5 comments about Cinematography: Image Making for Cinematographers, Directors, and Videographers.

1. Blain Brown's book is very comprehensive towards the technical and theoretical aspects of the bare bones of cinematography. I found the chapters to cover film and HD quite well and the five C's of cinematography are well illustrated too. I know for a fact that many cinematography professors in film schools from all around the country do require this reading in their curriculum. So, If you're a beginning student in filmmaking or cinematography you will find more than what you need here, but yet still stay in track and not get lost. Moreover, if you've been shooting for a while and know most of what goes inside the camera department, you're still going to benefit a lot from this reading, it really puts you in perspective. I personally and professionally recommended this book highly.. So, two thumbs way up!!



2. The book has a lot of useful information in it. Unfortunately, it could have used a copy editor and someone to verify all of the information in it. There are A LOT of typographical errors. I spent a great deal of my time verifying what was written in the book in other texts after I discovered several errors. Depth of field/depth of focus, come on, please proofread. The book also makes explanations more convoluted and unclear than necessary. Again, I referred to Malkiewicz (the edition with David Mullen-a very good example of someone who writes clearly and intelligently about cinematography), The Filmmakers Handbook and notes from my introductory cinematography class to untangle what Brown was tangling.
   
   The book is not up to Focal's high standards. Please hire an editor for the next edition and actually incorporate the corrections to the text that readers submit. Conceptually, the book is disorganized. Please consider an outline for the next edition.



3. This book answered all the questions I had on the subject that no other resource could. Great book for any aspiring filmmaker novice or semi-pro.



4. First, I agree with the other review I saw posted on this book: it isn't a great reference book for aspiring cinematographers. I also recommend the cinematography books and Film Lighting by Kris Malkiewicz, along with Bare Bones and the ASC Cinematographer Manual. Another great resource is Painting With Light.
   
   In explaining the science of film, techniques and measurements can be much more simplified than how stated in the book. Another thing that bothered me, though not an English major or a writer or anything like that, was the grammar and punctuation. I find myself correcting so many mistakes with my pen, at least one per page, as I go through the book. I don't know how so many of these mistakes were unseen by the editor. I know it has nothing to do with the content of the book, but it can be distracting enough to draw your focus away from what you're reading.



5. It's a good book. I wasnt impressed by the way the author writes, but it seems to cover the basics. Too much technical stuff for what I was expecting: more analysis of existing movies, but I guess that's up to you after you read the book.

5 comments about The Dore Illustrations for Dante's Divine Comedy.

1. Book arrived in promised condition, and in a timely fashion. I would buy from this seller again.



2. This guy is pretty much in the same league as Jack Kirby. Whereas Kirby's all soft lines and images pancaked on the page, Dore looks like he's carving his cartoons into a tree. And all these scary demons and things look tired, like they've been running marathons all day. The victims kind of look like they're enjoying it, so I guess if you're into S&M, I could recommend it. Me, I prefer "Spawn" by Todd McFarlane. The Violator? Now that's a monster you can sink your eyeballs into. And I know it's like super-uber hip, but I don't know why these illustrators feel they are so special when they work exclusively in shades of black. Like my momma used to say, "A little rouge really accents the cheekbones."



3. The quality of this book - along with an amazingly affordable price tag - quickly persuaded me to pick up a copy. Its really everything you could ask for in an art book;
   
   The pictures are all very big, but not overwhelming; Its easy to see minute detail, and the overall scope of the image. I actually blew up some of the prints in photoshop and printed them on huge poster paper for my room, while not sacrificing a drop of detail.
   
   Also, I had to put quite a good deal of pressure onto the spine of the book in order to get a good scan from them, and im happy to say that doing so didn't even leave an annoying "bookmark" crease in the book, and the spine didn't even crease. Dover books really did produce a fine quality book, and the note on the back really is true: This book IS permanent.
   
   If you have read or are reading the divine comedy this book is a great reference to glance at every now and again to truly suck you into Dante's epic poem, and bring you to the Heights of Heaven, The Depths of Hell, or the pain of purgatory in a way you could never have imagened.
   
   The woodcuts done here by dore are so elaborate and vivid you could spend a good portion of a day just gazing into the faces of cursed souls writhing in hell, or the beauty of millions of angels soaring in the highest heaven. Dore illustrates every picture so full of movement and depth its the next best thing to a movie.



4. I have looked at a variety of Dante artists. Some well known and some are not. Suloni Robertson, John Flaxman, Willam Blake, Sandro Botticelli, Sandow Birk, Herb Roe. Do a google search to look at the works of some of these like Sandow Birk. There are some that are more obscure which in a way documents the Comedy, more specifically the Inferno. I'm not going to say who I don't like but Dore is the best. I am rather specific about artists. Dore makes the grade. He is good, really good and when you look at this book, you feel like you are in the terrible depths of hell. I like purgatorio too. I feel the religious prayer songs in my head as I see Beatrice's entrance. There is so much symbolism in these pictures, especially in Paradiso. Though I do disagree with the depiction of Muhammad in hell, the rest is fantastic. I mean that he looks more like he's British then Middle Eastern. I imagine him with blonde hair in the plate. The tortured look on Dante's face in the plate with Betrand de Born, (The cover pic) is extraordinary. I felt how he felt. That is why Dore is so good. I had also hoped for more detail with Ugolino because his story is fantastically horrifying.
   
   The book is a must for any Dante fan. I look at it a lot, even if I have seen the pictures hundreds of times. I really don't think that you can get bored with this. There is always something new to look at. Some detail you looked over. Buy this book because the scans online don't give the justice that this book has. Buy it, look it over, get inspired by it. Maybe we will see your work on Amazon in the near future.



5. The Illustrations from the 1st canto in the Inferno to the last of Paradiso are great because they help as a visual aid when reading the Divina Commedia. One can really see how and in which ways Dore, when he design the illustrations, followed the text very closely.

5 comments about Body Painting: Masterpieces by Joanne Gair.

1. This book is a must have for anyone with an eye for beauty and art combined by using the body as the canvas. The ways of using this canvas as part of another picture, as a canvas, clothing or as camouflage are explored by Joanne Gair. This is all brought together by one person in this book covering a career involving famous actresses, models, photographers, fashion designers and politician's wives (Carla Bruni is now the wife of the French president). Maybe Joanne will paint a politician soon. The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Editions brought my attention to Joanne's work as before the photographers were getting the credit, however that is like showing off a photo of the Mona Lisa. The photographer is merely the messenger, here Joanne is the the real artist. Buy the book, persuade your library to buy it. Perhaps even have a go at body painting yourself.



2. Excellent! Pretty photos of pretty women. A good book to be in the coffe table. High quality and spotless. I recommend.



3. An old art, turned new. Only a sprinkle of diamond dust could add more sparkling beauty. Body art often brings definition to a culture and Gair should be proud of her contribution.



4. This book is breathtaking! Using the human figure as a canvas, this is one of the best examples of creativiity, art and photgraphy all in one. A great gift for art lovers, makeup artists, photographers and anyone who appreciates beauty at its finest! Joanne Gair is truly a master of all.



5. A must have for every coffee table. Joanne is a true artist, photographer and makeup artist. The industry's best and this book shows it. Her talent is AMAZING!

4 comments about Audrey Hepburn: A Life in Pictures.

1. This beautiful book is a fitting tribute to a brave, talented and beautiful lady. Well worth the price. More than a "coffee table book" the biographical introduction is well written and informative. Where are class acts like Audrey today?



2. This beautiful addition to any Audrey Hepburn library is a classy production that brings into focus Audrey's life and work through extravagantly sized photos, reproduced on thick, lush pages that are velvety to the touch. It's full of stunning b&w and color portraits, snapshots, and film stills that are arranged well in a mostly chronological order. There are many quotes included, both by Audrey and about her, which give a good overall feel for her personality.
   
   However, glaringly absent, there is nothing at all from "My Fair Lady." I was introduced to Audrey Hepburn as a child by way of "My Fair Lady," and therefore the film will always have a special place in my heart. I'm sure I am not alone. How the author could leave such an important work totally out of the collection is a puzzle to me, and therefore I cannot say this collection is completely comprehensive.
   
   I found the biography at the beginning of the book a bit disjointed, although it does give a good overview of her experiences during her childhood and the war that so greatly affected her personality. Of course, the biography is not the point of this book, as this is not meant to be an in depth literary study of her life. This is her life and accomplishments told through photographs.
   
   For those seeking a gorgeous photo album, this may be what you are looking for. The "personal" pictures I believe to be mostly photo ops, and therefore you do not get a much of look into the "private" Audrey, but the pictures are many and well varied, and the beautiful portraits alone are well worth the price of admission



3. IS a very nice book, great photos. What I didnt like is that some of the picture titles are wrong.



4. This has plenty of beautiful, great quality pictures, including quite a few I have never seen before which is always a plus. The first 10 or so pages are a brief biography of Audrey, also a nice addition. After that, it's all photos and captions, with a few pages scattered here and there with a quote by or about Audrey. A beautiful coffee table book or addition to a fan's collection.

No comments about Magic Lantern PRO Guides: Nikon AF Speedlight Flash System: Master the Creative Lighting System! (Magic Lantern Guides).

5 comments about Where Valor Rests: Arlington National Cemetery.

1. A beautiful tribute to those who have given their lives for our country. The pictures chosen reflect the dignity and beauty of this final resting place better than any words can. Excellent historical documentation. Everyone should own a copy for their personal libraries.



2. Where Valor Rests: Arlington National Cemetery: is an inspiring tribute to hundreds of thousands of our uniformed men and women who served this nation - in war and in peace. Arlington, like other military cemeteries at home and abroad, is ground made sacred by their dedication, their lives of service, and their sacrifices. This book tells the history of Arlington Cemetery and through it the history of many from our nation's heroes, ordinary and extraordinary. The selection of photographs is excellent, and Rick Atkinson's essay informative and inspiring.



3. Stunning pictures and moving text combine to give you an awe inspiring tour of probably the most revered area of the United States. You may have visited Arlington on a tour of Washington D.C., but Rick Atkinson and National Geographic takes you past the tourists and delivers a book that shows the care, dedication, and honor that envelopes the cemetery.
   
   Contents:
   Preface
   Essay
   History
   Final March
   Autumn
   People
   Caring
   Salutes
   Ceremony
   Sacrifice
   Tomb Guards
   Services
   Afterglow
   Afterword
   About the Contributors
   Photography Credits
   
   Beginning with the history of Arlington, which was once General Robert E. Lee's estate, and ending with pictures of Arlington at night, Where Valor Rests: Arlington National Cemetery is a beautiful, lovingly photographed book. The Afterword tells you that after every internment, this book, along with the flag, are given to the family. And I can see why.
   
   I've been to Arlington, but not the Arlington presented in this book. That Arlington is populated with people that dedicate themselves to the care, maintenance, history, ceremony, and protection of 300,000 graves of the fallen. Exquisitely photographed, this book brings you more than a tour ever could. You see the cemetery in all seasons, you see veterans of World War II honoring their comrades, you witness the burials of soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan (Section 60). You learn that ever since July 2, 1937, every minute of every day, someone has guarded the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Every. Single. Day.
   
   Think about that for a moment.
   
   There are pictures that show the guards in snow, at night, and other times when not a single other soul is in the cemetery.
   
   It was difficult for me to read the captions on those pictures.
   
   While I have read a few books this year, none of them affected me like this one. None of them included pictures like the ones that are in this book. This is an amazing tribute to Arlington National Cemetery, the 300,000 interred, and those who protect, care, and serve within its boundaries.
   
   An incredible work. One that everyone should experience.



4. As a former member of the 3rd Old Guard Infantry, the ceremonial unit at Arlington, I very much appreciate the great photographs and fine writing that went into this beautiful tribute to the Garden of Stones. I visit my brother, my father-in-law, and a half dozen brothers-in-arms at Arlington at least once every year. With this book I can visit that hallowed ground more often. It's a wonderful tribute to the fallen and those who tend the fallen at Arlington. bb



5. Where Valor Rests: Arlington National Cemetery Outstanding in pictures and facts. The emotional response evolves as one gets further into the content. What a tremendously powerful book!

5 comments about Photoshop Lightroom Adventure: Mastering Adobe's next-generation tool for digital photographers.

1. I know some reviewers have critized this guide as being neither fish nor fowl, but I think it is a worthwhile purchase. The photos of Iceland are the icing on the cake--the text is clear and informative. I was not sure I really wanted to purchase the program until I got a better grasp of its potential; this book provides the overview I needed, and is sufficiently detailed that I should be able to use the program effectively. The page layout is quite good and the photos really are outstanding. Highly recommended!



2. As far as the book goes, its a fairly conventional tutorial - but the layout makes it stand out. Filled with colorful pictures on glossy paper, Lightroom Adventure is part coffee-table book, part technology tutorial. Its pages are divided horizontally into thirds: a third is devoted to text while the other two thirds are reserved for screen caps and photographs.
   
   Its a format that is hugely engaging to read. Periodically Aaland will break with a two page splash of a particulary striking photograph shot by someone on the team. It is embellished with something personal about the photographer and the circumstances under which the picture was taken. The pictures may interrupt the flow but actually do a stellar job of integrating the book under the Icelandic Expedition theme.



3. When I started using Adobe Lightroom I was really impressed with the feature set and work flow options. It turns out that I didn't know the half of it. I picked up this book and it was tough to put down. It's not really a technical reference manual. However, it is still a very good reference as relates to the Lightroom software.
   
   The book takes the reader through the Lightroom features while telling the story of testing the Lightroom product with a group of photographers shooting in Iceland. Through this format I not only learned how to improve my use of the Lightroom features, but it helped me improve my workflow. Since I shoot a lot of photos, this made it worth the read for the time savings alone. I also learned some significant things about digital photography. Not that I thought I knew everything, but I wasn't expecting some of the great info I found.
   
   The layout of the book is easy to follow and well organized. The example photographs are a stunning inclusion as well. Even if you already have a bit of experience with the software and photography this book is a great tool that will help you step it up.



4. Great book, not only from a reading perspective, but from an art
   perspective. The book is beautiful, inspiring, and informative. I
   really enjoyed the read, and the pictures are fabulous. Initially,
   when I requested a review copy, I thought it was for Photoshop CS3, I
   was unaware that Adobe made software called Lightroom. I have a Mac
   with Apeture, which is similar to Lightroom, but I downloaded
   Lightroom and tried it out as I read through the book. I love the way
   the book tells a story as well as teaches you about the software.
   Mikkel does a great job teaching about the software, I learned a
   great deal about the software and found that I really like it. The
   imagery in the book is breathtaking and, Mikkel really helped me
   develop my photography eye further to make my images much more
   appealing. I thought the book not only teaches you how to use the
   software, but also how to critique photos.



5. Terrific book. It explains everything you would want to know about Lightroom. I'm particularly pleased that Mikel Aaland delayed the book to include the 1.1 upgrade to Lightroom. The book is well laid out, with lots of photos and illustrations. The format is easy to read and specific info is easy to find, if, like me, you want to read up on a particular topic rather than read the book from front to back.

No comments about The Art and Technique of Digital Color Correction.

5 comments about Still Life and Special Effects Photography: A Guide to Professional Lighting Techniques, Second Edition.

1. Well. .I ordered this book and when I open it I realize that I found the book I was searching for a long time!
   
   The sets designs are very very helpuful to know the practise of lights and the shots help me a lot in my creative though!
   
   Very good book. I recommend it to all the photographer with a hard passion for still life photography.



2. This book is great for fueling your creativity and showing you how to accomplish the photos as shown.



3. This book reads like it was written before digital photography and Photoshop were viable options for the professional photographer. Many of the elaborately staged shots are laughable and seem quaint compared to today's techniques. Don't let the cover images fool you either, most of the shots inside have a very 1980s feel to them. Even so, a handful of the shots have useful lighting information, so this will stay on my studio's bookshelf.



4. This is an oldfashioned book with elementary sketches showing lighting setups and not much else. I would recommend instead:Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting This book explores an approach to lighting that excites the imaginiation.



5. Technicaly it is a good book, because it shows you exactly how the subject matter was lit, the amount of strobes used, lightboxes, etc. But, the images themselves are not very good.

5 comments about Nikon D70 Digital Field Guide.

1. Digital Field Guide is an outstanding companion to the official manual that came with Nikon D70s camera. This book is in two large sections. First section thoroughly describes all the buttons and options in the camera body as well as lens. The other section gives valuable tips on how to shoot perfect, professional-style photographs. I discovered many new features in my D70s while reading this book and was amazed how easy it is to take great photos with these easy-to-understand instructions.



2. This book is way more informative than the manual. Not only does it cover all the capabilities of the camera, it covers the when to use them, and the why to use them. It also covers various types of photography, & the settings you use. I am a hobbyist photographer so I found this book extremely informative. I take along in my backpack, & have used it for reference frequently in the month since I purchased it.



3. This book is well written in easy to understand terms. It provides greater detail than the owner's manual and give examples to help one understand. I recommend this book to anyone who recently purchased a D70/70s either new or used. The book explained why my auto show photos were terribly under exposed, the built in flash is far too weak, leading my purchase of an external flash.
   
   I am happy with the book and sometimes refer back to it when photographing in unfamiliar circumstances. -G



4. This book is designed as 30% how to operate the camera and 70% how to use the camera to take pictures in various situations. The first part of the book (the 30%) is a brief overview of things you would probably learn in the camera operators manual, with some tips that are a nice touch to help you understand practical applications of the camera settings. But the author notes that you need to go the Nikon user manual for more in-depth descriptions of the camera's operaton in some areas. This is probably true, but I found the book provided a fairly complete discussion of the camera operation and I could operate without the manual.
   
   In the 70% of the book, as I see it, the author takes on other aspects of photography and using the camera to take "great photos". He begins with the basics of photography (aperature, shutter speed, ISO, etc.) Then he discusses things such as using different lenses and their effect, how to use the external flashes and how to set up lighting. He delves into things such as how to work with auto focus, and depth of field.
   
   He then discusses the various types of photography (e.g.night photography, photographing children, photographing landscape, night scenes, on-line auction photography, etc) and gives some very practical tips for taking the pictures as well as specific things to do to set up the picture and ensure the camera is set properly; Things such as having help from a parent and sibling to help relax a child during a photo session. The author also takes you through the software that Nikon provides, and offers suggestions on other options (some less costly...free) for doing some of these same tasks. The author provides a candid snapshot of the software packages, telling you their capabilities and limitations. This includes the Nikon software. Finally, a glossary is provided that de-mystifies the language of photographers. I found the book to be unbiased, informative and properly named "Field Guide".



5. Forget the manual that came with your camera. This book has everything you need to know and more. It just doesn't show you how to turn your camera on and use the functions. It shows you how to really use your camera to get fantastic photos.
   
   The writing style is very entertaining and conversational. Not a ton of "techie" speak. Best of all is the size of the book. It is just the right size to go in my camera bag and not take up a lot of space. I carry it everywhere.
   
   In a nutshell...if you own a Nikon D70...BUY THIS BOOK!