Photography Books


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Photography Books sorted by Average customer review: high to low .

Photography
Complete Photoshop CS2 For Digital Photographers (Graphics Series)
Published in Paperback by Charles River Media (2005-11-01)
Author: Colin Smith
List price: $39.95
New price: $17.99
Used price: $14.98

Average review score:

Good Addition for Photoshop Middle Skill Users
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-21
Mr. Smith's book is well illustrated and supported by the accompanying CD (images to work with that are in the book). His explanations are clear to the Photoshop user and he does explain some terms, as in methods of cropping and re-sizing an image and which method is suited for which type of image), file formats of images, and other areas like the applications under adjustments that I had not used until I began working with the book.
I have found some techniques that are similar to other authors (Scott Kelby, in particular, whose books I have enjoyed quite a lot), and that was part of my interest in purchasing the book-to broaden my reference library with people aside from Kelby, Deke McClelland, and some folks on-line like Earth-Bound Light and Photography, etc). I recommend purchase. Readable, well cross-referenced, and helps deliver results.

Excellent
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-08
Excellent training material. I would also recomment The Photoshop CS2 Book For Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby. The combination is outstanding.

Photoshop CS2
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-29
I was really surprised this was such an excellent book. Usually I just read the chapters I am interested in , but I read this whole book--it was just so instructional and one that I will keep close to the computer for reference book.

Good Book
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-20
I am an amaetuer photographer. This book has helped me fine tune my photos and bring out its full potential. I will gladly recommend this book to anyone who wants to gain more knowledge on photography and perhaps learn a very powerful photo editing tool.

An Okay book for Photoshop novices
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-13
This book has a lot of good information in it, but is not well written. You may be halfway through a paragraph before you get to the topic sentence and figure out what the author is talking about. It often takes a second or third trip through a paragraph to figure out what it's about. The author also is not consistent with his word usage. I've found as many as three or four different words used for the same thing. For instance luminosity and brightness are used interchangeably, sometimes on the same page or even the same paragraph. So, using the book can be frustrating, though the author clearly knows Photoshop and I have learned a lot from the book.
The book does not mention or discuss some of the neatest features of Photoshop CS2 including some of the Automate features such as Merge to HDR (high dynamic range). This feature combines an underexposed and an overexposed picture into one high dynamic range image (bright areas are not washed out and dark areas are not black). This is an amazing capability that is not mentioned.
I would buy this book again, but only after searching diligently for one that covers the same scope or more and is better written. Actually, I'd probably get a book that covers CS3 as well, and hopefully indicates where features are unique to CS3. Or maybe just a CS3 book if you are going to upgrade. I understand the upgrade to CS3 is well worth the price even though it is now $200. Ease of use alone makes CS3 valuable to novices from what I've read.

Photography
Corporate & Location Photography (Kodak Pro Workshop Series)
Published in Paperback by Eastman Kodak Co. (1998-09)
Author: Gary Gladstone
List price: $29.95
New price: $10.00
Used price: $5.40

Average review score:

Tips and Tactics from Gladstone, THE corporate pro
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2004-10-05
Having worked with Gary on many annual reports (some of our photos he shot are in this book), I can honestly say that it was a pleasure to work with such a consumate professional such as Gary and his assistant, Matt Proulx. We spent countless hours, days and weeks on location capturing some of the greatest shots our firm has ever produced for our clients. This book was being written as we were shooting several reports (see page 152 for a great example of what a photographer is usually given to work "magic" with) and what he says is absolute gospel when it comes to the photo road warrior. Much of the time spent is hurry up and wait and then race like mad to get the shot because of circumstances out of the control of the photographer. Gary's best advice inside this book tells the seasoned pro or aspiring one how to save time, money and sanity while trying to get the best possible shot. Practical, straightforward, and always grumpy, Gary Gladstone will make you a better photographer if you listen to what he is telling you. Buy this book if you desire to be the best corporate photographer you can be.

Great Book about being a PROFESSIONAL
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2003-01-19
Gary Gladstone has taken the art of being a good photographer and crafted a book on how to be a successful professional photographer. Its not enought to take good photos, and this book shows you what else you need if you are thinking about making money, and not just spending it, in pictures.

WATCH OUT!!!!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 12 total.
Review Date: 2001-11-28
I'm a begginer in this field, there is no doubt this is a good book. But, if you are a begginer too, don't buy this one, because it has just 30 pages for "TRICKS & HINTS" out of 160. There are a lot of photographs, but it is a shame there is no explanation on what lences, nor films, nor speed shutter, etc. he is using.
He only talks about "HOW TO DO BUSSINESS", it is good, and about dealing with people (your assistant, your clients), this is usefull too.
By the other hand, I don't think it is more usefull how to packing your equipement than how to take a good photograph.
So, the title of the book has got nothing to do with the content. WATCH OUT!!!

This is the Stuff They Don't Teach In Schools!
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2002-02-04
This is just a wonderful book for anybody building a business as a freelance photographer. Gary tells you the inside stuff that many pros even keep from their assistants. The book loaded with real world examples of how problems get solved and how to steer your job planning to keep from getting in trouble later. If you're going to shoot outside your studio, then this book should put your mind at ease with strategies. He walks you through real problems with examples of how to avoid or get out of jams.

Gladstone teaches how to think your way through a job. The chapter on assistants is a much read if you're thinking of starting that way.

The visuals are great! Makes you want to run out and start shooting. I just love this book. Thanks Gary.

Walt Moon

This book is simply the best of its kind.
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2001-11-23
It gives you hard won experience from a photographer at the top of his field. From what (and how) to pack for a travelling assignment, to making sure you get paid on time.

But not only that, Gary Galadstone gives you the benefit of his creative mind too. How to creatively shoot your way out of tricky situations. Turning potentially hopeless locations into great photographs.

I got the impression that Gary was trying to include as much as possible in this book. He could have left loads out and it would still have been a good book.

Just buy it, you wont be sorry. I'm sure I'm not the only person to have wished he had read it at the beginning of his career.

I found this book so generous with tips, codes of practise and his experience I felt I had to personally thank the author, and THAT doesn't often happen!

Photography
Dog Page-A-Day Gallery Calendar 2008
Published in Calendar by Workman Publishing Company (2007-06-30)
Author: Workman Publishing Company
List price: $15.99
New price: $61.05
Used price: $83.86

Average review score:

For the Love of Dogs
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-23
This calender is for those that love all types of dogs. Not only are the pictures of the animals great, but the quality of the calendar is superb. The prints are on heavy constructed paper and are supported by the plastic holder that lets you easily view each day. For each picture there are wonderful quotes from famous, non-famous, and anonymous dog lovers. Finally, enjoy the double sided prints by simply moving each day from the front to the back. Make sure they stay in order because in the middle of the year you must flip the stack of pictures. Dog Page-A-Day calendar reminds and instructs on when this should be done. It is simple and fun. A great interactive calendar for the young and old. Have fun fellow dog lovers.

Dog Gallery Calendar
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-13
I am very pleased with the quality of this product. The transaction went smoothly and I received the calendar sooner than anticipated.

DID NOT LIKE THIS CALENDAR
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-08
EVERY YEAR I BUY THE DOG PAGE A DAY CALENDAR AND EVERY DAY YOU JUST TEAR OFF THAT DAY AND SOMETIMES I WILL SAVE IT. THIS YEAR I ORDERED THIS ONE BY MISTAKE. IT IS QUITE LARGER CALENDAR AND YOU HAVE TO SAVE EVERY DAY AND TURN THEM OVER TO CONTINUE THE CALENDAR. THE OTHER PAGE A DAY CALENDAR IS NOT AS INFORMAL AND I JUST LOVE IT. SINCE THEN I HAVE REORDERED THE OTHER CALENDAR.

Good product
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-07
Not as entertaining as dog a day but still high quality and a valuable product.

Photographic calendar
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-01
This calendar as well as the Cat Gallery calendar are traditional holiday gifts in our family. Every year we have several requests for one or the other. I believe I bought 6 this year! I start getting requests for this back in October/early November. It is the gift that keeps on giving all year. This Gallery edition is far superior to the regular page a day calendar; its' photographs are outstanding!

Photography
Koalas: Moving Portraits of Serenity
Published in Hardcover by Koala Jo Publishing (2006-03-01)
Author:
List price: $45.00
New price: $85.00
Used price: $48.77

Average review score:

Amazing quality--everyone who sees my copy LOVES this book!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-11-28
Koalas: Moving Portraits of Serenity is an impressive book and was obviously a labor of love by its editor, Joanne Ehrich. I am amazed each time I look through the extensive collection of superb photographs. The organization, excellent presentation, and informative text make this a captivating book that you will cherish. Once you get it, you probably won't be satisfied putting it in a bookshelf because it is such a beautiful book to display.

With its wide appeal and outstanding quality, this book makes a great gift! It will be especially welcomed in any home where there are children, but it will be loved by people of all ages. If you have a child or grandchild in school, check the school's library--if they don't have this book, buy an extra copy and donate it.

Breathtaking, fascinating and stunning
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-05-03
Browsing through the pages of Koalas: Moving Portraits of Serenity and finding this many photographs of one of the cutest animals on earth is pure magic! I, along with my children, have always been intrigued and fascinated by these unique creatures. This marvelous work is the end product of drive, knowledge, photographic genius, vision, and sheer talent. We will display this book on our bookshelf with pride. Its inception is breathtaking. This book is richly deserving of success.

information on koalas with numerous color photographs
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-05-02
The 315 photographs by over 100 different photographers are grouped in chapters on various aspects of Australia's koalas such as feeding, types (three), and life cycle. Photographs within each chapter and overall have also been ordered to illustrate the koala's movement along the ground, up tree trunks, among branches, and in some cases with a young koala clinging to a mother's back. In keeping with this, some of the pages have several side-by-side smaller photographs in which the koala's sequence of movements stand out especially. Besides offering an opportunity for viewers to enjoy numerous pictures of the always fetching, cute-looking koala, the work has the aim of presenting a broader picture of the koala to publicize environmental threats to it. Koalas are so gentle and congenitally slow-moving and approachable because with "no natural predators in their distant past, [they] have underdeveloped adrenal glands and therefore did not develop the same flight-or-fight mechanisms" of most other animals. This is but one of the little-known facts found in short introductions to the chapters of this book largely of photographs.

Beautiful Book
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-05-09
With hundreds of magnificent photos as well as superbly written and very informative text, Koalas: Moving Portraits of Serenity is a sheer delight. The amazing talent of the writer, Joanne Ehrlich, come shining through. Her deep love for these wonderful animals is evident on every page. The book is a treasure, reminding us that we share the planet with many creatures that deserve our continual appreciation and respect. This is an extremely inspiring book.

-Andi Bruno, Yoga Instructor And Meditation Teacher

The koala stare melts your heart
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-05-03
Foreword by Deborah Tabart, Afterword by Jack Hanna

In America we have come to see the koala (commonly called a koala bear) as a cute, fluffy bear found in Australia. We see it as quintessentially Australian.

But the koala, technically speaking, is not a bear. As it has a pouch for its young it is technically of the marsupial family. Most marsupials are found in Australia, a good number in South America, and the Virginia opossum the only marsupial found in North America. Usually we think of kangaroos, another Australian animal, when we think of marsupials.

The koala also seems to be a laid-back, relaxed animal. It photographs well because it doesn't scare easily. Is this because the koala had no natural enemies? Of course it's trusting nature dooms them today-many Australians have not seen a koala in the wild.

This book is primarily a photo book featuring koalas. Brief text tells us about the koala, it's land, and it's habitat. There are three types of koalas in Australia and each is described with photos so the reader can tell the difference as they are pointed out in the book. In addition is a brief history of the koala and its habits. The enigma that is the koala is even found among the aborigines in Australia. The myths of the aborigines is filled with koala references-I imagine if these stories were gathered in a book you would have a "koala coda." Since koalas rarely drink any water at all, aboriginal folklore suggested that koalas have a knack for stealing water.

This delightful and colorful book brings to our attention the need to preserve the koala for future generations. With scintillating photos and crisp text the reader will come away with a greater appreciation og these serene animals--and a sense of wanting to do what's right to save these precious beings. With a gaze that only a koala can give, how can you not have it in your heart to buy this delightful book and enjoy the many pictures and brief descriptions of the cuddly koala?

Photography
Meetings with Remarkable Trees
Published in Paperback by Random House (1998-11-10)
Author: Thomas Pakenham
List price: $26.00
New price: $13.75
Used price: $11.14

Average review score:

Mesmerizing
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-16
I happened to find this paperback version on the bargain shelf at Borders for $5, and I made the decision to buy it just on looking at the first photograph alone. Impulsive? Yeah, but I don't regret it at all. I just bought this book tonight, so I haven't actually read it yet. However, just looking at the photographs was mesmerizing. There are some really incredible trees out there in the world and I think the author has done a great job of capturing some of them. If you don't come across this book on a bargain shelf somewhere don't worry, it is well worth the price that Amazon is asking.

"Very Ancient Trees with Strong Personalities"
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-20
As I recall it, I first saw this book in 1996 or 1997 at the Midnight Special Bookstore in Santa Monica before they closed. The photographs of the trees were the most breathtaking photographs of trees I had ever encountered. I didn't buy the book then, but I remembered it for a long time afterward, and then my husband gave me a copy of it for Christmas a few years ago.

What I particularly like about this book - beside the photographs - is that it contains a Gazetteer at the back which tells the reader where the trees are located, what page they are pictured on, what kind of tree they are and whether they are accessible to the public, whether they are part of the Forest Enterprise or whether they are part of the National Trust. It also gives the reader a designation for Champion trees with full measurements. This is very handy and has saved me from having to pull all this information together myself.

My husband and I are going to be in Surrey this summer and we are looking forward to paying a visit to several of the trees mentioned - in particular - the Crowhurst Yew (pp. 120-21) and the Tandridge Yew (pp. 22-23) located in the churchyard at Tandridge in Surrey. These are probably the most spectacular. There are also several others at Kew Gardens which we are hoping to visit (tulip tree p. 61, hybrid strawberry p. 67, chestnut-leaved oak p. 71, maidenhair (Ginko), p. 83, Chinese wisteria p. 151, as well as the Knap Hill weeping beech p. 155, at the Knapp Hill Nursery in Surrey).

The introduction is very poignant. Pakenham recalls his encounters with trees which prompted him to create this book. He recalls a severe storm in Ireland in January, 1991, which toppled 12 out of 19, of his 200 year old, 100 foot high beech trees which once inhabited his garden - "all had been good friends to five generations of our family." "Why had I not looked at them more carefully before?" he asks.

a Wonderful Tree Lovers Book
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-17
This is an amazing book from the stunning photographs to the detailed stories about each remarkable tree. It is also scattered with beautifull 18thC etching of illustrated trees that refer to the tree being discussed.I found this book quite beautiful. I would definately recommend this book to anyone who is passionate about trees. Or to anyone who is looking for great photograhic reference as I was.

Inspirational!
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-27
Pakenham's Meetings with Remarkable Trees and his Remarkable Trees of the World are portraits, not just pictures, each book documenting the impressive presence of sixty venerable trees from around the world. Pakenham groups them by their histories: Natives, Travelers, Shrines, Fantasies and Survivors. Each is a testimony to the majesty of Nature's creativity, diversity and adaptability.

Pakenham shares the unique history of each of these outstanding personalities, in the context of its species and its struggles for survival - ever threatened by man's over-cutting and under-husbandry of these irreplaceable resources.

Inspirational!

Beautiful trees, beautiful writing, beautiful book.
Helpful Votes: 9 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2005-07-21
If you need a gift for a nature lover or photographer that you really like, this is the book for them. And get yourself a copy while you're at it.

Briefly, the author takes wonderful photographs of trees that affect and inspire him in Great Britain. Included with each tree is a history of the tree and facts and vignettes associated with the tree. His camera-work is impeccable and if you've ever tried to photograph a whole tree you will recognize the talent and work that have gone into this book.

The writing that accompanies the pictures is compelling and interesting. The author has obviously done his homework.

You can lose yourself for an hour at a time, or you can put this on your coffee table and get compliments from your guests, but have one in your library where you can get inspired and calm at the same time.

Photography
Ocean
Published in Hardcover by DK ADULT (2006-10-16)
Authors: Robert Dinwiddie and Louise Thomas
List price: $50.00
New price: $29.89
Used price: $20.83

Average review score:

Surpassed expectations
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-01
This book contains stunning pictures, interesting fact and information, information on the most spectacular beaches and ocean crated phenomena, tidal and wave phenomena, weather related phenomena, and information on many, many species of sharks, whales, jellyfish, fish, crabs, coral, etc. A must buy for any ocean/nature lovers, nonfiction coffee table book fans/collectors, or anyone who just love interesting facts and appreciates stunning photography.

A visual and informational feast!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-08
This is a huge book packed with information and gorgeous photography. There is plenty of science contained in these glossy pages from how the planets in our solar system formed, to the breakup and movement of our land masses to their current day positions, ocean currents, weather, ecology, glacial periods, and so much more. Most of the first half of the book is devoted to these subjects. The second half of the book gets into ocean life, from the smallest to the largest, how they live, feed, defend themselves. The pictures are breathtaking. This is a great educational book for all family members. Trust me, this one won't just sit around on your coffee table.

Wonderful science book on the Ocean
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-20
This book is not a typical "coffee table" book. Although full of beautiful photographs, there is equal emphasis on educational text. Instead of being a book containing only full-page photos of ocean life, each page is a collage of wonderful photos and short articles that you will want to read. The publisher of this book (DK), offers a variety of books in this format (travel, etc), and the layout of this book is similar. That is not to knock the photos at all - they are great and some are full-page, but this book isn't page after page of full-page photos as some others are.

That said, this is an excellent educational text with so much interesting information to offer. (It made me want to read the book cover-to-cover, which would probably keep me busy for at least a few days!)

The four main sections of the book include:

Introduction
Ocean Environments
Ocean Life
Atlas of the Oceans

The Introduction section takes a scientific look at the earth. A sampling of the topics of this section include "The Evolution of the Oceans", "Tectonics and the Ocean Floor", "Hurricanes", and "El Nino and La Nina". Mixed in with the photos are a number of color drawings and graphs to help the reader understand the concepts.

The section on Ocean Environments includes articles on specific places like San Francisco Bay and Hardanger Fjord as well as general information on habitats such as Salt Marshes, Mangrove Swamps and Rocky Sea Beds. The pages are full of photos of the areas as well as typical species found there.

The largest section is on Ocean Life and focuses on the variety of creatures found in the sea. Exhibited within these pages are a number of amazing photos of plants and animals that I had not seen before (though I'm not an expert on this subject) including creatures such as the Glass Squid, the Blue-Ringed Octopus and the Goblin Shark. I thoroughly enjoyed the short paragraph articles describing unique aspects of the species shown as well as the longer texts on topics like "Echinoderms" that includes anatomy, reproduction, feeding and defense sub-articles.

The last section is Atlas of the Oceans and includes maps of the different oceans and text describing them.

Again, the focus of this book is learning, not just amazing photography, and it does an excellent job of offering a smorgasbord of articles on different topics. If you really want to learn about the ocean and its inhabitants while paging through fantastic photographs, you will thoroughly enjoy this book!

NOT THE GREAT COFFEE TABLE BOOK!
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 35 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-05
NOT 500 pages and if I had paused to read the item description properly I wouldn't have bought this book! Way too good a price to be true, it is not another edition of the wonderful Cousteau-forwarded book, but a perfectly respectable DK full-color children's book with many very nice color photos. Probably very worth $7.99 and I was just far too greedy to read the fine print.

A great, captivating book
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-23
I had been looking for a comprehensive ocean book for a while, and more or less found it here. A complete overview of the ocean: physical features, marine life, fishing, exploration - this book covers it all. Great photography and short pieces of information on hundreds of the ocean's species will immerse even the most casual terrestrial browser.

The species featured in this book are well distributed - representing all classes of animals and plants, and all zones and ocean communities, from the coastal to deep sea ecosystem. Their mini synopsis of species is proceeded by a helpful overview of the general category that covers them (such as mollusks: their basic anatomy, movement mechanics, feeding and life cycles for the entire group) before telling you about, let's say, the octopus. The bulk of the book is on ocean biota, with a smaller sections on ocean environments and an atlas of the oceans.

Perhaps the biggest gap I see in the book is that it covers fisheries and other human impacts (trash, pollution, warming, acidification) only minimally and sporadically. The human impacts are highlighted for only a few key species, instead of treating it as an separate issue in its own right that affects, directly or indirectly, all forms of marine life. Indeed, the subtitle for the book, "the world's last wilderness revealed," is misleading and biased. It's akin a travel brochure selling an overrun tourist destination like Waikiki as exotic and pristine ("come and watch the natives surf!" I read once somewhere) - given our massive interference with most of the ocean, the term "wilderness" simply does not apply, except perhaps for the Antarctic region, for now.

But what the book does cover, it covers it well, being both engaging and informative. Over 500 pages serve as a good introduction to our waterworld.



Photography
One Hundred Flowers
Published in Hardcover by Bulfinch (2000-03-01)
Author: Harold Feinstein
List price: $50.00
New price: $34.51
Used price: $31.62

Average review score:

From a good photogrpher to a great photographer
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-08
Zen of Watering Your GardenHi I am the Author and editor of a book that has good to great photographs. All are not as great as these. But my book has a wide array of not just flowers but other wonders to be found in Mother Nature's vegetation. Each photo is paired with an aphorism, poem or thought to encourage the viewer to see where one can easily immerse themselves in the garden process and achieve an inner peace. Matt Cohen

One of the most beautiful books I own
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-02
As a fashion designer, I look for inspiration everywhere.
I felt attracted by the picture on the cover and I wasn't dissapointed at all when I received the book.
The author capture trough his vision the simple beauty of nature and gave me that sense of movement and fragility that I was looking for while working with the colors and textures of my next collection.
A real treasure.

Painting flowers
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-07-09
I just gave this book to my mother, who paint flowers, and she just love it. A lot of excelent models for painting.

Excellent variety and a beautiful presentation
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-08-04
There are many varieties of flowers presented here in beautiful and detailed images. Very little text accompanies the images, but enough to chase down further if other information is needed. It is the images which are the prime focus -- and rightly so.

If I could wish for anything, it would be for more. And more. The design makes me wonder about why each specific flower/composition was chosen, and how many were not. I tend to want to see groupings and images that elaborate on one another.

Receiving this book is like being given a gorgeous and lasting bouquet.

beautiful book
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2004-06-20
This is a beatiful book with extreme close-ups of many different types of flowers. The large size also is a plus so that each image looks grand and brilliant.

Photography
San Francisco's Lost Landmarks (California/Old West)
Published in Paperback by Word Dancer Press (2004-10-01)
Author: James R. Smith
List price: $14.95
New price: $9.94
Used price: $8.95

Average review score:

Just a treat
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-03
For a native San Franciscian, this was a thrilling read. I was shocked on what I learned and it is interesting to see how things change. Strongly recommended.

Could be better
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-26
Some very interesting tidbits here, but as a San Francisco resident I kept asking "what's there now?" It would have been great to include more (brief) history on what happened to the properties after these places were no more, or at least the addresses of the buildings that are there now. Some of this info is there, but it's hit or miss. Also, poor editing is a distraction throughout.

Great Information, Bland Presentation
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-04
I've got an obsession (of sorts) with obscure San Francisco lore...all the different incarnations of the Cliff House, the rise of "hoodlum" culture in the 1800s, the ups and downs of the Barbary Coast, you name it. That said, "San Francisco's Lost Landmarks" is loaded with stories I've never heard before (waterslides in the Upper Haight? Who'd have thought!), mostly related in a prim, rosy-tinted manner by Mr. Smith. The chapter on the 1939 World's Fair, for instance, is mostly a list of who, what and where with no attempt to convey the excitement and novelty of the event. There's plenty here for any student of SF history to enjoy, but it lacks the seductive you-are-there storytelling of a Herbert Asbury or Luc Sante.

Land Of the Lost
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-03-21
I am a fan of the 1960's coffee table, giant picture book histories of urban America distroyed. Lost New York, Lost Chicago, Lost Boston, and the now hard-to find pre hurricane Katrina, Lost New Orleans had a part in urban historic preservation awareness. Lost San Francisco never existed. And that's too bad. James Smith's book, Lost San Francisco Landmarks is a fine, well written work of local history. It explains San Francisco better than anything I've read. The why of Treasure Island, the tolleration of "civic sexuality" and the over use of quake prone land-fill engineering all get aired. It's A great read. RW Los Angeles.

History at its best
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2005-12-05
So many books appear yearly on San Francisco that it's easy to miss one - and San Francisco's Lost Landmarks is not one to miss; it holds riches like few others. Where competitors offer listings of dates and facts, San Francisco's Lost Landmarks uses vintage pictures to blend with history to tell of lost pieces of the past. From the Tivoli Opera House and Gardens to Ralston's failed Grand Hotel, San Francisco's Lost Landmarks is history at its best.

Photography
Special Effects: The History and Technique
Published in Hardcover by Watson-Guptill Publications (2000-10-01)
Author: Richard Rickitt
List price: $75.00
New price: $50.00
Used price: $14.99

Average review score:

Good book for overviewing special effects
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-26
This is a good book to overview the special effects for making movies. It includes history and technics for almost everything but not details. However it is impossible to include details in a book so readers need to find out the details from other resources. Overall this is a good book for gaining knowledge in special effects.

a great gift
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-06
I got the book for my boyfriend. He loved it.The book has a lot of interesting and useful information even if you are just a movie-lover, not a movie-maker

The Best Book Ever
Helpful Votes: 10 out of 10 total.
Review Date: 2002-12-01
Special Effects is THE BEST book you could wish for on the subject. I have a shelf full of old, an mostly inaccurate books about special effects, but with this new book I could throw the rest away. Also, don't bother with magazines like Cinefex anymore, which are very dry and heavy going. this book is a pleasure to read and has interviews with everyone who is important in the business. There are hundreds of cool photos as well which makes it very good value. Anyone who works in special effects, or is just interested in the movies should read this book. Congratulations to the author Mr Rickitt who has condensed 100 years of movie magic into a single lavish book. Dont take my word for it - BUY IT!

A coffee table book for the geeks in all of us...
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2006-12-05
Yes there is great history and education in here, but the mass of photographs tells a truly beautiful tale. The artists illustrated here are for the most part the true pioneers of creating magic on film. Going into a project with truly no proven technique must have been terrifying and adrenaline pumping. Our techniques have greatly improved but since the advent of fully cg fx, the pioneering aspect is minimal. It is very well written but I can't call it a page turner since I spent so much time staring at the pictures. Great for fans and professionals alike.

Why is this book out of print?
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2005-01-27
I'm a film studies tutor and reccommend this title to all of my students. Why has the publisher/author allowed it to go out of print? This is the best book ever written on special/visual effects and one of the best introductions to film making and film technology generally. PLEASE REPRINT THIS BOOK and ideally, make a softback edition at a price my kids can better afford. THANKS!

Photography
Thin
Published in Hardcover by Chronicle Books (2006-10-12)
Author: Lauren Greenfield
List price: $35.00
New price: $14.00
Used price: $12.97

Average review score:

Dying to be thin
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-20
Based on the Lauren Greenfield's HBO documentary of the same name, Thin graphically presents the stories of several women receiving residential treatment for eating disorders at the Renfrew Center in Coconut Creek, Florida. The intense emotionality of these stories is captured best by eating disorder specialist Dr. Michael Strober who describes them as "gripping, poignant, bewildering, heart wrenching, incomprehensible, inspiring, sickening, disturbing, repellent, touching, infuriating, and so much more" (page 159). Greenfield's amazing photojournalism speaks as loudly as the words voiced by the women themselves in conveying the insidious, shocking, tragic, and lethal nature of eating disorders. Each and every page bleeds with the pain and despair of women who are literally dying to be thin.

sad
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-17
I saw the documentary first years ago and recently I picked up the book. The book is way better in my opinion. It was hard reading it because it was very graphic and depressing. I pray for these women to get better.

Excellent companion to the DVD
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-16
I read "Thin" a day or two after seeing the documentary, and it gave me a better sense of who the 4 women focused on in the documentary, especially of Brittany, the youngest of the four girls. Diary entries by Polly and a letter written by Brittany to her mother were honest and touching. The book also gives us a look at a number of other Renfrew patients who were not in the documentary except in the background. One of them is a woman whose eating disorder began in middle age. There are older women, women of color and a woman who is an overeater who was grateful that the underweight patients (the majority of the patients) were so welcoming to her (which I guess makes sense; it was their own bodies that tormented them). The photos are graphic, but not lurid or sensational; the photos are stark (some of them) but they are haunting as well; you won't forget these women soon. The text includes a lot of the statements made by the four patients who were the focus of the documentary, but it includes other stories told by residents that we don't get to meet in the film.

Wonderfully sad, shocking & informative
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-18
I have read this book cover to cover twice already & watched the documentary numerous times. The stories the girls share are believeable & heart-wrenching, & if you have or are suffering from an ED, you can really relate to them. The photos just pull you in & you want to know more & more about each of these women.

The First book to give a TRUE look into the life of eating disorders.
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-14
This book is the most honest book ive ever read on eating disorders. I have quite a few family memebers with anorexia and bulima. I watched them waste away, go into to hostpitals and come back from the time i was 5 untill 19. Most have recovered, or are still in recovery. One of my cousins put it to me this way "once an anorexic, always an anorexic" even though she is at a good weight (still 5 lbs underweight) and is now 29 she still has trouble and daily struggles. Most books ive read in this subject all kinda have the same ending, they are finally hospitalized, recovered and then last page is "THE END" which is far from the truth.
Lauren Greenfield has truly Captured the Day to Day life with older, teenagers and young adults suffering from eating disorders. The details are graphic and the photographs in this book actually made me cry, but it was a eye opener. I reccomend this book to anyone who has a loved one or friend that has an eating disorder. Alot of people do not understand or can even commprehend why anyone would choose to starve themselves, This book can really give enlighting information to the desperate person trying to cope/understand their loved ones eating disoder. To anyone who is curious and just wants information in eating disorders. This is the book! the author holds nothing back. Excellent is all i can say! buy this, you will not be dissapointed. I hope this review was helpfull.


Books-Under-Review-->Recreation-->Roads and Highways-->Photography-->12
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