5 comments about Photography and the Art of Seeing: A Visual Perception Workshop for Film and Digital Photography.

1. This is not a basic how-to book for beginning photographers. It doesn't teach you about f-stops, shutter speeds, or the rule of thirds. What it does do is try to teach you new ways of looking at things, and how to actually see what you're looking at.
   
   I've been a photographer for many years, and I found my inspiration and creativity fading. I picked up this book as a reference for a seminar I was giving and fell in love with photography all over again. I feel excited again while I'm taking photos, and I feel that I'm creating art for me, not for others, and I love it.
   
   I highly recommend this book for experienced photographers and beginners alike. Don't buy it for the photography lessons, buy it for the inspiration.



2. I expect that many people will want a book that has nice photos and a couple of dozen rules to follow to improve their photos and even to make photography easier. This is *not* such a book.
   
   Instead, Patterson explains many, many visual relationships and perhaps surprises you by writing that by following strict rules of composition you will *not* take better photos. Regardless, he gives you many insights that, with a lot of observation and practice, will lead you in the right direction.
   
   If you are prepared to start a significant journey toward improving your photography, this is a great book. It will help you toward achieving visual harmony in your work. If you want to hear "the rule of thirds" repeated and the merits of hyperfocal distances discussed, something else will suit you much better.



3. This book has given me the opportunity and the means to change a bad habit, and hopefully begin to see without labels. Had a lot of fun studying childrens art, an eye opener.



4. Freeman tries to get photographers to break out of their ways, to look at the world with different eyes, to question old habits. This is a good thing, in my opinion. But does he succeed?
   
   I can only answer this from my own perspective: Yes, the book gives me impulses to try out different perspectives than the ones I'm used to.
   
   The writing is fluent and to the point. The images underline the points in the text. I like many of them, even though they seem unspectacular at first. The printing quality could be better, though. I ordered the book together with two volumes by John Shaw ("Focus on Nature" and "The Field Book to Nature Photography", both Amphoto Books), and those are printed much better, with more contrast and color saturation.
   
   Still, a recommended book for anyone who likes taking photos and would like to explore new grounds.



5. I wrote a review as follows: 'Anyone can take a picture of a hot dog. If this photographer took a picture of a hot dog you would smell the french fries, hear the ocean, and taste the salt water taffy. The author offers the reader a chance to see the world through his eyes.
   
   Then I looked through the book more closely. On page 137 I saw a picture that disgusted me. When I read what he wrote about the subject, I became angry. He wrote, "This photograph captures a moment in the life of a child, and suggests innocence. The little girl had withdrawn from her playmates on the beach; she wanted to be alone. She was crying a little. When I came along, she hid her face to preserve her privacy. I quickly made this picture and left. Note that the expanse of rocks and the girl's small space in the composition strengthen the sense of her privacy."
   
   The picture is of a naked little child who was hiding her face crying and trying to turn away from the man taking her picture with his camera. It is only my opinion, but I think this man is greatly lacking in respect of human dignity.
   
   I am sorry I put money in his pocket. I hope no one else will.

2 comments about Helen Levitt.

1. I ordered 5 copies of this book! It was such a pleasure to see all the new images that have never been published. I love Evans forward (brief but articulate), and to see the genius of Levitt through the years makes this my favorite book to date in 2008! I couldn't recommend it more!



2. Always thought Helen Levitt's photography was excellent, so I ordered this book. Upon receiving it I found two pages to be bent back at the corners, badly crimped. So, I returned it asking that a second copy be sent along with the reason I was returning it.
   
   When the second copy arrived, it also had pages damaged & bent. Both had still been in the shrinkwrap, so it was something that apparently had happened during the production process of the book itself.
   
   After the second copy was also damaged, I just asked Amazon to credit me back a refund. It's a hassle packing the book up twice, printing out return labels on the computer twice, taking it down to the post office twice (gas is $3.18 a gallon). One might think if Amazon really cared about customer service they would have taken a look at the second copy before shipping it to me, knowing the first copy was damaged.
   
   I'll pick one up at a bookstore.
   
   Ron Evans / Charlottesville, Virginia

5 comments about In the Blink of an Eye Revised 2nd Edition.

1. This is NOT a "how to" book for what some students may be looking for, but it is however, the best book I've read on the "ART" of editing. Insightful and well written, it helped me to really understand when to make a cut that works and when to avoid those that don't work. I would recommend it to all my friends who are editors.



2. This book was required reading for my editing film class in LA. I had little editing experience and needed a book to improve my editing. THIS BOOK IMPROVED MY EDITING by 200%!!! I learned where, when, how, and why to make a cut, dissolve, etc. I learned something new in every chapter and highlighted lots!!!
   
   P.S. This book is clear, concise, and easy to read.



3. One frame out of place can make all the difference. This book gives you the tools you'll need to approach editing like the pro's. "Blink of an Eye" is mandatory reading at the NW Film Centers' School of Film in Portland, OR... it's that good.



4. This book was a required reading for my national university on-line class in digital video editing. The book is a short read that can be accomplished in two sittings. I read the second part of the book on digital editing first, as I have been editing for the past 10 years and have made the leap from analog to digital, myself. Murch relates the changes from a professional's point of view. He compares analog versus digital editing He outlines how the workflow of the editor and, indeed, the whole industry, as filmmaking is such a collaborative art, is changing due to the inevitable transition to a totally digital medium. I read the first part of the book next. Smartly, this saved the best for last as his most profound advice for editing is contained in the middle of the text, at the end of part one. Here he explains a moment in editing when he understood the essence of his editing choices on a particular movie, thus revealing the title of the book. This is a gem of a read for anyone interested in the working mind of a seasoned editor. I recommend it to film fans, students, and anyone interested in getting into the industry professionally.



5. Whether you have a passing fancy with movie editing, or just want to understand the anatomy of one of our greatest media achievements, you will like this book.
   
   It is brief, clear and drops you into the world of film in a blink of an eye.

5 comments about Mixed Emulsions: Altered Art Techniques for Photographic Imagery.

1. This book turned out to be much deeper into mixing media in art than it seemed to be at first. It will be a great experience to try more of them.



2. Though I am able to make a lot of different crafts as I've been a teacher in France during several years, and author of one book released in 1999 in French, I precise, I always had problems with using photos in my crafted items, as I often had very bad surprises. That's why I bought this book, to learn, to know more about working on and around photos.
   I also like to find something different and original, not always the same "how to do this or that", and I must admit I learned new things with this book, it made work my imagination, it is original, we feel the author knows her stuff very well, but there are also other artists' creations, and it is really very well explained, even for beginners.
   So, I recommend this book which is, I think, useful, even absolutely necessary in any crafter's studio or home.
   Yael
   "Une Nouvelle Vie Pour Vos Objets" Authors : Yael Bolender and JP Delpech, Didier Carpentier Publisher on Amazon Canada and France



3. This is a great book, full of inspiration for anyone who is looking to dabble in altered photographic imagery. Written by Angela Cartwright (if you've never seen the Sound of Music shame on you), the book contains very generous amounts of ideas and tips for your next altered project. There are some images from other artists as well, such as C.W Slade, Claudine Hellmuth and Traci Bautista to name a few. Even if you're not interested in altered imagery, buy it for the art work within it. Worth every cent and wait to cross the oceans to get here..



4. Angela gives a raw honest instructions that are easy to read & achieve your own results. A great buy



5. I LOVE this book! I buy a lot of artist's books ... altered this-and-that, how-to books, etc. This one does not give much actual step-by-step instruction, which I consider an advantage. It gives you the ideas, beautiful examples, the supplies you need to achieve a similar outcome, and assumes that you have enough adventurous spirit to dive in and try it. This is one of the few books that I have read through, cover-to-cover, and can't wait to try almost every technique the author suggests.

5 comments about The Photoshop Elements 5 Book for Digital Photographers (VOICES).

1. I own many editions of books written by Scott Kelby. They are easy to follow, and I've learned a lot.



2. From time to time you need a guide to edit your photograph, regardless how experience you are. This book allows you to achieve a professional result for an old black-and white photography, as well for color photography - just follow the instructions that are easy as 1,2,3.



3. Photoshop Elements 5 by Scott Kelby has some great features. First let me say I have only gotten to the third chapter before Amazon asked for a review.The "Good" is that this book is very easy to follow. Mr. Kelby has laid out the instructions so a first timer can easy follow them. Not only that, but he has created a web site where you can download the examples he uses in the book. This is fantastic and much appreciated touch!You do the corrections just as he does and learn by doing. The "Bad" is that it took me an hour to figure out how to download into "Elements" (my fault?...maybe I am 66 and may be slow on details).
   The ugly is that some moves are either not explained in enough detail or Adobe has released several versions of Elements 5 w/ very small changes which don't correspond to the book.
   What you really want to know, would I recommend this book? YES WHOLEHEARTEDLY!!!



4. This book is an excellent tool for an amateur digital photographer who is new to PhotoShop but willing to make the best use of it. It is a course that takes the reader step by step via all of the program's features and links them together in order to make them useful.
   This book is worth it's price!



5. This book is so great. It's straightforward. It doesn't go into general Photoshop ideas - it's about specific things you want to do to your photos. It says "Sharpening" and has several things to do to sharpen your photos. Each method has clear and to the point directions. The author adds his two cents saying which method usually works better and other such things. The best part is that it's straightforward and easy to flip to any page if you want something done specifically - you don't have to go looking through paragraphs and paragraphs to find what you want. This method is great because you may flip through the book and find something new you may not have searched for or thought about before. It's great :)

5 comments about Atlas of Human Anatomy for the Artist (Galaxy Books).

1. I am an art student who wanted a guide to the human body. I could not be happier with "Atlas of Human Anatomy" because of the detailed illustrations combined with easy to grasp sketches. The written sections are not extremely long, and while they do delve into technical language that can be difficult, it is overall all well balanced with the illustrated elements. I find both sides important, and as a comprehensive resource on the human body for the artist, I highly recommend "Atlas of Human Anatomy for the Artist".
   I can only say that it has helped me tremendously.



2. My professor/adviser of art advised me to get this.
   
   It was great advice :D



3. This book surprised me. I already have several dozen books on art anatomy, but Peck's book has more. He goes into expressions, cultural and age distinctions, and locomotion. Is this the only book you'll need in studying anatomy, probably not. But each book you get on the subject, and study (NOT JUST COLLECT) will hone your visual memory until drawing the figure becomes second nature. Note: Study means putting time and effort on that drawing pad!!! Also, nothing beats drawing from life or imagination! These books are to supplement these areas.



4. This book is a cheap and good reference for beginning figure drawers. The diagrams are fairly clear but some of the hand-drawn references get confusing.



5. I bought this book on the account of the positive reviews here. A part of me regrets buying this book because I expected a figure drawing book. It isn't. It's a reference to human anatomy and I guess half if not most of the book is useful. I just can't give it 4 or 5 stars because Mr. Peck uses more words than visual diagrams to explain how the body moves and where fat develops. The section about fat is purely textual. It would have been better if there's a diagram of an average person overlaid with outlines where fat develops.
   
   I still use it to supplement Joseph Sheppard's Drawing the Living Figure though.
   
   I ordered Anatomy of Movement by Blandine Calais-Germain and I hope the high reviews of that book reflect its actual quality.
   
   I guess it's true that there is no one-stop shop book on anatomy and figure drawing. An artist must have access to a library - personal or otherwise - to learn from.
   
   Again, Mr. Peck's book in my opinion doesn't deserve 4 or 5 stars but if you do buy it, you won't regret it as much as let's say buying an anatomy book authored by Christopher Hart (blech).

5 comments about Photoshop CS3 for Nature Photographers: A Workshop in a Book (Tim Grey Guides).

1. As a web designer I've been using Photoshop professionally for years. I've also worked on lots of photographs, both my own and those I've gotten from clients. I don't need a how to book on layers, cropping and levels. I've got a good understanding of the basic Photoshop tools, and have benefitted from Scott Kelby's Photoshop CS for Photographers. But Kelby's book is a recipe book both useful and well presented, but I want more.
   
   What I want to do now is take my own photography to another level. Past a certain point, improving becomes less a matter of collecting tricks and recipes and more a matter of learning the entire workflow from experts. For that a basic how-to cookbook is no longer of much use to me. I could probably spend a lot of time working out a good workflow and set of procedures through trial and error, but why not take advantage of the experience of those who have already taken the art of nature photography editing to a high place?
   
   Enter Photoshop CS3 for Nature Photographers. As one reviewer has stated, much of the introductory Photoshop material is covered in other books, but not in quite the same way. Photoshop has many tools, each of which has many settings and options. It's perfectly possible to be familiar with one tool or filter in one context and not realize that it can be used in combination with another tool to achieve a completely different result. I once read that when Einstein proposed his theory of relativity maybe three people in the world understood it. I wonder if more than three people in the world completely understand all of what can be done with Photoshop. What I was looking for and found here is an expansion of my Photoshop horizons, a deeper exploration of the art and science of nature photography and photo editing.
   
   Anon and Grey offer an excellent look over the shoulder of experts in both practice of nature photography and in the use of Photoshop as a digital darkroom. I can't emphasize strongly enough how helpful that approach is for someone who has some Photoshop chops or who has used the program for another end and who wants to get great results with nature photos. Their workflow is time tested and produces excellent results
   
   And nature photograph editing benefits from following a slightly different approach from that of product photography, with which I have some experience, portraiture, photojournalism and so on. Again, I'm struck with how specific and helpful the presented workflow, and the mindset that using such a workflow creates is. And placing editing in context with a specific photographic goal informs my picture taking too.
   
   I recommend this book to anybody interested in nature photography who has at least some experience with Photoshop, though a dedicate beginner could work through the introductory phases with this volume. For someone who has used Photoshop in another context and wants to expand into the nature photography realm this book is brilliant.



2. I was skeptical of getting a CS3 book since most of the ones I've perused were a bit much, relying on adept knowledge on CS2. This book, however, has been so easy to read and understand, I can't put it down!
   It has a wealth of how-tos and information on effective photoshop CS3 editing. Highly recommended!



3. I bought this book based on several positive reviews and also because of the focus on "nature photography". I was not displeased with it, but I was kind of disappointed. Most of the techniques given were stuff that could be found in almost any of the "how-to" books on Photoshop. Mostly it was just workflow, and workflow for nature photography vs other types of photography is not so different that a whole book can (or should) be written about it. On the bright side, I did pick up a couple of tips and techniques that I hadn't seen in other books. I was also pleased to note that the authors drew a distinction between documentary nature photography and nature photography to "make a pretty picture". They feel that so long as the photograph is not said to be representational of a moment in time, there's nothing wrong with compositing and modifying it to make it more aesthetically pleasing or artistic. Some of the resulting compositions are fabulous, and capture the "mood" of a scene beautifully. Since most readers of this book are likely to be shooting for their own pleasure primarily, this was good information.
   
   Bottom line - if you have other Photoshop CS3 "how-to" books, you can pass this up, as there's virtually nothing that hasn't been told many times over. But, if you're fairly new to PS, focus primarily on landscape and/or nature, and are only going to invest in a couple of "how-to" books, then go ahead and get this one.



4. I gave this book as a gift, so I am quoting the recipient:
   "The book gives a clear, well-written overview of both basic and advanced photoshop techniques geared toward editing nature photographs. One of the strenghts of the book is that it presents the differing views and techniques of two seasoned and highly skilled photographers. The explanations are clear, and the book proceeds logically through the various steps associated with the tools and features of photoshop CS3. A special treat are the beautiful photographs that illustrate the techniques discussed in the book. The methods presented by the authors are not necessarily limited to nature photography, and can be applied to a broad range of photographic subject matter. Very highly recommended."



5. This is a phenomenal book for PS use - I'm sorry I had already bought other books. I'll probably never look at those other books again, and will end up selling them.

5 comments about The Camera (Ansel Adams Photography, Book 1).

1. While the writer is no longer with us, the book on cameras is a great find for anyone interested in 35mm photography.



2. I got into photography about 3 years ago (digital) and read through about 2 dozen glossy "authoritative" books. None of which could explain the basics to relate ISO/fStop/Speed in a way that didn't assume you already knew what they were.
   
   Most of the book relates to Large Format which may at first seem a bit off-putting to a novice, but after a few pages you'll see how it doesn't matter whether you're using an 8x10 antique or a digital point and shoot. The way they work is the same.
   
   Ansel does an EXCELLENT job explaining the mechanics of light and photography while assuming the reader has some intelligence, makes it very accessible to everyone.
   
   Get this book. Recommend it to all your photography friends. Get the next book "The Negative". You won't need to buy any other books. period.



3. ...and even with a DSLR, you can learn a lot from Adams. One can only wonder how much fun he'd have using a nice DSLR and Photoshop! I read this book in Photography class 12 years ago and I'm happy I bought it again. A must for all serious, student, amateur, professional, hobbyist photographers!



4. The Master giving us his own perspective and insight, in his own words. Get it and enjoy. :)



5. Adams' collection is a necessity for anyone who loves photography, either amateur or professional. We must understand the process of black and white photography in this intimate sense first and foremost.

5 comments about Exposure and Lighting for Digital Photographers Only (For Only).

1. I am a professional photographer and bought this book thinking it was more technical.
   In my opinion this book is geared to the amateur enthusiast who wants to take their photography to the next level.
   
   The main difference between and average photo and a photo that just pops is lighting. So many photographers make the mistake in thinking they need the latest and greatest dSLR or a new lens or whatever.
   
   This book shows the importance of lighting and how to achieve certain styles. For someone that has never dealt with lighting, this book is perfect for them.
   
   This book does deal with mostly digital photography. For the person that said it doesnt...All I can say is where is the chapter on light meters? There is none. Instead the author focuses on using the histogram found in most digital cameras to determine if your exposure is correct.
   
   Overall, I didnt learn anything new but I think its a great book for someone wanting jump up to intermediate status.



2. Exposure and Lighting for Digital Photographers only
   reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher, Olathe, KS: (dreric1kansas@aol.com)
   
   Authors: Michael Meadhra and Charlotte K. Lowrie
   Strengths: Brilliant photographs highlight the tutorials and techniques. Nicely written and easy to understand. Good helpful Q&A tips (questions and answers) at end of each chapter. Easy to read and understand.
   Weaknesses: I would prefer to see the chapter numbers at the top of the page as are the titles for section/ parts.
   
   Novice/Intermediate/Advanced
   
   Rating: 5/5
   
   Introduction
   
   When most people used film cameras, it was essential to use the basics to attain good photographs. Since automation has arrived, this has become less a factor if you want just take photographs. But to produce better photos, one needs to use the elements of the camera in ways that will produce better results. Working with the lighting, exposure and more are part of the process to upgrade your skills. A great book that helps you improve your skills in a variety of ways is Exposure and Lighting for Digital Photographers only.
   
   The focus of the books starts with the authors and have written a book that has breadth and depth to the main topic. Michael Meadhra is commercial artist focusing on creative light effects. Charlotte K. Lowrie is a professional photographer, publisher of camera and photography books and former manager for MSN Photos. They have melded their efforts into producing a very readable and authoritative book dealing with two essential variables for photography: exposure and lighting.
   
   wiley stuff in some books
   The book is divided into four parts and 15 chapters. A multitude of nice photographs help illustrate points outlined by the authors. The authors also employ a series of highlighted noted which are highlighted throughout the chapters. These are entitled: Pro Tip (learning about photography) ; Note (terms, vocabulary and related insights) ; X-ref (points to other areas of the book to find further information). Q & A (questions and answers), at the end of each chapter, target specific techniques that can be utilized. Finding information within the chapters is aided by numbers (in green) on the outside of the left page, in the the very nice index and the glossary. The "normal eye" naturally looks at the top of the pages, first, and then works their way down. With the chapter in the middle takes extra time and is a little bit of distraction. I would prefer to see these numbers at the top as are the titles for section/ parts of the book which are outside top of the right hand page ( would have liked to see the number of the section there too). A little ideas for the next version of the book perhaps?
   
   Part 1, "Painting With Light" addresses nature of light. Learning about color of light and humans perceptions helps the understanding of the science of light. White balance is also covered.
   
   "What's Your Exposure", Part 2, main focus is the other part of the title, exposure. The intricacies of balancing exposure are noted along with how to obtain the best photo. Measuring light with your camera and other exposure devices are explained. The authors explain about the Zone System and how to use it integrate with digital photography. I really like the photo examples in this chapter. The note (p.50) entitled "The Digital Image Sensor is like a Sponge" is well done
   
   Part 3, "Put A Little Light On The Subject" keys on tool and utility use. Light systems and controlling the light intensity influence the tutorials here.
   
   Part 4, "Lighting and Exposure for Specific Subjects", has information about the different types of lighting and how to deal with them. Portraits, natural-light and also less known lighting terms (loop, butterfly, rembrant) are nicely introduced and explained.
   
   Conclusions
   
   There is a lot to "chew on" in this book. Novice,new to digital photography, may also find this book useful but they will have to learn about their camera first. This is a guide and tutorial for exposure and lighting and does not explain how to use your camera. Not only do you gain an understanding about light and exposure's intricacies but the authors nicely communicate and assist you along the way. This book is best for the intermediate photographer but the advanced user may also enjoy it by learning some new tricks. Since I am in these categories, this book will be used in my photography library now and in the future.



3. I am trying to advance my photography skills (from novice) and I found this book to be very helpful. It covers everything I was looking for.



4. This book was an easy read, and the 368 pages flew by. The writing style is good, smooth, and the book is well edited for grammar and spelling. The sections on lighting were well executed, and seemed complete enough. The authors' description of the various types of lights, meters, reflectors, etc was good and included when and how to use them throughout the book. The construction quality of the book is very good. Nice color photographs throughout.
   
   The exposure sections, which make up the bulk of the book, were simply not practical. First, this book wouldn't work for a beginner because the authors failed to start on square one. They assumed prior knowledge of subjects, rules, and referred to them without any additional explanation.
   
   Conversely, if you are well read on the topic of photography, I don't feel like the authors brought anything new to the table. What sets this book apart from the others?
   
   Next, the authors pointed out roughly 10-12 "rules of thumb" throughout the book, like increasing exposure compensation +1 or +2 stops for snow photos.
   
   While the rules of thumb are valuable, it truly becomes "rule by exception", instead of taking one or two applicable rules that always hold true, they give you 12 rules that apply to 12 different situations. Good luck remembering those!
   
   The book has an obvious reoccurring cliche that gets boring after awhile. This central repeated theme is:
   
   1. Shoot RAW.
   2. Use exposure bracketing.
   3. Default camera metering modes don't always work, spot meter in that case.
   4. Use exposure compensation when necessary.
   5. Supplement available light, if possible.
   
   Better books are available on the subject.
   
   I'd highly recommend "Complete Digital Photography" by Ben Long, especially the chapters on Exposure and Metering. They are both really strong chapters.
   
   Complete Digital Photography, Fourth Edition (Graphics Series)
   
   Another good book, although mostly for beginners, is "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson.
   
   Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition)



5. This book does bring something more to the novice that I am in photography and that in a concise way. I would strongly recommend it to those just starting to learn how to make better shots in a more professional way

4 comments about Real World Adobe Photoshop CS3 (Real World).

1. There's nothing else out there that comes even close to this book as an encyclopedic reference to Photoshop CS3. Losing Bruce Fraser is a terrible blow to all of us who've relied for decades on his ability to make complicated subjects understandable, but David Blatner is keeping up the tradition and it appears that Conrad Chavez is a valuable addition to the lineup.
   
   The chapter on color settings in this book is worth the price of admission all by itself. If you do serious work with CS3 you NEED this book. Sit down and read it all the way through, highlight revealing passages, and make notes on the blank parts of the front pages. When you finish you'll have the whole story at your fingertips. Like most CS3 users I work with a subset of Photoshop most of the time, but when I'm faced with an unusual problem I can dive into this book and come up with the solution in a minute or two. Once you've done your homework on the book you won't want to be without it.



2. Very in-depth explanation of Photoshop CS3. A lot more detailed and advanced than most Photoshop books. This is really a resource or reference book and not a book that you can just sit down and read through like Scoot Kelby's book on CS3 for digital photographers, but it is far more informative and in-depth than Kelby's book.



3. Excellent book for those wanting to set up colour workflows. In depth explanations based on practicle applications. This is not a step by step guide for those wanting to learn photoshop



4. THE 'owner's manual' for this incredible program. Particularly scholarly on color fundamentals, layer masks, adjustment layers, adjustment curves, blend modes, channels, digital workflow and shortcuts. You will see how most of this list is really a journey into masks. Treatment focuses on science of optimizing photographs, not special effects. Contains recurring praise for the late Bruce Fraser, and even Adobe's commemorative easter egg for Bruce. This and possibly a special effects book by Scott Kelby is all you need.