Book Description

Book Description

Shooting & Selling Your Photos combines beautiful show-and-tell photography, straightforward, authoritative instruction, updated technological information and complete coverage on breaking into today's photography market.

The book is divided into three parts: "Shooting," "Building Your Image" and "Selling." By covering all three areas, Jim Zuckerman offers everything readers need to get serious about their photography. Zuckerman shows readers how to:
*pick powerful subjects
*decide between film and digital formats
*create dynamic portfolios in print and online
*use the Internet for marketing, self-promotion and photos sales
*understand the inner-workings of stock photo agencies
*get noticed with creative, professional submissions ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Good overview: what you need to go pro
Jim Zuckerman's book provides a great coverage of all the steps involved with becoming a professional photographer. You'll learn what gear you need, potential markets and needs, presentation, etc. The book gives you a lot of ideas on how to get started as a pro. However, the book does have two drawbacks that prevent me from giving it 5 stars.

- It's very negative on digital, which I find suprising given the book's publication date. The reasons given for why film is better than digital are silly, in my opinion; stories include pictures mysteriously disappearing from cards and cards being corrupt. My advice: buy good gear and practice with it before you shoot it for real. I've used a DSLR for 6 months. I spent the money to buy a good camera body and a professional card, and it has worked well for me in conditions ranging from 80F to -20F, from high to low moisture. Digital is no different than film: practice, make sure everything works, learn your gear's limits... then use it.

- The book doesn't explain the photographs. One of the things I like in other photography books (including others by Jim Zuckerman) is that pictures have captions telling you the camera body, the lens, the film, the exposure length, the f stop, and so on. Sadly, this book doesn't share that information.

A great resource
This book is a great resource for those people who are interested in selling their own photos. It is well written and researched by a professional photographer who writes from his own personal experience. The advice he gives is straight-forward and honest, and he even will share a few "don'ts". I recommend this book to anyone who is thinking of turning professional themselves. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

In TALKING PHOTOGRAPHY, award-winning Washington Post photography columnist Frank Van Riper assembles the cream of his popular columns to delight readers with a treasure chest of photographic insights.

Readers will find expert answers to dozens of basic, yet rarely addressed technical questions, from shooting pictures under fluorescent light to defending oneself against bloodthirsty mosquitoes.They’ll also find cutting-edge interviews with industry icons; captivating essays on the everyday events and great moments in the life of a photographer; and reviews of great photography-related books and shows.Engagingly written and packed with technical tips, creative inspiration, and intriguing anecdotes, this remarkable guide is an absorbing read for every photography lover. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Only useful for People Photography..
If the stock photography you do does NOT have people in it (Such as product or travel photography), this book is of no value at all to you.This book ONLY deals with topics such as how to arrange a shot with models, or what are the uses for the types of photos with people in them.

This book is being tossed in the trash, as it doesn't even have enough value to even take up my bookshelf space!

All the techniques necessary for selling photos
This handbook provides aspiring professional photographers with all the techniques necessary for selling photos on the market, using over thirty stock photo assignments to help reinforce lessons on building a portfolio of saleable stock subjects. From evaluating photo stock to locating markets, How To Shoot Stock Photos That Sell is packed with practical tips.

How to Shoot Stock Photos That Sell
A good, solid bunch of information that will be useful for all photographers that want to start out, or re-start, in stock photography. ... Read more

Book Description

Close-up photography is used in a variety of areas such as nature, medical and forensic, instruction and training, archiving, and the arts. The first part of the book is dedicated to the technical side of closeup work, including the equipment required, how to meter in close-up work, special problems, magnification and methods of achieving it, lighting, and electronic flash. The second part is the practical side of close-up work with an introduction to elementary composition, photographing mechanical subjects, crystals under polarized light, and nature photography. Heavily illustrated with diagrams, tables and color throughout, Close-up Photography also includes mathematical formulas that have been simplified and explained with examples.

Many photography books have some information about close-up work, but usually the subject is not treated in-depth and the variety of problems likely to come up when the photographer begins magnifying are not addressed.Most often, other books seem to deal with the use of a macro lens and ignore or gloss over other methods.This book weeds out the misinformation and the over-complication of technique to give the reader a real understanding of the field.

Practical 'how to' advice covering the many different areas of close-up photography
Beautiful color photographs throughout the book
A reference guide for anyone interested in learning the tricks and tips of close-up photography ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Thin book but much ideas
I photograph almost 45 years and now is photography as my job and I am as a member of The Royal Photographic Society in England. I had bought the photographic books as new one and in the secondhand bookstore. I have at this time maybe 2 meters long a queue of these photographic books in english, german and czech language. I know, what is important information for photographer and what is the value the information in the proper time. Okey. The book "Close-up Photography" has two parts: 1) Technical and 2) Making the Technical Practical. In total has 18 chapters. Every chapter open very interesting view at the various problem of this branch of photography. I can list e.g. chapter 3: Focusing Screens, Focusing Rail and Cable Release. Very important but very ignored theme in other books. Very interesting paragraph in this famous book is theme Lens Faults, Diffraction and Lens Flare. You can read in chapter 6 (Exposure) which is exposure compensation when you snap on film area a Dandelion Yellow or Cedark bark. The paragraph "Exposure Correction for Extension" very precisely explains exposure correction with mathematical formula. An instruction how use the second lens with special adapter for macro-photo explains the chapter 8 too. The paragraph "Exposure with Flash" in chapter 10 explains two flashes with different GN by using in shorter distance. You can see more different setups for photographing coins, plastic models of airplanes, what prepare for polarized light photography (chapter 14). Very nice chapter is chapter 18 "Nature Subjects" with 26 unique photographs. I summarize the impression from this book: I can very hard recommend this book not only for beginner but so for advanced photographer with very strong interest ybout close-up photography.

Close-Up Photography by Alan R. Constant
Close-Up Photography by Alan R.Constant

Every few years, someone authors a work involving the photography of (mostly) small things: insects, wristwatch gears, flower pistols and stamens, etc.

In 1999, Mr. Alan R. Constant took his turn at bat with the above titled effort. And a good turn it was, resulting in what can only be described as a home run for the lovers of macro-photography.

In any such subject, it is necessary, indeed mandatory, to delve just a little bit into the geometry of optics, such that various points may be understood as to just WHY something must be done in certain ways so as to result in a useable photograph. Mr. Constant accomplishes this both adroitly and painlessly.

The occasional formula is laid out at the appropriate time and place, and with the naturalness of a skilled photographic professional. The art of explaining without glazing the readers eyes, or occasioning a mathphobic reaction, is just one of the many virtues of the relaxed and homey style of Mr. Constant.

Beyond that, the text progresses in a smooth and natural rhythm from subject to subject, each layer building upon the previous examples and explanations. And indeed, one of the major strengths of this work, is that NOTHING is left to the reader's guesswork or imagination. Whenever a point is made or a procedure explained, Mr. Constant always goes on to show exactly WHY such-and-such is necessary, or why compensating approaches often result in what is desired, simply because a direct approach would fail and why so.

Finally, this book pretty much travels the entire gamut of macro-photography, from just getting a pretty flower to remain looking pretty when on film, to more esoteric (but always common sense) items such as his "Bug Box". All in all, the book is worth more than just the purchase price. It is a good piece of work, well done, and far more enlightening than many of the preceding volumes over the last several decades. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Terrfifc book on a terrific subject.
Thoroughly enjoyable. Makes me want to drop everything and run out and buy a pano camera. Binding, as described earlier, is not the best and probably will have to be nursed a little to maintain its longevity but a lovely book full of inspirational material.

Fine book on an obscure topic
This is a very helpful survey of Panoramic Photography. It covers the broad history from the earliest days of photography to today. He has portfolios from a collection of current panormaic photographers that gives a good sense of what people are up to.

There is a comprehensive discussion of panoramic cameras, including obscure hand-built models.

My only suggestions for improvement are:
1. A greatly expanded discussion of digital panorama hardware and software.
2. More careful editing of the text. It is repetitive at points and seems a bit rambling.
3. A discussion of how to mount and display these images would be helpful.

I don not agree with Barry Schmetter's review
He blames the publisher for not having a bigger, more expensive book. Panoramas are an odd shape (wierd aspect ratio) that complicates printing. I think this book works well. Wonderful color reproduction in a well-made book.

All-in-all I highly recomment this new book on Panoramic Photography.

Great book, but shabby publishing
Stretch is a great introduction to the field of panoramic photography. Nick Meers not only showcases some amazing examples of panoramic photography, but describes the wide variety of cameras and working techniques used to make the photographs. This is probably the best treatment of panoramic photography I've ever read and it makes me want to run out an purchase a horribly expensive panoramic camera.

Shame on Rotovision for printing an undersized version of this book on cheap paper stock more suitable for a magazine. The book would be spectacular in the larger format it deserves and on a decent paper stock. As it stands the photographs are unsatisfyingly small, the printing mediocre, and the binding suspect. Nick gets 5 stars for his efforts, but the substandard Rotovision presentation knocks off two stars with its shabby publishing job. ... Read more

Book Description

GREAT PICTURES IN A SNAP!
Are your snapshots never quite as good as you'd like them to be? Do you love taking pictures, but want to understand more about photography? Are your pictures always too light or too fuzzy? Then this book is for you! For more than seventy-five years, millions of picture-takers have trusted Kodak's How to Take Good Pictures to give them all the information they need to take great photos. And now it's been completely revised and updated with information on the very latest camera technology. No matter how much your camera does for you automatically, you still need to know the information in How to Take Good Pictures.
Inside, you'll find:
* The top ten techniques for better pictures
* What's wrong with this picture--and how to fix it next time
* The technicalities--from film speed to depth of field to lighting
* How to take great pictures of your kids
* The popular cameras--from simple cartridge loading to 35 mm point-and-shoot compacts to advanced single-lens-reflex models--and their basic operations
* Getting the most from your vacation, wedding, and family photographs
* Dealing with special situations like poor lighting and action shots
PLUS these new special features:
* How to use the newest electronic equipment
* More emphasis on fully automated cameras
* Information on new products like single-use cameras and the latest films.
CAPTURE THE MOMENT FOREVER
with
HOW TO TAKE GOOD PICTURES
... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent book on beginning photography
This is the book for those who want to improve their photography skills. It teaches us with "easy to understand no jargons" language. And to illustrate the ideas better the books use lots of photos. There are lots of tips that are easy to remember, techniques to experiment. Reading the sections on exposure , film, and filters help me improve on my understanding on technical sides of photography. Should be a good starting book before moving on to more advance photography books.

I also recommend "Kodak Guide to 35 mm","Kodak Guide to Point and Shoot Photography" and "Understanding Exposure".

awesome examples
With this book I am able to see what each feature of a camera can do before I try it on film. The COLOR photo examples are great! I recommend this book for any beginner or prosumer. I love photography and this book got me started.

Wanna Buy the Right Book? Search no More!
No wonder this is a best seller! It is a wonderful book for those who want to get started in the art of photography. Fully illustrated, it offers the reader a precise theory/practice approach, covering all major themes, such as lighting, flash, film, etc. And the pictures are a source of inspiration for the photographer in each one of us. Definetely a must-have book for those who enjoy photography! ... Read more

Book Description

A respected guide for students, amateurs, and advanced photographersinside you will find more varieties of pinhole cameras for beginners, expanded instructional information on pinhole and zone plate practices, and new information on where to get pinhole supplies throughout the world. With listings of workshops, pinhole photographer's web sites, pinhole books available, and a guide to commercial and individual suppliers of pinhole equipment, this is the one guide you'll need to navigate the industry.

Now in full-color, this classic offers a new chapter on camera obscuras, a more in depth "how-to" chapter for beginners as well as a new chapter for advanced photographers, and revised exposure guides and optimal pinhole charts.

*New information on where to get hard to find supplies
*More varieties of pinhole cameras for beginners
*Expanded instructional information on pinhole practices ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Ultimate history and reference
Fabulous book. I, like other reviewers it would seem, got a bit bogged down in the early chapters that cover the history and science that led to pinhole photography. I just really wanted to get to the "how to make a pinhole camera" part. However, having read all the other chapters, when I did get to the "how to" section, I now understood the physics behind the technique, and was therefore able to design a camera to do exactly what I want it to do - a clever way to get you there. The book is also loaded with diagrams and photos, both of equipment and of actual photography. Highly recommended.

A wonderful historical resource, not a "how-to" book.
When I first received this book, I was a bit disappointed. I'm just starting out in pinhole photography, and I wanted my hand held while learning the ins and outs of this new skill. This book doesn't do that. After it sat around for a few days, I picked it back up and started actually reading it. What the book DOES, is give you a wonderful historical perspective of this most unusual and artistic art form...because that's what pinhole photography is, an art. Photography in general, especially digital photography, is SO controlled and SO exact, that it's lost a lot of it's magic. While certain scientific aspects of pinhole photography can exert a meaningful amount of control over the subject at hand, in it's heart of hearts it isstill a wild and free spirit making images however and wherever it desires. Where else can you make an image by putting a piece of film in your MOUTH and using your lips as the aperture? Where else can you make a camera out of a shopping bag, a purse, a hole in the ground, a red pepper? (Dark red works best by the way.) This book gives you all these examples along with rich and varied historical perspective into this most fascinating aspect of the photographic world. If you are a serious pinhole photographer (...or have intentions of being one), you owe to yourself to read this book. It's not a "how to" book by any means, but it is a "where you came from" book of the 1st degree.

If you are serious about pinhole photography, read on
Simply put, this is the BEST book available on the subject of pinhole photography.Eric Renner has found a balance between the art and science of this art form and put it in to print for all of us to share.If you are going to buy only one book on the subject, this is the one to get.

An excellent introduction to this nearly lost art form.
This is one of the best guides for anyone wanting to explore the world of pinhole photography.Eric Renner delves into the both the historical aspects of pinhole photography as well as presenting practical information for the exploration of this nearly lost art form.This book will inform, educate, and inspire you to explore the world of lens-less photography.

The most incredible photography book I have ever read!
When I ordered this book, I expected it would cover the basics of pinhole photography, and it does. What I didn't expect was that the book would grab me and kept me under the spell with its incredible narration of pinhole history, practitionners experiments and techniques, and also beautiful pictures.

Eric Renner manages to write a very deep, but yet fun to read prose where he quotes many famous and obscure figures. You get to hear the words Leonardo da Vinci or Plato, but also the thought processes of the photographer (among many others) who build 120 pinholes, put them in a waterproof container with instruction of use and set them at sea with a return address. This book if chock full of fun ideas for the people who like to tinker with things and build cameras out of anything, from a matchbox to a hole in the ground (and you can also make a pinhole camera with your mouth or fist... ... Read more

Book Description

Covers the key aspects of the art and practice of professional portrait photography. Offers expert guidance with chapters by top professional portrait photographers on topics such as selecting equipment, refining lighting and exposure techniques, and establishing and operating a successful portrait business. Also covers specialty portraits, fashion and glamour photography, plus tips on presenting portraits to increase sales. 120 pages (over 150 illustrations), 8-1/2 x 11.
... Read more

Reviews (7)

Really for professional portrait photographers
This book really addresses the professional portrait photographer and how he or she should run their portrait studio.Photography techniques are glossed over on the assumption that you are familiar with the basics.Customer relationships, on the other hand, receives considerable attention from the author.

Incredible Illustrations
The photos in this book are inspiring and the text is comprehensive and easy to follow.Each technique is demonstrated with one or more beautifully composed photographs.

Overview of portrait business, lacking in technical detail
I asked the posters on a large format board for opinions on books on portrait photography, specifically detailed information on lighting techniques and posing, and several HIGHLY recommended this book.

Unfortunately, it was not what I looking for.However, it is a fine overview of the portrait business in general, and I recommend it for someone intending to enter the business.It contains discussions on selling, dealing with the customers, and the studio environment, and discusses different types of portraiture, such as glamour, wedding and corporate.

There was one chapter on lighting techniques, but wasn't as in depth as I would have liked.Moreover, methods were discussed and not demonstrated explicitly in the accompanying photos.Main light patterns such as closed loop, open loop, butterfly and broad are discussed without giving photos showing what they are.I still have little idea what they are.

Similarly, the chapter on equipment actually contained very few photographs portraying the equipment discussed.

The lack of "technical" photos demonstrating the equipment and technique is very uncharacteristic of Kodak's books.It seems that they included a collection of portrait photographs, sprinkled throughout the book, often having little connection with the subject discussed. However, this book also has much less of the "Kodak advertising" that their other books suffer from.

I felt that this book, overall, was rather good for what is was supposed to be.My criticisms are small and hopefully would be taken as suggestions to improve the next printing.Someone actually wanting to start a portrait business will require deeper technical knowledge than that provided here.I will be reading "The Lighting Cookbook" by Jenni Bidner to pursue this knowledge.I still haven't found anything that discusses posing, though.

This is a must have book !
Their are very few books that really are worth their price. This book is one of the rare educational books that every photographer should have to have to read over and over!

Beautiful portraits, but not a book for the beginner.
As an amateur, I was looking for a book that would mold me into one of theworld's leading portrait photographers. This was not the book. Some of thematerial went over my head (Why do I want to determine the gamma--neverdefined in the book--on a new film? Is that not the job of the filmmanufacturer?). Still, most of the book was quite understandable and fullof beautiful portraits.My biggest complaint was that the text and theportraits did not coincide. Various authors, each extremely talented intheir own right, wrote the different chapters. But the photographs in thechapters were seldom the work of the chapter author, so the pointsdiscussed in the text were seldom well illustrated. Although there is muchto like in this book, it is not a stand-alone text. There were manyabsolutely stunning portraits contained in the book, but at the end of thebook, you still do not have a clue of how to duplicate them. I need a bookwith more hand-holding. ... Read more

Book Description

Find all the information you?ll ever need to know about photography in one book--from cameras and equipment to subjects and techniques, printing and processing and, of course, digital work. Indispensible reference for the complete beginner through tothe experienced enthusiast.

A general reference to all aspects of photography for the beginner through to the intermediate photographer. Covering all the basic questions from explaining what the different types of camera are and how they work, to different techniques for shooting various subject matter, to darkroom methods and how to manipulate and print digital images.

Designed to appeal to anyone who owns a camera, it is an attractive, comprehensive manual for all photographers and the perfect gift for anyone interested in photography. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Outstanding
This book is amazingly great. It includes everything you need to know about cameras, taking photos, composing scenes, everything. Digital and film cameras are explained in detail. Filters, flash, film, ISO, exposure, aperture, composition, color, EVERYTHING! It has a ton of pictures and examples, and goes into detail how to do everything. Best book I own. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

This books STINKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here's how this book works:

They show you a photo, and tell you what fancy equipment they used to photograph it. THATS IT!!!!! Very Useful if you want to RE-CREATE the photo in the book. This book is UNIMAGINATIVE and of zero info. Save your cash and spend it on something else.. I WISH I HAD!!!

Please put a star in this book
I'm a nude photographer in Bandung Indonesia and I got most of Pro-Lighting series about nudity. Firstable, you should understand the subject among nude, naked and erotic. Nude is a basic one to explore shape and form and naked - erotic is about a mood in nude photographs like sensual mood or seducing. You may read other Pro-Lighting series for comparison such as NUDES and PROVOCATIVE SHOTS. I've noticed that the Pro-Lighting books that have nudity seem to have higher ratings. The photos are beautiful and the diagrams are very easy to catch if you want to follow the instructions.

Get at least one
It's difficult to give any of the Pro-Lighting series books a fair review in comparison to other photography and lighting books. This is a tutorial by example and inspiration. About half of the shots require very sophisticated equipment and set-ups, while the others are simpler. What's most useful about any of the books in this series are the detailed lighting diagrams and the information on the film used as well as photographer's notes. After that, these books help spark your own creativity. This is why I say you should own at least one book in this series. I've noticed that the Pro-Lighting books that have nudity seem to have higher average ratings. Coincidence or not, I don't know. However, from the ones I've looked at, Erotica, Fashion and Glamour seem to be the most creative and interesting. New Glamour is not as good as the original Glamour. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Inspirational
This book is my first purchase on still life photography and has since become a treasure in my collection. This is one book that I will never part with and wish would last for a lifetime.
Not only is it a collection of stunning photographs by various published photographers, it is also an easy to follow guidebook for studio setups that emphasize on professional looking shots with simple and easily available equipment/materials. Complicated setups are also available for the more advanced photographers. There is also a section that states the basics of lighting equipments etc. which is very useful for beginners in referencing what types of equipment one might upgrade/purchase in the future.
It is highly inspiring and is sure to tempt any reader to try his/her hands at duplicating shots using the setups illustrated. Whether or not you would actually get the results depends on the equipments you own, but being an amateur working with just window lighting, two flood lights and a reflector board, I found that the setups easily attemptable with minor adjustments. I often return to the book for ideas on practice shoots.
Only downside to the book is that since some pages are printed with black backgrounds, fingerprints can be easily spotted so be prepared to wipe them off should you treasure the book as much as I do.
Highly inspirational. Even non-photographers would view the photos in awe.

Excellent
This is the best still photography book I have found.
I recommend it to all photographers that want to know proffesional secrets and technics for still photography; and the price is really low for it.

Hicks and Schultz, what a team...
I spend allot of time in bookstores searching for useful, yes that's useful books on photography. Once you have long since gone beyond the ranks of amateur, newbie or intermediate and reached the shores of expert and semi pro, wanting to perhaps start making a living from this craft, you find that there is very little at all out there in the way of USEFUL works on the subject at this higher level.

I own great books in the area's where I usually shoot film - (Outdoor, Landscape, Night)- , which I have reviewed elsewhere for those who wonder, but the area of still life and special effects photography is something up until now I have left alone, having always been curious about. Still Life and Special Effects Photography by the above mentioned authors is a superb choice for those looking for an entry point into the professional or fun end of this type of photography.

This is not so much of an in depth step by step guide that teaches you how to shoot Still Life and Special Effects images, but rather it is a primer, explaining in brief tutorial the HOW of individual works of photography.

This work is broken up into various sections which focus on various styles of Still and Special effects images. What you get is a large facing page with the image as final product and on the opposite page a detailed drawing and explanation of HOW everything was set up in black and white sketch style. You get to see exactly what lighting was used, how it was placed, what props were involved and the camera's movements.

Sidebar discussions give technical details of each image, the photographers comments, the art director if there was one and various side bar discussions which give a brief but detailed enough version of HOW this kind of work is achieved. Largely this work is superb not as a 'guide to copy', but it is mean't to serve as a tool for inspiring YOU, the photographer, to create your own works having grasped whats possible and what can be achieved.

I own other excellent works by Hicks and Shultz and this book is just fantastic for whetting the appetite and getting some creative juices flowing. I went down to the art store and bought all kinds of materials after reading this book and am looking forward to expanding my photographic horizons into this fascinating area of image making. Used as a tool for inspiration and you can't go wrong. ... Read more

Book Description

Whether readers are knowledgeable birders who wish to find out more about photography, or whether they have a photographic background but need to know more about fieldcraft and specialist photography techniques, this book clearly explains how to get fine results using basic 35mm cameras and equipment. Above all, it will increase readers' enjoyment of a uniquely rewarding pastime.

As photographic subjects, wild birds present quite a challenge, mainly because their phenomenal eyesight and (in most cases) acutely cautious nature make them so difficult to approach. However, like any good challenge, bird photography can often be tremendously rewarding, and its popularity is ever increasing. As a result, there is a continual improvement in the standard of work being produced. Far from being just a record of species and behavior, the best bird photographs are genuinely artful images.

The books provides the less experienced photographer with a practical guide to photographing many species of wild birds in a variety of situations, ranging from an ordinary back garden to a remote Scottish island. The author uses a 35mm single-lens reflex camera, and most of the illustrations reflect his preference for natural lighting--although basic flash techniques, which are sometimes indispensable, are also covered. For birders, photographers, nature lovers. For beginner and advanced photographers. ... Read more

Book Description

Flowers are often a photographer’s favorite subject, and this sumptuous manual covers all the practical skills and aesthetic considerations involved in shooting an array of blossoms. Whether the image is a close-up of a petal or a long shot of a landscape brilliantly in bloom, author Sue Bishop’s inspirational compositions celebrate color and form: they move beyond straightforward depictions of flowers into something more abstract, personal, and unique. She presents three comprehensive sections that cover technical matters such as equipment, lighting, exposure, and depth of field; using color; and artistic concerns such as the use of backgrounds, soft focus, and special effects.
... Read more

Book Description

Detailing the knowledge required to obtain professional-quality wildlife photographs, this book outlines techniques usually reserved for hunters to get close to animals to produce intimate portraits of wildlife. Photographers learn the keys to success, metering for perfect exposures, and how to compose the perfect picture. The basic elements of wildlife photography are covered, including photographic equipment and information on the various species and their habits. Many wildlife photographs are critiqued, providing budding wildlife photographers with suggestions for improving their own images. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Good Introduction to Wildlife Photography
The late Bill Silliker, who wrote this book, was famous for his pictures of moose and loons.In fact he loved to be called the Mooseman.The Mooseman?s last book is an introduction to wildlife photography, aimed primarily at the beginning and intermediate photographer, although there are a few discussions that may cause the advanced wildlife photographer to reconsider his techniques.

The book, written in simple, direct, clear style, describes the fundamentals to be applied to get good wildlife pictures.After the required discussion of equipment (Silliker prefers 35mm single-lens reflex cameras, long telephotos, autofocus and sturdy tripods), he spends a quarter of the book discussing metering and focussing techniques for wildlife in clear, comprehensive language.The length of this discussion surprised me, but it is all relevant.He then goes on to consider how to get close enough to animals to get pictures with impact, and composition.I was delighted by his no-nonsense approach.Stories about his own exploits are told only when essential to make a point.There is no excess verbiage here.

My only complaint about the book is that I wanted a little more.(Having read the author?s magazine columns, I know that he was a thoughtful photographer.)For example, he believes that the limited depth of field of telephoto lenses is something that a photographer has to live with and he suggests ways to compensate for the fact.I would have liked to hear some further discussion of the role that faster ISO media can play in getting greater depth of field, or the fact that for a particular image size and aperture depth of field will always be the same, regardless of lens length.But, of course, that would have been a different book.

Silliker also does not dwell upon the use of digital imagery, although he acknowledges it and suggests several other books for the reader who wants to pursue that direction.

If you are just getting into wildlife photography, you won?t find a better guide than this.The more advanced photographer may find his thinking stimulated by some of the discussions, but will probably want to explore other works to develop his skills.There are many such works aimed at more advanced photographers, but I would certainly recommend the work of Art Morris and Art Wolfe, both of whom have turned wildlife photography into an art (pun intended but very true.) ... Read more

Book Description

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

Reviews (1)

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

Reviews (17)

Famous Scenes, Human Pathos, and Restrained Beauty
Before considering this book, let me note that like many photography books this one contains a fair number of nude images of men and women that will offend some. If bare flesh is not something you want to see in your books, avoid this one.

Grading this book was difficult. The photographs were well chosen to be interesting and rewarding, were reproduced faithfully, and worked well as images on facing pages. The page sizes are generous to allow more room for reproduction. Many of them are photographs that almost anyone would want to have. Almost anyone would agree that the photographs and design of the book deserve five stars.

The accompanying texts, however, were not up to the standard of the photographs in most cases. I graded these texts on average at three stars. Averaging the two scores was how I arrived at four stars.

The book's concept is to take 500 of the best photographers ever, and show one image of each in alphabetical order. Although this sounds strange, it actually works quite well. Most of the images are in black and white, but some are in color. As a result, you get a full dimensionalizing of what photography can do and mean to the photographer and viewer.

Among the famous scenes in the book are Eddie Adams' Street Execution of a Vietcong Prisoner (1968), Neil Armstrong's Buzz Aldrin on the Moon (1969), Matthew Brady's General William Tecumseh Sherman (1865), Robert Capa's Death of a Loyalist Soldier (1936), Harold Edgerton's Milk Drop Coronet (1957), Alfred Eisenstaedt's V-J Day in Times Square (1945), Robert Jackson's The Murder of Lee Harvey Oswald (1963), Yousuf Karsh's Winston Churchill (1941), Joe Rosenthal's Iwo Jima (1945), Sam Shere's The Hindenburg Disaster (1937), and Nick Ut's Children Fleeing an American Napalm Strike (1972). If you are like me, these images brought me back to what I felt when I first saw these events or these photographs. It was a moving experience in each case. It is almost like looking at an album of your own life, once removed.

I was also moved by the many images of human pathos that I had seen less often or not at all before. Especially noteworthy to me are Abbas' South African Miners (1978), Lucien Aigner's Benito Mussolini (1935), G.C. Beresford's Leslie Stephen and his Daughter Virginia (Woolf) (1902), Margot Burke-White's Mahatma Gandhi (1946), Charles Hoff's Ezzard Charles and Rocky Marciano (1954), Frank Hurley's The Endurance by Night (1915), Dorothea Lange's Migrant Mother (1936), and Arnold Newman's Georgia O'Keeffe (1968).

Beauty was very much present, but almost always restrained in a variety of ways. That restraint created a tension that heightened the awareness of beauty. I particularly was affected by James Abbe's Bessie Love (1928), Eve Arnold's Marilyn Monroe (1960), Richard Avedon's Dovinna and Elephants (1955), Ian Bradshaw's Streaker (1975), Robert Mapplethorpe's Derrick Cross (1983), Man Ray's Tears (1930), Lennart Nilsson's A Human Foetus at Three Months (1973), Vittorio Sella's On the Glacier Blanc (c. 1880s), Frederick Sommer's Livia (1948), Jerry Uelsmann's Floating Tree (1969), and Edward Weston's Nude on Sand (1936).

How can you further benefit from enjoying these images? I suggest that you dig out your old camera (or consider getting a new digital one), and find scenes that evoke the emotions and memories you most want. Take a few lessons from the ways the masters captured their scenes, and see what you can do. Like the student patiently painting a copy of a famous painting in a museum, you can create your own images to illuminate your life for now, for the future, and for future generations.

Turn it all into a snap!

It rather depends on your tastes
First of all, read Donald W. Mitchell's review of the book. It contains a lot of information on the book itself. I strongly agree with his comments on the text which does little more than tell you what school the photographer belongs to and, rather often, how they died violently. Not at all informative, rarely relevant to the actual photograph and much more suitable to a book about photographERS than photographs. Pity.

My main quibble was in the selection of the photographs themselves. For reportage and especially war photos the overage is excellent. There is also a good selection of montage images. I found the portrait selection to be OK. I'd have been more happy to have seen fewer pictures from the FSA (Farm Security Administration ), which, although uniformly good, seemed to crowd out other sources. I suspect Ian Jeffrey got a good deal on this set of photos.

I was surprised to see very little 'fine art' photography, especially still life. It seemd that the editor felt that pictures ought to make a statement, and that therefore a picture of a typical person or a strange juxtaposition is superior to a simple, beautiful work. Even the picture of Marilyn Monroe is an odd one; technically only average, revealing little about her, the text invites us to consider the meaning of the chair beside her. I would have liked to have seen more photographs that are there because they look beautiful.

I also, frankly, got very tired of seeing pictures of railway bridges and miscellaneous uninteresting shots from the 1800's. Yes, these were important. Yes, they give an indication of the technology of the day, but do we really need to see so many sepia photographs that do not inspire? Again, I had a sneaking suspicion that maybe they had been chosen because their copyright had run out ..

So, the text is pretty much a waste of time and I wasn't keen on the selection criteria. Why do I give the book three stars? Becasue I have to agree with Donald Mitchell. Many of the photos are very significant, the production quality of the book is great and, with 400 photographs, it's hard not to find something you like every four or five pages.

Excellent survey of photography from it's birth
This book shows what amazing and inspiring pieces of art can be created with a camera.

Each of 500 photographers is represented with a single photograph. Every possible period and genre is represented and since the photographers are simply presented alphabetically, the contrast from picture to picture can be striking.

An excellent book, and it's available in both "coffee table" and "night table" sizes.

Simply outstanding
What pictures, what beauty, what a blend of art in photography, what a beautiful cover, page design, typeface, everything is just simple beauty. A must have if you have a coffee table or if you love good photography. The masters are shown here. You won't regret it.

A Wonderful Piece of History
The Photo Book might well be considered as much a work of art as the photographs represented within its bounds. This collection was given to me as a gift and has been so cherished as a pictoral index of inspirational and thought provoking works. Each page includes a short bio of the selected photographer and a sample of his or her work. Navigation through the book is easy as the photographers are categorized alphabetically.

Even more helpful is the additional information found in the back of the book. There are three appendices that help to explain this art form, its brief history, and how you can take part in enjoying it further. The first section is a glossary of techniques and terms - helpful for anyone who isn't skilled or knowledgeable of the art. The next section includes movements, groups, and genres of this form of art. This is a great help in understanding the context and influences of past photographers in relation to their work. The last section is an index of museums around the world including their addresses and phone numbers.

The aesthetics of the book are wonderful. Featured are over 500 photographers ranging over the span of the art of photography. The photographs represented are very clear and vibrant (where there is color), inviting the viewer to see, enjoy, and think critically about what is before them. The alphabetical organization allows for a quick read as well, enabling you to pick up at any given place in the book to enjoy a snippet of photography.

This book works excellently as a gift for a budding photographer, a coffee table piece, or a reference for those interested in influential and historic photography and photographers. It is a steal at what you can purchase it for - I doubt that you will find such a great assortment of so well established artists and their work for less than this. It's compact, but it's heavy too. For price, content, and availability, I gave this product 5 stars! ... Read more

Book Description

If you have a Mac with OS X and a digital camera, iPhoto For Dummies unlocks all the secrets to taking great digital pictures and doing just about anything with them.  And if you already have piles of photos scanned into your computer from other sources, don’t fret—iPhoto works with them, too.

Discover the easy ways to edit and enhance photos, fix common problems like that eerie “red-eye” effect, organize your photos for easy access and security, and even how to create a hard-bound photo album. And because pictures are twice the fun if you share them, iPhoto For Dummies shows you how to print those great shots for framing, turn them into a slide show or a Web site gallery, or even mix them with video clips and music to create a movie you can burn to a DVD to produce a truly one-of-a-kind gift.

A jargon-free guide to importing, organizing, editing, and sharing digital or scanned photos using the latest version of Apple’s iPhoto application for Mac OS X. Softcover. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great iPhoto 2 book
If you're using iPhoto 2 or even iLife, get this one. It is easy to read and full of information that you can actually use. Check it out! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

This book pretty much covers it
I'm a wedding photographer and a client gave us this book as a reference for her wedding. It's an excellent book and answers just about every question you could have for both client and photographer. In fact, I am recommending this book for someone who is shooting their first wedding soon and has more questions than answers.
His writing is clear and concise. ... Read more

Book Description

Are you keen to broaden your photographic horizons but not sure howto go about it? This invaluable sourcebook of techniques and ideas from best-sellingauthor, Lee Frost, is guaranteed to put the creativity back into your photography.

With photographic technology reaching new heights of sophistication, producingtechnically perfect photographs is now easier than ever before.

Unfortunately, no matter how clever a camera is, it's still a tool and can only do what youtell it to do - so if you want to produce anything more than mere record shots, you need touse your imagination and apply a little photographic magic.

The Creative Photography Handbook sets out more than 70 creative techniques andsubject ideas to help you produce exciting, innovative images. Whether you are acomplete beginner or an experienced photographer looking for something to spice up your picture-taking, The Creative Photography Handbook willprove to be an invaluable sourcebook of ideas and effects.

Lee Frost is an acclaimed landscape photographer and bestselling photography authorwhose previous books include The A-Z of Creative Photography, The Complete Book ofNight and Lowlight Photography, Photos that Sell and The Photographer's Guide to Filters (all published by David & Charles). A regular contributorto several UK photography magazines, including Photography Monthly, OutdoorPhotography and Black & White Photography, he also leads photographic holidays andworkshops. He lives in Peterborough. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Expanding Horizons
Okay, you've been through lots of other photography books that walk you through the basics.This book helps you to use those skills and apply them in creative ways.Well written and illustrated with a broad range of material presented almost as mini assignments to get you to use the techniques presented straight away.This book provides a good basis for expanding one's photography in a fun, and informative fashion!

Good...But not his best.
This is an informative photography book. Based on general ideas of photography such as back lighting and zooming. Informative for the Novice or someone who want to break out of there regular line of photography to get some ideas.

I find that Lee's previous books are significantly better and more informative than this one. But, ALL of Lee's book are informative and helpful.

Excellent guide for techniques and new ideas
This is absolutely an excellent book. Without going into the basis stuff that's in almost every book (by now, you should now what dept-of-field and shutterspeed is), Lee Frost gives a new idea and the belonging technique in every chapter.

The book is written in a very simple, story-telling way. Every chapter tells what the creative technique is, how to use it, what materials you require and gives you some useful tips for further discovery of the subject. I read the book from A to Z, almost without stopping.

Next to that the great text, the book is stuffed with beautiful photos that are not only really beautiful, but help you understand the subject they illustrate.

A real good buy, I can't imagine anyone being disappointed after buying this book. ... Read more