No comments about The Work of Art in the Age of Its Technological Reproducibility, and Other Writings on Media.

4 comments about Marley Legend: An Illustrated Life of Bob Marley.

1. Excellent book on the life and times of the great legend Bob Marley. Absolutely a must have for all Bob Marley fans. I couldn't put the book down until I had finished it. I highly recommend this book, it definitely deserves a five star rating.



2. The book came very fast and was in brand new conditions. I would recommend purchasing from this seller and would buy from them again.



3. When this was opened at X-mas, brought the recipient to tears. All the goodies packed into the book are amazing & worth every penny!



4. This is a nicely packaged (and slipcased) celebration of a reggae icon with beautiful pictures and interesting tidbits...the gatefolds and pockets with little surprises might become tiresome after a few browsings but Bob Marley is one those performers whose legend only grows with time and he is entirely deserving of this elaborate book. It's not too deep but then there are plenty of good books to choose from...in the end, it's all about the music.

5 comments about My Heart vs. the Real World: Children with Heart Disease, In Photographs & Interviews.

1. I recently bought this book out of curiosity really. My baby was recently born with Transposition of the Great Arteries, VSD and PS. This book allows me to take a look inside the lives, a voyeur if you will, of children growing up with CHD. It is inspiring and gives us "new" parents in the heart community hope of seeing our babies grow and flourish. Max Gerber has put into pictures and words exactly what heart parents are looking for to dream the dream of seeing their children progress and thrive! Thanks MAX!!



2. Hi, I am "A Mom with a thirst for truth & knowledge"...
   
   This book is a great book of photography and excerpts from each child and family. It highlights children growing up with congenital heart disease (CHD). Their personal accounts reveal their true feelings and by sharing their personal experiences, have inadvertently shown others how they have handled their own lives through extraordinary situations. These children and their families are an inspiration through their bravery and willingness to share their lives with the world.
   
   Max has captured each subject magnificently through his excellent expertise and very revealing photography.
   
   Hopefully this book will help bring about awareness to the many people who do not realize that Congenital Heart Defects are the number 1 birth defect in children. This beautiful book will help get that awareness out there and consequently help others with CHD!
   
   Thanks for putting this book together Max, I appreciate all your hard work and I'm sure, many frustrations, that you have gone through over the past few years in compiling the materials for this book. I know and feel that your book will be a wonderful success and that the ultimate goal for this book will be an instrument of hope that gives other parents and children with CHD an understanding to those who have not experienced it.
   
   My recommendation is that you purchase this elegant book of photography... experience it for yourself, share it with your children and families and enjoy it as much as I have.



3. Wow........I got this book for my almost 10 year old son. He has TOF/DORV, had tons of complications, ending up in PICU for a year and emerging with lots of "accessories" including a trach, ventilator, oxygen, gtube, pacemaker and nurse 24/7. He has been without those lovely things (except the pacer) for many years now, but is starting to come to the realization that his life is different than many of his friends. Not tons different, but different. He has loved Camp Del Corazon, and we got this for him to continue to help him see that there are lots of kids who have had similar experiences.
   
   So last night I grabbed it at 11:30pm and started flipping through it.....I was engrossed. I didn't put it down until 1:30am and I was in tears and very prayerful. Sometimes even with all that we have been through, and all the support he needs, I get caught up in the laundry, bills, shuttling kids to ballet/golf/physical therapy, and don't really remember how complicated and beautiful and terrifying his life is. How varied and amazing these kids are, yet they are tied together with such similar life experiences. This book, in it's beautiful (though solemn) photographs and words of the children and their parents, put on paper what we have known for years. That despite these struggles, these differences, this identity as the "heart kid", that these kids can find their own way in life and are richer and more compassionate for it.
   
   Max Gerber did an amazing job with this book, and gave all of our kids a wonderful gift. It lets them meet other children and see the range of experiences in families dealing with various CHDs. This is a MUST BUY for you and your child. I am buying it as gifts for our Ped Cardiologist, and other families I know who are dealing with this as well. Bravo.



4. this book is stunningly photographed and full of moving personal stories. it's inspiring and real. an utterly wonderful book.



5. Not knowing anyone affected with Heart Disease, I approached this book from a photography standpoint. Taken by the photographs, I sat down and read the book and was immediately drawn in.
   
   Woven into this book is Max's story. He is in the book, in words and pictures, telling his story of being a kid, like the kids in the book, growing up with heart disease. He tells us, his parents tell us, about his childhood with words and pictures and then gets into the stories of the kids in the book.
   
   After reading Gerber's chapter on himself, one can't really look at the images of the kids the same. At it's best it seems like he is channelling the kids, finding aspects of himself in each kid to focus in on, which gives the photographs this kind of psychic power. When Gerber photographs a bunch of boys ripping open a present at a birthday party, it just seems to transcend the subject matter into a picture about wanting to have a normal life with small normal thrills.
   
   The photographer isn't really just connecting with his subjects in this book, it seems like he is trying to figure something out thru them... and we are just here witnessing it all. By the time you get to the end of the book and see the shot of Gerber photographing himself in the mirror with two of the kids, the book kind of hits this emotional crescendo and you see what this is about. MG is using photography to understand his own life, thru these kids. The book was a document of this kind of personal fact-finding mission.

5 comments about The Underwater Photographer, Third Edition: Digital and Traditional Techniques.

1. The book has beautiful illustrations and is easy reading. Underwater photography is covered in detail. Plenty of how to information. The book is worth reading twice and using for reference.



2. I have some experience with underwater photography, but am completely new to DSLR's. This is a fantastic book that provides not just the basics, but advanced techniques to improve your underwater photography. Step by step, broken down into manageable chapters, tips and settings to start out with, this inspiring book has it all. After reading this, I can't wait to get in the water!



3. this book did nothing for me, because amazon have never given me the chance to read it as it has taken 5 weeks to deliver it, tip from me, dont ask for a review untill you have actually delivered the goods.sorry amazon, my new name for you is"amazed-its-gone" because you dont seemed to be able to deliver the service in the right order!!!
   happy new year!! only because i live in hope that i might get my book by then.



4. The couple of poor reviews notwithstanding, this is the best focused reference on digital underwater photography I have seen so far. It is composed of bite-sized chunks of information that covers different aspects of the problem. I like the references to different techniques, lighting, burn-out, and all the other little tips that take a long time to figure out on your own. It also has great advice like how to set your camera if you are swimming around with nothing particular in mind to photograph. About the only thing I think is missing is better coverage of shooting with the ubiquitous compact cameras. That's the only reason I gave it a four. The compact photographer still has a lot to get from this book, but an awful lot is designed for the SLR shooter. Still, I recommend this book to my underwater photo students.



5. This is a great book - highly recommended by many divers. I am more than happy to recommend this book to other divers who have a decent understanding of photography and are looking to expand their knowledge of u/w photography.

5 comments about Work: The World in Photographs.

1. Another of the National Geographic mini books. This one would have been much better with a larger format. Similar to other National Geographic books dedicated to photography, such as "Behind the Lens", "The Milestones". People at work around the world. Interesting in showing people doing things we don't usually see in our Western culture.



2. Sometimes with Geographic, the editorial staff choses images and as the reader im like 'What is going on here?'
   There are very strong images in this book. I know some of the photographers as well, but some images ghave no relation to the theme of 'work' here. Geographic includes images that stimulate the viewer to think and that process is walking a thin line sometimes because some images need to be apparent and show the theme--in this case 'WORK' and they simply do not, in my opinion. I was disappointed. Redo this book and hire a different photo editor.



3. I was disappointed by this book; many of the photographs do not even focus on work, and the rest are generally just sort of mediocre. Normally I would think of higher standards for a National Geographic book.



4. Cultural writer Ferdinand Protzman explores some of the world's finest images of men, women and children at work, packing in almost two hundred images spanning some 150 years from the beginnings of photography to modern times. Eighty top photographers from around the world are featured - and some aren't even affiliated with National Geographic, either - making for a collection celebrating all kinds of work situations from farming and bullfighting to begging and snake charming and beyond. A powerful tribute to the world of work makes for an exceptional celebration.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



5. This is an awesome book with hardcovers, and glossy photos. Great for the coffee table. It illustrates different jobs people do around the world. The only disappointment was that some of the photos were taken over 50 yrs ago. I would have liked to see more up-to-date jobs that people are doing around the world.

No comments about Mastering Digital Exposure and HDR Imaging: Understanding the Next-Generation of Digital Cameras.

4 comments about Digital Photo Madness!: 50 Weird & Wacky Things to Do with Your Digital Camera.

1. I tried many books for beginner with Digital Camera's and this one is about the best of them and give you extra ideas to explore.



2. I got this book from the library, but I liked it so much I am going to order a copy for my 13 year old. This book is both interesting and informative. It's a great beginner's guide in a fun wrapper. Yes, you can learn how to do some crazy things and make some weird photos. But more important, there are plenty of useful tips on how to take better photos to begin with. The short sections hold your attention, the plain English makes it easy to understand, and the pictures and humor really illustrate the point. Great for tweens/ early teens with their first digital cameras. Heck, I learned some stuff and I've owned digital cameras for nearly 10 years.



3. I teach computer skills at an elementary school and one of my coworkers saw this book on the PBS teacher site and said I had to have it. She was so right. My students were fighting over my only copy so I went to the principal and got some funding to buy a book for every computer station. My students have learned real computer skills in this book and had a lot of fun while doing it. Gaines teaches many of the techniques through experimental learning and the results are both instructional and hilarious!
   
   Get this book if you want your kids to laugh while they learn!



4. A wonderful book for anyone who is interested in digital photography. The author makes it sound so easy!! The pictures are delightful, and the text very informative. A great book for anyone interested in digital photography.

5 comments about Avid Editing, Third Edition: A Guide for Beginning and Intermediate Users.

1. There are a lot of reference books out there but this is one that you can tell has been written not by a sales person but by a user of Avid who knows what to say and how to say it in a language that is easy to understand and with examples that can be followed simply.



2. When I purchased my Avid Express DV software I had zero video editing experience. I knew the software was fairly complex, had a lot of capabilities, and the learning curve would be steep, so I also purchased the Avid turorial DVDs. However, with no editing background, after viewing these DVDs I just wasn't "getting it."
   
   Kauffmann's book was perfect for me. It starts with the fundamentals (video formats, hooking up the hardware and turning the system on, etc.) and goes on from there to cover everything though fine tuning audio and doing color correction.
   
   By reading the book (mostly) though once then using it as a "cookbook" while editing, in just a few days I was up and running and capturing, editing, and fine tuning my videos. Admittedly, Kauffmann does not go into great depth in some areas (which he acknowledges) but for someone who's just getting started this is an excellent book and will get you well on the road. I would highly recommend it to anyone just getting started and trying to learn Avid.



3. While this book is an excellent guide to what you can do with Avid, it also takes the time to explain in an understandable way editing techniques. The new chapters on HD and 24p filmaking are excellent! It gives a good base to understand these new additions to the independent movie making world. The only knock I would give it is it's lack of explanation on effects editing and the marquee title tool is completely ignored.



4. Avid Editing has been a useful tool for me both as a student and as a professional. As a film student, I first picked up Sam Kauffmann's second edition in a production class. Most of us had never touched an Avid before, and yet by the end of the semester, using Kauffmann's text as a go-to guide, my classmates and I were producing dynamic and adeptly edited pieces. Not only does the book provide simple exercises for the reader to try, it also includes a DVD with actual footage to work with. Avid Editing is carefully organized for the beginning editor, but I also use it as a reference now that I am out of college, working as an assistant editor. This new third edition not only expounds upon all the steps, shortcuts and settings covered in the previous editions, but also dedicates entire chapters to editing with 24p and HD footage, making this book invaluable to editors entering the professional world. I strongly recommend this guide for anyone who seeks to teach, learn, or refresh his or her memory.



5. This is a great book. I am doing an educational video and had never used the Avid system before. I have Avid Xpress Studio HD and this book taught me everything I needed to know to get the job done.
   
   Highly recommended.

2 comments about Enclosure.

1. You will not look at rocks, sticks, ice, leaves or water the same way after you read this (or any) of his books. It's mezmerizing to see the way these common objects we would walk right by turn into sublime art. Also worth checking out the DVD "Rivers and Tides". Just wonderful, and the polar opposite of the slick, mass produced art out there today.



2. Andy Goldsworthy's work is as good as a human being can get to the Northern Lights.

5 comments about Spirit of Place: The Art of the Traveling Photographer.

1. Good book
   
   I got this book in anticipation of an upcoming vacation and it was worth the money. I think it serves the target market (amateur photographers on vacation) pretty well. It makes a few references to stock photography but doesn't dwell on shooting for it, doesn't mention selling it except in passing.
   
   It starts out with a basic overview of composition (rule of thirds, Depth of Field, directional light, patterns etc). Other books cover this in greater detail, it is only an overview after all. The author does include a few tips on how each might apply to travel photography. After photo 101 it goes on to cover specific environments/situations. Cityscapes, tropics, winter etc. This was the meat of the book, each subject was given and adequate overview with a few specific examples to illustrate. There are also chapters on underwater and Ariel photography. Good intros but if your going to be plunking out the bucks for that I'd look for more specialized instruction.
   
   He finished the book with some travel tips that may not apply to the non-professional (especially about packing in the post 9-11 travel climate) and on gear selection.
   
   There are plenty of example photos that more or less illustrate the point he was talking about. Most of his shots seem to come from the Caribbean or North America, a few from Europe. Preferences to the Caribbean. On the plus most of them seem to be something that a person with normal means might replicate using moderately expensive gear. He did most of his work in the 20-35mm and 80-200mm focal ranges with full 35mm film. The cameras he used were by no means top of the line. He also addresses what is realistic to expect from the traveling photographer vs the pro who has been on location dozens of times.
   
   The biggest shortcoming of this book is that it is film-centric (35mm). It was published in 2000 which was really before the digital age really took off. Most of the tips and techniques (The real meat of the book) are universal regardless of what kind of camera you use. But he does spend some time on film selection, care and feeding (especially filters and white balance) that are very different in the digital. Of course there is no information on digital care and feeding as a consequence.
   
   I'm interested to see how well this book holds up over time. Years ago when I was starting out with photography I got a book on composition. At the time I felt it was an "overview" and probably lacking something. Now after years of experience I see that book really had it all, all the subjects were there, what was lacking was my experience to implement them. I suspect in time I will come to see this book the same way.
   
   Pros-
   Good book on the subject written to the beginner-intermediate level
   Good pictures to illustrate the subjects
   Focuses on "achievable" pictures rather than the extreme works of art
   Covers all the bases
   Great advice on film (if your using it)
   
   Cons-
   Needs updating. Lots of good film info but nothing on digital and the new capabilities (and liabilities) that it provides.
   Some may want more in depth instruction on specific areas.
   
   Conclusion
   A great resource for travel/location photography. If you already have the basics down (Fstops and exposure and whatnot) then this is a good next step. I'd recommend it for anyone looking to make their vacation photos better.



2. It's amazing that in 7 years since this book was released, the transition of most enthusiast's and amatuers photo capture is now almost entirely digital, that this book seems "old". However the basic's of capturing the light, composition of the photo and the steps to recording the countries, cities and inhabitants don't (it just how they're recorded).Bob Krist workflows that he outlines and the tips provided in my opinion are well suited to the beginner and enthusiaist photographer. In fact, it would be a great idea to copy the simple steps down onto a card and slip in the camera bag for a checklist when travelling.This book precedes my copy of Lonely Planets Travel Photography but is simpler and more anecdotal. A good read and recommended even if your capture is digital. This book will be the one I use for reference before my next attempt of capturing the "Spirit" of the places I travel to and not just taking the pictures.



3. This is film photography that is fully compatible with the digital age. It is not so much on what settings he used but on the planning and preparation that matters the most. What was in his mind when the shot was taken is fabulous. While he shoots landscapes mostly at the time when we are either calling it a day or still sleeping in the early morning, there are certain tips that opens our views on not only what, but also when and how to take a shot! This is a must have book for travellers wanting to have beautiful memories of his/her travel. We will never reproduce the same scene on a given place or event but it will surely open our eyes on what to look for and how to be a more creative photogpraher. I agree with Bob that when you know what to look for then you will realize how abundant there is to shoot wherever you are!! A must have book indeed! I give it 6 stars but unfortunately 5 is the best there is to choose from!



4. I bought quite a few books before a recent trip to Kauai where photography was a large part of my experience. This book provided as much or more insight into how to approach a place and experience it through photography as any other I read. Part of the value of this book will be in re-reading parts of it over a few times, before any major outing, at least until you take what it's saying to heart. In the end, photography is an active thing, and reading about it will only take you so far.



5. Spirit of Place provides an excellent overview of travel photography. It is well organized, written clearly and concisely, and is filled with beautiful photos to help illustrate the points made in the text. The author discusses techniques to help you deal with various difficulties from how to find the best vantage point when shooting tall buildings to dealing with people that you may want to photograph. One thing that I really appreciated was that he also gave advice on which equipment to use in various settings and situations.
   
   For travel photographers, the topics covered are pretty comprehensive. The author walks through some basics of composition. There is a full chapter devoted to working with various light sources and using filters to enhance that light. There are sections on skylines, architecture, shooting in the tropics, wildlife, and more. Each section is fairly brief. This book is more about giving general direction and ideas then trying to offer a detailed approach to all possible shooting possibilities. I found the level of coverage just about right. No one can provide detailed direction for every possible consideration for travel photographers so the author wisely offers some general advice to start you thinking and leaves it at that.
   
   If the book has a weakness it is that it was written back in 2000 by a photographer who obviously didn't so much as scan his slides for further editing. This is strictly centered around film photography and that definitely limits the usefulness of the material focusing on film selection if you use a digital camera. Forturnately, most of his advice is sound regardless of whether you use film or digital so I would still highly recommend the book.