5 comments about Lighting Photo Workshop.

1. Excellent reading! Great explanation of lighting and exposure. Pictures were explicit in info. Love the book. Im a beginner and understand the writing well. Thanks!!!!



2. 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.



3. I own this book and "Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson". Both books are outstanding with regards to emphasis on Basic Exposure Techniques. Chris Bucher has provided plenty of illustrations, and wherever applicable he has commented on camera technique and ability of post processing to fix incorrect exposures. Plenty of systematic exercises to practice technique. Book is well-priced, and every enthusiast will benefit from a few tips. Very well priced. Must have for an amatuer...



4. Chris Bucher's LIGHTING PHOTO WORKSHOP tells how to use the camera to capture atmosphere and images through a better understanding of light's properties and how the camera works to incorporate it into special effects. From working with natural light to creating mood with artificial light, chapters use plenty of color photo examples - packing nearly every page - as they explain how light can be mastered. The author's commercial photography work lends a business approach to a guide recommended for any general photography collection.



5. Chris Bucher's Lighting-Photoworkshop book is a great guide for any photographer looking to learn understanding and controlling lighting in photography. It starts you off with the very basics of lighting and works you in to more advanced techniques. Anyone can take a picture, but understanding where your light is coming from and how to use it separates the good from the bad.
   This book starts you off with the technical side of lighting so you can fully understand what you are doing. It then explains almost every lighting situation (a bright sunny day, an overcast day or even artificial lighting) you can encounter and how to use certain things to your advantage. It also explains specific examples from anything to nature to people photography. I found myself excited to try the assignments and apply them towards my photography.
   As a graduate from the Brooks Institute of Photography, this book was a great refresher course in a lot of the lighting techniques I have learned. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to take their photography to the next level.

5 comments about Mountain Light: In Search of the Dynamic Landscape, Tenth-Anniversary Edition.

1. Well, even in the tenth revision, it is one of the classics one photographer needs to have in his bookshelf.
   
   It is not "how-to" (albeit it is how-to) but to get the idea of having that image created in your mind and then banned on chip of film.
   
   Galen Rowell writes clear and deep essays about what his heart touches.
   It does help if the reader has a broader knowledge about art, painting, and especially "construction techniques" to frame a picture with your camera.
   
   Highly recommended!



2. Galen's images are inspiring, but the real value of this book is the wealth of topics, inspiration, and creative thinking presented in the articles.
   This is NOT a coffee-table book. It is one you should take the time to read and digest. If you're an outdoor photographer you will appreciate the energizing effect of Galen's writing. A rare gem among countless other "pretty pictures but not much substance" offerings.



3. This is a must read for anyone who likes to shoot landscape photography. This book doesn't go into a lot of technical details, and the author assumes the readers have a basic knowledge of how SLRs operate, but rather it deals more with the "why" of photography and "when", which I found to be very interesting and thought provoking. Galen Rowell shares his insights about mountain light and how his mind works when he is out with a camera along with what photography meant for him, and it changed my approach to landscape photography. He also shares his unsuccessful stories, which is not very usual for these types of books, and it's good to see that even for photographers of his level things have never come easy. Luck is a big part of it all, and he has a great essay there on how to be in a better position for its appearance. In addition, this book is full of his outstanding landscape art, and that alone is worth whatever the price you will pay for it.



4. This is a book about making meaningful landscape photographs. This is not a book about which f/stop to use or how to adjust your depth of field or exposure. There are a ton of those types of books on the market. This book is about vision, learning to see and connecting personally with your images.
   
   If you're comfortable with the mechanical aspects of your camera and are struggling with "technically well executed but lifeless images" this is your guide.
   
   I highly recommend it.



5. It's a great book ! you'll find all you need about photographing up in the mountains ! Galan Rowell was a great person ! A book worth reading by anybody who enjoys photography at high altitude.

5 comments about China: People Place Culture History.

1. I had been going to China on business for nearly 15 years now and this bewilderingly vast nation has always fascinated me, but I had never really taken the time to really dig into the nation's history and culture - until now. I'm starting out with this handsome book and 'China Road' by Rob Gifford and I'm already getting a good feel for what the country is like in ways that I was never able to during my various visits on business trips. I reckon I had spent over 30 weeks in China on business over the years, but all those trips were for what they were: business - visiting factories, meeting with factory owners and managers, going to nice restaurants, and doing a little sightseeing on the few days I'd have off. I never felt like I ever got to know the people of China. I was always in a hurry to get in, in a hurry to get the work done and then hurry to get out. Now with this book, I can contemplate about what daily life is really like for the people from all walks of life and also get some grasp of the mind-boggling size of China.
   
   The book is neatly divided by subjects covering China's stunningly varied geography, just as diverse groups of people and ethnicity, its fascinatingly rich culture and its long and amazingly tumultuous history. It's a great starting point to understand and absorb the next world superpower that is becoming more and more important in our daily lives in the West and all around the world. It's hard to comprehend or make sense of a nation that has a population much larger than the US and all of Europe combined. I travel around China and I'm just dumbfounded by the sheer size of the land and, of course, the mind-boggling population. It's like, "How do you govern or manage a nation of this size?" But somehow, despite all the myriad problems that are hard to fathom, China goes on and now it's growing at a breakneck pace - on pace to become the world's largest economy in 20 years or so and be twice as large as that of the US by the middle of the century. On the surface of things, it seems this century is for China to make theirs.
   
   This book gives you a good general overview with excellent photos throughout and superb layout with good informative content that gives the reader an insight into the mind of the Chinese people. As an Asian-American of Korean descent, China is not as foreign to me as it'd be to most Westerners, but it still holds what Westerners and even other non-Chinese Asians may consider to be many mysteries and odd or strange cultural practices and traditions. And the diversity of the Chinese people and its geography may be something many people in the West haven't thought about. China can be viewed as a continent in itself - like Europe with many different languages and cultural heritage. But it is united and the nation has gone through many wars to tear itself apart and to re-unite again over the course of its long history. China is indeed much more complex and misunderstood than most Westerners would care to admit. This book goes a long way in helping you understand that complexity of this most fascinating nation and growing world power. If you need only one book about China, this is the one to get.



2. An absolutely beautiful book. The binding is gorgeous and the photography outstanding. Very interesting to read. Obviously a country and people with 1000s of years of history can only be perceived in a glimpse in just one book, but what a beautiful glimpse this book gives the reader! And more than just beautiful photos it contains very interesting history. A great overview of such a vast and interesting country.



3. This book has beautiful pictures and good writing. I got one for my 5th grader, and another as a gift for a friend. Unfortunately, both copies were somewhat damaged (one copy had a crease in the front, and the other copy has a slit in the middle). I think the production/ manufacture of this book is not perfect. What a shame as it is truly a beautiful book to be treasured.



4. I visited China earlier this year on business, so I was intrigued when I came across this book. When I opened it, I was not disappointed. This book celebrates China and its variety of culture, art, landscapes and rich history with beautiful photography and educational text.
   
   The beginning section of the book draws you in with page after page of beautiful photographs of different landscapes in China, sprinkled with verses from Chinese poetry (translated to English, of course). It makes the reader aware of the varied landscapes (snow to desert, mountains to plans, forest to fields) that make up the vast country of China. Truly a treasury of photos!
   
   The next section explains Chinese history, complete with a timeline. The information is provided in titled short paragraphs and articles so it is easy for the reader to get a glimpse of the history and read quick pieces for more detail. Small articles include items such as "The Grand Canal" and "The Boxer Uprising". All are sprinkled with old photographs and pictures of paintings and artifacts.
   
   The most delightful section of the book is "A Day in the Life" which is a collection of stories about daily life of particular people in different areas of China. There's the life of a student in Shaanxi, a Chinese herbalist, a Buddist Monk, a Cricket Seller, and a farmer, just to name a few. The photos and text provide a window into the lives of the people of China to let the reader see life from their eyes.
   
   There is also a section on Chinese Culture, which includes articles on philosphy and religion, painting, literature and Chinese opera.
   
   The last segment of the book is entitled "Architecture" and contains pieces on various types of building styles, both old and new. From modern buildings such as the 88-story Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai to an old Buddist Monastery in Hebei, this chapter contains a wealth of information and beautiful photography. The Jin Mao Tower is truly stunning inside (I wish I had gone to see it while I was there!). The Couple's Garden is typical of the gardens in Suzhou that I visited while there. One of the most beautiful places shown in called the "Temple of Heaven" with colorful painted decor and detailed stonework.
   
   I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone wanting to learn about China and its culture. It is not only informative, but makes a beautiful "coffee table book"!



5. Stunningly beautiful photos ... well-organized chapters ... plenty of information on many aspects of Chinese culture. I gave this book to my 11-year-old nephew for Christmas, so he will begin to appreciate that China is very much more than a supplier for Wal-Mart!

5 comments about Nikon Creative Lighting System Digital Field Guide.

1. I was looking to trade my sb800 for a metz, but after reading the book, which provided my super tips on the creative side i decided to buy a couple of SB800 as my portable flash system.
   (excuse my english but is not my native language)



2. Good help for a very complex unit, It will help you get the most out of ypur flash. Explains how the controls work how the TTL system works. all good stuff to know.



3. I bought this book hoping it could help me with controlling nikon SB speedlights SB800 and SB600 which I own with my new SU800 remote. This book deals mainly with using SB800 as the master to control other flashguns. It would have been better if it included the usefullness of the CLS with the use of SU800 as well because this is what it is all about! It is not as comprehensive as I thought it would!



4. I found the book too verbose. The marrow of if could have been condensed in a book half its size. As a practical amateur photographer, I ws looking for detailed advice on using one or several flashes, since I own a Nikon D200 and a Speedlight SB 600. When not extolling the system "the Nikon creative Lightning system is a very complex tool but alll of the complexities are taken care of whitin the camera itself", and similar phrases ocupying a good amount of text, the author talks mostly on generalities. I felt I did not get advise specific enough to actually put it to work in obtaining better flash photography.



5. I love this book. J. Thomas covers all the bases in this guide to your Nikon CLS. With lots of illustrations, FAQs, questions you'd never think to ask, I can't put this down. I purchased also David D. Busch's "Nikon D80 Digital Field Guide" which is excellent, but this Creative Lighting Sytem Guide is your direct link to photographic heaven. Don't buy into the naysayers neagative, neurotic reviews of "not enough bells and missiles". This guide will guide you through the minefield and morass of proper lighting. You'll be glad you got this. I certainly am!
   
   
   "Good photography speaks through silence"

5 comments about Earth from Above, Third Edition.

1. The book is exactly as advertised, in perfect condition. Delivered quickly. Would definitely recommend this seller. Thanks!



2. Wonderful book not only with stunning photos but deals with global conflicts of earth and humans.
   
   Love the TV series on the same by Yann and I wanted a companion book for the same. Excellent...
   
   Book arrived from amazon in time.



3. A book of wonderful aerial vistas. I first saw many of these pictures in The Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. This book allows me to continuously look at them. One never gets tired of the images. This book provides a feast for your eyes and shows clearly the wonders of nature. The only shortcoming is that many of the pictures are two pages in breath and are broken up by the book's mid- seam.



4. I have enjoyed this book for about three years and have given it to 10 of my friends as a gift. Just fabulous! Worth its weight in gold ... and it is very heavy!!



5. When I received the book, the pages were almost loose from the cover, so I did send it back to Amazon. However, the contents are really nice. I do understand the comment from the people about the problem with the photo's on 2 pages, but they still remain very impressive photo's.
   
   I also would like to add here that I only have compliments about the way Amazon has handled the problem with the (almost) loose cover. They came very quick with very good solutions.

5 comments about The Photograph as Contemporary Art (World of Art).

1. Excellent book for anyone interested in photography. Even more beneficial when you begin to get serious about your photographs.



2. I am a photographer. I also live in New York City where I wander through art galleries displaying photographs with which I have a hard time coming to grips. Charlotte Cotton's book seemed to be aimed right at me.
   
   What distinguishes a contemporary art photograph from other beautiful photographs is not always clear, but like Supreme Court Justice Stewart, I know it when I see it. From what the author suggests, it may be that contemporary art photography is less concerned with the form and more with the content, and that viewers are meant to be semiologists decoding what a photograph stands for.
   
   Cotton begins her book with an introduction that includes a taxonomy of contemporary art photography, and to the extent that classifying an object helps us to know and understand it, the introduction alone justifies the book. Surprisingly, rather than look at style or subject matter, she organizes the book based upon the photographers' motivations and working practices. For example one of the classes is pictures of events that have been specifically organized to be photographed while another is pictures that aim to reproduce or refer back to something in the history of photography and other arts.
   
   Each of the classes is allocated a chapter, and allocates a paragraph each to the work several artists, along with a representative photograph. Cotton explains how the photograph fits into the genre and explains something of the meaning of the work. Most of the photographs are just large enough to provide some appreciation of the work and the explanations are as concise as possible.
   
   The book is meant to be a survey and so is more useful for providing a framework for understanding the overall categories than appreciating any individual picture. It should also be noted that the book does not cover a great deal of recent popular photography like the works of Annie Liebovitz or Art Wolfe. I expect that these photographers are seen as working in an older tradition and that they are not "post modern", again, whatever that means.
   
   For the individual who is trying to get his arms around the direction and meaning of much of modern art photography, as well as for people who have dismissed contemporary art photography as unfathomable, this book will provide a good introduction, particularly since Cotton doesn't seem to be tied to the language of deconstruction, but rather speaks without jargon. Yet this is a field of such great variety that even if one read all of the hundreds of books listed by the author for further reading, one would have only scratched the surface.



3. This book offers an understandable discussion of a complex subject. Recommended!



4. I learnt a lot from this book on what is happening out there in the world of photography today, boundaries are being crossed, there actually is a revolutiopn in the arts in general at the moment, which I find out to be much much more exciting than most people think, especially with photography. I happen to be a photographer myself and I strongly suggest this book to people who think they have mastered the subject and thought they had an open mind.....there is still a long way to go and loads of arenas still unexplored unlike what we used to think that it has all been done before but no, this book shows how we are still pretty much at the beginning of our adventure in this subject, we can break down a lot of our old beliefs that were gathering cob webs.



5. This book is a great introduction to understanding the world of contemporary photography. I have appreciated how the chapters are set-up as a look into the main branches of contemporary photography. If you are a photographer, it can help you discover more people who are doing work which relates to your work or inspires you. Because it has information about so many different photographers it cannot cover them all as thoroughly as one might like; however, it acts as a wonderful springboard into further research. I have found it very useful in searching for great works of photography.

5 comments about Criticizing Photographs: An Introduction to Understanding Images.

1. When I reviewed the third edition of this book several years ago, I didn't rate it highly, but I thought that perhaps the fourth edition might be a better book, and it is.
   
   Despite its subtitle, which might lead you to believe it is about understanding pictures, the bulk of this book is directed at formal criticism of photographs. After an introductory chapter on the nature of criticism, Barrett suggests a process for criticizing photographs that includes description, interpretation and judgment. The author also suggests a classification scheme for photographs which he believes could be useful in forming judgments, although I found it no better then many other taxonomies and at times difficult to apply to many photographs. Throughout he mentions many schools of analysis, like formalism and feminism and shows how these schools might influence criticism. He then launches a foray into photographic critical theory which is concise but accurate and which deals with such questions as the truth and morality of photography. He finally talks about the act of writing criticism and also about critiquing photographs.
   
   Barrett illustrates his points with many helpful examples of written criticism. Most of the examples deal with pictures of the modern or post-modern school, but the information is transferable to other kinds of photography. The book is illustrated with both color plates and black and white plates, although the black and white plates are spread throughout the book, which leads to a lot of page flipping. It would be nice if the next edition included a page number when these plates are referred to.
   
   The subtitle, "An Introduction to Understanding Images" might lead one to expect that there would be some insights into how and why photographs work but I became aware that Barrett presumed his audience would have some prior knowledge of this. Thus while he spoke of the importance of a photographer's technique in understanding a photo, there was no mention of how technique might be used to convey a photographer's vision. In the earlier edition, I found this a serious weakness, but it now seems clear that the author expects that this kind of information will come from somewhere else. On the other hand, the careful reader will derive some idea of what to look for in a photograph by reading the many examples.
   
   No one wanting to come to an understanding of how to read a photograph from a single volume will learn to do so from this book. In fact, no one volume is likely to do that, although a book like "The Photographer's Eye" by John Szarkowski would be a good place to start. On the other hand, for the individual who knows something about the nature of photography, or within the context of a larger course of study, this is a good book to begin to learn how to write photographic criticism.



2. This book was require for my college level digital photography course, but I felt that it did not do an adequate job of explaining the concepts it covers. The book is dull and merely lists other photographs as examples (they are not included in the text).



3. this book is probably going to be one of the required books for photography in college but it's not a horrible book. not the most exciting, but definitely has enough to get one started with critical thinking about photography and such.



4. I am sorry I bought this book. It was written by a college professor for students, readers that have no choice but to buy the book, and it reads that way. The author does not use his own vision and voice to criticize and to explain criticism but instead relies on a survey of methods used by critics. The writing was wooden, and the book had an overwhelming emphasis on staged, "arty" photographs. I could not bring myself to finish this book and have given it to my local library for their book sale.



5. Includes miles of intellectual blather. Fits well into sexually charged point of view of photography. Uses most horrific and grotesk as examples. On page 33 in third edition author mentions head decapitation as one photographer's "external" influences. Uses sexual pictures as examples. Generally a politically correct lightly negative type discourse on photography. I feel sorry for the students subjected to this pulp.

5 comments about The Journey is the Destination: The Journals of Dan Eldon.

1. This book is absolutely amazing. My mother got this book for me when I was about 17 and just really starting to bud out and become an artist. Dan's work was absolutely mesmerizing and inspiring. His colorful life and tragic death spark something in you to go out and change the world.



2. This is a dense, rich book of images and words left by Dan Eldon, one of those brilliant, outsized people who burn through life like a flare and are gone. He surrounded himself with beauty and horror and tried to both record and to make some sense of his experiences and the constant, jarring disparity between the extremes of life.
   If you love photography and art or are just drawn to precocious brilliance and the intense energy of people who are present in every moment of their lives, you should own this book.



3. I bought this book upon it's release in 1997. I can remember allowing the contents of this memoir to captivate me for hours on end. I lent my copy to a friend shortly thereafter and subsequently forgot about it. I recently ordered a replacement and I must say, this book is even more compelling than I ever remembered. Dan Eldon was a profound visionary, an articulate statesman and a devoted caretaker. As a Reuters photo-journalist, he traveled the world and served as a dipomatic embassador to many, yet his life was taken prematurely in a stoning riot in Somalia. He experienced more in his brief 21 years than most of us will over an entire lifetime. A MUST HAVE.



4. Eldon's story of the war-torn Somolia is as much an artwork as it is an engaging story. This "book" is a reproduction of photojournalist Dan Eldon's journal from his travels in the most impoverished regions of Africa. Part insightful reading, part artistic work, this book should be on anyone's reading list who wants to know more about the world we don't see everyday, and it truly makes one think about all we have, and all Eldon lost...5 out of 5 starts easily!



5. After seeing this book in a Borders store, I decided to buy it. I couldn't put it down, page after page offers so much of the author, yet offered so much to the reader. It makes your own imagination soar again, and as a fellow photographer, it gave me a kick in the butt I needed to start shooting again. The vision of Dan Eldon was not only through a lens, but through his heart as well. He accomplished a great deal in a short life, and definitely contributed to the bettering of our world. His photographs of Africa, combined with the scrapbook like additions of text and objects could be considered a new form of documentary photography. I strongly urge anyone who is interested in travel or photojournalism to get this book and have it transform your outlook on life.

5 comments about Photoshop CS3 Essential Skills (Photography Essential Skills).

1. I wanted a book that would take me from coarse manipulating images in Photoshop to lifting out the richness of detail. This book does it! Unlike many similar books on Photoshop, there is no padding, no overuse of large images to extend without adding value, this book is to the point. I learned many tricks and valuable techniques.
   
   That said, it can be demanding and sometimes it is too tight. It would have helped if the key steps were relegated each to a single line or a single dot point to reduce risk of missing a step buried many words.
   
   Sometimes too the steps are many such as project 1 beginning page 250 and the background or reason for doing it is not spelled out (what is "Apply Image" and why? page 253). It would help if the introduction to the recipe covered key steps and what will happen with cross references.
   
   It is also not empathetic to the reader. For example page 252 it takes steps to duplicate a blue layer and after a levels adjustment it is called "this mask". What "mask" I ask? Then in step 3 (page 253) it refers to a "layer mask". Is this the copied blue layer or the black and white mask? An explanation of the blue layer copied would have helped and if somehow a mask, please say so.
   
   It is however one of the best reference books and goes highly recommended with a decent index and support CD. Well done Galer and Andrews but again, care with the steps more prominent and a little explanation of what some steps actually do (eg what does "Apply Image" actually do as there is nothing in your book about it and oft used).



2. There were several times where I had to seek alternative sources to have my questions answered about Photoshop. So, I do feel this book could have addressed topics in more detail. If you are a beginner in Photoshop, I don't recommend this book.



3. I have both the photoshop Essential Skills CS2 and CS3 editions and I used both...although there is some repeat from edition to edition there is always some really good and needed info in each of them. I also like the tutorials on the cd. Mark Galer and Philip Andrews write easy to understand, step by step informative books.



4. Good but this book came a little later than the the other even though I ordered them to be posted together. Otherwise very happy.. Thank You.



5. I bought this book because the DVD material sounded promising. However, the book introduces complex concepts but fails to provide explanations that make any sense. Probably my biggest complaint is that the book is absolutely geared towards Mac users - the author comments that "the UI is the same irrespective of the computer platform you are working with." However I was unable to locate several of the menu items that he references and many were in a different location.
   
   I do realize that most digital photographers use the Mac platform, but if you're going to offer yourself up as supporting both platforms, then you need to live up to that, because not ALL photographers use Mac.
   
   I am going to try another book - trying to follow this one is a HUGE waste of time.

1 comments about A Photographic Atlas for Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory.

1. Very good book to use for review and studying. Awesome and interesting pictures and good information. I suggest it for all Anatomy and Physiology students for lab and lecture.