5 comments about The Best of Photographic Lighting: Techniques and Images for Digital Photographers (2nd edition).

1. As an overall guide to lighting techniques, this book gets all the basics right. However, when it comes to inspiring the reader it doesn't fare so well. Some of the photographs in "The Best of Photographic Lighting" are bordering on attrocious - many of them firmly stuck in the 80's tradition of painful soft lighting ala oldschool Playboy (maybe this shouldn't surprise me, since the cover is much lit this way). Too many tacky pictures of urban saxophone players lit "creatively".
   
   In addition, the book has some pretty nasty examples of bad photoshopping - the winner must be the portrait by Monte Zucker on page 101, complete with jarring halo and stuff missing (in the image see how the lens is detached from the body - he simply just cut that detail out!) - I am shocked that this kind of sloppy work would make it into any book.
   
   To sum up: solid basics, nifty tricks and diagrams - almost the opposite of inspiring in terms of imagery - a complete lack of punchy, modern work (as is the case in most of these books - though there should be no excuse in this case, seeing that it came out in 2005!)
   
   I'd love to hear if anyone can recommend something a little more exciting and contemporary.. the closest I've come is "Lighting for Portrait Photography" by Steve Bavister.



2. Granted, there are some nice pics in this booklet and some useful techniques which would be helpful if I had more than one strobe, but I was looking more for practical lighting tips without over-abusing a digital image with Photoshop. Almost 2/3 of the sample photos have some kind of photoshop tampering. That's not photography, that's graphic design. Other than that, I'm glad that I didn't have to pay the $34.95 that was the suggested price on the actual booklet (I paid about $15). Overall, it's good for ideas on how to approach a situation with regards to lighting.



3. Wow, who knew that lighting could be so simple, and yet so critical to the success of a shot. I've only started to put to work some of the techniques that were so clearly written and illustrated, but my shots have started taking on a whole new dimension. If you buy this book, you should also buy Bill Hurter's "Portrait Photographer's Handbook". There is some duplication of content, but each only enforces the other.
   
   The most inspiring illustrations on how andy why strict attention to detail in lighting, and how to do it for next to nothing cost wise, was the numerous photographic references to the artistry of Fuzzy and Shirley Duenkel. Many of Fuzzy's images were used in both books, and are EXACTLY the quality images I seek to provide to my growning customer base.[...].



4. After reading this book i now have a broad range of new knowledge that I can use in my everyday shooting. Chapter one helped me out alot!!! Understanding lights "behavior" I do now. If any questions about lighting in various situations, this is the book of answers!



5. The book is OK, definitely not the "best" book but not bad either. There are some very straight-forward instructions on studio and some location lighting, but not terribly in depth. The lighting diagrams are helpful, but at least one diagram contradicts the text (states that a light goes in a different direction than the diagram). Nevertheless, I found this book helpful, but still I need another text so that I can learn more basics. There were two things I found distracting. The first was some rather blatant plugging of certain photographers, whose photo examples I did not find particulary noteworthy. The second is extensive side notes under each photo example. The side notes are great, and very helpful, but they are so long they distract from the actual text of the book - making the layout very choppy. Still a decent text.

3 comments about Burning Angel.

1. This bible of alterna-porn is not-to-be-missed. An improbably
   thick collection of lush, stunning images by powerhouse photog
   Brenda Staudenmaier (www.thelovelybrenda.com), this book will
   get you hot but serves way more than your lechery.
   
   The compilation covers several years of her shooting for
   Williamsburg legend Joanna Angel's foxy freak family,
   allowing the viewer to chart the girls through several
   years of transformation within this seminal subculture.
   While the translucent tattooed flesh is titillating, the
   photographs themselves are even moreexciting. Perfectly
   exposed, complexly composed, each image showcases an
   impeccable photographic technique. In an age where
   Photoshopping is assumed, The Lovely Brenda
   just takes the picture. Doesn't Photoshop a
   thing. Ever. All you see is REAL.
   
   The book is a fully-realized art object: hefty & appealing, with
   beautiful prints & colorfully patterned endpapers. One copy is
   not enough. You need three: one by the bed, one for the
   head, & one for the coffee table.
   I bought one just to keep pristine in plastic.
   Invest in porn. The first run is already sold out.
   This thing is eminently collectable.



2. This book is a must have for any fan of Burning Angel or Graffiti. A perfect collection of Brooklyn's finest starlets posed provocatively often in front of some of the best street art in the US.
   
   Brenda's photography is well known to anyone that has read Vice Magazine's popular "Do's and Don'ts" column. Her work with Burning Angel has helped define the alt porn world.
   
   Basically, if you like beautiful girls with tattoos, attitudes and incredibly sexy bodies then buy this book!



3. Suds, stockings, panties, roller skates, a bra tug or war, and some of your favorite porn stars like Joanna Angel and Dana Dearmond are just some of the delights that await you in much-admired photographer Brenda Staudenmaier's debut book. While most of the models have the trademarke Buring Angel punk tattoo look, some complete with a snarl, there are also some very cute, but still sexy, shots - fellating a curling iron, licking a happy face lollipop, baring everything against a graffiti-covered wall or on a rooftop with New York City as the backdrop.
   
   The range of photos and types of models is remarkable, and while they certainly have things in common, Staudenmaier seeks out each girl's special charm, whether a look or a body part or a pose or setting. These photos are vibrant, daring, bold and sexy, without ever resorting to clichés. There are girls with guns and girls in latex. There are lots of very cute pairs of underwear. I'm partial to one stunning redhead and many of the two-girl sets. All of these photos, taken for the site Burning Angel, are very direct; though posed, they have a candidness about them that lets the models' beauty, as well as their quirks, shine through. My favorites here are ones I call the "whoops" photos, ones where the girls are looking at the camera like, "Whoops, I forgot I had my clothes off. Silly me!" There's something slyly sexy about those shots, like Barely Legal girls gone wild in a way Joe Francis would never condone. They're wild because they allow themselves to be, and so does Staudenmaier.

No comments about Photography Speaks.

5 comments about The Photographer's Guide to the Puget Sound & Northwest Washington: Where to Find the Perfect Shots and How to Take Them.

1. I have to respectfully disagree with BookGeek.
   
   Before a two week vacation/photo trip to Seattle and the Olympic Peninsula I bought about 10 books through Amazon. Several had awesome photos (like Art Wolfe's book), but none gave much detail on exactly where a given photo was taken.
   
   That's the purpose of this book, on the other hand. I felt (as I often have in real life) I had met a fellow photographer that was happy to dole out his local experience. My son and I spent several days on the Olympic Peninsula, and because of the book visited several places we otherwise wouldn't have - with great results (Rialto Beach and Sol Jardin for example).
   
   I'm already on experienced photographer, and thus don't really need the input on wide vs telephoto, but I don't see anything wrong with his recommendations.
   
   In summary, I think the book is great, and as an owner of probably 100 photo related books, this one stands out in practicality for what I like to do.



2. As a photographer who has lived in the Puget Sound region for over 40 years I was astounded by the numerous locales detailed by Mr Barbee that I have not(yet)visited. I found his directions and suggestions to be clear and concise and very user friendly. I particularly enjoyed Mr Barbee's unpretentious and conversational style of writing sprinkled with subtle humor.
   
   I am a bit confused by "BookGeeks" negative comments. The purpose of this book is primarily to detail many of the exceptional photographic opportunities in the Puget Sound area. Certainly, for me, that task is well accomplished. In addition, Mr Barbee has included a substantial amount of very useful suggestions regarding the more technical and practical aspects of photography both in general as well as locale specific. I would also disagree regarding the quality of the photography in the book. Admittedly this is not a "picture" book and so does not highlight Mr Barbee's considerable photographic talents and yet I found many of the images to be exceptional and inspirational.
   
   If one is looking for a "how to" book of photography there are many other books out there that will do the task. On the other hand, if one's plans include photography in the Puget Sound area this is the book to get.



3. For those who live in the Seattle area, this book will be a great guide to some not-so-well-known (as well as some VERY well-known) locations in Western Washington. I've already used it to plan several shoots to locations I never thought of before, and have been delighted with the results.
   
   Now for the caveats: first off, this is for full-time residents of western Washington, not the summer tourist to Seattle. Unless you're visiting for a month or more, have no intention to do anything other that photograph, and have access to your own vehicle, you simply won't have the time to hit more than a handful of the locations listed here. Second, and this is my biggest gripe, while the book covers Puget Sound and the Olympic peninsula, there's only one location listed in the Cascades, and NO coverage whatsoever of Mount Rainier! Considering that this is probably the most spectacular area in all of Washington for nature photography, its omission is a little like a tourist guide to U.S. cities leaving off New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles. I wish the author/publisher could have seen fit to expand the volume to include Rainier, as well as other mountain areas such as Stevens Pass and the North Cascades Highway.



4. I will be extremely busy this year. I like that the guide concentrates on the "non" typical areas of the Sound. We all know that Mt.Rainier is the bomb. It can have it's own book. This book covers the areas a local would most likely seek out versus a visitor. (ie Bremerton, Poulsbo etc) As a local I'll be spending a lot more time than usual on the Olympic side of the sound this year. Very good detail on times of year, day and lenses types for the various locales. All in all very thorough and for 10 bucks! what a bargain.



5. I loved this book! The author shares many great secrets for finding out-of-the-way places to photograph. If you are looking for a book on technical how-to photograph, get another one. This book is all about location.

5 comments about Street Dogs.

1. My sister is a "rescue" enthusiasts. This book was perfect for her. The photos were amazing. Keep up the good work.



2. Like her previous book "Shelter Dogs", "Street Dogs" captures a whole range of dog emotions. She is a very talented photographer and apparently is not afraid to go the extra mile to get the photograph she wants.



3. This book gives us an idea of how street dogs in Puerto Rico and Mexico live. Scott's unique perspective is amazing and sad all at the same time. Best thing about this book is that a portion of the proceeds is donated to the ASPCA; worth buying it just for that! Buy this book along with her book Shelter Dogs and be prepared to get teary eyed! Thank you.



4. Street Dogs was an extremly touching book of photos of so many forgotten, hungry, yet vibrant puppies and dogs.
   It is so sad to see these beautiful creatures struggling to survive.
   
   Traer Scott has a real talent for capturing the heart and sole of one of these beautiful dogs just through their eyes. As in Shelter Dogs I found myself with a lump in my throat throughout the book.
   
   A smart buy for anyone who claims to be or is a dog-lover.



5. I treasure this book. It is beautiful and heartbreaking. Traer Scott courageously sticks her neck out to bring us haunting images and stories. Both this book and her book Shelter Dogs are money well spent.

5 comments about Digital Video for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide to Making Great Home Movies (Lark Photography Book).

1. I'm a semi-pro photographer of stills, based in film, now dSLR's and so I understand fairly well photographic considerations in acquiring good images! This book will easily help beginners and existing still photographers bridge the gap into Digital Video capture. Going beyond just understanding the latest advances in digital camcorders, the book guides you through actual processes of capturing good story-telling footage, things that we see in broadcast everyday, but probably don't give much of a thought as to how video was captures, sequenced and edited. I was really looking for such a guide as a starting place as i just purchased a Sony HDR-HC7 mini-DV camcorder ... and needed to know basic camera operation, as well as shooting techniques and video editing techniques. The book is VERY well laid out, simple to read and find headings and TIPS as needed - I think I'll pull from this volume a great deal of useful information and wish to thank the author!



2. I liked the presentation, organization and the the printing of the book wich I consider is of the highest quality, It also has good color ilustrations and photos, I didn't find errors of any kind. But even when I'm a beginner videographer, I consider the information contained in the book is very general and the book is oriented to explain that "there are easy ways of making things..., that you can use several good applications available in the market for you..." But I would have liked the book explained: "ways of making... and the steps for finishing your projects.." I mean the book lacks of "How to...or the step by step for beginners". But in general is a good book. Please be aware of that...So you won't be disapointed.



3. I was assigned this book as the text for an intro to digital video grad class. The book was okay, but not especially impressive. It was redundant in some places and some of the information seemed dated. It's a very general book, so it's appropriate for a class where the instructor doesn't know what kinds of cameras or editing programs students will use.
   
   However, if you're looking for a book to help you with the program and camera you have, you can probably find something more specific to your situation.
   
   The title is a bit of a misnomer as well. There are no step-by-step guides or lessons in the book.
   
   It's not a bad book, but it's not great either.



4. I would recommend this book as a start here before anything else. Even though you'de have had a camera for months and years but just shoot movies where the ones you share it with are happy to get away from it. Buy it, it teaches you in very in an easy non jargon way how to do things looking good and impress the audence. It is good when people ask for a copy after they've seen the movie. And you hear they wantch it over and over. I love this book it is brilliant.



5. Apparently, the people who gave good reviews to this book are amateurs. The book is worthless. It does not give any specific recommendations on good camcorders to purchase. It gives no substantive help on editing. You can get better any info on the internet or with any camcorder you buy. Do not waste your money on this book!

5 comments about Modeling in Wax for Jewelry and Sculpture (Jewelry Crafts).

1. I got this book after making jewelry for 3 years and lost wax casting for 6 months. Boy, did I learn a lot! The projects are truly outstanding. They show a wide variety of techniques and styles. Try each one even if it's not a style you're really big on - I did and found neat ways to do things I wanted to do that I hadn't managed before. I require this as a text for all my apprentices who do casting.



2. I wish I had this book when I first started to sculpt figures in wax. I would have saved myself a lot of time and agrivation. I would have also saved myself quite a bit of money by using good tequniques, and in that respect alone this book would pay for itself. If you are just getting into wax sculpture, this book would lay a very strong foundation from which to build your skills.



3. Complete and easy read a great place to start.



4. Informative book with many photographic examples of the instructions.
   I enjoyed putting some of the methods into practice. Was well laid out with a broad choosing of projects.
   A good intro to medium level instruction book.



5. A bit disapointed by this book. I guess so many books now have great photos and are put together so well that an old fashioned style manual like this just doesn't inspire. I'm sure it's full of really useful stuff, but the format is so off putting that I can't be bothered to read it. A really good, modern book on wax carving with lots of interesting projects is long overdue..

4 comments about Digital Photography: The Missing Manual.

1. In actuality, only the first of the four parts of this book is about the art and science of digital photography itself. The rest of the book is about moving your photos to the PC, editing them, and sharing them via printing, email, or even coffee mugs. The part that is about photography is helpful when it is discussing artistic techniques, and somewhat frustrating when it is trying to give you specific instructions on operating a generic camera such as "If your camera has a portrait mode, indicated on this camera and many others by a silhouette of a human head, you may not have to fiddle with manual aperture settings". The question is, how do I know whether or not my camera even has a portrait mode? This is not the vague type of instruction I am accustomed to when dealing with the Missing Manual series.
   
   Outside of my general frustration with part one, though, the rest of the book is quite good. That is because the author now has a limited set of software packages to work with as far as instructions go, and here we get back into the high quality specific Missing Manual instructions that are so familiar. The author talks about specific aspects of using Easyshare, Picasa, Shutterfly, Snapfish, Flickr, and Photoshop Elements for organizing, editing, and sharing your photos with good comparisons of the different software packages and specific instructions for each. Overall, I recommend this book. Just realize that the part on photography itself is somewhat vague. I notice that the table of contents are not shown, so I do that below:
   
   Part One: DIGITAL CAMERA BASICS
   Chapter 1. DIGITAL CAMERA BASICS
   Point-and-Shoot or Single Lens Reflex?
   Image Resolution and Memory Capacity
   Batteries
   Deciphering Optical and Digital Zoom
   Image Stabilizer (Vibration Reduction)
   Flip Screens for Multiple Viewpoints
   Optical Viewfinder
   Taking Control with Manual Options
   Improving Autofocus
   External Flashes and Other Attachments
   Minimizing Shutter Lag
   Burst Mode for Rapid-Fire Shooting
   Creating Panoramas
   Software That Comes with Your Camera
   Eliminating Specks (Noise Reduction)
   Taking Movies with Your Camera
   Chapter 2. POINTING, SHOOTING, AND BASIC COMPOSITION
   Composition Explained
   Apply the Rule of Thirds
   Get Closer for Better Pictures
   Eliminate Busy Backgrounds
   Go Low, Go High
   A Final Thought
   Chapter 3. BEYOND THE SIMPLE SNAPSHOT
   Shooting Sports and Action
   Taking Portraits
   Kids and School Performances
   Weddings and Celebrations
   Sunsets and Nighttime Photos
   Landscape and Nature
   Photographing Objects
   Digital Movies
   Cameraphone Photography
   
   Part Two: ORGANIZING YOUR PHOTOS
   Chapter 4. GETTING PHOTOS ONTO YOUR PC
   Moving Pictures from Camera to Computer
   Moving Pictures from a Card Reader to a PC
   Importing Photos with a Scanner
   Three Ways to Scan an Image
   Using Windows Scanner Wizard
   Chapter 5. ORGANIZING PHOTOS ON YOUR PC
   Organizing Photos with Windows XP
   Organizing Photos with EasyShare Albums
   Organizing Photos with Picasa
   Chapter 6. STORING YOUR PHOTOS ONLINE
   Why Put Your Photos Online?
   Choosing an Online Photo Service
   Getting Photos Online with EasyShare
   Organizing Photos with EasyShare
   Getting Photos Online with Shutterfly
   Organizing Photos with Shutterfly
   Getting Photos Online with Snapfish
   Organizing Photos with Snapfish
   Getting Photos Online with Flickr
   Organizing Photos with Flickr
   Chapter 7. BACKING UP YOUR PHOTO LIBRARY
   Strategies to Protect Your Photos
   CD, DVD, or Hard Drive?
   EasyShare's Backup Tools
   Picasa's Backup Tools
   Chapter 8. ORGANIZING AND BACKING UP WITH ELEMENTS
   Importing with the Photo Downloader
   Browsing Photos in the Organizer
   Creating Tags and Categories
   Assigning Tags to Photos
   Creating Collections
   Searching for Photos
   Backing Up with the Organizer
   
   Part Three: EDITING YOUR PHOTOS
   Chapter 9. BASIC PHOTO FIXES
   Common Problems, Easy Fixes
   Rotating & Cropping with EasyShare
   Improving Photos with EasyShare
   Fixing Red Eye with EasyShare
   Rotate and Straighten with Picasa
   Cropping Photos with Picasa
   Fixing Exposure Problems with Picasa
   Fixing Contrast and Color with Picasa
   Fixing Red Eye with Picasa
   Chapter 10. ROTATING, CROPPING, AND SIZING WITH ELEMENTS
   Changing Your View of Your Photos
   Rotating Photos
   Straightening Photos
   Cropping Photos
   Changing the Size of Your Photos
   Chapter 11. THE QUICK FIX
   A Tour of the Quick Fix Window
   Quick Fix Suggested Workflow
   Fixing Red Eye
   The Smart Fix
   Adjusting Lighting and Contrast
   Correcting Color
   Sharpening
   Chapter 12. ADVANCED PHOTO RETOUCHING WITH ELEMENTS
   Fixing Exposure Problems
   Sharpening Your Images
   Fixing Blemishes: An Introduction
   Correcting the Colors on Your Screen
   Taking Control with Levels
   Removing Unwanted Colors
   Making Your Colors More Vibrant
   Chapter 13. CREATING SPECIAL EFFECTS
   Adding Effects with EasyShare
   Adding Effects with Picasa
   Adding Effects with Elements
   Creating Panoramas with Elements
   
   Part Four: SHARING YOUR PHOTOS
   Chapter 14. SHARING YOUR PHOTOS ONLINE
   Choosing a Photo-Sharing Service
   Sharing Photos with EasyShare
   Sharing Photos with Shutterfly Express
   Sharing Photos with Snapfish
   Sharing Photos and Hobbies: Flickr
   Sharing with the Pros: Photo net
   Chapter 15. EMAILING YOUR PHOTOS
   Understanding the File Size Dilemma
   Emailing Photos with EasyShare
   Emailing Photos with Picasa
   Emailing Photos with Elements
   Chapter 16. PRINTING YOUR PHOTOS
   How to Make Great Prints at Home
   Printing Photos with EasyShare
   Printing Photos with Picasa
   Printing Photos with Elements
   Printing at Photo Kiosks
   Ordering Prints Online
   Ordering Prints Online with EasyShare
   Ordering Prints Online with Picasa
   Ordering Prints Online with Shutterfly
   Ordering Prints Online with Snapfish
   Ordering Prints Online with Elements
   Chapter 17. CREATIVE PHOTO PROJECTS
   Making Slideshows with PhotoShow
   Simple Slideshows in Elements
   Custom Slideshows in Elements
   Posters, Calendars, and Photo Books
   More Elements Creative Projects
   Photo Mugs, T-Shirts, and More



2. Any newcomer to digital photography who longs to get the most from a camera will find DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY: THE MISSING MANUAL goes beyond brand-named camera books to cover the extent of digital possibilities. Camera tricks from pros supplement tips on editing photos on the PC, picture sharing, and much more, taking full advantage of the digital format's versatility and potentials. Plenty of books have been written on the topic, but DIGTAL PHOTOGRAPHY: THE MISSING MANUAL is the most comprehensive.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



3. Very well written - clear, simple, easy to follow. And it does have some great tips - even for the intermediate photographer. But this is really a book for someone who has never used a digital camera before or who has never taken the time to understand their camera's features. It also spends a lot of space discussing several specific photo management software programs (EasyShare, Picasa, Elements), as well as some common on-line photo sharing sites. If you're new to this art then this book will be a great start. But if you're already familiar with your camera and with digital photo editing and on-line sharing, you probably won't get much new out of this. Plus, if you don't plan on obtaining the specific software the authors discuss, at least half the book will be of no use to you.



4. I found the book to be comprehensive. It is a great starting point for the novice and a good reference for someone who is familiar with the subject, but not a pro. The chapter headings are "tabbed" in the upper corner of the page, which makes topics easy to find. Also, the numerous illustrations and various fonts made the book extremely readable.

3 comments about Retrospective Two.

1. Retrospective collection of photographs. Destined to be another Michael Kenna collectible. A handsomely elegant production by Chris Pichler and Hideyuki Taguchi: Oversize-volume format in square shape. A very tall and thick book. Peach silk cloth boards with embossed titles on cover and spine, as issued. Photographs by Michael Kenna. Essay, "Inventing Peace", by Anne Wilkes Tucker in the English original and Japanese translation. As difficult as it may be to imagine, Kenna's following in Japan is larger than in the United States. Extensive Biography and List of Plates appended at the end. In pictorial DJ with white and gray titles on the cover and spine, as issued. Published as a companion book to the artist's first retrospective, the new collection presents an overview of Kenna's landscape photographs made between 1994 and 2004, at the height of his fame. "Michael Kenna is arguably the most influential landscape photographer of his generation. The subject of over 20 books and hundreds of solo exhibitions throughout Asia, Australia, Europe and the United States, Michael Kenna often works at dawn or during the night. He concentrates primarily on the interaction between the ephemeral atmospheric conditions of the natural landscape, human-made structures and sculptural mass. Kenna's exquisitely crafted prints are included in such Permanent Museum Collections as The National Gallery Washington, DC, The Museum of Decorative Arts Prague and The Victoria and Albert Museum London. In 2001, Michael Kenna was made a Chevalier in the Order of Arts and Letters by the Ministry of Culture in France. Born in Widnes, England in 1953, he currently lives in Portland, Oregon" (Publisher's blurb). Anne Wilkes Tucker's illuminating essay examines Kenna's influence and impact on contemporary photography. One of the best single introductions to the art of an important photographer. © 2006, ModernRare.com



2. I've been a Kenna fan for over 15 years. I have sorted through stacks of his images in galleries. I've never seen an image of his that I truly disliked, and have seen hundreds that I would love to have. This book is a continuation of his uncanny work in landscape photography. I don't have anything negative to say about this book.



3. Sublime images, beautiful binding and printing, I've been a fan and a collector of his work for 10 years now.

5 comments about Playboy: The Complete Centerfolds.

1. This item is spectacular in every way. This book comes in a leather case that, by itself is truly amazing. As expensive as this item is, it is really worth every penny.
   
   DOWNSIDE
   This item is huge and weighs almost 40 pounds so Amazon charges like $12 in shipping costs. Thankfully, I was able to purchase this from a 3rd party seller on Amazon and saved quite a bit of money when I added up the item cost and shipping (the 3rd party seller only wanted $3.99 for shipping)!! It came real fast in perfect condition. I am thrilled with this purchase.



2. Just as Taschen are releasing a 2nd edition of the massive 'Stanley Kubrik Archives' on October 8, so too are Chronicle Books, releasing a 2nd edition of this huge book of Playboy centrefolds with a $50 retail and $36.50 Amazon pre-order price. - Oct.4
   At this moment, Amazon has a very large discount ($150, not $500) on the first printing, probably due to the spreading awareness of the future edition. It is apparently not an up-to-date issue, including the centrefolds from Nov. 2006 until present, though it probably should be after waiting 23 months for the new edition. Wait till October, or 'get it while it's hot'.



3. I had always thought of writing to Playboy to beg them to publish a book of their centerfolds. Nothing can compare to the awe-inspiring beauty that is captured by the full-sized centerfold images. This item is a must-must-have for any true Playboy fan. I will never part with this beautiful collection which was truly a godsend.



4. Awesome price from Amazon. Always the best deals and an excellent product that is worth the price. Beautiful photography and very sexy ladies. AA++



5. This is a wonderful book and a steal at the Amazon price. It has been as low as $150 but now seems to be climbing again. Don't be fooled and wait for the new edition coming out in October for $50 ($31.50 at Amazon). The new edition features approx. half-size reproductions of 12"x6" as opposed to the FULL-SIZE reproductions of the original gatefolds from the magazine (approx. 22"x11") in this pricier first edition. As a subscriber since the late 60s, this is a great trip down memory lane as well as a wonderful nostalgic look at the playmates that were before my time. It's a revelation to see those Playmates as they appeared for the first time full-size. And what a treat to have the ones I was familiar with and pasted on dorm room and bachelor apartment walls now preserved fold and staple free in a durable hardback format.