5 comments about Storm Chaser: A Photographer's Journey.

1. I thought that book is really nice. The pictures are very detailed and i thought that getting it used that it would be in bad shape. Really it was in perfect condition. I have been looking at this book alot to learn about tornado's. I really recommed this book.



2. Jim Reed's new book STORM CHASER: A PHOTOGRAPHER'S JOURNEY is nothing short of amazing. WIth breath taking photos and insightful anecdotes, the book takes the reader into the forces of nature that shape our lives and create historic, defining moments in time. I met Jim on the ground in Greensburg, KS and he was exceedingly kind and allowed me to spend a very enjoyable afternoon with him chronicling the aftermath of the tornado that struck there. Jim's soul shines thru in every photo and his passion for weather, photography and in the end people is wonderfully displayed in this work. I have his two previous works and all are works of art! Heed Jim's advice to get a weather radio- he knows what he is talking about! I don't look at the sky the same way after meeting him and seeing his work!



3. My wife bought this for her father, who is impossible to buy gifts for. She read it first and loved it. Anyone who is interested in nature or science will like it very much.



4. The title "Storm Chaser" might lead one to believe this is a book about tornado chasing. It is but it's a whole lot more! Photographer Jim Reed takes his readers on a journey of land, sea, and sky covering the four seasons. Along the way we learn how Reed, once an eight year old boy, quickly became hooked on weather and began keeping a diary of events. As an adult he's traveled across North America photographing devastating tornadoes, hurricanes, raging flood waters, spectacular lightning displays, and blinding blizzards. Yet he also focuses on more benign (yet still beautiful) events such as rainbows, aurora, fall foliage, and migrating butterflies. Perhaps the book should have been titled "Open your eyes and take a look at all the interesting weather out there" because Reed shows us that there's natural beauty and wonder everywhere --if one just takes time to stop and smell the roses. Storm Chaser makes a great coffee table book but it's also a good study guide for those looking to improve their skills in photographing nature.



5. I received this book as a gift. The photos in the book are very good. Excellent in most cases. My only complaint, and it a very minor one, is that as an amateur photographer, I would love to have seen the EXIF data (i.e, shutter speed, ISO, F-Stop, etc.) from the camera published at the bottom of each photo. However I understand this is a book of photos, not a photography book. Given the photos, the author must have a lot of waterproof equipment.

5 comments about FSA: The American Vision.

1. I bought this to have a permanent, nicely bound book of historic photos of the United States and I was not disappointed. Straight from government archives, these are photos from government-employed photographers who were assigned to go out in the Depression era and photograph what they saw. Today, we should be grateful someone had the foresight to do this. The photos are disturbing, beautiful, stark and moving. What happened to these people and families? Like the photos, so much dust now...but recorded forever. A brilliant book.



2. Sure their vision was a bit romantic, but anyone who appreciates what the FSA photographers, under Roy Stryker's direction, did will also appreciate this book. Never before and never since then (pace, Robert Frank) has the country sat for its portrait. It would have been nice to have the numbers in the Smithsonian's Prints and Photographs Department, where the pictures are kept. The nation may have sat for its portrait, but the pictures belong to you.



3. Un libro fundamental para entender una parte importante de la fotografía norteamericana.



4. This book have done a great job by putting this all together by project/Date base and indicating where they went. It has answered alot of my questions on the FSA photographers.
   I am pleased the book used mostly unknown photographs.
   I have already raving about this book



5. The FSA book is a wonderful look at an ear gone by. And the works of Dorothea Lang, Ben Shahn, Walker Evans, Arthur Rothstein, Theodor Jung and Carl Mydans in the early years is well worth the price of the book. But to continue going forward is remarkable. But the things that make this a wonderful collection of photographs is that it is not just the most famous works by the photographers of the FSA but the ones that have not been published in some 70 plus years or not at all. Projects like this come once in a life time. For any photographer who enjoys photo essays this book is a must and if you are interested in history of America this is a book that will leave and impression on you. If you want to see great photographs this book is for you, if you want to see them by great photographers than this book id definitely for you.

5 comments about Digital Portrait Photography and Lighting: Take Memorable Shots Every Time.

1. Not what I expected. I was hoping for something along the lines of studio lighting for senior portraits and such... At least something along those lines... The information on studio lighting was brief and not in depth...
   I already understand outdoor lighting and how to use available light...
   I guess if that is what you want to know than this is the book for you. It just wasn't what I was looking for. The photos in this book were not very impressive. They should have modernized it a bit.



2. I am new to portraiture, studio lighting and many other facets of portrait photography. I found this book to be most instructive. The index is complete and easy to follow. Therefore, I can find definitions, implementations, uses, etc. very quickly. I don't like reading page after page trying to find a particular detail...I would rather go to the index, do a word search, find the information I need and implement. I can do that with this book.



3. This book covers all of the bases. It includes everything from equipment to lighting to posing. There is even a section on post processing. It is organized well and written in a very clear manner. I think that it serves the serious photographer well. Pros may need a bit more detail however.



4. This book is a must-have for beginning photographers. It covers so many different aspects of photography, from equipment needed(and estimated costs), to lighting, editing software, posing, creative techniques, starting your own business, composition, etc. I would recommend this book to anyone who was getting into digital photography & was looking to buy their first book!



5. While reading this book, I found myself taking notes constantly. The wealth of information is outstanding and it really helped me make choices as to my future lighting purchases. I would certainly recommend this book for any photographer wishing to start portrait photography.

3 comments about Basic Visual Concepts And Principles For Artists, Architects And Designers.

1. The book has minor water damage(not a big deal) and arrived really fast. Thanks for getting it to me before my classes got crazy.



2. I needed this book for one of my college classes and the Amazon price was almost 3/4 cheaper then in the schools book store. This book was only used for about 3-4 months and from what I saw from the textbook... it was great. I learned a lot and I might keep it around just in case I need it for a future class. But overall, I give it an A...



3. Pros: A definite must-have book and recommended reading for designers, artists and teachers. Excellent for art teachers seeking project ideas for students in traditional art/design media, also provides a design refresher for teachers with students in digital media, as the principles apply to web, cd-rom and new media design (but not animation. However, there is a section on objects in 3D space).

   This book covers key design principles and art techniques that you may have forgotten after art school.

   Cons: A lot easier to read for precticing artists and designers; may be brain freeze to art students goggling at the compact knowledge. Not recommended reading unless student is mature enough/is in the higher years/is truly interested.

   Initial impression based on format, book thickness and the language used may appear too stiff and seem like very heavy reading at first, specially to first time art educators. Read the book in topics you need in order to digest info better.

   After a while the format becomes familiar, the information astoundingly clear/well researched and you realize the book was brilliantly organized. Eureka!

   As with all art/design reference book collections, this makes a good backbone book that could be supplemented by others, as it cannot cover everything. Ex: For selecting/using type and organizing layouts try "The Non-Designer's Design Book" by Robin Williams, Peachpit Press. There's a web book version as well.

   Final comment: Basic Visual Concepts and Principles, a thumbs up, definitely must have reference.

3 comments about Yosemite and the High Sierra.

1. Ansel Adams is SO, like, awesome!!!
   
   These photographs are simply breathtaking! Ansel Adams had this uncanny knack for taking the beautiful mountains, trees, clouds and waterways of the High Sierras, and making them look beautiful. It's so amazing contemplating an Ansel Adams photograph: How he took something only visually stunning and transforming it into something so visually stunning is simply astounding!
   
   How DID he do that?



2. This is a beautiful book. I suspect the pints are as high in quality as Ansel would have wished them.
   I'm glad I bought this book and will enjoy the pictures contained within it for many years.



3. Really great photos of mounatin scapes in and about Yosimite. Waterfalls, forests, mountains and sky. Typical Ansel, most flawless.

5 comments about Women.

1. hello all people who love art , i think it is amaising job and beutifull pictuers , i enjoying very much from them and all people who come visit me look and say it is somthing diferent ,it is notsex , it is beuty of woman body - natural . so enjoy
   Romana



2. Very artistic and pleasing to the eyes.



3. Magnific book, the use of the light and the dark is very proffesional



4. These pictures capture some of the grace and elegance that a woman can possess without a heavy lude or crude weight attached to them. Beauty can be so subjective. What one sees and appreciates may not be shared by some one else. When broken down, there is a playful quallity to these shots. They are soft and seductive and yet they never lose the charactor of the subject. Any picture that can move you past the surface of what you are seeing and bring you into the moment shared with the one that you are viewing, takes talent and can be concidered Art.



5. Stafan May IS a great photographer. This though is NOT a great book. I think another reviewer already said it, the best photo (by far) is the cover, and it's all downhill from there. Just take a look at the "additional images" shown here on Amazon. The remainder of the book is rarely even in the same direction as the cover. Really, it's a shame, because that cover is really a killer photo. But personally, I *hate* it when publishers do this! Great cover that bears little or no resemblance to the contents of the book. It's so deceptive and misleading, like wrapping a $100 bill around a bunch of $1's.
   
   Mr. May can do better. Take a look at some of his other books. I'd really like to give this one 2 stars, but that cover shot alone is worth the purchase price of this book, so I give it 3 stars total. Buy it for the cover and consider the rest of the book as "filler".
   
   DBAX

5 comments about Adobe Photoshop CS3 A-Z: Tools and features illustrated ready reference.

1. when you forget how to use a tool or how to do something in photoshop this is great to have around better than going to the manual to figure something out



2. Even a casual reader can get tips from this book because a single topic is covered just on that page. If you have a question about a technique or are unfamiliar with some of the terminology, this is a great reference book.



3. Excellent Photoshop guide .All Photoshop users should have this reference
   sitting alongside their Computer as an instant companion when delving into Photoshop
   Highly recommended



4. This is a concise, well-written quick reference for Photoshop CS3. I would say, as someone who takes the ACE exams when they are newly released for each version, that this book would be helpful in studying for the ACE exam but not sufficient on its own.
   
   All of the major features and dialogs are covered but some of the important functions associated with a given feature or dialog, are not. For example, there is a column about the Channels panel, but no columns or descriptions relating to some of the important functions held within the Channels panel, such as the ability to create a Spot Channel. There are of course many other examples, many of which are specialized but nonetheless important features that anyone serious about Photoshop will want to know, ACE exam or not.
   
   I've also noticed a few layout and typographical errors (for example sometimes section headers for two different functions, will mistakenly show the same menu tree / shortcut. IOW, the layout person cut and pasted, but never updated the text).
   
   Overall however, this is an affordable and worthwhile reference to have, especially if you're not as concerned about the specialized functions or hidden commands within a given panel or dialog. The quality of the binding and paper are very good and the image reproduction is decent. I would recommend the Photoshop CS3 On Demand book because of its added depth, but it is riddled with errors.



5. Photoshop is not known for it's easy user interface or help files. There are many tutorial books that take you step-by-step through common tasks, but this is finally the book to let you quickly look up all those little things you can't remember. The book starts with about 20 pages of step-by-step summaries of common tasks (importing photos, selection techniques, retouching, etc) then the remainder of the book is an alpha listing of every Photoshop feature. Each feature has a consistent format showing a small before and after photo, the menu path for the command, the shortcut key for the command, what versions apply, "see also" and where needed a screen shot of a dialog box. There is no index - it's not needed. this is a handy size and it stays out now when I am using Photoshop.

3 comments about Pervy Girls: Erotic Fashion Photography.

1. This collection of photography from photographer Christine Kessler is a powerful artistic statement. It's strengths lie in the incongruity of its many different parts that taken as a whole, raise the entire specter to nitrogen heights. Beautiful women explode across its 100+ pages in a frenzy of naked flesh and a wide assortment of sexy attire and makeup.
   
   The downside here is that Kessler's models are almost too beautiful - her lighting too perfect - her scenarios and locations somewhat over-staged. Plus, there is a rawness missing here that's often prevalent in this genre. Perhaps Kessler is unaware of these qualities. Or disregards them. It is after all, just this viewers perspective and opinion. But whatever the reason, she blasts through these "shortcomings" in a transcendent soiree of spectacular composition, unique style, and masterful photography. She does it HER way. And the results are most excellent. Additionally, one cannot fail to see the beautiful and unique chemistry Ms. Kessler has with her subjects. It lends an interesting, unparalleled quality to her work that other photographers lack.
   
   All in all, these are wonderful images to breeze through or get lost in. This is a book of nudes that all but the most misanthropic will find appealing. Most fans of fashion, fine art, and glamour will find something to succor from this ravishing vision.



2. Pervy Girls more than lives up to its title. Bondage, latex, and pinup fans will find much to drool over here. Each photo is colorful, luscious and simple in its way; the beauty is in the girl, the clothing, and the setting. Kessler doesn't need to adorn her models with over-the-top makeup or anything else, because the clothes and their bodies speak for themselves. Set against colorful, textured walls, or in hallways (there's a great catwoman set where the woman is posed in a windowsill, bent over in extremely tall shoes and head-to-toe black latex. What's great is that right beforehand, there's a girl in a bra, and pulled-down jeans that reveal a tatttoeed ass, thong, and fishnets on a patio, exhibitionism at its finest.
   
   Even something as simple as a topless woman wearing only very sheer stockings, pressed up against her bare p-ssy, where you're able to see everything, are amazing. Torn purple fishnets, see-through latex, corsets, a hot shower scene; this is elegant, beautiful perversion, where the glamour of the fashions being displayed is matched only by the lustful stares of the entrancing models. I really liked how wide a range of colors, styles, and models were used, and that this book is portable. Some of the best shots do more hiding than showing, like one model wearing only knee-high lace-up black boots, with her legs spread, hand place judiciously between them, eyes closed, blonde hair tossed over one eye. Each photo tells an elegant, sexy story, and Kessler captures her models from various angles that make the most of their bodies. The occasional two girl sets are fabulous, too; especially worth checking out are pages 28-29 for the all-black-clad suspension and then red rope bondage.
   
   This will appeal to dedicated perverts and those who just like to look at pretty girls. I like that while it's kinky, it's not crazy over the top; the poses seem pretty natural, and the bondage isn't extreme, more sensual than anything else (there's one great shot of a woman tied up while wearing a kimono). This is definitely a book I'll return to again and again, to lust over the photos and get ideas for clingy outfits to covet.



3. I would probably say that it is between 3 and 4... around 3.5. Things I disliked about it:
   
   * The size. The book in my opinion is a bit too small.
   * The shoes. Almost all the shoes in the photos are, in my opinion, horrible.
   * The latex. Not even half, but still, many of the pictures on the book are basically about women dressing latex.
   
   Beyond that, the book is pretty good. I generally prefer collections with attractive but yet real women. This is not the case. These women are, with no doubt, professional models, with almost perfect bodies, but if you are interested in a book that mainly shows beautiful bodies, it may be the book for you!

5 comments about Driven from Within.

1. This book overall was pretty good, the only pitfall are the pages where they talk about brand Nike. They overembellish the brand/product a bit. Other than this there is some good stuff on the MJ persona in this book. I enjoyed reading some of the stories about him and also his personal views on many things. Good read for any Jordan enthusiast.



2. I gave this book to my little brother who loves both basketball and Michael Jordan and he loved it!! It was full of stories, pictures and inspirational quotes. The best part about it is that it was written by Jordan himself. I would highly recommend this book.



3. The product came in a timely fashion and delivery was not a problem. I was a little disappointed in the quality of the book when it came. The inside was nice but the outside jacket looked as if the book had been used. I don't know if it moved around a lot in shipping but it did not have the newest look.



4. Learn about Michael Jordan's life and how his inner drive helped him succeed in basketball, business, and life. You'll be inspired and motivated.



5. This book was great it said almost everything about michael jordan's life through hes highschool year and college year at north carolina. I also think that it was good for people thats young because it shows a lot of pictures of michaeel jordan's shoes and him when hes playin basketball or other thing.
   I think people that like jordan's shoes should read this book because it describes how they made that shoes from and how they get the idea of it plus it shows how michael jordan think about that shoes and some part is very funny because for example hes first shoes "jordan 1's" he says like "im not wearing that shoes, it looks like clown" and when i was reading that part. i just started laughin outta no where because i thought it was pretty funny. It also shows the sketch of the shoes that they made or planning to make and a lot of ideas of drawings. I think a lot of elementary school kids well understand this too.
   This book also has a lot of quotes and i think most of them is so true, like one of hes quotes "its hard, but its fair" it means that he practices alot and its hard but at the end u need to practice to get better.
   When i was reading this book it just showed me how great michael jordan was and it made me admire him. First, i thought he was a normal NBA guy and i didnt think he was that special but now after i read this book, it showed me what he did through high school and how hard it was. one day, i wanna be like michael jordan and be a great basketball prayer like him.
   This book was first book that i really loved to read and i couldnt stop reading this book because it was also so exciting.
   Best part of this book was the what do they picture when they make there jordan shoes because it was randomest thing and i was pretty amazed also, like one of hes shoes, "jordan 13" they imagine about a black tiger that like hunts animal or people at night with green eyes and then on the shoes, theres a green thing for the tigers eyes and all black shining leather part and it was pretty amazing. There my favorite shoes outta all the jordans and i wish i have them, but now its expensive and i cant afford it.

2 comments about R.E.M: Hello.

1. I loved the book, the pictures were awesome, fresh, vulnerable and honest. REM is the greatest band ever and to have a glimpse into their world was amazing. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars, it would have been helpful to have a listing of who some of the other people in the photos were.



2. David Belisle must really be close to the members of R.E.M. to get such intimate photos of the band, especially frontman Michael Stipe. Who else could get photos of the band using urinals, Michael Stipe shaving his head or just photos of band members napping? There's more to the book than that. I especially like the images taken before the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony where we can peek in on Michael Stipe getting ready--putting on his clothes and waiting patiently in what looks like the back kitchen of the venue. R.E.M. fans will love this book.