4 comments about The Most Beautiful Villages of New England (Most Beautiful Villages).

1. I took this coffee-table photo book out of the library once I realized that one of the featured "most beautiful villages" in New England was Stonington, Maine -- where I lived for nearly seven years. I wanted to see what they chose to show about the Deer Isle area because hey, *I* knew what made the area so gorgeous. If they could capture Stonington, perhaps they could also bring to life the beauty of the other villages covered -- from Essex, CT to Grafton, VT to Nantucket, MA.
   
   To my disappointment, though, the photographers chose rather humdrum locations to highlight. Nothing here is _bad_, mind you. The photos are perfectly nice. There's plenty of predictable photos of clapboard buildings and small town churches and autumn leaves. But it's the predictability that makes this worth flipping through once... and only once. It's as though you had purchased large-format postcards from the ordinary gift shoppe -- not captured something unique and beautiful.
   
   I'm a little astonished that this book has so many pictures of the (admittedly beautiful) autumn leaves in New England (that is, they're beautiful if they don't make you think "Oh geez we'd better top off the heating oil"). But not a single picture of the mountain lupine blooming in the spring that, in my opinion, is far prettier. You'll see several inoffensive photos of boats tied up at the dock at sunset... but almost nothing that reflects the sense of community that can make small-town living so precious.
   
   I'd hoped that this book would bring back a tiny bit of my years on Deer Isle. Alas... I'll have to dig out my own photos for that.



2. I love books that have high quality photography, this is a magnificent book on new england towns.



3. I'm a big fan of quality photography. This is a great book with terrific pictures of new england, and all the good reasons to move here.



4. Wonderful photagraphs and great images of beautiful New England! Reminiscent of my childhood, and old fashioned villages of yesterday. A must for the coffee table!

No comments about Short Course In Photography, A (7th Edition) (MyPhotographyKit Series).

No comments about Magic Lantern Guides: SONY DSLR-A200 (Magic Lantern Guides).

No comments about Archive Fever: Uses of the Document in Contemporary Art.

5 comments about Do It Yourself.

1. I bought this book on a whim. I liked the concept of the book and I saw some nice photos from it, like the one on the cover. The content however, dissapoints. The photo's just aren't very good. The overall atmosphere is that of 1990's amateur nude photography.
   
   Perhaps not much more can be expected of non-photographers. But I was hoping for a charming, low-fi low-tech DIY look that would make up in personality for what it lacks in professionality. In stead, it's aiming for a high-key 'glamour' look and failing miserably.
   
   I also thought the idea of having the camera and cable release in most of the photos would be charming, but in stead I found it distracting. Paradoxically, I feel a good photographer would have been less noticeably there than the cable release is - in other words, the photos would have felt more private if they had been shot by someone else.
   
   Interesting to browse through once or twice but not a book I could recommend.



2. This large hardcover collection of erotic photography is one of the best books of erotica to come along in quite a while. The premise is simple, allow models to photograph themselves in the nude. The result is a memorable collection of unique and borderline voyeuristic images that are just as artistic as they are erotic.
   The photographs have an amateur feel to them, you get the feeling you're looking thru the personal photo collections of each lovely young woman, and in a way... you are. The personalities of most of the women come shinning thru in their selected poses. For example, it was easy to see the naughty playfulness of a young blonde woman, who was laughing as she snapped a pantyless upskirt shot of herself. You could tell that she was thinking she might be going too far, but that people would freak when they saw the picture!
   
   Some shots are artistic, some playful and some all-out erotic. Some are in black and white, some in color. Some of the models look like top fashion models, some look like amateurs, but all of the content in the book is top-quality. Full page photos on heavy stock paper makes up the book and it's a fair price for such a large amount of content.
   This is my favorite erotic photography book since Roy Stuart, Vol. 4: The Fourth Body (Book & DVD) and I highly recommend it.



3. The idea of having models choose their own poses and snap their own photos is a good one but, for the most part, this book shows the value of a professional photographer.
   
   The models are beautiful and the lighting and technical aspects of the images are fine. But there are inherent difficulties of taking a good image of oneself, not the least of which is knowing exactly when the shutter will snap. Maybe it would take 1,000 attempts to find 50 or 60 happy accidents of spontaneity. Either this book drew from fewer photos, or happy accidents are rarer than I would wish.
   
   It is not hard to look at the pictures, and they are not in bad taste -- just not likely to become new classics. I bought the book, I looked it once, then put it up for sale.



4. I bought this book on a whim. I had a feeling the women didn't compose all of the shots themselves. Not because a woman couldn't but because they weren't professional photographers. Some of the lighting and composition wreaked of a professional photographer. After looking through the photos I read the intro and indeed it addresses the fact that Uwe Ommer helped with lighting and composition with some of the shots. So, kudos for not hiding that fact.
   
   I think the book is beautiful works of art of beautiful women and their surroundings. I don't believe for one second this is porn. There's nothing vulgar or disrespectful here. Just really nice shots.
   
   Also the book is a lot bigger than I expected.
   Highly recommended.



5. The concept is a good one: let the model choose pose herself and work the camera, as Andre Rival did with Self-Images. Given Ommer's past work, including Black Ladies, I had the highest hopes for a this new collection of figure photography.
   
   Rather than use the controlled environment of his studio, Ommer tracked his lovely subjects to their lairs, to show them in their native environments. Ideally, the home and its content should have framed the model and exposed more of her personality. Instead, the backgrounds came across as cluttered and distracting. Even if the models controlled the camera and poses themselves, I counted on Ommer and his artist's eye to select those few snapshots that truly rose above the ordinary. Instead, the collection conveys an amateurish look.
   
   I hoped for better, and he's done better. I hope he does better again in the future.
   
   -- wiredweird

5 comments about The Complete Book of Hairstyling.

1. This book reminds me more of a teen magazine than an adult, "get the job done" book. The pictures seemed more intent on selling figures than hair. There are some good tips on how to do hair, but not on styles and step-by-step procedures. I am returning the book.



2. Initially I ordered this book for myself but the styles were complicated as well as geared to bridal looks and I was looking for everyday looks. I gave it to my daughter who is getting married in June.



3. I liked this book because it has some good hairstyles and hair care tips and techniques but for the size of the book I thought it would have a lot more hairstyles than it did. and I dont really like the whole storyline of the four girls either. so I give it a four. now im looking for a book thats just hairstyles and techniques with step by step insructions. What I thought this book would be like.



4. I am doing my own hair for my wedding. This book has a wedding section so I thought it would work. It did not.
   
   Unless you like the kind of hairstyles that are impossible to maintain and that you only see on a runway model, do not buy this book. The majority of the styles are odd and not for every day life. If you are the kind of woman who doesn't believe in spending more than 25 minutes on your hair, Do Not buy this book. These styles take at least an hour to complete and are very hard to do at all.
   
   There is one good thing about this book. It does give good advise on coloring and conditioning. So, if that is what you are looking for, do buy it.
   
   This book led me to believe I was purchasing a hairstyle book. In reality it is only good for hair treatment, because of the unrealistic quality of the styles that they offer.



5. Basic hair care/styling advice throughout the book, very good for someone who wants more general knowledge on hair products, styles, how to take care of but it wasn't very detailed.
   
   there was a cute story throughout the book of 4 friends living their lives and each chapter related a hair issue to what information about hair was written next. for example one chapter a girl was going on vacation so there was advice on what to do with your hair when traveling.
   
   fantastic pictures, especially in the wedding section beautiful hair styles
   
   the book was very well put together and is a nice, enjoyable read...I finally learned what exactly a chignon was and how to create it!

5 comments about A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting.

1. I love this book, a must for any one interested in the running out a show behind a lightboard. Very useful!!! A+



2. This is hands-down the best book I've ever read regarding the process of designing and executing a lighting design. Other books do wonderful jobs of discussing instruments and electrical aspects, or how to create a design, but very few discuss the day-to-day paperwork and personal interactions involved in getting that design executed. This book addresses that subject thoroughly, discussing what documents to create, how to schedule time in the theatre, how to work with all the other folks involved in creating a production, and so on. Highly recommended.



3. I would say this is NOT the first book to buy or read for someone wanting to learn stage lighting design. The books does not cover the basic theories.

   But - it offers a very good guide to the real-world contraints and demands of lighting. The author give very concrete and useful suggestions and advice. Analysing a complete design ('Hokey') step-by-step is a clever move. It is also the perfect book for those who want learn how to accurately document their designs to last nut and bolt. Even with my 20+ years in lighting and lighting design, I found this book a worthwhile addition to my collection of lighting textbooks.




4. Get This Book! This book has everything a aspiring lighting designer needs. Shelley clearly shows his thoughts with clear illustrations. The first page is his complete lighting design for a show!!Buy It!



5. "A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting" is destined to become the definative source of instruction in the field of theatrical lighting. With the books emphasis on the process of light design it gives the reader the tools necessary to create the art. Whether your goal is to become a good stage electrician or a good designer the explainations in this book will allow you to work and communicate quickly and efficiently during that precious time allotted for load-in, hang and focus.

   Steve Shelley, by taking a chronological approach to light design, illustarates exactly what goes into a successful design. He defines his terms, explains why he does things, and provides anecdotes and insights that make the book entertaining and easy to read.

   The final section of the book on how to focus lights will teach you more about creating and implementing a light design than any other book you have, can or will read.

5 comments about Mario Testino: Portraits.

1. I like very much this book. I like format, photos, colours. Mario Testino is one of the best contemporary fashion / celebrities protographer and I must agree with this opinion after seeing this book. It's worth to buy!



2. Mario Testino has an "eye" for taking aewsome photos, you will love the collection in this book. I fully reccomend it for anyone who enjoys good photography.



3. This collection is superb and the size of the book is well chosen to display the images. It's a well rounded selection, including fashion, editorial, advertising, personal and celebrity. Reproduction of the images is high quality with good resolution and colour. Highly recommended to Testino fans.



4. I think Mario Testino used to be a waiter. Be fearless, you can do it. All you need is a point of view. Use the shotgun approach to photography - shoot shoot shoot and you'll get at least one good one.
   
   Here's some good inspiration for you...



5. This book shows the portraits of the exibitions that took place in 2002 in London (England) and in 2003 Edinburgh (Scotland). I went to the one in Edinburgh and it was amazing. If you have the oportunity to go and see it your country don't miss it.

2 comments about MX: The Way of the Motocrosser.

1. I am a motocross junky. This book is well done. The writers from Racer X have given our sport a face and pictures to go with it. If you like bikes and todays top riders, you'll enjoy this book. Also see the American Motocross books.



2. If you liked "American Motocross Illustrated" then you've got to have this book. The explosive growth of MX/SX/AX and Freestyle over the past ten+ years have provided Davey Coombs with the perfect platform to launch a book like this. As Racer X grows and matures with the sport, hopefully there will be a racing annual for MX like there is for NASCAR, F!, ETC.

5 comments about Immediate Family.

1. I love these photographs. They have amazing soul and power inside them. Brilliant exposures and a great looking family.



2. I think the world owes Sally Mann and her family some kind of karmic debt for the beauty and grace that they share with us in this book. I know many of the shots were painstakingly staged and that her printing skills (and lenses) intentionally warp certain scenes, but this collection still allows you to escape into the feeling that you are witnessing an endless carefree summer in one of the most idyllic settings a child could imagine. The shots of her cabin and the river scenes alone could probably result in millions of unfilled prozac prescriptions -- it's that calming. I recommend this book to photography buffs, nature lovers, stressed-out insomniacs and mothers everwhere.



3. Sally Mann is an amazing artist. Her photographs are not only immensely beautiful, but inspiring as well. I highly recommend "Immediate Family", it is by far my favorite book made by Mann. Set in her home in Virginia, it instills in the reader the beauty of family and simplicity.



4. it's just gorgeous to look through. you get to see through the mother's eyes, to see what every mother sees: her children being children; being hurt and sad and happy and playful.



5. I love photography and having this kind of books exposes me to other peoples work and I love it!