4 comments about Film Lighting.

1. Kris Malkiewicz has assembled some of the finestcinematographers and gaffers in the world to create a must-have bookfor all aspiring and working Directors of Photography. This book is both technical and creative in description of design and technique. From Nestor Almendros, ASC to Vilmos Zsigmond, ASC and other contemporary greats in-between--the reader learns lighting of sets, close-ups, background plates and much more. Both soft-light and hard-light techniques are covered too. Reading the meter is discussed by Caleb Deshanel, ASC who states, "Basically I use the meter after I have finished lighting" to Malkiewicz who states, "a caucasian face has about 35 percent reflectance, but a black face reflects less than 16 percent." He goes on to explain the proper technique for exposing dissimilar facial colors with reflective metering. The late James Wong Howe, ASC and Jordan Cronenweth, ASC are quoted describing their day-for-night techniques. All in all this book covers the basics and beyond and has served me well as a reference book that I consult from time to time, and recommend to others.



2. I am an aspiring D.P., interested in lighting and camera operation. This book gives a good insight to the relationship between D.P. and director. It does not give dull "how to set up lights," but provides some interesting information provided by some outstanding cinematographers, many are members of ASC. I found it to be an excellent read.



3. I am a director and found this book to be really intersting. I really enjoyed hearing advice and techniques from a collection of accomplished cinematographers and gaffers. Too many books just merely point out that there are many ways to approach lighting a scene. This actually shows how different people choose to light particular scenes.

   The only complaint that I have is that it is a bit out-dated. Personally, I use a lot of newer lighting equipment that was not mentioned (especially Kino Flo lights). Nevertheless, still probably the best lighting book I have encountered.




4. If you are looking for a good, instructional book on lighting setups and techniques...keep looking. This book may be useful to a seasoned director or gaffer, but is rather useless for beginners. This is essentially a book on interviews, and while has some techniques discussed throughout, is not presented in a way that would be useful for someone hoping to learn the finer details of lighting.

5 comments about Matters of Light & Depth.

1. In a few words, this book is a must read for begginers and proffesional individuals that find themselves quite lost within the vast challenges of visual arts.It is a great guide for capturing great lighting into film,video or any other medium. Mr.Ross Lowell has set some high standards and has created numerous great lighting techniques, which shares with us, inside his well organised book.
   My only comment will reffer to the small print in the letters of the book.
   Great!!



2. For those of us who seem mystified by why their videos look so...well, bad, Matters of Light and Depth offers valuable insights into the subtle and not so subtle qualities of light. Some of the material presented looks at still photography, and some takes advantage of classic artists whose tools were oil paint and canvas. All in all, while Matters of Light and Depth does not offer a "by the numbers" approach to lighting scenes, it does provide strong aesthetic considerations, as well as pithy quotations from people who "do lighting." It's worth looking at. And the glossary is entertaining, as well. Basically, you just can't beat something from Ross Lowell.



3. No problems. Who could complain when the product was delivered quickly and in the condition as described (great).



4. Rather than lighting formulas which are a great way to see the tried and true setups, Lowell discusses the "whys" to light in particular way, opening up your creativity. It discusses selecting the planes of the subject that are desired to be emphasized/de-emphasized and lighting accordingly, eg good cheek bones vs. large ears. To consider having your lighting be consistent with visible light source in the scene. A great companion to Light: science and magic that considers how particular surface types should be lit. It will change the way you see light, consequently the way you photograph or watch movies.



5. Very, very, very, very useful in helping me understand lighting for video work, but it was written without a particular medium in mind. Wonderful resource for anyone focused on film, video, and/or photo stills. Did I mention this book was/is very helpful? That is probably why everyone seems to recommend this book.
   
   There are a lot of great resources on this subject, but this is written with all the detail you will need/want while always remaining fun and interesting.

No comments about Gardens of the Spirit 2009 Wall Calendar.

5 comments about Detroit Then and Now (Then & Now).

1. Absorbing book in magnificent color on Detroit's past and present. Worthwhile for anyone interested in history of the city of Detroit.



2. This book is fine or those new to Detroit, but as one who knows Detroit well, this book doesn't provide much.
   
   Most of the photos are taken at a different area then it was originally taken from. I could see it being acceptable if it were no longer possible, but in most cases the area is possible.
   
   The information is good for the most part, but more could have been added for those whom already know the story.



3. I got this book from my library through an ILL, and this book is GREAT! I am 17 and planning on relocating to Detroit, and wanted to see what the city looks like. This book is the only one with actual photos of Detroit in and around the city. Wonderful pictures from earlier times until now. The book was so good, I went out and bought it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to see detroit or for anyone who wants to see one of the best cities in the world.



4. Excellent contrast between what Detroit used to look like and what it looks like today. The Renaissance Center development is especially stunning. The Comerica Building is also very impressive. Detroit needs to continue revitalizing old abandoned industrial sites. Overall, an excellent book that I recommend.



5. AS A NATIVE DETROITER(EAST DETROIT ACTUALLY)I FOUND THIS BOOK TO BE INTERESTING IF NOT SOMEWHAT DISHEARTENING.THE AUTHOR HAS DONE A GOOD JOB OF SHOWING HOW A ONCE GREAT CITY IS SLOWLY DESTROYING ITSELF FROM WITHIN.THE LACK OF FORESIGHT ON THE PART OF THE CITY AND ITS' FAILURE TO PROTECT ITS' ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE IS SAD.DETROIT COULD TAKE A LESSON FROM NEW YORK ON HOW TO PROTECT AND REVITALIZE ITS MANY BUILDINGS.THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ FOR ANYONE WHO REMEMBERS THE CITY AS IT WAS AND HOPES FOR ITS' POSSIBLE REJUVENATION IN THE FUTURE.

No comments about Simplicity 2009 Weekly Engagement Planner (Calendar).

5 comments about Butt Book.

1. I love the magazine and I'm absolutely in love with this book! I accidentally ran across Butt a couple of years ago while doing some research on one of my favorite creatures alive: Wolfgang Tillmans (who has quite a contribution to the magazine as well as this book, specifically). The magazine is funny, candid, refreshing, gorgeously-sleazy in a honest/tounge-(and whatever else)-in-cheek sort of way, and highly intelligent to boot. This book is all of that bounded into one Butt. It is one giant amazing Buttfest.



2. This book is wonderful for entertainment while on the toilet! You can even use the pages if you run out of toilet paper! The pictures are quite lovely and the European aesthetic is so much better than anything manufactured in the US. I loved it.



3. I flipped through this trash at American Apparel. It's just a new, sort of elitist way of repackaging porn. It's just as destructive as regular porn. More execs trying to sell us on what is attractive and what is not; i.e., young, muscled, endowed, rich = attractive and worthy of the gay "community's" attention, anything else = not.
   
   You all can give this review "unhelpful" votes, all you want. Truth be told, gays wouldn't care about this magazine if it did not feature handsome, young white men. Look at all the attention given to CNN's Thomas Roberts.



4. I first ordered this book from amazon but they kept on delaying the shipment until I saw the book at a local Tower Records store so, I cancelled the order and bought it brand new. It cost a little more but sometimes you just have to have what you want asap.
   
   Now, about the book. Unlike some review I read here stating that this book portraits young, famous and rich men. Not at all, the interviews are great, intelligent and witty and the characters portrayed range from music stars to ordinary guys (not ordinary like in "common", but simply "not famous"). The format is pretty simple, a Q&A session but it's perfect for revealing every character's personality, interests and humor.
   
   Most of the pictures are cool, others are weird.
   
   I recommend this book if you want to have a broad picture of the gay subculture out there or if you want to get to know better what's going on in the gay cultural world.



5. This book is a collection of frank interviews and pictoral articles that will keep you turning pages until you've finished each and every one of the too-few-at-550+ pages. The more you read, the more you want. Each story is a voyeuristic acid trip into some aspect of the gay world that you probably hadn't even imagined existed.
   Have you ever seen someone interesting walking down the street, and wondered what their story was? Well, what if someone went and asked them simple but insightful questions and then actually got answers? You would have this book. Some of the people being interviewed are somebodies...some are anybodies, and some are nobodies...but they are all equally interesting when asked the right questions.
   Trust me, if you have a curious mind, you will love this book. If you already have all the answers, you probably just want to keep right on walkin'.

5 comments about Marilyn Monroe: The Complete Last Sitting.

1. Come ho detto nel titolo, è il migliore libro di foto su Marilyn che c'è in circolazione, lei è assolutamente spendida, in uno stato di grazia che l'obbiettivo del fotografo Bert Stern è riuscito in pieno a mostrare.
   Questo grande libro con tantissime pagine e tantissime foto che ci mostrano Marilyn bella come non lo è stata mai è per tutti i grandi fan consigliatissimo avere!
   compratelo!!!!!



2. The book is very well made with great quality paper. There is a little introduction by Bert Stern at the beginning and then all the pictures of the last sitting in chronological order. You can see big images, the ones that Stern thought were the good ones, and then the little ones which are very interesting and funny too. It's an incredible book, you can see a new Marilyn, more mature and prettier on the inside and on the outside.



3. I am so happy I finally bought this book. I was hesitant to spend the money on something not entirely useful but it's breathtaking and so refreshing compared to all the red lips/platinum hair shots we see of her. The book is thicker and heavier than I imagined and has found it's place on my coffee table, partly because I can't move it around so easily. I am so so happy with this purchase!



4. I love Miss Marilyn... This was a very interesting book! Beautiful pictures...as was the woman. I would say my only complaint was the fact that it was very obvious Marilyn did not want to have some of the pictures every published. But all in all the book is beautiful...and amust for MM fans.



5. This enormous volume is a must for any fan of Marilyn's. There are over 400 pages of beautiful, high-quality photographs and photographer notes. Known as 'The Complete Last Sitting' (although it wasn't her last), the photographs are among the most stunning and haunting of the screen legend. Taken by photographer Bert Stern for Vogue, the session was a milestone for Marilyn. After winning her battle with Fox and being rehired for Something's Got to Give, the shoot was in many ways a celebration. At 36, Marilyn is luminous. Prior to the days of plastic surgery, she is as real as it gets. She doesn't try to hide her flaws. Scars, wrinkles, and smile lines are not hidden. The orange 'X's you see are where Marilyn scratched out the negatives, unhappy with anything but perfection from herself. They also serve as a sad reflection; that the most beautiful creature on earth thought she was anything but. These priceless pictures tell countless stories, frozen in the camera lens. The book is worth buying if only to view an actress who was so totally in control that she could convey a thousand different feelings with the arch of an eyebrow, the curve of a lip, or the slightest posture change. She is brilliant.

2 comments about Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon.

1. As a frequent traveller to Bhutan, mesmerized from the first step into the country by the beauty of the landscape and its people, and fascinated by the rural life-style there, this unique photographic portrayal of the country by region and cultural group is a special treasure in my collection. For anyone with even a passing curiosity about this land that is undergoing a phenomenal cultural revolution, this book is a necessity. For the would-be travelers, it will awaken your senses before you arrive, and for the vicarious adventurers who will see Bhutan only from the comfort of their armchair, there has never been a more beautiful way to peek into the remote corners of Bhutan that are rarely viewed by even the local people and never by foreigners. Kadinchey la, John Berthold!



2. This beautifully photographed, written and published book was more than I had expected. It really shows this land at it's best. Now, I cannot wait to see it for myself.

4 comments about Alaska.

1. Art Wolfe's beautiful photos and Nick Jans' reader-friendly text blend in a beautiful coffee-table paperback edition of Alaska (1-57061-216-1, $29.95), featuring gorgeous full-page color photos of environments and animals and reflecting the contributors' familiarity with Alaska's many faces. Choose this as a keepsake memoir of the state's natural beauty.



2. WOW! Breathtaking photos of Alaska. He captures Alaska as it should be.



3. Whether this book of color photographs accurately shows what Alaska really looks like, I don't know, because I haven't been there yet. But having finished it, I'm planning my trip!

   But I can say this is a great book of photographs of nature. Anyone who loves to look at photographs will love this book. Wolfe demonstrates that he is one of the greatest living outdoor photographers. His sense of light and composition is unexcelled. Almost every picture has a strong sense of line, either vertical, horizontal or diagonal. And the range of light is exceptional, often including in the same picture the darkest blacks and the brightest whites.

   The handling of sky is as sublime as that of any of the 19th century American landscape painters. I'm certain that there must be plain blue skies in Alaska but every one of Wolfe's skies has clouds that are fleecy, or glowering, or mysterious. And the light that falls on the landscapes illuminates them with a strange beauty whether casting deep, hard-edged shadows that make a rugged peak look even more majestic; or soft shadows that fall across a brush-covered hillside and create a subtle modulation of green; or the red rays of the magic hours of dawn and dusk.

   Occasionally his pictures take on a strange abstraction that requires a careful examination to discover what one is looking at, like the pictures of white ice floes on the surface of an inky-black river or the network of crevasses on a glacier with a few spots of emerald blue in the white field, where the snow has melted into a pond reflecting the sky.

   Wolfe is a master of color field photography. Consider the brownish, grayish web of fine lines with several smears of white across it that resolves into a portrait of musk oxen with white horns and muzzles. Or the white arctic foxes in the snow with a bare hint of orange on their undersides. Or the receding green hillsides distinguished only by differing textures with a tiny browsing caribou in the foreground.

   The text by Nick Jans is sometimes overly poetic and almost unnecessary given the photographs although explaining just what it is that makes tundra tundra has some interest. However when I turn the page to see just the top halves of the heads of two fierce little owls peeking at me with yellow eyes hidden amongst a row of wildflowers in the Arctic Wild Life Refuge, words disappear from my mind.

   Most people agree that Alaska is one of the last great wildernesses and that we are unlikely to see anything more exciting in our lives. Art Wolfe has captured the excitement of Alaska. He has also captured the excitement of great photography.




4. Beautiful photography of the grandest state. If you've read any of Nick Jans work, you know the text is excellent as well.

5 comments about The Birth of Graffiti.

1. This is a really well done book - the photographs are incredible and the printing is perfect. Unlike many graffiti books, this one is very well laid out and is "arty." A very professional treatment of the rough edges of the first spray can art. If you lived in NYC in the 1970's this book will take you down memory lane. You will pick this book up time and time again.



2. It was thrilling to see such a vivid documentation of early seventies New York and the graffiti of the period. The prints in this book mark an important period of graffiti's history where the building blocks of the craft were being developed for the first time on the walls, buses, and subways of New York City. Graffiti, for the first time became means of expression for a generation of urban youth in New York. The Birth Of Graffiti demonstrates the inception of style which was evolving on the walls of every borough of the city. Today the techniques and traditions pioneered during that period have been passed down through generations of graffiti writers to develop into one of the strongest and most innovative art movements of the last century. Before graffiti was on every brand of clothing, on billboard advertisements, and used for marketing schemes across the world, it appeared on, city buses, subway cars and the gritty brick walls of 1970's New York City. The youth of New York who created this work were the first innovators of this powerful craft which has now evolved into a worldwide art movement. Jon Naar's photography captures many important moments in a period of great change and turmoil for the city of New York.



3. Birth of Graffiti could easily have been titled Faith of Graffiti 2. It is basically Faith of Graffiti with added photos from Jon Naar's archives. Some of these photos such as a The Man 550 piece and marker tags on long extinct subway vending machines bring me back to the days before a slew of talking heads with erroneous sociological and psychological theories started writing books explaining our culture. Mr. Naar's photos are striking and capture graffiti in the transitional period between tagging (single hits) and piecing. Many of the writers documented quit before piecing became the fashion , but the emphasis they put on handwriting style is more formidable than the signatures most writers throw up today. I watched this movement from birth to death on the NYC subways and was lucky enough to participate in it. Although not as visually dynamic as the work that came later, this period fascinates me more than any other. I grew up seeing the names featured in Naar's photos, wanting to meet them and follow in their footsteps. We all owe Jon Naar a debt of thanks for preserving the roots of an ever-changing culture. The book is a must have for any old-timers who want to re-live their glory days and neophytes who want to learn who the real pioneers of the culture were.



4. this magnificent book speaks to me like no other book on graff, and i have many. aside from a nice introduction, there are no explanations about the photos, nor interviews with the writers, and none are needed. there is such a profound simplicity to these photographs. they expose the beautiful ugliness of urban blight in a sad and delicate light. you want to go there to relive a moment when things were louder, smellier and uglier but that much more innocent.(or so it seemed.) before digital, micro, macro, and the information super highway there was this; innocence, ignorance and bliss. there were no books, magazines or videos about it, there were no websites and rest of the world to share your passion with. there was just you and somewhere out there others like you. whole youthful identitys condensed into an alter ego embellished onto a steel messenger then sent to announce "you were there". unknown in the flesh but known in word and deed. we all spoke and wrote an esoteric language that only a choosen few really understood. to have been there, to have seen it, to have breathed it, ate it, sleeped it, to have known it as it was, not as it is now will remain to me always, a privlidge. how lucky we are that jon naar choose to preserve these precious moments in time as if it truly might mean something one day. i thank you sir. p.s. great review by j.son.



5. The Birth of Graffiti...I will begin by saying that if you have an inner soul of graff...the curiosity of where it was conceived...of how it was back in the day...the day where you werent even thought of...THIS IS THE BOOK THAT SPEAKS TO YOU THROUGH VISION.
   
   I have never seen a book where the images speak to you as strong as they do in this book...but that is maybe because I have a love for NY and its Graff.
   
   I have a GREAT amount of respect for Naar, and I thank him for bringing us these images of art(as we see it). He did not have to give us this gift, but he did. And the best way you can thank him is by purchasing this book AND adding it to your personal collection, as I have.
   
   The photography is amazing...the shots are unique...and you can tell that the subject of the book IS the begginings of graff...where it all lived up to the hype that we are know. I was born in '79 and arrived to the USA in '84...so I never lived the days of which NYC was NYC...where the walls spoke in MANY voices and many ages in many languages. I have caught a glimpse here and there, but never what I have now captured with this BEAUTIFUL book of NYC-a city I love and GRAFF-the form of art I love.
   
   If you really desire to know what it was like back in the day-on the real-how NYC really was...not no postcard propoganda stuff...GET THIS BOOK.
   
   GREAT BOOK...take it from a cat who's introduction to graff was back in '92 seeing all the Kez5-Bruz-MsMaggs-FLone-Ench throw-ups all over Queens...
   
   Get the damn book...you won't regret it.
   
   NAAR...thanks man.