Themes Books

Matt's work in the early and mid 90's served as one of the stronger inspirational forces for my career in photography. This book is masterful in every way. The printing is incredible. The imagery is strong, mysterious and absolutely brilliant. Beautifully crafted by Twin Palms as well with impeccable reproduction and buttery paper stock.

Wow, I heard about him from a friend and bought the book. I love it every photografer needs a copy.

one of the most talented artists in america. a must have for anyone interested in art that blurs the line between order and chaos, reality and fantasy, heaven and hell. a genius in the subtle manipulation of point-of-view.

I originally bought it because I went to high school with Matt - who was then known for being an awesome artist. His artistic abilities are incredibly broad spectrum. He's demonstrated how talented he is with photography - as well as drawing & painting.
You won't be disappointed. There is so much emotion displayed on each page. Every picture truly tells a story! You're still awesome Matt! Your talents continue to amaze us!

This is a book that is worth owning. It is gently written and beautifully profound. The Blessed Mother is made readily accessible in the minds, hearts and souls of all who read this treasure. It is a very enlightening and interesting book and I sincerely hope it makes a positive difference in the lives of all who read it. I really loved it.

A stunningly beautiful book! An appropriate collection of images fills this excellently designed book with lavishly colored reproductions of the life of Mary. A tribute to two of my favorite women, both who serve us as a reminder of the exceptional nature of the feminine spirit.

My husband gave me this book for Christmas and it has become very special to me. As someone who also grew up in the Presbyterian tradition, I had always felt the absence of Mary in the church. When, as an adult, I turned to a more "catholic" religion, I was finally able to embrace Mary. This book, with it's beautiful illustrations and wonderful essays is a spiritually rewarding path to Mary.

The book is an excellent purchase, but don't even think of purchasing it here because it probably won't be in stock. At least this is my experience.

Kristen Bjorn is probably the most successful and highly respected creator of filmed male erotica. He has traveled the globe searching and successfully finding the tanned and sculpted men of the Adonis category that fill the pages of this book. Unlike many other photographers of the male physique, Bjorn goes beyond the at times plastic surface of gratuitous suggestion and allows his models to be grouped or isolated in poses that, while never entering the realm of graphic interaction, do parade the men in the aroused state.

Such subject matter is not without precedent: many of our famous contemporary artists such as Odd Nerdrum, Paul Cadmus, Robert Mapplethorpe, and Duane Michaels have incidental use of the male 'at attention'. But it is Bjorn's sensitive eye for composition, lighting, and environmental locations that allows him to free his models to explore their natural state of sexuality.

Sadly, there is no accompanying essay about the artist to accompany this full color portfolio, but hopefully with time authors will have equal courage as Bjorn to discuss what Kristen Bjorn courageously presents as art. Grady Harp, March 05

No one knows how to find handsome, machismo, sensual men like Kristen Bjorn does. He is a photographer in a league by himself. Over the years he has continually brought us beautiful, desirable men from around the world. This collection of all color nude images are of some of his best looking men. All of them have been filmed by Bjorn and appeared in his many erotic videos. Bjorn is a perfectionist whose technical brilliance makes most of these images seem three dimensional. He knows how to bring out the best in each of his models. This is a beautiful book, and at 120 pages, is larger than most photo books being published. If you're a fan of Bjorn's work, you'll appreciate this new book, or experience the excitement if you are a first time viewer of his talented work. One of the best!

Joe Hanssen

FROM THE PUBLISHER
"...a beautifully printed, 120 page, all color, 11" x 8.5" hard-bound 'coffee table' book containing some of the best photos ever taken by Kristen of some most breathtaking men on the planet."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
"Kristen Bjorn was born in London, England on 12 October 1957. He grew up in Washington DC and at the age of eighteen he left the USA, and lived in numerous different countries over the following seventeen years. Kristen started his career as a Falcon [Studios] model in 1981, and within two years later he became one of the foremost photographers of the male nude for several international publications. In 1989, Kristen released his first gay erotic video CARNIVAL IN RIO, which was filmed at his home base in Brazil. Over the past 10 years, Kristen has toured the globe, and has created some of the world's best gay erotic video in such diverse locations as Brazil, The Dominican Republic, USA, French Canada, Australia, Venezuela, Hungary, Cuba, and Costa Rica. His work can also be seen on his website kristenbjorn.com."--from Men of Kristen Bjorn (Paperback), ISBN 3-86187-676-0, © 2004 Bruno Gmünder Verlag (Editor & Publisher); photographs © Kristen Bjorn (Photographer), U.S.A., 2000

International male perfection. This book is replete with beautiful photos of magnificent men. This is a "keeper", and one you can proudly display on your coffee table.

It is a good book, but not great as his another one: Rock and Royalty, Versace/Avedon. If you are a fan of Versace, then it's worth to buy one.

was supermodel Marcus Schenkenberg on the cover. That's why I brought it home! But when I opened it up, I was thrilled to see that every photo was marvelous and artful. Kudos and love to the late Versace, who created this brilliant piece of art.

If you're a female (or well, at least a gay), better brace yourself and get ready for a glossy, eye-filling page after page of the finest young men ever born and bred in the whole world! Those sexy studs are very artfully depicted here in a stylish vein by a very creative fashion designer like Gianni Versace and most of them are quite scantily-clad and some of them even completely naked. A very bold and unconventional piece of art that you can find on any coffee table! Too bad this handsome album is just plain too expensive for me to merely pluck right off a bookstore shelf!

Okay, the males are stylish and handsome both--possessed of muscles, adorned with Versace's jubilant, expressionistic attire. But there's more expressionism in the photos themselves. I know of no other book where visual images (here, photos) are not just presented 1-2-3 in static procession, but where portions are repeated--echoed later on--blended with following photos--in a creative interweaving which can only be "art" in the definition of "dynamic combination of symmetry or order, and asymmetry or tension." A beach scene appears, then is blended with another scene later. And interblended with the written text, too. Rare is this twin-starring of word and image, plus this permutation-and-combination of images. Only in comics do word and image so vitally interact. So check out this book for its design-artistry, as well as its aesthetic dudes.....

The blurb on the back cover is absolutely right, these guys do create " a desire for summer adventure" If you've never seen a Vista Video this book will certainly get you in the mood to watch one. Many of the Vistamen are here including Aaron, one of the models whose most synonymous with Vista Video, Carlos and Eric (two of the longest serving) and many others. These portraits are sheer works of art thanks to the models themselves and also to Ron Williams' skill as a photographer. The best picture in my opinion is of Jeremy, in a close-up with his arms hugging himself and his head at a cute, almost inquistive angle, as he looks into the camera with a warm heart-tugging gaze. But then all the guys look wonderful and even manage to keep most of their clothes on, except Mark, another of my favourites who cheekily stands nude behind a strategically placed surfboard. Some may find the lack of nudity boring, I think it makes an agreeable contrast to the more revealing nature of Vista Video productions.
This photobook is superb; A stunning book full of stunning men, which should appeal to anyone who likes good looking men.

If I say "I wanna go to Mi-yami!" will it make me sound too whiny?

Who cares? After paging through "Miami Heatwave," the first book to feature the work of talented videographer and photographer Ron Williams, and set against the backdrop of South Florida, who wouldn't be saying the same thing?

Anyone who has ever sampled Williams' video work will appreciate this collection of still photographs. The artistry of Williams lens, the absolute physical perfection of every single male model, and the fine quality of printing (by Bruno Gmunder publishers) combine to make this one of the best collections of beautiful male photography seen in a long time.

The only quibble I have with "Miami Heatwave" is that some models are featured more than others, and the book isn't nearly extensive enough. But then, how could you ever get enough of Manny's big grin, Darren's silken, shelf-like pecs with their chocolate brown nipples, and blond Mark's amazingly perfect torso and six-pack abs? And then there's the famous Aaron, with his blond, boy-next-door gone bad hunkiness. Sigh.

With Williams' discerning eye, I can imagine he probably has material for 40 books in his (no doubt) enormous files, but his reputation for showing only his very best work may prevent most of what he has done to ever see that light of day. What a shame for his fans like me, if only because Williams' work, even on his worst day, easily outshines the best offerings of others working in the same field.

For now, anyway, we will have to be content with what Williams offers us - but let's hope that soon there will be a "Miami Heatwave II," - and III, and IV . . .

This book of male models is not a "Heatwave" it's a "Miami Scorcher." Ron Williams has gathered together 14 very handsome, muscular young men, photographed in brilliant color. I usually like black and white photography better because I believe it has more feeling, but this new collection of Ron William's is breathtaking in its exciting photos of men in outdoor surroundings. I especially enjoyed models, "Federico, Aaron & Carlos." What handsome & masculine men they are. Most models are photographed in swimwear, shorts, jeans & underwear. There is no need for frontal nudity, the men are much more erotic shown this way.

Ron Williams is an Emmy Award winning director living in Miami, who has created many corporate commercials in the last 20 years. He is well-known for his VistaMen series of physique art videos showcasing many stunning sensual men who are physique models. I really enjoyed this book & hope to see more books published of his fine photography in the near future.

Nice..very nice indeed...Eye candy in great abundance. Is this what is meant when the sportscasters talk about the MIAMI HEAT?
Woof.

I expected a small book when I received it thanks to the reviews.As an artist/sculptor this book was fantastic. It shows my favorite Michelangelo statue in 150 different camera angles and zooms in on detailed areas that you wont see in any other book.It's an excellent study of drapery,composition, and the human form and flesh in marble.I only wish more outstanding sculptures of the world were given this much visual coverage . Artists who want to see true mastery of material will love this as a study reference.It also does give a short history of it's creation and subsequent damage(by a crazed lunatic)and its restoration.The book is entirely in black and white and must be seen to be believed.

Meditating on the pictures helped me to experience one of the most beautiful moments of the history of the Earth. The images stay with me throughout the day. The book was dissapointing only in being too small, about 6 inches by 8 inches.

To meditate on the beautiful pictures in this book will move one's soul to a higher level of understanding the love Jesus has for all of us.

When I first recieved it, I was rather suprised about the size of the book, about 4x6 inches. However, I found many beautiful images inside. I have heard that there is a larger edition of the book if you would want to look into that. This bokk provides images that were taken before the Pieta was to be crated *for what reason I'm not really certain*. It shows all different views, closeups, and details that you wouldn't even imagine. It also has a few pictures of the restorations and some of the damaged areas after the 1970s attack. Very wonderful book for meditation and for aiding reports and such.

This book is a wonderful look back at life in the South during the years after the Civil War. The Minnie shown on page 62 used to pick up cotton from my grandfather's farm. Great photos of the boats, the trains, and the people.

Excellant book if your interested in Steamboats and how they traveled the river, great for an artist for drawing and understanding the construction of actual steamboats. It also has a few pictures of other modes of transportation for the late 1800's. Very economical book and a great coffee table book with heavy paper.

This book admittedly covers a small area, but it contains a wonderful collection of photos you will enjoy reviewing at length, and it isn't like there are a plethora of books out there on this subject.

This coffee-table-size paperback offers about 100 historic black and white photos of the steamboat era: the boats, the people and the towns. A steamboat lover's dream at a good price.

needless to mention, one of the best. color saturation and creativity is impressive. It worths the money. If you like fashion and studio photography, u should not miss out this one.

I was only vaguely acquainted with Mondino's work,but I LOVE fashion photography so I took a chance on this book.The low expectations I had made this book all the more STAGGERING-it is a MAGNIFICENT book,filled with the most unique,visionary approach to fashion and celebrity photography I have ever seen!And unlike some other big-name photographers,Mondino can leap from one style to another,he doesn't limit himself to any one technique or style.ALWAYS,however,he is original and endlessly clever and witty.This book conveys a sense of humor and whimsy that is delightful.Yet many of the pictures are tremendously moving in their beauty and power.And he photographs such a WIDE range of subjects,yet they all have one thing in common:an offbeat,striking,unusual type of beauty or appearance.He makes EVERYONE he photographs look extraordinary,by adding his singular eccentric touch.This is an awesome book,I LOVE it,I can't get enough of it.Five stars doesn't suffice!

the long awaited mondino book, deja vu, is a disappointment for mondino enthusiats like myself. jean-baptiste mondino is the best photographer in the world, hands down. so much so that his injection of an untramodern (read ultrasexy) fashion sensibility into music and popular culture images can be considered definitive by all accounts. in that respect, he is the direct descendent of the legendary jean-paul goude. but deja vu is unfortunately just that. a career retrospective which fails to offer any new images to the many fans (like myself) who have followed every step of mondino's career. i expected amazing new fashion imagery, and a delirious portfolio of the millennium's up-and-coming artists and musicians. instead i got a mickey rourke cover and endless variations on the vanessa paradis theme. very eighties. for newcomers, this book will be a revelation, for no one masters image manipulation - and its effects on our pop saturated psyches - better than mondino. yet the initiated will feel that, grand though this first book effort is, the key to the future-forward lies in mondino's french vogue pages. mondino has seen the future, maybe he should start leading us to its doors again. could it be that he is saving that trip for his next book? i certainly hope so.

Mondino could quite possibly be one of the greatest photographers our time. If you enjoy David LaChapelle and Stephane Sednaoui, whose works are similar, than you will enjoy Mondino. However Mondino seems to have an edge over his peers. I don't think that I would have bought the book if it didn't have any relation to Jean Paul Gaultier, a long time client of Mondino's. But in viewing the book I found that he worked with other designers and treated them all as individual as they are, without loosing his own edge. It seems to me that this book is a compilation of his favorite work, and it serves to communicate the artist's sensibilities on a personal level. His signature lies in that he can keep the photographs very simple yet thoroughly enjoyable, full of life, most of all he's capable of almost animating them, making them jump out to you - from paper to life!! There is an aspect of pleasure and "joie de vivre" in his work, despite the fact the fact that some of the photographs are dark and are made with a devilish sense of humor (at best)!! All in all I am very pleased with the book and Mondino's ideas on image and style.

I thought that this book really captures the aura of Montana. I believe that only the truth is seen when looking at these pictures. Coming from a ranch here in Montana, I only see a lifestyle and a way of living and I think that many people that don't have the same oppurtunities to see what I see everyday, can see it in the pictures of this book.

Having lived in Montana and grown up on a ranch, this book was like going home. If you have never been on a working ranch to experience the wonder of the cattle and horses there is no place better than one in Montana. The Big Sky country is indeed the "last best place" and David Stoecklien has photographed it beautifully. It amazed me how an outsider could come in and really capture the essence of ranch life and the country around it. He truly depicts the struggle of working nature in all it's elements, even at 40 below zero. That is what cattle ranching is all about.

Along with the pictures are wonderful biographies about the ranches. History is the romance of a cowboy's life and many people don't know they still exist today. History in the making!

I for one,am very excited that these ranches have been now captured in history to show and tell to everyone interested the way of life these families have built. I grew up in the Milk River Valley next to the Cornwell Ranch, one of the many depicted in this book, and to see the pictures and share them with my family and friends was exciting.

The cowboy ways in moving cattle, putting up hay and rounding up horses are so excellently photographed by Mr. Stoecklein. No one has his talents to zero in on the boots, dogs, ropes, calves and other details that you know are authentic to their equipment and hardwork. It explains the life without the needs for words. You can experience the moments in the breathtaking scenery of the Big Sky country. In the cold, clear water, the mountains and the valleys all have a personallity of their own to share with us. We have purchased these books to give out at Christmas to our family in Montana to have a record of what they have been a part of.

Stoecklein's use of shading and shadow in his photography in this book really capture the Montana spirit. My wife, a born and bread Montana gal, really loved this book. She was really moved by some of the pictures. This is really a great book for the die-hard Montana resident (and you know who you are...) and anyone who likes the spirit of the northwest.

The photographs make this book. I have never visited a ranch, but I now feel like I have. "The Montana Cowboy" shows the real working life of the American cowboy, not the fluffy romantic stuff that comes out of Hollywood. This book offered me the chance to experience the realities of ranching first-hand. It holds a prominent place on my bookshelf, and it is well worth the buy.

Being first generation American with my parents born in Montserrat. I was fortunate enough to visit the island and remember what is was like before the volcano. these photos are post volcano and my family and I were happily surprised to see that the island still is quite lovely and is surviving. We have relatives that are still on the island, but they are old and just keep telling us how they miss the way the island used to be. After purchasing this book, (which by the way was extremely hard to do,and can not be done through Amazon proper, but through a reseller listed with them) I want very much to visit Montserrat again and to take my daughter to see some of her heritage. If there are any Montserratians or desendants of Montserratians reading this,please go and visit, I believe the island could use it and so could we.

This book gives you a first hand glimpse at the
magical island of Montserrat. Igor Kravetchenko brings
the island to life through his book which is separated
into two sections. The first section provides a brief
look at the history, politics, economy, nature, and
culture of the island using thumbnail size photos to
illustrate its stories. Kravetchenko enables readers
to paint their own images of Montserrat in their minds
before viewing the second section of the book. It is
this photo journal portion which truly captures the
essence of the island through vibrant images of its
landscapes, and candid photos of its people. If one
has not traveled to Montserrat this book will incite
the desire to go; and for those who have, it will feel
as though you have just returned.

Igor Kravtchenko's fabulous portrayal of Montserrat is a joy to look at and read. After returning from a wonderful week spent in Montserrat, coming home to this book on the doorstep was a fantastic way to relive our memories from a lifetime of visiting, living in and loving Montserrat. The evocative pictures show Montserrat as it truly is, an emerald paradise, and despite the devastation caused by the volcano, it remains a place we are still honoured to call home. Kravtchenko's book graces our coffee table and has already been the subject of many discussions and has inspired our friends and family to want to visit. I would reccommend this fabulous book to anybody.

What better way to mark the 10th Anniversary of the Soufriere Hills Volcano than to obtain the new publication- Photo Exploration- Montserrat and Montserratians?

The Authors- Igor Kravtchenko with his pictures and Howard A. Fergus with the script capture the very essence of what Montserrat was and is- a unique tropical paradise.

The variety of comments and opinions speak for themselves.

One Tourist had this to say- "Seeing is Believing. Montserrat is indeed an extremely beautiful place. The pictures give a comprehensive portrayal of Montserrat's charm and natural beauty. The volcano has taken nothing away."

Another Tourist just passing through, said "I must take back a copy of this book to show my friends. The book illustrates in words and in photography what I have experienced on my short stay. I want more! I must come back for more."

Even those of us who live in Montserrat have to admit that despite the fact we only live on part of the island now Montserrat seems just as appealing. This book helps us to appreciate a whole lot more, the scenic beauty we took for granted all these years.

This book captures it all; an exquisite exhibition of the flora and fauna of Montserrat.

Its art, its history, its nature, its resilience, it's Montserrat, a real Tropical Paradise on land and under the sea.

So there you are. Get yourself a copy of this book. See the variety of excellent accommodation that's available and come get a taste of our ambience and hospitality. It's an experience you'll never forget!