Books

Planet Earth: As You've Never Seen It Before

Average customer rating:

Wonderful
Planet Earth: As You've Never Seen It Before
Planet Earth
Perfection
Only one complaint

Planet Earth: As You've Never Seen It Before
Alastair Fothergill
Manufacturer: University of California Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Similar Items:

Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series
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Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series [HD DVD]
Ocean

ASIN: 0520250540

Book Description

A visual odyssey that will change the way we see our planet, this remarkable book, companion to the acclaimed Discovery Channel/ BBC series, is an enduring and awe-inspiring record of one of the most ambitious natural history projects ever undertaken. Using the latest aerial surveillance, state-of-the-art cameras, and high definition technology, the creators of Planet Earth have assembled more than 400 stunning photographs of wondrous natural landscapes from around the globe, including incredible footage of the rarely spotted, almost mythical creatures that live in these habitats. Many of the images reveal inaccessible places that few have seen and record animal behavior that has never been filmed or photographed before. With the help of this highly advanced technology and the world's premier wildlife photographers, the book takes us on a spectacular journey from the world's greatest rivers and impressive gorges, to its mightiest mountains, hidden caves and caverns, and vast deserts. Planet Earth captures breathtaking sequences of predators and their prey, lush vistas of forests viewed from the tops of towering trees, the oceans and their mysterious creatures viewed from beneath the surface, and much more--in a magnificent adventure that brings unknown wonders of the natural world into our living rooms.
Copub: BBC Worldwide Americas

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful .......2007-06-27

Children and adults of all ages should take a look at this. It is absolutely amazing.

Planet Earth: As You've Never Seen It Before.......2007-06-09

Incredible and unbelievably beautiful photographs -- wonderful perspectives!

Planet Earth.......2007-05-25

The book is wonderful. I have not watched all of the DVD's yet, but am sure they will not disappoint...
John

Perfection.......2007-05-25

This book is a masterpiece. It is full of beautiful photography. The text is easy to read and understand.
I have it displayed on a table in my living room and when guests are over the book always catches someone's attention. They can't resist picking it up and always exclaim over it and want to know where I found this book! It has even caught the attention of teenagers!

Only one complaint.......2007-05-20

Most of the books images have been poorly resized upwards. Almost every image is marred by pixelization -- Zebra stripes have jagged stairsteps. While original digital footage was shot with enough resolution for HD DVD, those screen captures do not have enough detail for good prints.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book for Digital Photographers,The (Voices That Matter)

Average customer rating:

It Might Have Been a Great Book
Photoshop LightRoom, by Scott Kelby
Line Out the Useless Information During Your First Read
Don't use Lightroom without this book!
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom - the book

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book for Digital Photographers,The (Voices That Matter)
Scott Kelby
Manufacturer: New Riders Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Digital Photography Book
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom for Digital Photographers Only (For Only)
Skin: The Complete Guide to Digitally Lighting, Photographing, and Retouching Faces and Bodies

ASIN: 0321492161

Product Description

This book takes you beyond showing you which sliders do what to reveal the secrets of the new digital photography workflow using Adobe Lightroom, and he does it using three simple techniques that make this just a great learning tool: 1) Throughout the book Scott shares his own personal settings and studio tested techniques he s developed using Lightroom for his own photography workflow since well before Adobe released even the first Beta version. He knows what really works, what doesn t, and he tells you flat out which tools to use, which to avoid, and why. 2) The entire book is laid out in a real workflow order with everything step-by-step, so you can jump right in using Lightroom like a pro from the very start and sidestep a lot of productivity killing road blocks and time-wasting frustrations that might have tripped you up along the way. 3) In the last two bonus chapters Scott visually answers his No.1 most-asked Lightroom question, which is: Exactly what order am I supposed to do things in, and where does Photoshop fit in? Scott teaches this by showing every step of the entire process, from the initial shoot to the final prints. Both chapters start with an on-location photo shoot, including full details on the equipment, camera settings, and even the lighting techniques. You ll see it all as he takes the photos from each shoot all the way through the entire workflow process, to the final output of the 16x20 prints for the client.

Customer Reviews:

It Might Have Been a Great Book.......2007-07-01

Much of the material in this book is great and Kelby's breezy style (and insight) can work very well. However, his lame and juvenile humor is often excessive and it detracts very significantly from the book's potential. He needs a better editor. If you do buy this book, be sure to register it with Peachpit Press so that you can get the Lightroom version 1.1 Update Kit; Kelby did a good job with it.

Photoshop LightRoom, by Scott Kelby.......2007-06-29

PS L/R (Photoshop-LightRoom) by Scott Kelby is all that it was described to be and more. The only glitch was the unavailability of the book initially. That part gone, and now that I have it and have read part of it, it truly Rocks. Scott has an inimitable, informal style which might not be appreciated by some, but it helps make the topic fun, instead of just boring information. The book is written in a straightforward style just as it would flow in real life practice. It is not just information, but presented in a useful and logical manner. I would recommend the book to anyone using or contemplating using Adobe Photoshop LightRoom. No I do not work for Adobe or Scott Kelby. Just my opinion as a former serious amateur photographer who just today retired from full-time employment, and now is going full-time into photography.

Line Out the Useless Information During Your First Read.......2007-06-23

I am using this book a lot to learn Lightroom (as I relied upon Kelby's Photoshop CS2 Book in the same teaching format). I learn by repetitiveness. If I don't use a technique more than once or twice, I have to go back and reread the instructions. That's what I like about Kelby's book; it's a how to tutorial-- step by step with recommended settings which I've found to be a good starting point when learning a technique for the first time.

Okay, what don't I like about the book? Kelby has this compulsion for throwing in irrelevant, useless, time consuming, time wasting anecdotal crap. When I'm in a hurry, wading through this useless information is frustrating to the point of exasperation. Here's an example.

I've come to a photo that I need to quickly crop. I go to page 200 in the book an read Step One to see where do I start. I then am forced to read through all of the following garbage in Step One before getting to the point or the information I need. "The photo shown here has a huge problem--the horizon line isn't straight. IN FACT, IT'S SO BAD, WE'D BETTER FIX THIS FIRST (BY THE WAY, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THIS SHOT WAS TAKEN DURING THE TIME FRAME THAT MIGHT BE CONSIDERED BY SOME AS "HAPPY HOUR," I JUST WANT TO SAY FOR THE RECORD, I WAS NOT THE LEAST BIT HAMMERED WHEN I TOOK THIS CROOKED SHOT--IT TAKES MORE THAN SIX OR SEVEN DRINKS I HAD BEFORE I SHOOT THAT CROOKED. OKAY, YOU KNOW I'M KIDDING HERE, RIGHT? GOOD). To be able to straighten your photo, you have to start by clicking on the Crop Overlay button, found on the left side of the toolbar below the Preview area..."

Imagine being intensively focused on your work, looking for quick help on how do something. But, you are forced to take a time out -- to read words that Kelby inserts to stroke his manly drinking abilities -- before learning that you need to find the "Crop Overlay button" in Lightroom.

This is why I only rated this 4 Stars. I depend on this book. It's my bible at times in helping me with my work flow. But, the first time that I read through the book, I used a pen to line through all of the time-wasting irrelevant words that would always slow down my work flow. That way, I can quickly focus on the important information that Kelby does offer.

Don't use Lightroom without this book!.......2007-06-19

I used the Lightroom beta for a while and thought it was counterintuitive and difficult to use. So I wasn't excited when the final version came out. Until I saw this book. Kelby explains the program and how to use it in clear, easy-to-follow fashion. This book has saved me hours of learning time, and changed my digital photography workflow forever.

And if you like this one, you'll like his Digital Photography book, too. Lots of good information, clearly presented.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom - the book.......2007-06-11

Scott Kelby explains this new photo program in a simply step-by-step manner. I especially like it because he interjects humor in his writing while imparting an abundance of techinical knowledge.

Average customer rating:

Essential Reference
Satisfied reader
Good starter book
Great practical tips for beginners!
Very Happy With This Book

The Digital Photography Book
Scott Kelby
Manufacturer: Peachpit Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Learning to See Creatively: Design, Color & Composition in Photography (Updated Edition)

ASIN: 032147404X

Book Description

Scott Kelby, the man who changed the "digital darkroom" forever with his groundbreaking, #1 bestselling, award-winning book The Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers, now tackles the most important side of digital photography--how to take pro-quality shots using the same tricks today's top digital pros use (and it's easier than you'd think).

This entire book is written with a brilliant premise, and here’s how Scott describes it: "If you and I were out on a shoot, and you asked me, 'Hey, how do I get this flower to be in focus, but I want the background out of focus?' I wouldn't stand there and give you a lecture about aperture, exposure, and depth of field. In real life, I'd just say, 'Get out your telephoto lens, set your f/stop to f/2.8, focus on the flower, and fire away.' You d say, 'OK,' and you'd get the shot. That's what this book is all about. A book of you and I shooting, and I answer the questions, give you advice, and share the secrets I've learned just like I would with a friend, without all the technical explanations and without all the techno-photo-speak."

This isn't a book of theory—it isn't full of confusing jargon and detailed concepts: this is a book of which button to push, which setting to use, when to use them, and nearly two hundred of the most closely guarded photographic "tricks of the trade" to get you shooting dramatically better-looking, sharper, more colorful, more professional-looking photos with your digital camera every time you press the shutter button.

Here's another thing that makes this book different: each page covers just one trick, just one single concept that makes your photography better. Every time you turn the page, you'll learn another pro setting, another pro tool, another pro trick to transform your work from snapshots into gallery prints. There's never been a book like it, and if you're tired of taking shots that look "OK," and if you’re tired of looking in photography magazines and thinking, "Why don't my shots look like that?" then this is the book for you.

Customer Reviews:

Essential Reference.......2007-06-30

This book is essential for any Photographer that wants to become a professional. It teaches you in a very concise and spefic manner hundreds of different shooting scenarios you will need to master.

You will not be disappointed in buying this book if you are truly interested in becoming an expert Photographer.

Satisfied reader.......2007-06-28

This book is somewhat basic and I expected it, but mostly what I was looking for. If you don't have time to read long articles this is the cliff notes of all of that, and great for a busy person with kids! With Scott's hints, I can point and shoot many of my SLR shots.

Good starter book.......2007-06-27

This book was very enjoyable and worth the money but it left me wanting so much more. I need to buy a book with more details.

Great practical tips for beginners!.......2007-06-27

Many other reviews have described the layout of the book so I won't repeat that here. Let me just say that it's a great book for beginners. In addition to all the useful picture taking tips, there are also great tips on gear. Just beware, if you take all his advice on gear, it'll set you back a few grand. One caveat: this probably shouldn't be your only digital photography book. You should also probably get a more traditional one as a supplement, one that discusses principles of compositon, f-stops, aperture, light, exposure, etc. But sometimes (often) you just want someone to tell you what to do instead of having to apply what you learned from a book. This is where this book comes in. He just tells you the answers. He'll say "don't do X", or "use these settings", "the best focal length and aperture for portraits is..." and other no-nonsense practical tips. It's a fantastic supplement for anyone getting started in digital photography. Highly recommended.

Very Happy With This Book.......2007-06-27

Since I tend to get restless reading technical books, I was very happy with the layout and presentation of this one. Short chapters, concise information, and presented with a sense of humor.
Covers a lot of information without bogging down. Simple to understand and entertaining. I have gone on to buy other books by this author. Well worth the purchase!

The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book: The Complete Guide for Photographers

Average customer rating:

Good, but not you first book of the topic
Not quite up to standard
Thorough But Hard to Read
The Adobe Lightroom Book
Effective and easy to use

The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book: The Complete Guide for Photographers
Martin Evening
Manufacturer: Adobe Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0321385438

Product Description

The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book was written with photographers in mind. Best-selling author Martin Evening describes Photoshop Lightroom s features in detail from a photographer s perspective. As an established commercial and fashion photographer, Martin knows firsthand what photographers need for an efficient workflow. He s also been working with Photoshop Lightroom from the beginning, monitoring the product s development and providing feedback on the public beta. As a result, Martin knows the software inside and out, from image selection to image editing to image management.

Customer Reviews:

Good, but not you first book of the topic.......2007-06-15

I really enjoy reading Martin Evenings books. This one is good as a reference book, but not as your first book about Adobe Lightroom. When you know the basics of Lightroom, this is a very good book when you want to learn the details. Evenings photographer background shows in a good way. He really shows how to put Lightroom to work.

Not quite up to standard.......2007-06-09

This book is not up to the standard of his books on Photoshop.

I quite often found myself thinking that if I didn't already know this or that from my previous experience with Lightroom I wouldn't have understood it after reading about it in the book. Example: "As you adjust the Fill Light, the clipping indicator will again hint at the ideal range of settings to use."
Which clipping indicator: Highlights ot shadows? How will an indicator that is a simple Yes/No indicator (Yes there is clipping or No there is not) hint at a RANGE of settings?

To be frank: I found the free Adobe getting started guide to be more useful. It even contains some aspects not covered in the book.

I've now also bought Scott Kelby's book Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book for Digital Photographers,The (Voices That Matter). So far that seems to be a better choice, I find the explanations more understandable and the book even includes some sample workflows.

Thorough But Hard to Read.......2007-05-18

Martin Evening's books are very thorough, and this is no exception. He goes through each aspect of Adobe Lightroom in great detail, so much so, that it takes great concentration to stay with it for any length of time. Like many others, I ordered this book because it was one of the first one's out; I've now ordered Scott Kelby's book and it will be interesting to compare them.

Aside from the content of the book there is one aspect of it makes it very difficult for me to use. This is the fact that all of the screen shot illustrations are so excruciatingly small that I must use a magnifying glass to examine them carefully, even under a very adequate light. This is not a criticism of Mr. Evening, but of his publisher, Adobe Press. As a book designer, I can say that trying to use illustrations that are not completely legible is bad practice.

The Adobe Lightroom Book.......2007-05-13

Nice layout but author assumes you know more about Lightroom than you probably do.
I would recommend Scott Kelby's book on Lightroom. He gives a no nonsense, step by step, process for learning the program.

Effective and easy to use.......2007-05-13

I've bought it because it was the first one to be released, but in the end I'm very happy with my choice. The book is very effective; it gives you all the informatons you need to speed up your work with Lightroom. It has lots of examples and it is stuffed with tips and all the shortcuts. I'll buy another book as soon as a translation in my mother tongue is available, probably the Scott Kelby's one, but honestly I don't think there is that much more that could help me than what I already found in Martin Evening's book.

Welcome to Oz: A Cinematic Approach to Digital Still Photography with Photoshop (VOICES)

Average customer rating:

Great Book
A cinematic approach to imaging
Best PS book for photographers EVER
Very helpful insights
Required plug-ins outdated

Welcome to Oz: A Cinematic Approach to Digital Still Photography with Photoshop (VOICES)
Vincent Versace
Manufacturer: New Riders Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Perfect Paperback

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Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Book for Digital Photographers,The (Voices That Matter)

ASIN: 0735714002

Book Description

Creating memorable photographs is a process that starts before you edit an image in Photoshop, before you capture the image, even before you pick up the camera. You must first approach the subject with the proper sense of perception, with the ability to visualize the finished print before you commit a scene to pixels, but still be flexible and spontaneous. Master Fine Art photographer Vincent Versace has spent his career learning and teaching the art of perception and how to translate it into stunning images. In Welcome to Oz, he delves into what it means to approach digital photography cinematically, to use your perception, your camera, and Photoshop to capture the movement of life in a still image.

Adapt your workflow to the image so you always know how best to use your tools
Turn a seemingly impossible photographic scenario into a successful image
Practice “image harvesting” to combine the best parts of many captures to create an optimum final result
Create black and white prints that have the look, feel and “richness” of traditional silver prints without ever leaving the RGB color space

Customer Reviews:

Great Book.......2007-06-10

I really loved Welcome to Oz. There are so many photoshop books that are great user handbooks or technical effects books, but few bother to approach the subject of photography from the standpoint of an artist or explain the artistic rationalizations for using one effect over an other. While this book provides many useful photoshop "tech tips", it also helps make the reader a better photographer and visual artist in general. Learning the "how" of photoshop techniques is something that folks can do easily from a wide range of sources, but explaining the "why" of photoshop techniques is something that few books explain as well as Versace's.

The fact that a photographer of the caliber of Versace is willing to "pull back the curtain" (to stay with his Oz reference) is highly commendable and shows deal of security with himself as an artist.

A cinematic approach to imaging.......2007-05-28

I experienced a presentation by Vince Versace on this topic at PhotoShop world convention last fall-06. This book is both a great companion to the presentation and a full course in its own right.

I have worked in the film industry and was curious to see how he would handle the beautiful quality of lighting that we experience watching a well crafted movie.

Unfortunately most photographers have never been behind the scenes of a feature film production. The expertise and equipment that goes into beautiful lighting is at times immense. Most amateurs and even some pros do not have the resources to duplicate that quality of light. Now with Photoshop it is possible to approximate it.

Mr. Visace does at great job in giving us a software digital solution. Truly shooting it in great light in the first place is preferred. The better the source file the more enhancement is possible and the less correction is needed.

It is nice to know we can have a second tool for recreating it if our budget, time, and expertise do not allow us to get it right in the camera.

The only down side is Mr Versace's personality is very dominate which at times may cloud the readers view of the material Mr Versage is so passionate about teaching.

Best PS book for photographers EVER.......2007-05-16

This book is awesome. It is my new photography Bible. It is not a Photoshop tutorial book. It is a philosophy book that teaches you how to envision your photos before you take them, how to strategically take the photos, and THEN how to use Photoshop to refine the images to your original vision. It is not a book for the latest/greatest Photoshop tricks, nor does it have any place in a School of Journalism. It is a book by an artist, for artists who want better artistic photographs.

Very helpful insights.......2007-05-14

Vincent Versace is a very talented photographer and "Welcome to Oz" does a great job in sharing his vast experience with his readers. I particularly learned a lot about the importance of lighting and how it can significantly impact an image. This book is as much a guide to the "philosophy" of picture taking as it is a revelation of raw technique and I liked that about it.
If I were to change one thing however, it would be the choice of images used in the book to demonstrate the various techniques. Versace's website has a wealth of really outstanding photographs and I would have preferred that he used images other than the ones in his book. I did not find the picture of the model in front the fence particularly interesting nor the one with the leaves of different shades. This somehow took something away from the enjoyment of doing the exercises in the book but I was still able to get a handle on the essence of each chapter.
All in all it was well worth the purchase and I feel that I am that much better a photographer because of this book. I shall always keep it for ongoing reference.

Required plug-ins outdated.......2007-05-08

The content is excellent. Be forewarned though that if you are running an Intel Mac with Photoshop CS3, the plug-ins he provides (Nik Skylight and Contrast Filters via download from Nik) will not work. Unfortunately they are used in most of the lessons.

Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting

Average customer rating:

Excellent resource!!!
Basics to advanced learning.
Great book about technical aspects of lighting
The best photographic lighting book ever.
Why every photographer must read this book!

Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting
Fil Hunter , Steven Biver , and Paul Fuqua
Manufacturer: Focal Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Still Life and Special Effects Photography: A Guide to Professional Lighting Techniques, Second Edition

ASIN: 0240808193

Book Description

An amazing (and some would say magical) resource on photographic lighting that has been talked about in the community and recommended for years. This highly respected guide has been thoroughly updated and revised for content and design - it is now produced in full color! It introduces a logical theory of photographic lighting so if you are starting out in photography you will learn how to predict results before setting up lights. This is not primarily a how-to book with only set examples for you to copy. Rather, Light: Science and Magic provides you with a comprehensive theory of the nature and principles of light to allow you to use lighting to express your own creativity.

Numerous photographs and illustrations provide clear examples of the theories, while sidebars highlight special lighting questions. Expanded chapters on available light in portraiture, as well as new information on digital equipment and terminology make this a must have update!

*New four color art package with contemporary lighting examples
*Based on the behaviour of light
*Theory book for serious photographers

Customer Reviews:

Excellent resource!!!.......2007-06-13

This is a great book! It is very detailed in the examination of why light does the things the things it does. The book delves into the physics of light, but don't let that scare you. The authors are very down to earth and they give real life examples and setup diagrams to explain the techniques. I highly recommend this as a resource for serious photographers (especially if you are interested in studio work).

Basics to advanced learning........2007-05-30

As a fairly hands on self taught photographer(semi pro)
I can say this book would be a good cheat sheet and advanced reminder to someone that is stuck in a setup with blinders.
We do get lazy sometimes and stick to what works, this book can remind us that there are other options and good rules of lighting we have learned but forgot. Not to say there are not great new meathods mentioned in this book also. For the beginner to lighting this book will explain basics in english to what seems like dbl dutch. In english this book will cover most all the basics up into the advanced lighting techniques. And help understand the science of light.

Great book about technical aspects of lighting.......2007-05-24

This is a great book for anyone who wants to learn about lighting for photography for basically any situation. While it doesn't exactly show you to "place a light here and at this angle to the subject", it does give you the information needed so that you can determine where the light will work based on what you are dealing with. Most of the information in the book is based on inanamate objects, but it does cover portrait lighting (in fair detail).

The best photographic lighting book ever........2007-05-23

This is THE BOOK for photographic lighting. There are loads on the market. I found out the hard way, buying 15 digital how-to photography books in the last 12 months. It seems many photography books have been re published with the word digital added.

I've been trying to photograph watches for a few years now. The reflections drive me nuts.
This book has taught me how to deal with and control those reflections.

Putting a watch in a light tent just makes it look aluminium no hightlights just flat and boring. If you want to take things to the next level, this is the book.

Not only watches. I photograph a lot of furniture. The reflections are a real pain. This book helped.

Its been like the missing part of a puzzle. I have the best Nikon gear, 3 off camera SB 800's 3 Macro lens. The works. This book showed me how to use it.

Its all to do with the "Family of Angles" as explained in this book.

One reviewer said he only gave it 4 stars because there wasn't enough about digital. My question to him would be. Whats different about lighting for digital than light for film that isn't mentioned?

My only complain is that the title doesn't come up in enough searches. "The ultimate book on photographic lighting" would have come up a lot sooner. I found this book because it was recommended on strobist blog.

Why every photographer must read this book!.......2007-05-22

Experienced and inexperienced photographers - all those whose interest is the wonderful things that light can do - will love to read , well study , this beautifully written book which marries simple optics and photographic aesthetics in explaining the simple things like why does a piece of grey pewter look different to a piece of grey caard of the same brilliance and hue? And can we manipulate that difference?. It is all forehead- slaping stuff expaining the obvious reasons - when it has been explained to you - about why some things work and others don't.Hard toimagine anyone not benefitting from it, enjoying it, and re- reading it later.

Average customer rating:

Great thorough photography book
Best book to start Photography with
Photography (8th Edition)
"Photography" It covers it all.
Photography updated

Photography
Barbara London , and John Upton
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Criticizing Photographs
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Seizing the Light: A History of Photography

ASIN: 0131896091

Amazon.com

A picture tells a thousand stories, but the one it doesn't tell is how the shot was made. Barbara London and John Upton's Photography is an all-inclusive look at the craft of photography. This book will help any amateur move up a few notches, and it serves as a refresher course for professionals as well. The sixth edition of this classic work (the first was published in 1976) includes a companion Web site with interactive activities, Web resources, and a learning archive. Amply illustrated with at least one photograph or diagram on almost every page, Photography is the one reference work every student of photography must have--even those who will never set foot in a classroom. --Brenda Pittsley

Book Description

This best-selling, comprehensive guide to photography—featuring superb instructional illustrations—is the most cutting-edge photography book on the market. It offers extensive coverage of digital imaging—with the latest technological developments, such as Web page design and formatting photos on CD-ROMs. Chapter topics explore the process of getting started, camera, lens, film and light, exposure, processing the negative, mounting and finishing, color, digital camera, digital darkroom, lighting, special techniques, view camera, zone system, seeing photographs, and the history of photography. Step-by-step instructions include a “Lights Out” feature to help learners better identify darkroom techniques. For anyone with a personal or professional interest in photography.

Customer Reviews:

Great thorough photography book.......2007-05-30

I bought it for a beginning photo class and love it.

Best book to start Photography with.......2007-03-18

I am doing a Fine Arts degree, and my Photographer lecturer said this would be the best basic book to get as a starter, she is right, it spells all the basic things you need to know to get started.

Photography (8th Edition).......2007-03-09

Thank you very much for the book. It was in good condition and i have been able to study from it.

"Photography" It covers it all........2007-01-22

This is the most extensive book I have seen on Photography; it covers ever aspect. If you're serious about learning photography this is the book for you. At first I thought it was expensive, but it is well worth the money!

If you take the information in this book and put it into practice, you will have what it takes to be a good photographer; even developing an eye. Through the photographs used to illustrate the lesson, two things are accomplished; easier to understand the concepts and developing the eye to see the way the lens sees.

Photography updated.......2007-01-11

As an photographic educator I have found this book to be a great tool in planning leasons and teaching not only current photography but it's history and background.

American Cinematographer Manual, Ninth Edition

Average customer rating:

Absolutely Invaluable!
Hey, it's the "Cinematographer's Bible", you can't do without
The Cinematographer's Bible

American Cinematographer Manual, Ninth Edition
Stephen H. Burum
Manufacturer: American Society Of Cinematographers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0935578242

Book Description

For the first time since Charles Clarke's 1980 edition, the AC Manual has been edited by a professional cinematographer. The completely revised 9th edition offers contributions from experts with more than 100 years of motion-picture experience. Its features include:

• More than 30 new charts, including lighting intensities for more than 90 fixtures.

• A completely revised camera section, rewritten by Jon Fauer, ASC

• A new article on digital intermediates by Bill Feightner and Robert L. Eicholz of EFilm

• Warner Bros. executive Rob Hummel's update of his classic "pros and cons" chapter, which now includes the latest digital postproduction techniques

• A new chapter on hanging miniatures by visual-effects wizard Dan Curry

• "Tak's tips" from Panavision lens expert Tak Miyagishima

• The most extensive section yet on motion-picture formulas, written by Evans Wetmore, vice president of advanced engineering at 20th Century Fox

• A revised chapter on motion-control by visual-effects legend Richard Edlund, ASC, who has included the latest updates on digital technology

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely Invaluable!.......2006-03-22

As a graduating film student who is working on a thesis film, I have come to rely solely on this manual. It has absolutely every bit of information that any aspiring filmmaker could need. I've come to call it my "Bible" of filmmaking. Check it out! You won't regret it!

Hey, it's the "Cinematographer's Bible", you can't do without.......2006-01-27

Anybody who plans on working with REAL film should own this, learn it, know portions of it backwards and forwards and use it to their advantage.

It basically answers ANY questions you may have concerning principal filmmaking, and some very help hints when trying to accomplish various optical and special effects in camera.

Get it, or suffer the consequences.

The Cinematographer's Bible.......2005-03-04

Also known as "The Cinematographers Bible", this thick hand-sized pocket book is an absolute must for anybody who owns or uses a 16mm, Super 16mm, 35mm, Super 35mm or 70mm motion picture camera (movie cameras). IT WILL NOT TEACH YOU CINEMATOGRAPHY! It is a technical manual to be used when shooting on film and has since become the industry standard book that most amateur and professional cinematographers own and use. Motion pictures cameras are also built around the specifications laid down in this book.

Essentially the first 100 pages deal with all the different types of motion picture cameras, their internal mechanisms, technical details and threading paths. Then the book goes on to dealing with motion picture film itself, the various brands that are available, differences between black and white, color and a bit about the development process of each one. Again, technically detailed. There is also very valuable charts on film lengths and running times according to fps. The lens section is very technical covering the different types of lenses and the most important focal length, distance to subject, measuring charts that is really the most widely used part of this book. There is a massive section on filters, exposure and emulsion testing.

The book then deals with lighting and covers the various aspects of lighting types, bulbs, filters and exposure techniques, all highly technical in nature with references to charts and illustrations. The book ends with a coverage of visual special effects that can be done with the motion picture camera and other special techniques that the cinematographer will need to know about.

You will need this book if you are shooting on film, end of story. If you are looking for a manual that teaches cinematography then choose CINEMATOGRAPHY by Kris Malkiewicz instead. As a note, there is a lot of new digital cinematography cameras on the up and coming that work on digital video tape and not film and many new filmmakers may be advised to check out this route as a cheaper and less costly way of shooting their first film.

Average customer rating:

Great photographic portraitists, like Leibovitz, become someone to whom people want to reveal themselves
insighful
Shoot t the graphic design team
In the Gutter!
Breathtaking!

A Photographer's Life: 1990-2005

Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0375505091
Release Date: 2006-10-03

Book Description

“I don’t have two lives,” Annie Leibovitz writes in the Introduction to this collection of her work from 1990—2005. “This is one life, and the personal pictures and the assignment work are all part of it.” Portraits of well-known figures–Johnny Cash, Nicole Kidman, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Keith Richards, Michael Jordan, Joan Didion, R2-D2, Patti Smith, Nelson Mandela, Jack Nicholson, William Burroughs, George W. Bush with members of his Cabinet–appear alongside pictures of Leibovitz’s family and friends, reportage from the siege of Sarajevo in the early Nineties, and landscapes made even more indelible through Leibovitz’s discerning eye. The images form a narrative rich in contrasts and continuities: The photographer has a long relationship that ends with illness and death. She chronicles the celebrations and heartbreaks of her large and robust family. She has children of her own. All the while she is working, and the public work resonates with the themes of her life.

Customer Reviews:

Great photographic portraitists, like Leibovitz, become someone to whom people want to reveal themselves.......2007-05-18

I opened this book with anticipation. I washed my hands so I would not mar or fingerprint the photos. And I removed the dust jacket to keep it nice. Annie Leibovitz' artistry compels me to treat her artworks with respect and care. I appreciated the book's large size, because I love large, beautiful images.

Some people probably think portrait photographer's are gifted because they know how to stage a great photo. That is probably true. But I think the less often recognized talent is seeing who people become in the presence of a portraiture artist. When people are in Annie Leibovitz' presence, I think they may ask themselves: What images do I want to define me? What images do I want to represent me for a long time? Around Leibovitz, her subjects become regal, considered, relaxed, and sincere. Sure, the comedians are still cheesing it up for the camera sometimes. But most of her subjects realize this may be one of the few times an image will be created that may portray them in a substantive and enduring light.

In the introduction, Leibovitz' notes "But after Susan died, . . ." And when I read those words, the above thought formed in my head. Leibovitz' subjects realize her photos may be a dominant defining, popularly-known image of them after they are dead. So I think her subjects make extra effort to become something larger than 'everyday' in her presence.

I don't like to make criticisms in my reviews, and I tend to only review artworks I recommend. But it takes more than great photographs to make a great photography book. I was frustrated with the number of photographs that were enlarged across the book gutter, breaking up the photos' flows. Bigger is not always better and many of the photos would have been better as smaller images on one page. Alternatively, produce the book in two volumes, one volume in portrait, the second volume in landscape. If we're going to put down $75 for one large book, then we probably would be willing to put down $50 twice for two better shaped volumes that adapted to the needs of the photographs.

Some artists can find great art and photograph it professionally. Some artists can re-interpret or choose a point of view that makes their photograph of something otherwise unremarkable into something artful. And some artists seem to have the effect of making the people, social moods, and environments around them more artfully active and aware. Leibovitz' photos reveal that she does all three of those things well.

The more sensient her subject matter, the better her photography. She draws out great intelligence and creativity from the people she is interacting with. Her photos show not only her subjects' uncommonly revealed personas, but also her encouraging, emboldending, and enlightening effects on the people in her presence. Leibovitz' artistry suggests to portraitists that if you want your subject to reveal uncommon beauty in your image of them, first create an atmosphere where they are want to reveal the same to you.

insighful.......2007-05-16

After my sister worked with Annie in a photo shoot here in Madrid, she recommended I buy this book, since I have always been a huge fan of Annie. This book is very insightful and complete of her work.

Shoot t the graphic design team.......2007-03-24

After seeing the exhibition (which was fantastic) the book was a sad let down for me and I returned it. Photos were cropped detroying the ambiance or the layout Leibovitz captured and aparently intended in her prints - photos were designed across a spread in such a way as interfered with the photo's integrity (one photo in particular has the page split running through the subject of the photo!). The personal photos of Sonatag in the show were very small and suggested a particular delicacy and intimacy which was lost in the book due to the relative sizing of those prints with all the others. It is a poor accompaniment to an excellent and important show of her work. If you never saw the show - you could propably let it slide - after seeing the show myself, I prefer not to have my memory tainted by an inferior product serving as representation.

In the Gutter!.......2007-03-21

GREAT PHOTOS BUT ANNOYING TO LOOK AT!!!! Visually this book is claustrophobic. The images seem forced to fit into a book that is too small to hold them. And probably half of the pictures are across the gutter--very annoying. Sometimes the most important part of the picture is in the gutter. My personal favorite is Michael Jordan with his nose in the gutter. Random House, if you are going to do a book on a great photographer like Annie Liebovitz, do a better job than this.

Breathtaking!.......2007-03-17

It was refreshing to see a collection of Annie's work that focuses more on the person behind the camera than the people in front of it. While I love the photos she does for the magazines, I was tired of seeing books that focused on that. That's too superficial to me. I was interested in getting into her soul. And this book gave it to me!

From the introduction pages to the final snapshots of her children, this book kept me drawn in. I felt like I was there with her experiencing all the events. It gave me a personal glimpse of what she's been through without being intrusive. If I were to be really picky, I would say that, yes, there are some pretty obvious technical mistakes. Especially for someone as experienced as herself. But that's not what this book is about. If you want the technically flawless and aesthetically perfect stuff, go look in Vogue or Vanity Fair. If you want to see a bit of her heart and soul, get this book.

Skin: The Complete Guide to Digitally Lighting, Photographing, and Retouching Faces and Bodies

Average customer rating:

Great techniques, accurate step by step instructions, excellent results
Skin, A great resource! A must have for any serious digital photographer
Great Examples
Great must have book for DSLR owners
First two chapters alone are worth the price of the book!

Skin: The Complete Guide to Digitally Lighting, Photographing, and Retouching Faces and Bodies
Lee Varis
Manufacturer: Sybex
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 047004733X

Book Description

Achieving accurate skin tones is one of the most challenging tasks in digital photography. Master this challenge with professional photographer Lee Varis as he covers a range of skin: women and men, young and old, various tones, in-studio and outdoors, tattoos, and more. His step-by-step tutorials and before-and-after illustrations demonstrate various techniques for topics such as digital-specific lighting challenges and what can and cannot be done in post-process.

A free CD-ROM accompanies the book and contains sample image files to use while following the tutorials, plus equipment recommendations and technical reference materials that enhance and reinforce the instruction.

Order your copy of this practical guide today and get a complete start-to-finish approach to integrating everything from posing models to shooting and retouching candid scenes.

Customer Reviews:

Great techniques, accurate step by step instructions, excellent results.......2007-06-27

I have about a dozen books on digital photography and Photoshop. Half of them are quite good, but this one is great. I'm not a professional photographer, rather an avid student (I read Ansel Adams' books the first time 35 years ago). After going digital nine years ago (can you say Mavica?) and finally treating myself to a proper DSLR more recently, I have plunged into the new realm of control that digital opens up.

I have been basically satisfied with my results, but it's kind of hard to screw up the Grand Canyon if the atmosphere is not hazy. After the initial rush of pretty good photos from a good DSLR, I have come to realize that I need to be able to make the people in my photos look good. If I do, the rest of the photo will come along and complement the subject. Skin, by Lee Varis, helps me accomplish this. The lighting techniques are direct and to the point and his explicit and detailed instructions on how he achieves good skin tone and overall color balance are understandable, repeatable, and give excellent results. I'm still reading and rereading the book and always come away with new tidbits that send me to my computer to try in Photoshop.

The book should come with a warning: "Caution, reading may inspire you to abandon your Elements and move up to CS3. I did."

Highly recommended.

Skin, A great resource! A must have for any serious digital photographer.......2007-06-26

This book brings it all together. It starts with calibrating your camera and meter and then sets up Photoshop to do what you need it to do, if you shoot people.

I have had the opportunity to have one on one instruction from the author and that whet my appetite for the rest of the book. No it does not cover every eventuality, but gives a very firm foundation with lots of options so you can pick how you like your pictures to look like.

Great Examples.......2007-06-26

this book has some really good examples of skin retouching and new ways of working with skin.

Great must have book for DSLR owners.......2007-06-20

If you're serious about getting the most from your DSLR, this book is for you. It offers a wealth of information not found in other photography books. One of the best things about SKIN is you can use the book in total (calibrate your entire digital workflow, etc. ) or just pick different tutorials from the various chapters (like correcting blemishes without using the "healing" brush in Photoshop.To get the most out of this book you will own a DSLR, PC or Mac & Photoshop CS. The retouching info is still quite valuable if you don't have a DSLR, but the sections on using Camera Raw will really make you want to start shooting in that colorspace if you currently shoot JPEGs. One thing I would love to have seen is bullet points or some kind of highlighting (bold type) of the tutorials in the text-- as it is written, they are set in the same type as the other text and if you're a lazy reader like me, you'll find yourself hunting for the "step-by-steps". Also, the author, Lee Varis personally (& quickly) responded to an e-mail I sent him regarding a passage in the book-- quite nice.
This book, along with Exposure and Lighting for Digital Photographers Only, are the best & most useful photo books I've purchased in a LONG time.

First two chapters alone are worth the price of the book!.......2007-06-16

Lee has written the best analysis of photographic color I've seen: how to control it, how to get it reasonably accurate (and he explains why perfect accuracy is impossible), and how to alter color to get results artistically superior to technical perfection. I'll also endorse, rather than repeat the details of Conrad Obregon's excellent review of this book, and add another vote for this opinion. Futhermore, the chapter on retouching, by itself, will teach many readers more about Photoshop than most Photoshop books will.

The surprise extra value in this book is Chapter 7, Special Effects. As the lead author of an obsolete special effects book (from the bad old days of film ), I'm surprised at how many ideas I see in this chapter that I never thought of! You will like some of the pictures, dislike others, but learn the techniques to make pictures you very much WILL like.

The only weak chapter is number 3, Lighting, and it's only weak because that material needs a book, not just a chapter. (Disclosure: I'm the lead author of Light - Science and Magic. Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting) But the book would still be worth more than its price if you threw out that chapter completely!

Well done, Mr. Varis!

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