Digital Video Books

This is the book for those interested in making a video feature film, documentary, or short feature. It is clear, easy to follow, and full of the practical, artistic, technical, "step by step" advice that only an experienced writer director can provide. And here is the good part... it is a pleasure to read... well written, entertaining, and personal as Bergmann takes the reader through the making of his own feature, "Trifling With Fate" (screenplay included.) Bergmann does not forget his collaborators who make their own contributions to production and post-production issues often overlooked in "how to" text books. I recommend this as a "must read" to every film student as we enter into this digital era. Old hands will learn a lot, too!

It is definitively a good book. It is easy to read for everyone trying to get some knowledge about Digital Television. Its 3D graphics are a very nice way to illustrate the concepts. It also includes a color plate with some of the illustrations found around the book.

It is not a highly technical book so everybody could read it. Its brief and concise explanations will take you along the way to understand the most difficult sections even if you are not familiar with the topic.

Most of the book is written from an European perspective but it is not hard to use the things you learn from the North American view. Sometimes, but not always, there are comparisons to the American standards and that helps a lot. The American appendix is quite short for my taste. It is only 20 pages long, of which 8 are full of drawings of areas of coverage of American satellites leaving us with just 12 pages to read.

The people in Europe looking for an easy and nice way to understand digital television should definitively get it.

For people in North America, you could buy it too, but my advice is not as strong as for the European. If you enjoy comparing things and learning from practices at other parts of the globe (which I find to be a more enriching experience), this is the book for you. But, if you are looking for something fast to learn only from your side, you should be thoughtful of your decision.

Simple, easy solutions for producing high-quality video conferencing are gathered under one cover in a title that covers the hardware needed for both business and personal use. Learn about requirements, protect privacy with firewalls and control systems, understand different set-ups and options, and integrate your system with the perfect choices with Video Conferencing Over IP: Configure, Secure and Troubleshoot.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

"Video Games & Interactive Media: A Glimpse at New Digital Entertainment" is a straightforward introduction to what video games and interactive media are, and the impact that their increasing popularity has had on modern culture. Though a scholarly work, "Video Games & Interactive Media" presents its information in terms accessible to non-specialist general readers of all backgrounds, whether they are familiar with games or not; and is enhanced with a glossary and an index aid in comprehension. Black-and-white photographs and screenshots illustrate the points made about various games, their different genres, their technological advances and subtle influences, and more. From the phenomena of virtual items in multiplayer online games being sold for real-life money and thus having an impact on the real-world economy, to the business models of video game companies, to evolutions in video game artificial intelligence and much more, "Video Games & Interactive Media" is the perfect primer for any serious student, scholar, or parent needing the straight facts about interactive computer games.

First of all, "Chip" Delaney was not the author of this book, although he did write a nifty introduction relating science fiction to performance art. Barbara London's essay and chapters on the eight artists in the NYMOMA show are outstanding! Anyone curious about performance art AND any serious student of this vital topic would do well to consult this book. Each chapter focuses on an artist in this field, showing beautiful color and black & white photos of performance pieces; also included are extensive chronologies of their past shows and selective bibliographies about their work. This book is a "must" for any serious artist and art library.

A delightful book of wonderful off-the-wall fine art photographs and drawings by one of the wildest and cleverest artists around today - reminiscent of "The Far Side" cartoons of Gary Larson. Much more here than the humorous dog photos for which Wegman is best known. I saw the exhibit at the Norton Museum of Art in Palm Beach a few months ago, and couldn't wait to get home to order the book.

I bough this book and though that it will be much exiting then it was. It was nothing special for me. This book is written by not professional film maker he is not seemed to be very successful. He didn't even finished the film school and makes ugly films. I didn't like them at all. This man has no talent. How can you learn from such a person?

This book was very well written and layed out. it has some stuff that you need to know in order to make any kind of film, but also stuff you dont need to know. in a way the author of this seems to go off on little rants that arnt worth reading. but he also includes some things that hes done (permits, letters, ect.) i would highly recommend this book for any beginer film maker.

This book is good if you already know some of the basics of film making. It was worth the price and inspired me to do more work.

I got this for my boyfriend, he's starting out in filmmaking. He's upset because I keep borrowing it from him to read, even though I'm not a filmmaker. This is an amazing book, with lots of advice on dealing with people and living life....FAR more than just a book on making video. there's even stuff on computer use that helped me with writing...but mainly, it's a GUIDE FOR LIVING, somehow hidden inside a flimmaking book.

Read it. Buy it. Share it. And if you're not a filmmaker, I'd recommend starting with the last chapter. "Closing Arguments."

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$30 Film School is an absolute jewel of a book to have in your possession , as is covers every aspect of filmmaking from conception to distribution in a writing style that that is as straight forward and plebian as it is witty and concise. Michael Dean takes an approach to instructional writing that makes it seem like you are in the same room with him having a conversation. I read it straight through the first day I bought it out of sheer enjoyment and I have been referring to it on various projects ever since. Every question I have had about filmmaking has been answered and utilized in this book. I have used Dean's sage advice to attain fiscal sponsorship, to totally master my camera, to find cheap and professional ways around lighting and sound.

As I have read all of the reviews posted here, let me just state, if anyone has an issue spending 30$ on this book, they are not reading it the way it was intended. There are no quick fixes in like and you could read a whole library of books and never achieve what you want to. You have to get off your behind and do it. That is what Michael Dean is saying. If your intent is to become Michael Bey, I guess you should save your money. This is not a how to guide to becoming a Hollywood Mogul. If your intent is to figure out a feasible way to do what you love, to make art, this book will show you the way. I own at least twenty different books on the subject. THIS ONE IS THE BEST!

The iPhone is pretty easy to figure out right out of the box but this book just puts the icing on the cake. There are "finesses" for different modes that just make the phone a lot more useful & allow you to get the most out of it. Like Pogue's other "Missing Manual" books, it is a superb reference book.

I found many things in the book that I would not have found on my own. Very useful.

I finally coughed up the $500 for the coveted iPhone, and swallowed the bitter pill of having to be indentured to a cell phone company for another 2 years. And I couldn't be more thrilled with the purchase! I LOVE my iPhone - some would say a little too much.

However, my newfound love affair wouldn't be nearly as sweet if I hadn't also shelled out the $14 for iPhone: The Missing Manual.

While I would never consider myself a technogeek, I am not un-savvy in the ways of Apple computers, software and iPods. I've been using Apple products for 15-20 years. So, I was a bit concerned that this book might be a bit too much along the lines of "How To Turn On Your iPhone" -- you know, basic stuff I'd already figured out.

I was delighted to find that this book is chock full of hidden (and not so hidden) tricks and workarounds. Some of this stuff I would have NEVER figured out on my own. It's made my iPhone so much more useful and fun.

Some examples:
* How to send photos to your friend's cell phones. For some reason unknown to me, Apple didn't enable this phone to send photos directly to other cell phones. (possibly because this is more of an awesome iPod with a great phone feature, not the other way around.) Pogue gives the easy workaround, as well as the email addresses to make it happen.
* Great tips on how to use Maps. This has become an app that I use much more than I thought I would, simply because it's sooo much more in-depth and useful than I ever imagined it would be. The app isn't very intuitive, however. If I hadn't read and re-read this section in the book, I would be totally missing out on this powerful application.
* IF you don't want to be locked in to a 2-year agreement with ATT, BUY THIS BOOK BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR iPHONE!! Yep, there's a workaround for that, too!

This book is easy to read, and it's easy to remember and immediately apply its tips and tricks.

Great book, took it on the plane and read it from over to cover. Tons of terrific helps/hints for the IPhone. I've been recommending it to everyone that has an IPhone. It's a must have manual. Easy to read, easy to understand.

David Pogue's independant manual for the iPhone is, quite simply, a book you have to read if you have an iPhone - or are thinking of getting one. When you invest in an iPhone, one of the first things you'll notice as you open the box is the absence of a conventional instruction manual - especially after the ever-increasingly thick tomes supplied with Nokia et al. So whereas the iPhone is extremely user-friendly, it's accompanying leaflet is derisory if you really want to get the best from Apple's baby. In an easy-to-read and logical layout, the "Missing Manual" addresses all the questions you're ever likely to raise about iPhones and answers them.
Now all we need is a Volume Two to do the same for the Version Two, 3G iPhone when it is (finally) released - and if Mr. Apple is reading this in Apple valley, US of A, please send me a 3G, V2 iPhone as soon as you can - after you've sent one to Mt. Pogue!

This is a great book for any level of photography. It has tips for beginners and for experts that will help take a great picture of those beloved moments. This also is great for helping get the most out of any camera that you have. I believe this book is worth getting if you are into photography. Good luck with your camera

This is an introduction to digital photography book that you can read from cover to cover (I did). I just purchased my first DSLR after many point & shoot cameras and I believe it's vital to know the info covered in this book in order to upgrade your photography skills to match your new equipment.

Highly recommended.

In depth yet easy to understand topics regarding digital photography and use of dslrs. highly reccommend.

Complete Digital Photography (4th Ed) is a good basic explanation of how digital photography differs from film. Having browsed the 3rd edition before buying the 4th, I found much of the 4th Ed to be repetitive and there was not substantive new material. That does not diminish the value of this book if you are getting started in digital photography. This book should be of value to the novice photographer as well as the accomplished amateur who is switching from film to digital. Warning: if you are looking for a book to guide you through the artistic side of photography -- the 'how-to-take-a-great-picture' instructions, this is not the book for you. This book explains how things work, why they work the way they do, and can serve as an excellent reference for the novice digital photographer as he or she gets more into the craft and wants to try new things. As a relatively accomplished amateur film photographer, it has eased my transition to SLR-digital.

While Ben may have some good ideas, he clearly lacks in the knowledge of the cameras. This shows through time and again. For example, the fact that he will choose a camera of a specific brand over a better camera from another brand only because of the name printed on the body is simply laughable. Very biased towards certain products without regard for what works best. Sometimes when he gives advise that is completely wrong simply because he doesn't know enough on how to use a particular device or technique.

This is an AMAZING resource for any artist interested in transferring methods.
ESPECIALLY when you purchase the DVD that goes along with it. I recommend you do.

I bought this book about a year ago, and have found it very useful. Useful in re-thinking what printmaking is and can be, useful in fairly good details on some quite interesting techniques. This isn't for the beginner I don't think but as I have my own etching press and a good printer with a straight thru path it opened up a world of new possibilities to me.

Pros: A huge variety of processes. Lots of illustrations of working with the materials.

Con: Some processes do require access to expensive equipment, but with some imagination this isn't as limiting as first appears. Some references and specific equipment is dated, most OK.

I've seen criticism of their art - but that's not even relevant, art is about PROCESS, and the biggest positive about this book is that it is all about process. One page alone started me down a road of exploration that has lasted 10 months now - and I don't see the end. Four years of graduate art school didn't excite me this much. [...]

This is an amazing book. I love all the techniques she shares & the gorgeous pictures throughout. I am very pleased. I have also purchased the DVD & can't wait for that to arrive.

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This is the book that will free your creativity from the complacency that may have set in by accepting the limited substrate offerings from printer manufactures. Through the well documented guidance of the authors, we can embrace past printing techniques while introducing modern techniques that a computer and software like Illustrator, Photoshop, Painter and Maya have to offer. I highly recommend it if you are serious about exploring a new level of creativity to your artwork.
* /

Woohoo!
Drew

This is the best book if your looking for that edge when diplaying your images. I have all these wonderful images but really coudl'nt get them into a gallery, I have already been offered a place in a gallery because of this book.

There are so many ways to diplay here. Getting through your printer is easy, I found finding the polyproylene in Australia was a little hard but the net is good for that. The directions are so simple and if you need help I have found the girls are only to pleased to assits if you ask.

Thank you so much girls for this wonderful book.

Once I have dealt with the Dry Emulsion Transfers I will move onto some of the other chapters.

Kind Regards From Helen