4 comments about Digital Photography: The Missing Manual.

1. I found the book to be comprehensive. It is a great starting point for the novice and a good reference for someone who is familiar with the subject, but not a pro. The chapter headings are "tabbed" in the upper corner of the page, which makes topics easy to find. Also, the numerous illustrations and various fonts made the book extremely readable.



2. Very well written - clear, simple, easy to follow. And it does have some great tips - even for the intermediate photographer. But this is really a book for someone who has never used a digital camera before or who has never taken the time to understand their camera's features. It also spends a lot of space discussing several specific photo management software programs (EasyShare, Picasa, Elements), as well as some common on-line photo sharing sites. If you're new to this art then this book will be a great start. But if you're already familiar with your camera and with digital photo editing and on-line sharing, you probably won't get much new out of this. Plus, if you don't plan on obtaining the specific software the authors discuss, at least half the book will be of no use to you.



3. Any newcomer to digital photography who longs to get the most from a camera will find DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY: THE MISSING MANUAL goes beyond brand-named camera books to cover the extent of digital possibilities. Camera tricks from pros supplement tips on editing photos on the PC, picture sharing, and much more, taking full advantage of the digital format's versatility and potentials. Plenty of books have been written on the topic, but DIGTAL PHOTOGRAPHY: THE MISSING MANUAL is the most comprehensive.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



4. In actuality, only the first of the four parts of this book is about the art and science of digital photography itself. The rest of the book is about moving your photos to the PC, editing them, and sharing them via printing, email, or even coffee mugs. The part that is about photography is helpful when it is discussing artistic techniques, and somewhat frustrating when it is trying to give you specific instructions on operating a generic camera such as "If your camera has a portrait mode, indicated on this camera and many others by a silhouette of a human head, you may not have to fiddle with manual aperture settings". The question is, how do I know whether or not my camera even has a portrait mode? This is not the vague type of instruction I am accustomed to when dealing with the Missing Manual series.
   
   Outside of my general frustration with part one, though, the rest of the book is quite good. That is because the author now has a limited set of software packages to work with as far as instructions go, and here we get back into the high quality specific Missing Manual instructions that are so familiar. The author talks about specific aspects of using Easyshare, Picasa, Shutterfly, Snapfish, Flickr, and Photoshop Elements for organizing, editing, and sharing your photos with good comparisons of the different software packages and specific instructions for each. Overall, I recommend this book. Just realize that the part on photography itself is somewhat vague. I notice that the table of contents are not shown, so I do that below:
   
   Part One: DIGITAL CAMERA BASICS
   Chapter 1. DIGITAL CAMERA BASICS
   Point-and-Shoot or Single Lens Reflex?
   Image Resolution and Memory Capacity
   Batteries
   Deciphering Optical and Digital Zoom
   Image Stabilizer (Vibration Reduction)
   Flip Screens for Multiple Viewpoints
   Optical Viewfinder
   Taking Control with Manual Options
   Improving Autofocus
   External Flashes and Other Attachments
   Minimizing Shutter Lag
   Burst Mode for Rapid-Fire Shooting
   Creating Panoramas
   Software That Comes with Your Camera
   Eliminating Specks (Noise Reduction)
   Taking Movies with Your Camera
   Chapter 2. POINTING, SHOOTING, AND BASIC COMPOSITION
   Composition Explained
   Apply the Rule of Thirds
   Get Closer for Better Pictures
   Eliminate Busy Backgrounds
   Go Low, Go High
   A Final Thought
   Chapter 3. BEYOND THE SIMPLE SNAPSHOT
   Shooting Sports and Action
   Taking Portraits
   Kids and School Performances
   Weddings and Celebrations
   Sunsets and Nighttime Photos
   Landscape and Nature
   Photographing Objects
   Digital Movies
   Cameraphone Photography
   
   Part Two: ORGANIZING YOUR PHOTOS
   Chapter 4. GETTING PHOTOS ONTO YOUR PC
   Moving Pictures from Camera to Computer
   Moving Pictures from a Card Reader to a PC
   Importing Photos with a Scanner
   Three Ways to Scan an Image
   Using Windows Scanner Wizard
   Chapter 5. ORGANIZING PHOTOS ON YOUR PC
   Organizing Photos with Windows XP
   Organizing Photos with EasyShare Albums
   Organizing Photos with Picasa
   Chapter 6. STORING YOUR PHOTOS ONLINE
   Why Put Your Photos Online?
   Choosing an Online Photo Service
   Getting Photos Online with EasyShare
   Organizing Photos with EasyShare
   Getting Photos Online with Shutterfly
   Organizing Photos with Shutterfly
   Getting Photos Online with Snapfish
   Organizing Photos with Snapfish
   Getting Photos Online with Flickr
   Organizing Photos with Flickr
   Chapter 7. BACKING UP YOUR PHOTO LIBRARY
   Strategies to Protect Your Photos
   CD, DVD, or Hard Drive?
   EasyShare's Backup Tools
   Picasa's Backup Tools
   Chapter 8. ORGANIZING AND BACKING UP WITH ELEMENTS
   Importing with the Photo Downloader
   Browsing Photos in the Organizer
   Creating Tags and Categories
   Assigning Tags to Photos
   Creating Collections
   Searching for Photos
   Backing Up with the Organizer
   
   Part Three: EDITING YOUR PHOTOS
   Chapter 9. BASIC PHOTO FIXES
   Common Problems, Easy Fixes
   Rotating & Cropping with EasyShare
   Improving Photos with EasyShare
   Fixing Red Eye with EasyShare
   Rotate and Straighten with Picasa
   Cropping Photos with Picasa
   Fixing Exposure Problems with Picasa
   Fixing Contrast and Color with Picasa
   Fixing Red Eye with Picasa
   Chapter 10. ROTATING, CROPPING, AND SIZING WITH ELEMENTS
   Changing Your View of Your Photos
   Rotating Photos
   Straightening Photos
   Cropping Photos
   Changing the Size of Your Photos
   Chapter 11. THE QUICK FIX
   A Tour of the Quick Fix Window
   Quick Fix Suggested Workflow
   Fixing Red Eye
   The Smart Fix
   Adjusting Lighting and Contrast
   Correcting Color
   Sharpening
   Chapter 12. ADVANCED PHOTO RETOUCHING WITH ELEMENTS
   Fixing Exposure Problems
   Sharpening Your Images
   Fixing Blemishes: An Introduction
   Correcting the Colors on Your Screen
   Taking Control with Levels
   Removing Unwanted Colors
   Making Your Colors More Vibrant
   Chapter 13. CREATING SPECIAL EFFECTS
   Adding Effects with EasyShare
   Adding Effects with Picasa
   Adding Effects with Elements
   Creating Panoramas with Elements
   
   Part Four: SHARING YOUR PHOTOS
   Chapter 14. SHARING YOUR PHOTOS ONLINE
   Choosing a Photo-Sharing Service
   Sharing Photos with EasyShare
   Sharing Photos with Shutterfly Express
   Sharing Photos with Snapfish
   Sharing Photos and Hobbies: Flickr
   Sharing with the Pros: Photo net
   Chapter 15. EMAILING YOUR PHOTOS
   Understanding the File Size Dilemma
   Emailing Photos with EasyShare
   Emailing Photos with Picasa
   Emailing Photos with Elements
   Chapter 16. PRINTING YOUR PHOTOS
   How to Make Great Prints at Home
   Printing Photos with EasyShare
   Printing Photos with Picasa
   Printing Photos with Elements
   Printing at Photo Kiosks
   Ordering Prints Online
   Ordering Prints Online with EasyShare
   Ordering Prints Online with Picasa
   Ordering Prints Online with Shutterfly
   Ordering Prints Online with Snapfish
   Ordering Prints Online with Elements
   Chapter 17. CREATIVE PHOTO PROJECTS
   Making Slideshows with PhotoShow
   Simple Slideshows in Elements
   Custom Slideshows in Elements
   Posters, Calendars, and Photo Books
   More Elements Creative Projects
   Photo Mugs, T-Shirts, and More

5 comments about The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday: Making Navy SEALs.

1. I would recommend this book to anyone seriously wanting to get an idea of what it takes to become a Navy SEAL. This photo essay chronicles the journey of an actual BUD/s class from start to finish. While I have read other accounts, the pictorial evidence really clarifies some of what happens and why so many would-be SEALs drop out during the process. Only the most determined and mentally tough make it through these lengthy, grueling tests of strength and character. These men have my respect and my admiration.



2. Bravo to Richard for his hard work and dedication to the SEAL/SOF community. I was an instructor in BUDS during the making of Richards book and couldnt have asked for a more genuinely interested person to be around us. Richard has the unique ability of photographing his subjects in the most intimate situations, all while maintaining unshakeable rapport with instructors and students alike. Richard has given a much needed inside look (without going too far) at what these men go through during training. Hats off to Richard for a first class photo journal. BH



3. I must admit I am a bit biased. My son was in Buds class 246 which is the subject of the book. It gave me a real life insight into what BUDs is really all about. I had a difficult time finding the book a local books stores and really appreciated the fact that Amazon carried it. Some hard to find dealers wanted as much as $120.00 for a used copy of it.



4. This oversized pictorial book describes the training conducted at BUD/S in pretty good detail. In my opinion the photographer, did a fairly decent job with the capture methods used to entail the rigorous training involved in the six month training program.



5. First of all, it's HUGE and BOLD! ... not wimpy on presentation. Very interesting narrative you don't normally see in photographer's projects; you can really follow these soldiers through their intriguing training process and their "becoming".

No comments about Greenpeace: Standing up for the Earth Calendar 2009 (Wall Calendars).

5 comments about High Definition Postproduction: Editing and Delivering HD Video.

1. Very informative but not excruciatingly exhaustive. Many of the random questions I had were answered clearly. I found the book also to be very inspiring; being a low budget filmmaker, it make me realize the dream is within reach, and that HD is not too far from my grasp. I was especially encouraged by the information he provided about HDV - being that I use a Canon XH A1.
   Sincerely, Awesome book!! To the point, but extremely informative - it provides what you need without all the froth.



2. I bought this book hoping to get a solid outline of HD post techniques. Unfortunately the book is rambling and poorly organized. The introductory material is simple, repetitive and sometimes just plain wrong. The more advanced material is very cursory, and quite jumbled in its presentation. The author may well be a great video editor, but his command of the technical aspects of video formats and compression seems tenuous.



3. Working in the Television world,and with more and more shoots being done in the mysterious HD format, it can often be confusing, understanding which frame rates to use and knowing what can be cheated in post, etc. I Bought this book and i found it to be one of the best HD books on the market. It has cleared up much of the confusion, misconceptions and has taken the myustery out of HD shooting/editing. I have already recommended it to many of my collegues and it is a huge resource, which can be refered back to again and again. MANY THANKS



4. Mr. Redrocker is certainly entitled to his opinion and I am sorry he didnt like my book. I think he was looking for a different text: 2k and 4k are used for film post production. Also, my text is designed be an overview of HD and the post production field, not be cutting edge. The internet is far more current especially concerning a fast evolving technology like HD. I purposely designed the text to NOT be out of date. The DTV, HD, HDV information, examples and discussions are still valid. My suggestion for 2K and 4K information would be to look at Digital Intermediates for Film and Video or books like it. Steve Browne.



5. Looked forward to the book, but found its organization rambling, and its content offering little more than a cataloging of the hd formats. It's endorsement of HDV is troublesome, given the problems of using that codec in post. No mention of 2k or 4k, and scant mention of the nonlinear systems that handle HD. Sadly, it already feels out of date.

5 comments about The Breast Cancer Prevention Diet: The Powerful Foods, Supplements, and Drugs That Can Save Your Life.

1. Dr Arnot knows that no diet can prevent breast cancer. With the exception of alcohol (two or more drinks a day), no diet or foods have been conclusively linked to substantially increasing or decreasing the risk of breast cancer. It is disappointing that a tv doctor who is familiar to millions chose to give false hope to readers -- and make money from it. He should be embarrased and ashamed to be cashing in on women's fear of breast cancer by claiming that there is any combination of food and supplements that can prevent breast cancer. Anything for a buck!



2. I have not read Arnot's book. However, to those reviewers who cite the attacks made against the book by the American Council for Science and Health, you need to know the shaky credentials and corporate sponsorship of that particular organization. Go to their website: there you will find articles saying that pesticide in foods poses absolutely no health risks, and articles saying that vending machines in schools should be allowed to continue selling soda and a whole range of snack foods in the interests of a free market system. This Council appears to be nothing more than a highly-financed mouthpiece for various corporate interests. I have been highly skeptical of any of their "scientific" claims for a while now. Finding out that they do not support Arno's book actually makes me more interested in checking it out myself, so I have ordered a copy.



3. Having just been diagnosed with a recurrence of non-metastatic breast cancer, I decided to seek out resources that might help me make the lifestyle changes I failed to make after my first episode, in order to prevent yet another recurrence. Since I'm in a doctoral program, I decided to take a course on alternative medicine and immediately began reading the texts, which led to this excellent resource.
   
   Dr. Arnot's book is highly readable and very sincere. By that I mean it has heart, explained by Dr. Arnot's statement that he conducted the research for his wife who, upon her Mother's diagnosis with breast cancer, asked him what she could do to keep from getting it. The information in the book was his answer to her--information he decided to share with other women. His job as a medical reporter provides him with a language deftness and communication skills that enabled him to make technical information accessible to a lay audience. The latter is what makes the book easy and enjoyable reading rather than work.
   
   Like many, I questioned how valid his information was--until I encountered the same information (as well as studies) in other credible sources. Dr. Anot is not just a good reporter, he's a good scientist.
   
   I, too, have talked this book up to most of the women I know. Prior to reading it and the other resources I've encountered, despite having a decent lay knowledge of this disease, surprises abounded. Why don't they teach anything substantive about health and wellness in school when it's so crucial to leading a happy, productive, and healthy life? I expect many of you can guess the answer--it's not in the interests of the power elite, specifically the drug companies and American food industry. (Read one of the fascinating books on "McDonalidization" for insight on this mindset and it's political/economic influence.)
   
   My only complaints about the book are that I would like to see a follow-up edition with the conclusion to many of the studies that were in progress when it was written. Many of them have concluded by the end of 2004 and I'd sure like to know the results. I'd also like to have seen the recipes that accompanied the meal plans, or even a separate volume containing recipes.
   
   There is much that women who currently have, have had, or want to prevent this disease can do to hold it at bay and show it who's boss (especially since only 20% of cases are attributed primarily to genetic causes). Reading, no, absorbing the contents of this book, is one of them!



4. First, every woman I care about, my friends, sisters, mom, etc., will be getting a copy of this book as their next gift from me! Dr. Arnot gives example after example of medical research PLUS lifestyles of women all over the world showing better health than most Americans, revealing what scientists believe attribute to it! Unless every word and Doctor, or school referenced are all liars, this book is a LIFESAVE. Scientist have come a long way. They don't just say "don't eat this, but eat that" and you'll be fine. That's too simple. They know much more than that now and we need to take advantage of that. If they say breakfast is important, always eat SOMETHING, than that's what we should do! If you want a fiction book, or an easy fix, or if you want to ramble about how research in mice has little to do with humans, than keep fooling yourself. I'll take all the help a reputable doctor or scientist or medical college wants to give to prolong my life AND give me GOOD HEALTH at the same time. Many of us ae having our children late in life. My youngest was born when I was 38. I've got to live a long time to be there for her. My mother had me at 18! She's 70 now and I love having her around. I trust there is nothing in Dr. Bob's book that will hurt me -- but that will only help me. Should I still go to the doctor? OF COURSE!!! I have been getting yearly mamograms for 15 years, and only this year did I have a a small spot. I'm to get another exam in May 2002. I'm worried. They think it's nothing and say MOST OF THEM ARE BENIGN. What if i'm one of those woman not so lucky? I am not sure about Soy Isoflavones (the dosage) although Dr. Bob talks about it. Thanks, and KEEP READING!! ...



5. I was all set to get this book, really...Till it came to my attention that I alreasy HAVE a book that cites Lillian Thompson's research at The Univerity of Toronto with flax seeds on breast cancer in mice (or rats, whichever-- except that its NOT whichever, it's bloody mice! and they don't always get the same results in both!) and it says that she is going one step further and, in a pilot study, is giving flaxseeds to women recently diagnosed with the disease. Now there is a review right here written in December, 1998, about the hardcover edition of this book that says that Dr. Arnot failed to make clear that the results Lillian Thompson obtained were for mice. The book I bought was published in hardcover in 1998 and in paperback in 1999, and I just got it in 2000. So I though maybe since then Lillian Thompson had published something in which she had given flaxseeds to human subjects diagnosed with breast cancer. Since the government has granted free poblic access to Medline, I looked up her reasearh on it. She hasn't done recent research on any human subjects unless you count one experiment done a few years ago in which she gave various doses of of raw flaxseeds and processed (as in cooked: in bread and muffins) flaxseeds to healthy human subjects to see if what (no I don't know what--but it was what it was supposed to be) was excreted would be excreted in a dose dependant manner and if it would be affected by processing ( raw vs. processed): it was excreted in a dose dependant manner and this was regardless of whether the flaxseeds were raw or processed in muffins and bread. But on Medline I could find no experiments of hers on human subjects with breast cancer going back as far as 1993. It's not that her experiments on mice aren't encouraging , but one wonders what happened to the human subjects that were recently diagnosed with breast cancer who were going to get the flax seeds. It may not even be that she hasn't done that and published it too--it's just that as of now, if she has, I can't find it on Medline and I can find this other stuff of hers. I don't intend to stop using flaxseeds, but I'm also not getting this book yet. Also to be consdered, possibly, that I do not know about: another reveiewer said that some of the scientists whose work was cited in the book have disassociated themselves from it. One might want to know why. I do think that diet and some cancers are related and that it is worth one's while to find out what one can and try to reduce one's risk. However, I ,too, live on a budget, I have other needs too, and i'm not ready for this book yet.

No comments about 2009 Photographer's Market.

No comments about Learning to Breathe: One Woman's Journey of Spirit and Survival.

5 comments about I Can't Be Good All the Time.

1. This has the best Comments! It's great for all you sassy women out there! It makes me feel better just looking through it. I gave it to all my girlfriends for christmas this year! It's got the amazing retro pics too. I love it!



2. For the independent female (who has a good sense of humor), you won't find a better gift!
   
   This book sits in my powder room and not only do I still pick it up and get a giggle now and then, but my guests always emerge from the loo with a smile, too!



3. I love Anne Taintor's humor. This collection is not quite as funny as her other ones, but was a hit with the person I gave it to as a gift. Enjoy!



4. I got this book for my mother, along with the other one recommended by Amazon to buy together, and it's very funny. I was looking for something that would give her a lift and it definitely did; she enjoys them quite a bit.



5. This book is a very humorous one just to leave laying around for a random, quick giggle.

1 comments about Ilf and Petrov's American Road Trip: The 1935 Travelogue of Two Soviet Writers.

1. What a terrific job on the translation and reproduction of the documentation of this fascinating trip by the two Soviet journalists.
   Highly recommend the book.

5 comments about Picturing Los Angeles.

1. The authors say they would be pleased "if academic historians find a few unexpected tidbits". Most historians will probably be enraged by this book, and by the fact that it's getting positive reviews here.
   
   A few examples that I know about, making me wonder what else is accurate in this book.
   
   This book says Hollywood had 500 inhabitants in 1911, when in fact it had about 10000. This book states, to make a point, that "Sound of Music" was released in the same year as "Easy Rider" (1969), when in fact, "Sound of Music" was released in 1965, invalidating the point. Discussing the death of Thelma Todd, this book still uses the nonsense found in "Hollywood Babylon", an book full of fabricated stories. Samuel Goldwyn was not born with the name Goldfish, but Gelbfisz. And so on?
   
   Most of the pictures are very small.



2. 
   This book is basically a photographical introduction to the history of Los Angeles . If you are interested in knowing about the history of Los Angeles, from it's very early beginnings , up until the early 2000's, then you will find this book very informative.
   
   
   There are many many photos that go along with the historical text. All photos are in black and white.



3. Incredible compendium of all the events and characters that created and still shape this most unique city. Much more fun than hunting down similar information on the internet, "Picturing Los Angeles" offers readers hours of fascinating reading, aided by an astounding collection of pictures. A seemingly impossible task to put together, the authors have provided a wonderful encyclopedia of the culture, architecture and citizenry of a town that continues to impact the world. You'll see why!



4. This looks like a coffee table book, but it's really an incisive narrative accompanied by fascinating pictures. The authors give us a whirlwind tour of the explosive pattern of growth and change that is the true history of Los Angeles. Propelled by a colorful array of eccentrics and geniuses we see the city constantly reinventing itself and leaping into the future. I had so much fun reading it I almost forgot how bad the damn traffic is here!



5. Photos we hadn't seen before...insights we hadn't considered before.
   "Picturing Los Angeles" is a show-and-tell book of the highest order.
   If you're looking for the perfect gift to give newcomers to the LA area, a gift that will help them make sense of this unique community--this is it. Congratulations to the Wilkmans for delivering a history book that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. [Review by Albert Greenstein]