Amazon.com

Through the years, National Geographic magazine's staff photographers have often elevated stock depictions of "exotic" cultures into haunting glimpses of other lives. In Focus: National Geographic Greatest Portraits presents a century of captivating images of ordinary people from around the world--280 photographs of pleasure, grief, stoicism, shyness and sheer endurance. In thoughtful essays, five photographers frankly assess changing notions of authenticity and discuss their own methods of capturing a stranger's personality on the run. In the beginning, the magazine showed people stiffly posed in their native costumes, viewed as anthropological specimens. Advances in camera technology created a greater degree of intimacy and spontaneity. Then came color film, which ushered in an era dominated by corny themes and perkily posed subjects in brightly hued clothing. The 1970s marked a new honesty in portraiture, a willingness to go beyond the superficial to investigate the small moments that make up daily life everywhere.

Book Description

Aspiring photographers are spared the rigors and tribulations of trial and error in solving lighting problems with the immense knowledge shared in this guide. Included is comprehensive coverage of the tools top portrait photographers use, the lighting styles they favor, and the problem-solving techniques they employ to ensure perfectly lit portraits. Techniques covered include dragging the shutter to produce a balanced exposure, warming the light for a softer portrait with a more accessible mood, and metering a subject with confidence for the perfect exposure every time. Filled with practical, up-to-date instruction, photographers will be able to make every portrait session a successful one. ... Read more

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Baseball lends itself to still photography. Photos freeze baseball'srhythm, allowing the viewer to examine details: Derek Jeter's agility as heleaps in the air to turn a double play, Ted Williams's beautiful follow-throughafter connecting with another hit, the bone-jarring crunch of a collision athome plate between Ray Durham and Scott Servais. Major League Baseball's BestShots celebrates these great moments. Some of these images offer glimpses oflost practices, such as Burleigh Grimes, last of the legal spitballers, greasingup a ball, or Joe DiMaggio "boning" his bat to compress the wood. Others allowfor a comparison of styles--such as El Duque's knee-to-ear wind-up vs. WarrenSpahn's straight-legged sprawl, or Hideo Nomo's twisting delivery vs. DennisEckersley's sidearm. Best of all, however, are the photos of superstars atsupreme moments--Rickey Henderson evading an attempted tag, Ken Griffey Jr.robbing Detroit of an obvious home run by leaping well above the fence, SammySosa and Mark McGwire chatting in the final week of that magical 1998 season.With a foreword by Johnny Bench (himself captured in full swing), MajorLeague Baseball's Best Shots is a wonderful look at the history of thenational pastime. --M. Stein ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Not exactly "the greatest baseball photography of all time"
"Baseball's Best Shots" professes to be "The Greatest Baseball Photography of All Time." But if you flip through this book expecting to see page after page of memorable photographs you have seen before, then you need to know that is not going to happen. I did recognize almost a dozen of these photographs, almost all of which were old black & white photographs of Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner and other baseball immortals. Of course, those old photos are almost all posed shots, and most of this book is filled with color photograph of game shots of more contemporary players. There are some nice photographs (like the one of Mark McGwire's bat bending from the sheer power of his swing as he is about to make contact with the ball), but the vast majority of them are really nothing special. I agree with the earlier review that said this book was not a keeper. Baseball fans will look through this book one or twice, but I have to doubt they will go through the batting order a third time. Even if they changed the sub-title to something less hyperbolic, it is not really going to make you like this book any better.

Great book beautiful shots
This ione is worth the bucks for that coffee table! Stunning work!

Love this book
Beautiful pictures Perfect book for anyone who loves the game of baseball.

Amazing images
This book will make your jaw drop open; the photographs are stunning. It's a definite page turner, the moments frozen in this collection are amazing.

The best things in the game
There are hundreds of baseball photo books currently on the market and very few of them capture the true essence of the game like "Baseball's Best Shots." Yes, there are dozens of remarkable action shots, like the magnificent photo of Derek Jeter turning a double play or a graceful Cal Ripken, Jr. going to the hole for a grounder. What makes this book special is the way it captures the action off the field. For example, a photo of kids sneaking a peek of the Hall of Fame game through a fence is pure baseball poetry, it's the game the way it used to be. There's lots to like here: a comic shot of Babe Ruth in cowboy garb, a heroic photo of Ted Williams displaying his brilliant swing, and a lovely snapshot of Scott Brosius and his daughter. Great care has also gone into the captioning of photos, wit and a love of the game makes these fun reading. I especially suggest picking this book up in the off-season--it will make your winter months glow with the unique warm light of baseball. ... Read more

Book Description

Horst P. Horst's images are the essence of elegance. Glamorous and sexy, they capture the celebrity and style of the 20th century. In this, the first book devoted specifically to Horst's portraits, 170 full-page photographs immortalize the actors and artists, designers and models, royalty and socialites who sat for him during his 60-year career. Coco Chanel, Joan

Crawford, Marlene Dietrich, Gertrude Stein, Salvador Dalí, Steve McQueen, Noël Coward, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Calvin Klein are just a few of those pictured. Culled from private collections as well as from the archives of American, British, and French Vogue, a number have never before been published.

Horst Portraits includes an informative introduction, extensive notes on both the subjects and the sittings, and a complete chronology.
150 photographs, 130 in duotone and 20 in full color, 212 pages, 9 x 11" ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Elegant, Stylized Classical Portraiture
Horst P. Horst was at the top of his game as a photographer for a career that spanned 60 years. The key to his appeal lies in a sound foundation in portraiture composition of the sort that the great painting masters used. To this, he added echoes of form, sensuous light and shadow, and a frequent ability to catch people at their best. While I find his faces often over or under lit for my taste, this book contains dozens of virtually flawless images that you will cherish. One of the nice elements of the book is that Mr. Horst was adept at color photography, as well as black-and-white. The book contains 130 duotone images and 20 in full color. His subjects are usually actors, models, fashion designers, and artists. The three Vogues (American, British, and French) were his most frequent employers. The volume is greatly improved by an introduction that explains how his career developed and his relationship with other photographers and magazine editors. I thought the detailed captions for the photographs were very interesting and impressive, giving the volume a depth that most fine photography books lack. The quality of the book, paper, reproduction, and design are all superb. This show will open in Boston in mid-October, and I plan to see it then!

Here are a few of my favorite images: Noel Coward, 1933; Coco Chanel, 1937; Deanna Durbin, 1936; Ethel Waters, 1939; Lud, 1938; Janet Gaynor and her husband Adrian, 1940; Merle Oberon, 1942; Salvador Dali, 1943; Muriel Maxwell, 1940; Loretta Young, 1943; Lisa Foussagrives, 1940; Gloria Vanderbilt, 1941; Carmen Dell'Orefice, 1947; Lady Diana Cooper, 1946; Rita Hayworth, 1947; Tallulah Bankhead, 1940s; Carlos Chavez, 1946; Irving Penn, 1951; Lucie Bose, 1952; Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy and her sister Lee Radziwell, 1955; Maria Callas, 1952; Franco Zeffirelli, 1964; W.H. Auden, 1970; Diana Vreeland, 1979; Kerry Harper, 1980; Duran Duran, 1986; and Catherine Bailey, 1989.

After you examine these thoughtful portraits, ask yourself what you want to learn from a portrait. Personality? Occupation? Habits? Relationships? Beliefs? Soul?

Exude your desire to connect and help others . . . so they will turn to you for aid!

... Read more

Reviews (1)

spectacular Namibia
An incredible photography book!!!! Hoberman's photos of the landscape, widelife, architecture, and people do justice to the beauty of Namibia. Having traveled through Namibia, I wanted to find a photography book which captures the beauty of the sights I saw. This is the book. ... Read more

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Although readers may quibble over how "legendary" a few of these subjects are or the greatness of some of their literary portrayers, this glossy tome deserves readers' attention. Brief, punchy text is paired with arresting black-and-white photos of a melange of remarkable women, such as Frida Kahlo, Aung San Suu Kyi, Rachel Carson, Margaret Thatcher, Golda Meir, Marilyn Monroe, and Josephine Baker. The result is an unholy, but thoroughly enjoyable, jostling throng where sex symbols rub elbows with world leaders and artists spill drinks on reformers.

Alma Guillermoprieto emblazons the later years of mercurial modern dance pioneer Martha Graham's life. Once a dance student at Graham's vaunted studio, she remembers that "as Martha wove through our ranks she would snarl, and pinch and slap us, evidently enraged by our sloppy posture, our dishevelment, our general lack of presence." Camille Paglia talks of what Amelia Earhart meant to her as an American teenager in the early 1960s, railing against restrictive sex roles while "marooned in a desert of perky blondes." Cynthia Ozick takes aim at Gertrude Stein, Joan Didion at Georgia O'Keefe, and Diane Ackerman at Beryl Markham. Margeretta Mitchell recalls photographer Imogen Cunningham striding San Francisco in her beaded cap and white bangs, proclaiming by her acts "that it was possible to grow old working; to maintain interest in life; to be wholly oneself." Far from being fluff, many of these excerpts from longer writings are as provocative and engaging as the legends they embellish. --Francesca Coltrera ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Worth a look for the pictures alone.
Rather ironic, really, that the editor of this fine book is a man ~ unless "John Miller" is the nom de guerre of some radical female.Still, editing the book can't have been very hard; Miller had some excellent writers to work with.The selection of the legends is somewhat more questionable.Of the fifty, less then twenty are neither from nor intimately associated with the United States; in the effort to remind people of the ability of the other gender to produce legends, the publishers have largely neglected the largest portion of that gender.And as if that restriction is not enough, the editor has not included anyone for whom a photograph is not available, thus denying any woman from the first 95% of history the opportunity to be a legend.Funnily enough, these censures aside, i really enjoyed this book.Quite unlike the usual "feminist book" (i hate the quotes, but you have to admit they belong there), this is neither strident not shrill, nor even obnoxious.It is beautifully written, nicely put together, with superb selection of wonderful photographs of handsome people.Can't ask for much more than that, eh?

Reveals these women's many contributions to modern society
Legends aptly pairs essays with black and white photos to examine the lives of women who have changed the world - as presented by great women writers such as Meg Cohen, Anne Hollander, Patricia McLaughlan and others. Enjoy an inviting collection of contemporary biographical sketches which reveals these women's many contributions to modern society.

Great Book with great portraits!
I got this for my mum once and it is so good.A different author writes about each of the different famous women in the book in only praising tones and it is really great to look through.Each page is a seperate female,author,article and photograph. Some of the sheilas written about are:Marilyn,Audrey Hepburn(as the cover shows you),Twiggy,Anne Frank and lets not forget Mother Theresa.Or Princess Diana.Madonna does not make it into this book,thank the lord,and thankfully neither do big modern-day stars such as Britney Spaniels..I mean Spears.All-in-all as they say!,a very good book!

Great Photos, great words
I got this book as an early Christmas present from my husband.The photographs and essays of the women in the book are really special.The women in the book, both the subjects and the writers, are very inspiringand the photos are strong and beautiful.One of the best gifts I have everreceived!

A Diversity of Influential Women
For one of the first times, we are seeing a coffee table photography bookthat represents woman in a true - albeit not at all times - pleasant light.

In Mr. Miller's literary offering he gives us a diverse group of women,scientists, actresses, humanitarians and writers, dancers, public figures and entertainers from all walks of life.

The writers in their individualessays present these women - for the good and the bad of them - neverholding back their foibles and shortcomings but in the fulness of theirpersonas, the human qualities that we all relate to come shiningthrough.

Reading about why everyone "hates"Martha Stewart orhow Colette was ostracized in her own time or that Martha Graham was a"sacred monster" and Billie Holidayand Marilyn Monroe dealtwith deep depression, drug addiction and eventual self-destruction is agreat equalizer for those women (and men as well) who deal with their dailydemons and may feel alone and defeated with their terrors.

These womenrose about their fears and criticisms, their rebukes and theirtrivializations to become the"Legends" we read about.

I forone thank Mr. Miller for this glimpse of truth ... Read more

Book Description

Perhaps it was her girlish, whispery voice; or the way her eyes danced when she smiled; or how she seemed to have an unearthly glow about her. Whatever the reason, Marilyn Monroe remains one of the most glamorous, seductive, and charming women in Hollywood history. Worshipped for her sexuality, adored for her vulnerability and innocence, Marilyn is a celebrated movie icon whose persona continues to enthrall and delight her loyal fans. Marilyn’s ethereal beauty and irrepressible charisma are captured here in a sequence of sensual portraits taken over the course of one extraordinary evening in 1961 when she was thirty-five, just a year before her tragic death. On assignment for Look magazine to photograph the movie star for its twenty-fifth anniversary cover, Douglas Kirkland shot Marilyn in the intimate confines of an unmade bed. The result is a series of some of the most spontaneous and flirtatious photographs ever taken of this film legend. Moody, grainy, and evocative, these images are accompanied by Kirkland’s own recounting of the story behind the photo shoot. Together his words and pictures tell the seductive tale of a brief and unforgettable encounter between a handsome freshman photographer and the sexiest woman in Hollywood history. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

An "I can do this " book
I've bought a couple of lighting books that showed rather complex multi-light setups with hairlights,gobos,booms,backgrounds,barndoors yada,yada,yada that left me thinking "hmmmm,I wonder if I can do this??"
This book displays beautifull portraits with simple ambient light, single light, easy soft box etc. setups with clear setup diagrams with the portrait shown. An example, hardly ordinary, was one shot of Tony Blair where the photographer had literaly 180 seconds to setup for the sitting. It made me feel "hey, I CAN do THAT!".
Simple well written for the contemplative novice(me I hope).

BUGMAN840
MY FIRST PORTRAIT LIGHT BOOK, IT IS ONE I'LL KEEP AND LEARN FROM FOR YEARS. I AM NOW STUDYING THIS AREA IN COLLEGE AND IT REALLY HELPS IN CLIMBING THE LEARNING CURVE. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

superb music photos
an excellent collection of rock photos from rolling stone
beautiful work

Capturing The Moment
This is one of the best photographic books I have ever seen. The photographers who took these photos really captured the feeling and emotions of the artists at the time. All the classic and famous personalities of music are here, from Ike and Tina to Bob Dylan; from Elvis to Bowie to Nirvana; from The Beatles and Stones to Alice Cooper and all that lies between (too too many to list here). An excellent array of both black and white and colour shots. The close ups allow you to see into the sometimes troubled, sometimes happy, but ever changing eyes of these rock icons. The broader shots show some of these bands and performers in their most comfortable and bizarre surrounds. A worthwhile purchase, that allows you to ponder each and every photo for hours and hours. In the back is a complete copy (small version) of the photos together with a who is who. Buy the hardcover; not only is it worth the price, but it will last forever. This is easily the greatest and most comprehensive collection of rock and roll pictures in one publication!

courtney love is on the cover!
the best part was courtney love on the cover, and nirvana on the last page.

I wish I could have been there when the pictures were taken!
This book is excellent. It made me jelous that I couldn't experience the atmosphere of the time. The stars in the pictures range from Jerry Garcia to Iggy Pop, from Jimmy Hendrix to Dr. Dre. The photography is awesome. It really captures the attitdue of the musician. I would recommend this book to any one impressed by the talent of these outstanding artists. I am 18 and I loved the book. My dad is 50 and liked the book just as much!!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Who doesn't love a smiling baby?
"Smile!", by Roberta Grobel Intrater, is a delightful execution of a simple idea. This short book consists of close-up portraits of 12 babies of various ethnic groups. Along the bottom of the portraits run lines from a simple rhyme: "Look at the birdie / Come on, say cheese / Give me a smile / Will you, please?" etc.

Nothing groundbreaking here in terms of photography or text, just some good wholesome fun. Try incorporating the book into the popular "peek-a-boo" game!

A great picture book
This is my little sister's favorite book. I bought it for her before she turned two and it is still one of her favorites. She has me read it over and over again. The pictures of the babies are just adorable. I would highly recommend this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Chickens are bewitching birds: lush plumage, gleaming feathers, perfect thighs. But few meet the standard of perfection of the American poultry show, the beauty pageant of the barnyard and the true test of poultry pulchritude. In The Fairest Fowl, photographer Tamara Staples celebrates the champions of the chicken world at their best. Dozens of stunning portraits capture the quirky personality and undeniable grace of these noble birds as you've never seen them before. Location photography of the shows, details of the judging process, strategies from poultry farmers, and profiles of each prize breed set the scene and offer insight for the discerning chicken aficionado. And an appreciation of Staples' photography by public radio's Ira Glass of This American Life explores the finer points of chicken portraiture. Finally, chickens receive the respect they're due. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

what lovely chickens
These are lovely chickens, and despite their fine pedigrees, they do not seem to be the least bit snobbish. I'm sure many of them are Republicans, and some may even drive SUV's, but that is no reason not to purchase this book, and revel in these birds' awesome beauty.

Not all chickens can be activists, you know. Some chickens are destined, by their extraordinary plumage, unusually-shaped beaks, and - dare I say it - their discriminating taste in corn and various seeds, to be singled out as simply the loveliest and finest chickens the world has ever seen.

Sure they are pretty, but I have it on good confidence that the chickens depicted herein are also fine, upstanding members of their community. What could be better? You should buy this book today!

All hail the pretty chickens!

A champion book
I was absolutely charmed by this book. The text and beautiful color photos take you into the world of unusual chickens and the people who breed and show them. If you are fond of barnyard animals, you will love this book.

The Fairest Fowl
The Fairest Fowl is a lovely book. It is a delight to see a book which actually presents good birds in good condition to the public. These are not your "run-of-the-mill" chickens, but rather well-bred, high quality birds who are a tribute to "the fancy." As a poultry exhibitor myself, I only wish the book had been more complete in its coverage of all the Classes of poultry (for example, no Langshans or large Cochins) since they are so beautifully presented.

There's Nothing Foul about These Fowl!
This was a book that I purhcased by chance, just because I am beginning my own chicken flock.
The book is mostly beautiful images of various breeds of chicken, from Japanese bantams to silver laced wyandottes. Each photo is accompanied by the breed, gender, and a little information about the breed. Whether you're an amateur chicken owenr like me, someone who shows their birds, or just a fan of beautiful photos, this book should definitely be considered!

The most beautiful chicken book ever written
This is an amazing book. Anyone who has ever dealt with chickens would be amazed by these pictures. They are portraits (a portrait of a chicken? I would have thought it impossible)of the most amazingly beautiful birds. I just page through the book over and over again, transfixed by the beauty of these little farmyard creatures. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

I expected more
I was quite disappointed with the quality of the pictures in this book. They were very grainy, some without much contrast. As far as the poses go, there were only a handful that 'worked' in terms of composition. Also the models tended to be too similar in size, shape, and ethnicity. The point of figure drawing is to develop skills to draw ALL shapes and sizes!

There are other books on figure drawing that are much better in terms of skill development but I am still looking for a good book of photos to draw from. However, this one is not it.

Only ordinary
The one thing this book contributes is variety, at least a little. As pointed out elsewhere, the models are all young. Still, there are a few different men and women with interesting differences between them. The fact of having a pregnant model at all is distinctive - pregnancy could be a topic for a whole pose book itself. Blacks, Asians, New World faces and others are also conspicuous by their absence, but that's true of most other pose books as well.

This book has some value, but isn't the hardest-working book on the shelf.

Not for artists looking for poses!
The author of the book said he wanted to go for aesthetically pleasing, but figured artists wanted more on visibility. He would've done so much better going with his first choice! I wanted a good book of poses, and have yet to get one picture out of the book! Most of the poses in this book weren't pleasing to the eye at all. The models are all young, thin people in ridiculous, often painful looking poses. A little variety would've been great, too, and the two photos of pregnant women in there don't count for much. There are no old people, fat people, or even normal sized people! There are, however, an archive of the worst poses I've seen to date. Do yourself a favor and go get a good book like Anatomy for the Artist by Sarah Simblet or Virtual Pose 2 by Mario Henri Chakkour. You'll actually get some use out of them.

Good for what it is
The photos could be a bit sharper, but if you're like me and don't have ready access to a live model it makes a decent resource for figure drawing practice. Most of the "pose file" books I've seen have flaws in one way or another (pictures are too small, contrast isn't very good, etc.), but this is one of the better ones, relatively speaking. The photos are at least large enough to see, with most either full or half page.

Nothing learned here.
Can sum this book up in one word: disappointing. There is nothing artistic in any of the pictures. No commentary given. As amuturistic as nude photos can be. ... Read more

Book Description

Tall, skinny, short, round, squat, awkward, slouched, tanned, bashful, and sometimes unknowingly beautiful, the adolescents in Rineke Dijkstra's Beach Portraits stand alone, the ocean rolling behind them. Clad in little more than bathing suits, these young people are striking to behold. Remarkably clear and formally classical, each subject is frontally posed and shot straight on; the resulting photographs participate in a cold, quasi-scientific categorization reminiscent of the work of August Sander and Thomas Ruff. Yet Dijkstra's pictures are not just that--there is also something of the eccentric in them, something that comes closer to Diane Arbus's images. Seen together, the complete series of 20 Beach Portraits creates a kind of collective portrait of the existential insecurity and awkward beauty of youth.

Essays by Carol Ehlers and James Rondeau.
Foreword by Thomas C. Heagy.

Hardcover, 10.25 x 13.25 in. 72 pages, 20 color illustrations ... Read more

Book Description

In 1985 Ron Warren began collecting sock monkeys--those icons of American thrift and inventiveness that for generations have been hand-stitched from a pair of red-heel work socks. Years later he met photographer Arne Svenson, who, intrigued by the obsessive nature and growing size of the collection, began with equal obsession to document one by one its more than 1,800 examples. To convey the distinct personality imbued in each monkey by its maker, Svenson photographs them in the manner of classical black-and-white portraiture: flatteringly lit, cropped at the shoulders, eyes to the camera. The first 200 of these sock monkey portraits, reproduced larger than life as full-page duotones, are assembled in this book. Invited contributors, including novelists Jonathan Safran Foer, Neil Gaiman, and Dale Peck; entertainers Penn & Teller; and fashion commentators Simon Doonan and Isaac Mizrahi, have interjected short stories inspired by the subject of their favorite sock monkey photograph. The result is an engaging, humorous, and at times disturbing reanimation of creatures long relegated to the attic or the back of the closet.
The dignified tone of the portraits perfectly emphasizes the distinct individuality of each piece and the resonance it has with its creator. --Visionaire
[Sock Monkeys] triggers sympathies that embarrass the hard-hearted and cause sentimental viewers to gush. --The Los Angeles Times

Edited by Ron Warren.
Photographs by Arne Svenson.
Essays by Simon Doonan, Jonathan Safran Foer, Neil Gaiman, Peter Getty, Robert Glück, Penn Jillette, M. Raven Metzner, Neil Mizrahi, Glenn O'Brien, Dale Peck, Ingrid Schaffner and Joe Teller.

Hardcover, 8 x 10 in. 224 pages, 2 color & 200 duotoneillustrations ... Read more

Reviews (3)

love it! but i don't know what the other two are talking...
about... there isn't much to read in this book, it is just pictures of sock monkeys and a few page silly stories... but i love the pictures. a great great quirky coffee table book! i am gonna buy more so i can give em to friends.

Charmed by old socks
Sock Monkeys is a charming way to spend an hour or two. The book shows you why the authors fell in love with them. I defy anyone not to experince a covetuous pang while reading this book. The essays are as various as the pictures, elegant, sad, clapped out and the old fashioned heartbreaker. I'm sorry I didn't buy two copies. Now I'll have to spring for another shipping charge so I can have a copy on hand to give to a friend in need of a shot of delight.

the dance of the dreaming sock monkeys
The book is better than better. It's monkeylicious! Have you ever heard the tale of the monkeys? If you haven't you must buy this book. It will be the best reading experince you've ever had.
Thank you for listening. ... Read more

Book Description

... Read more

Reviews (15)

Found Dogs by Elise Lufkin is funny, moving and informative
Elise Lufkin has managed, in her book Found Dogs, to move without cloying, to educate without preaching and to make us laugh. This book is a compilation of photos and stories of dogs who have been rescued by caring people and many of who have in turn "rescued" their new owners. These stories range from the amazing; the dog who can detect her owner's oncoming seizure, to the heartwarming; the dog who has they same big brown eyes as his owner's late husband. Diana Walker's photographs capture the connection between each "found dog" and his savior. She shows not only the uniqueness of the dogs but also the varied roles they play in their owner's lives. Useful information on adopting and adapting to a pet is provided. This book is a must for all the animal lovers on your Holiday gift list.

The Ultimate Gift For The Dog Lovers You Know
This is a wonderful book, buy one as a gift and one to keep for yourself. I bought it as a gift for a friend who volunteered at our local shelter. The volunteers are true heroes, and so are the ordinary people highlighted in this book. After reading this book, I knew it was a keepsake I could not part with. One page stories of extraordinary bonds between owners and the homeless dog they took the risk to adopt make for easy reading that you can pick up, put down, and walk away feeling better about the world. This book is the finest gift for the dogs lover in your life as well as the volunteers at the shelter, your beloved veterinarian, the Dog Control Officer that saves the dog lost in traffic, for your favorite dogsitter, and for anyone who understands there are wonderful dogs out there in need of a home and a person to love. The best part is, profits from the book benefit animal related organizations and shelters. You will feel better having read this book, and a homeless dog somewhere will benefit.

Beautiful In Every Way
I love this book so much that I decided to donate a copy of it to my local public library in memory of my sweet doggie-man, Forrest.
I've owned it for years and have read it several times- it never gets old.
I am glad to see they have come out with a second edition, I will definitely be buying it very soon!

Wonderful book!!!
I first picked up this book, at the library, when I was borrowing a breed identification guide, to try to identify the small, red, muscular, angry and frightened dog that appeared in our yard. It turned out that he was a Min Pin, a very abused one. The obvious previous mistreatment of this dog and his, resulting, very aggressive and fearful behavior made me question weather or not we could help him. Then, that evening I found myself sitting quietly on the couch, reading this wonderful book and suddenly I was joined by our "found dog". He cautiously curled up on my lap (our first positive interaction!) and I (carefully at first) pet him and read, all evening. By the end of the book, we had bonded. It wasn't an easy journey, but we made it. It has been four years and he is one of the smartest, funniest, most loving dogs we have ever known. We can't imagine our life without him.
This is a teriffic book for anyone who has adopted a rescued dog (or is thinking about it). It gives wonderful inspiration!

heartwarming and Fun
This book is full of great stories that show the great benefits of sharing your life with a rescued dog. It also is a great read. I've had my copy for years and there are stories that still make me cry. ... Read more

Book Description

We are surrounded by love -- the fierce emotion that consumes us as it expands our hearts and enables us to overcome the worst and savor the wondrous. Love is the nectar that inspires us as poets and parents, companions and neighbors, siblings and citizens. It is a depth of sentiment that defines us and shapes our humanity, a river connecting the nostalgia of the old with the dreams of youth. It is the most profound, powerful, and encompassing force in life.

Reviews (3)

Now This Is Love
In this fantastic collection of photographs, the most mysterious and cherished of feelings is reflected in pure visual terms. It is truthful, moving, and a delight to behold. I can't recommend this enough.

A Must have book for photographer..
This book is the best proof that says "Picture speaks louder than word". I was at the photo exhibition for the M.I.L.K project at the NYC Grand Central station and was totally amaze and impress by these photograhs. That's why i bought this book the next day itself. These are pictures taken not only by professionals but also by many amature who did wonderful works! Every single pictures in the book or exhibition speak for itself. A truly great wedding gift or just a plain coffee table book.

Celebration of Humanity
The "Love" book stirs emotions from all ends of the spectrum - joy, tears, laughter, and longing. The collection of photographs is truly a celebration of humanity. There isn't one image that doesn't belong in the book. We can all relate the moments that are captured and rejoice in them. In a time of great suffering throughout the world this book is a reminder of why life is beautiful and precious. ... Read more

Book Description

Learn how to take great beauty and glamour shots with this practical guide from professional photographer and teacher,Jon Gray.

Beauty and glamour photographs require the same technical skills as any other area of portraiture ­ strong compositions, competent use of lighting, an awareness of how to pose your model to the best effect. The best shots also demonstrate a creative flair on the part of the photographer that goes way beyond mere titillation.

In this beautifully illustrated guide, Jon Gray explores both the techniques and the aesthetics of his subject ­ creating a book that is both informative and a joy to look at.

Covering everything from easy-to-replicate studio poses and lighting set-ups to exotic location work, Beauty and Glamour Photography is guaranteed to give your photography that all-important creative edge.

Jon Gray has been a professional photographer for 25 years. He specializes in glamour, beauty, fashion and advertising photography and numbers Vogue, Armani and Gucci among his clients. He teaches fashion and advertising photography at the American University in London and presents workshops for Bowens lighting, Mamiya cameras, Lastolite, and Fuji film. He also gives lectures and workshops to professional organizations, colleges and universities in both the UK and the USA. Jon lives in London. ... Read more

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The oldest breed of horse in the world, the Arabian's beginnings are anything but humble. Born, according to ancient Arab tales, of the south wind, coming from Hoshabeh, now Yemen:

To create the Arab horse, God spoke to the south wind: "I will create from you a being which will be a happiness to the good and a misfortune to the bad. Happiness shall be on its forehead, bounty on its back and joy in the possessor."

Reviews (9)

Good Coffee table book
This book has entrancing photos, and skips through a large number of countries and studs. If you are looking for in depth information on Arabians in any particulary part of the world this book is not for you. It looks at selected studs only. If you want lovely pictures you wont be unhappy.

An Arabian odyssey!
This book is a necessity for the library of any Arabian lover. The text and photographs take you around the world and through the passages of time. Fabulous photographs and wonderful attention to detail. What a worthwhile purchase!

FOR THE ARABIAN ENTHUSIEST
This is a great title to add to your ever growing arabian horse book collection. It's excellent reading, as it contains everything that you need to know about this magnificant breed and is fully illustrated with beautiful graphics.

Great!
i love the great pictures of these beautiful horses, and the text actually tells alot, where most books give alot of info you dont need.

definitely a great book
If there's one book you must have about arabians, it is the one. All you need to know is in it. complete history, wonderful pictures and illustrations. You are really immersed in arabians roots... ... Read more

Book Description

In the fall of 1938 Frida Kahlo traveled to New York for her first solo exhibition. There she met photographer Nickolas Muray whom she had first met in Mexico, and they started a passionate affair. Muray, born in Hungary, was a successful New York fashion and commercial photographer known for his portraits of celebrities such as Fred Astaire, Marlene Dietrich, F. Scott Fitzgerald, George Bernard Shaw, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Claude Monet. Having experimented with color from early on, Muray found his most colorful model in Frida Kahlo. Their liaison yielded a series of breathtaking, mostly color photographs, most of them never published. Our book for the first time presents a large selection of this series, with excerpts from the Kahlo/Muray correspondence and an essay by Salomon Grimberg. ... Read more