5 comments about A World History of Photography.

1. World History of Photography
   
   
   great book and brand new thanks



2. The 3rd edition of this book, published in 1997, is a popular textbook for college art history classes and is held by many libraries. The hardcover 4th edition published in 2007, whose ISBN-13 is 9780789209467, has a similar dust jacket and is also 9"x12" (but has 712 pages, as opposed to the previous edition's 695). Both editions are visually attractive and informative.
   
   Overall, the 4th edition improves upon the 3rd only somewhat. The chapter numbers and names, and the titles of the interspersed sections on notable topics and technical histories, are unchanged. I leafed through the 3rd and 4th editions, and chapters 1-10 have no significant differences. In other words, recent trends and findings in the history of photography prior to 1950 have been omitted. I would have liked to see at least mention of more old photobooks (e.g., Moi Ver's 1931 "Paris," Brodovitch's 1945 "Ballet," and Heisler & Styrsky's 1945 "On the Needles of These Days"), interest in which has increased this decade, and a sentence or two on the 2002 discovery of an 1825 photo by Niepce.
   
   Chapters 11 ("Photography Since 1950: The Straight Image" and 12 ("Photography Since 1950: Manipulations and Color") on pages 516-629 were only moderately revised compared with the 1997 edition. I count 2 photos dropped from the old edition and 11 new photos. Changes in the text include addition of some female, non-Western, and contemporary male photographers; more material on "Digital Imaging" on pages 620-625; and a couple new paragraphs on "The Market for Photographs" on page 625.
   
   The current edition has slightly revised text on pages 630-631 about "Digital Image-Making," a new afterword on pages 639-641, an updated time line on pages 655-660, a glossary on pages 661-665 now with terms related to digital imaging, and references as recent as 2007 on pages 666-683.
   
   I could find only a few mistakes (e.g., "Todd" instead of "Tod" Papageorge on page 527, "Miquel" instead of "Miguel" Rio Branco on page 547, and limitations of definitions of "burning" and "dodging" on pages 661-2 to only digital techniques). The numbering of figures on pages 630-640 is incorrect (should be 816-828, not 808-819 and 816). A number of major 20th-century photographers (e.g., Ralph Gibson, Jeff Wall, and Francesca Woodman) were excluded, which is unfortunate. There is no mention of "paparazzi" or "Photoshop" (in specific, not just the general discussion of software on page 631); for better or for worse, both of these have influenced the history of photography.
   
   In summary, if you have the 3rd edition, there's little reason to obtain this one. If you don't have the 3rd edition, or if you have the 3rd but want some updates in the material on the 1950s and beyond, buy this book from Amazon.com!



3. Well, I have to say that the author is an excellent researcher. Although she concentrates mainly on the creative and artistic sides of photography, the technical aspects are also presented, albeit briefly. I know this book is used as a textbook in several schools, and the problem I have is that it reads like one. While perusing this work, I couldn't help feeling that I was back in college, cramming for a final exam, rather than being taken on a journey through photographic history. In other words, the author's writing style is a tad dry. The facts are all there, and the pictures are wonderful, but she never seems to convey the emotion or feelings of the events. So, if you want something to study, this is it. If you want something to read and enjoy, I'd go elswhere.



4. A lot of information concentrated in one book, just what I needed: A lot of facts with perfect examples of photos and other illustrations. Especially I liked that there are no author's opinions, or philosophical discussions in this book, just facts.



5. This is the most informative and comprihensive book on the intruging history of photography. Anyone interested in the medium must own it. Easy to read and woderful to look at.

5 comments about Nikon D300 Digital Field Guide.

1. This guide is little more than camera manual, too brief and skimpy on detail. Much of the contense are devoted to telling me about how to be a photographer rather than helping me be better aquainted with my new camera. The author frequently describes non Nikon equipment as he wanders through topics like poritature, landscapes and sporting shots.



2. The rest of the book is generic photography 101 material. I was disappointed. The book lacks depth on the D300 features and capabilities. I recently received and read David Busch's D300 book and it is much more in-depth and has very little generic photography 101 in it.
   
   This "field guide" will be discarded in favor of David Busch's D300 guide.



3. Buying a D300 without firmly knowing the basics of photography is like buying a plane without having had flying lessons; it's nice to look at but you can't do much with it. Two thirds of this book is regrettably filled (padded?)with basic photography lessons that are too entry level for the kind of photographers who would or should purchase the very sophisticated D300 in the first place. To make things worse it even mis-labels the metering control for the D300, and, as noted in another review, is replete with other errors. Starting from page 94 through to the end at page 250 the book covers basics like ISO and shutter speed, lenses, flash, architectural, child, etc. photography in basic terms unrelated to the D300. That means most of the book is devoted to general photography, not the D300. The Magic Lantern Guide series on the D300 is a much better resource, with far more detailed information (and a quick reference wallet card)that goes way beyond Nikon's detailed manual. If you are anything more than a beginning photographer don't waste your money- buy the Magic Lantern Guide instead.



4. About half this book is devoted to the D300, and is done relatively well. Two criticisms: the other half is generic photography information and the D300 data is not as in depth as I would have liked.



5. This book seemes to give you a easy reference. Not as in depth as I would like as I learn more. A good place to start with your camera.

5 comments about Night and Low-Light Photography: Professional Techniques from Experts for Artistic and Commercial Success.

1. Wow I was really glad to stumble onto this book. Informative and fun to browse--I like the textbook style.
   Great to read so many different approaches.



2. It takes a very special set of skills to be successful in taking photographs at night or when light sources are minimal. In "Night & Low-Light Photography: Professional Techniques Form Experts For Artistic And Commercial Success", New York City based photographer, editor, writer and educator Jill Waterman relies upon not only her own experience and expertise, but also draws upon the work and contributions of thirty top photography professionals using their real-life photography projects to illustrate and exemplify their advice, techniques, and diverse approaches to nighttime and low-light digital, film, color, and black & white commercial and fine art photography. Profusely illustrated throughout, "Night & Low-Light Photography" is a practical, informative, and above all, 'user friendly' introduction and guide for any aspiring photographer seeking to develop or enhance their own skill set when taking photographs after dark or in dim light, indoor or outdoor, as well as urban, suburban, and rural landscapes.



3. The book if a good source for night and low light photography. I thought there would be more for digital cameras and 35mm cameras in the book. A lot of references to film and medium format. However, it is a good starting point and I would recommend it.



4. Many photographers put away their cameras when the light grows dim or dark, thus forfeiting at least half the opportunity to take photographs. This book seems aimed at those photographers.
   
   Jill Waterman has assembled a team of 30 top professionals to talk about low-light and night photography. The book begins with the usual mandatory discussion of equipment, although this chapter contains many tips on equipment use, such as stabilizing one's lens against glass if shooting through it. There are also some unusual pieces of equipment mentioned, like large portable spotlights for painting with light. Other chapters include discussions of color temperature; black and white photography, which emphasizes the role of the chemical darkroom in extending range; lighting techniques, which emphasizes light painting; weather, night time phenomena, like the aurora; and post production tools. There is a chapter that analyzes the styles of seven of the photographers and a final chapter that talks about the availability of workshops.
   
   The difficult part of the project was probably wrangling the work and ideas of thirty different photographers into a coherent instructional body and it shows. The book lacks orderly development and approach to this kind of photography and often lapses into a kind of esoteric tip book. Occasionally there were interesting pieces of information that were never tied to anything else, like the distinctions between civil, nautical and astronomical twilight.
   
   What I found strange was the feeling of having entered into a time warp with discussions of film, two-part developers and enlargers. A theme seems to be that film lends itself to a greater range of exposure values then digital, although that may require chemical processing to achieve. The advantages of digital photography's HDR processing to capture a wide range of light were mentioned but not in detail, or to show special considerations for the use of the technique in the dark.
   
   The example photographs themselves were interesting, although many were too self-aware and arty to easily serve as teaching vehicles for most photographers, who probably would be interested in simpler, more direct night and low-light themes. Yet, for the experienced photographer, looking to expand his vision, these same pictures might provide some inspiration.
   
   Although I didn't down-rate this book because of the layout and design, I hated it. Many pages are printed in black with white text, or include large blocks of black-backed white text and white-backed black text on the same page, or juxtapose black background pages with white background pages, all of which are quite jarring to the eye. As difficult are the tiny guest photographer portraits adjacent to tiny unreadable dark grey text on a black background.
   
   Despite problems, there were useful hints here and there, such as changing the point of view when taking pictures to exclude illumination that would be too contrasty or using reflections to add drama to night shots.
   
   Unfortunately, I have not found many recent books about low-light and night photography that are straight forward in teaching the less experienced how to become children of the night (oops-just a joke). For photographers determined to push on into the darkness, this is about as good as anything around.



5. As a professional writer and photographer, I read and review dozens of books on photography each year--from technical how-tos to fine art books. I don't often run into books of this caliber. Night & Low-Light Photography is technically informative and artistically inspiring, touching on an unprecedented scope of topics related this theme while also presenting a powerhouse art portfolio experience.
   
   What is truly impressive about Night & Low-Light is that it is equally valuable for pros, hobbyists and art-lovers alike.
   
   Jill Waterman is passionate an accomplished night photographer, a fantastic writer and a well-respected editor on topics of photography. She also has more industry connections than you can shake a stick at. It is this combination of assets--along with her clear editorial vision--that allowed Waterman to hit a home run with Night & Low-Light Photography.
   
   If you have any interest in night and low-light photography (including recording weather phenomena, painting with light and other low-light techniques often overlooked), you will definitely enjoy and learn from this book. The in-depth biographical data on the 30 contributors, the incredible list of resources and the detailed glossary alone are worth the purchase.
   
   If you are on the fence, you can get a better sense of Night & Low-Light Photography by checking out Waterman's companion website: [...]. However, keep in mind that Waterman has created such an impressive and jam-packed experience that it is hard to fully appreciate the value and pleasure of this book until you actually have it in your hands.

2 comments about Ghosts Caught On Film.

1. What a great idea putting some of the most famous and not so famous ghost pictures in a book and telling about the origin of them. I really enjoyed seeing the pictures and finding out where they came from. It was very interesting and I think the author did a find job of telling the story behind them without adding to it.



2. This book earns a great deal of my respect for many reasons. I appreciate the presentation of facts, letting the reader decide what to believe. The layout is beautiful and it makes a fascinating coffee table book. I like that is has some of the most famous and heavily disputed photographs of all time throughout the book . . . some of these are instantly recognizable. I also like that along the left side of each page, Dr. Willin notes if the photograph was ever found to be evidently bogus or if the jury is still out, along with a summary on how the picture came about (and any other interesting theories, possible causes/technologies, quotes/comments from other experts). This book was simply well done and makes a great teaching/research tool . . . truly a collectable.
   
   Please note that the photographs in this book are in full color and on quality paper. Dr. Willin also zooms in on specific elements in certain pictures, to make them easier to see and decipher.

5 comments about Exposure Photo Workshop: Develop Your Digital Photography Talent (Photo Workshop).

1. I'm so happy that I bought this book. It has really helped me better understand how to get the right exposure. He uses good examples that just make it click. If you are interested in going further with photography you need this for the shelf.



2. I would highly recommend this series of photography books {Photo Workshop). I purchased the full set and they have all been excellent.
   The book arrived quickly and in excellent condition.



3. Love this series of books, having a lesson if you will, followed by an assignment. All of the books that I have seen give you a good level of detail to describe the underlying details without getting too technical and very well written.



4. I am an avid amateur digital photographer. I have read many books on exposure and techniques. This is one of the best ever. The explanations are clear, logical, and the presentation is easy to follow. A concept is explained and then one or more photographs are used to demonstrate the concept. I highly recommend this book.



5. I couldn't be happier that I have this book. It explains everything that I needed to know about exposure, in such detail that a monkey could take better photos than Ansel Adams. I am so serious, If you have a DSLR, and you want to learn everything you can about it, you must have this book.

No comments about Life: Picture Puzzle Holidays! (Life (Life Books)).

5 comments about The BetterPhoto Guide to Digital Nature Photography (BetterPhoto Series).

1. Tres bon livre (The BetterPhoto Guide to Digital Nature Photography ) montrant comment prendre de belle photos



2. Ok, I am an amateur photographer and just like thousands of others we are all trying to improve on what we love to do. Thanks to Jim Miotke he has helped me do just that. By understanding how to photograph nature at it's best, you feel confident in trying new things. Example after example he shows how it should be done and what to look for in the field. The quality of the printing and photographs in the book is excellent. If you really want to learn how to get the best results from your photography, then buy this book. Jim Miotke's Digital Nature Photography along with Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure is a must for your book collection.



3. This book contains a lot of the same information as Jim's other book - The BetterPhoto Guide to Digital Photography - but he explains the information in a way that applies to landscapes, animals, and macro work - instead of just an overall view of photography. Again, I would highly suggest this book to anyone interested in taking better photographs - whether it's just your family vacation to Yellowstone, or you're looking to become a professional photographer. This is definitely a great starting point!



4. I was intruiged by this book and it's mate, The Better Photo Guide to Digital Photography, both by Jim Miotke. On receipt, the books were everything I had hoped for. The photographs and the accompanying data, are exceptional. Jim explains everything you need to know. The advice given is clear and understandable. The practicle applications in the form of "Assignments" make this book not only a good read but a fun hands on affair.
   I would recommend this book to anyone, digital or film.
   I understand that there is another in this series comming up, The Better Photo Guide to Exposure......I can't wait! O.K. how about one on "Portrait Photography" too while you're at it!



5. For the more serious photographer, it is an excellent book to read and try out the techniques included in it.

5 comments about Real World Digital Photography (2nd Edition) (Real World).

1. I was a beginner digital photographer when I got this book. Taught me a lot and I still use it and what I learned every day. Glad I bought it.



2. I'm a photography major and was required to get this book for class. Though it has a high price tag, it's very useful and will probably last for the rest of your life as a guide to photography. It starts from the beginning, from how a camera works, to how to develop film, printing, color photography, and more. There are detailed pictures, charts and examples to help you understand certain concepts.



3. This is a genuinely well thought out book concerning digital photography. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good grasp on all of the concepts surrounding Digital Cameras and image post-processing.



4. I'm teaching a beginning digital photography class and this book was the one being used by the college. I went with it. On first read, liked the book but as I tried to structure a methodical, logical class, I found the book to be frustrating. The book jumps from one topic to another, often with no thorough treatment of a subject. Topics are scattered through it. It often promises "we'll cover more on that later" without really covering it well later. The book can't be read by a beginner because terms are often used without being defined or taught. The book assumes you already know about photography. I found I could not assign much reading from the book until 1/2 way through the course when the students had finally been introduced to ISO, shutter speed, f/stops, depth of field, exposures, stops, white balance, etc.
   
   The back 1/2 of the book focuses on Photoshop CS which was not the SW we used in the class. That part of the book was nearly useless for us.
   
   For someone already familiar with photography, this book isn't bad at all. As a text for a class, I'd not recommend it.



5. It's a good book, I'm doing first year photography at uni and this is one of the text's. it's writen in a way that is really easy to read and it covers everything really quite well.

3 comments about Start Your Own Photography Business: Studio, Freelance, Gallery, Events (Start Your Own Photography Business: Studio, Freelance, Events).

1. Lots of great info for the start up photographer. Easy to read and understand. Very Helpful



2. As I am wanting to start a business, I found this book full of thought provoking information.



3. "Start Your Own Photography Business" lets you know whether you are ready to turn a photography hobby into a photography career. The book assumes that you already have the talent and technical know-how to do the job, and prepares you for the business side of opening and running a photography business. It covers all the basics you need to know to get started.
   
   I have read other business books from Charlene Davis, and like the others, this one is well-researched and written in the same friendly, helpful style. Highly recommended for those wondering if they could make money from taking pictures on a part-time or full-time basis.
   
   Leslie Halpern, author of Reel Romance: The Lovers' Guide to the 100 Best Date Movies and Dreams on Film: The Cinematic Struggle Between Art and Science.

5 comments about Baby Faces Board Book #02: Smile! (Baby Faces).

1. This is a great,well made, and well thought out book for babies and toddlers. The language used with the photographs doesn't trash the English language trying to make cutesy rhymes. The photographs are fun and well done. Any in this series are great. My child loves them.



2. This book with all these sweet baby faces is so amazing. My baby loves to look at all the little faces and always enjoy to watch them. It's really funny book that brings smiles to everybody whom look at it. I recommend it to all mothers and thier children.



3. The baby photos in this book are great and this book has been a favorite of our son's starting at one month. AT 15 months he still loves it. The text is fine but mostly he just loves looking at the fascinating baby faces.



4. Bought this book for grandson and he loves it! Now passed on the his brother.



5. My 9 month old loved the faces in this book, but I couldn't let him read it on his own because the cardboard isn't laminated very heavily. As soon as he started chewing on it, it bubbled up and started peeling away. Doesn't hold up as well as a number of other board books we have. Will keep it for when he's older.