5 comments about Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT Guide to Digital SLR Photography.

1. Through, well written, and well illustrated for the Canon XT and Canon accessories.
   
   I have only one criticism: While the book does cover some items not made by Canon, it ignored other very useful accessories made by other manufacturers. For example, the Opteka BGRXT Grip for Canon XT. This grip houses twice the battery power in the form of either two of the stock batteries or six rechargeable NIMH AA batteries. More importantly, the grip allows much easier VERTICAL format picture taking.
   
   Putting this minor criticism aside, every XP owner should own this book.



2. While the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT comes with a thorough owner's guide that nicely fits in your camera case or pocket, this fantastic book serves as a great combination of an informative beginner's guide to digital SLR photography AND an excellent manual specific to the Rebel XT that goes way beyond the included owner's guide in both detail and quality. Unlike the owner's guide, this book is illustrated with large color photographs of the XT's specific features and menus, as well as actual photographs taken with the XT to demonstrate the results of various camera settings and techniques. Even if you are an experienced SLR photographer, but are new to the XT, this book will be a valuable addition to your professional library. Even if you are the owner of a different digital SLR, this book will serve as a good introduction to digital SLR photography; but, I warn you, it will make you wish you had purchased the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT instead.



3. I found that the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT Guide to Digital SLR Photography went one step past the camera manuel in all aspects of camera operation and explains how to make all of the settings to produce a good photograph. Basically, it helps you to learn how to use your new camera.



4. Would be better to read this book, then read the Canon manual.
   Gives a little more in depth to the camera functions, as well as, good photography tips.



5. Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT Guide to Digital SLR Photography
   This is a well written and well organized guide to operating the Rebel XT. I highly recommend it. Trying to learn from the owner's manual what this book describes and explains succintly and clearly, would literally take hours and hours. It is an essential read and a valuable tool for XT owners.

5 comments about Paul Newman: A Life in Pictures.

1. As overseas pickups from France's Editions PHYB, the 'Life In Pictures' series make decent enough coffee table books though much of their success as a project truly depends on the subject at hand. By creating a compendium of photographs taken by various sources throughout one's early days and public career, the books are only as interesting as the photographic subjects they chronicle. For the Newman book, the chronology covers his early days in acting school, his famed long-term marriage to actress Joanne Woodward, starring roles in films like Hud, Paris Blues, Cool Hand Luke, Butch Cassidy, Winning and The Sting, to his passion as a race car driver and team owner at the 24 hours of LeMans, Daytona and the Long Beach Grand Prix. While Newman's sense of family, career highlights and philanthropic strains come though in the main, the whole history is rather shortchanged with a scant eight-page biography supplemented by selected quotes scattered throughout the book. While clearly meant to be a picture book, the images appear inconsistent and random (i.e. for the film for which he finally won the Oscar for Best Actor, Marty Scorsese's 'The Color of Money,' Newman is only represented in the book by the movie's one-sheet poster) and thus fail to paint nearly a compelling enough portrait of what is generally regarded as one of America's most revered actors. PHYB is coming with a similar 'Life in Pictures' edition this fall on Marilyn Monroe (also to be distributed by Chronicle in the US). One would expect that this kind of light-on-copy, heavy-on-pics treatment would be more well suited to that subject indeed.



2. Being that my husband and I are huge Paul Newman fans made this book a real family treasure. We've enjoyed his films over the years and seeing him on these pages brings back many fond memmories. I only wished that more of his photographs in character had been made available. Paul's various character roles were all so exciting like; Juan Carrasco, "Fast" Eddie Felson, and Ben Quick just to name a few. This edition was well worth the money and will be enjoyed for years to come.



3. As a Actor, Family Man , CEO of Newman's Own Products .Mr. Paul Newman is a real professional and a remarkable person. This book captures him in all these and more of his great and quiet moments. The pictures are worth there weight in having this book. Paul Newman loves water can be seen threw some of his films. this book will make you view all of his films. A real man for all seasons.



4. Very well done. Many interesting photographs, large - and cover his entire career, very young and older... Text on his life, including his childhood is very well done, interesting, and enlightening. If you like Paul Newman, you will be very happy with this book.
   
   Cindy Mueller
   Chicago, IL



5. This book has everything you ever wanted to see about Newman's life and you never dared to see.

No comments about 2009 Photographer's Market.

5 comments about Painting With Light.

1. I think this book is an evergreen among books. "Romantic" way of writing covered by practical knowledge and techniques. I would recommend reading it.
   Especially for people doing CG this could open some new ways, ideas looks.



2. Even though the subject of the book deals with B&W lighting effects for film and TV, as an artist, it helped me in creating paintings with better "moods" and making them more dynamic.



3. First off, I want to note that the author DOES cover still photography in this book even though the major emphasis is on film techniques. As someone who has always considered lighting to be vital, learning more lighting techniques is a passion. I was naturally drawn to this one.
   
   It didn't disappoint. Very convincingly, Mr. Alton makes his case for the way lighting and setting can affect the whole tone and mood of a film. He also reveals how some difficult situations, filming against snow, can be overcome.
   
   This was a seminal book of 1949 and I'm glad to rediscover it, even though I wasn't born in 1949 and I came to it late but had the luck to see an earlier edition. As you can probably tell, the cover photo is riveting and the contents are also compelling.
   
   I did want to note what may, perhaps, be obvious to some readers: film techniques and the ability to manipulate lighting have come a long way since 1949. Special effects can be used. But I come to this book with a still photographer's background and I'm thrilled to be able to use the information in both film and still photography.
   
   If you are prepared to take what is here and remember when this book was written, you'll find an abundance of riches. For those who like noir type photos or movies, you'll be thrilled when Alton discusses how to use weather to your advantage - whether that be rain, snow, fog, etc.
   
   Also, a confession: I prefer black and white photos and films - in many instances - so I was particularly delighted to read Alton's words about "rich blacks", two words that might not seem to be joined together - rich and black (and I'm not talking politics or class here). As most of us who work with visual effects know, there are shades of black and there are rich, deep tones as well as the infinite variations along the scale.
   
   I'll forever be baffled as to whether it is the shadows that set off the light or the other way round. But whatever your take, you can't go wrong by reading this book on how to paint with light - and whether you are a professional or amateur, I think you'll find your work benefits from the experience.
   
   Other subjects covered in this one: close-ups, aspects of outdoor photography, still photos (mentioned above), basic principles. When it comes to TECHNIQUE, if you think about what is discussed with a historical perspective, it will serve you well because some of the techniques have come a long way since then. Still, I found it very useful to pretend that some of those techniques didn't exist and it forced me to be more creative.
   
   Highly recommended!



4. This book is really great. Written in the fifties it still seems very relevant to me today.
   
   It explains very basic items like cookies, gobos etc. and basic concepts like how to let objects appear to be three dimensional.
   
   I looked at the book from the eyes of a still photographer. Some content was only relevant to cinematography. Personally, I even liked those parts as they gave me an behind the scenes look into movie lighting, which output I see every day.
   
   A revised version would be very much appreciated.



5. Not your average "how to" manual, this is more of a collectors item than practical advice for working cinematographers. I bought it to study the history of film lighting, and for that it was perfect and an ideal short read that isn't terribly technical. Some of the advice is still useful today, but lacks much of the practical working knowledge that most DP's take for granted. Still - I recommend it to all photographers and lighters as a solid foundation book to build from.

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

1. 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.



2. 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.



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 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.



5. 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.

5 comments about Composition Photo Workshop.

1. Unstoppable woman running at full gallop into focus and into the future.
   A page-turner. Articulate, pleasant reading. Not too much jargon
   A buffet of eye candy and brain candy and camera candy
   Opened my eyes and enhanced my views in many ways
   So many avenues and so many approaches expressed
   Provides skills to make me and my camera more versatile and powerful
   A ton of info in one book. A treasure chest of tips, tricks, and fundamentals.
   Sort a personal guide, cicerone, to a world of photography that is becoming more complex and more simple at the same time
   A nice addition to my art library.



2. How a photo is composed can determine what it communicates, and while Photoshop and after-shot programs can help render images with greater precision, they are no substitute for decent composition. That's why any college-level class on photography and any library strong in photography references needs COMPOSITION PHOTO WORKSHOP: it shares all the elements which make up a masterful design, from color and lighting to design and symbolism. There are different techniques for portraits, landscapes and still lifes alike: COMPOSITION PHOTO WORKSHOP covers them all in great detail.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



3. I was quite impressed with this book. I've been very actively taking digital photos for 4 years now and am reaching for the intermediate level of proficiency. The first reason I would recommend this book is that it went far beyond the "Rule of Thirds" and leading lines on into color, framing, lighting, placement, etc., etc. There's a wealth of good information and ideas supported by beautifully composed photo examples. Secondly,staying in keeping with the "Workshop" portion of the book's title, at the end of every chapter is an assignment the reader can embark on to REALLY learn what he/she has just read. The assignments are highly creative and fun. And finally, taking this learning experience yet one step further, the reader is directed to send the results of the assignments to a website where other readers are sharing as well. A great deal can be learned from looking at their submissions and reading reviews. I also discovered other links in this website that take you into a very exciting world of sharing and learning more about digital photography. This book is a keeper!



4. A very good book for the serious novice and realy fun to read. Books on Photography are essential for the beginer.I found most of them have at least one or two new things to teach. They can't replace the classroom but for the money they are a great deal. Don't expect to become a great photog just because of a book. You will always find something that you can try to put to practice. Highly recomended. Practice practice practice and Have Fun.



5. Today's digital cameras are programmed so "anyone" can take well exposed pictures of most anything. But "exceptional" photos require good composition - and composition, contrary to what many books seem obsessed with, isn't just the "rule-of-thirds" and avoiding distracting backgrounds. This book covers much more - with clear explanations and illustrations, and a photo assignment exercise at the end of each chapter to actually train that brain - with a website to post the results. Ever wondered why you like some photos so much more than others? Just the insights into how light and different colors affect balance and mood explains a lot.
   Topics beyond the usuals of subject placement and leading lines and framing include: perspective and how our eyes see; depth of field and how to control it with focal length, F-stop and ISO and why; shutter speed - to stop motion or blur and when; light - quality vs. time of day and direction and intensity; color - its science and control and balance; black and white; portraits - framing and posing; and improving travel, still-life and macro photography.
   All topics are so clearly explained and illustrated that the brain behind the camera, if willing, can be trained to make a difference.

5 comments about Nikon D300 Digital Field Guide.

1. 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.



2. 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.



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. 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.



5. 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.

1 comments about Life: The Classic Collection.

1. I love this book! The photographs are stunning as one can expect from Life Magazine photographers. Some of the photos are famous, some less well-known. The book is large and the pictures are BIG, too, filling up the entire page. I especially liked this feature. Often, books have several smaller photos on one page, in this book the pictures are a very good size. Included in this collection (which is VERY reasonably priced) are 25 full-sized prints ready for framing. The prints cover a variety of subjects making it almost certain that everyone will find one or more prints that they would like to frame and put up in their homes. I'd definitely recommend this book. It's a great book at a great price.

No comments about Horse.

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

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



2. 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!



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. 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.



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