No comments about Reuters: Our World Now (Reuters).

5 comments about Suburban World: The Norling Photographs.

1. I was somewhat disappointed in this book, only because I grew up in
   Bloomington during the era which Irv Norling depicted. I greatly
   enjoyed the photographs of the city itself and the dated but beloved
   scenes of activities, but found it very disturbing to see so many photographs of traffic fatalities.



2. I lived in Bloomington and was active in the theatre during the years th at Mr. Norling included in his book. I thought there might be some coverage of the theatre so I ordered the book. There was no one I knew in it...so I am returning it.



3. I inherited a love of photography from my uncle, who was a newspaper photographer and collector first of old newspaper photos and in his later life photography and art books. I bought Suburban World because of the cover - great design - and the description of its contents. I wasn't disappointed once it arrived. The greatness of this book has nothing to do with where it was photographed or even the historical aspects; instead, its the excellence of design and reproduction and the contrast between subject matter. With no written explanation (photos are visual, that's all the explanation I need), these photos are just laid out one after another. A murder scene and a happy homemaker and an exploding house and goofy carpet salesmen. Look closely and you can see artistry at work in the layout - visual, not subject, similarities. My favorite kind of photo book, and the foreword by one of my favorite photographers, Alec Soth, seals the deal.



4. What a find. I initially found out about this book because I'm a fan of Alec Soth's photography (he wrote the foreword). I had no real idea what I was getting into with "Suburban World," but now, having paged through it several times, and read the text twice, I can say that this book defines the term "A picture's worth a thousand words."
   
   Most pages feature a single photo, with a simple one-line caption that - thank God - lets the photo tell its own story. The text tells us that Irwin Norling considered himself an amateur, and would never have used the word "artist" to describe himself. That's part of what makes this book so unique and refreshing; the backdrop is evident here and there in some of the portrait photos, they are not cropped or prettified up in any way - the subjects stand alone.
   
   The book is also a chronicle of how a small town becomes a suburb, mostly by virtue of highway construction, and in that sense it's partly a historical showcase. Beyond that, Norling's use of lighting is astonishing - apparently his family would stand around in the dark holding up lamps while he took the photos. I've been staring at some of these photos, for example a wonderful one of a rearing horse, wondering where in the world Norling was when he took the photo.
   
   And the subject matter? Little girls in a civic parade, the mayor and his family eating dinner, gruesome car accidents, a murder-suicide, a girl at her first communion, and on and on. All of life, chronicled without a shred of sentimentality. This book is a gem.



5. Irwin Norling loved to take photos and the 125 in the book are a selection of 10,000 plus he took in and around Bloomington, Minnesota during the fifties and sixties. Fortunately the images are in safe hands with the Minnesota Historical Society. Norling actually worked full-time as a Honeywell engineer so it's quite amazing that he found time to capture so much as a freelance photographer. Brad Zellar explains, in the book's introduction, that the Norling home was rigged with police scanners and his wife and three children all helped with the photographic chores.
   
   Norling would photograph anything in Bloomington and his photos record the expansion of the suburb over the years though this unfortunately is not a strong part of the book's content. I think it's worth stressing that he took photos just for the record, any creative input he left to others.
   
   Interesting though the book is I felt it had several editorial flaws. There are too many page photos that really don't warrant the large size. These are just records and as such four to a page would have been fine and this would allow several images about the same event to be seen together. None of the photos seem to cropped which detracts from their impact. Page eighty-two shows a policeman photographed against a make-shift backdrop in a room, the final print would have been cropped to produce a portrait. Page thirty-four shows a highway accident where at least half of the shot could be trimmed to produce a better horizontal image. Norling kept detailed records of his work but the book makes do with very brief captions.
   
   This is all rather disappointing and if only the editorial had been more rigorous Norling's photos would have made a super book. Interestingly the same publisher has a rather similar book that is quite stunning: Strange Days, Dangerous Nights: Photos from the Speed Graphics Era. It covers three decades of everyday life in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area taken from the archives of two St.Paul papers. Here the photos are well cropped and organized into chapters: crime, accidents, buildings, civic activities for instance and all the photos have long captions which reveal the stories behind what look like, sometimes, rather mundane photos.
   
   Both books basically cover the same thing (and oddly, roughly in the same geographic area) but I don't think the Norling edition realizes the full potential of the material.
   
   ***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.

No comments about Pull My Daisy.

5 comments about Jeanloup Sieff: 40 Years of Photography.

1. Thank You, Jean-Loup.
   Thank you for teaching us about capturing moments and beauty.
   My all time favourite photography book.



2. This book is quite a large body of work. I bought it thinking that it would be mostly nude studies and nudescapes but there were also a lot of other impressive shots that were refreshing in their clarity. I was especially impressed by the unflinching honesty by the photographer, in contrast I am somewhat used to books and magazines that reflect an attitude like: "I'm doing this for the; money, fame, prestige, etc." It is nice to know that artists like Sieff have contributed such a vast and great work of inspiration like this.



3. This book is a great collection of Sieffs' work covering 4 decades. The pictures are great, Sieffs' commentary is just as good.



4. Unfortunatly, I have not had the privilege to view this book, but about another from Jeanloup Sieff which I was fortunate enough to recieve as a birthday gift. This softcover A4 format is unfortunately not among your choices. The subject, "BOUDOIR
   PHOTOGRAPHY". In my opinion, a masterpiece of erotiek sensuality.

   Unfortunately, I have lost this collection of works and so wish to find the same back again.

   When operating my business as a Photographer in Holland (now retired) I had always tried to simulate his work to no avail. I
   shall keep trying, for he has captured the very "ESSENCE" of Womanhood.

   With highest respect to Jeanloup Sieff

   Regards




5. This book is full of painfully beautiful images- I hated to turn the page, but couldn't wait to see what was next! This is definitely one that will have my complete attention time, and time, and time again. As a photographer, it touches me and speaks to me in a way very few books ever have. It's definitely a good source of inspirational "soul food" before I go out on an assignment. I still can't believe the price- it must be a misprint! At twice the price it is still a bargain.

No comments about Marilyn in New York: Photographs by Ed Feingersh.

5 comments about Photoshop 7 Bible, Professional Edition.

1. Well structure for the professional or novice. You'll find yourself looking trough it every chance you get.



2. I must say, as much as this book takes VERY LONG to get through, because I have to stop, try the stuff out myself and really try to understand it, I find myself motivated by Deke's humor. As much as he contradicts himself after saying that he'll be concise in the beginning but half the time he's talking nonsense (funny nonsense that is), you can't blame him. That's his style after all! I have found myself loving the book because I'm always curios to see what silly thing he's going to say next? I love it how he knows when to be serious about the tools and when to make a good joke about it. My favorite has to be the one about using the healing and cloning tools with a picture of a baby's bottom that heals the dents on his forehead.
   Absolutely a good laugh after a painful 1 hour of reading...
   Painful...yes because this is intense, and it's not for a beginner user, and relatively dangerous if you havent been using photoshop for at least half a year if you ask me.
   Otherwise I say go for it, read this book and learn some really advanced stuff, but beware, it's intense to the point you could get tired of learning...



3. This book describes the fine intricacies of all the tools, the filters and the features of Photoshop. Where other books lead you through lessons and tell you to set X tool preference to Y, and you may happily use the Y preference for years without even knowing there is also a Z preference, this book explains all the preferences for all the tools and gives illustrated examples of what the various settings produce.
   
   I wanted to force myself to sit down and read this thing cover to cover to get an in-depth knowledge of everything Photoshop, but after 2 chapters of reading I just couldn't go on in this manner. For me, the best use of this book is as a reference when I have a question about a particular tool or technique. I'll read a few pages to get the particulars, then I put the book back up on the shelf until the next question arises.
   
   This version has lots of nice color plates and paging through it can be inspirational when I'm stuck for a design idea. Especially if I'm burned out on surfing online for ideas.
   
   The one irritating factor about this book is the author's sense of humor interspersed throughout. I understand that he's trying to make a technical subject friendly, approachable and enjoyable, but the humor just comes across as extremely corny. This is a plague I've noticed infecting many of today's authors of software books.
   
   Dear Authors,unless you are absolutely certain that people other than family and close friends consider you funny, please leave the humor out or hire a professional to help. Thank you.
   
   I still give this book highest marks because
   1)it is so absolutely thorough
   2)the author knows his stuff and can communicate it well (even if there is a bit of dorky humor in it) and
   3)since I use it as a reference book, the humor only comes in small, managable chunks.



4. Those who criticized this book as being a poor choice for beginners were unfair. (Why did they buy the Professional Version anyway?) Teaching those first steps to people who are not too familiar with computers in general is a book in itself. This book is perfect for anyone who has mastered even the most basic steps and wants to move far, far beyond.

   I was first exposed to Photoshop only a few weeks ago and after about 2 days of learning the basics using a popular beginner's manual found that the "how to" book had taken me as far as it could go. It was just enough to get me addicted but left me with too many questions.

   I thought that I might have been a bit presumptuous in purchasing the "Professional Version" of the Bible, but as soon as I started reading it quickly discovered that it answered all my questions. I went from page to page saying to myself "oh, so that's how..." and "hey, I was having trouble with this". Amazing! And it is written in language that even a newbie like myself can understand and follow.

   I am still a beginner but I love this book. I can see myself referring to it for years to come.




5. I am shocked by the handful of bad reviews I've seen here. I am going to suppose the bad reviews are written by people whose idea of using Photoshop means applying enough filters until it looks cool. My friends, it's called the "Professional Edition" for a reason; if you would take the time to read the Preface you would find it clearly explained. Deke McClelland is the best Photoshop instructor, period. This book deserves more than 5 stars!

4 comments about A Gun for Hire (Photo Books S.).

1. The Christianity and even more the Islam have abolished to idolize woman as a goddess. However this was the daily use in the Greek, Roman and Egyptian religion (sorry to remember, that the Aztecs tore the heart of young virgins out of the live body). Newton has reversed this development - he told us, to idolize women again. I visited the Helmut Newton exhibition A GUN FOR HIRE in the "Museum for Photography" in Berlin, near the Station ZOO, Jebens-Street 2. Sometimes I thought Newton is cynical, contemptuous against women, emphasizes the power struggle between the sexes too much. After the reading of his autobiography I thought: "What a humorous, witty person! " After having the pleasure to watch the film of his wife on his work, I thought, oh God, I get dizzy by this hand-held shaking camera. After the reading of the museum catalogue A GUN FOR HIRE I always get quiet again. Newton was skilful. He regarded himself as A GUN FOR HIRE self ironically, as an unfortunately rentable killer because of the kind money. But if he had carried out a banal "killer" order with the necessary simple, most childish aesthetics guidelines for any fashion magazine, showing the models in a predefined wardrobe sales beneficially - then he afterwards extended the dialog with a lady in most cases after completion of this obedient work for the capitalist system of the chewing fan heating - then he enlarged the dialog into the direction of more human, erotic, adult and no longer infantile situations, real and no more prudishly, running free experimenting for new emotion and aura. The growing picture collection from the vermiform appendix after that official work peeled out that image, that unique art form, which everyone connects now with the name Helmut Newton - a milestone in the history of photography. Before the visit of the exhibition A GUN FOR HIRE (in the long night of the museums in Berlin, January 2006) I went astray in that nightmare of holocaust stele field in Berlin. Newton had managed to escape from the insanity of the Third Reich. Newton's work could have never resulted under the thumb of any ideology. At first in the private, thereupon in a society, where is the liberty to make something new, it was possible for him, to make what could correctly be described as "making a woman to an idolized goddess" again. A GUN FOR HIRE is the reminding bequest which, shortly before his death, he bequeathed to that town which had dropped him 1938. I hope, that Berlin people (and many more) will awake and learn, what he wanted to show...



2. Highly recommended for anyone who knows Helmut Newton only by reputation. This doesn't show his most graphic work, but it has a nice range of his early editorial photos, fashion campaigns, absolut ads. This book is a great example of showcasing Newton's talent as a photographer. Instead of focusing on his sometimes intense sexual images, this book focuses on the composition, layout and colors his photography had. Don't worry, you Newton-lovers, the sexuality is still here for all to enjoy.
   Newton is one of those photographers whose intense images and reputation can overshadow the actual brilliance of what's important...the photographs. If you are mostly familiar with his black and white photography, the colors in this book will take your breath away.
   Don't be shy, this book will make you appreciate what a true talent Newton was without shocking you.



3. While i like HN work and always pick out his style even if i dont know a particular photograph, this book was downright disappointing. Its like someone assembled pictures which weren't good enough to be included in any of the other (previous) books just to sell it to suckers who will buy anything by HN. However, i absolutely adored the 4 or 5 pics of Monica Belucci and bought the book solely on account of them.



4. While I am always happy to grab a book full of naughty Newtons, it would have been even more wonderful to see the complete series of images that the undisputed master of kinky chic had created for the various euro fashion giants....some campaigns being a one season adventure, while others scandalized for years. The amount of advertising that he shot for french designer Yves Saint Laurent alone ,could easily fill a book. It was the perfect marriage of designer and imagist, followed very closely by Newton's ads for Thierry Mugler's erotically charged fashion fantasies. Sometimes it's hard to tell who came first, Newton or Mugler! In any case, Newton's unique imagry clearly remains unchallenged, even at their most commercial and subtle. The perfectly over groomed mannequins posed ever so precisely to convey roles of power, dominance , discipline, torture, fetishism and erotic menace...are all here. The acres of flawless,palest skin, highest heels, blood red lips, cold, smokey eyes often expressing a complete indifference to anyone looking on. The spectacularly graphic and bold compositions combined with the clever use of the blackest shadows as design devices instantly helps to define a Newton photograph. Many of the images showcasing his legendary wit and black humor, not to mention social and sexual comment.There's an amusing series shot for a calender with wickedly suggestive teenage lolitas posed at the ready in a desolate , dusty desertscape showing newton's playful and light hearted side.....very tongue and chic...and clearly inspired by one of his favorite themes, American Pop Culture. One missed opportunity for an amazing campaign would have been Helmut Newton for Tom Ford's Gucci....I can't imagine a more perfect union: A Newton "driving' a Ford to ecstasy....both men forever fascinated with drama, controversial lust and impossibly decadent glamour. If there was indeed some tests, it would be terrific fun if they ever surface. Paging mr. Ford....

No comments about Wolfgang Tillmans.

5 comments about City of Darkness - Life In Kowloon City.

1. I hate to do this, but other buyers should be aware: I have the July 2005 printing (paperback; the only one available from Amazon) and it has the absolute cheapest, flimsiest glue binding I have ever seen on a book. The cover became detached before I was done looking through it the first time, and now that I have looked through it exactly once, the page sections are starting to fall away from the remaining glue strip. And I am being very careful with it. What a disappointment as the photos are stunning, the text and interviews fascinating, and the quality of the photo pages themselves excellent.



2. This book tells a story of a place most people have never heard of and no longer exists, but was the most densely populated place in the entire world at one point. It does it by well-written text, interviews with people that lived in this one-of-a-kind place, and priceless pictures. Google "The walled city of Kowloon", read up on it, and you won't be able to resist getting this book.



3. the book offers great insight in the extreme circumstances under which people lived in the kowloon walled city. superb photografic material covering a wide aspect of the city and relevant text. a must for people interested in urban vernacular architecture.



4. Everyone who I have ever shown this book to has had a deep reaction to it. I wouldn't handicap this book by calling it a photography book alone, although the photos are very powerful and prominent, but the text deserves recognition aswell. Plenty of personal stories of how people made this decaying city their home. Both epic and intimate. A testament of the human animal's ability to adapt and thrive. Thank god the authors got in to Kowloon before its destruction to create this book.
   
   Also, as a side note: Any artist wanting reference material for decaying urban sprawl, look no further. This book makes for great city or science fiction reference, with unbelievable details (electrical boxes, pipes, hallways, stairwells, etc...)



5. I was born in Hong Kong and lived in the Walled City for 2 years with my mother when I was 10. Love the photos, history, and facts about the walled city, bring back lots of memories.

5 comments about Scrapbook Borders, Corners & Titles (Memory Makers).

1. I was hoping this book had more pizzazz to it, but was disappointed in the majority of the boarders. The instructions and the templates were very well written, but not a book for the beginner for certain. I just thought the book was dull.



2. I'm new to scrapbooking so got this book for ideas. There were few interesting ideas but...
   1) Required too many tools and supplies that I didn't have (I already have several hundred $s worth of tool and supplies).
   2) Too many steps! The design process seemed too complex. It seemed like it'd take me an hour just to get the first 5 steps done, let alone the remaing 15 steps.
   3) The designs weren't to my taste. I thought lot of the designs seem to "folksy" or too busy looking. I prefer more clean and "modern" look.
   Overall, I found the book to be more discouraging to a new scrapbooker like me than inspiring.



3. I like scrapbooking but am not interested in this book. I bought based on the descriptions and reviews. Very disappointed in that most of the pages, if not all, have something too thick on them. I like my pages to lay flat and not bulk up my albums. Cute ideas for framing or displays... but a lot of the best parts don't lay flat enough for me and my scrapbook albums. Lots of techniques are shown, but many are also too time-consuming or too involved or, as other said, require too many different materials/tools (thus cost too much) for me. I want cute and quick. Precious yet balanced with my time and effort.



4. This is a great book for scrapbooking. I have several scrapbooks, and this book is my favorite. The pages are so nicely done, and each page comes with directions, and a supply list of materials you will need to complete the project.



5. This book has a bit of basic information on tools and supplies and then has a section on each season showing different borders, corners and titles for each one. The ideas are unique and instructions are given with photos on how to complete each one. I think it is a worthwhile book.