5 comments about Steve McCurry: Looking East: Portraits by Steve McCurry.

1. Tremendous pictures by the one and only Steve Mccurry.
   Big print size portraits, great captures.



2. I think this is the best collection and the best printing quality of McCurry's portraits to-date. These images are truly fascinating. I enjoy in particular those from Tibet.



3. If you don't know what is portrait photography, or better, if you think you know what is portrait photography, you have to buy and/or read this grand format book !!
   Emotion, beauty, technical perfection....certainly one of my favourites



4. Photographer Steve McCurry's images of Asian peoples and culture is renowned the world over, so it's especially pleasing to discover them all together under one cover in LOOKING EAST: PORTRAITS BY STEVE MCCURRY. Don't think you know Steve McCurry? Yes, you probably do - he's the photographer who captured the Afghan girl with the big eyes that appeared on the cover of National Geographic. More big-eyed and striking peoples are captured here, displaying the power of the portrait in cultural understanding.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



5. This is a magnificent book full of stunning portraits.
   
   McCurry has captured the soul of his subjects using simple yet finely tuned techniques of a master photographer.
   
   Opening this large book to page 48 we see the Kuchi Shepherd from Kashmir, his orange beard jumps from the page while his sage blue eyes reflect the years.
   
   The Afghan Girl is here too. Her blue green eyes tinged with ochre match her clothes and background so perfectly she appears to own on the page.
   
   Of course I'm romanticising about these images. Most of these people endure hardships most Westerners can't imagine. McCurry went back to look for the girl many years later (a National Geographic documentary). He found her still poor and unknown. Her eyes were still luminous though, her humanity shining through.
   
   This is what photography is all about - no fancy tricks or gimmicks, just letting the subject speak for themselves, to live on the page and in our memories.

No comments about Photo Art.

5 comments about Apple Pro Training Series: Shake 4 (Apple Pro Training).

1. When PeachPit sent me this book to review I was already excited about it since Shake is something I've taken much interest in the last couple months. I'd already begun to amass all kinds of training resources on the topic and had even set out a schedule for which to execute the consumption of said resources. So receiving this book was much on point for me.
   
   At the time of this review I had already worked my way through the Shake documentation (the first stop on my agenda) so I went into this with a rudimentary understanding of the application. I was pleased to discover that the writer of this book had taken that into consideration (and without even having to ask me!). They even state in the opening chapter that the book is not meant to replace the [free] documentation that comes with every Shake install but is aimed at enhancing what's already there. I found this to be accurate to some degree. After all, the basics must still be covered for those who were too [lazy/unaware/apathetic] towards the Shake documentation but for the most part every chapter enhanced its documentation counter-part rather nicely.
   
   The second top notable feature of this book, in my opinion, is that you are supposedly adequately ready to take (and presumably pass) the Apple Pro Certification exam on Shake after completing the book. I say supposedly because I myself have not taken the exam and cannot speak on my preparedness. However, as some may know, the PeachPit book on Shake is the curriculum used in Apple Pro Training classes all over these great United States. This is also stated early in the book.
   
   Other notable features of the book include a chapter relevant keyboard shortcuts matrix at the end of every chapter, high quality examples (some being clips from commercials you've seen on TV) for you, the student, to dig your fingers into in the labs, and pro level tips peppered throughout the book such as "always be sure auto-keyframe is enabled before rotoscoping (no one wants to roto for an hour only to find their work lost due to an oversight)" or "instead of color-matching in RGB, color-match each individual channel separately. it is much easier this way". The tips may seem basic but we all forget the basics sometimes so its great that they include this aspect of real-world protocols in a training book.
   
   I thoroughly enjoyed the book. This is notable because I went into it with high expectations, which is usually a situation ripe with potential for disappointment. It was a fun and easy read and clearly written by a seasoned professional (the Pro Training way). I felt like he was my mentor sometimes the way he addressed certain issues "they don't teach you in school" (mentioned earlier in this review). I do recommend, if you buy the book, to download the errata available from PeachPit's website. It will clear up some minor confusion from the few typos that appear in chapters 2 and 13.
   
   ---
   
   About the reviewer: Ezra Peace is a narrative filmmaker based in New York. His credits include several feature length independent films and many independent short films as well as marketing and promotional work done in Miami and New York.



2. If you are Final Cut Pro editor as I am, and want to take a next level of your creations? Then get this book with the application software. Not only teach you for solid ground compositing also take you to the pro level.



3. This is a great way to learn Shake because it guides you step by step. The thing is that you need to know theorical concepts about compositing or have enough experience in another compositing software so you fully understand what he says, because sometimes the terms are not explained, just the way to do it, so if you don't know a lot about this I suggest you to first learn a little about how compositing works.



4. It is perfect for anybody wanting to learn shake. I bought the book with zero experiance and now i not only understand the program but I can relate nearly every "real" job to certain lessons in the book.



5. Marco, as always, has created another great Shake book. But as many of you know, Apple has recently stopped support of Shake. But thankfully they also reduced the price to nearly nothing making this powerful software available to everyone. But what do you do if you need support as a user? Check out [...]

No comments about Photography: The Essential Way.

3 comments about Unseen Vogue: The Secret History of Fashion Photography.

1. I was looking for a book that would inspire me while also giving me a sense of fashion photography's history, and this is just the book. I've turned to it many times as a springboard for ideas or for the pure enjoyment of looking at the images. The copy in the front, though difficult to read because of the small font size, gives interesting gossipy tidbits about the shoots. Though not a complete history of fashion photographer by any means, its focus on Vogue keeps the book from being overwhelming.



2. As a fan of the fashion industry, I was excited by this book. It is absolutely filled with major stars. It spans several decades and features models like Jean Shrimpton, Twiggy, Penelope Tree, Pat Cleveland, Veruschka, Uma Thurman, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Shalow Harlow, Claudia Schiffer, Karen Elson, Maggie Rizer, and Gisele Bundchen. All of the photos are breaktakingly beautiful and interesting from classy old Hollywood style photos, strange modern poses, and glamorous high fashion spreads.
   
   For those of you who actually read these coffee table books, you will not be disappointed. This book is filled with useful information about the industry, Vogue, and how fashion has impacted culture.



3. The book is essentially the companion to one of the most fascinating shows that I ever stumbled upon. Last November in London, I went to the Design Museum[founded by Terrence Conran] to view an exhibit of aluminum[aluminium].

   Coincidentally, there was this Vogue show. Having paid my admission to the museum, I viewed this exhibit as well. Now, I don't pretend to know much about fashion nor photography. And this show blew me away. And so does this book, but not as well as the show, of course.

   An assemblage of insights into the culture and history of the twentieth century that I would never have encountered on my own. Not only does the story reveal how conde nast's money financed some of the more significant technical innovations in photography[which intrigued me since I try to follow the history of science and technology], but I was also fascinated to discover how it was that Vogue may have had the most energetic and brave war correspondent/photographer of WW2: and it was a beautiful and talented woman - Lee Miller. Do take the time to find out all you can about her.

   And lastly, the photos are knock-outs. I wouldn't have done this show or this book deliberately, but having stumbled into the show, I have to pronounce it one of the most educational exhibitions that I have encountered.

5 comments about 1,000 Garden Ideas: The Best of Everything in a Visual Sourcebook.

1. I love the quantity of photo's in the book. It's not a 'how-to-do' book. It is a book that provides you with a variety of options for a specific part of a garden. Enough to get our creative juices flowing.



2. I bought this book on a whim and surely regret it. I do a lot of gardening and have visited a great many gardens in our country, some famous & some not. I am currently building new gardens, again, and this book was recommended. This is a picture book w/no details regarding the gardens and/or plantings. Put it on your coffee table for friends to see. Or if like me you don't subscribe to the coffee table/coffee table book idea I will probably try to pass this off as a gift for someone who aspires to garden but doesn't. Do not buy this book. Look at the pictures at the library or bookstore. It just takes a few minutes.



3. This book contains maybe 1000 pictures... all relatively small. This in no way gave me any ideas whatsoever. If you are looking for ideas for a backyard, patio, garden shed, flowers, pergolas. etc.. I suggest Lee Ann White's "Backyard Ideas".



4. The photos are beautiful. But it is just a series of photos, almost like inventory from a catalog. Containers without plant material, seating without any a setting, ancient stone statues that cannot be purchased, it has no application to a new garden. I would stick to a standard Sunset book, you would get a much bigger picture, application and complete ideas.



5. I checked this book out from the library, and was thoroughly impressed! I have since put it on my wish list. Tons of ideas for every aspect of your garden--WOW!

5 comments about Angkor: Cambodia's Wondrous Khmer Temples, Fifth Edition (Odyssey Illustrated Guide).

1. Excellent, up-to-date info. on all sites; very detailed and accurate text on history and culture. Very informative for architects, historians, and other people interested in more profund knowledge/ facts. Far better than the other guides I've read!



2. One of the best guides that I have read. Very good background, history, religion,and description of the sites. In short, a great book.



3. This book is an absolute necessity for visiting Angkor, at least if one has an interest in archaeology. In fact, knowing what I know now, I would have skipped hiring a guide and just rented a bicycle with this book as my guide. It is comprehensive, well-illustrated (although the illustrations are not always tied to the adjacent text--my most serious complaint about the book), and has the right balance between academic and popular interest. It is well-worth the extra weight involved in taking it along to Asia (I wish they had used cheaper paper and binding to make it lighter, but then the pictures wouldn't have been so inviting). Maps and organization make it easy to use, although the index sometimes is off by a page or two--perhaps they didn't update it all from the 4th ed. At any rate, it is far superior to all other guides I found on the subject.



4. So many books available on Angkor ... and I bought Dawn Rooney's! I am just delighted with my choice. The photos and the scope of material covered in the book are so comprehensive. Would really love to spend days and days seeing it all! Maybe some day ....



5. ANGKOR, Cambodia's Wondrous Khmer Temples is not only a very practical guide for visiting the Khmer monuments at the Angkor archaeological park but also for visiting the Khmer monuments in Phnom Penh. Furthermore this guidebook includes the most important remote temples (Banteay Chhmar, Koh Ker, Preah Vihaer, Beng Mealea).
   
   Apart from a clear description of each temple it also gives a description from their location and from the access.
   
   Important to mention also is the fact it gives a short but clear insight in the old epics (Mahabharata, Ramayana etc.) and legends and this book includes a list of the most forthcoming gods, deities and divinities which makes its easier to understand the bas-reliefs of the Khmer art and architecture.
   
   The book also includes general and practical tourist information as well as for Siem Reap as for Phnom Penh.
   
   Together with the book from Michael Freeman and Claude Jacques "Ancient Angkor" and the book from Jean Laur "Angkor, temples and monuments" one will have the most actual existing complete information about the Khmer art and architecture in Cambodia.
   Ancient Angkor (River Book Guides)

5 comments about Digital Nature Photography Closeup.

1. Jon Cox knows all the basic rules of photography, knows the ins and outs of operating a camera, knows the rules of composition and does a fair job of communicating all that to his readers, effectively telling what he knows about taking close-up nature photos, although there are one or two places where he absolutely gets it wrong, such as when he says that the conversion factor for a digital SLR results in a 1:1 macro lens producing a larger than life size image on digital SLR's. That's all reasonably well and good. If you're a newcomer to close-up and macro photography, this book has some value for you, no two ways about that.
   
   But I'm not a beginner, so my problem with the book is that there's very little for me to learn here. Also, I want to be inspired by the author's work, I want to see photos that make me want to go out and take pictures myself, photos of the highest technical and artistic quality, something to aspire to. I don't get that from this book. In my opinion, the author's photos are for the most part unexceptional and uninteresting. Some are downright bad: not sharp, poor compositions, overexposed, etc., about as far from inspiring as you can get, at least for me. There are a few keepers, but for the most part, the photos in this book are just not anything special.
   
   So I'm quite disappointed with this book. It's not without value, but if you have John Shaw's book on close-up nature photography, save your money, you already have what you need to know as well as some exceptionally good photos to inspire you.



2. Maybe I was expecting too much from this book based on a fairly excellent customer reviews at amazon. I maybe expecting too much cause because to my surprise, the book dealt with point and shoot aside from DSLR cameras. I was kind of disappointed with that. I own a Nikon D200 and a Nikon 105mm f2.8 macro lens to learn the art of macrophotography and to my surprise coolpix camera shots were there....honestly i was turned off with that! If you are expecting a purely DSLR macrophotography on this book you may have to look elsewhere! I felt that there was something missing in this book. I know some of you out there knows what I mean...it lacks some oomph!!



3. This writer put some very nice photos into his book. He lists the camera and lens that he made the shots with but not the camera settings he used, which would be helpful to someone learning the art.



4. This book is exactly as it says on the back cover....A Complete Guide to Macro Digital Nature Photography. And well done. Well worth my investment.



5. I've noticed a problem with specialized photography books: not enough specialized information. Digital Nature Photography Closeup is well organized, clearly written and very attractively designed with some striking photography. Unfortunately, more than half of the book is devoted to basic photo equipment and concepts.
   
   What I've wanted - and have yet to find - is a book on macro photography that assumes I have basic or intermediate photo skills and want to extend them into a new space. The chapters of the book are:
   
   - Equipment
   - Camera features and techniques
   - Light & Color
   - Composition
   - Flash
   - Working with Histograms
   - The Digital Darkroom
   
   It could be the outline of almost any photo book - and much of the content in each is applicable to any photography, not macro in particular.
   
   If you're relatively new to digital SLRs and have an interest in closeup photography, you'll probably get a full meal here. If you're beyond the basics, it's not much more than a light snack. Well presented, but not very filling.

5 comments about Expressions: Your Behind the Camera Guide to Taking Extraordinary Photos of Ordinary Life.

1. This book covers most of the basics of portrait photography and as a newbie to DSLR equipment it was quite useful. The many examples of photographs are great, and a wide range is shown. It covers a lot but doesn't go into great depth about specifics, so I'm finding that it's a good introduction to the general area of photographing family members, but I've quickly out-grown it and am looking for more detailed specific information. (So basically I need to spend more $$$ on more books!)
   
   At first I liked its clear, simple explanations and the fact it didn't blind me with the scary technical side of using a swanky camera. However I'm starting to think it's the kind of book I wish I'd browsed through in a bookstore or borrowed from the library, rather than bought to have at home to use for regular reference.
   I would recommend it to those without much experience with DSLR cameras who want to take 'gap-ad' shots of their kids. It's a great 'beginner book' and is written in a relaxed way that is not intimidating. Of course we are all constantly learning so expect to need to spend more on other books and info sources in the near future as you may be like me and will quickly be hungry for more!



2. beautiful book, with inspiring photographs, have started to put some of the ideas into practice but still learning my way around my camera. Some more rudimentary hints on achieving some of the shots would have been useful for me, but I'm certain not everyone is as unskilled as I am at photography. This is a book to inspire a different way of looking at portrait photography and is a fantastic introduction to that.



3. I think both will enjoy the book for different reasons. As a photographer I enjoyed the images and the focus on the important parts of a photograph (the details). I think people who scrapbook will get a lot of information on how to make your scrapbooks more interesting, more detailed and how to make their images "pop" out of the book.



4. I find myself reading this book over and over again...each time picking up a different tip or technique that I can incorporate into my photography. The pictures are delightful and text easy to understand. This is one of my favorite photography books.



5. WOW, I just purchased this book last night and I've only read to page 21. (because I have been mesmerized by the wonderful photography) I cannot say enough good things about what I had read thus far. I have many photography books however this will be the one that rarely stays on the shelf. It is a easy read while still giving definition to those important photography technical details. Like the introductions says if you are looking for photos of landscapes or hummingbirds you have the wrong book. If you are a mother or love children this book is for you. You do not need to be a serious photographer to purchase this book. And at the same time you can still learn things if you are a professional. (at least from the creative aspects)
   
   In closing if I could I would give this 10 stars! Way to go Donna and Allison!

5 comments about Part Asian, 100% Hapa.

1. I'm half Japanese and half Euro (German, Swede, Scottish) and I sure wish this book had been around when I was a kid many moons ago. It's striking in it's simplicity, very profound. I enjoy looking at the unique faces and reading the individual hand-written commentary by each subject. I will keep this in my library, for our daughter, who is Ukrainian, Italian, et al.



2. I'm one of those people who get uncomfortable when filling out applications and reach the dreaded "Race" section that says "Select only one."
   
   I guess I'm supposed to pick whichever one I identify with the most. I usually skip that section and come back to it at the end. After staring at it for a solid half-hour, I hastily pick something and put the paper out of my sight. I try not to think about the answer I chose, and the ancestors I denied. My answer differs every time.
   
   Half my family views me as white (just "white" - because white people have no ethnic backgrounds or interesting cultures, right? There's no English, Irish, Dutch, German, Swiss, etc. - it's just "white"). The other half views me as some strange Mutt they don't quite know how to interact with.
   I'm sick of being too white or not white enough. This book helped me realize I'm not the only one.



3. Being hapa myself I definitely could appreciate everyone displayed in this book. It really makes me feel proud of the diversity in myself and in others.



4. I am so glad that I bought this book for myself and my little sister.
   
   Growing up, I always felt out of place. Caucasians saw me as asian, and asians saw me as caucasian. When every exam you take at school asks you to check a box for your coresponding race, but you feel your race is not listed, what do you choose? It's very clear as to what I am not, but what exactly DOES that box labeled "other" mean?
   
   This is a wonderful book full of beauty and humor. It gives those that lie in the spaces between clearly defined boxes a feeling of belonging and pride.



5. The illustrations themselves speak louder than words and its a good teaching tool to help people of different ethnic backgrounds that have mixed race in them, especially parents of two different cultures who are married with kids who are mixed race to teach them and show them there are people out there in the same situation as them. I bought two of these books for my friends who are going to have kids of different cultural backgrounds. A must have.