5 comments about The Magic of Digital Nature Photography (A Lark Photography Book).

1. I enjoyed this book and got a lot of good information out of it. The writing style is good and the photos are very nice.
   
   I would say this makes a nice digital compliment to Shaw's Field Guide and Focus on Nature books.



2. If you are looking for a helpful book on nature photography, keep looking. This book's focus is not on technique (or even nature photography) but mostly on gear and simplistic ABCs.
   
   55% of the book is photos. None of the photos give detail of how it was shot or any twist on a technique used. This drops the page count from 207 pages to 93 functional pages. The first 61 pages offer nothing different than that of a camera's manual on shutter speed, white balance, etc. More wasted space is used on "gear" about tripods and cameras. Doing the math, we are now down to 66 pages. This process continues to where we have just a few pages that may offer some value.
   
   Much of the remaining reduction comes in wasted space on "gear" which Sheppard rehashes multiple times. This book's only purpose would be to get someone not the slightest interested in photography to perhaps spark an interest. For any photographer at any level, the book offers nothing than what you find on camera manufacturer websites and manuals inside camera boxes. It is so basic that even beginners would be hard pressed to learn much. In the end, you are left wondering where the pages are about nature photography. Look elsewhere in Amazon for more suitable photography books.



3. This book is excellent for photographers wanting to expand their capabilities and improve their technique. It provides great ideas and examples for taking your photographs to the next level.



4. This book has taught me so much about exposure and everything you need to take a beautiful nature photo. I recommend to everyone....beginner to professional.



5. At first glance, the book is amazing. It is very well written with all sorts of useful advice. It is useful for a beginner, but he never sounds as if he is talking down to anyone. It has plenty of more technical advice for the more advanced, but it never becomes overwhelming. And the photos are simply amazing.
   
   But... I do have one problem with the book, and it is fairly glaring to me. As amazing as the photos are, the author makes little to no attempt to tie them into the text. There is no attempt to use the photos as a way to explain difficult or confusing topics. It is almost like the author wrote the entire book and then simply added a bunch of photos randomly throughout the text. Photographers by nature are visual learners. It would have been much more helpful if the author had use the photos to teach us and let the text add the details instead of relying so heavily on the text itself.
   
   The end result is that many times the beautiful photos seem more of a distraction than helpful examples. This book is very good, but it easily could have been so much better.

5 comments about Garage Glamour: Digital Nude and Beauty Photography Made Simple.

1. Not a fan of the writing style nor layout of this book. The photos are very non remarkable for the most part. The photographer describes his style in the book, it's not mine and perhaps I'm biased? But I don't think skin should be THAT yellow. There's a time and a place for flash gels but imo most of the photos in this book are way overboard, very jaundiced looking.
   
   As for the homemade fluorescent light setup mentioned in other reviews. Unless you wish to spend time in photoshop removing the very distracting and very strange eye reflections, don't bother. The light looks...uh...fluorescent, I suppose, but not particularly soft fluorescent as there's no soft box or any other filter in front of it. With 4 catchlights in the models eyes in examples from the book I would definitely alter that plan. Plus a 4x6 hunk of plywood with a hole cut in the middle to insert your camera limits mobility drastically with such a light. It's a one trick pony and that trick isn't even that great.



2. I read this book and in fact have read it several times. It gives some excellent advice on photography from using lines and form to direct the viewers eye to working with lights and models.
   
   The glamour images are excellent and will inspire you to try harder. The only down side to this book is it leaves you wanting more. There is so much information in such a little space, I finished thinking there had to be more.
   
   Tim Skipper
   Vision Photo Image
   www.visionphotoimage.com



3. As a long time professional photographer I feel I can always pick up something new from any book on photography I read. Unfortunately this was not the case. There were very few really top quality images in this book and they were mixed with a lot of poor images. The equipment that he used was very limiting, it was like he was pushing certain brands. Normally I would say it may be good for beginners but in this case I feel they would be lead astray. If you are going to write a book about photography every image should be of top quality, and you should explain the alternatives of the different kinds and brands of equipment available. You should explain how you are using this particular piece of equipment and why you are using it, and what effect it produces. I was so disappointed in this book I sent it back for a refund, and I have a very extensive library of photographic books, in the hundreds. Don't waste your time buying this book.



4. 'Lite' simply means all the basics are well covered. The author opens his mind and reveals his thought and action processes. All glamour shots that are shown give detailed camera settings. Many 'tricks of the trade' are given. A very valuable resource. Keeping brevity in mind, he does mention several times in the publication that you will need to go to a more defined source if you need detailed information regarding a specific photographic arena. I got this publication in addition to 'Lighting the Nude'. I think they compliment each other very well. The first 'tells' you how - the latter 'shows' you how.



5. Very deceptive title for a book with no lighting setup diagrams or easy to follow descriptions. A few worthwhile tips, but essentially an extremely unrealistic approach for the average amateur. You would need a full crew of assistants and a nearly unlimited budget to accomplish what is shown and described in this book. If you're a pro this book may be worth your time otherwise look elsewhere.

No comments about Alec Soth: Sleeping by the Mississippi.

5 comments about Ultimate Horse Barns.

1. This pictorial gem makes a great gift for the horse-lover in your life. The photographs are absolutely breathtaking.



2. This book has some pretty great pictures! Definitely a great gift for any horse lover that dreams of having their own barn.



3. I live, breathe horses. Ever since the age of 2, when I rode my first horse I have been as they say "horse crazy". I ride horses alot for 4-H and for my school's Equestrian Team and when I saw this book in my Horse Illistrated Magazine and instintly wanted to get it. I looked online for it and found it on its original website, but I didn't want to pay the full price. I searched around an found the best deal here on Amazon.com I read the book cover to cover and still constintally (sp?) look at it. Its a dream of mine to open my own horse barn someday and this book has been a real instiration and a enjoyable book for me!



4. As a lover of horses and pictoral books on design, I have been looking for this type of book on horse barns for quite some time. This book contains a well thought out range of historic and new equine related buildings that have been beautifully photographed. The descriptive passages relating to each property give a very personal and charming look at the development, building process and use of the buildings. My interest in the book was primarily in the photographs which are not over powered by the text. I have purchased a number of other books on the subject but they do not compare to the quality of this publication. For horse lovers, would be barn builders and lovers of unique architecture, I highly recommend "Ultimate Horse Barns".



5. And I thought that people spent a lot of money on houses. Then again, with horses of the caliber being housed here, I suppose the cost of the Ultimate Horse Barns being shown here isn't significant after all. You could build nearly any of them for say $4 to $5 million. Needless to say these are not little sheds just to keep the horse out of the rain.
   
   The buildings included here range from new construction to buildings that are well over a hundred years old. Many of these buildings are part of institutions such as the University of Vermont, the Kiwanis Club of West Toronto. Some belonged to the rich and famous, such as Vanderbilt. Some are working horse farms, but with a specialty in breeding or training high end horses.
   
   Note though that these are working barns. There are horses here, horses being groomes, trained, or like 'Bailey' on page 125 looking out of his stall as if to say, 'OK, it's morning, where's my breakfast.'

5 comments about Plastic Cameras: Toying with Creativity.

1. Michelle Bates has the experience and expertise to give an overall review of the Holga, Diana and others. The book contains an extensive collect of works by major toy camera artists and an explaination of their methods.
   There is an interesting history of the Holga and several chapters demonstrating the use and modification of our favorite piece of plastic. Film selection and processing is also discussed.
   If you are a Holga or Diana user or are considering purchasing one, then this is the book for you. Read it once, refer to it often, it's that good.
   It's also well bound and excellently printed.
   Well done, Ms. Bates



2. As someone who has been involved with digital photography for over 10 years, I first became curious about 'plastic' cameras after seeing an exhibition of the author's work a few years ago. The images were hauntingly beautiful and I was surprised to find out they were completely un-touched by any digital process. Holgas, one of the models that form the centerpiece of this book, can produce a variety of images depending on how they are set up, or in some cases, not set up.
   
   Michelle's book is fun to read and offers many tips, tricks and techniques for the amateur and seasoned photographer alike. I disagree with the reviewer who described the images in the book as too 'artsy fartsy'. I feel they appropriately serve to illustrate the techniques discussed and are a good overview of contemporary artists using 'plastic' cameras.
   
   This is a great title for the curious. I'm now inspired to attempt some panoramas and double exposures as described in the book.



3. Most books either inspire, through the wonderful work of other photograpers, or are how-tos. This book is both.
   
   However, you must be familiar with cameras that use good old-fashioned FILM to use it. I can't imagine using the how-to section of this book if you've never used anything but a digital camera. On the other hand, there is a little bit of info at the end of the book on computer scanning and pixels that goes right over my head. (I'll study up on it.)
   
   But here it is: When my cameras were stolen a few years ago, I wasn't concerned about replacing the Olympus. It devastated me to lose my toy Dories. I bought another for a lot more than $5.
   
   Read Toy Cameras. Buy a toy camera. You'll never go back to "the real thing" again.



4. I bought this book because I own a couple of toy cameras. I have a Holga that I didn't use often and I thought the book might have something in it to inspire me to use it more. I found the book excellent for new users of toy cameras. It has all the information that you need to start using a Holga. I also like learning about the origins of the toy cameras. The book is easy to read. The pictures are excellent and it's also good that the book includes short background information about the photographers. I've shown the book to some of my friends and they loved it, too.



5. this book is an outstanding introduction to anyone just getting into the toy camera experience. while i have been able to find much of the information in this book in other places on the web, it is great to have a consolidated, concise reference on the joys of toy cameras. this book mainly focuses on the holga but there are homages to the other great toy cameras in history, the diana for example. if you like plastic cameras, or are interested in getting to know them better, then BUY THIS BOOK!

5 comments about Van Halen: A Visual History: 1978 - 1984.

1. The reviews of this book do not do justice to this book. The pictures alone are spectacular. Neil Zlozower took nearly every famous and infamous picture of Van Halen during the DLR years. They are all here along with a plethora of never seen before photos of the band and quotes and anecdotes from a broad spectrum of the music industry ranging from Jimmy Page to Slash. The book itself is well done also, the cover beneath the dust jacket has a nice glossy finish on it and the pages themselves are nicely bound, sewn in instead of just glued in so that the book can be laid flat when open without damaging the binding. This book is a must for any true Van Halen fan or collector.



2. WOW, WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO GO BACK IN TIME W/ THE VAN HALEN BOYS...ESPECIALLY DAVE, CUZ W/O HIM THERE IS NO VAN HALEN!!!!! IF YOU LOVE VAN HALEN, YOU NUST MUST MUST BUY THIS BOOK!!!!



3. I remember hearing the first track of VH 1 when it was released,
   bringing with it chills up the spine and jaw dropped.
   This book brings you in a time warp to witness rock history, and
   realize - in case you didn't - that Van Halen dropped a bomb on
   the music scene. Not only a revolutionary guitar god, but songs
   and live performances that rose light years beyond what was coming out
   of the U.S.A. at the time. The kind we won't see again, either.
   
   The photos, by a master of R&R photography, look like they were taken
   yesterday. Crisp, clear and a great mix of group shots and live. The
   backstage pics of Eddie preparing his axe arsenal, for example, are priceless; Alex behind one of his monster drum kits.
   
   And yes, it appropriately culminates with 1984 - got a problem with that?



4. Felt like I was back in high school, as I flipped through this book about the Rock God's -- Van Halen. Finally a Van Halen book worth looking at. Beautiful book about the Greatest Rock Band and Guitarist of all time.



5. This is a big, good quality hardcover book. Mostly full of pictures, hence the title. The pictures are excellent quality, and I couldn't stop from looking through them. There are also many quotes and stories from other musicians and coworkers. Very interesting. I bought this book as a gift for a huge Eddie fan, and I'm sure he'll display it proudly on his coffee table... I know I would.

5 comments about My Nude (Photography).

1. A little disappointing. There are some interesting photos but as was mentioned earlier in another user review the best is on the cover with a few others smattered throughout. Overall just "good" though, not great.



2. I was disappointed with the images in this book; the cover image is by far the most interesting and the others just go downhill from here. I thought there was little creativity in the bulk of the poses or the technical composition of the final images. There ARE many photographic portrait masters out there and some EXCELLENT collections of artistic nudes; "My Nudes" simply fails to satisfy.



3. Overall I'd say the photos are very "tasteful" and more artistic than erotic. They are made up of unique atypical angles, poses, and compositions. Being that the photos are all from different artists there is a huge variation in style, which is nice - hardly any pictures look alike.
   
   Some nit-picks I have are:
   *The models' names aren't given on the photo page, However, you can get them from the back of the book.
   * A couple photos are spread across 2 pages that split the model on the seam in a bad way visually. This is a pet peave of mine - don't split the main focal point on a seam!



4. This collection represents the best of a magazine's photo contest: present the best photographic nude. "Best" means as many different things as there are photographers, models, and cameras - that constraint hardly narrows things down.
   
   I found a few trends here, all of which I liked. One trend I'll call the "scuptural." As on the cover photo, it uses all the flexibility of a superb athlete to align the vectors of a body's parts in ways that bring something new to the viewer. Muller (p.16), Schulz (p.44), and Doring (p.77) all capture camera angle and human figure in ways that cast beauty at the viewer long before they offer structural logic. Others, including Garbe (p.101) and Koltgen (p.27), create utterly literal abstractions from the play of curve and light. My favorites, though are just fun. Seeing a lady simply happy in herself (pp.15, 23, 64) or offering her physical presence as a statement of boldness (pp. 51, 32) carries a spirit that I find lovely.
   
   As happens so often, the figures are all except one or two slim, twenty-ish, and Anglo in feature and figure. Don't get me wrong, they're beautiful (or at least pretty). I just want to know where all the other ladies went - and, whatever color, age, and shape, who the woman is inside the figure. That's just me wishing the book was different than it is, though. What it is offers visions from dozens of artists in appealing, un-challenging ways to see the female figure. The little bit of tie-me-up fetish stuff is ignorable, the rest is glorious.
   
   -- wiredweird



5. i own a fair number books that are collections of figure studies and use them for drawing projects since its difficult in a small town to find a model. this is one of the best due to the quality of the images and the variety of poses and models.

5 comments about Without Sanctuary: Lynching Photography in America.

1. As a white man over sixty, growing up in the Northeast, I was sheltered from the realities of racism by my surroundings. "Colored people" were simply not socially acceptable, thats all.
   When you go through this book you will cringe and shutter. What reason and why would white people do this. Not only lynch but torture and maim before they allowed the subject to die, and often for no reason - just because it was Saturday night and people needed something to do. Truly a wakeup call for white America to reflect on what we were and really how far have we come.
   
   Buy this book !
   
   Z



2. This an extraordinary book.
   
   My father, who was a civil rights activist, wore a button for years that said, "I read banned books." When he died, we made a bookmark with his photo on it wearing that button. When I read Without Sanctuary I used that bookmark. Living here in New York City I often ride the trains, and I like to read during these trips. I decided to take the cover off this book because I was worried about children and anyone else who was not ready to see these photos getting a glimpse of them. But I've talked to my friends at work, and I've even given them peeks of this book because I want so much for people to know about the period of our national history during which lynching occurred. Few people can stand to look.
   
   I once went to a workshop for learning how to undo the effects of racism, which was mostly for people of color. I asked the workshop leader, "What can we white folks do to end our own racism?" He answered, "Put your face into the buzz-saw of racism, and hold it there until you heal." I am still, many years later, trying to follow that suggestion, and buying this book was part of my journey as a white person in acknowledging the racist legacy I inherited growing up in the US. Without Sanctuary puts your face into the ways that white society tried to terrorize and silence a large number of US citizens.
   
   My family immigrated from Lithuania and other countries in Eastern Europe around the turn of the 1900s. As Jewish immigrants, many of them felt that they had nothing to do with slavery, and they certainly had their own problems coming here. My grandfather participated in union organizing with other Jewish workers, and my father turned towards the problems of poverty and racism in our city during the 1960s until his recent death. But I still feel we as a white family benefit from centuries of free labor in the US. The hard fact is, that as white immigrants we bought into the racist system that supported a middle class, or at least the intellectual lifestyle. Today I work as a public school teacher in the housing projects of Brooklyn, but I own my own house and I enjoy a middle class income.
   
   Without Sanctuary reveals and reminds of us of that period following emancipation when white citizens still stood to gain economically by the silence and passivity of African American communities. That period, more than any other period of our history, conditioned us, under heavy terror, to accept the separation caused by so many years of slavery. Without Sanctuary is one of my buzz-saws, and I cherish it. And although no one I know can stand to look at it with me (yet), it is a healing device, because without understanding there cannot be reconciliation. Without pain there cannot be recovery. We as a people must face and feel our own history so that we can move forward to a world without racism.
   
   The question you need to ask yourself before buying this book is, "Am I ready to heal?"
   
   Thank you, to the folks who put together Without Sanctuary.



3. There are other books of lynching photographs, including LYNCHING PHOTOGRAPHS by Apel and Smith, which I used for a class in African-American History. But, while the Apel and Smith book is more cost effective, it lacks the appeal and power of WITHOUT SANCTUARY. For a book that calls itself LYNCHING PHOTOGRAPHS, it was remarkably sparse on actual photographs and very high in narrative and artistic evaluation. That is not the case with this book. It is stunning, both inside and out. It is stimulating to the senses--incredibly stylistic and made with high quality materials, as well as filled with large and incredibly powerful visual images and powerful source material. It is a book that is very hard to read because of the heartwrenching images, but impossible to put down. I plan to use this book in my future classes.



4. It's not a pretty job, but someone had to make this book. This history, though despicable, should not be hidden any more than the Jewish Holocaust should be. Germans need(ed) to face their history and as a white person I can say American whites need to do so too.



5. One gropes for words -- and many adjectives such as "horrific", "vile", and "gruesome" spring to mind -- but ultimately words fall far short. Which is why this collection of 98 photographs of lynchings that occurred throughout the United States (not just the South) is so important. Many but not all were the product of racism. All reflect a mob inhumanity and cruelty that boggles the mind and rends the soul. Although not on the same massive scale as the Nazi treatment of the Jews, this nation's lynching history, as graphically documented in this book, is equally disturbing. (How does one "rank" such atrocities anyway?) And what makes this even more sickening was that so many of these executions were public spectacles, community functions that were commemorated and celebrated with post cards and other commercial ephemera and even mementos from the victims' bodies.
   
   Although not cheap ($41.16 at Amazon), WITHOUT SANCTUARY should be in every general public library in the United States, and at some point before graduation from high school every student should somehow be exposed to it, alongside the standard pronouncements of our nation's high and noble ideals (the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Gettysburg Address, etc.).

5 comments about Iceland: Land of the Sagas.

1. This is an absolutely gorgeous book...the photographs inspire one to call Icelandic Air and make a reservation asap! Iceland, a placenot to be missed!



2. Awesome photographs and well written, you will want to visit this wonderful landscape.



3. I recently visited Iceland for a a couple days enroute from Europe to the US and found myself enchanted by the country and its people. Returning home, I immediately wanted to purchase a book that would give me a better understanding of the culture, the land, and the history. This book has it all, and has filled me with interesting facts and stories, not to mention the beautiful visuals the photographs give. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in or loves Iceland.



4. Well, I must admit a slight "prejudice" regarding this book. I bought it because I've already read all the other books by Jon Krakauer (and loved every one a bunch!). But, this book is quite different from any other that Krakauer has been involved in. Right on the front cover it says "Photographs by Jon Krakauer Text by David Roberts" so I guess I shouldn't really have been all that surprised by the "difference." In fact, I have no choice but to believe that virtually everything that Jon Krakauer lays his hands on turns to gold somehow (this book is no different in this regard), since he absolutely has to be a severely super-experienced pro explorer, mountain climber, skier, paddler, writer and now, photographer, as well, judging from all he's written. If anything, he "under" emphasizes the feelings and emotions, at least, for those of us who've had at least a small taste of the miseries, dangers and pitfalls-- weather can play a big role-- that befall nearly every person who does these things. At some point, if your heart is in it at all, you'll get the crap scared out of you big time, unless you are completely out of your mind, either due to drugs, insanity or whatever. Krakauer is amazing at writing about all of this and more, but you'll find none of that in this book, at least none written by Krakauer. Nonetheless, as I said, Krakauer does anything and everything to perfection and with class, and in this book the text by David Roberts is nothing to boo-hoo at all. He is the equal of Krakauer in his own writing style and he tells great stories which are parts of the endless "sagas" that go on for centuries there, part of ordinary everyday life and culture for an Icelander, but a strange curiosity for foreigners from afar. Krakauer deferred to Roberts here most likely for a couple reasons; because he thought Roberts knew more and could write easier and with better results regarding Iceland, and he probably wanted to focus on developing yet another great natural talent of his own, photography, especially in such a surreal and amazingly different place that most peoples of the world aren't very familiar with. I'm guessing here, but the end results are superb. I know there are the little issues of content and various criticisms about whether they covered Iceland in a "balanced" and "informative" way, or whether the photos really represent the "true Iceland" that you'd see and experience should you take a "normal" vacation there (if there is such a thing). But those types of travel info books can be gotten by buying the title "Iceland" from any number of companies like Frommers or Fodors to many lesser known and more colorfully illustrated travel books that may or may not have as current of info as these well-known ones. I'm sure this is NOT the genre that Roberts and Krakauer had in mind when doing this book. Their book should be in that genre, too, but is very much more than that and I can definitely recommend it for anyone interested in Iceland, whether you have been there, are going there soon or maybe never will go there, but just want to know about the place. This title must be on your Iceland (or Jon Krakauer or David Roberts) list, whether short or long!



5. For anyone into the wild and all pure nature of Iceland, this is a good but advanced start. Try taking Njall's Saga at one hand and this very good-quality pictured book at the other and flip through the pages as you learn more about the Saga, the characters and the actual places where all these wild yet quite Icelandic bravery epic stories took place.This book is also great for anyone who would want to pursue a deeper understanding of the life during 1000 - when Christianity was adopted in Iceland. Again in this book you will get to read parts from various sagas, see turf homes and get a taste of pure Iceland. Enjoy it.

5 comments about The Portrait Photographer's Guide to Posing.

1. First,
   I Purchased, read and dissatisfied and "mad" with the "Posing Head to Toe".
   then
   I loan "Portrait Photographer's Guide to Posing" from the library. Wow! Bill clearly show the basic of posing and how different professional photographers do that. I own and read at least 10 books on portrait photography in different industry, children, wedding, teen... to models. The posing principle, composition... in this book can be apply to all type of photography. However, I should say, only 10% can be apply for children photography.
   I buy this book with no regret at all. (don't let any other negative comments about this book. If not satisfy sent me "$@#$#@%*" :-)



2. I would recommend this book to every photographer, beginner or a bit more advanced. the examples are very well explained. a big help in learning about posing etc... I would NOT buy this book at amazon, because I had to pay 10 euro custom taxes, wich is more than 30%!



3. The title of this book is slightly misleading. It's not a strictly posing guide but and all-around handbook on portraits. It covers things as technical camera settings for various effects, depth of field rules (and how to break them), posing and communication techniques, composition rules, detailed guide on how to enhance/fade various details of your model (ex too large chin, overweight body, etc).
   It is a great guide to have around and the perfect first step towards portraits. What I love most about it, is that for every rules it gives an example on how/when to break it.
   Don't expect very creative examples, this book isn't meant to put you on a pattern. The examples are average and to the point regarding the technique discussed, they are detailed and explain both the technical part and the concept behind it. Don't expect extreme creativity or breathtaking images inside, the images inside are meant to inspire, not to guide. After you learn the techniques inside, it's up to you to put them into practice according to your own style.



4. Great book, well written, clear and concise. I learned more from the first 3 chapters than 7 weeks of an instructor lead class I recently took on Portrait Photography.



5. This book was exactly what I was looking for. It gives great generalized poses with good examples. I find it is one of those books that you "go back to" in order to get mental concepts for upcoming sessions.