Product Description
This definitive guide to studio lighting explains and demonstrates universal lighting principles that help photographers think on their feet and master lighting theory and technique. Explained are essential concepts such as why light behaves the way it does and how to manipulate it to its best effect. Concrete, practical examples illustrate topics such as shooting light, dark, and reflective surfaces; mastering contrast control; modifying shadow formation to effectively shape mid- and light-colored objects; creating definition in black objects; and using Photoshop to fine-tune subjects. Instruction is also provided on creating simulated sunlight, painting with light, using softening filters, and lighting subjects in motion. Compelling photographs and numerous lighting diagrams are included. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Making simple lighting overly complicated
Good thing I got this book from my local library and didn't pay for it. The book is heavily worded and makes simple lighting setups that are easily learned in the classroom rather confusing. When you're lighting, you shouldn't be doing complicated math or referring to the inverse square law to realize your lighting is too close or two far or not modified correctly. (Not to mention I've caught a small handful of grammatical errors.)
This book is good if you're a techie photog, but in my opinion, you're going to miss out on a heck of a lot of shots and really suck the fun out of photography and experimenting with lighting.
To be fair, there are a lot of helpful lighting maps and some good basic advice for those who are completely new to lighting in this book. So.. if you don't have a clue.. don't start with this book or make it your bible, but definitely take a look and get the general idea.

Not what I expected
Not quite what I expected.... There's too much blah blah and not so much actual lighting outlines.They did a good job in offering pictures along with camera/lights setup maps, but not enough.Too many words, not too much actual material to work with.Surely re-sell this book.Brand new.

more than I expected
Being fascinated by the cover and the excerpt, I purchased this book. When I got it I was a bit dissapointed with its volume - just 120 pages, it seemed more like a medium-sized magazine. The pics were great, and I thought "uh, thisis probably a book that shows nice photos and case studies without any kind of solid base information." But it turned to be the opposite:
the book establishes clear terminology for many concepts
it explains what pronciples apply to light dark and light objacts
it is divided into 2 parts: dealing with diffuse and specular control
the book is not about case studies mainly but about the principles ofcontrolling light, shadows, specular with almost all availabe controls, including motion blur and dof in reflections
it has many unique tips about different aspects that truly may be named "creative lighting techniques"
So far deserved 5 stars from me.

Very much impressed
Many reviewers point out that this book is not suitable for a novice, not even for quite experienced photographers without studio background. When buying this book, I was an amateur "natural-light photographer". I had no idea about studio photography. I bought a couple of books, including this one, together with my first studio lighting set.

This book was quite difficult to read, especially for a non-native speaker. However, after getting a bit used to the language, it was really a pleasure to read. I learned very much and with a certain effort understood everything quite well. Just started to read it the second time to memorize better. And just ordered "Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting" which was recommended by one of the reviewers to compare...

Some interesing, low-budget tricks
My background is in engineering photography (high-speed events), but I want to learn more about studio photography for marketing and demonstration. I purchased this at the same time I purchased Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting and Softbox lighting Techniques. This one was in the middle of the pack: not as good as Light:Science and Magic, but much more useful than Softbox. This book had some low-budget, low-tech, but fairly high concept techniques for tackling a variety of subjects. Unfortunately, I was looking for a more abstract approach than this. ... Read more

Product Description
For aspiring photographers ready to transform their work from average to expert, here is the "bible" to lighting any subject and space effectively.In specific but nontechnical terms, Photographic Lighting Simplified explains how to take light sources–from outdoor bright sunlight to indoor household lighting–and recreate their effects in the studio.A series of enjoyable, hands-on assignments show readers tips for selecting the right camera format, film, and lenses; the basics of metering and testing; overviews of essential equipment for studio lighting; and much more.Plus, dozens of step-by-step illustrations demonstrate an array of techniques for lighting reflective metal and glass objects; lighting different face types and groups; and special lighting considerations for digital cameras.For anyone who is serious about taking better photographs, this is the ultimate success guide. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Good beginner book but black and white pages
This book has some simple lighting set ups to help the beginner but the reason I only gave it 3 stars is I found the book boring to look at.Most of the book is in black and white photos.I like a writer that gets to the point pretty quick and simple and found some of the reading monotone kind of like the black and white pictures.

Pretty good information
Good basic information but not very detailed. Not for the intermediate or advanced photographer.

Poor structure, very little real help
I thought this book would be an all-in-one lighting wonder book. I mean, it covers hotlights, flashes, strobes, shooting on location, shooting in a studio, and more! But I was sorely disappointed.

While it does discuss a lot of different equipment and techniques, it isn't really very helpful. Why?

* Structure: It doesn't follow a logical sequence, which means you can be jumping around a lot to find 'related' information. This, in turn, means you haven't learnt much because it's too hard to 'file' what you're reading mentally.

* Equipment vs. technique: These two things are mixed in together when they really ought to be separate. I mean, the lighting setups you use when using hotlights are roughly the same as when using strobes. The way you handle the equipment is different, but the same principles apply. So why go into the details of setting up a portrait when discussing the different equipment types?

* No diagrams: How hard can it be to draw a lighting diagram for each shot? There is not one diagram for any photo in the book (though Susan McCartney does start by saying how important diagrams are!!), which makes it hard to visualise the setups.

* No colour: Probably to save money, the only colour photograph in the book is on the cover. Fair enough, but a little effort could have been put into making the black and whites a little less 'flat'.

* Digital falsehoods: Though McCartney apparently shoots digital occasionally, she really doesn't get it, and this comes up in some obviously wrong statements throughout the book, like this one:
"Do be aware that each time you play back a digital image in the camera, it may degrade the final result..." Since when have digital images degraded when previewed on the camera? Statements like this really don't help her professional credibility.

To summarise, while the book does cover a lot of ground and contains some useful information for beginners, you will need to read something more thorough before you actually start shooting with serious lighting gear. It doesn't even tell you how to control lighting ratios!

Disappointing
This book was quite disappointing, so much so that if it were possible I would ask for my moneyback. The author belabors her writings to the point that it becomes irritating. For instance, she explains how electricity heats the filament of a bulb to make it light up. Superfluous information! She also - as another reviewer wrote - publishes all her pictures in black and white, even those she took in color. What was the purpose of that? To make the book cheaper to print?

There is some useful information in the book if you take the time to sift through it all, and it could have been condensed into half the size without losing any valuable content.

Needs Improvement.
I have three main criticisms of this book. First, the book has no color pictures when it is clear the author did not take many of these pictures in B&W (or if she did she needs to find another profession). This is ridiculous when the subject of the book is photography and the pictures are an important learning tool. Second, the author spends too much time on hotlights and flashes when most photographers (even amateurs) will be using strobes because of the availability of light modifiers and other advantages.Third, the last half of the book is about doing photographic assignments rather than adding more information (and there is a lot more) about lighting. In sum, I would skip this book if you're light on cash and get "Master lighting guide for potrait photographers" and "Beginner's lighting guide to photographic lighting" which are both excellent (avoid "basic studio lighting"). ... Read more

Product Description
In this revised edition, more than 100 new color and 300 black-and-white photos illustrate how, with a minimum of equipment, in a studio or out-of-doors, anyone can take beautiful portraits of friends, family or professional clients. Whether a beginning photographer or a budding professional, readers will find practical information on the art of photographic portrait. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Good beginner lighting book
I liked this book.It has some out dated looking pictures but i felt it helped a lot to get started.They have a lot of easy lighting set ups explained.Like "glamour" lighting and exactly where to place the lights.The other drawback though was it's definately before the digital age of cameras and I think he used hot light(lights that don't flash).But still good if you are a beginner and just need some set up to try and get a feel for everything.

A Steady Light
John Hart began as a painter, and goes about his photography slowly and thoughtfully.He prefers continuous light because it facilitates that pace.You get a good grasp of his careful approach in this book.

The book can be a gold mine for someone just starting out in portrait photography.Hart gives you the setups that will allow you to deliver solidly professional results.

The section on outdoor shooting doesn't add to what most beginning photographers already know, but the section on studio work is invaluable.Hart doesn't hold back any "secrets"; he generously explains what he has learned over many years.He has always been one of the most popular photographers for actors in New York, and this book can start you toward that kind of career.

I strongly recommend it, and I can't imagine how someone could find it dated.

Not Worth Buying
This is an older book (copyright 1995) but is frequently still available. In fact, you've probably seen this book at your local camera store's book aisle.

Hart's book is an ok resource on studio lighting, and I've found techniques here that I haven't seen elsewhere. Especially nice is the section on makeup techniques for both men and women.

Still, this book has not aged well and you'd do better with other studio lighting books, like Ketchum's and Dantzig's. Consider this comment:

"You will notice that most of the techniques shown here are accomplished using lights rather than strobe units. Though strobe portraits are perfectly acceptable for personal and commercial use today, the art of portrait lighting is still best learned and assimilated through working with lights. Many subjects prefer working under hot, bright lights (!), as it helps draw out their innate "star quality."

One wonders what Hart's sample size was to draw that conclusion?

What I like about this book:

1) Very good lighting diagrams... showing not only the placement of lights, but their distance from the subject as well.

2) A wide variety of lighting challenges, including for example, "Lighting the 'Wet' Look" and "Photographing Hats"

3) Relatively small amount of filler.


What I don't like about this book:

1) Those wonderful lighting diagrams? They show things like 150 watt spotlights (remember Hart thinks models PREFER hot lights), making it difficult to convert to modern strobe settings.

2) Many of the models here aren't very attractive. I know that shouldn't matter but it does distract from the text of the book. If you want to know how to photograph 45 year old overweight real estate agents, this is your book.

3) The book hasn't aged well, as mentioned above. This is a book BEGGING for a revised edition. Opps... this IS the revised edition. Make that this is a book begging for a revised, revised edition.

Not worth buying, IMHO.

50 Portrait Lighting Techniques
Being new to portrait workI found this book to be an amazing resource. The images are exciting, bright, colorful . It is a great way to learn about lighting as you can see where you are directing light. You can buy a couple of hot lights and reflectors and start creating vivid portraits taking inspiration from the diagrams and images. It is not meant to be copied. Keep the positions and intensities of lights in your mind and apply them to your own subjects in your way. My work has impoved. Thanks for sharing John

5 not 50
There are some useful examples in this book, however there are certainly not 50! Many of the lighting setups shown are so similar it's hard to see any difference from one to the next. Most of the older b & w examples seem dangerously overexposed, again making each 'technique' undistinguishable. Some of the newer colour examples are quite out-of-focus which really doesn't help matters. I see this book more of a 'what not to do' guide. He manages to make one of the models look great in one shot, but gross in the next, and so forth. There are definately more useful, more up-to-date books that give better examples than this title. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (18)

Practical and Easy To Understand
It's hard to decide on a book anymore. It's not like I can go to the corner and browse. I finally decided upon Studio Lighting and am very pleased with it. I wanted something that showed basics of different lighting and didn't stray from the subject light a lot of photography books do. This book seems to have hit the mark.

Brief, but useful
This book makes up in useful information what it lacks in comprehensive coverage.You won't find everything you wanted to know about studio lighting techniques here -- there are plenty of other books that do that -- but you will find pithy nuggets that you can use immediately to improve your studio results, whether you are a seasoned pro or an amateur who is still learning the basics.Match this book with an introductory guide, and you'll be well on your way to lighting proficiency.

Chris is a great educator!
I really like this book.Even though I'm pretty well versed in portrait lighting I always buy Chris's books because learning one or two more tricks is worth a bunch more than the cover price.And this book is no exception.For the person who wants to compete in the portrait market this is a valuable resource and one I would buy before the next lens or camera body.He knows his stuff, the illustrations are great and the tone of the book iseasy going and easy to understand.My only slight criticism is that the title should make clear that the book is really aimed at Portrait photographers and not at general commercial photography.He is resolutely a people shooter and it shows in his easy rapport with the subjects and his total control of the lighting.I recommend this book to most of my assistants.

Secrets that one should know: from amateur to professional
This is a basic book... Saying that, there are some basic principles that most of the professionals do not know.
I believe that some of the concepts explained in the book will be always in my background when using artificial lighting in a photo. Besides these conceptual lessons, there are also some interesting "tips and tricks" that everyone can repeat. Definitely a book that deserves a reading!

A must in your gear boxDefinately improve your photos rivchin
This book is a must have in your studio.(ron)I have seen photographers greatly improve their photos in the studio. I highly recommend Sculpting with Light: Techniques for Portrait Photographers alsorivchin ... Read more

Product Description
Now in its seventh edition, View Camera Technique is a unique, comprehensive book that presents clearly and precisely the features, operations and applications of view cameras. It details camera movements, image formation, exposure control, and information concerning lenses and accessories. Diagrams, comparison charts, and more than 500 photographs and illustrations by distinguished professional photographers provide the reader with the tools necessary to analyze a picture situation, set up and manipulate the camera, and portray the subject to meet the expectations of the professional photographer.



This text has been completely revised and updated to include over 100 brand-name view cameras, and offers comparison tables to assist readers in choosing cameras, lenses, and view-camera digital backs. This latest edition offers expanded coverage of the newest technology, including electronic features that simplify the use of view cameras for conventional photography and digital view cameras that eliminate the need for film and make it possible to modify the digital images with image-processing computer software programs



Over 500 photographs and line drawings

Expanded coverage of the newest technology

Updated comparison tables for 111 brand-name view cameras and accessories including over 50 specific features ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

A Really Great Reference!
I love this book...I was introduced to this book by my med-large format photo instructor. She is one of the best I've had in years. She told the class that the only way to get better was to read everything you can on the subject and to go out and take pictures.

I wanted to be able to take a reference with me when I was out taking pictures, and since she wouldn't be out there with me and I couldn't call her whenever I had a question. This book has saved me more than one or even ten times when I was out taking pictures and no one was around to ask a question. I highly recommend this book to those who are serious photographers who really want to learn their craft well!

A Good Intro to the Field Camera
Clear and Consise. This book has all the basics covered, though a bit on the dry side.
Ansel Adams', 'The Camera', fills out some of the voids this book leaves by showing how you interpret the basic theories this book provides.

The Bible of Large Format Photography
View Camera Technique is the most comprehensive, detailed and informative text I have found on the large format camera.All key topics and areas are covered in clear, easy to understand, and very readable language.I am a beginner/amatuer who has been desperately seeking every bit of help and information I can get.Although there are some excellent books on the subject (Ansel Adams three book series "The Camera", "The Negative" and "The Print" and Steve Simmons' "Using the View Camera" are superb examples), View Camera Technique is the most detailed and comprehensive of the bunch.This book has "unveiled" many of the mysteries of the large format camera for me.I highly recommend this volume for any photographer who has a yen for these combersome, complex cameras and the joy they bring. A definite must-have.

View Camera Technique - 7th edition
A well written book from Focal Press (Elsevier) which contains a tremendous collection of information/detail on view cameras. The 7th edition which I reviewed, was published in 1999 and needs to be updated for more recent advancements with electronic equipment (circa 2008). Otherwise, this book is a neccessary reference for anyone seriously involved with view cameras.

A college course on photography
This is more than just a book on view cameras.Its also a complete treatise on optics, film chemistry, and exposure considerations.In other words, everything that you might possibly want to know about photography - plus how it all relates to the view camera.This is actually a book for anyone who wants to learn the technology of photography regardless of camera type.
The limitations of this book are in the digital realm where its dating shows more clearly.And its not a 'page turner' unless you're really into this stuff.That being said, Ansel Adams' books on camera and film are really harder to read than this book and not nearly as clear.Stroebel has lots of photos to illustrate key points.This book is also more complete and up to date, but lacks the artist's viewpoint that Adams brings. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (19)

A Must Have
This is a great book. It's 350 pages, but I read it in a weekend. The subjects range from the artistic to the technical and is jammed packed with good stuff. He talks about things I never even thought about when it comes to landscape photography. I would highly recommend this book to everyone interested in photography. I have read quite a number of photography books and this is by far the best one I have read (so much so that emailed him a Thank You). Check it out you won't be sorry.

Simply, Great!
This is one of the greatest book that hits the base of the field of photogaphy. I dare say it is a MUST for any photographer. It might have not much technicality or how to go on with the camera or some magical tricks to turn out ordinary images to some amazing ones, but it simply a book about the real identity of photography, the philosophy of photography, and how to think when doing photography.
It has lot of discussions about philosophical (or spirituality if you like to call it), there are a set of exercises at the end of every chapter that ought to help you out on thinking and getting used to shaping your own mentality in photography.

Maybe the major examples and discussions are going around landscape photography, but the tips and the education of the book expand far to any field of "artistic" photography, and not necessarily only the landscape field.

The chapters following the artistic touch, are mainly about living as an artist and financial matters and marketing discussions and how to grab an audience and what are the audience you seek...etc. It's not all about just being an artist but also how to make some living (with integrity).
Also the chapters before the end got some check-lists to follow. Very useful for a fast rhythm check up with your work, and there is a chapter about fixing images (not a heavy load fixes but essential fixes like cropping, color cast correction...etc).

Finally, if you got other technical books about photography, I do believe you won't achieve or be satisfied at least, much about your photos, until you get some spiritual touch with an artistic hue in your heart, when you get behind the camera to work, and this book gives you all. It is a complete journey.

BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW

Alain Briot
PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPOSITION, CREATIVITY, AND PERSONAL STYLE

I would like to start by saying that I really enjoyed this book although I found it very esoteric. Briot has really put in perspective a highly technical, philosophical and creative process.

As an experienced landscape photographer I found the technical discussion interesting but can see where most `artistic' or hobbyist photographers would soon lose interest. His theories on composition and then `breaking the rules' echoes my own developed practices. His discussion on landscape photography composition and the use of light can be applied to any other type of photography and is well presented.

The philosophical discussions reminded me of being back in college and wondering about the reasoning behind the lecture. Creativity is a personal decision and how one gets to that point is just as personal. I got lost in some of these pages.

I found the chapters on creativity and style to be the best in the book. The author explained and discussed how to find the best light, how to `see' the subject and how to create an image, not `take' a photo; all without a step by step instruction on `how to'.

As previously stated I like the book. I would recommend the book to any photographer as learning something new and hearing someone else's point of view is always beneficial. The book is well produced and the color reproductions are outstanding. My only negative is the small print is too `gray' and not enough contrast between ink and paper.

Wordy but VERY useful information
Alain, if your reading this review, I am going to start with what dosnt work first. Your writing style has WAY too much filler. You seem to write 2 pages of text to get an idea across when one paragraph should suffice.

Have you ever watched the movie "A River Runs Through It"? The part where the young son submits his paper to his father, who edits it and hands it back to him saying "Again, Half as long".

This would be the only area I would reccomend improvment.

As for the information contained, very through, an while wordy, very well explained.

I think any person looking to dive seriously into their landscape work could benifit in reading the concepts in this book.

Definitly worth the price of admission.

Roman Johnston

A text book for exploring your creative style
As a landscape photographer I am always excited to find new books that delve into the loftier pursuits of our craft-namely those items found in the title of Alain's book. It is the second book by this author and expands some of the ideas he developed in his first book. The two together are excellent bedside companions. I have followed Alain's photography for many years and find it inspiring to my own work. In Mastering Photographic Composition, Creativity, and Personal Style Alain brings to words many of the concepts, practices, and thought processes that influence his own style. The opening chapters discuss a variety of subjects that all photographers, especially landscape photographers, need to know including basic differences between how cameras and humans see, composing with light and color, seeing in black and white, and the importance of strong compositions. From there he delves into the creative process from finding inspiration to developing your vision and working on apersonal style. He also devotes a few chapters to thinking about your audience and ends with some basic manipulations for image problems.

This is not a book for the faint of heart. It is full of information and requires you to extract the concepts and begin to put them in to practice. And in my mind this is precisely why it is so valuable. It requires you to read, step back, contemplate, and question. I loved for instance Alain's descriptions of the type of light one finds in the landscape. I know this light. I chase it all the time. I just never thought of it in descriptive terms. And now I don't stand in Antelope Canyon with out thinking about the concept of "air light" or chiaroscuro. There are also some excellent skills enhancement exercises laced throughout the chapters.

This book is not about Photoshop technique or RAW processing. Nor does it contain all of Alain's beautiful work. But some of it is there. And in these words and images you can begin to see how he thinks and approaches his work. And through this comes a way to think, and perhaps rethink, about your own journey. Many have commented about the books "wordiness". I would not let this deter you. It is written in the way Alain speaks. When you read it, Alain is talking to you in a calm, reflective way. In a way it is as if you are having a conversation. Personally I like this. And you don't have to read cover to cover in one sitting. In fact I don't recommend this. It is best digested and absorbed over time. And when I go back for another bite I always seem to find something new. A great addition to my library. ... Read more

Product Description

However amazing the subject or technically excellent the photography, the single biggest factor in deciding whether a photograph is good or bad is how well it is composed.

Customer Reviews (1)

Photographic Composition: A Visual Guide
"Photographic Composition: A Visual Guide" is an excellent resource for the amateur photographer as well as the seasoned shutterbug.What makes this particular book appealing is the diversity of the images from famous early and historical photographs to photos taken by today's professionals and even some amateurs; all with the purpose of illustrating specific elements in composition. Subjects, just to mention some, range from geometrics (such as the "rule of thirds")to balance, camera angle, aspect ratio and even the psychology of color.Each chapter is followed by suggested practice exercises that are most helpful.

One of the best appeals of this book is that it can be read in any sequence. Each chapter covers a stand-alone subject, so the order in which the reader progresses is not crucial.

Through their diverse photographic backgrounds, the co-author's offer a gamut of easy to understand composition lessons and tips that can ensure good results for the avid amateur or seasoned photographer. This book does for composition what technology has done for camera operation. It should be the amateur's "bible." ... Read more

Product Description

Aiming to produce more vibrant, emotional, and compelling images, this guide instructs how to instinctively capture the most important moments at a wedding. By emphasizing a deeper understanding of the client and the importance of practicing technical skills, this in-depth reference explores the roles of preparation and patience in capturing memorable photographs. Since being in the right place at the right time is imperative, instruction is also provided on how to evaluate body language and subtle clues during the event. In addition, this manual, designed specifically for the professional wedding photographer, demonstrates how postproduction, album design, and photographer–client communication can maximize sales and customer satisfaction.

Customer Reviews (15)

Great advice, a must for wedding photographers
This book is a practical description of the professionalism as well as the emotional aspect of wedding photography. Tracy not only backs up her well-thought out instructions and years of experience in shooting weddings but she also adds to understanding by showing photos that really make her suggestions come alive. The photos in the book show that she really knows how to capture weddings. A must have book for all those who are wedding photographers.

Inspiring
I bought this book about a month ago, and I am still looking at it for inspiring images through out the book.I love the emotion she captures, and her techniques she gives while shooting.It inspired me since to try things her way and is making me a better photographer for it.A MUST READ

An excellent set of tips professional photographers need to advance to the next level of success
Advanced Wedding Photography: Professional Techniques for Digital Photographers provides a range of ideas and tips for educating clients about photojournalism and capturing clients at their best. From verbal cues and body language to natural setups and identifying people the couple will wish to see in their wedding photos, this provides an excellent set of tips professional photographers need to advance to the next level of success.

Essential
This book does a great job guiding photographers through a modern wedding. Dorr expertly explains techniques and openly gives insider tips to bring even a seasoned photog to the next level. If you're in the business of wedding photography,this is a must have.

Simply Amazing
This book is digital photography at it's best!I must admit that I was a bit skeptical before even opening this book thinking it would be another "how to" book where you read the same techniques you learn in any introduction college course.I'm very happy to say that I was dead wrong.

As opposed to trying to have us, the readers, be a replica of her, Dorr challenges us to open our minds and become our own artist with some helpful hints to achieve our potential.She makes it clear throughout her amazing photographs the importance of timing and capturing the right emotion.Most importantly, this book is helpful to anyone, whether they're a professional photographer themselves or just someone who wants to make the most out of their home digital camera.I highly recommend this to anyone and I crave much more from Tracy Dorr! ... Read more

Product Description
A lighting instruction guide for photographers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Beautiful book for lighting
I purchased this book when I purchased another book written by Roger Hicks and Frances Schultz for portrait lighting. This book is well illustrated and brings many useful ideas for creating photographic illusionary special effects. It is packed with ideas and will help you expand your visual horizon. The quality of the paper is great and the colors are bright and cheerful. When you have run out of photo ideas or having a dry period,just open this book and start taking pictures again.

Good For Beginners
Not quite as comprehensive as I would have liked. The images seem a little dated. This book is primarily for beginners or people with limited knowledge of lighting. ... Read more

Product Description
Provides step-by-step instructions for mastering photolithographic techniques, photo-etching, photogravure, photo-screen techniques, and other unusual photographic print processes. ... Read more

Product Description
In this comprehensive work, portraitist and teacher Robin Gillanders looks at all kinds of portraiture in both colour and black and white. He discusses how to set up a shot, how to pose the sitter, composing the photograph, lighting and, ultimately, how to give portraits real meaning. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Lighting 101, with enough pictures to really show you nuances
Mr Gillanders' book is a wonderful primer on how to light subjects for portraits. He goes into some good detail on what a portrait is, what the tools are and how to bring people together. There are a few sample lighting setups, but not too many. Most of the book teaches you how to look at the light falling on the person, how to think about the light, how to manipulate the light and how to think about what you are doing.

To help bring the points home, he builds up the layers of lighting in the photographs, give you ideas of how certain techniques could be used. This is something that many portrait books do not talk about, I'm so glad that Mr Gillanders addresses this very important topic.

Good Starter Book
This is a great book for those just starting out in Portrait photography. The author spends more time explaining the philosophical and aesthetic approach to portraits as opposed to the technical side. All of the photographs included are by the author. Some of the photos are stunning while others are rather average. The images range from personal snapshots to formal commissions and editorial work. If you are already comfortable taking portrait photography and are interested in learning new lighting or darkroom techniques, look elsewhere. On the other hand, if you are timid about photographing living, conscious, subjects the author gives great insight to the interactions taking place between the photographer and his/her subject.

Great portraits and interesting techniques
Gillanders is a solid photographer with a great portfolio of portraits AND he's able to talk about technique in an easy to grasp way. I found myself really studying this book and going back to it again and again for ideas. Glad I own it.

Wonderful and inspiring
This is a wonderful book if you want a better understanding of portrait photography.The author gives his insight from teaching and working professionally into the psychology of the work.He explains not only how to achieve certain effects, but why he would do it that particular way.He even gives suggestions on how to work with your subject and perspective on what the portrait photographer is.Every page has beautiful portraits that he has done that have given me a great deal of inspiration.I don't know that I would consider myself as semi-pro yet, but this book was very helpful and inspiring.

Aimed at the intermediate and advanced, but useful to the novice
I received this as a Christmas gift in 2004.It wasn't quite what I was hoping for at the time, which was a detailed how-to guide for the technical aspects of portrait photography.

There is some good material relating to that here, but as I read through the book, it became obvious that Gillanders' main goal was to share strategies for portrait-making with people who already know the technical end.The target audience could be described as the pro or semi-pro, which certainly describes me better now than it did in 2004.

As a result, I've gleaned more out of the book with subsequent readings.Now that I may actually have to deal with portrait clients, Gillanders' advice on the subject seems more poignant; likewise, since I have my own studio kit to set up, I can appreciate the beauty of his tricks for using fewer lights on location.

If nothing else, the book is useful as a source of inspiration for budding photographers.Gillanders' work is spread throughout and demonstrates an interesting blend of classical composition with a willingness to violate that same tradition.His photos are almost always locations shots too, so except in the most technical sections, you'll hardly ever see a face in front of a monochrome background.That alone is a nice reminder to the beginner that portraits don't always have to resemble your yearbook picture. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review
Product Description

Shooting in low light and at night is challenging, but it can result in stunning images, so don't put that digital camera away after the sun goes down! Start capturing eerie and intriguing photographs at all levels of light with this information-packed guide from renowned photographer and author Harold Davis.

He provides pages of field-tested techniques to help you find the proper exposures, including the best settings for ISO, aperture, and shutter. Don't miss the intriguing examples of his own work, including cityscapes, landscapes, and more.

• Walks readers through the intricacies of night and low light photography
• Explores the fundamental rules of exposure, including creative settings for ISO, aperture, and shutter speeds
• Informs and inspires with the author's own breathtaking examples of night photography, including cityscapes, landscapes, exciting night events, and other photos that illustrate the concepts

Capture the visually exciting world after the sun goes down with this essential guide to night photography.

Amazon Exclusive: Photography Tips and Techniques from Harold Davis

How to Use Shadows to Enhance Your Composition

How to Use LAB Color for Black and White Effects

Professional Photography Techniques from Harold Davis

Amazon Exclusive: Interview with Award-Winning Photographer Harold Davis

We hear you’ve written some new digital photography titles. What’s the story behind these books?
Wiley Publishing is releasing three new books of mine, Creative Close-Ups: Digital Photography Tips & Techniques,Creative Night: Digital Photography Tips & Techniques, andCreative Composition: Digital Photography Tips & Techniques. My idea with these books was to help people become better photographers by presenting the subject of digital photography in a different way.

What’s different about your approach?
They say that cameras don’t take photos, people do. It’s really true. Someone with a great eye can take masterful photos with an inexpensive camera. Therefore, it is important to know something about photo technique, but the really amazing thing is that we can conceptualize and come up with these bits and bytes that make up a photo—and they can be meaningful to people. I try to help people come up with images that are relevant and meaningful. Cameras and hardware are just tools.

What’s with all the photos in these books?
Well, everyone likes to look at striking images, so one thing my photos do in these books is get people’s attention. However, the photos play another role as well. Each photo in my book is accompanied by the story of how the photo was made and the technical data related to the photo. That way, if you’re not ready to dive into the text itself, you can learn a lot just by browsing the photos.

My feeling is that you truly do learn about photography by looking at photos. It’s much more important to look at images you admire and try and figure out why you like them than it is to read about photography. The photos in these books are baked into the DNA of the teaching strategy. By browsing through the pages, someone can learn a great deal and have an enjoyable visual experience at the same time.

What’s the most important thing that readers can get out of your new books?
I want to inspire readers to be the most creative and best photographers they can be. If you pick up one of my books, I hope you can make use of the technical content and see how the photos relate to some of your own work. The most important thing, however, is to take the ideas in the book, get out there, and do some really peddle-to-the-metal creative photography.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Too dark
In my opinion, the night image on the COVER of the book is not a proper night exposure.TOO MANY photographers make that same mistake of going too dark at night.

Interesting look at a challenging type of photography
Low light and night photography poses many different challenges for digital photographers, and Harold Davis addresses them all in this book.Wonderful examples, useful techniques, and the kind of encouragementyou really need to go out and attempt some of these subjects on your own.Great book.

Great book!
I have enjoyed and been inspired by Harold Davis's books for years.Harold's books are focused on creativity, visualization and an attempt to inspire the photographer.He sometimes includes a small Lightroom and/or Photoshop tutorial in his books but his books are definitely "just another how-to Photoshop" book.Harold is focused on the art of making great photos and the craft behind creating memorial images in a clear manner.

If you are interested in bringing your art to the next level, Harold Davis' book is a great place to start.Harold clearly describes how to approach your subject creatively and describes the tools and skills necessary to fulfill your creative vision.I highly recommend Creative Night.

Help you thruogh the night
Harold Davis had a great idea when he teamed with Wiley to write about different aspects of photography, and this is one of the best results of that collaboration.Virtually an encyclopedic catalog of ideas for night shots is offered with a plethora of tips on how to take them.The accompanying photos are a delight to examine.There are also pertinent charts.Technical information is accessible, in part due to the glossary in the back of the book.It's 239 pagesof fun.Interest is growing in this field of photography, one especially popular night subject being star trails.Harold covers this and other fascinating types of night photography--with cautions about safety he obviously learned the hard way!
Get your creative juices flowing and buy this book!

Embrace the dark side
Night photography is a huge subject. Harold Davis does a good job of covering many of its aspects in a clear and straightforward way. Since he is primarily a landscape photographer, many of the example photos are of landscapes, though he does cover many other areas of the subject such as cityscapes, light trails, light painting, moonlight photography, simple object photography and more. A short list of equipment is discussed and helpful extras are mentioned. While there is not yet a definitive book on night photography, Creative Night is my current favorite.

Davis also includes a section on post processing with Photoshop. Two night specific techniques that cover stacking multiple exposures to capture star trails and noise removal are very helpful.

While specific technique descriptions are mostly brief, all images include exposure details that provide a good starting point for personal experimentation. And experimentation is a main theme of this book. Less experienced photographers may want a bit more hand holding. There's very little fundamental photography instruction here. Davis has written this book for photographers who understand the basics of exposure and camera operation. That saves a lot of padding that many writers include in their manuals to increase the page count. If you're new to photography and want do do some night shots, do learn exposure basics and study your camera manual first.

In addition to photography how-tos Davis does offer important information specific to night photography, much of which seems like common sense. But it's easy to overlook a detail that means the difference between a successful and safe photo shoot and a disaster. For example: dress warmly, learn your camera control by feel and rote so you can operate in darkness, dress for visibility, get permission to photograph sites, scout your location by day, and so on. While some of this seems obvious, it's these details that help make for a safe, comfortable and hopefully successful shoot. ... Read more

Product Description
Focusing on real people, not models, this book provides practical solutions to masking common flaws, such as concealing a double chin, creating a thinner waistline, or masking complexion problems and wrinkles. Covering both studio and location photography and everything from head shots to full-length portraits, this is an essential guide for making every client look his or her best. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Updated with a different title...
FYI this book is true to its title. It is a tad dated by now (12/05) and the newer edition by same author is "Corrective Lighting, Posing, And Retouching." Ive thumbed through it at the local B&N. Unless there is some specific reason you need this edition, pick up the newer title.

Senior Portrait Specialist
This book contains a lot of Photos example. The Author, Jeff Smith clearly explains about lighting and posing techniques. All the photo and the explanation are refers to senior portrait photo. If you want to learn more about photo in a group you must find another book

Excellent and Down to Earth
This is a very refreshing guide to portrait photography for its focus on the imperfections of people, and how to manage them in the studio.Many other books and articles on portraiture may address these issues partially, but still tend to have images of very thin models with perfect skin, hair and eyes. Many of the models in this book are attractive, but there's a reasonable diversity of subjects compared to other sources (with some caveats noted later in this review).

The author has a very conversational style, and this short 120 page book is probably best appreciated as a really strong lecture or set of short seminars on topics (lighting, posing, making the client feel comfortable) with lots of useful tidbits and examples.This is not a rigorous reference with lighting diagrams, explanations of the functions of various equipment and accessories, and a glossary of terms and index...this book doesn't have any of these for the novice.

That sounds like a criticism, but the author's breezy, non-academic style really works well to get certain key basics across, and it's very useful for both inexperienced and experienced photographers as a result.I found the book an excellent read, particularly the section on corrective posing, and specifically the focus on getting the most out of the eyes in a portrait.The lighting discussion is good as well, though the author jumps all around with various techniques and accessories he favors, and some areas don't have a lot of detail.But again, this book is strongest for posing and basic lighting in the service of making an imperfect subject look their best, rather than extensive details around equipment and technical explanations of lighting.His discussion of backgrounds, props, and the general benefit of foreground elements is valuable as well.

The author is also very entertaining when he talks about how to engage the client in a comfortable and professional manner, and avoiding all the cliches and rude manners of other photographers.

As another reviewer pointed out, the focus does seem to be on younger women who are heavier and who in general have hang-ups about different aspects of their appearance.It appears this is the case because the author feels these subjects are much more sensitive about their appearance, relative to men.It would have been nice to see a few more people of both genders across age groups, simply because the author is so good with his existing subjects, and more detail and a greater variety of subjects would have been even better.

A final small note: this is not the book to go to for any discussion of black and white portraiture.Black and white is relegated to a small sidebar, and the author sticks to C-41 film because of the expense of processing and printing other B&W films.

With all this said, I recommend this book very highly.I'm about to read it for a second time cover to cover, to review the numerous useful concepts he discusses for the wider range of portraits I'm going to be taking this summer.Few authors communicate in as straightforward, educational and as entertaining a manner as Jeff Smith does.

A good glimpse into a contemporary portrait studio
There are a number of "tricks" professional portrait photographers use minimize the visual imperfections of a client. While many of these tricks have been around for years, the author does a good job of presenting them with real-world examples.

To be blunt, the book deals mostly with women with weight issues, most of whom are posing for their senior portraits. Using subtractive lighting, posing and sometimes props, the author shows you ways to shave a few pounds off a photograph. However, don't expect to be able to completely undo years of cheese-fries. The results are subtle, not earth-shattering.

Overall, its a very useful guide for anyone wishing to make their subjects look a little better. Unfortunately, the other problem areas don't get nearly as much coverage as weight did, some only get a few paragraphs without photographic examples. Also, the author was politely vague when discussing individual photographs. Perhaps hiring some models specifically for this book would have allowed the author go into more detail without fear of offending his clients. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

noobie shutterbug
R. Shaw's book is truly a wealth of knowledge, and an asset to any photog.The book is somewhat dated (pub. 1984), but all of his advice on technique, ethics, and principles I believe to be spot on.His gear reflects the era as it is a non-digital medium, however, the information is easily adapted to digital lenses, and the like.I was a little disappointed when I first started reading it, but soon realized the information is general and blankets all photography as opposed to digital only.I highly recommend this book for beginners, and even seasoned veterans.

Great fundamental nature book
I have enjoyed every John Shaw book I have read, and this one is no exception. Despite changes in the technology, the fundamentals are still there, including focus, aperture/shutter recommendations. As a novice, amateur nature photographer there is so much information available to day, but to me nothing takes the place of holding a book by made by a nature master.

a must read for beginners and advanced amateurs
It's usually difficult to write a nature photography book that's useful for the beginners and at the same time gives valuable advice to advanced amateurs, but Mr Shaw has just done that in this book.

This book contains very valuable advice for advanced ones especially on close-ups and flash photography and at the same time he covers the basic rules (thirds, sunny f/16) from an interesting perspective. I found his advice about filters and field gears invaluable.

Read this book if you want to take stunningly realistic nature photographs.

Another John Shaw Book - Excellent
This is another of John Shaw's excellent books on photography. Liberally illustrated with examples and interspersed with his commentary and notes I found tremendously useful.
Shaw covers almost all aspects of photography - from the rule of 16ths, exposure, film, tripods, lenses, closeups, depth of field, composition, backlit photography, etc... Reading this book before you start using that brand new SLR of yours will save you a lot of frustration and trial and error:) A lot of the tips in the book are also equally applicable to people using point-and-shoot cameras also.
A very useful feature in this book is that almost all photos have exposure details listed. Some of his other books do not have these details, which I miss.
This book is highly recommended if you are just beginning photography and are looking for a good introductory book.

GREAT REFERENCE.WELL ORGANIZED
I doubt if this is the only book that you will ever need on this subject, but it is certainly one that you should not be without.I frequently use it as a quick reference/refresher before "going on a shoot."Thetopics are organized into 2-4 pages each that provide a lot of explanationwithout getting bogged down in chemistry and physics.Lots of great photosto illustrate the major points. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (9)

Not quite what I expected, but good info
The title of the book suggested a book filled with techniques to make black and white photos, but what I valued most from the book were the lessons on composition and imagery.I can tell you, that I am a novice photographer, and the first section of the book almost lost me and I put the book away to begin with.It was technical jargon without a lot of definition.I would recommend jumping directly to section 2 and reading from there, as there are really good lessons in composition and ideas for improving your "artistic eye", irregardless of color or black and white images.The author used great photo examples and explained the images in detail on what works for the image and what does not. Towards the end of the book, the author finally gets into the technical aspects of creating a black and white photo using a "digital darkroom." That dark room, the author assumes that you use Photoshop, but I am guessing the techniques are pretty universal with any software.If I could give half stars, I would probably give 3.5, but I am rounding up based on the lessons on composition... that I thought were very good.

Some new ideas to improve your B&W photographs
As the name of the book implies, the strength of this book is the artistic aspects of B&W photography. It has something for everyone, beginner to advanced, film and digital, but overall, it's targeted for the experienced photographer shooting either film or digital.

It starts out with some equipment discussions on camera selection and the use of filters (for the film folks) but most of it's pages are dedicated to the artistic aspects. He discusses in some depth the various genres of B&W photography (street, landscape, portraits, etc) using his own images to illustrate each. Then he moves on to the best part; his discussion of composition. Throughout the book he trys to get the reader to avoid the cliched, "photo club" images and develop one's own perspective. His rules of composition avoids all the standards like "the rule of thirds" (not even mentioned) and presents different concepts like the golden ratio, triangular compositions, pictorial tension between 2 elements, etc. He uses his own images and refers to various artists to illustrate his concepts. This is very effective in getting the reader to take a fresh look at his/her work.

His rather brief section on photoshop conversion is good, but if you're looking for Photoshop help, a more detailed book would be better. He uses CS3 which is a few years old, but the tools for the B&W photographer are really no different in CS5. Some of his Photoshop approaches are different from what a lot of experts would recommend, but everyone has their own style. For example, he doesn't address layer masks, relying instead on selections to make local adjustments.

So overall, its a very good book for the more serious B&W photographer looking to take his work to a higher level.

Very good read for beginners
I understand why some people are upset with the book. "Digital Workflow" should not have been in the title since the author does not go deep into the post-processing. However, the book itself is very well organized, has some valuable tips for beginners and most importantly it's an easy and pleasent read.

Digital Workflow?
When I read the title "The Art of Black and White Photography: Techniques for Creating Superb Images in a DIGITAL WORKFLOW" - I bought the Book considering this subject - DIGITAL WORKFLOW - today the Digital Tools provide many ways to work with Black & white and the Book dedicated only 40 pages of 260 to talk about digital darkroom...also speaks superficialy about this techniques.

In my viewpoint it's not a good book for those who want to learn on black and white photography in a Digital World, but it's useful for those who are looking for a Composition in Black & white and other subjects.

always the same...
Only 40 pages of 260 dedicated to digital darkroom... The rest of the book speaks about basics in photography, such as tools and fundamentals, photographic genres and rules of composition... this kind of information is always present in every book of photography...

so, it's not a good book for those who want to learn on black and white photography, but it's useful for those who are begginers in photography... ... Read more

Product Description
Traditional processes offer the fine-art image-maker an abundance of options with which to create antique works of art. This book offers a practical, darkroom-based manual of such processes. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (4)

Eye on the Wild Side
Are there things you can't do with a camera? Things you shouldn't do? Subjects that can't be captured? According to this book, probably not.

This book is a chapter by chapter view of unusual or unconventional photography. Written by many authors, it is a kaleidoscope of ideas. From using your notebook computer as a photo studio, the arcana of pinhole photography, taking pictures from a kite, underwater shots, high speed effects, the uses of Vaseline, and many more ideas, there is something that is likely to grab your attention among these chapters.

The chapters serve more as introductions to a particular subject rather than a step by step guide on how to do accomplish the images that are presented. For those who wish more information, some chapters provide links that give additional information, others leave it to your imagination. If there was more detail in the instructions, I would have given it 5 stars. But the concepts presented are worth the price of the book.

This book would be a great book to introduce young people to photography. There's no need to go to a location known for its photogenic scenes, you may find many projects in your backyard, in the city streets of your town. The somewhat quirky approaches to photography are sure to appeal. And the modern digital camera allows you to create scenes that in the past required a dark room and hours of effort.

Recommended

Great book, inspiring images and techniques to make great photos!
I found that as I went through the book I became enthusiastic about a number of the techniques.

I appreciate the dedication and photography expertise went in to this book, a great format by the way. While some books focus more on the technique or great images, this book has the best of both worlds. You certainly see that the photographers know what they are doing! The layout is well done, clearly structured so that it is a pleasure to read.

I like the book's intension, as the author states in the introduction, to find the perfect image and then learn about the technique/s used to create the image. The book certainly provides unusual techniques that you have not seen before to reach the goal.In my opinion the examples give you a great start to think about what else you could do with your camera. They guide you but give you enough freedom to adjust or try out new things. In addition it provides you with additional web resources.

Inspiring all the way from the beginning to the last chapter!

Excellent Overview of Unusual Creative Approaches to Photography
Ever since I started with photography back in the 1960s, I have been fascinated by unconventional approaches to taking pictures, whether they be labeled as "trick photography," "experimental photography," or something similar. When I first saw this book announced several months ago, I added it my Amazon wish list, and was delighted when I finally was able to purchase a copy.I was not disappointed.I have the author's earlier book on closeup photography, also translated from the German, and was quite impressed by it. This new book presents a compendium of interesting photographic ideas from a variety of photographers, including the author himself. The techniques described and explained, with ample photographic illustrations, include kite aerial photography and the related pole photography, three-dimensional photography using anaglyphs (involving the use of traditional red/blue 3-D glasses), astrophotography, light-painting, and several others. I found the detailed section on "little planets" especially fascinating, in its step-by-step explanation of an offbeat system for creating a . . . little planet, involving panoramas, software, and a good deal of planning. I won't say that these techniques are all ones you can just grab onto for a quick afternoon of fun shooting -- some of them, like aerial photography, will require the use of a fair amount of equipment and work. But the authors of the various chapters give you some tips on how to accomplish these results with a minimum of expense. I consider this book a really valuable contribution to the discussion of novel ways to photograph our surroundings. I may eventually try one or two of the techniques -- I'm thinking of the pinhole camera as an early contender -- but even if I don't try most of them, I expect that reading about them will open me up to new ways of looking at things and to seeing and imagining new photographic projects.

Long on Photos, Short on Technique
The author has a great idea for a book.His execution is bad.The idea:Ask a number of photographers to write a chapter on something unusual that they are doing with a camera or accessories.There are chapters on stop motion, aerial photography, printing on unusual surfaces, night photography, stereoscopic photography, coating lenses with gel like material, building extension poles, etc.The photos are enticing, but the explanation on how to accomplish the results is incomplete and generally poor.Take the stop action photography.The chapter shows four or five pieces of equipment that center on a photoelectric cell.All look relatively inexpensive.The problem:The core piece of equipment (which is named in the book) is manufactured bycompany in a Germany and their web site is in German--no apparent English version of the site.I have found no U.S. suppliers or alternative equipment producers.Even if I did, the author provides no description of how to configure the components.The photo that shows the set up is so small, it is impossible to identify several of the components in the photo and how they are connected.In one chapter (on a form of macro photography), the author tells us his inspiration, but offers nothing on technique. Many of the photos throughout the book are not even accompanied by aperture, iso, shutter speed, or other relevant and basic settings--some are.

Bottom line:I can understand why a photographer who is selling his photos as art would not want to disclose how he or she achieved the captivating result, but people writing or contributing to a book on technique shouldn't bother participating if they are unwilling provide a specific, step-by-step discussion of the techniques and equipment involved.This is like selling a cookbook with enticing photos of the finished dish, but no recipes or ingredients. ... Read more

Product Description
The third edition of this successful handbook provides tips and techniques for the beginning wedding photographer as well as for professionals seeking to refine their techniques and expand their business. Featuring 50 new images and an updated text covering topics as varied as online marketing, digital techniques, and lighting, this guide helps photographers ensure that they will be at the right place at the right time to take the best picture. Advice on how to take flattering portraits of couples and how to select appropriate sites for wedding pictures is included. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Appears very outdated
I was disappointed at the techniques and example photographs provided in this book. The images look like they're from the 80s-90s. I was even more shocked to discover that this book was published in 2005. The teaching given might be fine if you are the only photographer within a thousand mile radius of Podunk. For anyone else, especially if you service a large, trend- and art-savvy metro area, this book will be pretty useless. I did get some information out of the business section. The most useful part of the book to me was the boilerplate contract at the end.

wedding photography
I received my order in a timely manner.The preview was that, which was the determining factor that made this book my choice.I was able to compare and choose the book that best fit my needs. The book was most helpful in it's approach and coverage of the wedding ceremony.

Not that impressed
This book was not what I expected.I wanted more specifics on how to get a good shot quickly and this was more of an outline of becoming a professional.I'm not going to quit my day job, I want tips to photograph weddings of friends and family quickly.Most weddings I have been to do not allow for hours of staged photographs.The couple want the pics taken and they want to be on their way to the reception......

Good choice for beginners
I buy this book when I began to shoot weddings, I didn't know not a lot on not a lotand it really helps me, If you're a beginner in this business it's definitely a good choice !

More than meets the eye
I really don't enjoy weddings that much; and wedding photos are pretty low on my list of things to look at.However, a friend wanted me to take photos at his wedding so I read this book.Sensibly I declined taking photos at his wedding and he got a professional.(Just because I have a nice camera does not mean I take nice photos!)The book explains how to position the couple for staged photos and interesting things to do with the lighting.I especially enjoyed the sections in the back of the book that was kind of a "cook book" of how to set the gang up for different photos.The author also discussed the artistic photos of the bride; some work and some don't in capturing the "character" of the bride using lighting and composition.This book is also enjoyable to look at.After reading the explanations of how the shots were created I doubt that I will look at good wedding photos without an appreciation of what the photographer did to make them happen.It's another good photography book that should give the average person a jump start into taking better than average photos at a wedding.(Bonus points if your wife catches you reading it!) ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (10)

Super Inspiring and Educational
Digital Photo Art: Transform Your Images with Traditional & Contemporary Art Techniques
I loved this book, and although I am not a traditional or professional photographer, it gave me a ton of ideas of how to improve my photography skills as well as what to do with the photos as far as effects and printing methods.
I would say that one thing to know about this book is that it is really geared toward serious photographers as far as equipment goes. The author talks about filters and lenses and if you are like me and have a cheap point and shoot digital camera, and don't plan on camera equipment upgrades, it is meaningless.
Don't let that discourage you however, the images were inspiring, the printmaking techniques intriguing and the software manipulation ideas really fun! I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Photo Art.

Inspiration
I have been a photographer for 50 years, and a Photoshop user for 15. I read several reviews before purchasing this book. I noted negative some opinion that claimed this book was inferior because it was not a great Photoshop book. I have to take exception to this. reading this book inspired me to push myself beyond the confines of "Photoshopping" images.
There is so much more to photography as an artistic medium, than simply cleaning and perfecting an image, and then printing it on white paper.

A How-To-Make-Fine-Art Book
This is a great book. I have used this book for a couple of years now and was surprised at a few of the comments of other reviewers.

For the reviewer that said there was some Photoshop in it, but was disappointed that it wasn't an in-depth how-to Photoshop book:Yes, it is fine art oriented, not a Photoshop class. Some Photoshop techniques related to fine art are explained well and clearly so you can use them without difficulty. The book uses Photoshop tools well, but it isn't a Photoshop book.

For the reviewer that said it was dated:In spite of it being published a few years ago, almost everything in the book is still up-to-date, with the exception of some references to Studio Artist. If you want completely up-to-date, get Airey's Beginner's Guide to Digital Photo Art. Don't be fooled if you are not a beginner -- this book is still for you. The techniques are clearly explained, so a beginner can follow it well -- but the techniques explained are wonderful things that an experienced fine art photographer will enjoy thoroughly. I believe it works well WITH this book, but if I had to get only one, it would be Beginner's Guide.

Fantastic!
This is a fabulous, creative treasure chest!!!!She gives step by step instruction for each of her works.Each one turns out uniquely different from the original photos.They become one of a kind art pieces.She lists all of the products she uses, the vendors & what each product does in detail.Artwork by other digital artists are sprinkled through as well.It's a great resource that generates inspiration & creativity!

Not bad, but you'll need more books then this one
This form of book concept has a high potential for today's amateur artist. I'm glad I bought it because it does contain a lot of useful information. However, I will buy a few more books to complete my "schooling" in marrying digital to traditional art. I found this book offers only a small amount to that concept. Here's what I found.

Cons...
i. [deleted, now listed as a pro, as point #5 - see update below]
ii. The book lacks step by step details on how to do certain things. If you don't know how to do it, your left guessing or going on the internet to figure it out.
iii. Way, way too much filler (repetition, photo fillers, white space etc...)
iv. The author spends way too much time on things that really do not matter and are not helpful.
v. The overall format of the book is good, but it does get disorganized here & there.
vi. Not enough follow through on why facts are presented: you get a simple "data dump" in some cases.

Pros...
i. The author has an exceptional knowledge of paper variety. Before reading this book, I knew business grade white Xerox paper & bond...
ii. The author does present some very good ideas of converging digital to traditional art.
iii. The price for the book is cheap for the info you get from it. If it saves you an hour or teaches you a technique that you use, the book has more then paid for itself.
iv. It is a high quality book (paperback, but nicely printed).
v. [update 6/7/2010 - I recently tried some of the software the author writes about (downloaded via trial versions on the web). Nik software is actually superb and I would now list the author's recommendations as a plus. This was once listed as a con point #1]. ... Read more