5 comments about Professional Posing Techniques for Wedding and Portrait Photographers.

1. Decent book, but may be a little too simplistic for the advanced photographer. I found some good ideas, but was looking for a little more direction on difficult people to pose, etc.



2. First things first -- the photography in this book is HEINOUS! The wardrobe, the poses, the lighting, the overall quality of the images led me to believe that this was published in the early 90's, when in fact it was published very recently. I even saw the classic "Napoleon Dynamite" pose amongst its pages.
   So I figured this photographer would have nothing to teach me, given I (and every other photographer I know) was producing photographs of far greater quality the first day we picked up a camera Freshman year of college. But the text is actually quite enlightening, giving you some handy advice for flattering your clients' figures that is really indispensable. Since I currently am doing production photography (5 minutes per set to do creative shots for an entire family), I need a lot of fast, easy poses to place people in, or at least basic rules to avoid costly mistakes, and this delivered.
   You won't find a book of poses, or a book of good photography, but you will find an education in how to come up with your own poses.



3. this book has very good samples and ideas about posing.. just dont see only pictures..take your time to read it all and practice with a friend or model. hight recommended



4. Sample pictures do not have a clear description of which poses are good or bad. You have to read text which is usually in different pages to determine the expalantion of the poses.
   
   Writer is not clear in his explanations and is hard to follow.
   
   I will not buy any other books by this author.



5. This book did not have the creative and interesting posing techniques I had hoped for. Outdated is the best word I can think of to describe this book.

2 comments about Exploring Color Photography : From the Darkroom to the Digital Studio.

1. I bought the book, Exploring Color Photography: From the Darkroom to the Digital Studio by Robert Hirsch, and the book is excellent! The person that I bought it from, shipped it fast and in perfect condition.



2. This book covers everything from the history of color photography to color theory, filters, film, digital photography, preservation and even breezes over some alternative processes at the end (thumbs up!).
   "Assignments" thoughout the book encourages your own thinking and the development of your skills, and if you don't mind the "textbook" approach, they are very useful.
   
   The book does indeed feel like a complete guide to color.

No comments about Wedding Photography Unveiled: Inspiration and Insight from 20 Top Photographers.

5 comments about Posing Techniques for Digital Portraits (Digital Quick Guides series).

1. What a waste of money!!! I could have done a better job writing a book about posing than this with my eyes closed. The pictures are amateur at best and rarely demonstrated the point of the lesson. I can't believe I actually paid money for this thing! Whatever you do, don't waste yours.



2. Just a few more books and I will be constituted a library. This is one of the most helpful books for the beginner in posing. Problem body part placement is a great asset to any portrait photographer. You can easily add your own variances to suggestions from the author. There are a few books that I keep handy at all times. This will be one of those until I feel qualified to write my own book



3. !Posing Techniques for Digital Portraits (Digital Quick Guides series)
   
   While this book is not very big it certainly had a lot of great information in it for a portrait novice like myself.
   
   I had been asked to take some portrait shots over the holidays and I purchased this book to see if it would help. While I needed group portrait advice this book was still able to help me out some with head and hand placement, for example. Was not much help with group posing for this session but I will continue to study and refer to it.
   
   I will use this book as a reference many times in the coming years



4. I bought this book to use as a studio reference because it has easy to find sections and samples of "good" and "bad" angles. This book isn't meant to be an in-depth review of posing, but a quick and easy to understand guide.
   
   Useful features include sections on the various "problem" body parts, quick overviews of posing styles (traditional, casual, glamourous), and corrective posing for weight and glasses.
   
   If you are looking for an in-depth discussion of studio posing this book is not it -- but if you want a book for quickly referencing how to pose arms, legs, or the body, this book will be a good reference and starting point for posing your subjects.



5. This book is filled with lots of information and example pictures. It tells you that this photo is good and that photo is not so good, but it doesn't go far enough towards explaining the details to a beginner. I was looking for a beginner's book that would first explain what the traditional poses are before discussing the newer more untraditional poses. For instance, the author refers to a traditional 'feminine' or 'masculine' pose, but doesn't offer enough information to understand what those really are. He also say that traditional poses are not as important today as they once were. He says that women don't want to look feminine anymore and men don't want to look masculine. I wonder.
   
   This book would be more help someone who already had some experience with posing techniques, but not as much use to a complete beginner.
   
   Also, the title indicates that this book is somehow specific to 'digital' posing techniques, but I found no discussion of any of the differences between film and digital. In fact, the word 'digital' was only used once in the whole book, and that was in the introduction. Film was never mentioned. I'm fairly sure that there are no differences with posing between digital or film, other than the quicker feedback of digital.

5 comments about Fine Art Photography: Water, Ice and Fog.

1. Tony Sweet is an incredible photographer coming from a musical background. The images are all focused on H2O-related subjects. He tells how he did he and why, so it is helpful to get insight on composition and technical aspects.



2. This and his accompaying books in the series are superb. He not only provides an explanation of the technique he employed to create the image, but often also explains the composition or artistic "merit" of the photo. This particular book helps you transcend from mere "photo realism" or "documentary" photography, to the "abstract" where you can look even at the mundane with a new perspective, a new vision and a new appreciation. The world becomes more "fun" and perhaps more emotionally evoking. While most of the photos were created with film (vs. digital) the instruction is such that translation to the digital world is straightforward, and effective. As you read the text and study the photos, Mr Sweet encourages you to think of why, when and how you would apply the techniques to your own photography. I know that my own skills "jumped" a level after even the first
   reading of this book.



3. Excellent photography by Tony Sweet. Comments with each image are very imformative. Book arrived in good condition.



4. Brilliant! Tony Sweet takes beautiful images and is generous in sharing his techniques as well.



5. This is another fine book put together by Tony Sweet and an excellent compliment to "Fine Art Nature Photography".Tony does a nice job explaining what , why and how he made the photos . With many of the photos I understood what he did and found myself asking "Great idea ,But what if I try this or tweak that"
   
   What more can one ask for then to be shown the possibilities and have their imagination expanded at the same time.
   
   This is another fine addition to his credit and my collection.

5 comments about The Art of EVE.

1. The book is valuable for what it holds... very nice pictures and art scatches of EVE online game. I guess i was disapointed because i thought the book would have more information about the game itself but it is purely an "art" book... that's pretty much it...



2. This product for the die hards is a great addition along with the new novel. Alot of background and BEAUTIFUL images.



3. The mailman finally delivered the book this afternoon, and I am absolutely satisfied with it`s content! The artwork is great, and I was very happy to see pictures and information about the very beginning of the game, and even about it`s future. I think every EVE Online player will appreciate this book. It offers a little bit of everything, I fully agree with "selderane" on this one.
   
   Besides having great content, the art is printed on high quality paper, and the book itself even comes with a plastic sort of casing around it. I expected the total package to be good, but it exceeded my expectations. Besides that, the book has a pretty neat pricetag here on Amazon, compared to other resellers!
   
   Go order, now! ;-)



4. My husband asked for this book for Christmas, and I'm very happy that I bought it for him. He really enjoys playing EVE, and he really seemed to enjoy this book. I'm not a gamer, but even I thought the pictures were cool.



5. I can't believe I'm going to be the first one to review this product. It surprises me some "EVE Online" fan hasn't already hopped on this yet.
   
   Yes, that's right; I'm not an "EVE Online" fan. I tried two trial subscriptions and it just didn't do anything for me. I found the interface clunky and not intuitive at all and the setting felt very, very lonely. It's supposed to be an MMO, right? Where is everyone? I guess looking at ships that act as a player's avatar as opposed to something more... bipedal might contribute to this.
   
   But, this isn't supposed to be a review of the game. It's supposed to be a review of "The Art of EVE." I wanted to preface my review by making it clear I'm not some fanboy fawning over anything and everything that has to do with the object of my affections. I have some serious problems with the game and its fundamental gameplay. That said, it's a very pretty game. One might even use the word `gorgeous.'
   
   That is why I purchased this book. Well, that and I'm a sucker for art books in general, video game art books in particular (I'm looking at you "World of Warcraft" and "Guild Wars" art books...).
   
   I was a bit worried about the $50 price tag but upon securing it's release from my local comic book shop (yes, I didn't buy it from Amazon) I see that the price is well worth it.
   
   The book comes protected in a nice metallic grey plastic sleeve featuring its name in bold black letters. The book cover itself, covered in an off white semi-see-through thin papery/plastic-like dust jacket featuring the title of the book again in black lettering (except that the word "EVE" is cutout to reveal the book underneath), features a cloudy ethereal scene of dirty blues and grays punctuated by a single light source refracted behind the clouds to illuminate it all. The title of the book is again repeated on the cover in clear glossy text that is all but invisible unless held at a particular angle.
   
   The book is divided into five sections and inside you'll find everything from developer interviews and insights into their process to early concept sketches, completed paintings and models, and looks into the artistic direction they're going to take the game in the future.
   
   There's isn't a single thing I could think of adding to make this book better. I may have removed the pages dedicated to tile art (only two) and some interface screenshots but that's simply personal taste and fans may really like that stuff. I would have filled those pages with more beautiful ship designs, which are already abundant, but it is interesting to see the variety of icons present within the game - something most people, fans or otherwise, would probably overlook.
   
   Let's quickly talk about the ships if we could. They are simply remarkable. All the work put into making each of the game's four factions visually unique from one another is plain to see on the page and that's where it should be. I think any fan of sci-fi ship design would find little if anything to complain about when it comes to the buffet of choices offered in this volume.
   
   The Titans in particular are breathtaking. The one featured on pages 94 and 95 is my favorite. I'd say it was Amarr if I had to guess.
   
   Part Five of the book has me most excited about the game itself. I'm a fan of first-person shooters and I'd like to hope "EVE Online" is moving in a direction that may offer something to me: Ground combat. Having fleshed out space the developers are looking to flesh out the character scale game. Both on space stations and planet side (a game I'm fond of BTW - "Planetside"). If "EVE Online" wants to be a fully function universe (not just a setting) this is a realm of gameplay it should enthusiastically embrace. I think "Battlefield 2142" (and even the aforementioned "Planetside") gives the developers of "EVE Online" some good examples of where sci-fi ground combat can go. This section of the book shows us concept designs of ground- and planet-based vehicles as well as building interiors where it's clear characters are supposed to interact.
   
   So, I think I've made it clear that I'm very happy with this book and I cannot stress enough it's not just for fans of the game. If you like sci-fi art, or just plain `ole good art in general, this is a solid buy.
   
   Leave it open on your coffee table sometime and see who gets attracted to it. It's beautiful and anyone will a pair of functioning eyes will want to check it out.

5 comments about Digital Astrophotography: A Guide to Capturing the Cosmos.

1. I am relatively new to the hobby of astrophotography, however, I've done a lot of research online through astrophoto websites and by joining forums dedicated to the subject. Wanting to increase my knowledge, I bought this book for two reasons: First of all it's a newly published book, so I figured it would have information pertaining to the latest cameras, devices, and software available. Secondly, I read all the 5 star reviews here on Amazon which sealed the deal for me.
   
   I'm sorry I ever bought it. The book felt very disjointed. It felt like every paragraph introduced you to a new topic, but never really explained anything. By the end of the paragraph you would be wanting more, only for the book to go on about something new.
   
   To make things worse, the book is filled with sentences that will leave you scratching your head. Here's a perfect example from page 27. And I quote:
   
   "If your camera does not allow the complete manual setting of the exposure, you may be able to use the camera's exposure compensation. For example, if the automatic mode produces over exposures, you can try a manual correction selecting shorter exposures."
   
   What was that he said?? Ok, maybe he'll explain it clearer in the next paragraph... Not.
   
   On the subject of processing your photos, telling me to open Photoshop and click and drag on the curve to adjust the colors doesn't quite cut it. Can we be a little more specific?? Here's the quote:
   
   "In order to create an impressive nighttime image, the following menu item is more helpful: Image->Adjustments->Curves...
   As shown in the curves dialog box, you can click and drag on the straight line with the mouse to change the shape of the curve. The result (image 3) more closely resembles a nightime shot"
   
   I need a little more why's and how's than this book offers. The majority of the book is pictures, and even the pictures lack the information normally found in photography books. I'm used to seeing photos where the photographer explains the equipment and settings - you won't find any of that here.
   
   If you already have a general knowledge of astrophotography, I would suggest that you pass on this book.



2. 'Digital Astrophotography: A Guide to Capturing the Cosmos' is a wonderful guide for any hobbyists that enjoy looking up at the night sky and wishing to record the images they see for prosperity. Like all of the photography genre there is so much more to taking pictures than just pressing a button and aiming, no matter what the subject matter is. When you look up at the sky and all you see for the most part is black with objects in between, there certainly is an art form to this as well, well presented in this book.
   
   Not a long book, content is spread over 150+ pages and 5 chapters. Discussing regular cameras, web cams, computer settings, ISO, balance, etc. all the basics that you would expect to be discussed are done here. Interspersed throughout the text are pictures of the cosmos, beautiful and basic.
   
   If you are an amateur photographer or a newbie that is looking to find out how you can take pictures of the night sky better and more effectively, this is a great resource to have.
   
   Easy to recommend, fun to peruse, a solid addition to any photographers shelf.
   
   ***** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED



3. First off, wow! This book has very good detail introducing any level of photographer to astrophotography. I have been interested to see how people not affiliated with a major college or governmental organization get amazing photos the night time sky. What I appreciate from this title is various methods are described from as small as a web cam to as involved as a camera attached to a telescope. Hardware recommendations and Photoshop enhancements are all spelled out with great examples and easy to understand steps. If you are at all interested in capturing photos of the moon, stars and even impressive galaxy shots better than the average snapshot anyone can take, this book will is the ultimate guide.



4. DIGITAL ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY: A GUIDE TO CAPTURING THE COSMOS covers all the basics of astrophotogaphy, from choosing equipment and obtaining sharp images to taking lovely night shots with a digital camera and tripod setup and using a webcam to get planet images. All levels of astrophotography are covered in a guide perfect for both photography and science libraries at all levels of interest, with color examples throughout supplementing step-by-step directions, tips, and overviews.



5. What astronomer hasn't wished to record the splendor of the night sky to review later? It is natural to want to be able to recall those glorious evenings that are so few and far between, like looking at a family album. Astrophotography is a way to do that but as anyone who has tried it can tell you, that can be daunting.
   
   In Digital Astrophotography: A Guide to Capturing the Cosmos, Stefan Seip provides a solid introduction to several digital techniques for recording the visible universe. After a first "Before You Start" chapter describing the basics of resolution, focal length and ratio, Seip breaks the remainder of the book into four main categories of digital astrophotography: the Digital Compact Camera (DCC), the Webcam (WC), the Digital SLR (DLSR), and the dedicated Astronomical Camera (AC).
   
   The ubiquitous Digital Compact Camera is inexpensive and most everyone already has one so getting started takes little or no money. They are self contained so no computer is required to acquire the images. On the downside, they are often not very flexible in use, mounting to a telescope may be difficult, and some simply don't have the needed features such as long exposure. The book provides tips for connecting the camera to the telescope for either through the optical tube assembly for high power imaging or piggy back for low power. The author then covers after the fact image processing with popular software.
   
   The Webcam, introduced first for live images over the Internet, has had an enormous impact on planetary imaging in the last decade. Like the DCC, many people already have one and they are inexpensive if not. Also like the DCC, some webcams are better suited to astrophotography than others. Unlike the DCC, they do require an attached computer and typically they are used for through the telescope imaging only. Seip provides tips for purchasing the webcam and accessories for attaching it to the telescope. He goes into detail on setting up the software, the critical focusing, tips for acquiring the images, and processing with the popular (and free) Registax application.
   
   Next, Seip covers the Digital SLR which has the advantages of the DCC but far fewer of the disadvantages so as a fixed lens and limited functionality. Of course, DSLRs are a big step up price wise from the previous two camera types but that price is coming down. Since DSLRs have removable lens, you can switch focal length very easily and also shoot through the telescope much more easily. They also usually have much larger chips making for larger fields of view and more sophisticated software than their DCC cousins. They do tend to be prone to electronic noise and tend to run through batteries so you need to take measures to overcome both issues.
   
   Finally, Seip discusses dedicated Astronomical Cameras which tend to be more sensitive, cooled to reduce electronic noise, and more dynamic range than any of the previous camera types discussed. Of course, they cannot be used for normal photography and must be controlled by a computer. The author covers the details of these cameras, what accessories you might want, as well as the software you might use to acquire and process your images.
   
   Digital Astrophotography: A Guide to Capturing the Cosmos provides a solid introduction to the art for the beginning astrophotographer. If you follow his tips and techniques you should be soon producing good images of night sky objects. However, if you are not new to the subject you may find the book of limited value.

1 comments about Cape Cod and The Islands.

1. This book is all images with an index at the back. If you have traveled to Cape Cod you will recognize some of the sites. You will enjoy the book whether you have been there or not.

5 comments about Eye Mind: The Saga of Roky Erickson and the 13th Floor Elevators, The Pioneers of Psychedelic Sound.

1. This is without a doubt the best, most well researched rock biography I've ever read. True, the author may have trouble distinguishing between 'affect' and 'effect,' and he may have got a few details about life in Texas circa 1965 wrong, but he truly delivers the goods that all of us Roky/Elevators fans have been waiting to hear for a very long time. He's great on details, and attentive to historical and cultural context. As far as I can see, he's tracked down every surviving member of the band (including Tommy Hall!), and pieced the whole story together in meticulous detail, 1965 to 1968. It doesn't get better than this. All the information (Tommy) you could want, combined with emotion (Roky) required for a spell-binding read. This book lives in a time of its own!



2. One of the BEST music biographies ever written that tells the story of a decade in American music history with all of the uncensored truths intact. This book is overflowing with all of the explanations, descriptions, and details about which everyone has wondered for almost a half-century. This is a valuable source for those who are just starting down the road as well as answering some questions about unfinished business for those who experienced it. The research for this book rivals scientific methods of verification. One review called it "rock archeology". If you want to learn about the psychedelic era and the band that paved the way for the Beatles' "Lonely Hearts Club" and the Airplane's "Surrealistic Pillow", then this is a must read. Not only does it tell about the music of the 13th Floor Elevators but it also "gets it" when explaining the philosophies of the Hippie Generation. This is more than a biography. It is a history book and a legend told in an honest and unbiased way. Paul Drummond outdid himself on this effort. Thumbs up.



3. This is a crucial book for anyone who's a fan of the 13th Floor Elevators or the American psychedelic music scene in the 60's. Drummond really did his homework and the level of detail is amazing. The book reads well, it's entertaining and ultimately a fascinating story of artistic struggle.



4. Paul Drummond's book finally delivers all the details behind the story of one of America's finest and most idiosyncratic rock bands, the 13th Floor Elevators. While the history of the Elevators has long been shrouded in mystery, Drummond's heroic research has given us interviews with nearly every major player in their story, as well as a rich supporting cast of friends, cronies and enemies. If Drummond almost tells us more than we might ever want to know about the Elevators, the musicians who comprised the group and the philosophies that drove idea man Tommy Hall, the book is a welcome corrective to the sketchy biographies of the group that have appeared in the past. A truly mind-boggling study of the intersection between rock and roll, expanded consciousness and the cultural tumult of the Sixties, this is essential reading for anyone with an interest in the 13th Floor Elevators or the times that produced them.



5. Comprehensive book. Leaves out the fact that John Ike Walton was married to me -- Gloria Greenfield (at the time, I was in college at UT Austin) from 1971 thru 1975. When Roky got out of Rusk, John Ike "found" him and tried to restart the Elevators... this was the time frame of the appearances in Austin and in Houston at La Bastille. We were married at this time. The "club" called Ling Kong in Port Aransas was totally funded by my money -- I had inherited from my parents while I was still a student at UT. Anyway, it wasn't much more than a concrete slab and some bathrooms in a mosquito pit on some land that we didn't own -- it belonged to a much wiser investor who also owned "Custard's Last Stand" a popular ice cream place in Port Aransas. He also retained any liquor rights if the place became a moneymaker -- which it didn't!! Anyway, I have a lot of photographs of John Ike, me and Roky at our house in Austin on Enfield Rd. right when he got out of Rusk. Roky still had the charming, boy-face that captured so many female fans on stage. But there were always the creeps that literally came-out-of-the-woodwork to follow him and hand him drugs, which they knew he would readily accept.
   
   John Ike and I got divorced in October of 1975 --I've got the divorce decree petitioned in Dallas, to prove it!!

No comments about Dos & Don'ts 2: 13 Years of Vice Magazine's Street Fashion Critiques.