5 comments about 2008 Photographer's Market.

1. Great resource for any photographer who would desire to sell their work. Opened my eyes to a new avenue of income potential. Nice layout that makes since to the reader.



2. This book provides valuable information that helps you get your photo published.
   
   Submission requirements, direct access to photo editors, etc. are very beneficial to the reader.



3. The whole format of this book needs to be updated, maybe include a cd with direct links to website for sections like stock & galleries. More info & participants need to be listed. Personally this book might of had value once but now I can't seem to find any valuable info or leads in it. If it doesn't get a complete redesign any future year will have no value either.



4. Good information worldwide to sell your own photos. Tells you how, where, and the best leads to do it. Would tell everyone that this is a good book for anyone that might want to sell their pictures to buy. Thank you.



5. All I have for this product are rave reviews! It made me review my own photographs and to correspond with publishers noted in the book.

No comments about The Big Penis Book.

5 comments about Nikon D80 Digital Field Guide.

1. This book is definitely a step-up from the included camera manual. The quick start section and the sections describing the camera controls are very complete and helpful. Also, the section describing how best to setup your camera for specific picture settings is great.



2. For whatever faults this book may have it is certainly an improvement over the Nikon Manual for the D80. The D80 has all the bells and whistles but you need this roadmap to make it work.



3. I liked this much better than the guide that comes from Nikon. It was worth getting for me being I had never owned a digtal pro level camera.



4. This is an excellent instructional book that goes farther then the product book and is much easier to understand.I would recommend this book to anyone with a Nikon D80 digital SLR camera.



5. If you bought a D80 as your first camera this is a fair book. Many, though, are much better at explaining the basic concepts of photography. But if you know what depth of field is, you don't need this book; look elsewhere.
   
   Only about 20% of this is D80 specific and that part is simply a large-print version of the factory "book".
   
   It's also mis-named as being a "field guide". If should have spiral binding so I can lay the book down with the page open while handling the camera. That should be a feature on ANY camera instruction book.
   
   I'm a semi-pro shooter and I got more and better info on what the buttons do from the fold-up guide also for sale within Amazon.

5 comments about Instamatic Karma: Photographs of John Lennon.

1. The book would be better with more text. May Pang has written other books on her time with John, but it wouldn't have hurt to repeat some of her stories to make this book better. Diehard fans will find this book worth the cost merely for the photo of John and Paul together. Nothing dramatic, but it's the only one I've seen of them post-breakup, and it's reassuring to know they were getting along most of the time.



2. John Lennon's "Lost Weekend" gets the 'once over lightly' treatment in this reminiscence by May Pang, his companion/girlfriend during that period. Pang was an employee of John & Yoko when 'Mother' lined Pang up with her husband. Pang and Lennon were an item from mid-1973 to 1975 and INSTAMATIC KARMA is the account of those months.
   
   Pang's account of her time with Lennon is a collection of reminiscences; certain moments, events or people being described as well as illustrated with photographs she took at the time. Short chapters talk about first visits with son Julian, John signing the papers dissolving the Beatles, sailing/swimming trips, hanging out with Harry Nilsson and so on.
   
   Pang's book is valuable in correcting misconceptions regarding the Lost Weekend. As revealed in the book, Lennon didn't spend the entire time acting like an idiot and getting wasted with Nilsson but, as shown in the book, had many wonderful moments with family and friends.
   
   Having said that, I was somewhat disappointed by the slightness of Pang's effort. I was hoping for more insights into the man. Likewise the photos are a mixed bag; most are fair to good, a few are filler. In any case, it's a quick read.
   
   Depending on how you view John Lennon, INSTAMATIC KARMA may be an essential purchase or a missed opportunity. I enjoyed the book but I'm not wild about it. Recommended with some reservations.



3. This is for anyone who loves The Beatles, but especially for those who love John. These are wonderful photos.



4. We are really enjoying this book and its a lot of fun. I just didn't know anything about this part of John's life before, or about May. He looks very happy and relaxed with her. This is the perfect gift for any Lennon/Beatles lover.



5. It is cute but you really have to be a rabid Lennon fan to dig this book.

5 comments about The HDRI Handbook: High Dynamic Range Imaging for Photographers and CG Artists +DVD.

1. This is a very poorly written book. There are other much better alternatives to choose from.



2. I was worried that this book would be too technical for me, but it was wonderful. I reviewed each cahpter and then went back and followed the process from the beginning, until I understood it thoroughly, could work my equipment without effort and received the results I was expecting. And it is working for me! There is more information than you will ever need to get satisfying results. But the book is well-researched and the chapters brilliantly assembled. Anyone can learn from it.



3. This book gives a good general perspective on the world of High Dynamic Range imaging: the motivation for making HDR images, some theory, file formats, HDR viewing software, photographic capture, software workflow, HDR editing and CGI. Many of the example images are beautiful and inspiring. I found it a useful introduction.
   
   However, despite the title of the book, this is NOT a manual. It is more like a word-for-word transcript of a training workshop. It falls short of the expectations created by calling it a manual.
   
   The technical information is often presented in a vague, loose or imprecise way. The coverage is uneven and sometimes appears downright lazy. Stereographic projection is not explained but is simply described as a 'fun' thing. The author's report on one of the available software packages is basically that he couldn't get the package to work. There were numerous, minor technical errors.
   
   The text is often vague, loose or imprecise. The style is more like a flashy sales pitch than a technical document. At times I found it almost condescending (Quote: "Click the little checkbox, it's cool"). I grew tired and sceptical of the constant use of the word `modern' - especially when the book refers to the fifty-year-old science of Machine Vision as a "new field".
   
   Most of all what irked me about this book was the poor editing. It is really time that the Rocky Nook publishers hired a sub-editor. This particular book is strewn with linguistic mistakes, some of which are distracting or confusing (like writing `predecessor' when he means `successor', or using `eventual' to mean `possible', or `experiences' instead of `experiments', `straight angle' for `right angle', and `backside' for `reverse side').
   
   If we treat this book as the notes-plus-CD from a one-day workshop on HDRI, it is entirely satisfying.



4. Im no expert on this subject. This book is great. I work in digital photography and 3d lightwave as well a many other computer software packages. This book is very clear and well organized. You will learn alot about many different aspects of HDRI and lighting.



5. There are very few articles you can find on the web about HDR photography techniques. To my knowledge, this is the first book to cover the subject. The writing is clear and concise, and he walks through examples with clearity. I'm new the HDR and the techniques I've learned have already vastly improved my photographs. [...]

5 comments about Posing Techniques for Photographing Model Portfolios.

1. It's a very interesting book, a "must have" for beginners and intermediate. After reading this book, you can better understand models shot from others photographers and you can also make better models photo.



2. Unlike most books on modeling and model photography, this book has more than just a bunch of pictures of pretty women. The author takes the time to explain posing concepts like creating an 's curve' in the positioning of the body. Great detail is given to graceful hand posing. It is the little things that differentiate between a good photograph and a great one.
   
   This is well written and well illustrated. Definetly worth the money



3. Excellent book, it actually focuses on posing techniques instead of doing the same old routine of going through the basic studio stuff, as lots of other books do. Very detailed talks about posing hands and such.
   A good one to read.



4. The entry-level is not beginners for this one. Can't be, to shoot a professional portfolio you must have a handsome bit of knowledge already. Having that, this books has still more to offer ! Billy Pegram leads you on the way to gradually improve you pictures. There is very much attention to details that are easily overlooked otherwise, like hands and feet positioning, or where to crop and why. It shows you the possibilities for shooting a portfolio that contains commercial, fashion, editorial etc. pictures, and what sets them apart. With a host of examples, Billy shows that apparently small changes can make quite a difference. It covers more than shooting for portfolio's, for this is info that you can use time and time again for all kinds of photographic activities that have to do with portraying people or making a statement using a model. Being a professional photographer I can only say: everyone can learn something here. Lots of images are a joy to see !



5. Posing Techniques by Billy Pegram is a very useful book, particularly for someone starting in the field of model photography. It is well illustrated with large pictures showing how (and occasionally, how not) to pose the model. All of the sections provide good tips. I found the section on hand positioning particularly helpful. The book leans more toward fashion shots than glamour and has some useful words on how to produce a port that contains what the model needs (rather than what you like).
   
   Recommended for study.
   
   rps

5 comments about My Last Supper: 50 Great Chefs and Their Final Meals / Portraits, Interviews, and Recipes.

1. I enjoyed reading this book and looking at the photos. The photos are great of many great chefs. I enjoyed reading that many of the great chefs wanted simple meals from their youth as their last meal, not some fancy gourmet dish. I enjoyed the recipes in the back of the book. I was especially happy that my 18 year old son saw the book on the table and started reading it. We had some very interesting discussions about what each of us would choose as our last supper. Any time a book leads to family discusses its a keeper. I would recommend this book.



2. This is a "must" for all the gastronomes out there! This is not "required" reading for cooks, or for people who love cooking. But this is "fun" reading, as it is fascinating to read (and see!) what some of the great chefs of the world would think they would choose for their last meal. This kind of "game" has been going on for decades (if not longer) between chefs. It is great to have it shared in such a beautiful bound volume, to savor. Enjoy!



3. Excellent quality book with beautiful and funny/candid photos of some of the world's great chefs. I gave it as a gift to a family member who also works in the food world and it was a big hit. The last meals are varied and illustrative that chefs like the good stuff, but also easy, everyday, comfort food. The price is now right on amazon and if you know someone who likes this stuff and the personalities in the business then this book's for you.



4. this book came to my home in nearly perfect condition. it was received very quickly and i would purchase from this seller in the future.



5. I gave this book to my mother, who is a complete "foodie," for Christmas. She loved it. The photos are as entertaining as the descriptions of each last supper. It's a great book for anyone who loves to eat, entertain, or cook. The photo of Anthony Bourdain is worth the cover price alone...

5 comments about Creature.

1. I couldn't wait to get this book. I caught an episode of Ellen when he came and spoke of his work. It sounded unbelievable. I agree after seeing it that the photography and technique are fantastic. But I also agree with the folks who commented about blank pages. They have their place BUT... along with 2 pages for a tiny bee I was less than impressed by the grasshopper stuck in the page fold. Although it was a beautiful closeup enlargement it was difficult to appreciate it positioned as it was. The coffee table is mandatory because you cannot sit with this 6 pound book in your lap and enjoy it. It needs to be spread out completely in order to find some of the animals. I'm glad I got it, had a few good looks through it, and even happier I sold it and got my money back. Talk a friend into buying it and look at it at their house, you'll be happy you did.



2. This is a very inspiring book for me. However, as much as I can appreciate a good layout, I guess would favor more detail over white space.



3. This book is beautiful. Everyone who looks at it is wowed with the turn of every page. I recommend this to anyone interested in photography or animals. It's absolutely amazing.



4. The best coffee table book for people ages 2 to 102.
   We love the minimalism and great cropping.



5. THIS IS WITHOUT A DOUBT ONE OF THE MOST ENCHANTING BOOKS OF PHOTOGRAPHY I HAVE EVER SEEN - IT WAS GIVEN TO ME AS A GIFT AND I IMMEDIATELY ORDERED 2 TO GIVE TO OTHERS.

5 comments about Digital SLR Cameras & Photography For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)).

1. ..for the beginner digital SLR photographer. I am sure an expert could take a little something from this book, as well. I used this book as a research tool to help decide which camera to buy. It has enough substance that I keep it handy as a ready reference while taking pics in the field. The author does a great job keeping the attention of the experienced and the inexperienced photographer.
   
   Happy Holidays,
   Smacka



2. I took this book out of the library, because I find technology books to be hit or miss. After reading the first chapter, where he explains his assumptions that you understand the concept behind digital photography and want to learn what a dSLR (digital single reflex lens) camera can do, I nearly bought it, because it sounded EXACTLY like what I was looking for. I've been using digital point-and-shoot cameras almost since they came out.
   
   Unfortunately, I ended up finding this book to be less than helpful. I'm glad I read it, because it does give a great sketch of all the things you can do with a dSLR (and also mentions some of the things you can't and why). Unfortunately, I don't feel like there's anything I can do now with my camera that I couldn't have done before. Since using Aperture priority and Shutter speed priority is where most amateurs will end up using a dSLR (once they get off point and shoot mode) I thought there would be more information about how to conquer everyday problems using different settings. For example, you're trying to get pictures of your son on a bike on a cloudy day: suggestions? Instead, I found very little information about dealing with unusual conditions, and even fewer photographic or other examples.
   
   The rest of the book covered things like the composition of a good photo, the structure of a dSLR, and how to edit images on the computer. Frankly, I have my hands full just learning to use my camera and I have no interest right now in advanced image editing on the computer. And while I appreciate that understanding the inner workings of the camera does help explain the concepts of aperture and shutter speed, I also don't think he used those sections in the best way to get people to taking better photos.
   
   In the end, I thought the book was worth glancing at, because it has really helped me better understand what my questions really are, and that is definitely a helpful step. Nevertheless, I mostly found the book to cover too much information in too little detail, and frankly, I do not think this book will help many people take better quality photos than they were taking with the P or Auto modes already.



3. I am not really a big fan of for dummies books, but my husband is. He has enjoyed it. thanks. Excellent service by the way.



4. I'm completely new to cameras, whether SLR, film, or digital. So I was hoping for something I could read that would really help be build a foundation without having to spend hours and hours cluelessly playing around, hoping for epiphanies.
   
   The Cons:
   
   1. I can understand how someone who has shot film for a long time might be disappointed in the book, because it seemed to me a lot of the content was photography-centric, not digital-photography-centric. Though usually with dSLR slant.
   
   2. Nothing is ever covered in depth. But hey, it's a Dummies book, it's a primer for the rest of your adventures.
   
   3. I would really have liked to see some tables in there to help with shutter-speeds/f-stops their combinations and effects. I learned a lot, but I am still struggling with f-stops in particular.
   
   The Pros
   
   1. It is simply amazing how many different facets of the photo world (digital or otherwise) are touched.
   
   2. The book does a great job of highlighting all the different tools new people like myself would not really understand, like the differences between file types (JPEG/RAW/TIFF) or filters, and giving you enough information to get started without going overboard.
   
   3. Constantly discussing the differences in grades of equipment, from what a new person would need compared to a professional is very useful. The discussion of what you're getting for your extra dollars between that $100 tripod and the $500 tripod is really helpful when you're just starting and scratching your head going "Isn't a tripod a tripod?".
   
   4. The flow of the book is excellent. You never delve too deeply into a concept nor do you ever really just skip right off the top.
   
   5. There are even a number of goodies in here including websites the author finds useful (which helps given the 1,000 of sites out there) and even how to create your own filters (I'm looking forward to creating a pinhole filter)
   
   ****
   
   Bottom-lining it - If you're switching from film to digital, there will be large chunks that you will already know, so you may want to search for a book that specifically discusses the differences between film and digital.
   
   If you're completely new to photography and your first camera is a dSLR, this is a great book. I would recommend it in a heartbeat.



5. Easy book to read. Good to read for short blurbs or sit and read chapter after chapter. It is detailed and show lots of examples.

5 comments about Apple Pro Training Series: Final Cut Express 4 (Apple Pro Training).

1. I received this book yesterday and so far I've only gotten through the first three chapters. But I have already found a few outdated statements. A few examples:
   1) "HDV video formats record on tape....AVCHD formats, however, record directly onto disks or hard drives." No mention of memory cards or hybrid options.
   2) Lesson Review question (page 30): "What kind of cable do you use to connect your camera to your computer?" Answer: "A FireWire cable."
   No mention of USB; in fact, the entire section in chapter 2 covering connecting the camera to the computer only addresses FireWire.
   3) The book says after launching the first time FCE looks for any FireWire devices and displays an error message if none are found. This didn't happen, at least not in my case, which makes sense since many newer camcorders don't have firewire.
   4) When I opened the first project file (provided on the book's DVD) as instructed, FCE displayed a notice that the file was from an earlier version and asked whether or not to update it. The book doesn't even address this alert, leaving the user to wonder whether or not to select "Yes" or "No" to update the project file. Not updating all the files to version 4 (which they really should have done) is one matter; not even addressing the update prompt is even worse.
   
   None of this is detrimental to my learning experience, however it is evident this is old material merely updated for the 2008 edition, and they missed a few parts during the updating process.
   
   So far the book is VERY basic. I'm a long-time Windows user who just received my first mac about a week ago, and it is simplistic, even for me.
   
   UPDATE: I've progressed through the first 12 chapters, and I'm beginning to realize this book is great for walking (crawling, actually) the user through using the software with the project files included on the book's own DVD, but not so great for real-life applications. For example, I've scanned through the remainder of the book and realized it doesn't eplain how to handle existing video files in different formats (AVI's, for example). FCE can do it, but this book doesn't cover it. I've quit reading the book and started reading the FCE4 User Manual instead. So far, it seems far more applicable to what I need to know; unfortunately, the FCE4 electronic user guide is over 1000 pages long --- more pages than I care to print.
   
   If I could change my rating on this book, I would. It was a waste of money and time. Even for the basic material that is covered, the progression is at a snails pace; it could be much more concise and efficient. Even better, it could cover more useful territory by addressing real-life applications in addition to sterile made-to-order projects.
   
   UPDATE 2:I decided to finish the book and have progressed to the "Appendix", the additional chapters available only on DVD. It is so cumbersome trying to learn this way - read a line, switch to FCE4 to perform the step, re-activate the Preview window to read the next step, reactivate FCD4 to perform it, back and forth, back and forth. See, this is why I actually BOUGHT A BOOK. So I wouldn't have to do this. There are plenty of tutorials on line. I paid money for a book for a reason - to spare myself such inconvenience.
   
   One more thing: The last two chapters used terminology I hadn't seen before (keyframes, for example), with no explanation. However those chapters kept referencing the Appendix. I found explanations for those terms in the Appendix. It seems the Appendix chapters should be completed chronologically before the last chapter, making their absence from the book even more annoying.
   
   P.S. Word to the wise: I sent an email inquiry to the author several days ago. Although I've yet to receive a response (and doubt I ever will), I have begun to receive spam emails from her company.



2. I have enjoyed the lessons up to lesson 6. At that point it brings up F-9, F-10, and F-11 keys. It was not a big deal until this particular lesson. The book was written at the time of the mac OS Tiger operating system. I went to the book site for an update on reprograming these keys but there was nothing there! The lessons may be useless from here on out without information on programing these keys in Leopard!



3. I liked this manual. Easy to read and good information. It took about a week of relaxed study and working through the examples, and now I know Final Cut Express. Easy as that.



4. This book has been very helpful in becoming familiar with the basic operations and shortcuts in FCE4. I highly recommend it.



5. This is the 3rd FCE training book I brought. This book uses the same examples, pictures and footage as the first one. That is very disappointing. I had hoped it would go over some of the new features in FCE4. To my surprise it did not at all. I am about half way through the book and I am getting a strong deja vu feeling. If you don't have any of the other books, then this will be a good start. This book leaves you wanting more. Much more!!!