5 comments about Old New York in Early Photographs.

1. Pictorial books like these are glorious time machines and invaluable primary resources. We are so fortunate that these pictures exist. The prints are crystal clear and detailed in that way only black and white photography can be. There is no greater joy that going down to Manhattan and finding the places photographed and seeing if anything has survived.



2. This was a good Old whatever book. I had been reading Edith Wharton and really wanted to see the old mansions of the wealthy New Yorkers. I did not see much of this in the book. But I enjoyed the pictures and the text.



3. The print quality of the photos in OLD NEW YORK IN EARLY PHOTOGRAPHS is quite good, better than most. And the quantity of the photographs is equally impressive. And that's about it for the positives.

   Arranged by neighborhood, the photos have little else to do with each other. There is no unifying theme holding the photos together. Not that every collection ought to have a theme as powerful as Jacob Riis' HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVES, but these photos seem so haphazardly arranged. The scanty text doesn't even attempt to explain how the individual vignettes came about, or how it relates to the particiular time in New York's history that the photo was taken. And, of course, Manhattan is the only borough represented here. I suppose the citizens of the other four boroughs had yet to climb down from their trees and build fires, never mind operate cameras.

   Rocco Dormarunno from ooog-ooog Brooklyn




4. If one desires a book of page-size, sterile photos of substantial structures (with minimal captions) this volume will certainly fill the bill. If, however, one prefers historical snapshots of people amidst the buildings or scenes of shacks or tenements, be forewarned that these are few and far between. Also, in number, the later-in-time pictures tend to predominate. Thus, if the viewer is looking to gaze a la Gangs of New York, some of the wordier texts provide much more appropriate photographic fodder.



5. This book features 196 carefully chosen photos from the New-York Historical Society, arranged by neighborhood from the Battery to the Bronx (though the emphasis is on Manhattan). These superb photos document the changing face of New York City -- not only the buildings (from mansions to shacks), but the people, clothing styles, and modes of transportation. A succinct description accompanies each, pointing out features of interest. Some focal points are presented in several photos taken years or decades apart. An excellent book for anyone who wants to really get a sense of the times.

3 comments about Robert Polidori: After the Flood.

1. I purchased this book for my husband for Christmas. He grew up in the 9th Ward. This book of pictures captures the essence of the damage in the New Orleans area caused by the flood following Hurricane Katrina. The pictures are so real that you can just feel the erriness they capture.They make me think of haunted houses from a movie. But they are real. Real peoples lives and homes.



2. Silt has rendered a wonderous, pale beauty to the interior carnage of New Orlean's homes. Polidoris's project, a subsequentc 'invasion' of these domains, places on public record their devastation. It's a case of supreme technical skill, enshrining an ephemeral disaster. The denizens have hastily evacuated, leaving Polidori to rut in the trough of the city's ruin. Here, in one haunting page after another, the tidal muds that have rudely piled cars beneath houses in tragically asymmetrical congress, are made warm and close. It's relentless. You can almost handle the poignant detritus. We're led first through the haunting streets of uprooted poles, trees and weathereboards, of twisted metal. Then the rooms, the hearts and minds of individual suffering. Not snap-happy journalistic sensationalism, but hypnotically constructed images whose frozen testimonies have more permanence than the rented edifices they record. Polidori knows where to stand amidst the wreckage: his camera an unerring eye delving near and distantly with disturbing clarity. It is the very silence that entrances with singular eloquence and gravity. The wind and tide have subsided, but the havock endures in sulphurous washes and surreal configuration which 1000 installation artists would greet as a great funereal statement that transcends collective imagination. In a word, awesome, the currency of the Sublime. Polidori has wrested art from tragedy. Any of its 200 plus large format pages can be poured over for aesthetic reward, the more to dwell on vagabond Nature. Brilliant!



3. "After the Flood", the latest book by French Canadian Photographer, Robert Polidori, about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is also his largest and most powerful. It is as if his books on Havana and Chernobyl were mere foretastes to this exceptional and moving work, and certainly anyone who has seen these two books came away with a feeling of the power and storytelling that Polidori's images can convey. Polidori has the gift of the detailed eye that can simultaneously give the viewer images of beauty and revulsion in objects and textures. These alone tell the stories. There are no images of people necessary. It is as if he is capturing the tracks and shadows that humanity has left behind. He was able to show this in the urban decay of Havana and of the horrors of the rapid evacuation and subsequent reclamation of nature in Chernobyl. In "After the Flood", he presents us with an almost encyclopedic presentation of the aftermath of the hurricane, flooding, wind, water and mud damage showing the fragility of our cities and the power of nature.
   
   The book contains at least 400 images, which have been carefully arranged. The first images show parts of the city still under water and the receding water. The next group shows the destruction caused by water inside the houses. Furniture has been picked up by the flood and re-arranged and we see the effects of water on different materials and soon notice the tell-tale brown lines on the walls, sometimes over six feet high, showing the high water mark. Succeeding groups of images show the effects of mud, water and wind on buildings and cars that have been tossed around at random like toys. Sometimes cars rest against houses in bizarre angles and sometimes the houses are laying on top of the cars. Several pages show smaller images of streets where every house was damaged and abandoned. The last set of images shows the clean up. Mounds of refuse in front of houses, temporary trailers, houses being cleaned and repaired. The effect is very powerful as we see how the lives of hundreds of thousands were affected and how many must have lost everything.
   
   The book can only give a taste of the incredible detail the images contain. In a recent exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art they could be seen as the original prints, each at about 40" by 54". They were taken with a large camera and according to Polidori with no lighting, as there was no electricity available at the time the shots were taken and lighting would have been to cumbersome in cramped and sometimes dangerous conditions. Only time exposures could show the incredible detail, which Polidori refers to as the "process of revelation". He call his work "a constant learning process", and anyone who looks at this book will not only learn, but will also ask questions as to how a disaster of this magnitude was possible, and to our place on this earth and our future here.
   
   Review by Walter O. Koenig

5 comments about Core Memory: A Visual Survey of Vintage Computers.

1. The book is a great overview of the history of commerical/military computer development in the last 60+ years. Hits most of the major models, and mentions why they're in the book. Each one was a special devleopment in it's time for one reason or another.
   
   But after reading it, I wish it was about 2x the size, physically. It's a large book alredy, but it should be art-sized. And it could EASILY be several hundreds of pages. I know it's more of an overview book, but it would be great if each model had it's own chapter, including design diagrams, pictures of the installations, programmers, builders, etc.
   
   On it's own it's a great book, and well worth the money. But the computer-nerd in me sees the potential of this content...



2. It's absolutely wonderful to see these pioneering machines - many of which no longer exist in working form - commemorated in this way. The photography is superb, the range of machines covered is broad, the print quality is excellent.
   
   But I find myself wanting more. More photographs of each machine, and more information. Or at very least pointers to easily obtained information - the few references given are obscure and impossibel to access outside of a large, US, academic library.
   
   A great gift book - especially for those newbies who think that the first computer was called the IBM PC, or the Apple ][.



3. This book is a wonderful trip back in time for those of us old enough to have lived through most of the computer age. I saw front panels and innards of computers I had programmed years ago that were almost forgotten.
   
   If you're an old timer, this book will bring on waves of nostalgia. If you are younger, you'll get a look at how computers were made back when the parts were still big enough to see.
   
   Highly recommended!



4. I was hoping for more of a home computing persepctive, circa the 80s. This is more commercial and we don't see the apple or c64 til the end of the book. However, the photography is superb, though it comes off as being a bit nerd fetishist.



5. This book is a stunningly beautiful work of art. With well-composed shots of decades' worth of computers, it's a joy to look at.
   
   However, the book is not anything like a comprehensive computer history. Each computer covered has just a short description, enough to give it some context. Nor are the pictures of each computer comprehensive; clearly, they've been chosen for their artistic value, not to give an overall view of the machine.
   
   I will admit that the pictures were still enough to take me down memory lane, even if for me that starts with the Apple ][ and TRS-80. But, I didn't learn anything about those computers that I didn't already know.
   
   So, as long as you're willing to approach this as an art photography book, I highly recommend it. If you're looking for a history of computing, this isn't it.

2 comments about David Busch's Quick Snap Guide To Lighting.

1. I purchased this book after meeting the author at his booth at PhotoPlus Expo in NYC, and found him to be as knowledgeable and engaging in person as he is on the printed page. I had read two of his other books when I was learning how to use my Nikon D60, and got this one now that I am ready to branch out and (hopefully) master the use of available light, electronic flash, and multiple light sources.
   
   I've managed to read through it quickly, as the ideas and techniques are presented in a clear no nonsense way with lots of photos that illustrate types of lighting and their effects. Now I plan to go through and study it. I'm no professional (and do not plan to be), but I'm confident that this book will help me take pictures that look pro in every way. The illustrations are great, but I know I can do just as well myself once I've learnt the lessons this little book provides.



2. This book is aimed squarely at avid photographers who are ready to use more advanced lighting techniques, but who need some gentle hand-holding, basic introductions to the terms and concepts of lighting, and lots of visual aids that let them see exactly what a particular lighting technique will do.
   
   Like the other Quick Snap Guide I purchased from this author, this one is designed with each topic presented on a pair of facing pages, each with several illustrations, bullet points, tips, and interesting sidebars that explain the key things you need to know about that topic.
   
   For example, in the first few chapters you learn about high contrast lighting, low contrast lighting, high-key, low-key, and using exposure. Later chapters offer pairs of pages that show all the various lighting tools, including reflectors, umbrellas, soft boxes, electronic flash. I especially loved the chapters on portrait lighting, lighting for action photography, macros, and travel. In the portrait lighting chapter, Busch uses photos to show how to set up split lighting, short lighting, broad lighting, butterfly lighting, Rembrandt lighting, and other effects so that anybody can do it.
   
   All chapters with specific lighting techniques use example photos and a "How It's Lit" diagram that shows exactly how the lights were placed to achieve that effect. Beginners can graduate to advanced lighting effects without being snowed under by a lot of technical jargon and confusing explanations. This is really a very visual, Scott Kelby-like introduction to lighting.
   
   That said, I need to point out that this book is a comprehensive introduction to lighting, but it doesn't cover every possible lighting technique, nor is it aimed at pros who are already familiar with studio lighting. I recommend it for beginners and intermediate photographers who want to feel comfortable and confident in their use of available light, electronic flash, continuous lighting, and multiple light sources.

5 comments about Lachapelle Land.

1. I highly recommend NetworkNewBooks. My purchase arrived in three business days and in mint condition...thanks a lot!



2. After having bought David Lachapelle's "Heaven to Hell" in the Taschen bookshop in Berlin last november, I was flabbergasted by its content. Coming home I immediately surf to Amazon.com to order the other two books of this trilogy: "Lachapelle Land" and "Hotel Lachapelle". To me his work is the utmost synergism of fantasy, photography and art! For me, without doubt the most impressive and striking artbooks I bought in 2006!!
   
   Wubbe Koning, Heiligerlee, The Netherlands



3. How about photographing what your mind sees? That's the journey Lachapelle takes us in every picture. Lachapelle, along with a couple of other great photographers, is what I would call an acquired taste and a bi-polar one it is. Either you love it or you hate it...
   
   Anyone interested in serious photography should have, at least as a reference, any of Lachapelle's books.
   
   As for this one, all I have to say is that I enjoyed the journey. And what a journey it was...



4. I bought this book after being a fan of Lachapelle for a few years- and i've already got Hotel LaChapelle.This book doesn't really compare that well to Hotel Lachapelle, but its a good book to have if u want to document his work pre 1996, and although it has some stunning photographs, i was more impressed by the (presumably bigger budget) photos in Hotel Lachapelle, so. in a nutshell; if you trying to decide between this and His second book, get the second one, but this isnt a bad book to have.



5. I purchased this book after viewing David Lachapelle's website, and while it is certainly a decent collection of photographs, the photos lack some of the style that Lachapelle's more recent work has. If you are a fan of the work found on his website, then I would suggest Hotel Lachapelle instead of this book.

5 comments about Wind and Water: Boating Photographs From Around The World.

1. Got this book for my girlfriend for Xmas and she loved it. Onne has a great eye for sailing themed pics. One downside is the racing pics are a little dated. Wound recomend to anyone.



2. This is a book for sailors ,and people who love beautiful photography
   these images capture the energy ,beauty,and lifestyle of sailing. I am not
   a sailor myself but these images pulled me into a world I could only
   dream of. A wonderful addition to any library.



3. This is a beautiful book. If you love boating or the water this would be a great coffee table book for you.



4. I bought this book for my husband, who is a sailing enthusiast. It is an absolutely beautiful book with gorgeous photos. My husband is very pleased with it. I originally saw it in the Williams Sonoma Home store, of all places, where it was selling for a much higher price.



5. If you love sailing, the sea - or anything vaguely nautical, this is a fantastic book to have around. The author is obviously someone who really loves photography, sailing and the sea - and it shows.
   
   There are over a hundred large beautiful color images covering boats, boat races such as the Americas cup as well as some fantastic scenery shots only reachable via water.
   
   However, if you really want to get an idea of the type and quality of the photographs in this book, it is well worth visiting the author's gallery (vanderwal.com) rather than simply trusting my written review.

1 comments about Elephants: A Book for Children.

1. I bought this book for my elephant-obsessed son. It is a stunningly beautiful book. Steve Bloom is a wildlife and nature photographer and the quality of the photographs is outstanding. Both African and Indian elephants are featured throughout, photographed in the wild, at work, at play and even swimming in deep water - who knew elephants can swim?
   
   The text manages to be both highly informative and perfectly pitched to a younger audience. Facts are put in terms that children can relate to. In reading this book I learned so many interesting things about elephants (not something I would previously have thought likely). Some examples: Elephants are either left or right tusked just as humans are left or right handed. Elephants can swim underwater using their trunks as snorkels. Elephants educate their boys and girls separately. Elephants remember, even years later, the exact spot where one of their herd died. An easy way to tell Indian and African elephants apart is by the shape of their ears, which resemble the continents which give them their names.
   
   The text and photographs also complement each other extremely well. A lot of thought has been put into this book. It is an absolute joy to read.
   
   This truly beautiful book would make a wonderful gift for any child who enjoys animals.

5 comments about iPhoto 6: The Missing Manual.

1. As a technical writer myself I am not a huge fan of the current style of most of the "How To..." books on the market. iPhoto 6 by Derrick Story therefore comes as a breath of fresh air in an arena so full of carbon dioxide as to leave one gasping.
   
   Clearly written, entertainingly framed, wonderfully efficient in telling you what you need to know, when you need to know it. Better yet this wonderful manual is tightly organized around the nearly forgotten technique of creating a context for technique rather than simply spewing forth a breathless recitation of "Push this button, tweak this dial, buy this product."
   
   This extremely well written inside look at iPhoto 6 is all you will ever need to get up and running. If ole Steve Jobs was smart he'd kidnap this guy and put him to work advising the techies responsible for fine tuning future versions of iPhoto.
   
   Well done Mr. Story and please keep up the good work.
   
   And Mr. Pogue, you are forgiven for the mess you made of my life with the Missing Manual for Appleworks6!



2. As a beginner with digital photography,there is a great deal of iPhoto that is intuitive;however,there are so many options and errors that can be made,at least in my limited experience,that this book is a constant reference guide. I previously purchased "Switching to Mac,The Missing Manual",and found it so valuable that I bought this "Missing Manual".This series of books has been both informative and entertaining.



3. Some say lightening can never strike the same place twice. The Missing Manual series proves that wrong. David Pogue and the O'Reilly gang constantly hit the mark and spark creativity and knowledge in a variety of programs.
   
   IPhoto 6 covers absolutely every aspect of digital photography on your Mac, leaving few stones unturned. In order to make sure you get the great photos you need and minimized the editing needed in iPhoto, Derrick Story and David Pogue make sure you buy the right digital camera for your needs and tells you the basics of lighting and composition. After reading that chapter, I looked at my own iPhoto library and understand why I liked certain shots and why others ended up on the digital darkroom floor.
   
   After explaining how to buy a camera and create great photos, the authors take you through the steps of using iPhoto in logical order: importing, managing, outputting and of course backing up. More technical manuals need to do this. Instead of taking you through the features, they take you through the workflow.
   
   The writing was typical of the series: clear, understandable with plenty of screen shots to explain the concepts. While I consider myself an expert on iPhoto, the book was full of subtle tips and tricks to shave hours off my digital photo management.
   
   The strength of the book was definitely the extensive chapters on what to with your photos after they are in iPhoto. Photos are meant to be shared, not locked up in your hard drive. He went over not just the specifics of all the printing options such as photo books and calendars, but also using iMovie, iWeb, and iDVD to share the photos with the world.
   
   The final chapters covered some more advanced options such as AppleScript and Automator. Unlike other Missing Manual books that simply point you to the website to download utilities, Pogue and Story explained some of these programs and how they can help you expand your iPhoto capabilities. The Appendix was definitely the icing on the cake handling practically every iPhoto error and it's solution, as well as walking you through the basics of every iPhoto menu command and its implications.
   
   My only complaint was somewhat weak coverage on desktop printing of photos. I always get confused about the way to feed the photo paper and how to configure settings to get the proper output. iPhoto, the printer's software, the printer, and Mac OS X must all be in alignment to print properly. These days, I simply upload it to the drugstore website and print it there. Printing to services other than Apple's wasn't really covered either.
   
   While iPhoto basics are simple and quick to learn, "iPhoto 6 the Missing Manual" helps you become the hands down master of digital photos on your Mac. Others will tremble in fear of your massive knowledge after reading this book cover to cover.
   
   Pros: Covers every aspect of digital photography and makes everyone an iPhoto wiz.
   Cons: Needed more coverage of desktop and third party printing of photos.



4. ANY question you might have, any project you might conjure up.....this book has all the answsers in the most easy format. A must have if you have an iMac and a digital camera!



5. Might not have much for experienced power users - but for me as a Mac newcomer it did the trick. iPhoto is easy to use and most things you can figure out by yourself, but this book is a big timer saver in doing so and has also some tips that you otherwise might not have figured out

1 comments about The Inside Passage to Alaska.

1. This is a beautiful book I bought for my wife as we anticipate our Alaskan cruise this summer.

5 comments about Rick Sammon's Complete Guide to Digital Photography 2.0: Taking, Making, Editing, Storing, Printing, and Sharing Better Digital Images Featuring Adobe Photoshop Elements.

1. I purchasd this book to enhance my knowledge about digital photography. While I have a very good eye for composition and have taken many stunning photos over many years, I use "intuitive" knowledge to create my settings in the camera. I purchased this book to tweak my photos and gain a better understanding of the basics to make my photos at least a few steps better. It is easy to read, has good photo illustrations and is not too cumbersome or overly technical. I purchased it based on Amazon's reviews and am satisfied with my purchase. I currently own a Nikon D300 and just purchased a Canon G10 on Amazon yesterday as a "small" travel camera.



2. I'm about halfway through the book and so far it is just as enlightening as his book on nature Photography!



3. I found this book to be fantastic and would give it more stars if I could. The interesting things about books is that they have different impacts on people, and I can't guarantee that this book will work for you. So, I want to explain what I like and why so you can make a good decision for your own needs. First, the production, layout, concept, and execution of the book are all outstanding. The book is printed on glossy paper (and takes a highlighter very well), and the font is thin but very attractive and readable. This book for me was a perfect textbook for composition, exposure, white balance, and other technical aspects on the shooting side.
   
   It is also as good a text on working in the digital darkroom using Photoshop Elements, which makes it a rare resource. It does not cover all the Elements tools and would not be the only Elements book in your library, but that is not his purpose. The Elements issues apply the most important tools and his advice on which to use under different circumstances.
   
   You could call it an applied shooting and Elements book. Rick Sammons provides a large set of photos, with before and after shots to illustrate his points, whether about shooting or the use of Elements in the digital darkroom. I found that I was aware of a lot of his tips and suggestions, which helped reinforce what I already know. And there were many new ideas and observations that will help me improve my photography on an end-to-end basis, from planning and equipment through printing.
   
   He has divided the book into several parts to cover his themes. There are 98 short lessons that are designed almost exclusively so that you can read without needing to refer to either your camera or Elements. Once you have absorbed the lessons, you can use the book as a reference while you shoot or work in your digital darkroom. In many cases, Rick combines several important points in a lesson focusing (no pun intended) on before and after shots. For the shooting aspects, he is brave and open enough to show some of his shots that are clunkers, or at least not his best work, explaining why they fall short of good photos. He will then show the same shot or scene using the correct techniques for the reader to compare.
   
   He always gives information about the shutter speed, focal length, ISO, and other information to help readers understand his point and how to improve their work. He also is genuine enough to point out that pros are not perfect. He also points out that he and virtually every pro he knows use autofocus for the most part and that they even use program modes under certain circumstances. He makes it plain when to use the auto features and when to move toward taking more control of the camera. I tend to write reviews of the books I really like, so my average ratings are high, but this book was fun to read (he has a good sense of humor but is more controlled than Scott Kelby). If you are looking for a comprehensive text for DSLRs and Photoshop Elements, this is fantastic. I hope it works as well for you as it has for me.



4. Rick Sammon's Complete Guide to Digital Photography
   
   
   reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher, Olathe, KS: (dreric1kansas@aol.com)
   
   Authors: Rick Sammon
   website: www.ricksammon.com
   Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; Pap/Cdr edition (October 2003)
   Released: 2006
   Pages: 512 pages
   $ 40 USA
   50 Canada
   
   ISBN-10: 0393325512
   ISBN-13: 978-0393325515
   Strengths: Very easy to read for all levels of photographers. Superb photography and examples to illustrate examples how brilliant photos were made along with comparison and contrasting view, ideas and perspectives which give the user much to think about in terms of photography in general. Utilizes Adobe Photoshop Elements but regular Adobe Photoshop can used as well.
   Weaknesses: None found.
   
   Novice/Intermediate/Advanced
   
   Rating: 5/5
   
   I found an article by this author in a photography magazine. I was intrigued by his clarity of thought and ideas. After contacting him, I found out about his website and this great book. Now in the second edition, I decided to review his ideas related to digital photography. As an educator and photographer, I always have more to learn and this book has everything I want.
   Ricj Sammons is an award winning photographer. I thought it most interesting to read how and when he started with his photography and developing his skills. This information in this insightful book, introduces basic technical picture. At the same time, the tutorials and information, convey information about the art of photography while communicating advanced digital techniques. If you think that this book is only for advanced photographers, you are wrong.
   This second edition includes all the image editing tips while using the features for the popular Adobe Photoshop Elements application. Of course, users can use regular Adobe Photoshop for the lessons but knowing all these lessons can be applied with the lesser but still very capable Elements, is really good to know for all users but especially those who can't afford the full version of Adobe Photoshop.
   File format discussions now has information about Camera RAW files which is most helpful because more and more photographic enthusiasts are trying to use and work with RAW format. These hands-on instructions and insights by the author are especially welcome to all who are working their way to creating better photos by using RAW.
   Each "lesson" has one to two pages. Within the 526 pages, there are 170 new color images that have been added from the previous 1000 color photographs. These spectacular photo are great stimuli for visualizing what the author is " talking about. " In addition the author brilliantly compares photos and succinctly adds wisdom with each sentence. He points out the many ways and manner with which the photos are better with a different view, angle, idea or adaptive use of the camera. With the easy reading style, the reader can identify how the author has made the photo better. Then the user can adapt and utilize their own photographic in a similar situation or endeavors.
   This is a great book for novice to advanced users. It is for anyone who wants to upgrade their photographic techniques, no matter what level you are presently involved. The price is right and the book is filled with ideas and helpful views. The author not only handles the tutorials in a easy to read fashion but allows the reader to focus on the reasons for making the photos better. The author allows you to "think" and "peer inside his mind." In this way, the user "sees" how the photos were originally taken but also how the next "version" improved the photo to a higher level. In the same way that the author has taken his photographs to different levels, he is also " communicating to you how to come along for the ride." That way when you are in a similar situation or environment, these new found methods can be practiced.
   The author has completed a masterful visual and composed text that is stunning in many ways. The photos and the book are not only a "journey for reading, " they are a feast for your eyes, learning and making better photos for now and in the future. What more could you want for improving your photographic skills? The title says that it is a " complete guide." I can't fault him for that part of the title. I am still reading the book to learn more myself to complete more of my photographic education.



5. Pretty good. He's a little egocentric, though, alot of the text is just him talking about how he took his photographs. However, there's alot of handy information to be gleaned from listening to an experienced photographer gloat. ~_^