5 comments about Avid Editing, Third Edition: A Guide for Beginning and Intermediate Users.

1. When I purchased my Avid Express DV software I had zero video editing experience. I knew the software was fairly complex, had a lot of capabilities, and the learning curve would be steep, so I also purchased the Avid turorial DVDs. However, with no editing background, after viewing these DVDs I just wasn't "getting it."
   
   Kauffmann's book was perfect for me. It starts with the fundamentals (video formats, hooking up the hardware and turning the system on, etc.) and goes on from there to cover everything though fine tuning audio and doing color correction.
   
   By reading the book (mostly) though once then using it as a "cookbook" while editing, in just a few days I was up and running and capturing, editing, and fine tuning my videos. Admittedly, Kauffmann does not go into great depth in some areas (which he acknowledges) but for someone who's just getting started this is an excellent book and will get you well on the road. I would highly recommend it to anyone just getting started and trying to learn Avid.



2. There are a lot of reference books out there but this is one that you can tell has been written not by a sales person but by a user of Avid who knows what to say and how to say it in a language that is easy to understand and with examples that can be followed simply.



3. I was familiar with editing, but had never used Avid software before. When I installed Avid Express Pro software on my home computer I immediately started a new project. I thought that since I knew editing I would easily figure out the Avid software. Wrong. I muddled through it and finished the project, but it took longer than forever, and I seriously simplified the project because I couldn't figure out many of the functions. This book does a great job of explaining the Avid interface in easy to understand language. The book also included a CD-ROM with practice projects.



4. I bought this book in a rush when I got a job editing on an Avid. I had limited Avid experience, but I am extremely proficient on Final Cut Pro. I used this book to learn some very basic skills in the week before my job started. The book is simple and good for beginners, and only suffers slightly because of this when intermediates try to use the book. Reading the book front to back before ever touching an Avid definitely works. But if you're not a beginner, the order of chapters can be quite frustrating. The few words of wisdom on actual editing technique were unexpected but a nice break from the technical lessons.



5. Being a Final Cut pro I took a class on the other end of the editing world through Avid and the program has a lot of differences compared to Final Cut. The book really helps and is Mac friendly as well. I recommend it.

5 comments about Apple Pro Training Series: Shake 4 (Apple Pro Training).

1. This is a great way to learn Shake because it guides you step by step. The thing is that you need to know theorical concepts about compositing or have enough experience in another compositing software so you fully understand what he says, because sometimes the terms are not explained, just the way to do it, so if you don't know a lot about this I suggest you to first learn a little about how compositing works.



2. If you are Final Cut Pro editor as I am, and want to take a next level of your creations? Then get this book with the application software. Not only teach you for solid ground compositing also take you to the pro level.



3. When PeachPit sent me this book to review I was already excited about it since Shake is something I've taken much interest in the last couple months. I'd already begun to amass all kinds of training resources on the topic and had even set out a schedule for which to execute the consumption of said resources. So receiving this book was much on point for me.
   
   At the time of this review I had already worked my way through the Shake documentation (the first stop on my agenda) so I went into this with a rudimentary understanding of the application. I was pleased to discover that the writer of this book had taken that into consideration (and without even having to ask me!). They even state in the opening chapter that the book is not meant to replace the [free] documentation that comes with every Shake install but is aimed at enhancing what's already there. I found this to be accurate to some degree. After all, the basics must still be covered for those who were too [lazy/unaware/apathetic] towards the Shake documentation but for the most part every chapter enhanced its documentation counter-part rather nicely.
   
   The second top notable feature of this book, in my opinion, is that you are supposedly adequately ready to take (and presumably pass) the Apple Pro Certification exam on Shake after completing the book. I say supposedly because I myself have not taken the exam and cannot speak on my preparedness. However, as some may know, the PeachPit book on Shake is the curriculum used in Apple Pro Training classes all over these great United States. This is also stated early in the book.
   
   Other notable features of the book include a chapter relevant keyboard shortcuts matrix at the end of every chapter, high quality examples (some being clips from commercials you've seen on TV) for you, the student, to dig your fingers into in the labs, and pro level tips peppered throughout the book such as "always be sure auto-keyframe is enabled before rotoscoping (no one wants to roto for an hour only to find their work lost due to an oversight)" or "instead of color-matching in RGB, color-match each individual channel separately. it is much easier this way". The tips may seem basic but we all forget the basics sometimes so its great that they include this aspect of real-world protocols in a training book.
   
   I thoroughly enjoyed the book. This is notable because I went into it with high expectations, which is usually a situation ripe with potential for disappointment. It was a fun and easy read and clearly written by a seasoned professional (the Pro Training way). I felt like he was my mentor sometimes the way he addressed certain issues "they don't teach you in school" (mentioned earlier in this review). I do recommend, if you buy the book, to download the errata available from PeachPit's website. It will clear up some minor confusion from the few typos that appear in chapters 2 and 13.
   
   ---
   
   About the reviewer: Ezra Peace is a narrative filmmaker based in New York. His credits include several feature length independent films and many independent short films as well as marketing and promotional work done in Miami and New York.



4. if you're looking at this review, you likely already know what this book is. good stuff.



5. The DVD that comes with the project files in the book is corrupt. I thought maybe the first one was an isolated incident, but then when I recieved a replacement I had the same issues. I couldn't retrieve any files and the DVD nearly crashed my computer.
   
   My belief is that this book came out so long ago that the disks deteriorated and that since there are going to be no upgrades to the software this book has basically had it.
   
   I'm sure that the instructions are helpful, but without the files you don't have any hands-on projects to work on, which is a bummer. There aren't really any alternatives to this book either.
   
   Apple should put these files online and allow people access to them if they have proof that they purchased the book.

5 comments about Making Documentary Films and Reality Videos: A Practical Guide to Planning, Filming, and Editing Documentaries of Real Events.

1. great book for his main points regarding the style and elements one should have in the documentary, mostly revolvong around the point of not having too many 'talking head' interviews and 'showing' the point more,,, the book isn't relevant at all regarding technologies, however, as it seems to be written before 1998 or so,,, but it's probably helpful to see everything from the past,,,
   overall a great book, i think, for someone like me who is just starting out and doesn't know where to begin,, this book definitely has given me a great idea of the directions i want to be heading in,



2. If you have absolutely no experience whatsoever in writing to tell a story, filmaking, photojournalism, videography or communicating in any significant way, this book will be helpful if you're suddenly called upon to produce a documentary film or video.
   
   The advice given here is very basic and really doesn't have all that much to do with making a documentary. For example, Hampe describes the roles of the people who might be found on a typical documentary crew, such as the scriptwriter and camera operator. In sum, this is really a book that describes the entire process of creating a documentary from coming up with an idea, capitalizing it, putting a crew together and so on. It really is for someone who has absolutely no experience whatsoever - and while there are many people who may dream of making a documentary, this book will not provide them with the experience they actually need.
   
   The book is also increasingly outdated. Almost all of the technology Hampe describes for lighting, capturing images and sound, editing has been superceded.
   
   The good thing about the book is that it is thorough: Hampe really does cover every step. But its odd that a book on documentary and reality video creation has not a single illustration. Very strange. Another thing in Hampe's favor is his writing style. Except for way too much patting himself on the back for his own work, Hampe writes in a clear manner.
   
   Overall, this is a quick read and useful to those who have no experience whatsoever with the film making process, but have dreams of making documentaries. This book will not really teach you anything about actually making a documentary, but it does an okay job of describing the process.
   
   Jerry



3. I took a two week documentary filmmaking course recently and this book was our text. The majority of the class had no prior experience with making a movie of any sort so this book became our life. I felt it was very easy to comprehend and gave ALOT of great advice. For those who did have experience in filmmaking, which included shooting, editing, and distrubution, this was a refresher for them. Overall I'd say it was a great reference book to rely on.



4. this really isn't the best guide for documentary filmmaking. especially if your goal is to create an independent project. i wanted a "step 1, step 2. step 3..." guide. this was not it. also, the author's bias is toward behavioral documentaries, for profit.



5. I haven't read much, but the book is very thorough. Good for someone just getting into documentary films.

4 comments about Henri Cartier-Bresson: Photographer.

1. This is a beautiful book of duotones of Cartier-Bresson's work. It features the most famous photographs Henri has ever photographed and because it was excellently printed, you can truly feel the images with such intensity. This is a definite book to own if you love Henri's work.



2. THE Cartier-Bresson book to own. The reproductions are high-quality and large, the selection is superb, the book is made to last. Almost all my favorites are here. In short, worth the high price. He always deserved a book like this.



3. Excellent!! Cartier-Bresson has got to be among the top 2 or 3 photographers in history. The book contains 155 images presented in a good large format perfect for viewing. You get all of the details. I can sit for hours slowly moving from photo to photo. I am a photographer. This book is teaching me so much about the decisive moment and moods as related to photography. I cannot say enough about the book. Every person interested in photography should have and study this book!!



4. Our affective and existential memory not only has been not only enhanced, but enriched in sum grade due the photography in a good portion of its nature, and being the memory the human form of the time, Cartier-Bresson knew to achieve and freeze the actuality to become eternity.
   
   We are commemorating the first centenary of the birth of this giant of the photography. Looking Cartier-Bresson's work we use to remind that admirable sentence of Renoir. " We should remind that a field of wheat painted by Van Gogh can arouse a stronger emotion than a field of wheat in nature."
   
   The astonishing atmosphere displayed around every single picture of this genius of the lens arouses that authentic sensitivity, artistic conviction and supreme commitment that signed his life.
   
   That book is by far one of the most excel and must-have references to keep in mind him.

No comments about Susan Meiselas: In History.

5 comments about The Natural World.

1. I was a fan of Mangelsen's photos before I bought the book, but wow! Page after page of excellent photos. it's the coffee table book that is rarely ever on the coffee table because people are oohing and ahhing over the wonderful content



2. This book makes a great gift. It's big and beautiful and unusual, and the photography is spectacular. The book is bound at the top for optimal viewing of the panoramic scenery. Mangelsen is a genius with a sophisticated eye for composition, color, depth... The text is wonderful, explaining the story behind the photographs. This is the consummate coffee table book. It lives on our coffee table and everyone who sits on the couch instantly becomes mesmerized with the beauty of each page.



3. ...this is the one. Tom Mangelsen was named by American Photo as one of the "100 Most Important People in Photography" and this book shows why. His work is not what one would usually expect in nature photography. He breaks through a genre that has become something of a cliche and surprises the viewer/reader with a broad, holisitic look at nature that astonishes and moves. This is my favorite book on nature, ever.



4. What a beautiful display of God's wonderful creation! The books great, but there are two pages that are smudged. However, I can live with the smudging for the price I paid.



5. The images in this book are great and truly inspiring. The panoramic format really adds to the impression. Mangelsen has shot the images around the globe from Alaska to the desert in Africa.

4 comments about Glen Denny: Yosemite in the Sixties.

1. Yosemite in the Sixties tells a story of men who develop and live their passion. For those willing to invest a couple of hours to see and feel this experience, Yosemite in the Sixties is a must.
   
   Glen Denny is a tall quiet man. He expresses much in few words. His book is of his pictures. They speak more than many could say. His pictures show faces: "...a rock wall or a human being," Chouinard writes. Glen's pictures show people who define themselves by their passion for climbing rock walls.
   
   I read this book three times. The story Glen tells truly is "A Movable Feast."



2. All I can offer is that Glen Denny is the Salgado of Yosemite photography. He really is that good. Buy the book!



3. I learned to climb in 1970, so I missed these golden years of rock climbing. And I've never been to Yosemite. BUT, I can say that these climbers were giants of their time who influenced most of my climbing since those times.
   
   Now at the age of 56 I'm still climbing (okay, not so hard of routes), and looking at this book made me realize I'm still a product of their energy and passion.
   
   A great book with heart and soul.



4. The pictures are nice/ok, but I frankly question how much sense it makes to pay roughly 60 dollars for a book which in essence celebrates a simple and frugal way of living in which monetary considerations are only secondary (perhaps it was the publisher who set the price - also, this is admittedly being sold to a limited audience, so maybe the price is justifiable on that basis). Having said that, if you are interested in this period of climbing, or climbing in Yosemite at all, it is a nice book to own.

5 comments about Movie-Star Portraits of the Forties.

1. if your looking for book with old hollywood glamour pictures
   this is the book for you. You cant go wrong 30+ photos of mostly dead actors and actresses



2. Beautiful pictures! They sure don't make stars like these anymore. Wonderful glamour shots, men & women. Bygone era but at least we have these gorgeous photos to remember or to discover.



3. If you love old style Hollywood photography this book is a must for your collection. My only wish was that it showed some of the lighting and techniques used to take the images. But as far as a straight forward picture book goes even if your not a photographer you'll enjoy the great looks and drama from the past.



4. If you like black and white portraits your at the right book; a source of inspiration for my photography assignment.



5. I bought this book because it reminded me of my mother, who loved the movies. She used to buy the star magazines of the times and cut and pasted three scrapbooks with pictures, some of which I recognized in this book. My kids played with the scrapbooks, which got a little ragged, so I threw them out....oh, the unsentimentality of youth. I would love to have the books now, but since I can't ,Movie-Star Portraits of the Forties comes in a nice second. The pictures are beautiful and even if you don't remember the stars, (I do), you will enjoy the glamour and real sexiness of those movie stars of yore.

1 comments about The Dawn of the Color Photograph: Albert Kahn's Archives of the Planet.

1. I learned about Albert Kahn and his project only a year ago and I eagerly anticipated this volume. The pictures do not disappoint. They are the star of the show.
   
   Unfortunately the curator's modern political views come in to play in the text and in the photo descriptions. Instead of reveling in the historic glory of these images we are instead given a banal political discourse which is an intrusion into the intent and product of this project. It is truly a shame. 5 stars as the historical significance of this collection cannot be denied. But a separate 1 star for the commentary which attempts to hijack a noble project for a particular political viewpoint nearly 100 years after the original project was completed. Despicable.

No comments about Yo Bro!: My Brother, My Friend.