No comments about More Than Tom Jones.

5 comments about 500 Digital SLR Photography Hints, Tips, and Techniques: The Easy, All-in-One Guide to Those Inside Secrets.

1. I purchased this as a gift for a 15 year old camera buff with his first SLR Digital. He said the book is great and he uses it constantly. That tells me the book is a great asset. As soon as I can afford an SLR, I'll be picking up a copy of the book for me too!



2. You'll enjoy browsing through this book, picking up nuggets of information here or there. The 500 tips in this book are certainly more easily digested than what you might find in a huge, comprehensive guide to digital SLR photography.
   
   But the tips are a mixed bag. A lot of them are the sort of thing you'll find in your camera manual or could figure out using common sense (turning off picture review to save battery power comes to mind. D'oh.) Others are a little misleading. My personal pet peeve is calling the crop factor produced by digital SLRs with a smaller than "full-frame" sensor a "focal length multiplier factor." The focal length isn't being multiplied, which might imply reduced depth-of-field. The image is simply being cropped, and, because of the way we do math in our heads it's easier to calculate equivalent field-of-view by multiplying the focal length by the reciprocal of the true crop factor, rather than dividing.
   
   But my comments are just nit-picks. Overall, I think this book is well worth having, if only because it extracts a healthy helping of common-sense tips and presents them in a form that's easy to absorb.



3. This book glosses over a lot of techniques. The tip is given, with a sentence or 2 to follow up on it. While much of the advice is good or even excellent the book doesn't go in depth on anything. When combined with the other books I have bought on digital SLR Photography it is helpful. On its own not so much. I would recommend this book as a starter, you'll need other books to get in depth on the Tips.



4. Leaves you wanting more... 500 little blurbs. Each of the 500 techniques are as little as a one sentence how-to, which only leaves you wanting more information. Which means, you need yet another book to actually learn the techniques presented in this book. The "500 tips" is just a gimicky way of selling the book, and it makes it hard to read. For instance, tips 261-269 on bracketing come out to a total of 13 sentences which span two pages. And yet, 13 sentences on this subject is only a tease.
   
   It's a really pretty book, lots of vibrant, glossy pictures. But it only will take you 20 minutes to skim it and move on to something with more substance. The best person to buy this book should probably be someone who has never held a camera and has just gotten their first one.



5. A Gift for my husband, He said it has great simple info in it.

No comments about Performance: Richard Avedon.

5 comments about The Most Beautiful Villages of France (Most Beautiful Villages).

1. Dominique Reperant's "village" has fewer than 1,050 inhabitants and he defines "most beautiful" as most preserved. So it's no surprise that his photographic essay that explored even the tiniest corners of France resulted in a collection of impressive shots that showcase France's roots in the medieval middle ages. And while the coffe table sized book will serve as a pleasurable souvenir of a trip into the French countryside, I was considerably underwhelmed with the quality of the photographs. They have a frustrating sameness of style and composition from photograph to photograph that failed to capture the distinctness of each town and enormous variation in the geographical settings of the towns from region to region. And, if there was a rationale to the order in which the towns were presented, it escaped me entirely.
   
   A nice memory to be sure but certainly not a book that I would categorize as so stunning that it would prompt an armchair traveller into booking a trip on the next available flight to France.
   
   Paul Weiss



2. I have five of these ''Most Beautiful..." books, and have to say there is something of a problem with this particular book. Many of the images here seem to lack any real black tones in them, and consequently lack depth. It is not because they are meant to look misty and atmospheric, it is simply something missing either in the original photography or in the printing. Compared to the images in "The Most Beautiful Towns of England", for example, where the images are pin sharp and full of contrast, they are simply not as well produced.
   
   Still worth the money if you want to see some of the villages here, but there is little within quite as alluring as the cover photo, in my opinion.



3. This is a thoroughly enjoyable and easy reading book. The authors take you through rural France and anyone who has visited there can identify with it. The process of social and cultural acclimmatization is both facinating and entertaining.



4. Yes, the villages in this book are beautiful, but having been to France several times, I was a bit disappointed that the photos in this book are all relatively similar. Although some of the photos and descriptions are impressive, this book could have provided more intimate or unique photos of the villages and shops as well as more interesting prose.



5. This is my third copy of this book. I give it as gifts to everyone I love. I live the dream with a home in Turenne (the picture on the cover) My aim is to visit every single one of these exceptional villages.
   
   The book is beautifully illustrated, and the text has the essence of each village exactly. It whets one's appetite to see The Most Beautiful Villages of France.

4 comments about Forensic Photography: Importance of Accuracy.

1. The book gives a good overview about forensic photography. The location strategy, what images you have to take.
   But the technical part, especially digital photography and photogrammetry are completely outdated. To me these parts looked like 10 to 15 years old. There is significant room for improvement.



2. As a Forensics Photographer, I have nothing but praise for Sandy and this book. It's very well written and covers just about everything someone would need to know to make it in this profession. I highly recommend this book to anyone already in Forensics, or looking to get into it.



3. The thoroughness begins with the cover, straight and to the point. This is forensics. This is photography. No way to confuse the topic. I've spent years looking for that one (1) book that could teach me Forensic Photography in its entirety. I've now found it. No need to read any of the other books available, and frankly none are with as much focus, direction and knowledge shared as this book by Mr Weiss. His insight into what a student really needs to learn is most impressive! The books approach and style are second to none. The book is written by one man, but it seems like the reader is gaining an entire degree, from many professors with many years of experience. No reason to ever waste money on another book of the same subject. This is well worth the investment and more importantly its' return of investment is already paying off! Thank you to the Author! Thank you Sanford Weiss for penning this book and sharing your wisdom. An instant hit in my opinion!



4. "Forensic Photography: The Importance of Accuracy", Sanford L. Weiss, NJ, Pearson Education, Inc. (Prentice Hall), 2009 ISBN: 13: 978-0-13-158286-6, HC 503 pgs. plus Contents, 14 pgs., Ref., 7 pgs., Glossary 23 pgs., Index 11 pgs., and numerous B/W photographs. 10 ¼" x 8 ¼".
   
   Author Sanford Weiss is an experienced forensics investigator & photographer with impressive credentials and decades of `on the job' investigatory work as photographer/investigator. He is a prolific writer of technical articles and a recipient of prestigious awards in evidence photography. This book should serve to be a reference and teaching guide for those interested in forensic photography, whether an individual, department or used in a teaching institute. Not available for review at this time is information of the book-specific "Companion Website" with review material, additional photo examples and Supplements which are believed to include Instructor's Manual and PowerPoint and access to color photos! NFD.
   
   "Forensic Photography" was a monumental undertaking for one man, but this strengthens the very substance of a book which is highly technical, divided into subsections for easy reference, and covers the A to Z of the fields of photography and forensics. In 17 chapters the entirety of the field is nicely covered with discussion of photography essentials in forensics; digital & conventional camera types; divers ancillary equipment and lighting methodologies; macro, video, 3-D & underwater imaging techniques; plus the photography of fires, accidents & crime scenes in addition to courtroom testimony.
   
   The author embedded a number of excellent case synopses involving crane, bus, train, truck, car, & airplanes including TWA 800, etc. The text has numerous B/W photographs and referenced diagrams to complement the text. For clarity and consistency a comprehensive glossary of terminologies is provided. Throughout, the theme of fair and accurate representation is stressed - for in forensic photography, photographic charm is meaningless, only the Truth in imaging reigns, and here... beauty IS the truth in imaging.

2 comments about Las Soldaderas: Women of the Mexican Revolution.

1. Elena Poniatowska's "Las Soldaderas: Women of the Mexican Revolution" (Cinco Puntos Press, $12.95 paperback) demonstrates the riveting, almost hypnotic power of photographs.
   
   Poniatowska's text (translated from Spanish by David Dorado Romo) is wisely limited to about two dozen pages and acts as a frame for the remarkable black-and-white images of the brave women who fought on either side of the Mexican Revolution.
   
   The term "soldadera" comes from "soldada," or salary. Poniatowska explains that "during all wars and invasions, soldiers used their 'soldada' (a word of Aragonese origin) to hire a female servant. The woman would go to the barracks to charge her salary, i.e., soldada." Thus, the term "soldadera" was coined.
   
   The photographs are culled from the enormous Casasola Collection in the Fototeca Nacional of the National Institute of Anthropology and History in Mexico. The publisher tells us that the collection is based on the work of Agustín Casasola (1874-1938), one of the first photojournalists in Mexico and founder of the photo agency that carries his name.
   
   It is difficult not to mull over these photographs of Mexican and indigenous women from the early part of the last century as they pose with their pistols, horses, children or husbands. These are women who played different roles, sometimes as brave soldiers, other times as helpmates (or even prostitutes without much choice) to the male warriors.
   
   Poniatowska offers anecdotes to help us know these women, sometimes using their own words. Pancho Villa does not fair well here, nor do other men who took brutal advantage of -- or even murdered -- these women.
   
   "Las Soldaderas" perfectly weds words with photographs as a poignant tribute to the brave women who were active participants in the Mexican Revolution.
   
   [The full review first appeared in the El Paso Times.]



2. The pages of the book are not even numbered correctly at the beginning of the story . The book is very thin, with only 89 pages (57 pages are of photographs, all of which are easily available on the internet for free, like on Pancho Villa's Photos website of Ojianga). Throughout the book, everything is so contradictory. The author seems confused. No real effort seems to have been put forth to educate the reader.Seems like she gave a bunch of jumbled reviews of different novels she picked up . You can't tell what is true and what is fiction. Can't believe this is supposed to be a book.

5 comments about Shelter Dogs.

1. I bought this book because I read all the wonderful reviews and frankly I was extremely disappointed. I am a real dog lover and melt at the sight of any dog but these photos lack life. They look like mannequins and very few of them show the wonderful expressions we so often see in dogs and which make dogs so utterly lovable. For a book that is trying to tug at your heart on the subject of shelter dogs, it has failed spectacularly.
   Give this book a miss.



2. This book gives us details on shelter dogs, who the author Traer Scott, has met in her travels. So touching, uplifting and heartbreaking, especially when we learn so much about them and are told at the end which dogs lived and were adopted...and which ones were not (sniffle)...If this book doesn't convince you to adopt from an animal shelter, then I don't know what will! A portion of the proceeds from this book and Scott's other book, Street Dogs, are donated to animal charities. Worth it to buy both! Thanks for this great, insightful look at America's animal shelters.



3. This was a very good book. The descriptions were great. The pictures were beautiful. I really enjoyed reading it. There was alot of information. Shelter Dogs



4. I'm an aspiring photographer/shelter owner...and this book just confirmed why I want to do each of those things. I cried when I read some of the stories in the back, and each picture was so darn cute. I love this book, and (when I get one) will sit on my coffee table for all my guests to look at!



5. ..of finding the soul of her subjects, and showing us all what loving, intelligent, sensitive creatures these abandoned companions truly are!
   
   As the proud "parent" of five rescued canines (and three rescued felines), I can only express my regret that our "forever home" cannot accommodate more: I'd take in each and every one of these lost souls that she captures so hauntingly.
   
   Complaint has been lodged that Ms. Scott erred by not including each animal's bio with their photograph, but I take exception to that: The impact is magnified, when the photograph alone is displayed.
   
   My only dissatisfaction might be that the book is too short, and I can only implore the author to continue her exceptional work with additional issues: If only more people could truly see these loving creatures through the "eye" of her camera, perhaps our shelters would not be so full, and "euthanization" could become anachronistic...

5 comments about Photography Outdoors: A Field Guide for Travel and Adventure Photographers.

1. As a novice photographer I found this book useful. There are better, more complete books available. But it is important to remember that this is a field guide -- a book you can take along with you and use as a quick reference, something to inspire ideas and turn snap shots into something better. Personally, I have learned a lot from it, yet it is not the last book I will read on photography. If you are considering picking up a copy of it, I think it is worth it if you plan on reading it during a vacation or while away from home.



2. I am a keen amateur photographer on a steep learning curve and a tight budget. I spend a lot of time in bookshop cafes reading (for free!) any book about photographic technique that I can find. I am becoming quite technically proficient but I also happen to be an outdoor enthusiast who loves white water kayaking, mountain biking and nature photography. Therefore, I no longer want to learn about how to photograph animals in zoos (although I'm sure I can practice there!), nor do I really care about studio flash photography. I spied 'Photography Outdoors 2nd edition' yesterday and, after a quick flick through, I didn't think twice about spending AU$32. I haven't put this book down since, this is my type of photography and illustrates my type of subjects. The text is clearly written (point taken about mis-printed ISO rating p.83) and focuses on developing the readers creative potential using sound technique rather than rote learning about how to photograph particular subjects. More importantly, it is A5 format and thus is clearly meant to be carried and used!! I have no doubt that this book will become tatty and well loved (like my camera) and will reside permanently inside my pack, pannier or pelicase.

   Note: This book is definately written for someone with a sound understanding of photographic principles wanting to pursue outdoor and adventure photography, rather than for beginners. Beginners wanting to photograph outdoor and adventure activities should therefore read this book in combination with Michael Langford's 35mm Handbook (like I did). You can't go wrong then.




3. Photography Outdoors is a must-read for any serious photographer. I read the book from cover to cover and it was easily as pleasent to read as a best-selling novel. Art and Mark present the subject matter in a way that keeps you constantly interested. Their writing is as good as thier photography.

   I learned that lenses have a "sweet spot" aperture for producing the sharpest image.

   I learned why my snow always looks gray, and why black objects always come out too light.

   I learned more about working with my images after digitzing them.

   There's too much to list here. I learned a little more about every topic they covered than I knew before reading the book. This book opens up a whole new world of techniques for you to experiment with.

   There are tips and tricks inserted throughout the book. Many I transcribed into my PDA, others I scanned and printed to keep in my camera bag.

   Buy it. You'll like it.

   -CK




4. At first glance this looks like an ideal book for someone who is moving from the point-and-shoot stage of photography to something beyond snapshots. Everything most people want to know about photography from the relationships of f-stops, shutter speed and film speed all the way to underwater photography is in this book. Unfortunately the book throws the information at you so quickly and with so little discussion and few examples of applications that you may miss some very important concepts and confuse others.

   It would be nice to think that a person could improve his or her photography without a lot of effort, but that just isn't so. It's not enough to have a new rule thrown at you. Most people need photography principles to be explained, usually in several different ways, with plenty of examples. You'd expect lots of pictures to be used to illustrate points. After all, this is about photography. But that is not the approach taken by this book. The principles are stated, and later in the book, restated, but not illustrated well.

   It's really a shame, because this book is small enough to carry with you in case you want to check on something in the field. Art Wolfe, whose pictures appear throughout the book, is one of the great outdoor photographers (Gardner's pictures also appear to a lesser extent, but they aren't in the same league as Wolfe's.). Unfortunately the pictures aren't tied to the teaching points very strongly. That's a shame because stronger ties to Wolfe's pictures could really teach one about outdoor photography.

   The book gives a nod to incorporating digital photography, but only in the most rudimentary fashion. For example, I consider an understanding of "white balance" to be essential for a serious digital photographer, but this book just barely acknowledges that there is such a thing.

   There are several mistakes in this book. A chart on page 83 suggesting exposure guidelines for low-light photography captions a column ISO 50 (film speed) when it means ISO 400. Follow these guidelines and your picture will be hopelessly underexposed.

   The author discusses pushing film. This process involves setting your camera as if the film you are using is more sensitive than it really is and then asking your lab to develop the film in a way that will make it that sensitive. The author says that pushed film is less grainy then film with a higher rating shot and developed normally. It's not true. If it were, all we'd ever need is one speed of film.

   If I absolutely needed a guide that would fit in my pocket in the field I'd consider this book. Otherwise I'd buy a book like John Shaw's Nature Photography Field Guide. It's physically bigger, but will be more effective in improving your outdoor photography.




5. I love this book because it is written right at the best level for everyone to enjoy and get something out of. I read and practiced on my Canon AE-1, and shared things with a friend who began taking better pictures on his "point and shoot" camera. Terrific book, great photo examples....

2 comments about Paris, Hotels and More (Midsize).

1. This book has it all... photos, information, & compact size. From page one you're hooked. Hotels are grouped into arrondissements with a lovely drawn map preceding each section. The photos are superb and really capture a feeling. I must commend the photographer(s). The book's vibe is hip and French. Everything you need is in the book... photos, hotel info including rates, websites, & great description. It certainly is a resource.



2. Written in English, French and German, "Paris" not just a guide book, but a memory book of exquisite design, superb photographs, and the highest quality printing on thick, finely-textured paper. Note that the type is a bit small, even with reading glasses.
   
   These featured photos from the internal pages of the book don't fully capture its beauty and artistic design. When was the last time you ran your fingers over thick, finely-textured paper and experienced genuine quality for $16.40? Like Paris, this book is not "slick". It's the equivalent of a Bergdorf Goodman cashmere sweater.
   
   Organized by arrondisement or neighborhood, each page captures the very soul and character of Paris, immersing the reader in the atmosphere and sensuality of the streets, shops, hotels and restaurants. I was completely seduced by each page.
   
   Anjelika Taschen introduces both the seasoned explorer of Parisian neighborhoods and the first-time visitor to new haunts. Stop by the Grande Herboristerie Parisienne de la Place Clichy, a shop stocking more than 900 herbs that produce an infinite number of individually-prepared remedies for a multitude of modern maladies. I've been to Paris more times than I can count, and I found many new experiences for my Sept. visit.
   
   Plan ahead in your gift giving or personal travel schedule. Unfortunately, this jewel of a guide book is not immediately available in the U.S. and is on a 1-3 week delivery. Buy a few copies in advance and put them in the closet. You will have a unique, memorable gift for special friends, family and business colleagues of every age, male and female.

2 comments about The Technique of Film and Video Editing, Fourth Edition: History, Theory, and Practice.

1. The Technique of Film and Video doesn't really know what it wants to be.
   
   It over emphasis on editing history and early theory would simply overwhelm first time editing students and outright bore those familiar with the craft.
   
   As a film student, I know the importance of film editing, but this entry fails to generate any interest for the technique and the practical implications for film editing.
   
   It's been said not to judge a book by its cover, and this one is no different. A screen capture of "Brokeback Mountain" does nothing to offset the heavy emphasis on film pre-1960.
   
   Just my two cents.



2. I had to buy this for a film editing class. I'm only about 2 chapters in so far, but I'm thoroughly disappointed. Dancyger seems to prefer directing techniques over editing techniques, and definitely theory over practice. The first two chapters are reiterating the basics of film history with many techniques used in the classics by Melies, Porter, and Eisenstein. I've learned so much about film history and SO LITTLE about editing technique I am definitely disappointed and unenthusiastic about reading more.