5 comments about Complete Digital Photography, Third Edition (Digital Photography Series).

1. Complete Digital Photography (4th Ed) is a good basic explanation of how digital photography differs from film. Having browsed the 3rd edition before buying the 4th, I found much of the 4th Ed to be repetitive and there was not substantive new material. That does not diminish the value of this book if you are getting started in digital photography. This book should be of value to the novice photographer as well as the accomplished amateur who is switching from film to digital. Warning: if you are looking for a book to guide you through the artistic side of photography -- the 'how-to-take-a-great-picture' instructions, this is not the book for you. This book explains how things work, why they work the way they do, and can serve as an excellent reference for the novice digital photographer as he or she gets more into the craft and wants to try new things. As a relatively accomplished amateur film photographer, it has eased my transition to SLR-digital.



2. While Ben may have some good ideas, he clearly lacks in the knowledge of the cameras. This shows through time and again. For example, the fact that he will choose a camera of a specific brand over a better camera from another brand only because of the name printed on the body is simply laughable. Very biased towards certain products without regard for what works best. Sometimes when he gives advise that is completely wrong simply because he doesn't know enough on how to use a particular device or technique.



3. In depth yet easy to understand topics regarding digital photography and use of dslrs. highly reccommend.



4. I have never written a review on anything, but I felt compelled to write a few lines about this book. It is simply AMAZING! I went from nearly zero knowledge about digital photography to producing great looking images with my Nikon D40. As a matter of fact, I just put one of my first photos in a frame and I'm ready to hang it and display it in my home. The feeling of accomplishment is just great.
   
   This very thorough book begins with a non-intimidating review of technical aspects of digital photography (focusing on digital SLRs), follows with tips for better shooting (composition, exposure, etc), and finishes with post-processing (color and tone adjustments) and output (printing). It truly offers EVERYTHING you need to dive into digital photography. The post-production tutorials are particularly useful. I would suggest that you download a trial version of Photoshop CS3 or get a copy of Photoshop Elements in order to enjoy tutorials in the included CD.
   
   Five stars! No question about it.



5. I got this book for a digital photography class and I love it. It is easy to undersand and well put together.

5 comments about Shoes: A Celebration of Pumps, Sandals, Slippers & More.

1. I bought this as a gift for someone else but had to wait and give it to her after I read it. I originally bought it as a gag gift because the recipient loves shoes, but the book is really very informative and has some great pictures. It was interesting to see what some women will endure in the name of fashion.



2. What a cute little book. I received it as a gift and it was full of informative details and beautiful photographs of shoes from the old to the new. I loved this book.



3. I bought the book for my mother-in-law, but as I flipped through it, I wished I had gotten a copy for myself. Now I'm actually looking forward to visiting my mother-in-law so I can flip through the book. (heh heh)



4. very fun gift for the shoe -lover. Some content, some varying photos that are fun to look at and browse through.



5. Got my shoe junkie wife a picture book fix. Saving me money? Not sure yet!
   
   The book seems nice though; take that with a grain of salt. This is a husband who owns 4 pairs of shoes.

5 comments about Taking Things Seriously: 75 Objects with Unexpected Significance.

1. Most readers will wish, as I did, that THEY had thought to compile and edit a book like this. Or at least that they had been called upon to contribute an essay to this collection of photos and stories about objects of particular and unexpected significance to the individuals. Intriguing stuff. Most of us have equally fascinating and quirky objects we've trucked around for years or even decades. I will share the book with friends who dabble in writing. We should have fun identifying our own special objects and using the concept of analyzing their importance as both a writing exercise and a way to share our idiosyncrasies. (Why DO I cling to that brass drain cover from the urinal at an abandoned mine?)



2. This was such a delightful read. Each of these (mostly short) essays extols a particular object which might, at first glance, seem like a piece of junk. But it turns out that junk is in the eye of beholder. The uplifting moral of the book is that the best "things" aren't the most expensive or shiniest or rarest. They are the ones with the most personal significance. Highly recommended.



3. This book is a real original. It's great to pick up and enjoy, then pick it up again later and enjoy some more.
   It encompasses something everyone does and hardly anyone really thinks about...hoarding/collecting stuff that is really important only to you. It puts a perspective on people's emotional ties to sometimes useless things. I had a lot fun reading it and sharing it.
   Pat D.



4. Glenn and Hayes' book offers some wonderful little pieces of others' memorabilia that makes you look at all of your ephemera in a different way: the story behind each object puts a poetic narrative blanket over the world. Yard sales become soap operas, trash dumps become family trees. A book you can't put down, it's so engaging. Highly recommended. Esp. good for a gift.



5. If you are somebody that enjoys things or objects, or even if you don't, this book is great fun to read. If you know somebody that tends to find interest in life - you should buy this book for them. If you know somebody that does not tend to find interest in life - you should buy this book for them, maybe it will help.

5 comments about Wabi Sabi: The Japanese Art of Impermanence.

1. Writing about wabi-sabi is as vexing as writing about zen, part of its own inspiration. it's hard to write about something that defines itself as antithetical to verbiage, about something that is physically killed off by language. using words to describe zen and its travelling companions are nearly -- nearly -- impossible by definition. the author, who practices wabi-sabi through what seems to be an attractive and successful design company in posh Chichester (UK), occasionally wades into the swamps of verbiage (on this subject every author does, even DT Suzuki) but he never stays damp for long and always emerges to provide more information, while continuously honing and refining his definitions.
   
   
   this is a very good effort at explaining spirituality and aesthetics in a culture quite different than ours in the West. he writes masterfully, and whether he is uncommonly empathetic all around, or uniquely wired into the Japanese weltanschaung (or both), i don't know. but it is a short, competent and oftentimes beautiful little book. buy this, buy suzuki on zen and japanese art, then save the rest for an unusually fine piece of bizen-yaki or shigaraki-yaki ceramic (knowing that these two books should be enough).



2. This book is clearly and carefully presented and easy to read. Juniper firstly provides a history of religion (Taoism and Zen Buddhism) to provide the background for the development of the Wabi Sabi aesthetic and philosophy. He goes on to reveal how wabi sabi is expressed in: culture, art, design and spirit. This author provides an odd mixture of intellectual entry points to understand wabi sabi.
   
   Where the writing is strongest is where it is descriptive and attempts to translate for non-Easterners the principles and philosophy of those that follow this aesthetic in their work or approach to life.
   
   "There is within the Japanese a fascination with death, and unlike the West, which tends to shy away from what might be considered morbid deliberations, the Japanese seek to harness the emotive effect of death to add force and power to their actions. With this force also comes a sense of inconsolable desolation, and it is this feeling to which the term sabi is often applied." (p49)
   
   Where the writing seems somewhat prosaic is where it references practical tips for enthusiasts or would-be artisans to appreciate and recognise the design approach and outcome. However, in describing the method and expression of wabi sabi in artisanship a more realistic appreciation is enabled (even if the reductive listing of design criteria seems somewhat at odds with the subtle and poetic nature of the aesthetic).
   
   "The examples of textures are almost limitless and include the cracked mud walls of a tearoom, the uneven weave of antique mosquito nets, the coarse feel of an unglazed pot, and even the worn contours of a tool handle. Textural complexity and randomness are essential elements in wabi sabi, for without them the piece will not truly suggest the arbitrary nature of evolution and devolution.
   
   Design criteria:
   - Rough and uneven
   - Variegated and random
   - Textures formed by natural sporadic processes" (p110)
   
   Where the writing shifts between the traditional and the modern is where some interesting insights into Japanese culture emerge. Though the author has little to no appreciation of contemporary Japanese culture in except where it seems to satisfy aspects of wabi sabi (or exemplify its superiority in contrast).
   
   "A million miles from the "love hotels" and the uncontrolled urban sprawl, tucked away in the back streets of Kyoto, one can find the Tawaraya Hotel, an oasis for the seeker of the quintessential expression of Japanese hospitality. Once could be forgiven for not even noticing the low-level building, as there is little on the outside to suggest the history contained within." (p62)
   
   "It lives on in the simple clean design of the first Sony Walkman, in the austere and sober Ando architecture, and in the handmade pottery that is still a feature of everyday life." (p65)
   
   Where the writing is weakest is when it veers into the polemic.
   
   "As an art based on a philosophy of disciplined non-materialism and nonrationalism, wabi sabi may be able to inject some perspective on the unrestrained hedonism of today." (p97)
   
   This bundling of insights is both useful and higgle-de-piggledy.



3. Of all the wabi sabi books I've attempted to read, this one is the most poorly written. Same old regurgitated information, but written by someone who must have flunked out of their high school English composition class. Sorry, with so many better books out on the subject-at least three-why subject yourself to this gibberish?



4. Although concepts of Wabi Sabi have been around for centuries, it is wryly amusing that no Japanese has ever attempted an analysis. (All the books on this subject seem to be by Westerners with certain orientations.) This is because Zen disdains intellectualism and dismisses rational approaches to satori out of hand. The Japanese logic has always been to avoid the subject, because the very use of prose is to admit one's spiritual failure.
   
   Andrew Juniper has come to satisfy our rational cravings with a cogent, indeed elegant little book. He even attempts a definition of the term on page 51: "Wabi sabi is an intuitive appreciation of transient beauty in the physical world that reflects the irreversible flow of life in the spiritual world. It is an understated beauty that exists in the modest, rustic, imperfect, or even decayed, an aesthetic sensibility that finds a melancholic beauty in the impermanence of all things."
   
   Is not every syllable meaningful? I am very grateful for bi-cultural people who write so well. He explores the nexus between Zen, Japanese culture and wabi sabi in straight forward language that yet remains respectful. He excels at big picture description. "The Universal Spirit of Wabi Sabi" is a short concluding section with prose as jarring as it is graceful.
   
   I am not about to wabi-sabiize my life. Such change is for young radicals. But I do think Westerners as well as Eastern converts to Consumerism should be aware of alternatives that someday may be thrust upon us. There will come a time when planned obsolescence will be regarded as criminal, so you may want to invest a few shares in a good wabi sabi mutual fund. Juniper's book will get you started.



5. I dont know how to put it nicely, but smellpuppies review below couldnt be more off the mark even if he tried.
   
   Wabi Sabi for Artists...etc. is just a teaser compared to this book! W.S. for Artists is a great book to start off with and could be read in a couple of hours.
   
   However Juniper's book delves more into the history of the Tea Ceremony, Zen Buddhism, Modern Art and the philosophy of wabi sabi aesthetics..
   
   Juniper's knowledge is vast and more importantly, insightful. He clearly has a deep understanding of both Western and Eastern worldviews without favoring one or the other.

No comments about Birds: Mini Edition: The Art of Ornithology.

5 comments about Your Career in Animation: How to Survive and Thrive.

1. A fantastic book that gives you concrete areas on which to take action. Both practical and inspirational, this book will help you combat creative inertia. Just buy it...it's way more helpful than a few lattes or a movie ticket plus popcorn...



2. This is a definite keeper. The insights and insider tips, the personal stories and motivational powers of this little book are not to be underestimated. I'm about halfway through and just finished the chapter on "independent animation projects". It's like being reborn, knowing that others have gone through the dark tunnel and sweated their way through personal projects using every spare second they have.
   
   I would recommend this book to anyone needing a motivational boost or info on how to succeed in the animation industry. It's insightful and personal, the latter point being where most of its educational value perspires; especially when giving interview tips, how to play it safe in the workplace, not burning bridges, personalities, choosing which battles to fight and which to lose..
   
   I haven't read anything about samurai jack yet... which im kind of hoping is in the book. still... half of the book to go, so who knows.
   
   thumbs up



3. This is a wonderful book for the starting artist as it will show some incite on the life of an full/freelance employed artist. I state artist as the term animator seems to narrow the field of what and who this book really points at. Read the book make your own option.



4. As an Animator going to SVA in NY, David Levy was my professor. He recommended us to get the book for class. It totally gives you all the great advice and inside look in the animation/film industry, like how he would normally talk to us in class about it, but the book definitely adds more in detail. He is an awesome teacher, great in his field of work and a great author. If it weren't for him and this book, I wouldn't be so confident and in the know on getting a job in my field. Very inspiring and not at all a boring read. There's also advice from other working professionals in the industry in the book.



5. Just finished this book a few days ago, read at a leisurely yet studious pace. Wow! There are so many insightful observations presented in an anecdotal and conversational nature, as opposed to a thesis type structure. This will help me immensely as I segue career-wise into the animation field. Great illustrations throughout too. The author is that rare combination, a gentleman and a scholar. Your Career In Animation will cause you to have many imaginary lightbulbs (ideas) floating over your head in rapid succession. My only complaint is that this book does not come with a highlighter marker. All kidding aside...a great read. Highly reccomended!!!

5 comments about Rackgaki: Japanese Graffiti (with DVD).

1. Very good book covering graffiti in Japan. Wonderful paper choice, nice pictures and a simple yet very usefull DVD that takes you to the spots in question with nice edit! I watched it in my imac with no problems.



2. thought it had great shots and i love the DVD, sweet sounds and great edits. the only thing its not a multi region DVD. I watched it on a little "Colby" dvd player which i entered a code so it plays everything.
   So if you have just a regular DVD player your out of luck, or maybe you should be able to watch it on your PC. Either way I loved it.



3. i go this book the day it came it and was very impressed...i had heard from a relative who lived in japan for about 5 years that japan didn't have much of a writing scene...this book/dvd proves otherwise...the dvd wont play on region 1 players but it worked on my laptop without any problems...this is great for anyone who appreciates the neglected art of the streets



4. the book is great but the DVD is PAL format so unless you have a player that can play European DVDS you wont be watching it.



5. Este libro es una obra de arte, la portada y contra portada son serigrafías a tres colores, y el encuadernado es artesanal, lo que lo hace único.
   
   En sus paginas podremos ver muy buenas fotos de graffiti en Tokio y otras ciudades de Japón, leer entrevistas a writers japoneses y conocer los crew mas importantes.
   
   El dvd es el complemento perfecto al libro, la dirección de fotografía, la edición y la música son de las mejores hechas para este genero.

2 comments about Looking Closer 3, Vol. 3: Classic Writings on Graphic Design (Looking Closer).

1. An excellent text survey, Looking Closer 3 provides an anthology of classic writings on graphic design. This is a 'must' for any who would study the foundations of graphic design theory: it's the first to gather early critical writings from the turn of the century to modern times, grouping rare essays under one cover.



2. This is the latest in a series of books that consist of collections of essays about the theory and practice of graphic design. The essays in the first two volumes were mostly from contemporary sources, particularly the AIGA Journal of Graphic Design. This third, retrospective volume is of even greater value in the sense that it gathers under one cover some of the most important historic writings on design from the late 19th century to the early 1980s, arranged chronologically. It contains over fifty hard-to-find articles by prominent figures in graphic design, among them William Morris, W.A. Dwiggins, El Lissitzky, Varvara Stepanova, Gyorgy Kepes, Alexander Rodchenko, Ladislav Sutnar, Beatrice Warde and Wolfgang Weingart. Graphic designers need to know where they came from, in order to better decide where to go. A substantial contribution to that effort, undoubtedly this is a book that should be on the reading lists of all designers, design students and teachers. (Copyright by Roy R. Behrens from Ballast Quarterly Review, Vol. 15, No. 1, Autumn 1999.)

5 comments about Hot Textiles: Inspiration and Techniques with Heat Tools.

1. I am really enjoying all the ideas and great instructions for techniques packed into this book. I feel I really got my moneys worth with this purchase and will browse through it over and over.



2. This is one of the few books I have bought that I read cover to cover. I can't wait to get started on everything!
   
   There are not step by step directions but there are good descriptions of what to do to achieve each effect. It might not be the book for a beginner. The pictures are wonderful.



3. Although I am not skilled in this type of art, I am a visual artist. This book and the methods shown intrigued me enough that I will try to find a way to incorporate some of the methods and materials into my work.



4. Contrary to the previous reviewer who didn't think Kim Thittichai (Hot Textiles) did a good job on addressing the safety issues...I beg to differ. I'm only on page 27 and so far Ms. Thittichai addresses the safety issue on page(s) 7 (2 paragraphs); pg 10, entire page; pg 12, 1 paragraph; pg. 15, 1 paragraph; pg. 17, warning; pg 24, entire page. I think this is an excellent book which leads the artist into using different mediums and how to safely use each of them. I'd highly recommend this book to someone who has used some of the products as well as someone who is new to working in this textile environment.



5. Lots of innovative fiber techniques are coming out of the UK,
   and this is no exception.
   However, I found some inaccuracies, like MX dyes dyeing polyester
   (doesn't happen), and some downright blatant safety issues ignored.

5 comments about Handbags: The Power of the Purse.

1. Handbags is a light-weight (as in no information on what makes a great handbag great) lots of very good photographs of iconic "classic" and "it" bags. Lovely biographical sketches of taste-making handbag designers and many historical bags and historical details (but not adequate if you are doing historical costumes). One brief sketch of how a very high-quality (Hermes) bag is constructed. All in all a lovely read, though, because of the pictures.



2. Another excellent book on handbags with beautiful photographs and descriptions by designer/historical context.



3. This is a great product because it shows you all the collection of purses that have been made. It has the expensive ones and the wierd ones and how they are made popular.



4. I somehow thought this would be a much larger book. It's quite small in size. Still it's lots of fun to see all the variety of handbags over time. It's a light hearted subject.



5. This book helped my mom and I understand the different handbags out there that are really looked at as high fasion. We are both into fashion and after reading this book, she bought two authentic Hermes birkins - WOW!! - from Haleys Couture Galleria aka hermes galleria and MightyKismet. Both excessively nice ladies. Awesome news for us. We recommend this book as it helps you learn all of the styles out there and is really like one big encyclopedia. Awesome. Thanks.