Macintosh Books

Mac Digital Photography is written in a fun and friendly, yet professional manner. You will learn a variety of techniques in many short examples. I hesitate to call them tutorials, because most of these examples are essentially a short number of steps that are between 1 and a few sentences in length. There are also many bulleted lists that contain useful definitions and explainations.

Both of these formats are very easy to learn from. If you are uncomfortable with image editing, you will definitely find this book easy to follow because of this. You won't get bogged down in long and complex tutorials - the examples are short and concise, and very easy to follow. The best feature of this book is how useful it is to beginners; however, it will also benefit people who are more advanced computer users - but who might never have taken a close look at really how to go about making their digital pictures look better. Cropping, editing and color correction can make a crappy picture 100% better.

What I found as an unexpected bonus was a wealth of projects and crafts that you could create using your digital camera. This is something I have not done much work with at all (apart from printing my photos on fancy papers). Finding out how to create greeting cards and other projects was a nice surprise, and the projects were presented in a clear and fun way by the author(s). For the full review, visit http://www.flash-mx.com/books/macphotography.cfm

On first glance, you might wonder why there is a special book on digital photography for Macintosh owners. After all, the camera doesn't know what kind of computer you use, and the key software tools for post processing, such as Photoshop and Photoshop Elements are available for both Mac and Windows platforms.

But think about it some more, and you'll realize that, indeed, the Mac is more than a platform -- it's a way of looking at how you use a computer. This book follows that approach, with more than you'd find in a book aimed at the general digital photography audience. For example, there are crafts and projects in this book, showing you ways to use digital photography that you might not have thought of. There's even a disc full of try-out software and other goodies, which is something of an anachronism in these days when any of the products included can be downloaded over a broadband connection in a few minutes. But, Mac users are more interested in ease of use, so the disc makes sense.

No doubt Mac owners will flock to this book, in much the same way that they've made the Macintosh a favored platform for digital photographers, both amateur and professional.

The very first paragraphs in MAC Digital Photography give very good advice - get close to your subject! Ah yes, what many photographers fail to do. They want everything in the picture when what you really want is to focus on your subject. Remember to use the Rule of Thirds and your photos will capture exactly what you want to see in them. Remember, too, to make your backgrounds simple and uncluttered. Don't distract the viewer with images unrelated to what you want them to see.

Wow and that's only the first two pages in the book. If you learn nothing else from reading this book, remember those points and your pictures will be greatly improved. Other points discussed include camera angle, orientation, and lighting. Tips on setting up your home photo studio are included. Keep reading the first chapter is you want information on depth of field and exposure and posing your subjects

All of this great information was contained in Chapter one and there are eight more yet to read in this well written and easy to understand book. Without going into a rewriting of the book, other chapters contain explanations of what digital camera you should get, some of the software available to make corrections to your photos after you take them and how to use that software, how to get the photos in a hard copy format and don't forget about saving them to CD or DVD.

Another chapter explains how to share your pictures by email or watching it on your own TV. It also tells about using your camera as a "notepad" for such things as remembering a quote in a book or showing your spouse several outfits you might buy but couldn't decide which one.

Chapter 10 tells all about the items you can create from the photos you take with the digital camera. Things like, greeting cards or photo wheels - a picture wheel to show your mood for the day. A collage is a fun thing to display on your wall and this chapter helps you create one.

Finally, there is a CD loaded with software for your MAC - a trial version of PhotoShop Elements 2, DVD PictureShow, FlipAlbum3, PhotoToWeb, plus a demo version of LiveSlideShow 2,0 and the shareware version of GraphicConverter. Still not enough software? There are others such as Photo to Movei, Image Surfer, Stitcher, Genuine Fractals, PrintPro and iVCD for Video CDs!

If you are thinking of buying or already have a digital camera to go along with your MAC, this book would make a great hands-on help file to have right at your fingertips.

I recently bought my first Mac and after many years as a Windows programmer and an Amiga enthusiast before that. Suddenly I was a newbie again. This book helped me get over that very quickly. It's a fast way to get going. The author breaks up each aspect the OS into one or two page bites with enumerated instructions, making it easy to digest and even find things in a hurry. If you determine you are reading some aspect of the OS you already understand, the layout makes it easy to skip to the next part. She also includes lots of tips that add to the basics.

There are LOTS of screens shots; usually 3 to 4 per page. The prices is right and they don't include a CD-ROM which so many computer books do. That only inflates the price and rarely adds anything of value.

Having just purchased a Mac G-4 for my son for his graphics work, I wanted to learn to use it as well. All my previous experience being with Windows I was a little nervous as to how long it would take to get working familiar with the OS system, which turned out to be no time at all thanks to this book. It gets right to the topic, lots of pictures of the screens you are using, lets you know when there is more than one way to do something, lets you know where it the book parts of the same topic are gone over in different detail. You can skip around in the book to find what you want without losing any continuity, or do like I did and just start at the begining. The information is presented straightforward and easy to understand. I could not have asked for a better teaching book.

You may have recently purchased a shiny new Blueberry iMac, and -- if you're like me -- discovered that the much praised Mac OS graphical user interface is not quite as intuitive as legend has it. As a Windows user for many years -- I was stumped by the lack of maximizing windows, right-clicks and Explorers. The information is often difficult to find in the Mac help files, and the iMac comes with very little documentation. THIS BOOK makes it all clear very, very quickly. Like all the books in this excellent series, every step is fully illustrated and completely explained. I am using my iMac now in ways I didn't even dream I could.

This book really helped me out. The author gives you lots of tips and it is easy to get it all !! Not one of this technical book where you don't understand anything..
Well written and easy to read, I strongly recommend it to anyone who wants to improve his/her Mac skills !!

This book helped me realize I was one of those people using only superficial aspects of my Apple computer, even though I've had a Mac for a couple of years. After only a few pages I picked up shortcuts and tips to speed up the way I surf the Internet, handle my mail and organize files. Keyboard shortcuts quickly became automatic and I chastised myself for all the time I'd wasted with one hand glued to the mouse.
This writer does not load you down with complicated technical paragraphs. G.W. Smithe writes for the average guy or gal who opens up a laptop and wants to get things done with a minimum of hassle. It's a straighforward book, a user guide that will work for 90 percent of the people who could use a little help optimizing their computer time.
Perfect for someone who just bought their first Macintosh.

Finally... someone wrote an easy-to-read book about using a computer. This isn't one of those complicated (boring) manuals full of complex procedures. It's a basic approach to understanding how a Mac works, just what a person needs after switching from a Windows PC. There are lots of tips about using OS X and the author mixes in a little light humor to keep it interesting. G.W. Smithe writes without apology for being a Macintosh believer, but he also points out Mac features that could be changed for the better. He has boiled down hundreds of topics into the basic stuff you really need to know. Get this book if you are relatively new to Macs or thinking about a switch from PCs.

If you're looking for a general Mac book, this is one you'll want to tuck into you're library next to The Mac Bible and The System 9 books by David Pogue. I've known Amy for a number of years and I know what she put into this book. It's well thought out, well researched and, even in 2000, helpful to the typical Mac user. Amy's an excellent Mac teacher and she knows how to distil the basic facts into phrases that both new and experienced users can understand and use. I've had a copy of this book on my selves since the day it came out and I keep refering to it all the time. You will too.

when I began my quest for macintosh knowledge many years ago, I bought this book. Then, I fell in love with the mac. Now, granted, the book is a tad dated, but the basics are there and one simply cant go wrong with this book as a starter. it will always hold a place of honor on my shelf. amy laskin should be commended for this work. YOU SHOULD READ IT! SHE DESERVES THE MONEY!

A computer book with a sense of humor, this book gives you helpful ideas for organizing your Macintosh hard drive, valuable troubleshooting tips, etc. A gem

Even though on-line help (prevalent in most computer applications today) has its advantages, it is good to know that there is help in a book format that is much more detailed, well-organized, and better illustrated. It is rare that I encounter a problem with Microsoft Word that is not addressed in Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac.

I found this book very helpful, easy to follow and not compicated in their directions. I would highly recommend this book for the novice or those that have extended experience with the Mac or Office and the price is a bargain.

The In a Snap books do not presume that you are a Dummy or an Idiot. They presume that you are a smart person, not afraid of computers, but that you need to learn how to use something new, like a piece of software on your computer. Further they assume that you want to get started without having to pour through all the 1500 pages or so in the guru level book. This book takes the Office 2004 software package for the Mac computer and gives it the In a Snap approach.

In evaluating books on Office, I always look first to see if they discuss Pivot Tables in the section on Excel. A surprising number of books don't, or give them very short treatment. In this book the index sends you to page 263, that puts you right in the middle of a discussion on pivot tables. Flipping back a page or three gets you to a section called Find Relationships Between Data. What an excellent idea, that's what a pivot table really is, but doesn't have the problem of the dumb name Pivot Table. The discussion is as good as I've seen anywhere in explaining what you can use them for.

The next thing I found was inside the front cover where they have a "Contents at a Glance." This sends you to, not the page number - that's the function of the index, but to a section identified by its own numbering system. Really a handy way to get where you want to jump in to solve the problem you're having at the moment.

Folks, I bought my Mac, a copy of Macs for Dummies, and in just a week I was flying with it! I went back to the store and grabbed a copy of More Macs for Dummies, and have been having a ball with my Mac ever since. These books are NOT manuals, indeed, I read mine "away" from my computer, by taking the book to work with me and reading on my breaks. Each night, I'd try out my new-found knowledge on my Mac. I cannot recommend this book highly enough! Every Mac home should have Macs & More Macs for dummies on their shelves. David Pogue is a delightful author; humourous, knowlegeable, and a fantastic teacher

Don't be Fooled by other author's who write MAC FOR DUMMIES BOOKS. David Pogue is the Master Mac writer. Anyone else is a pale wannabee. This book helped me learn to use my Mac within a week and I didn't even feel any pain! It was fun to read and easy to follow. I'm ready!!! More, More, More!! Marilyn

If you read & enjoyed MAC FOR DUMMIES, you will Love this one. It is even funnier& more informative than MAC FOR DUMMIES. It will help you with all those questions you are afraid to call Apple about because you think they will write "DUH" next to your name in a secret Mac File and you will sound like the numero uno Mac expert at the next users meeting or in the office with very little effort on your part. Mr. pogue does all the heavy lifting & we benefit. Thank you for another great Mac book, Mr. Pogue. Keep 'em coming. Eileen

I found this book very helpful in learning to use all of Painter's features effectively. It was easy to read & has lots of good photos. My only wish is that it had more accurate instructions on using the CD.

My favorite section was on the Painter pallets. It shows example pictures for each "brush" & it's variants. Sample photos also showed the various options available in the gradient box. These made it far easier to know what tool to use.

Other sections of the book covered masking, image hose use, painting & composite techniques, special effects, working with type, enhancing & outputting images, animation & web application, and using Painter with other programs.

The CD contains some good movies on making blobs, creating an image hose from a floater, building and editing floaters maps and making mosaic or patterned type. It also includes tutorials on making movies & working with color.

This book is very useful, in that the ideas and follow-through presented will get you well into capable use of the software. The organization, quality and content are top-notch.
Job Well Done!

Wayne D
Arizona-where art is everywhere!

It's an incredible book! A must-have for all Painter users. The book contains step by step instructions to create amazing effects seen on fully colored pictures.

This novel sucks you in from page one and does not let you go!

I began reading this after Pandemic Predator & expected good things, but did NOT expect to be so enraptured & engrossed by it. From chapter one, you are introduced to a variety of hot button issues, and you know that they are going to explode later in the book - but Maureen keeps you on the hook until the last crucial minute before divulging any crucial detail. When you finally understand the complex nature of these issues, you realize that Maureen has weaved multiple topics together and completely pulls the rug out from beneath you in an amazing crescendo.

Books with catches and hooks like these that keep you on your toes and breathless while reading - waiting for more - but not sure of what is coming next - and dying to survive each crisis with the main character - are very hard to come by. I was so sad when this novel was over, because I WANTED MORE!

The most surprising element in this book for me is the fact that this book is not a boring rescitation of environmental issues. This is a suspense novel like you wouldn't believe, that just so happens to occur in an environmental setting. You have your legal drama, your side-issues of love interests, betrayal, cheating, lying, dishonesty, money, family, death threats - all woven together in a book that happens to involved environmental litigation. Maureen does not overwhelm with legal definitions or political expression about environmental issues, and manages to explain certain topics in a way that focuses on the suspenseful setting of the characters. I was amazed that I would be so enraptured by a book that involves seemingly dry material - not one page - not one sentence! - of this book was dry or slow.

My only regret is that I finished reading this book in a matter of hours and now I have no more to read! I'm dying to get the next books she publishes because I want more about Mary MacIntosh!

Great Superb! This is a book you can not put down. While reading, you become engrossed in the characters and their surroundings because of the awesome detail. It leaves readers searching for the next novel written by Maureen Meehan Aplin.

This newest read is a page turner and extremely provocative in its theme....all this guarantees that the reader will not be disappointed. Once again, author/lawyer Aplin shows the kind of imagination and savvy that is sure to delight readers

At first I was a bit perplexed by a CDROM that's more an interactive objet-d'art than a game; and in the first night I played with this for like eight hours, until I thought I'd played it to death and would never touch it again. But I found its strange imagery coming back to me, and I tinker with it more and more now, sometimes just to hear the interesting background music, of which there is a LOT.

The packaging for this CD says it contains over two hours of instrumental music or spoken word performance, and it's true. Some of the music I recognize from "Ugly One With The Jewels", and some of it was even background music that Laurie Anderson did for Spalding Grey's movie "Swimming to Cambodia" (and as far as I know, no soundtrack CD was ever released of that).

If you find yourself wanting to hear the music on its own, it's straightforward to sift thru the CDROM's directories, find the AIFC files (*.AIF), decompress them (easy on a Mac with SoundApp -- I don't know what you'd use for handling AIFCs on other platforms), and burn them to audio CD for your personal listening fun. Now, there's not many CDROMs where the music is so good that you'd want to do that! But this is sure one of them.

I would love to be able to review this CD-ROM, but 2 1/2 months
after placing my order, Amazon wrote that they could not supply
it.

So why does Amazon still have it for sale?

Clicking the "used and new" link, I find some used versions for
more than the "new" price". It seems there was originally a
Macintosh only version, and then a Windows/Mac version.
A "new" Mac/Windows version is available from Amazon seller
"amana2" for USD$225.

Googling indicates that the Voyager company which produced
"Puppet Motel" no longer exists. I can't find a mention of it at
Laurie Anderson's site, though apparently in the past there was
a reference, pointing to Amazon as the place to purchase the
CD-ROM.

"Puppet Motel" is highly regarded, so I gave it five stars in
absentia. But Amazon deserves a negative number of stars for
pretending to be able to supply it.

When I bought this I was a little worried it would be out of date because it is a few years old, but WOW! Incredible, awesome, always surprising, entertaining. I love it more than her CDs!

This book is tremendous for professional graphic artists using Photoshop for high end electronic pre-press production. It's full of useful techniques and guidance not only on how to color correct, etc., but also what to look out for. We are an electronic graphic arts production company in the Chicago area, and we learned a lot from this book

This book should be included as a standard accessory in any digital artist toolbox. I use this book as a desktop companion whenever I am working on images with Photoshop. JWoods@kodak.com

Taking you step by step from picking a computer system, through calibrating it, acquiring images, correcting them, and getting them on paper, Real World Photoshop 3 is a whirlwind introduction to pre-press production. As a photographer with no publishing experience, I was fascinated by some of the things that could be achieved with my images as I applied each chapter. I was also horrified at the bloopers I had unwittingly pulled and relieved to find ways to avoid them. David and Bruce share their personal approaches (and differences of opinion), which gave me a bit of reassurance. The humor interspersed is head and shoulders above that in "Photoshop for Dummies" and does not distract when you are struggling to grasp a hard concept.