Amazon.com

This collaborative effort between two activist artists is very well-meaning and does have some strong content. It evolved out of Ms. Ensler's conversations with women who approached her after the earliest performances of The Vagina Monologues, women who felt the need to witness to her, to tell their own experiences. However, very little of that detail exists in these many pages, and the effort feels more like an overgown pamphlet than a real book. That is a shame, considering the true excellence of Ensler's and photographer Joyce Tenneson's work, as well as the strength of the "V Day" cause that sales of this work help to raises funds for. In 2004, V Day had grown to 2300 events and had raised 25 million dollars to support women's rights. The Vagina Monologues gets much of its considerable power from the specificity, the viscerality and the humor of the play. Yet all of these elements are missing from this collaboration. The book is laid out rather cheesily, with portraits of "Vagina Warriors" next to very brief statements that speak to the idea of the Vagina Warrior in modern society. In the end, this is a souvenir, not really much of a book. Ensler's text is minimal, and the photographs are not even given full-page treatment, nor are they printed particularly well. But if what you want is a souvenir for a truly amazing movement, it's certainly fine as such.--Mike McGonigal ... Read more

Book Description

The completely revised and updated edition of the glamour photography classic! How to Photograph Women Beautifully, written by two of the most sought-after glamour and fashion photographers in the industry, is an invaluable visual course in creating glamour photography with professional results.This revised edition features totally updated technical information with stylish full-color photographs. Here are all the secrets to success in this competitive, yet lucrative photographic specialty, including time-tested, practical advice on everything from cameras and equipment; beauty basics; and photographing "real" people to commercial angles; retouching; and composition manipulation. Plus, all-new sections feature such topics as using older models; mastering the technique of"lifestyle" photographs; digital capture; digital imaging; using natural light and much, much more.Whether you're an aspiring photographer or experienced veteran, How to Photograph Women Beautifully is your guide to creating glamour photographs that are stunning as well as memorable. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Interesting yet frustrating
If you have tons of equipment, a great studio, and ready staff, you'll like this book because everything mentioned in it should be within your grasp.For a beginner, however, who is trying to make beautiful images with very little equipment, no studio, and few (if any) assistants (and none who are paid professionals), this book becomes 'boring' from repeatedly thinking "that's way beyond what I can do."It would be very easy to walk away from the book thinking that if you haven't made it already, you never will.There is some good information and ideas in it, else I'd have given it an even lower rating, but it was generally disappointing.It struck me as a litany of "here's how we did this as established photographers" versus "here's what you can do" and that's really not what I had hoped for. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

Beautifullyi llustrated by some very good photographers
I have mixed emotions about this book. The book is beautifully illustrated by some of the leaders in the wedding field. The tone of the book, though, is often gushingly sentimental, which may be the state of wedding photography today(Try out a fuzzy picture of a bride daydreaming over her SHOES). Still, Hurter tries to present a balanced picture of wedding photographer as it is today - discussing traditional vs. photojournalism approaches and their pros and cons.
The pictures are well-worth seeing, but if Hurter's style turns you off, you might be more rewarded by Steve Sint's "Weddding Photography: Art, Business and Style,'' which also is beautifully illustrated but more down to earth, practical and objective. Better still, read them both and find a balance somewhere in the middle.

An Elegant Primer on Wedding Photography
Unlike many how-to photography books of this genre, The Best of Wedding Photography is a very beautiful book filled luscious wedding photographs. The photographers selected are from well-known wedding photographers in the field. For the photographs alone, you will want to go back to this book again and again. It is also wonderful handbook on photographic tips and techniques from the masters in the field. Great advice on portraits, groups, lighting, various approaches and albums. All these topics are illustrated with lavish pictures. It is a wonderful primer for anyone starting out in the business. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The photographs calm your spirit like a meditation.
This is a book to return to over and over again. I've opened it in the midst of a hectic, demanding day and the clean black and white images made me feel refreshed and hopeful. The photographs embody a kind of peace I think we all yearn for.

An eye-opening adventure of a grossly-misunderstood people!
My name is Simone. I live in Oklahoma. My family and I have evangelized and sang all over the U.S. and Canada. We met a colony of Hutterian Brethren through a church pastor whom lives in PincherCreek, Alberta, Canada, whom invited us to preached at his church. We became really good friends with the Hutterites. I have been communicating by phone and letter over 11 years with them. I found out from my Hutterite friend Janet Walter from Lamona, Wash. that this book was coming out. I have actual pictures from this book that I've had for years from past letters. The Hutterite people usually don't associate with outsiders, but, by extraordinary happenstance, if invited into their way of life, they will be your friends-for-life; always possessing a place in their hearts. The Hutterites live in colonies and are a hard-working, God-fearing, and family-focused people. I love the Hutterites . . . so will you! ... Read more

Book Description

Annable Williams is a leading exponent of today's more contemporary, relaxed and ever-popular wedding and portrait style. In this, her illuminating and personal guide to photography, Annable addresses not only the technical aspects of the craft, but also reveals new and innovative ways of working and marketing your photographs. Rather than a traditional, technical book on gadgets, lights and filters, Annabel introduces methods of working which give the photographer unprecedented freedom to produce commercially successful, natural looking pictures.

Annable reveals how to cover all aspects of a wedding or compose a portrait in a modern style that will appeal to every generation. An essential resource for any photographer keen to develop a more expressive style. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A good read
The author comes at this subject from a slightly different perspective from many of the books out there.Its a very refreshing book, well written, LOTS of samples of her work.The book is printed on high grade stock, and the many photographs in this book look great.She discusses things many other photographers never talk about.For example, very fun to read about makeup design.Also, she has no bias for or against any one type of camera or gear, and seems to use gear and talk about gear based on what it does for her.

A good source of information
This book had numerous photographic examples in it to go along with the text.When I first received this book and flipped through it I felt like maybe there wasn't enough text in it to go along with the photos.However, once I started reading the book I found that there was actually quite a lot of good information about taking photographs of people in different situations.The only part of the book that I found a little bit superfluous was the chapter where makeup was applied to a model step by step before doing a photo shoot.While I agree with the author that makeup and hairstyle can make a person feel more confident about themself during a photo shoot, I would have preferred it if those pages had been devoted to information that was more directly related to photography.

Especially for anyone interested in pursuing a career
Photography expert and professional Annabel Williams presents The Annabel Williams Book Of Wedding And Portrait Photography, a photography guide that ably discusses both the technical aspects of photography and some new approaches to marketing photographs. Great moments captured in color and black-and-white illustrate the author's extensive advice concerning indoor lighting; developing a positive relationship with the client; common real-life problems and techniques for working with children, outdoor backgrounds, and so much more, The Annabel Williams Book Of Wedding And Portrait Photography is very highly recommended -- especially for anyone interested in pursuing family, portrait, or wedding photography as a career.

Excellent and informative two books in one.
This book is actually two books in one.If you already own her Professional Portraiture book, you'll get the exact same book within the first half of this volume.But I still think it's worth purchasing for the Wedding section.Annabel offers a typical wedding scenario timeline from start to finish.She starts at the bride's house and finishes after the ceremony (she doesn't cover the reception unless requested by the couple).There's also a helpful page on the list of films she uses.A wealth of information with tons of stylish photos to prove Annabel's innovative talents. ... Read more

Book Description

Peter Lindbergh is one of the most talented photographers of his generation.His vision ranges from a world seen through the eyes of Fellini to that of post-war Berlin.His brilliantly posed fashion photographs depict women whose beauty is striking in its intensity.This remarkable collection features Lindbergh's most famous photographs, as well as never-before-published images from the past three years of his career.This visually stunning book includes an interview with Lindbergh by critic and photographer Antonio Ria. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Magazine clippings
In this book you can find the images from the fashion magazines like Vogue (USA & Italian) and W magazine. He has photographed Milla Jovovitch, Amber Valetta, Shalom Harlow, Karen Elson, Esther Canadas and husband Mark van der Loo and many more. It's a very nice book, but if you have saved your old copies of the magazines mentioned above, you allready own the book!

great!
Lindbergh is one of the best photographers in the world. all his books are fabulous.

Haunting and "real" fashion images by a master.
I enjoy this collection of Lindbergh's most recent work because of its reality-based imagery, as opposed to plastic fashion photography being done now. I have each of his books and follow the evolution of his work. Here, it seems to have been stripped of as much excess artifice as possible. He eschews the "rules" governing much of today's celebrity-driven fashion imagery. The pictures exude glamour while suggesting a reality and vulnerability of their subjects. I appreciate this book as a telling document of our present time (1990s), and think it is collector-quality. ... Read more

Book Description

" Jim Marshall is the ultimate rock & roll photographer--a man who began shooting during San Francisco's acid rock heyday and never stopped; a man Annexionist once call "the rock & roll photographer." His outsized personality and penchant for fast living have given him a special rapport with musicians and enabled him to get candid, revealing shots. Not Fade Away collects the best of Marshall's photography fro the first time -- and gives us a memorable visual history of the rock & roll era that is unprecedented in its intimacy, immediacy, and impact.

Includes a foreword by actor/producer Michael Douglas and an interview by Jon Bowermaster a freelance writer.

Answers the questions "What was really going on when that picture was taken?" with insightful, behind-the-scenes captions accompanying the 124 duotone photographs.

The 1997 hardcover edition sold nearly 10,000 copies

Subjects include the Doors, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, and many others." ... Read more

Reviews (4)

I knew him when........
As post teeners in SF's North Beach, Jim and I caroused the jazz clubs in the 50s with his first Leica. Always caustic, ever insightful, Jim progressed from raw talent to brilliant. This book is super to those who lived it !!!! Jack Bennett

music photographs in the highest regard
a beautiful music book from a very opinionated photographer. both text and images are the top shelf material.

This incredible photo book should get 11 Stars!
So MUCH ink has been spilled about the 60's & early 70's, most of it overblown or off base in someway. Marshall's black and white photos (most of them taken by a Leica without flash!) get to the heart and soul of thetimes in ways most writers can only dream of...I can't wait until the colorvolume comes out. Powerful stuff (like a shot of great whiskey), a musthave for any music fan. The HIGHEST recommendation!

Where Have You Gone, Jim Marshall?
One of America's pre-eminient rock photographers surfaces.Jim Marshall's work was a fixture of the '60s and some of the '70s, especially when it came to the Summer of Love and SF.But then like Flower Power & the '60s, Marshall indeed "faded away."His later output in the '70s and '80s is devoid of post-'60s icons as Springsteen, who had a huge pre-Time/Newsweek magazine following here, as well as others.I first met him 12 yrs ago when he sold me one of his photos.I was familiar with his work with Life (Stones 1972 tour) and before and was thrilled to be able to meet the man.At the time I wondered why he hadn't published a book yet.Now here it is and for the most part it delivers bigtime.Great insights delivered via the photo captions; sometimes when Marshallcompliments an artist ("so-&-so was the greatest") it might come off a bit on the light side but you can't really complain. His work speaks for itself.It was powerful and awesome.Also in the book are photos of recent performers such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers.Maybe it's the Times...maybe it's the Subjects...but these recent photos didn't belong in this book at all.It's great to see Marshall's more current work, but I think quite a bit of the magic was missing.Marshall himself acknowledges this.If anybody can conjure this old feeling back through the art of photography, he can. ... Read more

Book Description

For several years, Thai women have been well on their way to becoming international celebrities.The cheerful attitude, the graceful movement, the charming smile, the gentle nature, the lovely figure, the total lack of self-pity.All this and more seems to have combined into a Siamese bewitchment captivating men of almost every nationality.For many, the mention of Thai women conjures up the stereotype of unbridled sensuality in the lush Tropics.But in pictures and in text, Thailand: Land of Beautiful Women attempts to delve deeper into the reasons for their phenomenal popularity.

The author concludes that, from classical dancers to construction workers, from go-go dancers to rice farmers, their charm is far more than merely physical.Thai cultural values and the teachings of the Buddhist religion have endowed the women of Thailand with confidence, grace and intelligence.

Their attraction involves a vivaciousness, a well-developed sense of humor, and, perhaps, above all, the intelligence to deal with life’s problems while maintaining an almost childlike ability to delight in living.In other words, an attitude toward life which understands that life is meant to be enjoyed. ... Read more

Reviews (38)

A Long Overdue Book
This is a long overdue book that tells it like it is. The author is interested in probing as to why men from around the world in particular love Thai women. He does a fine job of answering the question both in photographs and in text. He discusses their personalities and how they love to laugh. You want to sit around and babble mindlessly about "relationships" stay in the West. You want a woman to have some fun with and one who knows how to enjoy life, go to Thailand. The girls are great and the text is very informative. Glad I spotted this on-line. For men tired of the BS in America, this book is a wake-up call, and as such you can be sure feminazis will hate it and try to put both Thai women and men who love them down. Let them do their worst, I'll be back in LOS (Land of Smiles) soon!

Countryside Women the Best
One of the things I love about this book is that so many of the women are from the countryside. Although almost all of the nightlife shots are in Bangkok, the first half of the book concentrates on women who still represent the majority of Thai women: ricefield workers, construction workers, etc.

There is little of the middle class Bangkok type which is fine because urban middle class types are pretty much the same the world over. In the case of Thailand, the middle- and upper middle-class types usually go abroad on daddy's credit cards and go to universities such as Stanford and look down their arrogant noses at Thai women who have to work to feed their kids and who don't have college degrees, light complexioned skin, and daddy's charge accounts. This is the type of close-minded Thai woman who may be schooled for years in fine universities but who will never be truly educated and, indeed, will never rise beyond her class arrogance. I hope next edition, if there is one, the author will add even more women in sarongs, etc., in countryside settings. Those are the photographs that capture the true charm of Thai women; not spoiled upper-middle class brats.

Fugly men need love too
I don't get it - this is a book supposed to be representative of women who are the most beautiful - and the cover picture looks like a sex change case from Johns Hopkins. The other pictures are a real dissapointment, most are amateurish and representative of typical expat pap.

The men who frequent Thailand are some of the most repulsive I've ever seen - Patpong road looks like some sort of 24/7 Ugly Man Festival. These women are so poor that they have to sleep with these guys to make money. I don't envy them. Thai women are not only attractive, they are some of the bravest women on earth, and I salute them.

From one Thai-lover to another
EXCELLENT EXCELLENT EXCELLENT!!! Those of us who have come here have invariably discovered the beauty of a Thai lady. This book gives you background on the ladies of Thailand. The only deficiency is in its historical perspective of Thai women--some more insight would be great. However, it does give the Thai-experienced man a confirmation of what he has suspected in all of his travels-- the best women on Earth come from Thailand. Superb companions, and lovers, someone who will be on your level through any challenge. The pictures (the primary method of the book)display Thai women from cultural celebrations to the bars we all know from Pattaya to Patpong. A truly inspired book, wrtitten by a Lover-of-Thai-Women. A must have for any Thai-loving man in the world! I'll have a Mah-kong coke for you, and I'll see you in Thailand.

Lots of pictures, not enough research
I have two major problems with this book. First, the photos' only saving grace is that they are of unquestionably beautiful women. Otherwise, they are unprofessional. Supposedly candid photos are obviously posed, photos have awful quality, many are obviously taken without professional-quality flash equipment, and some have hotel rooms as their background unnecessarily. The overall effect is that of a high-schooler's "My Trip to Thailand" picture album.

The second problem is the lack of research backing up the author's assertions about Thai women's culture and how it affects their personalities. It would be very easy, for example, to back up assertions about Buddhist influence with the relevant teachings of the Buddha. Also, Barrett is unclear about his sample size. Is he making these assertions based on his interviews with a hundred women? ten? three? It's never really clear. There are several places where anecdotes would be additive, but assertions are instead left to stand alone. For instance, in his section on bar girls, Barrett notes the differing attitudes toward the job that Thai women have. He includes a couple of anecdotes in the section generally, but that particular paragraph would have benefitted from "point-counterpoint"-style dual anecdotes. Also he switches styles about midway through the book, which is annoying. In the bar girl section, he makes a very real effort not to make any generalizations about the women in that field, but elsewhere in the book (most of the first half) he makes some pretty extreme generalizations, with minimal explanation/discussion. Last, Barrett is generally pretty good about avoiding extremes. However, he takes a couple of chances to take potshots at Western women, which are really unnecessary--and moreover not clearly true (he asserts, for example, that it is Western women, not Western men, who first promoted the idea that Asian women are "submissive," because the Western women were "jealous." An interesting idea, but totally uncorroborated either by Barrett or by any other historian).

Overall, I'm not questioning the truth of most of Barrett's assertions. Hey, most of them ring pretty true to anyone who has spent time among Thai people, and it's actually nice to hear a voice that acknowledges that neither the feminist extreme opinion of Thai women nor the misogynist extreme opinion are correct. But it would be nice if, especially for biggest generalizations he makes ("Thai women value harmony and happiness"--ok, who doesn't?), he had some hard data backing them up. Between this problem and the unprofessional photos, I would say this book is either a good starting point or a good ending point for a man interested in and researching finding love in Thailand, but definitely should not be your only source of information. ... Read more

Book Description

Black men have always created their own style vocabulary, and this stunning collection of photographs is an unprecedented visual tribute to black male beauty and style--as photographed by such top photographers as Marc Baptiste, David LaChapelle, Michel Comte, Thierry Le Gouès, Walter Chin, Greg Gorman and Bob Frame.At once sensual and inspirational, Body & Soul is a candid, provocative look at some of the most talked-about black men on today's cultural scene--from music artists and athletes to models and actors. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (4)

Stunning Portraits of Humanity
I picked this up after seeing an exhibit of Borges work at a gallery in San Diego. The images in this book capture the essence of his work in that they express the dignity of people in various cultural and geographic settings simply and beautifully . Wonderful Book to return to again and again. Very uplifting.

Well-crafted, well-composed and well-intentioned
Borges' work is stunning to behold, but if you can't make it to a gallery showing of his work, this nicely laid out book is the next best thing. His original technique of selective sepia toning, applied only to the flesh, beautifully complements his compositional style of pulling his subjects clearly out in front of their surroundings. The final effect is to concentrate the viewer's attention onto the person as an individual -- the often-exotic setting provides context and a deeper understanding, but does not distract. The dignity of Borges' subjects shines through, and the fact that this work is connected with Amnesty International is an added bonus.

Beautiful tribute to humanity...
I have not seen the book, but rather gone to a art show that has the same pictures as the book. It is a wonderful exploration of people we may never get to meet unless through Phil's work. A beautiful set of artwork and stories on the people he has captured through the lens. I love his work. He has a fan in me!

Extraordinary beauty from someone making a difference.
This book is a haunting collection of beautiful photos that are inspiring and provocative. We have been focusing on saving the environment and the animals for so long that we forget that there are entire cultures of human beings being removed from our planet. Borges has captured this in a manner that is not depressing, but inspiring and a tribute to the human spirit. ... Read more

Book Description

Photographers will learn from a master the impact and beauty that can be created through the precision creation of high key portraits. In photography, the word key is used to describe the overall tonal range in which the photograph is created-including the background, subject, props, and clothing. If the tones are very light, the image is called "high key." Because photographers often neglect to consider the impact of creating images in a controlled key, many portraits fall short of their potential. This book provides helpful guidelines for selecting the best lighting equipment and light modifiers for efficiently creating high key portraits, as well as detailing techniques needed to select the perfect clothes and props for a high key portrait. ... Read more

Book Description

Charles Bukowski is a legend of modern literature, a heavy-drinking postal clerk from Los Angeles who rose from obscurity to international acclaim as an author of poetry and fiction. Known as the Dirty Old Man of American writers, he lived a truly picaresque life. His experiences provided the basis for the movie Barfly, for which he wrote the screenplay. Bukowski in Pictures is the first pictorial biography of the writer, and it re-creates his life in a stunning visual display that includes more than two hundred color and black-and-white photographs. Many of these images have never been published before. Bukowski's friends, family members, and former lovers have contributed candid shots, and there are handsome portraits by professional photographers, as well as illustrations by Dave Geiser and R. Crumb. The images have been assembled by Howard Sounes, the author of the acclaimed biography Charles Bukowski: Locked in the Arms of a Crazy Life. Sounes has written an Introduction to the book and woven new research and quotations from Bukowski's work into a series of essays and extensive captions that run throughout. There are also extracts from personal letters and rare documents, including Bukowski's recently declassified FBI file. A beautiful book and a fascinating view into an extraordinary life, Bukowski in Pictures is a must for Bukowski devotees and new fans alike. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

excellent!
Lots of pictures & worth the money. I bought mine at Borders--and don't regret it. Howard Sounes did a wonderful job of putting it all together. Even includes photos of some of Bukowski's old haunts (bars and such where he hung out), as well photos taken when he lived in various dives before he made it. Photos of his daughter Marina, photos of some of the women he dated--and even one of the great love of his life: Jane Cooney Baker. Not to be missed. Top notch all the way. I'd like to see them do a sequel to this. Get it if you can!

A strange world, an unapologetic man
Wow! There is definitely a whole world where Allie Mcbeal-esque angst does not exist and I think I like it. Bukowski, of which this book was my introduction, is wholly unapologetic about his life, loves, lusts and somewhat audacious lifestyle.

I was going to say that Bukowski is more a man's writer than a women's although I wondered about the reaction to that as so many women clearly love him. But his writing is so steeped in the seedy, upfront, hard-nosed male appealing style. Maybe it is just that it is that I only know males who have read his works. Either way he is a strange fish. After this I went on to read a book of people's impressions of Buck, much more informative I think. In this I felt a little like I was left with his reflection rather than a clear insight into him.

An interesting way of meeting Buck to see if you like his stuff, or him at all.

Everything You Wanted To See About Buk
An excellent & well laid-out book displaying the life of Charles Bukowski. The book shows the real people & places depicted in Buk's poems & stories. It even has a photo of his grave which brings it home that such a lively individual is no longer with us even though new books of his unpublished/uncollected poems continue to be published. Alan/2001

For your Bukowski library
You should develop a taste for Bukowski's writing before delving into this 153-page album, because many of the photos, taken at face value, are a bit repulsive. (Bukowski fans, however, seem to develop a tolerance for the face, and in fact, it's a significant part of Bukowski's mystique.) There are about 240 pix in the book, several showing the covers of his various publications. A good many are pretty fuzzy snapshots, although Bukwoski fans should find that of little import. They suit me fine, because I'm always curious about where and how people live, whom they associate with, and how they carry on their daily lives. The text is derived from Howard Sounes' research for his biography of Bukowski, and some of the photos appear in that book. Absent from that bio and from "Bukowski in Pictures" are any of the excellent photos by Michael Montfort, who shot most if not all of the author photos appearing in Bukowski's Black Sparrow Press editions, including the photos appearing in "Shakespeare Never Did This." All in all, I consider this a valuable addition to a Bukowski collector's library.

... He Was Ugly!
But serously, as a Bukowski fan this book is a treasure. There are many wonderful, never-before-seen photos of this the Quasimodo of Modern American Literature (and great photos of other folks as well). I do agree with the reviewers who think there are too many pictures of streets and places, however, I think the idea here is to give us an idea of the down and out lifestyle Buk lived (for much of his lilfe) and then how that all changed. I also agree with reviewer Jennifer that the picture with Silverstein is one of the best, and most surprising, in the bunch. Well, maybe not so surprising as they both submitted work to ... mags! A note to another reviewer about all the mistakes; first, some of the misspellings are actually British spellings of words (Sounes is British), and the copy I have, at least, is from a British publisher; second, it's not the author's fault there are misspellings or misinformation of any sort, that's the editor/publisher's fault (they're the ones who're supposed to check these things). But kudos to a careful reader. It's nice to see Steve Richmond reviewing books he obviously has a vested interest in, anything having to do with Buk that even so much as mentions him he's got to pontificate on. You're in the new book of letters too. Cheers, Steve. Anyway, a great book about a great writer. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

inspirational
This inspirational book about strong, loving women describes the caring and giving between daughters and mothers. The wonderful photos and rich stories make me thankful for my own particular roots. My mom gave this book to me and I will always treasure it. A lovely piece.

Daughters & Mothers
Such a wonderful, heart-warming book of the relationships between daughters and their mothers. I have two sisters that adore their mother and after seeing this book, my mother started to cry. You can see it in the eyes of the characters. Great photos and story telling!

A wonderful book!
The stories in Daughters & Mothers are heart-warming, thoughtful, inspirational and educational. And, the photographs are amazing, too! This book was given to me as a gift, and I have enjoyed reading the stories time and again.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It's a great gift to give!

P.S. Check out Girlfriends, also by Jayne Wexler and Lauren Cowen. It's even better!

a special book to share with your mom
the photos in this book are so wonderful, you'll look at them over and over - the stories are touching and cover the wide range of types of relationships- this is a great book to share with your mother or daughter.

Daughters and Mothers
This book was a wonderful gift for my mother, sister and numerous friends - daughters and or mothers all, who found the stories and gorgeous photos touching and inspirational ... Read more

Amazon.com

Dear Friends: American Photographs of Men Together, 1840-1918 collects more than 100 portraits--from daguerreotypes to cartes des visites and early photographic postcards--depicting affectionate male friendships whose precise nature, whether platonic or sexual, will never be known. Editor David Deitcher, who teaches art and critical theory at the Cooper Union, reflects on the history of these images and their possible significance. In the late Victorian period, he notes, men commonly established intimate, passionate friendships with other men, and often "posed for photographers holding hands, entwining limbs, or resting in the shelter of each other's accommodating bodies, innocent of the suspicion that such behavior would later arouse." These photographs have long been collected by gay men, for whom they are vehicles of longing "for the self-validation that comes from having a history to refer to; longing for a comforting sense of connection with others--past as well as present--whose experience mirrors one's own." Nevertheless, Deitcher reminds readers, because almost all the subjects of these photographs are anonymous, "they are powerless to communicate anything more than the following: This is how these men looked on that day when they sat for the photographer." But what these photographs prove is ultimately far less interesting or engaging than what they are: tender, funny, strange relics of a time when public expressions of love between men were freer and more natural than they are in our own ostensibly more liberated age. --Michael Joseph Gross ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Words worth of pictures
Alas - I wish I could have given this book a top mark, but it is not to be. What kept me from doing so were not the pictures, but the limply connotating articles that accompany them. In this day and age of multiple choice selections the author may be forgiven to think that readers (or viewers alike) would be unable to detect what matters in the details of an image.

However I found it annoying to have a visual sensation reproduced (and that means interpreted) by often sensually inept words. Inept, because these saccharine follies detract from what should have really mattered: a distinction in time and culture.

The age which produced the spirit of these pictures has been edited out of our consciousness - the fact that no man's and no woman's sexuality has to be pre-defined is what interests now. The fact that things were different once( but how so?)also interests now.

This book is very much a child of the spirit of its times, ours. As such it contrasts what we have come to struggle with: the rigidly stereotypical images we have created of our senses and genders. In the same vein it also does what has become 'de rigueur', drown those things which speak for themselves, instead of understatedly enhancing them.

The yearning for acceptance; the proof to show that things were not always as we have them now is, I think, the main missile behind this book. Looking at the other reviews, it is clear that such a search is on, now. For bringing those images to mind, letting people know tha no-one is an island, even over the centuries, the book should be lauded.

However - I should recommend that Mr Deitcher begin work forthwith on a book showing us picture of soldierly love from the two world wars, a field that has not been explored to depth.

A Wonderfully-Written Book
I'm not sure where I heard about this book, but I am grateful to the author for writing it. The photographs Deitcher describes and provides for us are beyond words. They provide such a wonderful insight into male friendships/relationships in the 19th Century and are very interesting to look at and ponder. This book is of particular interest to me as I'm currently writing a novel about a great uncle of mine and I have several photographs of him with other men, some more defined than others. But it isn't just the photographs that makes the book so excellent, it is Deitcher's words that bring everything to life. I was interested in his analyses of the relationships and that he is honest and forthcoming with the fact that we can never really know for certain what these photos represent, particularly when examined within the context of 19th Century social constructions.

A Wonderfully-Written Book
I'm not sure where I heard about this book, but I am grateful to the author for writing it. The photographs Deitcher describes and provides for us are beyond words. They provide such a wonderful insight into male friendships/relationships in the 19th Century and are very interesting to look at and ponder. This book is of particular interest to me as I'm currently writing a novel about a great uncle of mine and I have several photographs of him with other men, some more defined than others. But it isn't just the photographs that makes the book so excellent, it is Deitcher's words that bring everything to life. I was interested in his analyses of the relationships and that he is honest and forthcoming with the fact that we can never really know for certain what these photos represent, particularly when examined within the context of 19th Century social constructions.

A Wonderfully-Written Book
I'm not sure where I heard about this book, but I am grateful to the author for writing it. The photographs Deitcher describes and provides for us are beyond words. They provide such a wonderful insight into male friendships/relationships in the 19th Century and are very interesting to look at and ponder. This book is of particular interest to me as I'm currently writing a novel about a great uncle of mine and I have several photographs of him with other men, some more defined than others. But it isn't just the photographs that makes the book so excellent, it is Deitcher's words that bring everything to life. I was interested in his analyses of the relationships and that he is honest and forthcoming with the fact that we can never really know for certain what these photos represent, particularly when examined within the context of 19th Century social constructions.

American Manhood: Our Forgotten Heritage!
Art historian David Deitcher has made a major contribution to our understanding of the American male. In particular, David, shows the importance of 19th century intimate male relationships.Mainly through multiple period photographs of intimate men and a well-rounded historical analysis of male sexuality, David argues that intimate relationships between men were fairly common in the 19th century.In particular, David contends, temporary and oftentimes intimate relationships occurred between men in their late teens and early twenties before they married.

Dear Friends shows that there is no clear distinction on what male sexuality represents, or that one's sexual orientation is permanent and fixed. Men and the relationships they share with one another are distinct and important for us to study, understand and value.By doing so, we gain a healthier understanding of ourselves.Dear Fiends shows what we (modern-day American males) can learn from our 19th century counter-parts in helping us better understand ourselves and our relationships we share with other men throughout our lives. ... Read more

Book Description

Following the success of Rizzoli's The Blue Note Years, the treasured archive of Francis Wolff photographs has been opened once again to present a previously unseen collection of dynamic images. Included aer never-before-published color images from Wolff's later years of photography. This volume is a collection of the jazz photographs taken from 1941 to 1968 by Francis Wolff, cofounder of Blue Note Records, to document the world's most famous jazz label.

Vignettes tell the story of Blue Note Records; its founders, Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff; recording master, Rudy Van Gelder; and many of the labels' great artists--Jimmy Smith, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Grant Green, John Coltrane, Lee Morgan, Hank Mobley, Joe Henderson, and Art Blakey, among others.
... Read more

Reviews (2)

The All Seeing Eye of Blue Note Records
This is the finest collection of Jazz Photography ever assembled! If you're a fan of jazz, or Blue Note Records, you must own this book. As a co-owner of Blue Note, Francis Wolff had the opportunity to arrest time with his lens while the titans of jazz created quintessential music. All the faces you would expect are here, Thelonious Monk, Miles, Coltrane, etc. Yet so are others whose names have been unfairly excluded from the roster of jazz immortals, men like Hank Mobley, Sonny Clark, Lee Morgan and many more. This collection is tastefully assembled, carefully balancing a trove of color and black & white prints with aesthetic perfection. Its 176 pages are bursting with images that inebriate the eyes; many are published here for the first time. Along the way, written snapshots built on the visual perspective. You can hear the music pouring from these images. You can feel the excitement of it's genesis. The musicians were comfortable with Wolff and his lens. He captured their essence in a way that no other could. Pick this up before it goes out of print.

Phantastic photography!
Even if you haven't heard the name Francis Wolff before you have probably seen many of his photos already. They can be found on many Blue Note albums. Some of them also became classics on their own. Francis Wolff is the co-founder of the Blue Note record label. Before becoming a full-time producer by the end of the Sixties, he spent a lot of his time taking photos of the artists while they were recording. All these photos are taken with a sort of simple equipment (just a camera and one flash) without posing. The photos were taken while the musicians were playing or composing of resting. There is an enormous depth and clarity in the pictures and you can nearly sense the personalities of the musicians. This collection of Wolff's photography is a must for every fan of classical photography and, of course, it's a must for die-hard Blue Note fans. ... Read more

Book Description

In keeping with the current retro chic boom, French pin-up girl images of the 50's and 60's have become highly sought after both for their bent toward eroticism and as inspiration for today's photographers. Proliferating during the heyday of nude and glamour magazines, these images were precursors to the coming changes in societal mores and sexual expression. This book is the second of two volumes assembled by noted Japanese editor and art director Makoto Orui; and like its predecessor, L'Amour: French Glamour Girls, Vnus presents us with an intriguing look at the sensual side of postwar French culture. These are subtle yet powerfully erotic photographs, alluring in their quiet, daylight settings and classically posed models, whose aura lies in their natural, imperfect beauty-a beauty that has mostly been disregarded by the narrow standards of today's mainstream aesthetic. This fascinating and exquisitely reproduced book features over 150 photographs by artists form different countries, as well as a special jacket designed as a pin-up. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Extremely Boring
Don't let the title of this book fools you. The pictures inside the book are in poor quality, of course, we can not find any pretty model inside the book.

Le Beau Pinup
Like the last book of this series "L'Amour: French Glamour Girls", "Venus: Frend Exotic Girls" accomplishes the beauty and eligence of the 50's and 60's pin-up girls, bringing this vintage fantasy to life, in this stunning book. With one glimpse of the pages inside this masterpiece, you will be sure to fall in love, as I had. ... Read more

Book Description

Tattoos, rock and roll, and Rolling Stone-the ideal combination for the ultimate book on celebrities and their tattoos. Rolling Stone's TATTOO NATION exposes this dynamic art form in all its glory as embodied by the biggest pop icons of our time, from Drew Barrymore to Eminem, Melissa Etheridge to Ozzy Osbourne, Busta Rhymes to Mary J. Blige. TATTOO NATION features candid and never-beforeseen photographs and equally revealing interviews that chronicle the gradual emergence of this evocative art form into mainstream society via pop-culture icons. These edgy color and black-and-white photographic spreads present pop and rock icons ranging from counter culture pioneers like Janis Joplin to today's trendsetters Bjork and Lenny Kravitz showing off their body artwork. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Be a rebel!
Be a rebel - look like everyone else! Another lame book from Rolling Stone.

Beautiful Photography of American Culture
If you don't like tatoos, get this book for the wonderful photography. It portrays celebrities in their best light. It also features quotes about how each person feels about their tatoo and the reasoning and personal memories behind it. Tatoos are a growing part of American Culture, and it seems now that the peolple that are unique, are the ones that are un-inked. This a great and fun coffee-table book, and also makes an amazing gift.

Photographs of the famous..Oh yes and some tattoos.
I was disappointed when I received this book. The title is very deceitful. What the book really showed was posed photographs of rock stars and actors. What was not shown were detailed photographs of tattoos, nor was there really any explanation or narrative about the individual photograph itself. The book is weak and definately not for someone interested in tattoos. However, if your interested in photographs of a few famous people, you should buy the book.

very disappointing
I was totally psyched about this book when I first heard about it months ago,so I was keenly disappointed to find out that it's not at all what I thought it would be-see,since it's from the publishers of Rolling Stone I assumed it would feature photographs that have appeared in RS,by photographers like Mark Seliger and David LaChapelle...NOPE,the portaits you'll find in this book are ones you've seen a million times,in countless publications.The WORST thing about this book,the thing that really annoyed me,was how pathetically underrepresented WOMEN are.There are only a few women in the entire book,and the pictures aren't even good.A few of the portraits of male musicians are okay,which is why I gave this 2 stars rather than 1.But on the whole I wouldn't recommend buying this book. ... Read more

Book Description

In the wise and winsome tradition of Viking Studio's popular PugShots, here is a humorous and affectionate photographic essay on "man's bestfriend"—with all his—or her—idiosyncrasies. In more than ninety images of forty- eight dogs, these delightful photographs of various breeds and personalities arealphabetized by each dog's name—from Amigo, alert and faithful, to Vinneyof the innocent eyes and telltale dirt-covered coat. Juxtaposed are theirdictionary-style "doggie definitions," captions as evocative, playful, andtelling as the pictures they accompany, as the dogs they characterize. Ever wonder why dogs prefer people food to dog food? Chase a car yet cringe at avacuum cleaner? Or hate a bath but love a mud puddle? For all dog lovers whowill recognize their own pets among these charming canines, Dogtionary isthe perfect holiday gift. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Dogtionary
After giving a few copies of Dogtionary as Christmas gifts, I am ordering a few more because the book was such a big hit with my friends. These dog portraits are beautiful and yet so simple. Any dog owner who has struggled to get a good picture of their pet can take inspiration from this book. Sharon Montrose clearly knows and loves her subjects well.

A Rare Beauty
A Dog Walker/Trainer with a lifetime love for photography, this is my favorite kind of book. For sure. I've picked up many, but Sharon Montrose is my favorite. Every photo is so beautiful and I just LOVE how she captures the personality of her furry subjects. That's the true talent in my eyes. Of all of versions of this kind of work I have perused, this is my favorite one. Lightweights (Sharon Montrose) is a close second.

I also am aslo a fan of "If only you knew how much I smell you." (Photos - Valerie Shaff/Text - Roy Blount Jr.)

Just Beautiful
As an amateur photographer and animal lover, I'm on the lookout for dog portraits that are something special - this book has them! The photos are divine and the "meanings" of each subject's name are terrific. You get a real feeling for each dog's personality, something which is missing from so many so-called "great" animal portraits. If you love dogs and want to have a great coffee table book, or give it as a gift, this is the one!

Quirky and creative pictorial portrayel
Quirky and creative pictorial portrayel of man's best friend. Makes the reader feel warm and fuzzy. A great gift book. Arlene Millman, author of BOOMERANG - A MIRACLE TRILOGY (The tale of a remarkable Boston Terrier).

A Best Buy For Dog Lovers
This is the sweetest book I've ever bought. When I picked up this book in the bookstore I sat on the floor in the middle of the aisle and just started glowing as I went through the whole book page by page- It truly captures our sweet canine companions at their best. The photos are amazing and the sayings fit perfectly. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has a love for dogs. It will brighten your day and make you laugh out loud. It captures our animals true spirits. ... Read more

Book Description

This limited-edition publication is limited to 1500 copies. Each book is signed and numbered and presented in a cloth slipcase. When opened, the book extends to display panoramic spreads almost three feet wide. Eight four-page velum inserts are interspersed throughout, the transparency of which emphasizes the delicate separation between worlds real and imagined.

In the world of Scotlandfuturebog, photographers Nicholas Kahn and Richard Selesnick construct a strange and beautiful world that they describe as being of "infinite promise that cannot possibly be described or communicated except by direct experience." The characters we meet are bogdwellers, sole inhabitants of a planet emptied by an apocalyptic event. Left to perform obscure ceremonies in a terrain that is as intriguing as it is uninviting, the bogdwellers exist in a historical vacuum. The viewer's imagination will soar, creating personal pretexts for the masked characters and the strange rituals they conduct.

Nicholas Kahn and Richard Selesnick, born in New York City and London, respectively, have been collaborating for more than a decade. They have exhibited internationally, in such galleries as Monique Knowlton, New York, Pepper Gallery, Boston, and The Royal Photographic Society, Bath, England. Their work is held in the collections of The National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institute, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, as well as many private collections.

Scotlandfuturebog also features an original work of fiction by Ben Marcus. Marcus's second novel, Notable American Women, was published in March 2002 by Vintage. Contributions to BOMB, Harper's, McSweeney's, and the Village Voice have established him as one of the most exciting and imaginative writers working today.
... Read more