5 comments about John Shaw's Nature Photography Field Guide.

1. Yeah, it's film centric but much of the information is great for digital too. If you are a wannabee, hobbiest nature photographer like myself, this is a great read.
   
   All of John Shaw's books are great. There is some overlap between them as he goes over the basics but they are all worth a read for any aspiring nature photographer.



2. I considered this an excellent book. It was written a few years back and had it's major emphasis on film photography. However, virtually all of the material is applicable for todays state of the art digital photography.



3. This is listed as the "updated edition." That is true but it was updated almost a decade ago in 2000, which explains why the book is based on film photography. It is also a beginner's book almost entirely devoted to hardware and equipment as is stated by the author in the preface: This is a book about John Shaw's cameras, lenses, tripods, and film. It is not a book about capturing great nature photos. If you don't know about aperture, speed, ISO, or depth of field as applied to 35mm film cameras then this book is for you. If you are looking for guidance on the techniques used to capture great outdoor photography you are advised to look elsewhere.



4. I love John Shaw's pictures (they're very inspiring!). However, I didn't find the book useful. Subscribe to a decent forum on the web, and you'll find more relevant, up to date and detailed information than what's found in this book. Check out wikipedia, or g**gle any question you may have. Don't spend your money on this one or on Shaw's Lanscape Photography.
   
   If you want to learn nature composition check out this one: The Art of Photographing Nature by Martha Hill (Author), Art Wolfe (Photographer). That one is a timeless book for budding photographers.



5. I did understand the basic concepts, but this book really got me started on photography. I now shoot most of my images in manual mode!
   
   Really great book. Highly recommended.

5 comments about Facial Expressions: A Visual Reference for Artists.

1. It's a great idea, but as a comic artist I could have used a lot more younger models. The models transition to old age groups too rapidly. I would love to see a 'volume II' that included more children and teens, and perhaps some additional models in the age groups that were included, but in different racial choices.
   
   Even so, it is well done, very useful, and six months after I bought it, already getting a little dirty from all the use it has gotten (too much eraser dust in the air!) Thumbs up.



2. I purchased this book to use as a reference for sculpting faces on dolls. The book shows different angles of the expressions and that was what I needed. Unfortunately what I did not need was an entire book filled with goofy expressions that you'd never even see on a human face!! There was no romantic expressions or serene, contented, laughing mildly at something mildly funny expressions. Just over the top, completely over exaggerated mutated faces! If you need some serious or normal faces, Don't buy this book.



3. This book was just what it stated, however, I was looking for a book of instruction for the photos included. The book was returned.



4. Being an animator, I found this book very helpful.
   Different type of people express themselves in a different way.
   you can have so many variety of facial expressions using these references.
   It's helpful also for storyboard artists.



5. An excellent book for Artist and Dollmakers. Exceptional photos covering all age groups as well as genders.
   A unique, one of a kind book, that will inspire you with visual details.

5 comments about This Is Who I Am: Our Beauty in All Shapes and Sizes.

1. This is a wonderful book celebrating the beauty of all women, no matter the shape or size.



2. This is not a review. This is a rhapsody. If you are a woman, you will find yourself in these pages, in these photographs, in these stories. If you are a man, you will find your girlfriend, your mother, your wife, your sister, your aunt, your grandmother. Though these stories and exquisite photographs are of 54 individual women of all ages, races and body-types, their courageous words and photographs will break open your heart to your own beauty, suffering, doubt, rage, sorrow, joy, pain and gratitude. Buy two books. One to keep and one to give away. You will be glad you did. Then let the conversations begin among girlfriends, mothers and daughters, lovers, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters. Let the shame and rage go. Know your own beauty. Answer the questions yourself. What do you love about your body? What frustrates you? How have you supported your body? Then you can sing a song of your own courage, grace and beauty. Amen.



3. This book presents high quality, thoughtful and tasteful images accompanied by sparse, tight autobiographic narratives. Ms. Olson meshes the two wonderfully, each half telling a part of the story.
   
   I've greatly enjoyed reading one or two pages before setting off to do something else, and finding myself thinking back as if I'd just met someone really interesting.
   
   This is a superb book about people - REAL people. It is a quality hardback, with top-notch printing and photo reproduction. It has already earned a spot in my "permanent" collection-- those books I go back to for enjoyment and inspiration time and time again.



4. 
   This book will change women's lives. And it that way, change men's lives.
   
   Working with women for over 25 years individually and in group, as a psychotherapist, I have already seen this begin to happen in my own practice. This vitally important book sits in my office for all to read. And as women hold the book, viewing the intimate, sensitive, beautiful portraits and reading the stories of self-image, their own reactions are profound. The combination of stark and authentic beauty, both in picture and story, moves women safely into their own consideration of themselves and their body image...to consider and re-consider how they have been considering themselves for years. Often unconsciously. And they begin to be kind to themselves.
   
   It is a most beautiful book to behold, both inside and out. In addition to it's presence in my office as an option for clients to view, I have given over eight copies to friends, nieces, physicians and colleagues. And will continue to buy and give.
   
   Each of us could have a picture and story here. Rosanne Olson has given a gift to the world.



5. I had the pleasure of attending Rosanne's book reading and signing party in Seattle lastnight. Looking through the book before she got up to speak, I realized that everyone has their own story, and that people might not be so obsessed with my own (horrible) body image as I think they are. I realized that maybe my husband really does mean it when he tells me I'm beautiful--that he's not just saying it to make me feel better. I applaud the author for her courage to do this project, and to share a bit of herself with others. The courage of these women to be in the book--I applaud them too.
   This is a true masterpiece, that every woman and frankly--all men too--needs to read, if for nothing but a SIGNIFICANT reminder that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. This book has impacted so many levels of my thinking. I challenge anyone reading this to let yourself be transformed. I know I was.

5 comments about The BetterPhoto Guide to Digital Nature Photography (Better Photo Guide to).

1. Zen of Watering Your Garden
   
   This book is what Tony the tiger would call Greaaat!!!! It really teaches the basics off nature photography. I found it very useful even though my interest is in flora and not fauna and in flowers plants and gardens rather than landscapes. It helped with composition and technique. i would recommend it highly to anyone ready to jump head first into the digital portal to Mother Nature. Matt cohen



2. I like this book, learned a lot from it, it will help you take better pics! Some parts maybe a bit to much for absolute beginner but if combined with another reading or class you will appreciate it. Contains valuable info to any photographer.



3. I am in the process of reading about 20 guides and books related to Nature Photography (Landscapes, Macros, Wildlife, etc)...everything from the older Shaw books to new digital books such as this one.
   
   This book has a lot of good information. I enjoyed the mentoring style of the book and thought the LCD (Lighting, Composition and Digital(Eposure) approach to each of the sub topics was well presented. There are good ideas for assignments also.
   
   I only have one fairly minor flaw with the book and it is a rather subjective one...while the photos in the book were good examples of the topics being discussed, not a lot of them were jaw dropping and inspiring to me personally. Obviously this is a subjective point and others may disagree. After reading the Shaw and Audubon and acouple of digital nature books prior to this one, the photos in this book just didn't wow me as much as the others I have read.
   
   I don't feel the above is enough for me to knock the book down to a 4 star so I am still giving it a 5 star rating although if there was a 4.5 star option, I would probably select that.
   
   Don't get me wrong, though, I still feel this is quite a worthwhile book to buy. The approach is friendly, encouraging and refreshing and the author obviously knows his stuff and has produced a good book.
   
   One further note...I also liked the fact that this book is definitly about nature photography and doesn't spend an over-abundance of time on generic photography priniciples that one has more than likely picked up from other general photography books. Some nature books are general photography books with a splash of nature thrown in. This one is a nature photography book with just the right amount general photography thrown in. An honest approach to a nature photography book.



4. Nature's a big place, and you can easily get lost -- photographically. This book does a good job of explaining all the varied aspects of outdoors and wildlife photography from a digital perspective. You'll learn how to choose lenses, stalk elusive creatures, and capture great "close-ups" from distance perspectives. I liked this book very much.



5. Excellant written. I bought this and his other book Digital Photography together. Not only did I get an excellant deal but both were well worth the investment. You can't get much more clear and easy to understand than this. Very down to earth written and everything is so well explained and simply put. It's almost like your sitting down over a cup of coffee with a good friend. I learned more from these books than any other material that I've read. AND from the first day started to notice a big improvement in my photos. A must read for anyone that is serious about photography!

5 comments about Business and Legal Forms for Photographers (with CD-ROM) (Business and Legal Forms).

1. This should come in handy for my neice who is getting into photography big time.



2. I wanted some forms to get started with my Photography business and I didn't know where to go, did a look up on here and viola this book came up under my searches... I finally got my book after waiting for my book which got lost. Overall love the book and the CD.



3. Sweet package with great amount of legal documents for use in a photography, or video producer trade. Cheaper as well compared to local bookstores thanks Amazon.



4. This book is excellent. It's written in a way that makes it easy for us "common folks" to understand and also to explain to our clients. The information offered is extremely valuable, full of legal insight and advice for constructing your own contracts, and the sample forms are fully explained and are very easy to alter for a business' specific needs.
   
   I also recommend "Wedding and Portrait Photographers' Legal Handbook by Norman Phillips and Christopher S. Nudo, Esq."



5. This is an excellent book that should be on any working photographer's shelf. I bought this book to help me wright the contract for my first paying job as a professional photographer. I was able to use the form as a guideline to create a formal letter to be signed by both parties and serve as a contract. The author explained each section of the form, what it meant, and why it was there. Based on that information I was able to decide what I needed in my letter and what wasn't needed. The only complaint I have is that the author suggests "If an assignment will be very lengthy, perhaps requiring a number of sessions over a period of months, a schedule of payments should be used" but he fails to demonstrate how to write that. Still a most excellent book.

4 comments about Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 Classroom in a Book.

1. Easy to follow book, good photo examples; lets you take control and change sample pictures. Recommend



2. This book has been a great help in learning to use the software. My only complaint is that the author ocasionally assumes knowledge which I don't have. Steps are sometimes left out because of this. On the whole, however, it has helped in learning to use the software.



3. GOOD PRODUCT FOR THE PRICE.IT HAS HELPED ME WITH MY LEARNING OF ELEMENTS.IT IS A GOOD BOOK FOR THE BEGINNER



4. For someone basically interested in the handling of digital images, this book is far inferior to something like "Photoshop Elements 6 The Missing Manual."

5 comments about Nikon Creative Lighting System Digital Field Guide.

1. Good help for a very complex unit, It will help you get the most out of ypur flash. Explains how the controls work how the TTL system works. all good stuff to know.



2. I bought this book hoping it could help me with controlling nikon SB speedlights SB800 and SB600 which I own with my new SU800 remote. This book deals mainly with using SB800 as the master to control other flashguns. It would have been better if it included the usefullness of the CLS with the use of SU800 as well because this is what it is all about! It is not as comprehensive as I thought it would!



3. I found the book too verbose. The marrow of if could have been condensed in a book half its size. As a practical amateur photographer, I ws looking for detailed advice on using one or several flashes, since I own a Nikon D200 and a Speedlight SB 600. When not extolling the system "the Nikon creative Lightning system is a very complex tool but alll of the complexities are taken care of whitin the camera itself", and similar phrases ocupying a good amount of text, the author talks mostly on generalities. I felt I did not get advise specific enough to actually put it to work in obtaining better flash photography.



4. I love this book. J. Thomas covers all the bases in this guide to your Nikon CLS. With lots of illustrations, FAQs, questions you'd never think to ask, I can't put this down. I purchased also David D. Busch's "Nikon D80 Digital Field Guide" which is excellent, but this Creative Lighting Sytem Guide is your direct link to photographic heaven. Don't buy into the naysayers neagative, neurotic reviews of "not enough bells and missiles". This guide will guide you through the minefield and morass of proper lighting. You'll be glad you got this. I certainly am!
   
   
   "Good photography speaks through silence"



5. Had I been aware that this was a Wiley publication prior to purchase, I wouldn't have bothered- inasmuch as Wiley's offerings are consistently bad.
   About the author, and his abilities(?) as a teacher. Well...in my opinion, as a teacher, he'd make an outstanding ditch-digger. 'Nuff said?

5 comments about Film Directing: Shot by Shot: Visualizing from Concept to Screen (Michael Wiese Productions).

1. This is a book about all the types os shots, but it has a serious problem. The writer doesn't explain the emotional meaning of all those shots. If you read this book, you will know the positions and angles that a cameraman uses; but you won't know nothing about when and why employ this angles. Katz doesn't talk about the art of direction and the connection between the script and the camera shots.
   
   If you want to learn the complicated art of the direction you must read other more interesting books, like "Film Directing Fundamentals" by Nicholas Proferes. Also you can analyze an Hitchcock's movie "shot by shot". Any movie of Hitch is a master class.



2. I think this book is for frappe latte mocha double half calf drinkers. Lots of flowery exposition. If it's the only book you've ever seen on the subject, it'll teach you something (in a very confusing way). But if you've ever shot anything, or read another book on camera setups, etc., this will not add much to your knowledge.
   
   I even read it a 2nd time to see if I was just "overwhelmed" by info the first time--nope...there are other books that get to the nuts and bolts and practical info much better.



3. its easy to read, lots of info and hints. especially very helpful for camera moves and shooting angels. pictures are great and makes real easy to understand.



4. I have used this book numerous times for my teachings in which students go through the process of making a short film with certain limitations being imposed. It is part of a process that I call "fast filmmaking". I like the examples that Katz presents, specifically that it is not the quality of the drawing, but how the drawing communicates the director's vision to the rest of the crew. I will usually have a student "explain" their storyboard to the class, and it is amazing how a few chicken scratches can give as much details as a fully detailed storyboard. Kudos to Katz for explaining the creative aspect of directing, and Michael Weise Productions for publishing these types of books.



5. as a long-time reader of videographer's magazines, I didn't find much of interest in this book. If I were new to the trade, I'd probably have found it more useful. For that reason, I gave it a rather high rating of 4 stars

5 comments about National Audubon Society Guide to Landscape Photography.

1. First reason: exceptional images.
   
   Second reason: advice on obtaining these kind of images.
   
   How many books get 5 stars for 16 out of 17 reviews? This is one. The images are excellent and the advice is sage. Fitzharris used both film and digital for these images, and his advice challenged my prosumer level. He really is an accomplished professional, and he has shared many of his ideas and techniques. Other professional landscape photographers would be interested in this book. But much of the information is accessible to amateur photographers as well. His description of depth of field, hyperfocus, wide angle, rule of thirds, exposure, composition, etc. are clear and straightforward.
   
   Even if this book had just the clear, large, interesting images, it would be worth it. Other books of his did not get such great reviews. I can't say how much I liked this book.
   
   For $16, just click the "Buy it now," button.



2. I have been an amateur photographer for about 35 years, and I have enjoyed the instruction of several masters in the days I used to lug around a large view camera (mostly B/W imaging). Tim Fitzharris's book about (color)landscape photography is my most valued book on the subject in my entire library. He is an excellent writer and communicator of key thoughts. His writing is dense; he doesn't prattle. As he states in his introduction, "The emphasis of the book ... is on the photographer's actual interaction with the subject" {being photographed}. This book is for the intermediate to heavily experienced photographer (amateur or professional alike). As much as possible, he doesn't dabble in the usual tech stuff. He includes myriad photographs to illustrate all of his concepts and principles.
   
   The part of the book most rewarding to me is Part 3, "Creating an Image." In these 28 pages, he articulates the key elements of visualization and image control. He thoroughly analyzes each element of good composition and the rationale for each. After reading the book, I went back to the pictures in this book and others in my library to validate these elements. As I did, I related more and more to the principles. They were clearly authenticated. They are clearly valid for all landscape-photo venues; color landscape photography is clearly the emphasis of the book, however. His photography alone is worth the price of the book.



3. Outstanding pictures, informative, a must for any landscape photographer at any level. I highly recommend this Tim Fitzharris book.



4. Yeah, you need to get this book. This is the photography book I've been looking for. Tim Fitzharris doesn't just take stunning photographs, he disects photos and goes through the thought process so that the reader can understand what it was about the scene that caused him to frame it the way he did. He doesn't just say "follow your heart" or "discover what the scene is trying to tell you" or other artsy-fartsy stuff like that. He's a technician. He tells you how to assemble the photo piece by piece. No other book I've read goes into so much detail on how to actually frame a shot. Since digital cameras take away much of the worry about exposure, composition is the main worry, at least for me. Mr. Fitzharris does an excellent job of explaining vantage points, focal planes, proper camera placement and everything else associated with getting it all right in the camera.
   
   Two tiny nits to pick, but certainly nothing worth deducting points for: 1) Fitzharris explains everything assuming you'll be using a 35mm or digital SLR camera, which is fine. But he uses a medium-format film or digital camera, and the pictures reflect this. Unless you're willing to spend the price of a new car on camera equipment, you shouldn't expect to be able to replicate the pictoral quality of his work. 2) Fitzharris points out that the best places to photograph water are actually from in the water, and he says that you should be "prepared to get wet". He also points out that this might cost you a camera or two, as any digital equipment dumped in the drink will be "a complete right-off". Whoa, there! Maybe a pro can right-off a few thousand dollars worth of equipment, but I saved for a year to buy my digital SLR. Taking it into the soup is just not an option.
   
   One good thing that Fitzharris also covers is the amount of work necessary to get breathtaking shots. Up before dawn, hiking in the dark, coming back day after day if the light isn't right. He conveys the proper message that getting great shots on a consistent basis is real work. If you were under the impression that you could obtain shots like this while on vacation with your family, reading this book will quickly put that fantasy to rest. Fitzharris points out that it takes patience, dedication and time to get the good stuff.
   
   This is by far the most informative book you can get on landscape photography. Fitzharris takes jaw-dropping, OMG-I-can't-believe-it photographs, yet it never seems that he's just showing off his work. I've read so many books where the author writes "this picture succeeds because..." and then goes on to explain why the shot he took is so great. In my view, if you have to explain to your readers why the picture succeeds, maybe it doesn't. Fitzharris never does this. He lets the shots speak for themselves, and simply describes the elements he looked for in composing the picture. And, wow. His pictures sure have a vocabulary!



5. After reading many books on landscape photography, this has become my all-time favorite. It's an great read chock full of practical advice from a world-class photographer. And it's filled with inspiring photos too. What else would you need?

5 comments about Material World: A Global Family Portrait.

1. I thoroughly have enjoyed this book, looking at the people from around the world and their possessions and realizing how different I live from another. It was amazing to see each family so proud, of either how little they have or how much they have, and to have all that they own on display (from in the dead of winter to floating on a boat!).



2. This book is absolutely a wake-up call for many people out there who think they don't have enough! Beautifully put together. Outstanding.



3. Material World by Peter Menzel is one of the most exciting and informative books I have come across in a long time . No other book I have ever read has given me such in depth knowledge of the lives and circumstances of people living in other countries around the globe. The photographs are breathtakingly beautiful and the statistics are fascinating. Ursula Michelson, author of Alzheimers Patients in the Nursing Home: How Well Do Caregivers Meet Their Needs?



4. This book is a fascinating look at materialism, or the lack of it, around the world. Oddly enough, the American family was not the most obviously materialistic; there was a Saudi family with a 42 foot long couch! I have put this gorgeously photographed book in my classroom for independant reading time for my 9th graders. It is filled with statistics, information about the countries and the families and the stories of the photographers themselves. Also check out The Hungry Planet, a visual look at what people around the world eat, photographed and written by the same authors of Material World.



5. "Material World," written during the 1990 U.N. International Year of the Family, is a major achievement and, although it can seem dated in areas, is still timely and relevant for our world today.
   
   Profiling 30 families from across a wide spectrum of the 183 U.N. member states, "Material World" depicts these families' struggles and triumphs in words, pictures, and statistics. Many of these vignettes are uplifting--the Cuban family holding on to each other as their nation suffers through communism--and many are very saddening--the three Carballo children sleeping in fear of being robbed each night. It is highly useful in perspective building and also a good way to see how others live elsewhere in the world. It is not going to make one "proud to be an American," but it is also not an "America-bashing" book. "Material World" demonstrates very powerfully the old proverb: 'It's not getting what you want, it's wanting what you've got.'
   
   The Albanian family, with its minute amount of belongings; the Brazilian family, struggling to survive the slums; the Mexican sisters, window shopping before getting the very special treat of an ice cream bar--all exemplify this ideal. The children are in particular very inspiring, rising as they do above the conditions many sadly live in. This is their life, their daily bread--and in a powerful example, they make the most of it.
   
   "Material World" is inspiring, beautiful, and still timely, even over ten years after its publication.