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What distinguishes Rohn Engh's book on how to sell photographs--now in its fourth edition--from the many volumes on the subject? Could it be his honest, no-nonsense approach to the topic, as opposed to the get-rich-quick slant of many competitors? His practical, step-by-step advice? His pragmatic sales techniques and principles, which teach niche marketing and explain the vast difference between good pictures of popular subjects (sunsets, wildflowers) and the type of photographs in demand by the editors who actually buy them? All of the above and more, including solid advice about selling photos in the electronic age. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Excellant Guide to Stock Photography
Author Rohn Engh has written an excellant book that serves as both an introduction to stock photography, and a practical primer for stock photographers wishing to increase their sales. His method of photo analysis (P= B+P+S+I) allows the stock photographer to simply analyze the marketability of a photo before the shutter is released.

Mr. Engh definitely re-invigorated our photo game plan with a book that was fun to read and hard to put down. One of the best we have ever read.

Step By step, Complete guide to selling stock photography
Ron Engh speaks stricktly from experience the steps of building a successful stock photography business from your mailbox. His tools and ideas have all been utilized and proven with his own "Photo-Source International". If you are interested in breaking into the Stock Photo industry or you want to refine your business, this book is a requirement. You will save a lot of money and time trying to find your corner of this business using his guidelines.

Excellent reference book
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in becoming a professional stock photographer. Rohn Engh's words are encouraging, and fill the reader with confidence.

Some of the information is a little outdated, because the internet has changed some of the industry's standard practices. However, the majority of this book is full of practial information that can still be applied today and for years to come. I've read the book 3 times and I still refer to it frequently.

Helpful, but already dated.
The first chapters of the book are somewhat helpful to those just starting out in photography -- specifically, a great deal of time is spent on differentiating between mere snapshots and marketable editorial material. However, this material isn't particularly helpful if you can already shoot and get marketable results. There are also helpful chapters on marketing your identity, and on the business side of things, including legal issues surrounding editorial shooting, which are the chapters I found to be most helpful.

I do have one major gripe about the book, however, that wiped away two of five stars for me:

With a sizable percentage 35mm pros either shooting digital already or in the process of making the move, this book shows its age by discounting digital as generally inadequate or unsellable. This may have been true in the mid-'90s when a serious professional-quality digital system was still $20,000 or more, but it is no longer true today and thus this book seems like another victim of the digital age, in which 5 years old is very old indeed.

Perhaps it is time for a new edition that discusses the digital workflow and digital sales a little more, instead of merely discouraging the use of digital -- especially now that many publishers and editors are looking for digital specifically.

Really, if you are a serious amatuer who has finally decided to sell your shots to wider markets, I think the Photographer's Market is a much more essential title to have on the shelf.

Good for the beginning freelance photographer
This book has already paid for itself in submissions of "cliched'" photos that I would have made had I not read the book. This book contains sample form letters for cover letters and queries, and describes the best markets to go to. It also contains a program for finding what subjects one is best suited to photographing. ... Read more

Book Description

Nature reveals her unseen beauty in an up-close-and-personal fashion in the photographs of Paul Harcourt Davies and Peter Parks. Zooming in on the "faces" of dragonflies and hornets, unearthing the intricate patterns of fungi and mosses, and even capturing the active beauty of plankton, Nature Photography Close Up presents a "think small" approach to natural subjects. Containing dozens of full-color photographs, each accompanied by a succinct and insightful essay, this gorgeous book doubles as a showcase and an instructional guide. Any photographers with an interest in macro nature photography will enjoy this new way of looking at the unseen wonders around them. ... Read more

Book Description

Fungi, wild flowers, snails, insects, mantids, and fluids in motion-- as you've never seen them before, in breath taking close-up.

Close-Up is an awe-inspiring book that takes the reader behind the lens with John Brackenbury, one of the world's foremost experts specializing in macro photography. Brackenbury explains the secrets of this craft in detail, divulging his innovative techniques with step-by-step "how I did this" information, enabling the keen follower to capture insects mid-flight in sharp, precise detail, or to produce beautiful floral prints. Importantly, John reveals how this is achievable without the need to invest in a professional kit.

Close-Up is illustrated with 150 incredible shots from Brackenbury's personal portfolio, accompanied by detailed captions summarizing the anecdotal and technical details behind the shot. Both photographers wishing to master this intricate art and nature enthusiasts alike will find this book fascinating, both visually and technically. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Astounding Photographs
I wish I could write two reviews of this book.One would be as a book on macrophotography techniques.I would give that book one star.The other would be as a book of close-up photographs.I would give this book five stars.The thrills I encountered in this book led me to the second choice.

John Brackenbury is a zoologist who has developed a distinctive style of macrophotography.He has developed special equipment that allows him not only to shot sharp, large pictures of insects, but also his own style of shooting which he calls panoramic close-up photography.His technique tries to place the camera in the position of an insect to view the world as an insect sees it.This means that not only are the photographed insects and plants tack-sharp but also the distant backgrounds like trees and buildings.He has conquered the problems of depth of field with a specialized camera that he built that can close down its aperture to f/256!He uses huge banks of special lights to provide illumination for this unusual camera.

What pictures he takes!As I write, I'm looking at a large picture of a locust in mid-flight from a leaf and both the leaf and the locust are in absolute focus.You can count the hairs on the locust's legs and see each sharply etched vein in its wing.I flip to another page and look at a chrysopa in flight, framed by the sharp foreground wings of another chrysopa.The only problem with these pictures is that the insects are so sharp, and the surroundings equally sharp that the pictures seem almost fake, because this is sharper than we can see with the human eye.

Moreover these pictures are not just technically superior.The author has captured a strange beauty that no human can see with the naked eye.

The author has also captured some pictures that are not of insects or plants that use the same techniques, like that of a huge pair of earrings in the foreground with a much smaller woman wrapped in a shawl in the distant background, both in full focus.While these pictures exploit the technique, they leave me wondering just what is going on.

The other side of the coin is that although the book is subtitled "Creative Techniques for Successful Macrophotography", I learned nothing that I could use in my own work.Even if I thought I could build a camera like Brackenbury's, there certainly isn't enough of an explanation to begin to point me in the right direction.Most photographers will learn more about close-ups of the natural world by reading the 27 pages on the subject contained in John Shaw's "Nature Photography Field Guide".

And yet the pictures are so magnificent that even if I haven't learned a single thing about how I might replicate his technique, I was inspired to try to improve my own macrophotography. ... 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

The subject of the zone system is now very much in the mainstream among amateur as well as professional photographers. This newly revised edition of a photography classic teaches photographers how to recognize the zones both on the print and in the field or studio, to pre-visualize their photograph and expose accordingly, to access their prints and negatives for contrast, and to test equipment for reliable results.
This book has been updated to include information on the latest developers and films. New illustrations have been added to reflect the most contemporary photographic styles, and information on digital imaging supplied in the second edition has been expanded into a new chapter.

The practical approach of this book, with its numerous time-saving development and film charts and easy-to-follow testing methods, is an important resource for the beginning, large-format, 35mm, and professional photographer. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Best intro to Zone System I've seen
Absolutly easy to understand and read. Very well presented, and may well be the only book on Zone System you will ever need. For those wanting to delve into the chemistry of exposure, pass on this book. If you want to learn what the Zone system is and how it works, this book is great. "Everything you need, nothin' you don't"

Practical, useful, sound guidance on the zone system.
This is one of the easier books to understand on the zone system. It does not get too tied up in the details of the system but describes enough detail to allow the reader to understand the basics of the system. This book is really targeted to someone who is not familiar with the zone system or who has studied it in more complex books and did not really comprehend the system. For this intended audience the book is right on target. It takes the complex issues of the zone system and removes the calculations and just gives you what you need to know. Think of it like the difference between an art teacher who says "Color the grass green" versus one who says "The grass must be green because chlorophyll absorbs the green portion of the light spectrum and so reflected light appears that color". If you just want to know how to use the system without a lot of detail behind why the system works then this is a good book selection for you.

clear & really "practical"
Of the several books I have on Zone, this is by far the best and most easily understood. It's to the point, and has great examples, especially explaining the effects of development time.

The Pratical Zone System
I have found this book, The Pratical Zone System, by Chris Johnson to be the best book that I have read on the Zone System. It explains every detail of the Zone System. Some of the other readings that I have read on the subject make it a complicated system. Mr Chris Johnson's book is very easy to comprehend and it is very interesting. It also makes a great reference manual. Most important is that using the methods in the book you will get the the best results possible creating a photograph.

Anyone that is planing on using the zone system or is having trouble understanding the zone system will have all the problems resolved with this book. Joe Pica

The Practical Zone System makes the Zone System just that.
This book is an excellent introduction to the Zone System. If you are looking to learn about the Zone System, it is hard to go wrong with this book. However, if you are somewhat familiar with the Zone System and are looking for more advanced info, this may not be the book for you. I had read Ansel Adam's book "The Negative" (which is an excellent book if you are looking for a bit more technical and in depth study) before this book so I felt that the book was a little simple. However, the thing I love about this book are the appendixes Chris includes. In them are a wealth of info for developing times for many developers and films, as well and a plethora of additional useful information. I also found the two testing methods Chris provided to be extremely accurate and useful. In summary, this is an excellent introductory book on the Zone System, and intermediate users will find the appendixes extremely useful. However, if you consider yourself an expert in the Zone System, I would not recommend this book. However, if you consider yourself an expert, you probably won't be looking for a book anyway. ... Read more

Book Description

Take the mystery out of the sophisticated Nikon flash system! Photographers--if you feel you're missing out on the benefits of flash photography because you just don't understand the Nikon equipment completely or fully grasp how to use it, here's detail-by-detail coverage of every aspect of flash technology with no-nonsense descriptions and easy-to-understand explanations. From fill flash to slow sync, each technique is detailed, along with information on achieving the best results from all of the various Nikon SLR cameras. And, in addition to being a thoroughgoing tutorial, it's a take-along reference on the capabilities of every Nikon Speedlight flash unit ever made...with full operating instructions!
... Read more

Reviews (8)

Excellent book - must have for Nikon speedlight users
I took the advice of others and ordered this book. There is no hype on this book. I would consider it just as important as batteries for my flash. The book doesn't cover the D1 series explicitly but the information provided allows the D1 user to gain better control over off-camera flash scenarios and multi-flash situations. An excellent book for all but true professionals (who probably already know the pearls in this book).

gotta have it!!!!
after reading The Nikon Flash Guide i wonder why i went through college for photography for!!!!
some of the information was technical, but Hogan is a witty writer and i was able to get through it for the most part. info is super helpful

GREATLY Improved My Fill Flashes!!
I have purchased 4 or 5 Nikon flashes, ranging from the SB-11 to the newest SB80DX because most of my pics are portraits or candid people shots. Have even done a few weddings for friends. I find myself consistently re-reading sections of Hogan's chapter, Flash Techniques before a major picture taking event. Bottom line, I consistently get the best skin tones in my pics by following the author's recommendations, e.g., use standard TTL vice multi-sensor balanced fill flash ("...Nikon's TTL system is dam good...")! No more washed out facial skin tones! Best part of the book is the first 80 or 90 pages; I haven't delved into the remaining pages dealing with specific Nikon flash models. I hope updated versions expand on flash techniques.

Great book on Nikon flashes
Well written. Some nice tips. Covers SB-10's through SB-28's.

Informative but repetitive
Hogan's book was a helpful item for me as an SB-25 and SB-23 owner trying to set up multiple-flash photographs, but unfortunately all of his directions cannot overcome Nikon's rather primitive remote flash accessories. Nonetheless, I discovered how to alter the fill flash ratios on my SB-25 by carefully reading this book, which I guess is worth [this much] by itself. Not the most exciting writing on earth, but if you need this book, it will not let you down. ... 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

Reviews (1)

Schmoozing with Moose
This book is aimed at the photographer who understands the processes of taking photographs and now wants to apply these processes to taking wildlife photographs. Peterson, a famous wildlife photographer, expresses his opinions on what it takes to get good and great wildlife pictures.

The first third of the book is dedicated to explaining what equipment is necessary for taking wildlife pictures. It is clear that the author considers a camera capable of accepting a wide variety of lenses, and some really long (and expensive) lenses, essential for this purpose.

The next chapter of the book is devoted to techniques he considers necessary to make a picture ?pop?, i.e., attract a viewer?s attention. He discusses lighting, color, exposure and backgrounds. The third section of the book talks about getting close to wildlife subjects and the fourth chapter looks at ten pictures of birds and describes the circumstances surrounding their taking, and the fifth chapter does the same with pictures of mammals.

I imagine that reading this book would be much like sitting around with Moose in a bull session and talking about wildlife photography, with all the advantages and disadvantages that might include. For a written work this book needed a good editor, not only to correct grammatical errors and typos, but also to correct all the repetitions, contradictory advice and non-sequiturs. Also, notwithstanding statements to the contrary, Peterson is clearly biased in favor of digital photography with Nikon cameras. For example, the title suggests that the book is applicable to both digital and film, but Moose spends 8 pages laying out why he believes digital photography is better than film, He also spends a page describing why he prefers a particular Nikon lens over others, even though the features on which he bases his preference are only available from Nikon. On the other hand, in discussing the advantages of digital he makes no mention of the use of the histogram, a feature that several other wildlife photographers consider to be the most important benefit of digital cameras.

At the same time some of the material isn?t presented by any other author in this detail. The twenty-nine pages devoted to getting close to the quarry are singular. While the chapters on the author?s pictures may contain a lot of details that will be of little use to most folks, they do convey the importance of planning and patience in wildlife photography.

If you are looking for a book that will teach you fundamentals, like the nature of exposure, look at something else, like John Shaw?s ?Nature Photography Field Guide? or Art Morris? ?the Art of Bird Photography?. But if you are an experienced photographer, looking to glean a few tips about wildlife photography that you may not have heard before, and willing to put up with a rough and ready but expert photographer, you will probably enjoy this book. ... Read more

Book Description

The wedding business is bigger than ever. Today’s weddings are grander, more formal, more elegant—and more expensive. This trend is mirrored in the wedding photography business, where photographers are now being chosen for their high-quality, artful black-and-white photography with only some color photography being requested. To cash in on this trend, the successful photographer needs to deliver the classic look today’s brides and grooms want in both posed and photojournalistic styles. And it’s often accomplished with black-and-white photography that is elegant and timeless. In this valuable guide, a leading wedding photographer demonstrates, step by step, how to produce memorable elegant black-and-white wedding photography that sells. From basic technique, philosophy, and practice to style, procedure, and business concerns, readers will see how to master this latest facet in the art of wedding photography. Brimming with lush examples from the author’s own work, this is the must-have A–Z reference for anyone interested in creating stylish, sophisticated wedding photos that will be treasured for a lifetime. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

one of the best
This is one of the best new books on the market regarding the subject of wedding photography. If you are serious about learning the art of wedding photography, this book is a "must have". There are so many books out there on this subject, and so many of them are not worth reading. This book is a delightful exception.

A misnomer, but still worth it
That this book is about black and white photography and just black and white photography is a misnomer. While all the pictures are in black and white (either reproduced from color or shot in black and white), the book is encyclopediac in scope, covering the entire field of wedding photography by a highly-successful photographer who has been in the game a long time. If you want to know how a top-flight wedding photographer shoots the most fashionable weddings, read this book. She tells how she puts all of her $30,000+ worth of equipment she takes to a wedding to use. Her style is not very very exciting, but it is business-like. If you want information, it is here. ... Read more

Book Description

There is renewed interest among art photographers in a number of historic printing techniques because of the remarkable effects they produce.The reader will discover how to create beautifully tinted mono- and polychromatic gum and oil images using the author's version of this 19th century technique. Step-by-step illustrated instructions with directions for further experimentation provide a perfect source for learning this new, yet old, printing technique.

Gumoil printing involves contact-printing a positive transparency onto gum-coated paper. Oil paint is then applied and rubbed into nongummed areas of the print. With bleach etching, mono- and polychromatic variations are possible. A chapter on digital printing combines the new and the historic, making this technique even more accessible for the art photographer.

Includes a new chapter on digital printing techniques

Step by step instructions for using this technique

Eight page insert containing 10 beautiful color images ... Read more

Book Description

At last-a complete, hands-on guide that makes night photography easy! Once considered a craft fraught with difficulties and challenges, Night Photography explodes that myth forever. This uniquely accessible guide unlocks the mysteries of how to attain stark, beautiful images after dark. Readers will find detailed, practical advice on film speeds, reciprocity failure, street lighting, exposure control, contrast and tone, and much more. Clear, simple step-by-step instructions guide readers through all the techniques necessary to produce images that otherwise would be difficult to achieve without much trial and error.Packed with 155 stunning photographs, Night Photography is an invaluable tool for the professional photographer, student, or serious amateur. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Never tried night photos?? You should now.
This is the most helpful book on night photography I have found. I took a class in which all my assignments were to be done at night and so I searched for info. I have Frost's Low Light and Night book, it left me wanting. Low light is not the same as night photography. Sanderson is easy to follow and his night shots are amazing. The exposure chart is what you really need. I have it laminated and in both of my camera bags. This is TRUE photography at night.

Very Pleasantly Surprised
My first intention was not to get this book. I enrolled in an independent study class in night photography and was looking for a good book to help me better understand this area of photography. I was all set to buy Lee Frost's "Complete Guide to Night and Low-Light Photography" when I noticed that I could buy that book along with Andrew Sanderson's "Night Photography" for a slight discount on the two. Let me just say that Frost's book has gotten little more than a glance through while I haven't been able to put down this book. If you're like me and are just beginning to learn about night photography, you honestly can't go wrong with this book. It is written extremely well and has all the info you need. One BIG plus is his inclusion of charts to help understand exposure times. I really couldn't say enough about this book. Frost's book may be a good complement to this book, but seriously, if you're looking to get into night photography, start with this book. You will not be disappointed.

Not useful.
There really isn't any information in this book on technique in night photography that is not self-evident. There are a few useful charts on reciprocity failure and adjusting exposure times for smaller apertures based on your light meter readings, but you can easily make these charts yourself. In fact, I wouldn't trust the reciprocity charts because newer films require much less compensation for reciprocity failure than those charts would indicate. Most of the information in the book concerns black and white photography, but there is some info on color negative and slide photography.

The photographs in the book are not very good, either, which isn't encouraging. The picture on the cover is by far the best.

A full third of this book is devoted to processing and printing night photographs, including a fair amount of information on toning. If you don't develop or print your own film, a third of the book is lost on you. And I can't really say if it would be useful to those who do process and print their own work because it has been so long since I have used a darkroom myself.

Good but incomplete
The book is very short. I has a good amount of photos, almost all of them are black and white. The book describes some good ideas and techniques for "long exposure" photography. There is also a section on how to take photos of the moon. For those who do their own printing, there is a section about printing as well.

The paper quality is excellent.

I wish the book covers other types of night photography, such as lighting, firework, and so on.

Les Nocturnes
This is the most incredible book! How long have the Photographic night owls among us been waiting for the Bible on Night Photogrqaphy? Well I have been waiting for years to be frank, and Andrew Sanderson has come through with flying colours. This is not only a useful work on this murky and oft neglected aspect to culty photography but it is also an inspired, beautiful and elegant work on the subject, which is matched only by the enthusiasm and eloquence of it's author. Few photographic tech manuals can achieve the above accolades and combine them with such skill.

Sanderson takes you on a journey to the end of the night. His example prints and works, which are printed by himself are exquisite and predominantly B&W's that show him as a brilliant craftsman both pre and post exposure. Packed with images and technical detail to accompany the plates, Sanderson reveals the nitty gritty of his methodology and generously shares data which must have taken a great deal of time, effort and good record keeping to accumulate!

Sandersons manner of expressing this information is effortless and
conversational as is demonstrated by some of his chapter headings...

The Basics, The Technical Stuff, The Fancy Stuff etc...

The work is finished off with a great section on processing and printing (A real craft with this guy) and things like "Traffic problems/Unwanted attentions, formulae and calculations and the key steps to good night photography". We are very lucky to have a book like this and I look forward to anything else Mr Sanderson has to offer the world of Photographic literature in the future. This book will take pride of place in your Photo library. ... Read more

Book Description

We know a picture is worth a thousand words--so we went heavy on pictures and light on words in this easy-to-use guide. Color screenshots and brief instructions show you how to take great looking pictures with your digital camera. Follow along and learn to set up your shot like a pro, get the lighting right, photograph people, landscapes, and action shots, edit and enhance your digital images, print high-quality photos, share your photos online, and much more. Each chapter’s “How to” list and color-coded tabs make it easy to flip straight to the tasks you need to do. Get the book that helps you get the most out of your digital camera in no time. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Great book to learn lighting
This book is one of the best I've read on learning to light...it doesn't spoon feed you lighting diagrams, it explains the principles of light, why light does what it does and then the author expects you to work with your own lights to see the results for yourself and LEARN to light.

Corbell does a super job of explaining different lighting tools...from hot lights to the various types of strobes available, reflectors, scrims and gobos...when to use them and why.

The diagrams and photographs are most helpful in explaining the text which is very clearly written.

Excellent...I wish I'd bought it ages ago.

Very basic book
I made a big mistake buying this bock, I should pay more attention to the reviews, the writer dose not go through details only big pictures with mentioning few general things, there are no satisfying details and diagrams.

Do you want to follow recipes by rote, or learn to cook?
This is one of the most inspiring photography books I've read. There are a hundred books about studio lighting that are little more than collections of photos followed by diagrams of the lighting setups. If you're looking for simple ways to duplicate somebody else's photos, this book is not for you. Instead, the author's intent is to make you understand the underlying principles of controlling light. He takes pains not to dictate rules or give formulas, but tries to help you make your own decisions based on your personal taste and the demands of a particular photo.

This book, although it appears superficially simple, puts demands on the reader that many other lighting books do not. Some people would prefer to follow diagrams by rote; I'd much rather develop the mental tools to design my own lighting setups for my own needs, rather than look at the exact placement of lights that somebody else used.

Corbell's explanation of the Chromazone system (for controlling the effects of gelled light on backgrounds) was more than worth the price of the book.

nice pictures but that's all!!!!!
his pictures shows his techniques he's trying to explain but that's about it. very few picture, and whatever pictures are there are almost a page size. that's how he fills his book big pictures very few words. he doesn't talk about flash setup, what the camera was set at, lens & film used ,and so forth. the title says "..complete guide.." i find that very false. if you're in the store and see this book just look it over then leave it and look at something with more technical stuff. i sold my book after a week. the only thing i liked about the book was a few of the pictures. i find it hard to belive that this person is qualified to write a book nontheless teach photography. he never had formal schooling in photography. i also hate the fact that he pushes hasselblad equipment and their flashes. i'm sure he got a nice pay for advertising their products. i don't use hassy equipment and don't care to. i also think that he could have shown example work in 35mm format since this is what most people all over the work with. overral this book fails!!

Too simple to be considered "complete"
This book does show you basic lighting techniques. It also goes through all the things almost every other photography book does. If your are looking for original ideas this is not the book. This book cannot spawn creativity because it is far behind the photographic learning curve.

The reader should note on this book (and all photography books) that this is a new edition not a new book. This seems to make a huge difference in the quality of photography books because of the learning curve I mentioned. Potrait (fashion, glamour, or anything besides landscape) photos taken two years ago, look out of date because they are behind the curve. How many people want to look at old tired photos? If you are one of them then you don't mind taking old tired photos and shouldn't read a book's review--- just buy the one with the 'coolest' photo on the cover. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A good supplement to his earlier books, but not a primer
This is not a good first book on camera repair, a distinction which has to be noted in contrast to his first book which is far more suitable as a primer. For the somewhat experienced phototechnician working on the classics covered in this book, it's a useful title. I would start with either his first two titles (Camera Maintenance and Repair 1 and 2),the classic Ed Romney text (Trade Secrets:Basic Training in Camera Repair), or if you can find them the old National Camera correspondence materials.

That said, given the proliferation of specific books he has produced, they are informative and useful within their scope.

The Knowledge Is Transferable
This is an excellent repair book. Some who have reviewed this book are missing the point -- this repair knowledge transfers to many cameras other than the ones featured. So I wholeheartedly disagree that this book is for repairing only the specific cameras listed -- it provides scores of solutions for other cameras also. Ever tried to pull a viewfinder window? Ever wondered how to make spraypaint hard and tough? How to fill incised lettering with white paint? The difference between slow and fast epoxy? How to make bellows? How to refurb a resistor? How to clean aluminum? How to remove a round window without scratching it and without buying a special tool? How to mate helicals? How to prevent and repair battery acid damage? Where to obtain chemicals at low prices and when to use them? And on and on and on. Tomosy is like having an expert looking over your shoulder as you repair. I'm going to purchase the other Tomosy books after reading this one.

Its great if its talking about a camera you're working on...
Its a great book if its talking specifically about the model of camera or shutter that you are trying to repair, and its got a surprisingly thorough section on bellows repair. Other than that the book is just OK. I would recommend buying this book if you have one of the cameras that are discussed inside it, which are covered from disassembly to reassembly. Those cameras and shutters are: Voigtlander Heliar No. 6 shutter, Bausch & Lomb Iris Diaphragm shutter, Wollensak Iris Diaphragm shutter, Packard Ideal shutter, Vest Pocket Autographic Kodak Camera (1915-1926), Kodak Folding Pocket No. 3-A, Kodak No. 3 Folding Brownie, Kodak Model A Folding Brownie, Kodak Six-20 Model C, Eastman 5x7 View Camera No. 33A, Lancaster & Son Merveilleux, Rembrandt No. 2 Portrait Camera (Burke & James Inc.), Thornton-Pickard Duplex Ruby Reflex, Graflex Speed Graphic Pacemaker, Ensign-Cupid, Kodak Premoette Jr. No. 1 (1913), Rolleicord Vb, Contax II, Exacta VX, Leica II, Nikkorex Zoom 35, Nikkorex 35, Universal (Univex) Mercury II, Zeiss Contaflex, Contaflex I, Contaflex Super and the Minox C.

A Good Introduction
Not complete, but a good start for mostly pre-1945 cameras and lenses. The sections on bellows restoration and construction alone probably make this book a worthwhile purchase. Tomosy illustrates restoration techniques using specific cameras and lenses that are mostly common and relatively inexpensive. A couple of different Kodak Brownie cameras are two of the cameras examined in the chapter on folding cameras, for example. The Exacta VX, Nikkorex 35, Zeiss Contaflex, and Leica II are some of the models examined in the 35mm chapter. Other chapters cover Lenses and Lens Shutters, Wooden View Cameras, Large-Format Focal-Plane Shutters, Medium Format, and the Minox C. What keeps this from being 5 stars is Tomosy's too casual treatment of wood-, metal-, and leatherworking on a couple of his projects. However, he does include an appendix about tools, lubricants, parts suppliers, and other suggested readings.

Recomendet to collectors.
Great book.Well down.Thank You Mr Tomosy ... Read more

Book Description

Written in easy-to-understand language, The Darkroom Cookbook is the one source every photographer needs for the recipes for both common and rare photographic formulas.This book shares tried-and-true techniques for the silver-based process and provides the keys to unlocking creativity through the mastery of the 'ingredients' of photography -- namely the chemicals used to develop, fix, stop and tone.


The Darkroom Cookbook, 2nd Edition offers 170 photographic formulas, 20 of which are new to this edition, that cover film developing, paper developing, toners, stop baths, fixers, negative reductions, print reductions, negative intensifiers, paper intensifiers, and more. New information has been added on pyro developer, amidol developer, monobaths, pushing film, and low contrast development. Sections on safety and darkroom planning, as well as a listing of chemical suppliers, complete this book. The comb binding allows for easy darkroom use.

*Recipes for 170 photographic formulas and their specific uses, including 20 new ones
*In-depth analysis of which formulas work best under what conditions, as well as specialized conditions, such as working in extremely cold or tropical climates
*Handy, easy-to-access information on safety, suppliers, darkroom planning, and conversion tables ... Read more

Reviews (5)

It's not for me
If you are a step by step learner don't buy this book also If you are not welling to spent hours daily to learn from it don't buy this book, its kind of book which requested by the teachers to there students.

Well loved and dog-eared
This book has been flipped through many times, it holds many wonderful ideas and continues to inspire me in this digital age we live in!

The Darkroom Bible
This book is an absolute must-have for the experienced printer who wants to step up to the next level. The wealth of information he provides, from technical to historical, is extremely interesting, albeit a bit dizzying at times. However, the book can be used as a reference as needed for information on specific chemicals, formulas, or resources for supplies and equipment. Of all the books that I have read on printing, this is the one that has been most useful.

Excellent reference for both shooters and photo scientists
Mr. Anchell has complied an excellent book for both people becoming interested in developing their own film and those who want to know more about the chemistry of photographic processing chemicals. There are sections on getting started building your own darkroom, previously tested formulae for developer, fixer, and other assorted solutions, and a full explanation of what each chemical does in the formulae if you want to create your own developer. I used this book as a reference in a college level photographic chemistry class and I found it invaluable.

A excellent book for serious darkroom fanatics.
As stated in the summery this is a great book for people who wish to advance in the darkroom; to have more control over their work. The Darkroom Cookbook discuss, in easy to understand concise language, how to make your own developers, toners, fixers, reducers etc. Stephen Anchell gives you the formulas to reproduce, in your own darkroom, a host of great developers etc. He also gives some basic info on hints and tools you will need to get started. A well written book easy to follow; though a little knowledge of basic chemistry is helpful. I am a new darkroomer and found this book has a wealth of inforamtion helpful if you like to expeirment. By the way, If you are just being introduced to the darkroom or rusty at it, don't buy this book at this momment. Wait untill you feel comfortable working in the darkroom using stock chemicals, this book might discourage some from beinning because it is a techincal manual. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Currently one of the two best books for LF photography
Thank you Jack for sharing your thoughts, methods, and vision with all of us less talented photographers.

This book along with John Fielder's LF book are THE guides for today's LF photographers. Many LF photographers in the past began with Adam's three texts; however, today many have switched to saturated transparency film. Thus, a new reference is needed. And that reference is... Jack Dykinga's Large Format Nature Photography. Buy it, you will not be disappointed.

Large Format Nature Photography
I found this book to be filled with valuable tips/advice. It gives an excellent overview of Composition, Light, Focusing the Camera, Lenses, Exposure,Film, and Filters, Gear and Weather and Career. Each chapter is to the point and has Jack's beautiful photographs for use in illustrating each point he makes. Many of the photos have information regarding the lens used with additional info that ties in with the text itself.

I can assure any landscape photograper who shoots large format or is considering stepping up to large format that this is a must have book. Even though I've been using a 4X5 for nearly 10 years I have learned a great deal from this book. Actually, I've read most of it 3 or 4 times already. I can't wait to leave on my next trip so I can put the things I've learned to use.

Not what I had hoped for - but OK
This book is light on technical information unless you happen to use the exact same equipment as the author. This is primarily a personal journal and not really an instructional volume. Pictures are OK.

Excellent, sound advice, beautiful images.
Though I don't do large format photography, I found this book very interesting to read. It is literally packed with sound advice and lots of beautiful images. Well worth the money.

Large Format Nature Photography-It's a must have!
I have only recently made the move to large format photography and welcomed the publication of Jack's book. Not only are the photographs inspiring but there is a great weath of technical information to help with composition, exposure and camera movements. It is always interesting to learn how photographers work and this book gives insights into how Jack works a situation to get the photograph.
The section on camera movements is particularly helpful. Jack has created excellent pictorial diagrams to show the effects of camera movements on the focusing plane. In addition there are chapters on film exposure, reading the light and filters.
Making the commitment to large format photography can be a very daunting experience. This book helps. It is an excellent reference tool. One that I would not be without. ... Read more

Book Description

Addressing the reservations many wedding photographers have about digital photography, this guide explains the many valuable benefits of this technology, including saved labor costs and quick turnaround time. Topics covered include equipment selection and usage; scheduling digital prewedding, wedding day, and postwedding sessions; managing the workload; and using digital proofs. Photographers learn how to market their images-from dealing with client questions to pricing images-and how to use digital imaging software to make easy and effective corrections to flawed images. Providing practical information on running a profitable photography business, this book also gives important technical instruction that will help photographers embrace technology and realize the true potential and profit of their art. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

A "MUST HAVE" to move into the Digital Age
WOW!!! For anyone thinking about moving into Digital Wedding Photography this book is a must have. I have operated a Photography Studio for over 25 years and have taught and attended hundreds of seminars thru the years and have never seen a more down to earth, thought provoking system. Jeff and Kathleen lay out there approach to handling a Digital Wedding from start to finish. In the book they cover every aspect of the Digital Wedding from marketing to equipment, sales, production, to the delivering the finished Wedding Album. They show you how to do simple digital special effects to add to the wedding story and your bottom line. Jeff & Kathleen show you how they lay out their workflow in a time saving fasion that keeps you files organizedand easy to work with.

This book will return at least five times the price you pay for it on your first Wedding.

George Dunlap - Master Photographer, Cr., CPP

Awesome!
I have read about five books on wedding photography and this book is the best I have read yet. A great tool for anyone interested in digital wedding photography. I like the fact that Jeff and Kathleen spent a lot of time writing about the business and digital workflow instead of just merely technical picture details as many photography books do, although that part is great too. I feel 100% more comfortable now in moving to the digital arena. This book covers it all. Excellent work!!

Wedding Photography by Kathleen Hawkins
This is an excellent work which teaches how to plan a wedding with particular emphasis on the photography. The author discusses three types of photogs i.e. the traditional photog, photojournalists and a combination

She advises couples to search the internet, attend bridal shows and follow-up on referrals. The work is a "must have". It will save you time and money. The planning for a wedding can be hectic. There are pressures. People tend to think emotionally with little room for reasoning. This work will focus your attention on the important planning horizons for accomplishing a successful wedding without spending too much money.

AWESOME BOOK!
This book is terrific! It is just what I needed to make the leap. I have been photographing portraits digitally but I have been hesitant to take the plunge with my weddings. Mainly because I was overwhelmed with the workflow process and not sure if I wanted to take the additional time to prep, save, and create the images digitally. This book gave me the confidence and the steps required to do move forward and capture weddings digitally. Once I made that leap, I was amazed at how the steps and tools shared in this book helped me in the process and now weddings are fun once again! Anyone thinking about taking the leap should read this book!!!

Very Helpful and Informative
Having photographed about 45 weddings per year for the last 15 years using film, I bought this book looking for some direction. I had just purchased my first Canon D60 and was wondering, "OK, I've got the digital camera, so what do I do now"?

Although the information on wedding albums, marketing and sales will be old news to the more seasoned wedding photographer, it is all VERY sound advice and will be very helpful to those just starting out in this challenging field.

Here's where this book shines. The information presented on what type of media to use, digital workflow and numerous proofing methods will be absolutely priceless to those photographers who are considering, or are in the process of switching, from film to digital capture. There are also a few examples presented on how to quickly make your images stand out through some simple digital manipulation techniques. These techniques will be helpful whether you're an experienced image editor or are just starting out.

If you are making the switch from film to digital wedding photography, this book will save you a lot of time, money and headaches. ... Read more

Book Description

The authors have gone to great lengths to provide extensive explanations of their techniques as well as the materials and equipment used. A tremendous amount of useful hints and tips are shown throughout the book with diagrams and charts to enhance the text.

The book moves from tonal reproduction-including the zone system-to fundamental print control that includes archival processing, to advanced print control which covers fine-tuning print exposure and contrast, split grade printing both basic and advanced, print flashing, paper reciprocity failure and toning. It then moves further into extensive negative control covering focus, exposure, the zone system, filters and unsharp masking. It has an extensive assignment section where compelling case studies with super illustrations are used and ends with darkroom equipment and tools, and many tips and tricks.Intended audience: This book is targeted at amateurs, semi-professionals and professional photographers, most of whom have at some time developed and printed their own images. This book takes readers on a journey that will transform their work into something special. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Simply the best B&W book in years
"Way Beyond Monochrome" is a very practical book for beginning and very advanced B&W photographers alike. Everything you always wanted to know about sensitometry is explained in a comprehensive and practical way. It contains a revolutionary but very applicable new approach to multigrade papers. Printing techniques are explained in every detail. And several appendixes and handy tools make it a book which will never leave your darkoom. Take a look at their webpages www.darkroomagic.com to read example chapters of the book, download darkroom tools, and look at authoritative reviews.

By the way, I dont have any relationship to the authors or the publisher whatsoever. But Way Beyond Monochrome is simply the best B&W book I've read in years.

No fluff in this book
I have been a photographer for nearly 30 years and I have accumulated a couple hundred books on photography. I recently bought "Way Beyond Monochrome" sight unseen because I have found previous magazine articles by Lambrecht and Woodhouse to be concise and well written and hoped that the book would be the same. I was not disappointed, the book lives up to that and much more as it is absolutely packed with extremely useful and practical information. There is a good balance between theory and practical applications. There is an entire section in the back of the book with useful graphs and tables many of which now hang on my darkroom wall for quick reference.

This is not just another general photography book as it is truly aimed at the advanced printer who already has more than the basic skill set. This book is not full of "FLUFF" it presents a good range of print making concepts and then provides sufficient information to enable them to be put into practice. The information not only allows you to improve future images but also alows you to rethink some previous prints.

This book makes not attempt at explaining the "ART" side of photography. However, there is no doubt that making you a better and more confident printer will make for stronger artistic expression. Easily makes my top 5 list for photography books. ... Read more