5 comments about Anatomy Lessons from the Great Masters.

1. An excellent book on artistic anatomy. Reading this one book has taught me more than some figure drawing classes. A systematic deconstruction of how the masters of artistic anatomy have integrated their knowledge into some of the greatest drawings of all time. The book goes through the drawings of famous artists, categorized by the region of the body on which the drawings are focused, and attempts to explain how extensive knowledge of anatomy has been effectively applied. It touches on how these artists could create drawings which are more powerful than merely a photographic rendering of the model through their use of anatomy.

   Unfortunately, the book is very cheaply bound. Entire leaves have detached themselves from the spine, though I have treated the book very well. My copy has turned into a stack of paper and scotch tape, wrapped loosely in its former cover. Despite that fact, I still consider it worth the purchase.

   I have both this book and "Drawing Lessons from the Great Masters." Both are excellent books, but if you must only buy one, get this one. It is the better of the two.




2. Pick up this book if you are looking for a great artistic anatomy reference book. If you are looking for more than reference, however, you might want to look elsewhere. While this book is definitely good, it doesn't give the artist direction in how to draw or depict the illustrations. The text is pretty much straight-forward, usually only noting the parts of the bodies in the images. Second, this book lacks the poetic and great writing of Robert Beverly Hale.

   Anatomy Lessons from the Great Masters is more of an extra reference book or a supplement to Drawing Lessons from the Great Masters. In that book, Hale really teaches to the reader whats needed to depict anatomy, what steps the artist must take, gives tips on how to become a great or accomplished artist, why the artists of the past were so good, what mistakes beginners of figure drawing usually make, and sooooo much more. It's pretty much an incredible book to have even if you're not into figure drawing.

   I think Anatomy Lessons would probably be more highly regarded in my eyes had Drawing Lessons been nonexistent. Anatomy Lessons is great for further reference, if thats what you're looking for though. I probably wouldn't recommend anyone to buy this book unless you already own or have thoroughly read and studied Drawing Lessons by the Great Masters.




3. I took an art class at the junior college and the instructor suggested copying the masters to improve drawing skills. I bought this book and copied every picture. Not only did it familiarize me with many artists I had not heard of but, over time my drawing skills improved dramatically. I am now buying collections of drawings of other artists and copying. I highly recommend the book not only as a reference but also to be used to improve skills. I have an engineering background, not art and this helped immensely.



4. for us amateaur artists who want inspiration to create great works of art. This book shows the details of the human body and how great artists drew from live and dead bodies as they create the greatest masterpieces in art history.



5. I will just say that this is very helpful for reference to specific part of the human anatomy. Especially the skeletal and muscular diagrams at the back of the book.

No comments about Nantucket: Island Living.

2 comments about Landscape Beyond: A Journey into Photography.

1. David Ward's work has appeared in a number of books available on Amazon, but this one, and his previous "Landscape Within" are the only two soley of his work. Both are dedicated to understanding the internal and external motivations of nature/landscape photographers. Of course the images are exciting, but so is the discussion; not the common fare of f/stops and shutter speeds. Along with Freeman Patterson, David Ward seems to be the only other photographer that believes these ideas are as important, perhaps more important, than the technology.



2. There are plenty of photography books that instruct on technique. There are fewer showing how technique can be used to disclose vision. Fewer still are those showing how to develop vision. David Ward's first book,"Landscape Within: Insights and Inspirations for Photographers", is a part of this latter group.
   
   Now Ward has returned with further ruminations upon this topic. Although Ward is primarily a landscape photographer, emphasizing the intimate landscape, all photographers can benefit from reading his books. Like the first book, this one consists of a portfolio of Ward's photographs, which, while related to the essays, illustrate his points generally, rather then being tied to any specific point. Ward says the essays illustrate what he considers to be the three essential elements of his work: simplicity, mystery and beauty. The fourth essay, called "Questions or Answers", suggests that there are two different types of photographs (or perhaps photographers - I'm not sure): Those that raise questions and those that provide answers. Ward also provides useful technical data on his pictures, and to appease some critics, but not me, information on where photographs were taken.
   
   Ward's pictures are magnificent. His essays proved thought-provoking and, sometimes, troubling.
   
   In the simplicity essay, he urges the importance of simplification to the photographer; most thoughtful photographers will agree with him. The second essay, which I found the most interesting, averred that he sought to provide an air of mystery in his work through the manipulation of scale, spatial ambiguity, lighting and incongruity. Hopefully, after perusing this chapter, one will explore one's own work but I wish there had been even more discussion of each of these topics. I do admit to wondering why Ward limited ambiguity to spatial relationships, but on the other hand he stimulated me to consider this issue and I expect that if he succeeds in provoking introspection, the essay will have achieved its goal.
   
   I was quite disturbed by the chapter on beauty. Even though he was no more successful in defining beauty than Hume or Kant or Hegel (I reread their work in "Aesthetics: A Reader in Philosophy of the Arts (2nd Edition)" edited by David Goldblatt and Lee Brown) I was most disappointed by his attack on post-modernist photographers, especially his singling out of Andreas Gursky, one of the most accessible of these artists. While I am not a fan of the post-modernists, I believe that photographers can expand their boundaries by trying to push beyond their own genre, rather then rejecting others that do not conform to their own internal model and expectations. To fail to do so is to relegate one's self to taking the same pictures, over and over.
   
   I found this attack particularly surprising in light of Ward's assertion in the final essay that we grow the most as photographers and human beings when we make difficult picture with which the viewer (and perhaps the artist) are required to grapple. (Those are my words, not Ward's)
   
   If one has to choose between "Landscape Within" and "Landscape Beyond" I would recommend the former. But since I believe that the artist in us will be continually challenged to better his or her work by thinking about and confronting it, I see no reason why the serious photographer should not read both.

5 comments about Rock and Roll.

1. The photos that make up "Rock and Roll" take me back to a time when music was allowed to dominate my life - before careers, mortgages, and family forced it to a role of mere coexistence; when the musical giants pictured within were more god than human. And this book does an amazing job of feeding that hero-worship - it's oversized pages make the stars seem bigger than life. However, "Rock and Roll" is more than just a nostalgia trip - Goldsmith's photos show their subjects in settings both familiar and unfamiliar, thereby both re-affirming and contributing to our impressions of them.
   
   Bottom line, this is a very cool book filled with amazing photos that any fan of rock & roll will enjoy.
   
   One of the many artist quotes found inside is from Sting: "It's fun to visit the past, as long as you don't go back permanently." I may not go back permanently, but with this book I will definitely go back frequently!



2. Lynn Goldsmith has been the supreme chronicler of all things Rock in the last 40 years and some of her best photographs are in this book. You get goosebumps as you thumb through the more than 300 pages of images and immerse yourself in memories of the times.
   
   No one captures the passion of an artist quite like Goldsmith, it is no wonder that Tom Petty calls her "the best Rock and Roll photographer."
   
   This book, in a word, rocks.



3. Bought this wonderful art-photo book as a gift for my rock-n-roll loving friend. Could barely give it up! Amazing range of artists and years of history. Definately recommend this to any music and photography lover.



4. A solid rock book! Great layout. Some of the soft out of focus images should have been edited out but Lynn probably overrode her book editor about that.



5. A really nice collection of photos capturing the attitude and essence of what was so special about rock music back in the day. I am so glad I bought this. I have been passing it around at work to some of the old heads and we have all really enjoyed talking about "back in the day". We even all brought our old concert ticket stubs and shared stories of some of the great shows that we had been to. I highly recommend!

5 comments about Slim Aarons: Once Upon a Time.

1. Mr. Aarons...what a treasure! I won't bother with many words...just...wow is enough!



2. Very nice, a bit WASP heavy but what do you expect for the time? A fun look into a world gone by.



3. Enjoyable reprint which gives a look at the charms, lifestyle, beauties and characters of about a half century ago..looks as if some of the photos from the original edition were not included, but not sure. Aarons is a bold and creative photographer, that's for sure. Thanks.



4. I was so disappointed. This book is about 80% material that was previously published in a much classier book, A Wonderful Time. Readers lucky enough to have the earlier book should not waste their money on this rehash.



5. ONCE UPON A TIME is an apropos title for this photomontage of a book. Slim Aarons has the enviable job as a photographer of capturing the rich and famous in their haunts around the world. Now that doesn't seem like a worthy topic for a book, especially now that the factions between the rich and not rich are taking a lot of space in the media. But taking this book as a memento of a time lost, a time when leisure meant beautiful places, elegant food and drink and fashion, passages to spas such as Portofino just for the beauty of the views, turning the pages of this book with that state of mind results in some lovely reveries of how things used to be.
   
   Slim Aarons followed the genteel folk around the globe and while his 'portraits' are not the usual stiff and staid formats, his glimpses of people within the environs is unparalleled. For many the views of the scenery, landscapes, seascapes, wondrous architecture, the concert halls, all captured in alluring light, will be the highlight of this volume. The overall feeling of browsing through Aarons' memoir-like photographs is one of traveling back in time, almost with a fairytale like imagery.
   
   For armchair historians, sociologists, and lovers of foreign places this book will satisfy. Though the locales depicted herein still exist (for the most part) they were never as romantically inclined as Aarons makes them. Grady Harp, February 06

5 comments about Playboy: Redheads (Playboy).

1. this review refers to the Brunettes edition of the 3-book Playboy series:Brunettes,Blondes and Redheads.
   the girls in these pages range from the late 50's to the early 70's.
   i am of the age that the girls from the mid-60's to early 70's are my favorite so this book was just for me and i should think other men who prefer girls from those days.
   Playboy girls are always so pretty. sweet smiles. nothing dirty or raw about them.
   the girls from this era had no use for implants which i don't even think were around then.
   back then, the girls were all natural. and the brunettes in this book are all natural and beautiful......and of course sexy.
   i highly recommend this book. and it's very reasonably priced too.



2. Whether it's a smoldering auburn, a fire engine red or a sweet strawberry blonde, red hair has captivated red-blooded men for centuries. The rarest and most beguiling of hair colors finally gets its due in this collection of fabulous full color photographs from PLAYBOY from the fifties, sixties and seventies. This sleek volume presents a host of scantily clad beauties each in her favorite element: frolicking poolside, preparing the perfect cocktail, starting a pillow fight. Elegantly designed with the discerning man in mind, REDHEADS captures the eye like only a REDHEAD can.



3. This mini-volume is one of three vintage photo collections issued by Playboy to celebrate any man's favorite hair color. PLAYBOY: REDHEADS is an homage to that relatively rare though undeniably beautiful and mysterious mutant strain, the true redhead.
   
   James Peterson, the Editor, must love redheads the most. He waxes absolutely rhapsodic about them in his introduction. Any man who appreciates the redhead will instantly understand.
   
   The book consists only of photos dating from 1953 to 1974. While many alluring redheads have appeared in Playboy's pages since then, by limiting the collection to The First Twenty Years, Peterson has no shrift with "bottle jobs," ignores the artificially-enhanced breast, and disdains the racing stripe sorority and the Baby Bare Generation. Thank heavens! The women portrayed herein are real women, some of them wearing Mrs. Cleaver's hairdo perhaps, and some of them more voluptuous and less toned than current tastes allow, but, still in all, untouched by surgically-gloved hands.
   
   Since this is a collection of vintage photographs, they range from 1950s stilted to 1970s freestyle, and it is interesting to see the magazine evolve, and our culture's perceptions of feminine beauty change.
   
   My only criticism is that there just isn't enough of it.
   
   PLAYBOY: REDHEADS is a great "stocking stuffer" book for any man with taste.



4. This book really isn't just another playboy, its more of an art book dedicated to red heads. If you've got a thing for red heads then I would say this book is a good choice. While not all of the girls are attractive some of the prettiest girls I have ever seen are in here. Its interesting to see the changes of women over the decades.



5. This book, although small in size, is packed full of stunning beauties. It is fairly dated but the girls are all stunning and all but a few are natural redheads. An up to date version of this book would really put the icing on the cake, but whilst we wait for that, this book will certainly fuel a passion.
   
   The dvd to go with this series is an absolute must for any 'redophiles'. Both are recommended highly.

5 comments about Dogs.

1. My new book came today from Amazon.com and I love it! Anybody who loves old photography, especially of dogs, will love this book. Caroline Johnson collects amateur snapshots of dogs, this book is a collection of photos from the turn of the century up to the 50's. It also has a smattering of quotes and writings from William Wegman, the worlds best known dog photographer. Phaidon published the book; as an art student I quickly realized what great books they choose to publish, this is no exception. Some might review the faux cloth binding treatment as lesser quality but it is a great price for a 500+ page picture book.
   
   It is especially fun for me to see all the old bulldogs! I think every other page has one. Oh! And all the old boston bulls pictures... They must have been quiet popular during the early days. There is even one picture that has writing on it. It says, "Can you find Pat? He's a Dandy little Toy Boston Bull and a female! Patsy is her right name." Lake Erie Summer 1928. That old pat joke from Saturday Night Live must be much older or it's an inside joke. The image is of a man cradling a Bt marked bulldog.
   
   This will be a treasured addition to my growing collection of books on dogs.
   
   Enjoy! Naomi & Mugsy (Olde Boston Bulldogge)
   [...]



2. I collect dog photos myself so I love books of old dog photos. This book is fantastic. The pictures are great. Wonderful to look through and read the titles. If you're interested in old dog photos or looking at dog photos in general, you'll love this book!



3. As a collector of dog photos and amateur photographer, I enjoyed this book.
   
   The range of breeds included is marvelous as is the volume of photographs included.
   
   The quality of the book (binding, paper) forced me to limit the book to four stars. However, given the price of the book one can still enjoy the content rather than pay through the nose for a huge, glossy, impeccably printed coffee table type book.
   
   If you love or a friend love not just your dog, but all dogs and what dogs mean to our society, this is a worthwhile book.



4. I love everything about this book. The photographs are amazing, and the quotes are sweet and funny. Wonderfully done!



5. The book is a collection of eclectic family dog images. Catherine is one of the largest collectors of these old snapshots. It looks as if the images are affixed to the pages. This book is really neat. These images are very special. This book impressed me in the quality of the printing far more than I can express.

5 comments about Domicilium Decoratus.

1. I'm so glad that I didn't pay full price for this book. The Hillcrest Estate is grand and refreshingly unique; however, I have to laugh at the kid safe reference. As a mom of two young kids, I'm constantly looking for sophisticated kid-friendly decorating. I was thrilled when Kelly, herself,refers to her home as "toddler-safe and visually sophisticated". Huh?!? This home is about as warm and toddler safe as a museum. There are only a few pages dedicated to the kids rooms and only one plastic toy visible. Also, any pool fence?



2. I wish I had have taken notice of the other reviews. I loved Kelly's first book and found it very useful, however this book is entirely over-rated and I'm so pleased I didn't pay full price for it. There is absolutely no text in the book - just pictures from Kelly's house showcasing her furniture and herself and none of them look at all practical for everyday living. Save your money for the many other fantastic books on offer.



3. Kelly Wearstler is undoubtedly one of the great interior designers of our time. Her style may be too much for most, and her critics pan her for her ego-centric couture gown wearing, but she has an incredible eye for style. She has managed to create a sophisticated home that is visually arresting, textured and comfortable. No, it may not be toddler safe, as she claims, but who's is?
   Kelly Wearstler appears to live a perfect life, a globally renowned and successful interior design business, a wealthy property developer husband (who happens to throw a few projects her way), two beautiful children and a gorgeous home full of antiques and art that is a wonderful backdrop to her all-round fabulous lifestyle.
   She may not have created the style she has made so popular (see Tony Duquette, David Hicks, Billy Haines or Dorothy Draper), but her almost single-handed revival of a myriad of styles that are as far flung from minimalism as I care to think about has brought a smile to the face of all us maximalists around the world.
   I won't dwell on how disappointed I was to find out she was a playboy playmate in a previous incarnation, but it has not changed my view of her talent.
   Domicilium Decoratus is a beautifully produced book full of gorgeous photos of Kelly, her children and her home. I can't wait to see how her new home turns out!



4. As a practicing, professional Interior Designer I have to say I found Domicilium Decoratus inspiring. Being exposed to all types of design, I love it when I am actually left remembering a house...and this one is hard to forget. Although Kelly's style is not my particular taste, the house is full of beautiful color combinations, architectural details, and antiques. I would have to compare this book to looking at a Picasso--you either get it or you don't. If you are looking for a how to book, this is not the book for you. There is no text like in her first book--Your eyes have to do all the work spotting the curious, imaginative details. This is a living art book. If you want to view some images of her home before you buy the book go to her website and Hillcrest estate is under her residential projects.



5. This book really is gorgeous. Of course, most of the style and emotion in this book was appropriated from design much earlier in the century, and books on this movement are cheap and plentiful in thrift stores. However, it is really nice to be able to see what life would be like if you were a playboy playmate and married to a real-estate tycoon. I am really not trying to put Kelly down, because her vision is mind-bendingly impeccable. It is truly rare when people with wealth also have taste.

5 comments about Bible Road: Signs of Faith in the American Landscape.

1. BIBLE ROAD: SIGNS OF FAITH IN THE AMERICAN LANDSCAPE features photos by Sam Fentress in full color and represents the photographer's last few decades of travel, crossing over forty states photographing thousands of religious signs along America's highways and city streets. His photography embraces works from churches, bikes, walls, and even stocks and looks for religious messages in even unlikely places, both urban and rural, making for a striking survey of religious messages in modern culture. Perfect for either spiritual collections or art libraries strong in modern photography.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



2. This book appeals to many people. The book has been picked up by many people at our house. They only put it down if they finish it or need to leave before they can finish it. I think people just want to see what signs are posted out there that we might stumble across one day. The photography is very good and it is an easy read.



3. I love it and everyone that has viewed it loved it as well. It shows faith exist. It's neat to see the word of God in places you wouldn't think.



4. The pictures are amazing. My Mother-In-Law loved it! I bought this book as -new- from Pendant Publishing and was very pleased on how fast this item arrived in perfect condition.



5. The book arrived in very good shape and on time. I am very pleased with the transaction.

1 comments about Fashion Photography Course: Principles, Practice, and Techniques: An Essential Guide.

1. This is a great book for anyone who wants to know from the basics to the advance of the fashion photography business. Its one of my top books on my photo bookshelf, the reading is not long and drawn out but gets right to the point.It covers everything from location to lighting to presenting your portfoilo and much much more. I can saftely said that its arguably one of the if not the best fashion photography book on amazon.