5 comments about Nash Editions: Photography and the Art of Digital Printing (VOICES).

1. I found this book to be quite a good read, but it should looked at as a historical work first. However the amount of text in this book is a lot less than you might expect, probably less than 50% of the book is written material. The remainder consists of wonderful prints from many artists.
   
   I did enjoy it, but it should be purchased understanding the odd format, a few essays, all well written. With many prints, not all are photographs. The Wilhelm essay on history of print longevity is especially good.



2. The history of digital photography has twists and turns, and the Nash Editions book gives us a record of some of the key events. Worth reading, and the images are splendid.



3. With respect to the nature of this book's content and message Eric Burrows' review title hit the nail on the bean: "Not how to do it but how it happened". Don't buy this book with the expectation of learning technical tricks for printing. Rather, "Nash Editions; Photography and the Art of Digital Printing" is a retrospective look at the pathfinding inkjet printing work of Mac Holbert and Graham Nash. The book actually consists of several essays by various authors, including Mr. Archival Permanence himself, Henry Wilhelm.
   
   I found this book to be a fascinating stroll down the relatively short (to-date) path of fine art inkjet printing. But I also found it strangely inspiring. After spending a couple of hours with this book I felt compelled to devote even more effort to my own printing.



4. Nash Editions deserves all credit for kick starting the fine-art/inkjet revolution but I'm not sure this book adds much to what is already well known. For sure there's lot of great images herein, but the presentation is a bit sloppy. We hear the same story over again from multiple participants and (in my copy at least) the more interesting narration from Holbert ends mid sentence. If you're interested in the history of the inkjet, this is a book you'll have to have but the lack of care/thought in its presentation does seem a little like exploitation.



5. Just a few years ago the terms "art" and "inkjet print" weren't tolerated in communal context. Now, as with many media evolutions, sensibilities have to a large degree changed. One of the forces instrumental in altering the art community's entrenched mindset against the inkjet process has been a small digital fine-art inkjet photography studio by the name of Nash Editions. Through the collaborative pioneering of a handful of deep-pocketed, influential, and very determined artistic entrepreneurs, Nash Editions helped develop, refine, and establish broad acceptance for the digital fine-art inkjet printing. This is their story.
   
   At first blush this lavishly printed (and expensive) book promises a consuming elegance that sweeps you away. It has star power too, with one of the leading personalities none other than Graham Nash of Crosby, Still & Nash fame. It also includes rich and very personal histories of the birth and labored growth of the digital printing service company, of permanence in various photographic media, and of photography itself as a medium of expression. The book also includes images by a broad selection of visual artists spread throughout in an eclectic smorgasbord.
   
   But there are a few elements that detract somewhat from the book's rich objectives. With several authors contributing, certain parts of the story get repeated - several times in fact - and the tone at times begins to sound slightly obsequious and self-lauding, to the point that one is led to the impression that Nash Editions (the company) was pretty much the sole entity that dragged digital printing from practically nothing in the early 1990s to it's high level of sophistication and acceptance today. While Nash Editions can certainly claim historic "firsts" in several categories within the digital printing revolution, a thoughtful person might wonder if there weren't just a few other significant contemporaries working toward the same goals. And on a purely technical note, one of the sections of the book ends in the middle of a paragraph, leaving the reader guessing as to the intended conclusion; perhaps a little tighter editing would have been helpful.
   
   So, should you buy this book? Yes, if you're a photographic artist interested in the history of the digital printing process or the concept and science of photographic media permanence. And of course it will serve too as visual stimulation and a contemporary two-dimensional artwork study; one can learn a great deal by looking carefully at other artist's work.

3 comments about Paris Then and Now (Then & Now).

1. Beautifully explained and portrayal of one of the world's finest city.
   I really enjoyed learning more about places I had visited while in Paris.



2. Anyone who has come to know and love central Paris--the 'theme park' areas that capture its historical essence--will find this book charmingly evocative. In the sense of being able to revisit those places, many of them typical tourist attractions, the book is satisfying. The problem of not duplicating the precise angle and POV of the original 'then' photographs, raised by another reviewer, is relatively trivial and technical. The 'now' shots capture their subjects well. No photographer will 'see' a scene, place or person the same way and from an aesthetic standpoint the 'now' photos are satisfying and professionally executed, and book production is first rate.
   If one had to carp, and that's what a review is for in part, one might wonder why the authors did not take the opportunity to broaden their canvases slightly to include 'then' paintings--such as the paintings executed from the balloon's-eye view conceived during the 1871 siege of the city (able to be seen today at the brilliant Le Bourget Musee de L'Air et de L'Espace) vs. 'now' photographs, for example to illustrate the notable Peripherique, and to compare previously fallow pieces of the city 'then' vs. their current situations, such as, for example, the stunning La Defense structures.
   All in all, however, for what it is, the book is pleasing and will bring back many happy memories to Francophiles. Of course there are innumerable books of photos covering Paris, and naturally there are favorite places not covered in this book or not handled the way the individual reader might like, but on the whole this is a workmanlike job that captures its subject competently.
   (Apologies to readers who will note, correctly, the absence of appropriate French accents in this review--not offered by Amazon's word processing system.)



3. 
   
   Paris is, I think, the second most beautiful city in the world (full disclosure: I live in Rome, which is tops in my book) and so I was eager to take a look at this book when I saw it at a friends' house.
   
   I was already familiar with the Then and Now series after receiving the Rome edition of the book for Christmas, and after seeing this book I can only conclude that what I had chalked up as weaknesses in the Rome book may just be faults in the series.
   
   The central idea for the book is charmingly simple: the left-hand pages feature old photos of some of Paris' best-known spots, and the right-hand side of each page is made up of modern shots of the same sites.
   
   The biggest problem is hard not to notice: the angles of the photos on the right are very often not taken from the same angle as the older images. I found this to be so puzzling as to be irritating. I think it shows a lack of planning on the part of the book's editors, and it also robs the reader of being able to make a complete comparison between the way things were and the way they are -- a process that is the book's very raison d'être.
   
   I admit my patience for such sloppiness had already been tried with the Rome book, but the sins seem even greater here.
   
   I also rue the absence of a table of contents listing the photographs in order, another weakness that now appears to be a characteristic of the series.
   
   I'm not sure how likely these issues are to be solved in future editions, since by my count nearly 30 photos would have to be re-shot in order to solve the largest problems. But if the editors would like to release a book that reaches this volume's potential, they'd better get snapping.

No comments about Michal Chelbin: Strangely Familiar.

5 comments about Earthsong.

1. The book has the most amazing photographs that truly celebrate the Earth. I would highly recommend this work of art. It's spectacular and I'm certainly glad I purchased it.



2. Edmaier takes us to a variety of isolated and relatively unpopulated areas for some terrific aerial photos of our planet. We see water, ice, tundra, glaciers, sandy deserts, volcanoes, coasts, grassland, and forests. And Jung-Huettl's descriptions of what we are seeing are nicely done.
   
   The overall effect is eerie, as if the Earth were uninhabited (by our species, at least) and we humans were looking the place over and trying to decide if we wanted to visit it, live there, or try someplace else.
   
   In any case, the photographs are marvellous and show plenty of detail. If I were writing a book on planetary science, I'd want to use a couple of these photos for the section on our little world.



3. I was really looking forward to receiving and reading this book - I had looked at it in the stores but it was plastic wrapped and, therefore, I could not see what was inside. However, once I had received it from Amazon and opened it, my eager anticipation gave way to annoyance and disappointment. The photographs of the earth from above are, indeed, spectacular and of the highest quality, BUT Edmaier has used (or appears to have used) the same (or variations of the same) photographs over and over again - even though the book is supposed to have four distinct themes, Aqua, Barren, Desert and Green. I own several books published by Phaidon and have been impressed beyond expectation with every one of them - not this time. I considered the book price to be reasonable until I opened it - now I feel as if I have been ripped off! With over 220 pages, I expected in the region of 150-200 different photographs. Yes, the photographs are different but most of them are just different views of the same subject - not what I expected at all. Overall, a nice coffee table book, but far too expensive for what you actually get. Very disappointing!



4. This is a beautiful book--incredible photography, carefully printed. There is a printing flaw on page 26.



5. This is a book that one must see to truly appreciate. I came across it in a store and began to browse because it looked as though it was a collection of spectacular works of modern art. The realisation that it was an album of aerial photographs only made it more compelling. There are many images that are breathtaking in their own right but the effect of combining them into a planetary photo essay is nothing short of outstanding. It uniquely explores the great diversity of Mother Earth while highlighting the beauty that is always present in her many forms.
   
   Everyone I have showed this book to has had a similar reaction. If you are looking for a gift for that person who is difficult to buy for because they seem to have everything, look no further. They are sure to be delighted.

4 comments about Robert Capa: The Definitive Collection.

1. An excellent book, well printed, with a lot of photographs. The whole book gives a very good vieuw of the work of Capa. A must for everybody!



2. As a student of photography in the 1970's, I was familiar with a few dozen of
   these images. However I'm thrilled to be able to experience and share this
   collection of hundreds of Robert Capa's images, in roughly chronological order, including a few glimpses shot by others which help give a sense of the
   times and places in which he blazed fearlessly through his inevitably short life. This is a great gift for anyone interested in the life and work of the
   photojournalist covering the frontlines of world conflict.



3. Some of the best war photography. Includes all of Capa's most famous photos, and gives some biographical info. I found it inspiring -- it's more important to be close than to have fancy equipment. Courage and preparation win out.



4. I have not seen another book on Robert Capa that provides such a complete and insightful coverage of his career and voluminous production. For those who appreciate the importance of Capa's contribution to the history of photography and the rendition of key events spanning a momentous era of human history, this book is a "must-have". At the same time, it is unfortunate that the publishers chose to economize on the quality of the printing and the binding.

1 comments about The Memory of Pablo Escobar.

1. I have read many pablo escobar books, and they carry little to no pictures at all. This book does an amazing job at detailing the life of this notorious ganster. We see him with his bodyguards, his family and by himself. This book is worth every penny, i would gladly pay more if it need be. The author does an amazing job at putting this book together, it's a true work of art. Oh, and the book isnt a mere 30 pages, oh no, it's at least two hundred pages or more. Fantastic...

5 comments about Full Moon.

1. "Full Moon" is a selection of about one hundred pictures of different lunar american missions. The selection and the digital improvement has been made by Michael Light, and all has been done from an artistic perspective.
   If you're looking for a very comprehensive lunar mission day-to-day, interviews with astronauts or a nice reproduction of "that" picture, this is not definitely your book.
   But if you want, for a moment, walk on the moon, travel outside the Earth and dance with the stars, then buy it.



2. This is a beautiful book. It is a series of photos from various Apollo missions, put together in a way to illustrate a voyage from Earth to the moon & back. The photos take up whole pages, or are panorama fold-outs. The photos are crystal clear. I have seen close-ups made from these photos before, but never the originals as are in Full Moon. That's when I realized the resolution of the cameras the Apollo astronauts were using was incredible.
   My only disappointment was that my copy arrived with the dustjacket all scraped up and dented, and the edges of many of the pages were mangled, so I had to return it. The book still gets 5 stars because that is no fault of the publisher, or Michael Light. I'll buy it again when I can find a good copy at a "bricks & mortar" bookstore; it's worth the extra $$.



3. I can use "picture book" to describe Full Moon, as images contributed as the major part of this book. Don't think that this book is not worth reading, indeed, it is on the contrary, this is an extraordinary book, because of the photos.
   
   There are a lot of astronomy books contain lots of photos, but when you read them, you would find the images are not so good at all, but not because of the photo itself, because of the low resolution. And if you are familiarize with those photos, you would immediately notice that the original photo is not so small in resolution. It is really a very bad idea for the publisher and editor to ignore the importance of image resolution.
   
   However, when you first look into Full Moon, you will find you're getting into a different world as you are already delighted by the spectacular images of the Moon taken from Apollo Mission. Normally, owing to the technological limitation in 1960s and 1970s, all images are only mostly available as hard copy and not so high resolution. However, Project Full Moon can turn those hard copies into very high resolution images. I can even tell you that, NASA even don't have such high resolution images before.
   
   Since these reasons, I would rank this book as my list of Top 10 Astronomy Book. If you really love astronomy, you must not miss this book, miss the extraordinary journey to the Moon



4. If you are looking for a book with all the same press shots you've seen a thousand times then this book isn't for you. The panoramic composits are excellent and the choice of photos is very intelligent. See what Apollo was really about in this book. The quality in terms of photo reproduction and book design is impeccable.



5. A rare glympse at other-world light and shadow phenomena presented in photographs from an exciting time in our space journey. The presentation is a beautiful reminder that we were once there and need to go back to "check on things."

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.

5 comments about Dream Street: W. Eugene Smith's Pittsburgh Project.

1. It is amazing to see the scope of the body of work he produced during this time period, LIFE was pissed at him Magnum fed up! All the world didn't understand his need to see! This book shows the work in full! wonderful buy.



2. I purchased Dream Street after reading about the Pittsburgh Project and what it ment to Eugene Smith. I think it's an important book for anyone interested in Photography, Photojournalism or Eugene Smith. The size and quality of the prints is quite allright for the price paid. And the photos are the best part. Great book!



3. This book was bought for Christmas for my husband who just loves photography. He has had this on his must have list for some time so he was delighted with it.



4. I'm a Pittsburgh native, though I was born after the pictures were made. Still, I found Dream Street to be an interesting perspective on my hometown. Smith's special gift is looking beyond the typical "beauty shots"- the Pittsburgh skyline, the parks, etc., and capturing images that create a strong feeling of the local neighborhoods and their residents. While the topology of Pittsburgh creates strong local neighborhoods, it's the mix of residents that really gives it character. Local restaurants, the alleys and streets of some of the less glamourous sections of the city, and the sense of history and grandeur of Mellon Bank downtown. This book is a great opportunity to step into the past and feel the grit of a true industrial city. Smith's personal genius - and his demons- heavily influnce the project. We're fortunate to be able to benefit from his views after the fact. Special credit has to go to the editors for wading through the 17,000 images Smith shot to get down to the highlights for this book.



5. This book does a great job in documenting not only W. Eugene Smith's four years of extensive research and photographing Pittsburgh, PA but it also reveals a torment man's struggle in trying to capture something that we will never understand since his 6000 photographs of Pittsburgh set a standard for not only documenting a city but he also raise the bar in the artistic expression of black & white photography. The prints of Smith's work in this book are very good and edited quite nicely, included are some of the photograper's letters to his friend and relatives revealing the thoughts of a troubled genius in words that show he could have been a great writer, too.

1 comments about Fetish Bubblegirls: Worldwide Bubblegirls photograffitis by TILT.

1. it showcases my two favorite things in this world - graffiti and girls. combine the two, and you get graffiti on scantly dressed girls. i say son, does it get much better that this?... i think not. Flava!