2 comments about Weegee's New York: Photographs, 1935-1960.

1. With 335 photos, this large size paperback is one of the better books you'll find of Weegee's work. Divided into eighteen photographic chapters (with one image per page) it really is an impressive selection, especially as it covers his output from 1935 to 1960.
   
   The chapter on crime has the largest selection (thirty-one) with the predictable dead and bloodied bodies surrounded by police and public. Weegee claimed he (and several Speed Graphic cameras) covered hundreds of murders for the New York tabloids, he knew that that the only thing that mattered to the 'tabs' were the headlines and photos, the story could fill any space that was left. The other chapters cover ordinary New Yorkers in mostly nighttime settings.
   
   The perfect complement to this book is Miles Barth's 'Weegee's World' (ISBN 0821226495) which admittedly does have many of the same photos but also has three long essays about this unique photographer. I have another book about Weegee, a very poor reproduction of his 1945 title 'Naked City' (ISBN 0306812045) and again most of the photos are in the New York book.
   
   ***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.



2. This book is amazing piece of amercian history. New York history. Frozen moments of ordinary people and their enviroment. Really must have one...

5 comments about Life: Heaven on Earth: 100 Places to See in Your Lifetime (Life).

1. The pictures in this book are gorgeous. I have become obsessed with traveling to these places.



2. This book is very disapponting. The 100 places picked most of the times are over rated and the pictures in it are poor. Also the list forgets about magnificent places in the world, one of them is Angel Falls in Venezuela, the largest fall in the world in the middle of the jungle. I think it must e reviewed.
   We all have opinions but I didnt enjoy this book at all.



3. I bought this book to get travel ideas. I was not disappointed. It included several terrific places that I've already gone to such as Paris and Cartagena, Colombia, several places I've already planned to go to such as Guilin, China and Kauai and dozens of beautiful places I had never known about before. Only 20 of the places are from the United States so it does a good job of depicting places from every continent except the south pole.
   
   The photos, for the most part, are high quality and beautiful. The only drawback is that there is only one picture of each location with only a one paragraph description of each place. Although you will have to do more research on your own if you are interested in actually going there, this is a very good place to get started.
   
   Another good book is "Unforgettable Places to See Before You Die" which only has 40 places, but has multiple photos of each place as well as a six to eight page description of each place. There's not that much overlap since only about 15 places are in both books.



4. First, it took forever to get this book shipped and then when I did receive it - what a disappointment. Most of the photos are poor, lots of "noise" in most enlargments - which is very surprising for "Life". Second, there is very little written information.



5. I ordered my copy direct from Time Life and it came in the mail yesterday; I was truly impressed; I heard about the Seychelles Islands, but who knew it was that lovely; the flat as pancake Maldive Islands impressed me as well; How they got through the tsunami is nothing short but a miracle; To see the pictures of these islands are beautiful. Closer to home, The Natchez Trace and how it started really impressed me to check it out; Of course, The Grand Canyon, Statue of Liberty(which I've been to) was all interesting; Highly recommended for the wanderlust among us;

5 comments about Bondage For Sex.

1. very interesting book very helpgul for amateurs
   althought the drawings are not well shown and sometimes you can't figure out the steps for the knots
   in general nice book



2. Although the photography is simply gorgeous, you do have to actually read the book. Chanta explains all the knot tieing in the beginning of the book which you have to practice if you want to get any the positions right. If you can't figure out a knot, go back to where she explains it. simple as that.
   Positions are hot! Useful! Playful! Fun! Just go for it and awaken your inner naughtyness.
   p.s. I love that there isn't any psycho babble about bondage and people who partake like in Midori's books, just sex, more sex, and great sex.



3. Although the photography is visually appealing and the tone of the author sincere and light-hearted, as an educational text this book is basically worthless. If you want to look at interesting pictures for nifty bondage ideas, you might find value here. But if you want to have an idea of how to actually rig any of these positions, look elsewhere. The photos repeatedly skip steps, are utterly confusing, and are scarcely illustrative of actual rope tying and knotwork. I'm returning my copy immediately.



4. Chanta Rose joins the growing list of authors on bondage how-to's with an impeccable background derived from her many years of modelling, directing, rigging and teaching. Arguably, her book will set a new standard for introduction and presentation of one of the most sensuous activities shared between consenting adults. Her prologue and introduction at the beginning is a treasure trove of insight and understanding of her bondage psyche and personality. Focused on the most single intimate aspect with an intimate awareness born of her own personal experiences, Chanta Rose presents the techniques and variations of bondage sex that will enhance anyone's appreciation and application.
   Hot and sensual
   Advocate of bondage sex
   She is Chanta Rose
   
   O Sexy Princess
   Whose craft is truly practiced
   Thank you for sharing
   
   Spreadeagles, Crab Ties
   Bound Hands, Chest Harness, Frogties
   Ropes and knots galore
   
   But the best is this:
   Bondage is for mutual
   Orgasmic sex fun
   
   Volume I is fine
   Great photos, excellent prose
   Is volume II next?



5. I have most of the bondage books on sale and this one is my favourite.
   
   It's absolutely perfect for couples with no prior knowledge of bondage and its clear (and stunning) photographs and instructions will ensure you have a wonderful time!

5 comments about A Camera, Two Kids, and a Camel: My Journey in Photographs.

1. Very disappointed. Pictures are good but certainly not much about Petra which I was led to believe was the main interest. Books are for my kids that were in Petra and I thought they would make great gifts but doubt if they will be very impressed.



2. This book is just wonderful! It has the most beautiful photographs and commentary. I've been reading it to my children for bedtime story. I saw a television program where the author was talking about each picture. She gave even greater details about the stories and circumstances behind each picture! It would be great if that would have been included along with the book itself in CD/DVD format. I loved listening to her describe in detail all that goes in to getting the one perfect shot! Again, wonderful book. The photos are just breath-taking!



3. After reading the book and seeing the world through Annie G. Belts stunning photos, I am beyond moved. Her story is funny and beautiful. She makes me feel like I can do anything in the world that I dream of doing and bring my children along for the ride. This book has enriched my life and opened up my heart to new possibilitites.



4. A book to treasure! Simply magnificent photographs by the brilliant Annie G. Belt. Beautifully reproduced and narrated - a fascinating tour of the world and humanity by one of the top photographers in the world. Highly recommend!



5. The photos grab you at first, but it's the words that will make you treasure this must-have hardback. Author Annie Griffiths Belt was one of the first female photographers hired at the National Geographic Society, and in these pages you can understand why. The 133 images soar.
   
   Subjects range from Minnesota blizzards to Jerusalem Ramadan celebrations to refugee camps in Pakistan and Thailand. An image that sticks with me is a Biloxi Katrina survivor sitting alone in a bare room, holding her 81st birthday cake in her lap. Another indelible photo: dolphins playing at dawn in New Zealand.
   
   Also in the book are Belt's stories about her travels and adventures. Accompanying each photo is a short narrative, in which the author describes what was happening before, during and after she took the shot. Throughout the book Belt describes what it was like bringing her two young kids with her while she traveled, often with her husband in tow, too. These tales are often funny, always interesting.
   
   The dust jacket slips off to reveal a paisley-print cover with the title in gold letters on the spine.

5 comments about The Confused Photographer's Guide to Photographic Exposure and the Simplified Zone System.

1. I really like this book. It consists of exercises & a bit of theory, the book is filled with learning examples to understand exposure. A brilliant idea & well worth the money.



2. This is succinct and straight to the point. I have been looking for something like this for years. If a highly trained 76 year old idiot like me understands the methodology and make it work , anyone can. Cannot praise it highly enough.



3. I am a rank amateur just entering the world of photography and have struggles with trying to understand the concepts of exposure .....Well I have read ton's of books and articles but NOW is the first time that I have understood all of it. The book is amazing . It is written for the novice and for that I am grateful. but there is plenty in here for the experience photographer as well. I can't recommend this book highly enough. If you are serious about getting better shots this is definitely a book you need to read.



4. I bought this book primarily for my 17 year old son who knows nothing about exposure. It is probably not bad for a rank beginner, but the whole thing could have easily been condensed and thoroughly discussed in 30-40 pages. I fear my fairly intelligent son will be just about as bored as I was even though he doesn't understand exposure and I've been taking pictures for 40+ years.



5. The Confused Photographer's Guide to Photographic Exposure and the Simplified Zone System
   
   I am a beginner to the world of photography.The reason for me to buy this book was the difficulty with getting a correct exposure to suit different lighting conditions and objects.
   After reading this book now I am able to get a correct exposure and make it quickly.
   
   This is the best book I read which is intended for beginners as well.Book provides a lot of details in a very easy to understand format.Ample graphics are used and the Author gradually takes the reader from very basic exposure techniques to more advanced ways.Further he provides some quick steps as well.

5 comments about A Book of Photographs from Lonesome Dove (Southwestern & Mexican Photography Series, Wittliff Collections at Texas State University-San Marcos).

1. Hard to believe that it has been 20 years since the mini-series "Lonesome Dove" debuted on television. I remember sitting transfixed with my entire family before the TV screen for each night's new episode. I felt then, and still feel, that it was, if not the best western ever filmed, somewhere near the top. And what I loved so much about it, besides the authenticity of the costumes and sets, was that it stuck so closely to the novel, which I had read three years earlier. My admiration for that book was so great, I had stood in line for over an hour to have my copy signed when Larry McMurtry paid a visit to my hometown.
   
   In commemoration of this anniversary, Bill Wittliff, who wrote the "Lonesome Dove" screenplay, has collected 112 sepia-toned photographs that he took during the filming of the mini-series. The opening photographs in the book are of Robert Duval standing on his mark, with camera equipment and reflectors poised, doing a costume check, except that Duval is already in character, his posture so clearly that of Gus McCrae. The next photo is of Tommy Lee Jones, likewise his costume check, and he, too, has already become the intense Woodrow Call.
   
   "These are not just pictures from `Lonesome Dove,'" Harrigan writes in his Introduction, "they are documentary images of something that seems to have really happened." The passing of the mythical West perhaps, or a photographic journey through a hot and dusty bit of Texas History.
   
   The book is well-made with high-quality glossy paper and an excellent binding. Several of the panoramic shots inside span across two pages, with some looking almost like Charles Russell paintings: a stolen horse stampede, cowboys riding herd, Indians on the prod. Others go beyond sheer moviemaking magic, like the ones with the great black thunderstorm roiling in the background.
   
   "A Book of Photographs from Lonesome Dove" is not a book of movie stills or publicity shots. It isn't advertising for the novel or for the mini-series. Instead it is Wittliff's remarkable private photographic record showcasing the characters and the story, and if the faces weren't so familiar, the scenes would seem almost to have been pulled out of some photo history of a 19th-century cattle drive.



2. I checked this book out at the local library and had only read the introduction when I knew I had to buy it. Then I saw the photo of Augustus McCray's face that made me burst into tears and I ordered it on Amazon. It came quickly and didn't disappoint.



3. This book is an excellent book and was received in perfect condition. I recommend it for anyone who loves the rustic feel of the content. I have it in a log cabin on a book stand and people who visit love it. A very cozy book and pictures are great.



4. This is a wonderful book for any true Lonesome Dove fan.
   
   The pics are beautifully done. They definitely have that look of an old-time western pic. I have to admit I have not yet read the forward by Larry McMurtry - I just wanted to dive right into the pics 1st.
   
   Of course I'm glad I was able to get it from Amazon for $29.70 because there's no way I would have paid the $45 cover price for it.



5. I purchased this book for my husband and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was a gift for me as well. I knew he would enjoy it since he has watched "Lonesome Dove" many times, one time was when this book was actually being shipped. Not only were the photographs wonderful, I enjoyed the Introduction and Afterword.

5 comments about How to Photograph Absolutely Everything.

1. For me, the real value of this book lies in the suggestions and examples given for taking creative shots involving a wide variety of subjects. The book is clearly aimed at photographers using point and shoot cameras, as each section will give you camera mode, lens zoom, ISO, and flash settings. While I wish he had included DSLR camera settings, I found more than enough helpful information to make me glad I purchased the book.



2. I've been taking digital pix for a long while and had chance to 'read' this book from cover to cover and discovered quite a few 'pointers' I had not been aware of in digital photography. much info. at a very reasonable price.



3. I have read many photography books. This book is packed with his breathtaking photography and he shares exactly how we can achieve the same results. For each shot he maps out what is needed. An example: "Misty Woodlands: For this shot he set his Camera Mode to landscape mode; Lens Setting, zoom to normal; Sensor/Film Speed, use a Low to Medium ISO setting; Flash, force the flash Off." Armed with that information he goes on to show us how to scout out the shot. With step by step instructions like that it is like having him right next to me telling me how to get the shot. I have found the book unlike any other. I give this book my highest recommendation.



4. I absolutely love this book. Ang has included everything in it necessary for the novice. At least for me. I would recommend this book to anyone just starting out as I am doing. It is simple to understand and the lay out was exceptional. I do believe, though, that a softbound cover would be much easier to handle. This book is rather heavy to carry around with you!



5. I plan on using this book as part of a digital photography workshop I'm conducting next month. The best thing about this book are the hundreds of photos the author includes. The photos are of the type of subjects most any serious photographer can find, and they are captured with a point-and-shoot camera which is what most people shoot with. I agree with previous reviewer that Ang could have included more detail about the exposure settings. This would have been very useful in helping readers understand better shutter speed, aperture, and ISO settings for particular types of shots.
   
   I also don't particularly like the layout of the book. The size is pretty awkward. The paperback edition will I think make a better choice because it won't feel so weighty like this one. This book should be more than a coffee table book; it should one that serious photographers use almost like a manual for getting ideas about what and how to shoot in everyday situations. It's a great resource for picking out one or two types of shoots (like night or animal photography) and practicing the suggestions that Ang provides. Overall, great book, but if you don't like heavy hardback books, wait for the soft-bound edition.

5 comments about The Business of Studio Photography: How to Start and Run a Successful Photography Studio.

1. Easily the best recommendation for starting a photography service. Contains great advice and samples of documents needed to run a studio. Read it twice and then keep it on the handiest shelf.



2. This is definately full of great information that anyone starting a photography business needs to know. Well written.
   -Pam



3. This is a really good book if you're trying to start or enhance a portrait and/or wedding photography career. It is aimed primarily at those trying to start a portrait studio, and there migh be better wedding-oriented books. But since that's my core business, it hit the nail on the head. Lots of good insights and tips, and I have quite a few page corners turned down for later reference. I recommend placing the book in the bathroom, so you can hone your photography business and marketing skills on a regular basis!



4. I am a professional photographer who has been using my home as a studio. This is a good book as a guide for what the title implies, but it also spends a lot of time on things like film. I know, many pros still shoot film. I'm only saying some of his formulas are outdated. It's my own fault for not looking at original published date. So just be aware of this.



5. Edward does a wonderful job with this book. Whether you're thinking about starting a photo business or already own one, this book is a must have. It's very detailed and chuck full of proven ideas and methods to get you running your business right from the start. He covers everything you can think of and even things you didn't in one book. I like that he writes about dealing with different situations with other photographers and different types of clients. I will be incorporating many of his suggested techniques and ideas in my business (currently part-time but soon to be full-time). Great stuff!

5 comments about English Cottage Gardening: For American Gardeners, Revised Edition.

1. This is a garden book to keep by the side of your easy chair. Every time I pick it up, I start reading and enjoy the straight forward descriptions and plant recommendations and flower combinations.
   
   I've made the mistake of ordering a book or two from the internet only to find that "English Gardening" is all about estate gardening. Lovely, but I don't own an estate. Margaret Hensel has traveled through England and brought back practical advice about how to get the look of a small, intimate garden outside English cottages not castles.
   
   It's an easy read of information about what makes a cottage garden have the charm and intimacy that I think of when I envision my own plot of land. There are diagrams of the landscapes as well.
   
   There's encouragement about what makes a English cottage garden rather than the usual approach that it's not possible to create this kind of garden outside of England. So many books fall short because they begin with this premise and this leads to how to add tropical plants or other such nonsense.



2. This is a truly wonderful and totally inspiring book. I bought it in order to look at the lovely photographs, but ended up reading it from cover to cover late into the night. I am completely new to gardening and have found so many books to be so dry as to be unreadable, not so this book. The main message of this book is just to start... LIke the gardeners profiled in the book learn from trial and error and move things around as necessary. The author describes a very personal, relaxed and process oriented approach to gardening which to me seems like the reason for doing it in the first place. Thank you Margaret Hensel.



3. My sister and I love english gardens...I bought the book for her..it was difficult to part with!



4. This books seems full of gardening ideas for those of us who are going to try to plant a cottage garden. We lost our home in the recent San Diego fires so this book should be great when we start from scratch.



5. But of little use if you're a novice looking for more of a "how-to" guide with practical advice on what flowers, etc. to plant and when. It got to the point I hardly read the text by the end.

5 comments about Nikon D50 Digital Field Guide.

1. I love the way the author walk me through on using the D50 by Nikon and his tips on photography was more than I expect on book about a camera. In fact the author inspired me to work harder with the camera and gave me wonderful ideas on using the camera.



2. The D50 was my third DSLR after two Canons...a 10D and a 300D. I got this Nikon D50 and immediately liked it better than the Canons. So much so that I've already upgraded to a D70s, sold it and upgraded again to the D80. Now I'm looking for a good deal on the D300.
   
   But, back to the D50 Field manual (which I sold with the D50). Good book, clear text and nice slick pages and color photos. Sure it talks a lot to generic DSLR photography but it also addresses specific functions of the D50 in great detail. Did I like it ...yeah! How much? Well...I'm waiting for my D80 Field manual to arrive and if I ever get the D300, well I'll probably get a Field manual for it too!! This is a Good Buy!!!



3. The "Nikon D50 Digital Field Guide" is more than just that it is a D50 owners necessity. This will easily explain how digital images taken specifically with your D50 gives insight to the menues and electronic functions of the D50.



4. Why do manufacturers of such splendid kit as the D50 supply such impenetrable manuals? It wasn't until I bought the D50 Field Guide that I was able to fathom and use many useful features. Excellent and heartily recommended. A bit big for my back pocket, but you can't have everything!



5. This book is a big help for the beginner to digital photography, with very easy to understand illustrations and tips. It is a good tool to keep close to your camera bag for quick and easy reference.