No comments about In Search of Norman Rockwell's America.

5 comments about I, Me, Mine.

1. Since Harrison has unfortunately passed away, this book will probably be the only one of its sort to be published...the first hand words of Beatle George Harrsion. As such, it is an imperfect document. George does not use an "assistant" writer and therefore the book tends to meander and be a bit unbalanced, but the benefit is that the voice coming through is pure Harrison.
   
   Ok, so maybe that's not enough (though it should be, you fair weathered Beatle fan!) Seriously, though, this book has Harrison's recollections on growing up and Beatledom. In this area it is a bit light. The recollections are largely personal and he has very little to say about the other Beatles (perhaps, because even John was still alive when this was written, George didn't want to risk stepping on any toes.) This is an odd omission, though, and leaves a bit of a question mark hanging when the book is finished.
   
   Aside from the autobiographical information, which is light but interesting, the best parts of th book are the photographs and the lyrics section. The reader is presented with copies of a lot of hand-written George Harrison songs, along with the author's comments about each. This was the first serious attempt by a Beatle to give an accounting of his work (John's famous Playboy interview not having been done yet.) This is probably our only chance to hear George comment one some of his favorite songs.
   
   This book isn't perfect. It is uneven and contains some glaring omissions (I have heard that John was quite pissed about not being mentioned, actually) but overall George's dry wit and sense of humor comes through the writing very well. And because he wrote it himself, I, Me, Mine contains a very authentic "feel" the hold it together. So there you have it. A book telling the George, the whole George, and nothing but the George. Now I will repeat my introduction:
   
   I shouldn't even have to pitch this book to you. It was written by Harrison. Buy it. Period.



2. I didn't like this one, but I had hoped to. Because it is the 2002 version, with input from wife Olivia, I expected something more up-to-date. But it was an odd mix of a patch-work (recorded) biography that Harrison had taped years before. And there was very little about the Beatles and more about motor-car racing? Go figure. The narrative did do a pretty good job of his early years and his interest in Indian matters, both musical and spiritual. But then it ended rather abruptly. Most of the book, however, was annoying--pages and pages of his handwritten song lyrics, juxtaposed with the typed versions. I would rather hear his music than read it. There was nothing about the man George became in later life, or his two marriages, or his son, or his beloved home (well, very little about that). There was no coherent tone to this biography, more of a "random sampling." The only thing I really enjoyed about it were the personal photographs, but inexplicably their captions were placed several chapters later so that you had to keep hopping back and forth to see what each picture represented. In the right hands, this could have been so much more.



3. If you're a George Harrison fan, this book is great. George does a written Storytellers to a lot of his more famous songs and then includes his handwritten lyrics copied in the book. Pictures are ok--no big deal. This book is all about why he wrote the songs. Priceless.



4. A lot of reviewers seem disappointed that this book is mostly about George's music, rather than about the facts and figures of his life. As I think that George's music speaks for him, so a book about that very expression seems a perfect way to describe the man and his life.
   
   George describes his music in his own words, often with accompanying images of the hand-written lyrics. Some of the songs are described briefly, some are more significant than I would have imagined, some are less meaningful than I would have thought. Very enjoyable to read!
   
   To understand an artist, find out what they have to say about their art. This book gives a very pleasant view into the mind and ideas and creativity of George Harrison.



5. What do you do when money and career are suddenly no object, and you have everything you could have wanted, and more? You go to the end items of your internal "to do" list, and on there among other things are find out why you're here and what you care about.
   
   Harrison like many others explored alternative religious paths, and in his devotion to Hindu eschatology found a way to understand life that explained him. I think that's why he is such a shadowy figure in his own presumably autobiographical book. He wants to talk about the ideas that sustained him and less about himself, because in many ways, he had gotten over being who he was.
   
   In that salient detail I find the greatest humanity in this book. It is a man speaking about the ideas that propel him and the hopes he has, and it is an escape from most rock autobiographies and their incessant narcissism. Many people won't like it because reading it is more like taking a theology course than reading People magazine, but I would compare it favorably to Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance as a walking meditation written into very familiar, conversational text.

5 comments about Pennsylvania Waterfalls: A Guide For Hikers And Photographers.

1. Very good guide to all the photogenic spots in the entire PA as opposed to only specific parts of PA. There is very in depth suggestions for the serious photographers (of which I am not) that "point and shoot" photographers are really not going to use, but can at least use his recommendations for site location for the scene. I found the rating system very useful to help me decide which hikes were worth my time seeing on limited time. See also:
   
   Pennsylvania Mountain Vistas: A Guide for Hikers and Photographers



2. Really well written, beautifully photogaphed, and easy to understand guide, I absolutely love this. He tells you everything you need to know in order to get great shots at significant PA waterfalls. I'm a PA transplant currently living in Atlanta and bought this book for my trip next week. There's tons of falls I've never seen or heard of listed in the guide. I typically go to Ricketts Glenn every time I return home but im going to some of these other spots instead on this trip. BTW, his self portriats are really funny.



3. Pennsylvania Waterfalls is an excellent book on waterfalls in the Keystone state. While he doesn't cover every known falls in PA, Scott Brown hits almost all of the major, publicly accessible waterfalls. His inclusion of GPS coordinates, maps, and written directions makes them very easy to find (in most cases). His skill as a photographer is readily apparent throughout the entire book, and his insight into the composition of and equipment used for each picture should aid budding photographers. The book is well written, well researched, and covers a subject that's of interest to many but rarely published.
   
   I did find a number of mistakes in the GPS coordinates and/or written driving directions to some of the falls, however. As a geocacher, I rely on accurate coordinates to find locations and in one instance I couldn't find the falls mentioned in the book. East Branch falls in Sullivan County wasn't in the location described by the book; it was actually 4/10ths of a mile away. The book's map was accurate but the coordinates and driving directions were not, and I missed out seeing that waterfall when I was in the area since I ran out of time hunting for it. Other falls where I've found the coordinates to be incorrect in the book include Second Falls, Logan Falls, and Seven Tubs. Still, in a book of 50+ falls, a few mistakes are bound to slip through. Unless you're using a GPS to navigate as I do, you'd probably never even notice most of these mistakes.
   
   Even with the few errors, this book is extremely valuable for waterfalls hunters. I've added it to my own library, and I'd recommend anyone in the Keystone state with an interest in the magnificent beauty of falling water do the same.



4. Well written, put together so we could easily choose which hikes were for us. Excellent directions to some outstanding out of the falls. I can't rate this book highly enough. Just got back from our trip which this book planned.
   
   Bob (Southern Illinois)



5. This book made my insatiable quest for waterfalls very easy with great directions. Ricketts Glen State Park is one awesome hike!!

2 comments about Ireland: A Photographic Tour.

1. I purchased this book as a gift and was so impressed I had to buy one for myself! Photography which captures the distinct and rare beauty of Ireland and well-written text that describes and explains the many points of interest found in Ireland. If you've never been to Ireland this book will make you plan a holiday. If Ireland is already a favourite place to visit reading this book will make you want to return. High quality binding.



2. Masterfully photographed, and printed on high quality paper, this book is a must have for any armchair traveller.
   The book provides a map of the region on the inside cover, and then follows a brief and informative historical overview, which introduces the region to the reader. From that point onwards the book consists of one splendid photograph after the other, very often on a full page, or even spread over double pages, all with short descriptions to accompany them. The book depicts rural country scenes as well as historical landmarks, grand vistas to great architectural photos and even prominent statues. In short, everything the region has to offer.
   I am also the proud owner of New England (Photographic Tour) by the same author and photographer and as such, I can highly recommend any one of the books in this series.

5 comments about Lighting for Nude Photography, Revised Edition.

1. This book was a great introduction to photography lighting in general. The photos and illustrations really help.



2. I wanted to give it 5 stars, but the overall similarity of style and the focus on black and white and film as opposed to colour and digital (or at least a 50/50 mix) were just barely enough to cost it a perfect rating.
   
   That said, the images are (for the most part) beautiful and occasionally quite sexy. Even though the heavy use of black and white (when you'd like to get tips on tungsten, white balance, red vs blue, etc.) gets old, the overall quality and the layout make up for it.
   
   It starts with a somewhat dry but very to-the-point explanation of how light acts, the different types of light and so on, then cuts right to the chase with the photo on one page and a diagram of all the elements used on the opposite/facing page. It gives the location, type of film, all the good stuff...the only thing it lacks is the time the picture was taken where daylight/natural light was used. Some of that does come out in the photographers' descriptions, though.
   
   That's another (very) strong point for this book: multiple artists. Instead of buying a photo book, hating the style and being stuck with 100 pages of it, you can just skip the ones you don't care for...like the handful of pointless macro shots showing 2 square inches of skin scattered throughout.
   
   I haven't tried ''garage glamour'' yet, but it's pretty much the only one I think I'll ''need'' after this. The pictures that are good are VERY good and they far outnumber the crap ones. I'd especially suggest it to someone on a budget who has to be clever with composition to make up for the lack of a $10 trillion camera (the stuff done on old Nikon film cameras in here puts away half of the pics I see from $5,000 Leicas.)



3. This is exactly the kind of easy to use and understand photo reference book and at the same time, beautiful photo presentation portfolio that every "how to" book should be.
   
   I am very glad to have added this to my book library and I know it will appreciate greatly once out of print (like any Howard Schatz book has done).
   
   The photo's are a study on what makes a great nude and without any lack of taste that many others tend to be. The schematics are very easy to read and there are enough varied examples to teach everyone from the beginner to the fully equipped professional.
   
   So, when you are ready to make an investment in lots of hardware, don't forget this book to narrow the choices.



4. The real "goosebump" reader...Light the way I never knew it. It's a natural.



5. Don't get this book if you are looking for a detailed, "how to" manual. You will learn more if you have mastered the basics of lighting and working with models already. Think of it more as a master class than an instruction manual. I suspect, however, that you will find at least one image or technique that helps you find your own creative "voice."

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.