2 comments about Hot Pink Flying Saucers and Other Clouds.

1. I thought the idea of this book was interesting, after seeing it on Martha Stewart. I purchased 2. Was quite dissapointed with the size. It was so tiny......This would make a great coffee table hard cover book. It was soft cover and small, could not get the full effect of the photos being that small. All in all, I would not purchase it again for a gift in this format. Pictures were pretty though.



2. Would have been nicer if the format of the book, which is all pictures, had been larger and on a better quality paper stock.

No comments about 101 Glimpses of New Haven.

5 comments about How to Photograph Cars.

1. I was back forth on this book as I read the first chapters. I then realized I was looking for some grand revelation. I started over and found that there was a lot of cleaver and less obvious information. What I found of most value was advise on composition, "cars look lousy on grass, so aviod it", use unclucluttered and uninterrupted surfaces and back grounds for example. The use of thirds in combination with the above advice is shown well with pictures on page 30 and 42. Overall I would recommend this for anyone who wants great looking pictures of there own automotive love to hang on their walls.



2. I thought I would learn "anything" about car photography when i bought this book, but actually it was zero added value to me. Only two ore three pages for Studio Car photography, with no much explanation. Elaborating more and more Car Outdoor Photography, but yet still with not much great information or professional details.
   
   It is only a basic introduction of what is Car Photography.



3. Well thought out, excellent chapters, actual picture by picture explanations of techniques. Definitely worth the money.



4. This is a nice coverage of the subject. I am a novice at photography and will be using a digital SLR camera. In my particular case I could have used more information on camera settings and lense selection, but the author probably assumes a bit more knowledge than I have.



5. This is a very interesting and comprehensive guide for the car photographer. Mann writes about many aspects of car photography, and explains how to use common techniques in action and still photography. This very concrete paperback is more of a step-by-step guide rather than an abstract aesthetic book. By that, I mean that the book explains tested and trailed techniques rather than encouraging to think creatively.
   
   Mann's pictures are gorgeous and very inspiring. I was very unsure whether to rate this book 4 or 5 stars. I have read more impressive photographic books, but not on cars. I believe that is about as good as it gets within that narrow topic.

4 comments about Anonymous: Enigmatic Images from Unknown Photographers.

1. Not for the fainted-heart though : images can be shocking, but always reflect some kind of humanity. Buy it, share it.



2. I purchased this book after reading a glowing newspaper article about it and I couldn't be more pleased. Besides being beautiful it is a very thought provoking book with splendid comments by the author.



3. The answer to the question posed by William Boyd, who with Robert Flynn Johnson has gathered and commented on this portfolio of fascinating photographs, lies between the covers of this enthralling book. None of the photographers represented herein are known for their artistry: actually they are not known at all and hence the title. But the images in this book touch nearly every human emotion and do so all the more powerfully because their are 'incidental' glimpses at the human condition and the planet earth.
   
   Photographs of the footprints of love, birth, war, death, joy, celebration, fantasy, surrealism, faith - all are here among the 200 odd images that fill these pages. Reading this volume is akin to revisiting childhood (both the good and the evil vantages) or rummaging around trunks of forgotten moments someone captured for posterity on film, moments that can bring chuckles as easily as gasps, memories that are both extremely personal and universally participatory.
   
   But as with all fine photographic volumes, viewing the images is far stronger in impact than lumpy words, especially comments from an isolated observer. Read this book for the personal reasons that initiated these pictures and open your mind to the myriad experiences that constitute life. Grady Harp, January 2004



4. This is a handsomely produced tome with some wonderful pictures. But sorting out images by theme robs the viewer of an element of surprise - the start one gets when discovering an oddly arresting image at a flea market, or tucked away in an old paperback. A more successful collection of such elusive images is Other Pictures, put out by Twin Palms. It is one of my favorite photography books, period; serendipitous, like the best street photography; mysterious; totally unexpected.

4 comments about The Art and Embroidery of Jane Hall: Reflections of Nature.

1. I enjoy this book but had hoped for more instructions than is given. She talks about the materials and techniques but would have liked to see an example with steps all the way through the process.
   Beautiful ideas and results on Jane's embroidery!



2. What an idea generator! It's a beautiful picture book also. Makes me want to "stretch my wings".



3. I own many books and I have to say this one is by far my favorite. Many fiber artist and embroiderers will be drawn to this book, not only for the exquisite photography of Jane Hall's work, but also for her ability to express what inspires her. You will find that we all share the same inspirations and aspirations for our projects. I recommend this highly. Not a how-to book.



4. This book is fabulous. The work that Jane Hall has done is pure art. Fiber Art to the ultimate. I love how she has developed so many wonderful techniques to achieve the natural looks. I am devouring this book, cover to cover. You will love it!!

2 comments about Naked City.

1. Weegee knew what kind of photos the editors of the New York daily tabloids wanted, in-your-face gutsy black and whites to capture the reader's imagination over the breakfast table. He always delivered too. This reprint of his 1945 book captures the energy of the Big Apple and yet there are no shots of skyscrapers. Instead the (mostly) ordinary folk of the city are shown getting on with their lives and deaths.
   
   Many of the photos are taken at night, a Weegee trademark. Inside buildings he used infrared film so he could shoot in near blackness and capture his subjects displaying emotions they would hide, had they known a camera was about. Out on the street he captured the latest human tragedy in stark close-up with a blinding flash of his Speed Graphic camera.
   
   The contents of this book are an amazing selection of photos but I was very disappointed by the reproduction, so only three stars. As far as I can tell, the photos have been scanned from the 1945 book rather than from original prints. The paper is coarse which doesn't help the reproduction either. This looks not much better than a book of photocopies. Far better I think to go for Miles Barth's Weegee's World. Although it does not have every photo from 'Naked City', the 250 included are printed as duotones on glossy paper, I particularly like this book because it shows many photos as original un-cropped prints. For instance, in his famous photo, 'The Critic' the three bystanders to the left of the two socialites are usually cropped out but here you can see how great the original was. This book also has three excellent essays about Weegee and his influence on other photographers in the Forties.
   
   Another choice might be Weegee's New York Photographs, 1935-1960 with 335 photos from 1935 to 1960 and like the Barth book it is large size and beautifully printed (the photos are duotones) on glossy paper and could possibly have all the photos in Naked City.



2. A fine selection of Weegee's unposed, spontaneous vignettes of life in the city, at least, as it was in the 30's and 40's, equivalent of today's TV "fuzz and the wuzz". His accompanying commentary, unghosted and punchy, mirrors the b/w images; snappy, to the point. The paper stock used here is cheap, but then, these photos usually appeared in the morning paper...in a time when there were newspapers.

5 comments about Exposure.

1. It's difficult to describe why Bruno Bisang's images are so exciting when many similar books are dull and repetitious. I suspect that the photographer has a really deep sensual appreciation of beautiful women, and the results show on every page.



2. I like this book because you can see really nice shots, technically and artistically marvellous, but you can see others in wich you just see a really pretty girl.
   
   I think is a book of nude and glamour photography, and I prefer just the nude. If someone likes glamour pictures, this is his book



3. ...haven't seen a good book like this for long long time..!! As a freelance photographer, I'm truly impressed by Bruno's artworks, whatever from light setting to posing or from color to techniques, I am so impressed. However, I have fewer opportunities to take pics of nude models. Personally, I really like those B&W pics on this book and you won't be disappointed with it at book..!! Well, sorry I want to know when the second book comes out coz' I am looking forward to it..!!



4. This is my first Bisang Book, and I must say that I'm definitely impressed. I would recommend for anyone's collection who is looking for tasteful nude photography that can be left on your coffee table and not be ashamed for anyone to look through...



5. I've got an entire shelf of books on nude photography, but this is certainly one of the best. No "average people are beautiful too" here -- all the models are gorgeous and well developed. The pics are in both color and black & white, and usually take up the full page. Heavy paper, large size, tasteful clear photos, and gorgeous women. Fantastic.

1 comments about RAW Pipeline: Revolutionary Techniques to Streamline Digital Photo Workflow (A Lark Photography Book).

1. I just recently received the book so did not read it in depth. Skimming the Table of Contents seems to have most items covered.
   I will be putting it to work shortly and will be able to go deeper into a review.

1 comments about Rosemary Beach.

1. This book offers an attractive photographic portrait of Rosemary Beach Florida, a Duany Plater-Zybeck (DPZ) designed community. This beautifully executed tome shows the charm and character that can be achieved in a new community when the principles of good urban design are followed.
   
   For anyone who decries the fact that they are no new porches being created on streets where kids can walk to neighborhood schools, this book is proof positive that you just aren't buying property from developers who have a proper view of the potential of new construction and good planning.

5 comments about The Nature of Dogs.

1. I bought this book at a dog show today and it is absolutely wonderful! The pictures are breathtaking and Mary is one of the nicest people I know! Someday I want her to photograph my dogs as I know they will be the best of any photos I've ever had taken. Her talent is amazing. Buy this book, you won't be disappointed!



2. Mary Ludington is one of those rare brilliant supernovas that one waits a lifetime to witness. In this book, it isn't just her soul-stopping photography, or her ability to assemble writers who put into words what cannot be put into words, it's what happens when they're put side-by-side. It is the unexpected alchemy of the alloy. The sum is greater than even the (great) parts. The essays and the photographs speak to the true animal lover, to the person who understands the unimpeachable heart of dogs. I have to go order another one before they're out.



3. This book is exquisite. Any dog lover will be proud to display it on a coffee table or to receive it as a gift. Mary does an incredible job of capturing the essence of each dog's unique personality. I was especially taken with the beauty of the book in both picture and prose. You will love this book!



4. I am in love with this book, and every dog in it. From the Bouvier to the Pharoah Hound, Mary Ludington captures something so special about each dog, on every page. I have bought dog picture books before, usually just for my favorite breed -- but this book is different. It offers precious insights into each dog, why they came about, and what it means to us. And if the stunning photography isn't enough, the essays are amazing. James Hillman's essay has me pondering dogs in our lives, throughout time. Temple Grandin's insights have me thinking differently about how I treat my own pet. Kevin Kling's stories had me laughing through my tears. This book belongs to every lover of dogs. (Meaning, almost everyone I know will be getting this book for Christmas!)



5. Ms. Ludington's work is simply gorgeous. In the spirit of the beastiary- she looks at dogs, their noble nature, their breed history and their personalities though luscious, painterly portraiture.
   
   This is a MUST for the sopisticated dog lover and a perfect gift for anyone who loves a dog (even if that's yourself.)