section is a bit messed up. The last topic on the last page was not completed. But it's not that significant and I belive you would not lose that much info.

Perfect for digital photography!
This guy isn't just trying to sell books or prove how talented he is. You can tell that the author is a teacher and has lots of experience helping people learn about exposure.

If you're a somewhat experienced photographer, you might find your eyes crossing for the first couple of chapters because of how boring and repetitious they are. The author doesn't want to leave anyone behind, so it's kind of a slow paced book. However, if you can make it through those chapters and read the whole book you will find yourself completely understanding photographic exposure. I've been taking pictures for years with some nice cameras and this is the first time I've ever felt comfortable and confident about the pictures I was taking.

Another thing that's awesome about this book is that it is perfect for digital camera users. Let me say this:

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK IF YOU USE A DIGITAL CAMERA. OTHER BOOKS LIKE "THE NEGATIVE" WHILE INFORMATIVE WILL JUST LEAVE YOU CONFUSED WHEN IT COMES TO SHOOTING DIGITAL.

As far as I know this is the only book on photographic exposure that's very well suited for digital photography.

Another thing that I really like about this book is that the author is a teacher and has a lot of experience teaching the subject matter to his students. He probably knows from teaching what people find confusing and how to best explain it to them. You'll be reading along and something may seem a little confusing. Well, before you have a chance to rack your brain about it, the author addresses it and puts it into laymen's terms. Sometimes he explains the same concept two or three different ways.

One last comment on the book. I also appreciated the fact that he threw in lots of extra stuff that wasn't really necessary like different ways to figure out exposure under different circumstances without an exposure meter or a spot meter. He covers lighting, moonlight, and even fireworks. He even helped me understand why the Ansel Adams approach to the Zone System didn't really work with my digital camera. I've used my camera like ten times as much since reading this book.

I noticed a couple of poor reviews right before I started writing this one. It seems that some people find it to be a little too simple. Remember, this is not an advanced book. The words "simplified" and "confused" in the title might have tipped you off! If you already understand the zone system, how to use your cameras spot meter, and how to use a light meter to get good exposures, then this book is definitely not for you. However, if you're afraid to put your camera on manual mode and aren't quite sure how to get a good exposure with your camera, then this is the book for you.

Simple Concepts For Simple People
the book obviously seeks to ensure that it doesn't confuse. To do so it assumes it is addressing 10 year olds. Whilst this means it eventually gets its concepts across, it could of saved my time. Other books on exposure get the same ideas across, but in a more expedient manner (at least for adults).

In the end the Zone system and exposure is a matter of judgement (as to the level of contrast, where the tone of the main subject lies etc) and no amount of simplification can get passed that.

If you haven't been able to understand exposure concepts...
then this is the book for you. Most people will find the book quite repetitious and rather basic in parts, but if you read it cover to cover, you will understand how to correctly expose an image, no matter how much difficulty you may have had in the past grasping the concepts of exposure.

One key thing to note -- the book is written for photographers who shoot slide film. The author has added a few "digital footnotes," but it is still a book about correctly exposing slide film. ... Read more