Book Description

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

Reviews (16)

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 (There's also a survey of information on specific models of cameras, printers, and scanners, which will soon be outdated and which might have been omitted.)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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Book Description

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

2004 Edition

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

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

This greatly enlarged edition includes:

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

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

Reviews (32)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reviews (12)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Book Description

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

Reviews (5)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reviews (8)

Great informative and entertaining book!
As far as I'm concerned, this is a must have 4th book to the Ansel Adams series of The Camera, The Negative and The Print. It is very informative to read about not only the circumstances in which Adams made these black and white photographs, but also some of the technical and even emotional factors.

Great reading for anyone interested in photography (mostly landscapes and medium and large format).

The book and photographs are well printed and seems sturdy.

Superb Case Studies
If you want to learn photography and you would prefer to learn (or supplement your learning) by intensive case study, this is the book for you. Ansel Adams is a master at controlling composition, light and perspective, and he conveys his unique methodology admirably in this book. This book covers much more than his epic landscapes -- there are a lot of still life, portrait and architectural case studies. And he's not just discussing the zone system, but also everything else involved, including packing the right equipment, leaving at the right time, and hunting down the right subject. And above all, patience and persistence. The photos themselves are reproduced with admirable tone, sharpness, and contrast, as they are in all the books in this series. And although there are only forty of them, each case study runs two or three pages in addition to a full page photo. And if you like this, check out Ansel Adams' classic three part intensive introduction to photography, in the same series as this book: The Camera, The Print, and The Negative.

How Did You Make That Photograph, Mr. Adams?
An essential book for all photography fans!

In 1983, Ansel Adams picked 40 of his most memorable and diverse black and white photographs as examples of his work. For each one he wrote a brief essay that described the circumstances of deciding to photograph the subject, how he came to prepare for the photography, his companions, special challenges that occurred along the way, how he selected the composition, tricky light and shadow conditions encountered, technical details of how the image was captured (equipment, film speeds, settings, filters, lenses, etc.), technical details of printing the image, and the surprises he experienced.

In the midst of all this, he shares his philosophy of life, nature, and the art of photography. It's like attending a master class with a genius. Even if you know nothing about photography, this book will open your eyes to new ways of seeing and experiencing the world around you.

For those who love these images, the stories that accompany them will broaden and deepen your appreciation of what Mr. Adams accomplished. If you are not a technically-oriented photographer or fan, realize that only about 20 percent of the material is primarily technical. The technical parts are very interesting, but the rest of the material is even better.

Mr. Adams did draw the line at one point though. "Absent from these pages [is] a statement of what the photograph 'means.'" His reason: "Only the print contains the artist's meaning and message." In other words, the work should speak to you for itself.

He does point out some limits to his essays that you should keep in mind. He often doesn't remember when he made a particular photograph. Friends would remind him that a certain print was published in a certain publication in 1934 and he had dated it as 1936 elsewhere. He also did not keep notes of how he made the image after the negative was developed. So all of the technical notes and dates are probably off a little. That's all right in many cases. You are not a historian, and you are probably not going to use glass plates. Modern equipment is much different from what Adams used, so you will be making major adjustments anyway.

His style of photography was one adventure after another. You'll be climbing with him through snow-clad forests in freezing weather, and suddenly he's down to his last exposure. Which filter should he use?

In fact, in many cases, Adams was gambling on how the image would turn out because he would not get a second chance. It's like reading a detective story, in which the story begins with a flashback sequence of how the mystery ends, like Sunset Boulevard, because the finished image is there is its duotone beauty.

In other cases, the experiences of Edward Weston helped him avoid mistakes. As a result, you get to see his delightful, dramatic images of dunes in Death Valley.

As usual, the Little, Brown pages are often too small for the images. Despite my annoyance at this limitation, I did not grade the book down since the essays are so wonderful (of more than five-star interest) and are the real reason for reading and examining this book.

I would suggest that you read The American Wilderness before reading this book. That will give you a context for understanding what Mr. Adams is talking about in these essays. The essays assume a certain level of familiarity with the people, philosophies, and locations involved. The American Wilderness can provide that background for you.

After you have swum in these wonderful stories, I suggest that you write an essay about something you have done that contains high drama and meaning. Then share that essay with someone who would appreciate know the whole story. How can others learn as rapidly and as well as possible if your experiences (successful and unsuccessful) are lost?

Keep your mind open for opportunity! It's all around you!

One word... Inspiring!
Forget "...every photographers library..." This should be in every library. It's one of the ten best books I've ever read. Yes, I'm an amateur photographer but this book is way deeper and of so much more value than just knowing which f-stop he used.

This is a beautifully illustrated book of short stories chronicling the adventures of a master as he passionately pursues his craft. It's a love story with nature. If this book doesn't inspire you to climb a mountain or to sit beside a stream for a few hours, I don't know what will. If it also inspires you to photograph your little corner of creation, there's plenty of insight in these pages as well.

Technically Helpful and Entertaining to Read
This book is an inspiration for all of us whose photos don't look like they were taken by Ansel Adams. It shows the painstaking effort that went into some of his great photographs, and the sheer luck that captured others.

The technical descriptions are very interesting and helpful for anyone who wonders how such great prints were made. The more personal stories behind finding the images really give you a sense of what it means to make great photographs. Add in Ansel Adams' personal feelings about the art of photography and you've got a book every photographer should read. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Great Book
I'm shocked by some of the negative reviews. This book has been in print for many years and gave me the foundation for my professional work. I photograph dogs (as a second career) and this book is great! I used to read it over and over again.

Poorly written, hard to follow, boring
This book is poorly written and is boring in my opinion. There are many other books on this subject that you should consider. Look at the Nation Geo or Kodak books. The writer's of this book do not know how to teach. Once you look over it, this book will sit on your shelf never to be opened again.

Excellent introduction to the basics of composition
This is an excellent resource providing both insight and instruction. It also explains the artistic side of photography and shows various effects of composition, lens and selective focusing e.g.The pronciples descibed apply to the whole gamut of photography black and white, print vs slide, medium format, 35 mm etc. Every new and not so new photographer should have this in their library.

Well organized, and professional
This is a very well organized and concise book on photocomposition. It has a very thoughtful progression of the covered subjects, taking the reader from basic concepts of graphic design to the practical presentational and psychological principals. From the 5 main chapters of the book I found chapters 2 "Graphic Controls" and chapter 5 "Total Control" the best chapters from the point of view of richness of presentation and its practical value. The other chapters seemed to me shallower and less focused. I share the dissatisfaction of other reviewers with the presented photographs. Even though I understand that those photographs are carefully selected not for their extreme photographic value, but rather for their association with the subject of the topic they are presented for, I assume that the authors could had done a better job of finding or making more appealing pictures. Without a rich set of photographs this books seems to be a bit more "theoretical" then a book on photography, I believe, should be.

On the other note, I noted that despite the very careful selection and sequence of presentation of the main subjects, most of them are not covered as deeply as they deserve to. This being a disadvantage on one hand could easily be considered as an advantage, because the book does not overwhelm the reader with details, leaving enough space for creativity.

Overall I consider the book to be very useful and educational, especially for high end amature and beginner professional photographers.

Despite some criticism presented, I still rate it with 5 stars, which I think the book fully deserves.

Very Good but not the best
This book has a very good discussion of Photographic Composition covering all the basics needed for those desiring to improve. The pictures are excellent and illustrate the principles well. However, some of the discussion lacks the depth that I would like.

The best book I've found is "Image:Designing Effective Pictures" by Michael Freeman. This has a thorough discussion of all the techniques with excellent illustrations and diagrams. Unfortunately, it is no longer in print. I was able to get a used hardcover copy in very good condition for [$]. It's a must read for those desiring a firm grasp of the basics. Worth treasuring. ... Read more

Book Description

Digital Compositing for Film and Video is a hands-on, practical, how-to guide that addresses the problems and difficult choices faced by the professional compositor in real-life situations. It presents techniques, tricks, and solutions for dealing with badly shot elements, coloration artifacts, and mismatched lighting that bedevil actual compositors working on real shots. Readers are offered in-depth practical methods for matte extraction, despill procedures, compositing operations, and color correction--the "meat and potatoes" of all digital effects.






Compositing is the artistic blending of several disparate elements from a variety of sources into a single image while making all the component elements appear to be in the same light space and shot with the same camera.When confronted with a bad composite any observer will recognize that something is wrong--the artist will know what is causing the problem, and the technician will know how to fix it. A good compositor must be both an artist and a technician.

Written by a senior compositor with over ten years' experience in both feature film and broadcast television, this book offers a broad range of alternative solutions that will save hours of fiddling with composites trying to get them to look right when the basic tools aren't working. A companion CD-ROM provides examples of the many topics covered in this book.

Loaded with practical tricks, techniques and alternative solutions to the common thorny problems faced by today's compositorsCompatible with Adobe PhotoshopWritten by a senior compositor with over ten years of digital compositing experience ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Concise technical information!
I really struggled through the first chapter, but after that is stared to make more sense. This book is very technical, and many topics like 10-bit logarithmic color are definitely complex concepts, but generally the author does an excellent job of explaining them as simply as possible.

Explanations for what is happening 'under the hood' of a lot of compositing tools are explained, as well as how to achieve them manually. Stuff like keying, despill, unsharp mask, and defocus operations. I've read the 2 other main compositing textbooks available on Amazon.com, I would say this is definitely better than "Digital Compositing In Depth", and slightly better than "The Art & Science of Digital Compositing". It's definitely the most detailed and technical of the 3 books.

I wouldn't recommend this for a beginner, it'd be more suited to someone who has composited for a few years and wants to better understand the underlying concepts of their compositing software.

Fabulous resource.
The author has done a great job of taking most if not all the tricks and tips and combined them into one excellent book.
Film and Video is completely explained and the reader gets a great idea why they are so completely different.
This book is an A+ must have for anyone wanting to know more about the compositing process.

One of the best compositing books out there...
If you consider yourself an upper intermediate level user or less, I'd recommend this book. Among many other things that it does quite well, it explains what procedural keyers like Primatte are doing and shows you how to accomplish the same kinds of processes manually. You will know what each of the many keyers in After Effects (and other compositing apps) are doing and the logic behind each. You will also learn where best to use each based on the situation at hand. It also takes you through many other areas like matte extraction, despill procedures and color correction. After reading it, you will understand scientifically what is going on under the hood of your favorite imaging and video apps. To me, this is the "Photoshop Channel Chops" of 2001. What David Biedny's legendary PCC book did for Photoshop artists a decade or so ago, this book will do for compositors today. I have seen other books handle this subject, some do it well but none as good as this one. Well-written and very easy to understand -- though there are definitely places where you will have to reread passages to understand what's being said. But if you commit to reading it with more than a cursory perusal, you'll walk away a master. Highly recommended. Five Cows.

Ron Lindeboom
creativecow.net ... Read more

Book Description

With the over 50 at-a-glance pricing charts that this smart companion offers, photographers are sure to tailor their pricing to any sales or licensing situation, including new media and niche market deals. Plus, this classic trade reference tool provides a wealth of time-tested information on everything from estimating prices, identifying pricing factors, negotiating fair deals, and much more.

PRICING PHOTOGRAPHY enables photographers and photography buyers to * know which fees and expenses may influence the price of a picture or licensing deal
* structure prices to fit any type of market and usage
* respond to offers/demands professionally and from a position of strength
* define prices in a way that guarantees long-term profitability
* negotiate with an understanding for the other side’s needs and goals
* create up-to-date model releases, contracts and other legal documents,based on the legal forms included in this book. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

an invaluable guide for photographers
An invaluable guide for photographers providing information on pricing, negotiation and business behavior with clients, A very good book

An essential book for pro and would-be pro photographers
I'm called a veteran photographer these days, but I learned a lot from the newest edition of this book. It's easy to forget expenses when estimating or billing, and the book shows you how to avoid such pitfalls. There are many new stock uses relating to the web etc. and I now have a basis for pricing such uses. If you are starting out, read the book carefully, it's as good an introduction to the business end of photography -- that is of course about making money -- as you will get. If you know a photo student, give it to him or her as a graduation present. Highly reccommended.

Gold mine of information
I'm a professional photographer so I have experience in pricing, but until I read this book I didn't realize how much more there was to learn. I have picked up a lot of subtleties in negotiating techniques which has given me increased confidence in dealing with clients. Another plus for me was the language rights section. By using the careful, precise language when writing an invoice I am now avoiding some pitfalls in the permissions I grant to clients. The pricing charts are a great reference so I can see where my rates fall in comparison to the national average. Sometimes I even show the price charts to my clients so they can see what a good deal I'm giving them! The book is a gold mine of information -- all spelled out in photographer-friendly language.

Practical Pricing
"Pricing Photography" is the perfect book to take the mystery out of charging for your photo assignments and stock sales. As a staff photographer for a university, I know my photography techniques. However, I have been wanting to branch out into some commercial jobs without being sure how to handle the business and pricing aspects. This book opened my eyes.

The tips on negotiating really remove the intimidation of talking money with a client. The price charts are helpful, but it's the advice that makes the book such a boon for me -- it is friendly, practical and usable.

Title and abstract are misleading
When I bought this book, I was looking for info on how to price a photo assignment for sale. The title and short abstract of the book led me to believe this would be a great reference for my purposes. However, when I got the book, the first few paragraphs pointed out that its focus was on assignment stock photography, not for pricing photo assignments in which the finished prints are to be sold to individual clients. If I were submitting stock photos to publishers, it would be a great reference for me. It gets 2 stars only because it didn't suit my purposes at the time. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

The book is like taking course in photography
Brenda is a terrific teacher. Her book is written in easy to understand language. Her variety of techniques discussed and beautifully illustrated will keep a photographer busy for a long time. For the beginner it is like taking a course in creative photography. For the more experienced photographer it is a wonderful review.

Creative Nature and Outdoor Photography
Brenda Tharp is a gifted nature photographer and teacher. Her images bring a sense of freshness and unique perspective not found in more traditional collections of outdoor photographs. Aspiring photographers, from the beginner to the advanced amateur, will find this book extremely helpful.

I can't understand why everyone else gave this book 5 stars
I bought this book sight unseen, based on the strength of all the 5-star reviews below. My mistake. It's a decent enough book, with lots of nice photos, but in my opion it certainly doesn't deserve a 5-star rating. There isn't anything in this book that isn't in dozens of other photography books, and there's nothing outstanding in it. It's not a bad book at all, but it's not a great book either.

Delightful
This is a delightful book in which concepts for creative photographs are cogently explained and illustrated with consistently strong images. This book could well have carried a subtitle something like -- "A Composition Toolkit". Very useful -- perhaps even inspirational -- for all skill levels.

Take More Creative Photos!
This book is well written and easy to understand. It includes a ton of great photos, which illustrate the points Brenda is making. My photographs have definitely become more creative and unique because of Brenda's tips. Her book challenges me to look for photos that aren't my "normal" compositions, which has resulted in getting more creative and satisfying photos. ... Read more

Book Description

This photographer's guide to creating successful model portfolios encourages a dynamic, diversified artistic approach and shares essential knowledge about the modeling industry, portfolio basics, and agency requirements. Photographers learn how to work with models for the best possible results, create and refine a standout portfolio, and sell that product to agents in the United States, England, and Asia. Three actual portfolios are included to help photographers conceptualize, sculpt, and refine their own portfolios to maximize their client's reach in the industry. Photographers learn why particular images were chosen for opening and closing shots, how to arrange the interior images, and what constitutes an appealing design. Featuring information on working with women, men, and children, this book will help new and experienced models and photographers alike in getting the results they desire. ... Read more

Book Description

Flexible toes, high arches, full thighs and the seamless sheer pantyhose that adorn them; the girls in Dave Naz's world have legs that just won't quit. Unlike other compilations devoted to praising a particular body part, this collection showcases the entire woman, inviting us to see the whole person and not just the fetish object. Each model displays her own personality, her pleasure in being seen, the eternal dance between exhibitionist and voyeur, and Dave has done all the footwork. ... Read more

Book Description

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

Reviews (21)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reviews (3)

Very nice illustrations
This book shows the way the lighting is set up on a 3d format, and also shows the end result. I was happy with this book and plan to use the lighting for more than just nudes.

Fantastic Book
This is an excellent buy. In addition to the gorgeous pictures by well-known and highly talented artists, the diagrams and equiptment information really allows you to crawl inside the artists' head. Check out Carson Zullinger's work on pp. 36 and 104. He captures glorious color and weightlessness in a way I haven't seen before. Very original and amazingly talented.

informative and beautiful
This book shows some of the best photographers and how they go about creating their images. A must read for professionals and amateurs. If you have ever thought of trying this genre, this is a must have publication. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great - Fantastic HOW TO Book
The title of this book is somewhat misleading... but only in a minor way. EVERY photo in this book is about people... not the more generic "Studio and Commercial" photography... I'd have paid good money to see a couple still lifes of an apple and an orange by the time I reached the end. In fairness, Jack "What's his name" has obviously fantastic work (Like he needs MY endorsement), and all that he has to offer are words of wisdom... I just wish it was as easy in reality as he makes it look in literature!!!

Reznicki walks you through all of the steps of creating an image, from receiving the phone call on Friday afternoon, to getting your crew lined up, building the sets, models, and client management!! Great info if you want to make a buck with your images! Good diagrams on how he gets his images too!!

Studio & Commercial Photography
A top notch resource for the working pro and amateurs alike. I picked up some tips that have made my job so much easier. The book is very relaxed and open in its presentation with a no nonsense delivery of information.

Become Inspired In Just 176 Pages
As a writer (newspapers, corporate publications, magazines), I'm very critical of writing technique. There's not much to criticize here, though, because Jack writes like he probably talks: conversationally, but clearly. That's a big deal because usually photographers can get by with writing cutline info...few are trained in written storytelling. A voracious reader could whiz through the book in an evening, but believe me, you'll reread it again and again.

As a photographer who's just opened a portrait studio, the book has helped me in many ways. For instance, Jack tells readers how to coax reactions from those hardest of subjects -- children. That's going to be very helpful in my studio. Additionally, he offers much technical advice that every shooter is bound to find useful. Finally, he covers the business aspect of photography that gets glossed over in other books. Jack's advice in this area is real world...he's worked for large clients most of us have heard of, so I'm willing to trust his words implicitly.

In short, a fine book that's bound to be helpful, too. What more do you want?

Time well spent with great Pro
This book is like spending time in Jack's Studio when he's very busy solving problems and creating great images. The only difference is that in the book, he has time to talk with you and tell you why and how of everything he does. I got lots of solid information from this book. I applied some great stuff that I learned the first week I read it. Jack's an easy guy to learn from. (His writing is easy and not like many photographers who are good with images but poor with words.) For anybody thinking of starting or improving their commercial studio business, this book is one of the best! ... Read more

Book Description

Turn your enthusiasm into striking photographs! From composing the shot to applying special techniques and developing the film, this information-packed manual covers everything readers need to become successful black-and-white and/or color photographers. Ideal for first-year students, as well as anyone who wishes to explore the ins and outs of contemporary photography processes and state-of-the-art techniques, Photography: The Concise Guide is a fast-paced, all-around introduction to the technical aspects of making photographs. Lavishly illustrated, this full-color manual outlines essential information on film exposure and development, printing black-and-white photographs, plus methods for troubleshooting contrast, printing, sharpness, and other common problems. Clear, easy-to-follow instructions to help aspiring photographers see and compose better shots, and make creative use of light meters, shutter speeds, filters, and other special darkroom and digital photography processes. Assistance in choosing a camera, lenses, and accessories is also offered. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Perfect Balance
Easy to understand. Thorough. Artistic examples drawn from the canon of great photographers both historic and contemporary. Short enough to be affordable for beginning students; deep enough for advanced students. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great reference book!
Why reinvent the wheel when Schaub and Sklute have set the groundwork for you? Reviewed are what brides want to see in purchasing their wedding shots. Handy reference tool to freshen up on what works and what doesn't.

PROFESSIONAL TECHNIQUES FOR THE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
This is a horrible book. The writing is bad and the photography is even worse.
It is not even worth the shipping charge.

Gives basic techniques and focuses on business
The title of the book is a bit misleading. I thought it would be entirely technique, poses and lighting. It's more of a "how to get started in a wedding photography business." But to its credit, the wedding photographer isn't trying to make a career giving pictures away for nothing, but that's where many make mistakes right off the bat.

The book delves into facets that others don't. It has a sample contract which is very thorough. The verbage in the book about clients is very strong, almost bullyish. I wouldn't simply make a copy and show it to a client. The section that gives a list of expected photographs is very useful. Many of the poses and techniques kindle imagination and are very helpful as a quick refresher course.

The book seems geared toward an experienced photographer interested in handling weddings. The equipment checklist in the back of the book sounds more like an everything plus the kitchen sink list, and many beginning photographers will not have anywhere near that much equipment.

All in all, I'd recommend this book in a heartbeat. Its drawbacks are insignificant in comparison to the benefits.

Very helpful for the beginning wedding photographer!
I am about to photograph my first wedding and this book has helped me prepare for it. The book goes through the basics of setting up your business (booking, pricing, etc.) and then takes a detailed look at what is expected of today's wedding photographer. There are lots of interesting photos in the book and most of them have an explanation on how you can create the same look. There are also checklists of photos you should always take and equipment that you will want to take to the wedding. Overall, I found this book very helpful in starting my photography business and would recommend it to any beginning wedding photographer. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

For more than 100 years the name National Geographic has been synonymous with excellence in photography. Some of the finest photographers in the world have traveled the globe capturing memorable images for the pages of the Society's magazines and publications. Now you can learn how National Geographic photographers make those outstanding pictures in this remarkable guidebook.

National Geographic Contributing Photographer Robert Caputo shares his secrets to making great travel photographs in this engaging and informative guide.

• Hoe to capture a sense of place

• Tips for getting the most out of short or long trips

• What equipment to use to get best results

• How to turn your snapshots into professional-looking travel photographs

• Photography Web sites

Book Description

Portrait and wedding photographers will find scores of proven-effective strategies for starting a new studio or improving an existing one in this thoroughly updated edition of an industry classic! Filled with real-life insights only a professional studio photographer would know, The Business of Studio Photography provides practical advice and surefire strategies for every aspect of operating a photography studio: from choosing a location, financing, and equipping the business to pricing jobs, negotiating with photo labs, and selling to the public. There are scores of no-nonsense guidelines for devising short- and long-term business plans, handling paperwork effectively, conducting public relations and self-promotion programs, and more. This updated and expanded edition includes an all-new section on the use of digital photography by the studio photographer, as well as completely updated lists of websites, equipment, books, and other photography resources. The book also features dozens of sample equipment checklists and forms, all ready to copy and use immediately. This is the definitive one-stop reference of professional tips and techniques for every studio photographer! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

must have book
If you are just getting started in a photography business, you have to have this book! It is step by step on starting up,getting going, then running your buisness. This man Knows what he is doing and he tells you like it is. I use it every day, my business will be open soon and i give this book a lot of credit! I highly recomend it.

Read, and then re-read this book periodically!
This is a MUST READ for anyone thinking about entering the studio photography business. But it's much more than that... you can re-read this book (or at least select chapters) and keep learning more. There are so many tips, ideas, strategies, and just plain solid advice, that one reading cannot absorb it all. Even after years in the business, I make a point of browsing this book every 4-5 months.

An excellent blend of business savvy and specifics tuned
Any interested in studio photography as a business will find Edward Lilley's Business Of Studio Photography to be an important guide to building a studio photography venture from the ground up. From choosing a location and equipping it to pricing work and catering to the wedding, portrait or commercial markets, Business Of Studio Photography provides an excellent blend of business savvy and specifics tuned to the studio photography world.

The Best I Have Seen So Far....
This is the best book on how to run the "business" aspect of a photography studio that I have seen. It's obvious that the author is very experienced in the profession and the book is loaded with tips and personal experiences that will save you time, stress, and money. I thought I could just open up a photography business and be successful, but after reading this book I found out that there was a lot I didn't know. I'm still going to pursue a career in photography, only now I'll be much smarter about it. READ THIS BOOK if you are thinking about making a living in photography!

Very Informative Book!
This book is full of helpful info. Covers all aspects of starting a photography business. It was my #1 guide in getting my photography studio up-and-running. I'm afraid it is becoming alittle dated, however. That is my only reason for giving it 4 stars instad of 5. I would be wonderful if Lilley would write an updated - into-the-21st Century-Version!! ... Read more

Book Description

The Film Developing Cookbook is an up-to-date manual for modern film development techniques.While the original Darkroom Cookbook focused entirely on photographic chemicals and formulae, this book concentrates on films, their characteristics, and the developers each requires for maximum control of the resulting image.

The Film Developing Cookbook specifically addresses the difficult subject of T-grain film development. It includes rarely found information on film development and the nature of film developers. The authors take bold and controversial stances on many widely accepted film developing dogmas. They tackle many of the widely accepted "myths" of film development. They reject the trend toward `scientific evaluation' of films and developers in favor of the photographer developing a personal aesthetic without relying exclusively on densitometry or H&D curves.

Steve Anchell is a contributing editor to Outdoor Photographer and PhotoWork magazines.He has written columns, feature articles, and interviews for Camera & Darkroom, View