5 comments about Understanding Shutter Speed: Creative Action and Low-Light Photography Beyond 1/125 Second.

1. Anything by Bryan Peterson is worth reading. I reference him to my students in my photography class.



2. Item being reviewed
   
   
   Understanding Shutter Speed: Creative Action and Low-Light Photography Beyond 1/125 Second
   
   is an outstanding book, not a small book either that gives one insight on how to create mistical photos and you can not beat the price!!!!



3. For an newbie like, categorization of the shutter speed range (like he did in his other book, Understanding Exposure, with f values) is very helpful.



4. I got this book and Understanding exposure by Bryan Peterson. I have read both and I now have a handle on shutter speed and exposure. I also have a few more ideas on things to do with this knowledge. I highly recommend both books.



5. I bought both 'Understanding Exposure' and this book by Bryan Petersen, and have found both to be extremely helpful. 'Understanding Shutter Speed' is more advanced, and gives tips for more creative photographic effects. It is written concisely, and he provides examples of creative photography and tells us in simple terms how to achieve these effects. The only things that bugged me about this book were his constant references to his beautiful wife, and I didn't think that some of his photographic examples were creatively brilliant. However, the examples clearly showed the effect he was trying to achieve, and may have been exaggerated to do exactly that.

5 comments about The Moment It Clicks: Photography secrets from one of the world's top shooters (Voices That Matter).

1. First of all, the pictures in this book are great, and for that alone it is worth buying.
   With each picture Joe tells a small story on how he got to the picture. Some reviewers were expecting a closely detailed "how to", and this is not it.
   But just as photography is not about the gear alone (a good camera does not automatically make you a good photographer), it is also not just about technique.
   
   So, there are no lighting diagrams in the book, no setups like "two flashes here and a reflector there". But a lot of tongue in cheek stories. Why film actors don't like their picture taken, how to get the right props, what NOT to do when shooting college sports stars, how to deal with police disrupting a shoot, etc.
   
   I once made a portrait of my coworkers son. She said it was his best portrait ever - showing his true smile and not the fake one he always had in pictures. This book will get you a feeling (among other things) on how to get that true smile out of people.



2. Note that the majority of people that don't like this book explicitly mention Kelby's books. That should speak volumes to experienced photographers and photo editors.
   
   If you love Scott Kelby books then this probably isn't the book for you. It isn't filled with lousy jokes and simple formulas. You have to have some base photographic knowledge to pull off complex shots and you'll never get there with simple formulas. No ... it isn't a beginner book like Kelby's drivel so don't buy it if that's what you're into.



3. Now just how did Joe McNally get to the top?
   
   Take a look and see :)
   
   For not being a how-to book, I've been getting a lot of info about lighting. I like that.
   
   Great stories also.
   
   Grab it if you are interested in various light conditions and solutions.
   
   Worth the price for me.



4. There's no question on the competence of Joe McNally. The pictures are impeccable in this book. But indeed he should have done more to teach.
   
   Although some are drawn on tissue paper, in his blog you can see lighting diagrams (where to place the flashes/softboxes). He also show some behind-the-scene pictures on how even the backdrop was set-up along with a commentary on what was the assignment for and the theme he wants to achieve. He should have done the same in this book.
   
   I think the problem was in the decision to make a coffee table and tutorial book in one. Should have selected just one objective, to satisfy fully that purpose?
   
   I hope Joe will write another book with more tutoring. Doesnt have to be a tell-all, spoonfeeding stuff. Just something you can follow and experiment with--again, similar to what he writes in his bog.



5. If you use or are interested in using off camera lighting, this is a must read. Why would you? Photography is about light and McNally teachs how to modify or change existing light so you are not stuck with the poor or boring light you find. McNally is an artist with light. His writing style is enjoyable and is humor makes this an easy read yet this is packed with information. This book was the brainchild of Scott Kelby, and even goes beyond his on line seminars taking a subject that could be dry and makes it enjoyable reading. This book received alot of hoopla about its release- with good reason. Read this with Lowell's Matter of Light and Depth for structured instruction and the Strobist website for portable, inexpensive gear and your photography will move to an entirely different level.

5 comments about The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Book: The Complete Guide for Photographers.

1. This book looks great, but guess what ?
   
   Every stinking menu of screen shot is from a MAC !
   
   Not one shot from a PC
   
   And YES !
   
   The MAC and PC versions DO NOT HAVE THE SAME SCREENS !!!
   
   How stupid can people at Adobe be ?
   
   If you are going to write a book like this, write it for the MAJORITY OF COMPUTERS OUT THERE !!!
   
   Not the MINORITY !!
   
   Very frustrating to follow understand due to this issue.
   
   Makes the book useless for PC owners !.



2. I found this book to be very well written and quite thorough. I already know how to use lightroom but I wanted to know how to use the new features in depth. This book delivered.



3. Even with the upgraded material, it goes beyond what could have been added to the LR1 version. Excellent reading, easy to understand, perfect examples and photos.



4. As with his Photoshop books Martin Evening again wrote a book that is comprehensive and covers most everything for photographers from beginners to pro. Being on the consultation and testing staff for Lightroom 2 made Martin somebody who knows. And his background as a professional photographer makes all information really worthwhile.



5. I missed out on Martin's first book and waited for his second to cover Lightroom 2. Easy to understand. Steps through every process and covers all the basics as well as complex concepts. Will suit a novice or experienced Lightroom 1 user, who just wants to know about the new things in version 2. Highly recommended and a must if you want to utilise all the great things the program offers!

5 comments about Layers: The Complete Guide to Photoshop's Most Powerful Feature.

1. This is an excellent book for anyone who does not understand layers. I had some experience with layers going into the book, but I have come out with a lot more knowledge and tricks than I did before.
   
   Matt really takes his time to slow down and explain every step for the reader. His online resources are a great help, as well.



2. My first book "Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE" (Focal Press) by Mark Galer opened the door for this first time user of Photoshop but when I bought this reference manual I had the answers to the many questions of how do I do that. If your enhancing your family album or making a poster, "LAYERS" is an excellant addition to your library.



3. Terrific book geared for precisely they way I like to learn; Matt has written a beautifully illustrated book that takes one through the layers learning process in a very methodical sensible approach. He says what needs to be said in as few words as possible; yet he leaves nothing to the imagine either.
   
   No jokes; just straight forward and to the point; it is exactly what I was looking for and I only wish I had found this ten years ago. (I know it was not available ten years ago)
   
   I have not mastered everything in layers yet and probably never will but this book makes it much less intimidating for me.
   
   I have no criticism but the only question I have is how to treat the images that are already imported into Lightroom 2; Is it better to work with the images from the original file on disk or should they be edited in Photoshop from within Lr2 and then saved as an `Edit'?



4. Layers, The complete guide to Photoshop's most powerful feature by Matt Kloskowski is described by the author as "the Photoshop book he wishes were available when he was trying to learn Photoshop." I couldn't agree more. I see others say that there is nothing new here, I disagree. The manner in which the material is presented is better and easier to follow than many other guides that have preceded it.
   
   It is 255 pages long and written so as to guide you from start to finish assuming you have zero familiarity with layers, but it is also contains loads of information for those of us that have played with layers for years, but always felt there was a lot more potential waiting to be mined. The contents are well laid out and the topics all stand well on their own, so feel free to jump right in and start playing wherever your interest take you.
   
   Like everything the Kelby team does, the layout appeals to the visual senses immediately. The images and examples throughout the book are well done and demonstrate real world examples of how easy it can be to correct or enhance your images using a few strategically executed layers.
   
   Matt Kloskowski clearly knows his stuff and does a great job imparting that knowledge in a succinct and enjoyable manner. This is a great second or third book for anyone that has the basics of working in Photoshop under their belt.
   
   To me a review is most meaningful when you know a little something about the person writing the review. I have been an avid amateur photographer since the late 1970's and have been selling my work since 2004. Photography isn't my day job, but it does provide a welcome supplement. I shot with a Canon 1D Mark II Professional Digital SLR from 2003 until May of 2008. I recently switched to a Nikon D3 and while the files do have a different look directly out of the camera, in the end both systems provide wonderful images once they have been worked in post process. When I last wrote a review I was doing all most all of my post processing work in Photoshop, but my workflow has evolved significantly since the introduction of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom.
   
   I am a member of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) and make extensive use of the abundant educational materials available on the member website. I have read well over three-dozen Photoshop training guides with one overriding goal in mind; producing the best images possible.



5. Those folks longing for the next "Down & Dirty" book from Scott, it does not appear it will happen. Bummer. But this is the next best thing from Matt in the same walk and talk. Creative recipe how-to's and easy to understand on the subject of the all important layers, blend modes, masks. Highly recommend...

5 comments about Head First Java, 2nd Edition.

1. Pretty good book for those whom Programming is difficult to understand. You will be doing an excellent purchase.



2. I had to get this book for an Intro Java class I'm taking. The "teacher" is basically reading the book as part of his lessons. I've learned more from this book than I have from the "teacher". This book has a unique approach to teaching programming, and so far I think it's working. Other programming books I have read, are really dry and boring, this book is the opposite.



3. This is a good beginners' book. It is, however, 3 years old and does not cover the latest version of Java, 6.0. According the publisher, O'Reilly Media, the authors consider Java 6.0 to be similar to version 5.0 and thus not worth a new edition. The next edition is scheduled for 2010, when Java 7.0 comes out.



4. As a computer science teacher I am always on the lookout for introductory texts that make Java less intimidating. Head First Java certainly fills the bill with a good mix of humor and content. My only objection (and it is very slight) is that it tends to get a bit "thick" in sections -- nothing a final edit couldn't easily fix.
   
   On the whole, however, a very good job.



5. It has been quite a while since I did any serious programming, particularly in Java. This book served as a great refresher, and was an easy read. The authors' premise that by adding pictures, jokes and puzzles help to hold the reader's attention was true for me.
   
   Given the format, I thought that the book did a great job of covering the basics of programming in Java, including threads, IO and even some Swing.
   
   I'll buy more books in this series.

5 comments about The Betterphoto Guide to Digital Photography (Amphoto Guide Series).

1. 
   I have just started learning to use my D80 and this is the best book I've found for the novice . It is written without a lot of jargon and gives simple yet clear descriptions of functions and great illustrations/photos to reinforce the info.



2. by the cheapest Ch***se print outfit that's around. If one is trying to explain with images what effect filters or different lighting situations have on a photo, a good print quality would help.
   In regards to content and explanations, it is a good book and well conceived. It helped me quite a bit. However, the author thinks, that good pictures can only be taken with DSLR cameras. Some of his own examples don't make a good point of that.



3. If you are looking to learn the basics of digital photography, whether you just want to take better vacation photos with your family - or progress into a career in photography, this book is for you. Great pictures with information on how the pictures were taken (aperture, lens used, length, etc..). The book is very informative and Jim keeps things interesting to the point that you do not get bored. I would highly suggest this for anyone looking to take better pictures.



4. This book is for the serious photographer using the digital equipment. I was interested in learning to take better photographs, and this book made me want to go out there and do the lessons included in there.



5. This Photo book is great for advance reader it gives us many up to date features(Tips) for shooting under various conditions, digital photography has arrived and you can learn on the spot, instead of waiting after your develops return........Thanks......NA

5 comments about David Busch's Nikon D300 Guide to Digital SLR Photography.

1. I'd recommend a freind to buy the book.
   The book in addition to the a very concise description of every feature of the camera, it gives many small and helpful tips and ideas.
   
   Ram



2. If you have a D300 get this book.I moved up from a D70s,and It was a good move.The D300 Is a lot more complex and does require some study.David "ALMOST" makes the Nikon manual obsolete,a lot easier to use and understand.I get lost In the manual but the book makes It look easy.You will be missing a lot of features of the camera if you don't read this book.



3. I actually bought this book thinking that it would be like the Magic Lantern books. A small but well written and illustrated field manual. WRONG. It is a large, well written instruction book that shows you everything you could possibly need to know about the fantastic Nikon D300 camera. There is not a better book out there if you have a D300, but dont expect to slip this monster in your camera bag.



4. This book is for the person who knows nothing about photography and for those who think they know everything.
   It is most informative in the complexes of this camera and if, like me, you find some aspects hard to take in at first, the beauty of the written word is that it can be re-read.
   I've only got to page 63 so far but look forward to picking it up at every chance.
   Highly recommended.



5. If you have the D300, this is a must have book. Very thorough from front to back.

5 comments about Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting.

1. The explanations "how to" are great. For those who want to go further in lighting comrehension and fundamentals. I tried some of the exercises, and it...works.
   Highly recommended (it is a strobist.blogspot.com/ choice).
   I don't think this book is for the very beginners.



2. If you are just starting or have been working for awhile with artificial lighting I really recommend you buy a copy of "Light, Science and Magic" , third edition. I have never come across as comprehensive yet down to earth guide for understanding and using the properties of light as this book. I have no connection with the authors and in fact only recently (early Sept. 08) bought a copy after hearing certain people here on photo.net rave about it. I was skeptical because of the title and feared it was yet another lighting cookbook of cookie cutter approaches to using light. it emphatically is not . It is very useful even if you never intend to never use artificial light. It is both well written and well illustrated.
   
   As a companion volume I also recommend Kirk Tuck's book " Minimalist Lighting: Professional Techniques for Location Lighting" if you are using small strobes such as the Canon, Nikon, Metz or Sony Speedlights. Together these two books virtually 100% of the ideas concepts and practices of using light dynamically to make more creative and visually powerful photographs.



3. The book is about what is light, how to use it in the difference materials and special effects.
   it was very helpful for me because i look for a book that talk about the basic principles of light.



4. I just scan the book. I like the way the book teach how to manage the light during photographing. When I have time, I will go through deeper. Satisfied!!



5. i wasn't paying attention or the information has leaked out through the trade off for real estate in my fibrous container yearning for relevancy. that is why i need you. to bolster the methods of a successful preparation. but i haven't bought you yet. and here i pronounce indecision. there are just too many. what if i was limited to walking to the local bookshop? i would scoff at the washed up selection of used guidebooks then feel cheated by tweaked reprints of the industry standards. this industry is too big. hypothetically, i walk home, and along the way i am taunted by the satellite dishes i wish i had already reframed (to both my community plus my unknown community) for being a completely obvious art project that sacrifices the aesthetic for the conceptual yet surprises you with anonymous racism.
   
   what if my search terms could have been better. what if the auto completion / auto correction was hindsight itself--imagine it: letters slowly congealing into subliminal idiom. do i keep it general, interrogative, pessimistic? "how to take a good picture" "photography" "light" "portrait" struggle to completion in the same suspense of watching a kid mess up at a spelling bee, going really meditative about their my mistake, sweat stains the only glory.
   
   once i learned through exercises how to appropriately evoke the mood of (wheel's been invented) electrical setups. it was another notebook, seventeen pages in, that i was too lazy to recycle when the storage space let out the air in its balloon. i couldn't read my handwriting anyway.
   
   i really can't stand the artificial much longer. i am planning a purchase by justification of investment. i will be ready now when the mother of some friend of mine contacts me about a reputation i had for training in this skill and therefore she'll want to pass my name on to someone who needs headshots of their niece's aspiring actress daughter. i will agree under the condition that the daughter will probably fail in that competitive industry and it won't be my fault. i will agree under the condition i take them in natural light.
   
   technical hocus pocus may evaporate in the politeness of a first time conversation. so i should be prepared if someone misunderstands me and wants to be portrayed as an indoorsy hermit. discovering a niche is what to sell nowadays.
   
   so what am i going to do when the pop of a flash resting on top the camera, as lazy as a microwave, exerts itself as if it knows how to light my subject?
   
   (i hope to have learned by now) i would plant the flash elsewhere, a coiled wire ready to trip any intruder between me and it's piñata stronghold. (i hope to have learned by now) i would wrap the palm of a rubber glove around it, the allergic latex fingers brushed back like sturdy hair plugs not to interfere with the consistency of a diffuser. (i hope to have learned by now) you may decide not to pay me in fives tens and twenties because the job was shot on film, handed over in a closed off canister with a prankster smirk that reads: take it to not only walgreens but cvs, duane read and rite-aid when they are closed and shove it through their overnight drop off slot, creative directions on the envelope only--no contact information--scribbled in sharpie marker: turn me into grey scale to satisfy my craving for abstraction. (i hope to have learned by now) to prevent the inevitable of bargaining image quality for lack of knowledge. (i hope to have learned by now) i've been less qualified than others yet hired to team teach this stuff before i even have the time or energy to refresh my memory. (i hope to have learned by now) sunglasses and or a cigarette don't actually make you look cool. (i hope to have learned by now) tell the subject not to stand in front of the sun.
   
   that larger forces in life mess up my light meter is the true search for compensation. while techniques indoctrinate trial and error, you bring me closer to secrets.

5 comments about Canon EOS 40D Guide to Digital Photography.

1. This book is a comprehensive resource you are going to benefit from throughout the lifetime of your camera. You don't need to read the whole thing at once- it has worked great for me to take chunks at a time and practice with the newly learned material. This book explains how to maximize the features of the camera for your needs, gives advanced techniques you might otherwise miss with your camera, and gives you the confidence to pick up your camera and know how to achieve what you want to achieve in your images. Especially for those who are technically challenged, this is a must-have.



2. this book is easy reading. gives easy understanding of useful tips & tricks. this is my second book for this camera and is much better with practical use of why and how of photography for this camera



3. This book is worth twice the price if you own the Canon EOS 40 D. I cannot believe how many times I refer to this book to help me with this camera. It is written in easy to understand language. The graphics are exceptional. He leaves nothing out. If you own the camera, you MUST own this book!!



4. I purchased this book based on the advise of a friend who has the same book for his model camera. In short, the book is excellent for someone new to DSLRs, such as I am. The book is great at explaning the functionality of the camera and the "why" we do things, not just the "how".



5. The material presented on the functions of the 40D was well presented, and I especially appreciate having reference material in a print face large enough to read without eye strain! The pictures of the camera controls and the prints of the various LCD and viewfinder screens were all helpful. I just thought the book wandered off topic when the author ventured into a discussion of lenses and managing light. Someone who has the skill set to want to purchase a fine camera such as a 40D most likely has a pretty sound foundation in lens selection, capabilities, and an understanding of focal length, depth of field, and aperture. Ditto for working with light. The subject of lighting should be left to a totally separate book and not be included with a book billed as a 40D camera manual, although covering the use of the pop up flash as a part of the 40D is appropriate, it should have been left at that.
   
   This is a useful book for someone like me who enjoys complete, user friendly documentation which is easy to read and reference.

5 comments about Complete Guide to High Dynamic Range Digital Photography (A Lark Photography Book).

1. I will recommend this book to any person interested on the subject.
   The best book I read this year inspirational and motivational reading.
   The author is a gifted teacher. I'll give it six stars.



2. I have been looking for a book that gets right to the heart of HDR photography. I have read several books on the subject or what was to have been on the subject only to find out there was very little actual HDR instructions in these books. I decided to try one more when I bought this book, and I wish I would have bought it first. This book in very informative on all aspects of HDR photography and is not an introduction to photography like some of the others I read. If your interested at all in this type of photography and you want full and complete instructions, this is the book to buy. Excellent study book, and the photos inside are really beautiful. This book has ignited a very very deep interest in me to get out and start using the techniques explained. Get this Book



3. A very informative book with brillant photography,a great guide to getting started with high dynamic range photography for all levels of photograhers.Easily explains all aspects of high dynamic range and the post processing that is involved with the different programs that are available for doing this type of photography.



4. This book is definitely worth reading if you have photography background but are just getting into HDR. I've been a professional photographer for over 10 years, but just started playing with HDR for personal projects. This book provides a solid introduction to the concepts of HDR and the tools that are currently available on the market.



5. This is the best HDR book I have read. It covers all the important issues of HDR and gives your the tools to execute dynamic images.