5 comments about Magic Lantern Guides: Pentax K100D / K110D (Magic Lantern Guides).

1. I'm still reading it, but it seems to be pretty well written. It handles the most basic features of the camera, but advanced features are touched-on. I would recommend this book in addition to the user manual.



2. This is one of those books that go into detail about how to use the camera to its physical potential. It helps decipher some of the cryptic owner's manual info, but at the same time leaves some questions unanswered.
   
   This book will certainly help you understand what your camera is capable of, and help you navigate the menus and find out what settings are for what.
   
   What it won't do is replace the owner's manual, or teach you anything about the art of photography itself. I would recommend this to people new to DSLR's in general, but people who have been using one for some time outside of "auto mode", and actually understand what aperture and shutter means to a photo will probably benefit less.
   
   There are of course some hidden gems for even the DSLR savvy. Each camera may have it's own perks, or shortcomings and these guides tend to point them out for you.



3. I read this book expecting something special and beyond the User's Guide or Manual that comes with the camera. I found very light (not deept) cover in each aspect that is included - most of the information that comes in this book you can find in the web (free) and in some cases with better presentation and coverage. Sorry but it's not a Guide but just a booklet.



4. I agree with other reviews that suggest this book is better then the manufacturer's manual, but I think it depends on who is reading it. It is written with the assumption that you know how to use an SLR and you understand all of the features and lingo of the SLR world. All of the sample pictures in it are almost worthless as they are in black and white. I suppose color pictures would have added cost, but I think it would have been worth it. That said, I think it is an excellent choice for a film SLR user making the transition to DSLR. For those of us making the transition from a P&S to the SLR, well it really isn't all that much better then the manual that comes with the camera. I sure wish it was.



5. This book is excellent in the regard that it reiterates all of the information in the user's manual - but in a more organized, less-"jargony", and easier-to-follow way. While it's true that it has some very basic concepts in there that most people who have ever used a digital camera of any kind would know, that doesn't mean that this entire book contains only elementary concepts. I think this book tries to meet the needs of the average user - and throws-in a little basic concept here and there for those who really are brand new to digital photography.
   The real reason you'll want this book is not because it has ground-breaking insights or secret tips, but because it tells you how to fully use and maximize your new Pentax k110d/k100d DSLR, and frankly, the Pentax manual, while thorough, is a little less-easy to understand and written a little too technically. I personally preferred the Magic Lantern Guide over the orginal manual for this reason.

4 comments about Grim Street.

1. True Color
   
   I, a son of Wilkes-Barre, spent weekends with my father and grandfather in the Heights Section of this fabled coal-town. Though, my time there came years after Cohen's published street work, I can still relate to those dusty images, a virtual urban playground for little boys. Tackle football in the backyards, bordered by massive, dilapidated fences; the distinct, sharp smell of cigarettes in the hands of kids no older than 13; boarded windows, with peep-holes just my height. The alleys I walked never struck me as eerie, they were the norm, they were Wilkes-Barre and to some degree the same is true today. Cohen's unique visual-ethnographic study of urban banality, makes beautiful the unusual and awkward character of Northeastern Pennsylvania.



2. I lived on Grim Street . In the mid 1970's I lived in the Heights Section of Wilkes-Barre Pa where Mr Cohen did many of the photos in this fine collection. He was a quiet fixture on those streets on a late Sunday afternoon. One would see the tall lanky stranger in his army fatigue jacket and horn rimmed glasses walking along those streets occassionally stopping to quickly photograph a stray dog or an unwashed child along the sidewalk. There was almost a random approach to his subjects but he would bend and sometimes stoop as he would click off 4 or 5 quick "snaps" of his subject and then be off after his next subject. I was in my early 20's at the time and curious as to how anyone could find interest in those mundane often grimy if not grim scenes in that neighborhood. I now have the answer over 30 years later. This fascinating collection evokes a time and place that could represent any of our inner city neighborhoods. The black and white of the pictures captures the mood and feel of the subjects. I recommend this volume as a must have for any serious student of photography or urban life over the past century.



3. Mark Cohen is a restless poet of a photographer. In GRIM STREET he demonstrates his enormous ability to grasp a winking moment of life in the back streets, isolated fleeting views of the ordinary made extraordinary. This very fine book of photographs is less attuned to compositionally correct images as emotionally charged ones. As such it is a monograph of the smarmy, dark, seedy and at times embarrassingly immediate life of the underbelly of America as represented by the streets of Wilkes-Barre, PA.
   
   Cohen's successful forays in to this territory are accompanied by 'interviews' conducted by Anne Wilkes Tucker and Thomas Southall. The composite result is a book that 'reads' like a novel and will remain compelling present in the mind's eye long after perusing it. Fine work! Grady Harp, August 05



4. "A lot of it is mood driven, but I don't exactly know where the motive and inspiration to take pictures comes from. So it's very spontaneous work; there's not a lot really to plan." So it would seem at first glance upon Mark Cohen's masterful collection of work presented in his first (and hopefully not last) book Grim Street . From this revealing quote by the author, we are lead to believe that Cohen himself discovers in his darkroom much of the beauty portrayed in his work.
   As anyone who has followed Cohen's work knows, Mark has been influenced greatly by the renowned street photographer Cartier-Bresson with his ability to capture the unfolding "decisive moment." But Cohen's work is anything but unfolding, on the contrary; it is literally in-your-face obtrusive, grabbing on film fleeting sublime moments, otherwise lost forever in eternity. One can almost amusingly imagine Cohen, armed with his trade mark flash and wide angle lens, scurrying around a photo-opportunity with Bresson. While Bresson contemplates from a distance the "decisive moment" to release the shutter; Cohen (in his own words) uses "grab shots" often without even the use of a viewfinder to capture what could be called "multiple moments." It is apparent from this exquisite body of work that Mark Cohen is the heir apparent to the recently deceased Bresson, and, one might say, an "impatient" 21st Century updated version of the master.
   Ignoring for a moment the obvious psychological and sociological content of Cohen's work, the visual subject matter of Grim Street is indeed at first glance difficult to digest. It is anything but "cheery", often times seedy, sometimes voyeuristic, and occasionally downright lascivious. But the ultimate irony is that these qualities of course are passing and superficial, as fleeting as Cohen's flick of the shutter. For it's only with pausing and contemplating the work that the disquieting subject matter "disappears" and the true mastery reappears. That perfect wisp of hair, that "just so" turn of a cat's tail, that flawlessly lit foreground and carefully nuanced background, those repeating diagonals inside exquisite compositions, and all the artistic universals that forever have withstood the test of time, are there to be discovered in this collection.
   May this reviewer be so bold as to suggest an answer to Mr. Cohen's own query about the source of his inspiration referred to earlier? A grim street is down-and-dirty, mean and often times dangerous. Surely there is no inspiration to be found in such a secular reality, unless one has the genius and magical gift to capture a transcendent glimpse of a more perfect place. The source of that gift, the inspiration is not temporal. Undoubtedly we're all traveling on a type of "grim street." Thank God we have inspired and graced artists such as Mark Cohen to give us an occasional glance at our idyllic destination.

5 comments about Femmes: Masterpieces of Erotic Photography.

1. Bring four dozen photographers together, and you have to expect that many visions. Ask four dozen people to describe femininity, and you might get twice as many answers. That's this book: when offered the title "Femmes", what image would you contribute?
   
   Like anyone, I confess to my favorites. I find prettiness optional and beauty almost unavoidable. The woman/women fascinate/s me - not the lingerie or other kink. I warm to affection, even the more physical kinds. I enjoyed Gosbee's work, and Grace's, and Nelson's dotted lady (among others). Hyams's models exhibit a simple but almost superhuman beauty; Karsten's come across with strength, honesty, and a little goofiness. Mahaux's one photo across the fold approaches the models' nudity closely, showing individual uniqueness in narrow detail. It's just me, maybe, but that matters. Even identical twins differ, and I thrive on those differences. Some photographers I find vulgar - many of Roy Stuart's entries dropped below that line. I learn from some, including Sunderland's. Personality matters to me too; that's why Davis's pictures attracted me.
   
   Some of this work appeals to me, some doesn't. There's a lot to enjoy here, and nothing (just barely) that I found offensive. If women's beauty matters to you, go ahead. You're sure to find something you like.
   
   -- wiredweird



2. This collection is just different. Who want to see usual -
   let's see another



3. I scanned through this book the other day at Virgin Records and I have to say, I really did like it! I do agree with some other people, about how some of the women weren't exactly attractive, but... isn't that rather shallow minded???? Not everyone in the entire world is beautiful and there are many people out there with wonderful personalities but not the hottest looks. Now, if you were going to buy an issue of Playboy and not find beautiful women and a pair of syllacone implants, THEN I would complain, that is purely for masturbation, I would assume.
   But this is kind of different, don't you think? It goes deeper than masturbation and Playboy bullcrap.
   I will say it had a lot of fetish type pictures in it, but, if you're into that kind of thing, this will be great for you!

   I have to say I enjoyed it, DESPITE the "unattractive" women in it. But really... doesn't perfection get boring after a while?




4. I have to agree with the more negative reviews. The cover is indeed beautiful, but the content, with exceptions such as Brian Peterson's work, tends towards high heeled black boots and the burlesque. It seems as though fetish is now the order of the day, with erotic photographers following this very standardized path like sheep. Trouble is, the photographs tend to depersonalize and objectify, which robs them of their erotic quality. If making a statement about the objectification of women is the purpose of much of this work, well OK, but how many artists should it take to make the point?

   A missed opportunity. Take a look at Judy Francesconi's "Visual Sonnets" or, from the 1970's, J. Frederick Smith's "Sappho: The Art of Loving Women" as alternatives. To me, these speak more of a belief in the beauty and emotional closeness of the relationships depicted in their authors' images.




5. This is a great starting point for anyone new to erotic photography. The photos display a large variety of styles from top photographers and include such personal favorites as Steve Diet Goedde and Doralba Picerno. Don't be fooled by an earlier review, the vast majority of models used are quite attractive and exude a healthy amount of sex appeal. Just a note of warning: this collection will definitely whet your appetite for more...and more.

3 comments about The Faces of World War I: The Great War in Words and Pictures.

1. This book grabs one by the guts and doesn't let go, even long after the last page has been turned. This is war close up, men seen without romance, dirty and real, dead and dying. Not for the faint of heart, it is a vivid collection that should belong in the library of any student of war.



2. British military historian Max Arthur presents a largely visual guide to World War I in this hefty 2007 volume from England's Octopus Publishing. Arthur, author of various books on the Great War, selected over 240 photographs from the Imperial War Museum, Corbis, Getty Images and other collections to create this look back at that long-ago conflict.
   
   FACES OF WORLD WAR I's photographic coverage begins with pre-war scenes of Edwardians and Germans at work and play. Innocent views of Etonian cricketeers give way to shots of British Army recruiters and German officers in their comic-opera Pickelhaube helmets. Franz Ferdinand's assassination provides the spark; loyal Brits are soon cheerfully marching off to war as are their German counterparts.
   
   Arthur then devotes succeeding chapters to events in 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917 and 1918, ending with a brief 'Aftermath' section. Herein are found many shots of troops on the move, preparing for battle, going over the top, wounded heading for rear-area hospitals, life in the trenches, etc.
   
   Given the horror, slaughter and misery that characterized WWI trench warfare, FACES OF WORLD WAR I presents a surprisingly upbeat view of its subject matter. Yes, there are scenes of dead or wounded soldiers but there are an equal number of shots of Tommies hamming it up after a battle, indulging in a game of soccer, etc. This de-emphasis of the horror reflects Arthur's goal, as stated in his introduction, to capture "the enduring spirit of the solder and civilian...his humour, his ability to endure, his sense of defiance and his courage to withstand the often appalling conditions on the front line." While I understand Arthur's goal, I wonder if the historical record might have been better served by a few more photographs of, for example, the horrid living conditions the soldiers endured.
   
   Leafing through FACES OF WORLD WAR I is, by turn, a horrifying, humorous, uplifting and sad experience. Arthur's book stands as a thoughtful tribute to all those forgotten warriors who struggled so mightily in the muck and mire almost a century ago. Highly recommended.



3. An amazing book. The pictures often overpower the text. The quality of the printing sometimes rivals the best photo monographs I have seen. I have been throuh the book only once and I know there is much more waiting to be discovered.

3 comments about Heroes (Men of Falcon).

1. If you're a fan of the Men of Falcon, then this book is for you. It's jam packed with photos of a lot of the hot men of Falcon Studios. The photos are beatifully done. The book is softcover but made of heavy stock paper. I would recommend adding this book to your collection.



2. OK...one says FALCON, and the response should be..."woof"...this book will have you howling...hot men from a hot studio.



3. Falcon shows us in this publication what an amazing stable of hot studs their studio has employed past and present. These boys
   are simply knockouts. Handsome, well-endowed and virile, Heroes
   will do more than just keep you interested...

2 comments about More Quick & Easy Scrapbook Pages (Memory Makers).

1. Another great book for a beginner scrapbooker. It has everything you need to know. Great buy!



2. Being that I am relatively new to scrapbooking, this book is a good place to start. I had also purchased the earlier book (Quick & Easy Scrapbook Pages), and both books are good sources for page layouts. I tend to find that anything that's written by Memory Makers is a sure winner.

3 comments about Mother Camp: Female Impersonators in America.

1. Me gusto mucho el libro, ademas ha sido de gran ayuda para poder acercarse a un trabajo antropologico, especificamente de etnografia. Claro que es un clasico y vale la pena constrastarlo con trabajos contemporaneos, pero en general es un libro que logra cautivar al lector, los ejemplos son nutridos y los analisis muy interesantes. Es un libro que debe ser leido.



2. Mother Camp is one of the foundational texts of gay studies, and for good reason. Not only is it incredible ethnographic work, but Newton was one of the first to treat queer culture with the kind of scholarly care it deserved. It's beautifully written, sharply observed, and filled with empathy for her subjects. Particularly given the resistance to her work she had to deal with (which she details in her essay collection "Margaret Mead Made Me Gay"), Mother Camp is a courageous, groundbreaking piece of scholarship. And without Esther Newton there would have been no Judith Butler: Newton's work is crucial for Butler's analysis of drag in "Gender Trouble."



3. Newton's research in Mother Camp is now dated, however its lasting value is in the rich snapshot that she has captured of gay street and performace life pre-liberation and feminist movements. For those who were there, much of Newton's work will ring true and for those who weren't, her book measures the distance between where gay liberation was and where it is today. The reader may wish for a more poignant feminist or cultural analysis of Newton's subject but when one considers the date of the research and writing (1965-69), Newton's analysis actually displays a surprisingly astute and diasporic handling of the sex/gender system. Newton steers clear of the exceptional epi-centers of gay activity (New York, San Fran) and in doing so manages to sieze upon a drag sensibility that may be more familiar to the majority of middle American gays and lesbians. In my estimation, this book makes a perfect if not necessary historical compliment to studies that include films such as Paris is Burning or other works on drag, camp, performance, or early gay culture.

1 comments about Flowers.

1. I have greatly appreciated this book as an artist interested in details. Every flower photograph is large and shows every detail up close. The lighting is excellent. The photographs collected in this book were taken for Vogue and took seven summers to accomplish. You can see the carefull work that has gone into this book with no distracting background so you can appreciate the flower's full page details more outstandingly. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting great quality that is hard to find in newer "fluff" books.

2 comments about Jim Marshall: Jazz.

1. I've been digging Marshall's work for 25 years-ever since I got my first copy of "The Allman Brothers Band Live At Fillmore East". I'm not a photographer but something in the way he composes his shots moves me. Mostly, tho', it is the quality of the contrast between black and white- and the richness of the color in his photographs. I'm sure it all has something to do with the equipment, exposure, film, etc. People like he, Adams and Claxton make black and white as sexy as color-if not more so. If you love jazz, you will find some iconic pictures here as well as some that have probably never been seen. Lets' put it this way, if I had the chance to have one photographer shoot me as a musician, it would be him. I once called him up out of the blue to talk photography (which I know next to nothing about) because I was/am such a fan. Just the finest technique that makes the pictures seem three dimensional. Long live Jim Marshall.



2. After the superb Not Fade Away and Proof Jim Marshall comes out with his 3rd book covering his Jazz (and Blues) period. Iconic images that will surprise fans who only know his Rock photos. The foundation that built the Marshall mystique. To be enjoyed drinking 16 year old Lagavulin single malt Scotch and listening to superb jazz vinyl (Monk, Prez, Diz,Trane, Miles, etc..) on a good turntable/stereo system. One can only hope for the long rumoured Color book next. A must get for your music and photo book library!

5 comments about Drama in the Desert: The Sights and Sounds of Burning Man.

1. Good DVD about what takes place in Burning Man. If you have never been there (which I have not) but plane to go. This DVD lets you know what you are in for.



2. My husband and I starting our Burning Man experience in 1997 and have gone every year since. We've had 4 different theme camps alone or in collaboration with friends. We will have to miss the 2005 burn, as we will be relocating, so we bought books and DVD's to remember the fun times until we can come home again. Holly's book is wonderful and the DVD is sooo much better than anything else out there. It really just blew me away! We popped it into the DVD player one morning and were mesmerized and drawn in by the music, the images, the clouds and the incredible artistry of the whole production-it brings back the feeling of being there. I appreciate that she separated the interviews from the flow of images in the main movie.
   
   A must have for anyone interested in Burning Man!



3. Kreuter's photography really captures the diversity, creativity and 'out of the box' off the wall craziness of Burning Man. The CD is first class too.



4. This book will take you back to Burning Man but it's the DVD that I want to rave about. Watch it over and over. Beautifully done. A wonderful effort. Thanks to Holly and thanks to Bam Bam!



5. Based on the images of Holly Kreuter, Drama In The Desert: The Sights And Sounds Of Burning Man is a book and DVD set collecting full-color visuals and personal memories drawn from the harsh desert of Black Rock City, Nevada. Capturing the sometimes quizzical, sometimes cruel, sometimes dramatic art and documentary efforts of seventy contributors, Drama In The Desert is strongly recommended as an eclectic, unique, and vibrant experience impressing its fiery artistic message upon the reader's spirit.