Customer Reviews (3)

Many of these Techniques are now returning
Don't be put off by what you read here about "most of the effects here are now being achieved digitally". Digital has many limitations also, not least that it can appear poor and unreal. You are often in the creative hands of another person. FOr a crude example, check out the difference between the Star Trek New Generation TV series and The Star Trek motion picture, or look at the feel of work in films like Blade Runner and 2001. Many of these Techniques are now returning because of their aesthetique qualities. Also, trying to achieve a complex and realistic 3D shot with a limited budget and schedule is often impossible. It will almost certainly look poor and you will be killed by the schedule. Miniatures and Models have made a big comeback now. Certainly worth checking out this book to get all the details.

Those who don't learn from the past...
I've had this book in my possession before, but never owned it.I used it as a reference for a student film and I learned a lot from it.Sure, you can do a lot of the stuff in Avid now, without having to do it the old fashion way, but how can you make the SFX if you don't know what you're trying to achieve?This book tells you how the effects were done practically, and then from their it may inspire you to see NLE in a new way.
Personally, that's how I feel about this book.It taught me to have new found respect for all the work that went into filmmaking before I came along.So, if you want to learn more about the filmmaking process and really open your mind, get this book.As far as I know they aren't making any more copies, and some are going for well over [...]bucks.So obviously somebody thinks it's valuable, that's why I finally ordered my copy.It really is an amazing book.If you want to be a DP or knowledgeable camera operator, then you should know your past.

The BEST book about pre-digital-era Special Effects
For many years, Raymond Fielding's "Techniques of Special Effects Cinematography" was the quintessential "how'd they do that?" manual for the field of Visual Effects. Apart from back issues of American Cinematographer magazine, if you lived outside the Los angeles area, this was your best source of info on everything from stop-motion and front screen projection to matte paintings and miniatures.

Since many of the techniques in the book are now accomplished digitally, it makes this book a great film HISTORY book as well. But even still, for the filmmaker who wants to utilize tried & true, old school effects techniques (out ofcuriosity, artistic choice or necessity) this is THE book that covers it all. My only reason for giving it 4 out of 5 stars, is the lack of info on Digital Effects and CGI. ... Read more

Product Description
This professional guidebook provides tips to create technically correct and highly marketable digital black-and-white photographs. Designed to instruct professional and experienced amateur photographers, this highly visual format features 100 landscape, portrait, and wedding images from 20 leading digital imaging experts. Advice is included for utilizing professional digital effects, selecting an appropriate SLR camera, and managing difficulties and rewards associated with creating high-end black-and-white digital images. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (25)

Good about the inner workings of Photography
This is an excellent book, however, it wasn't what I was expecting. I was looking for a How To book. This was more about the aesthetics and philosophies. The nitty gritty comments were excactly what I needed.
I write Travel Photography books and would like to eventually have my books on Amazon.
Photographic Reflections by Joleene

Shy of Techniques: A "Professional Techniques for Black & White Digital Photography" by Patrick Rice book review
As a serious photo-hobbyist, I started using a digital camera 2000.After digital imaging significantly improved I sold off my film equipment and purchased my first DSLR.Since then, I look for ways to improve my skills and expand my image styles.I was enticed by the back cover of the book boldly claiming "master the skills needed to create truly stunning digital images in black and white."Combined with all the great reviews, I was sure this book would be a worthy choice.

"Professional Techniques for Black & White Digital Photography" is written with a warm friendly tone, which invites the reader to a quick read.The example images, primarily wedding and senior portraits, mostly fit the topics discussed offering inspiration.Additionally an unexpected chapter on infrared photography was a welcome surprise.

From the beginning, Patrick Rice makes a strong case to convince the reader why digital is better than film.He also covers the basics such as ISO, the rule of thirds, and crooked horizons.It's not until halfway through the book on page 63 the first set of Photoshop instructions appears.A couple pages later, the six page chapter on "Converting to Black & White" provides four Photoshop conversion methods.A few other instructions can be found for split toning, solarizing, and polarizing.Most of these instructions are nothing new for someone with a basic understanding of Photoshop.The book ends with a few words on why digital is the future.

As an early adopter, I don't need to be convinced to shoot digital, learn about camera basics, or develop a workflow.While the later two subjects are limited to small chapters which can be skipped, Patrick Rice does a lot of convincing throughout the book.I could find nothing in this book with enough detail to help me master anything photographically.

If you are generally new to digital photography and need convinced of the medium or enjoy looking at inspirational images, this may be a worthy purchase.If you know the basics and are looking for an in-depth how to guide to take you to a new level, this book is sure to disappoint.Consider purchasing "Mastering Digital Black and White: A Photographer's Guide to High Quality Black-and-White Imaging and Printing" by Amadou Diallo instead.

PROS:
Quick read
Many quality example images
Unexpected chapter on infrared photography

CONS:
Too much convincing the reader of digital photography's worthiness
Limited how to instructions
Generally too basic

Great book!!!
This is a very useful book that enriches the art of black and white photography in a digital age.

Great book
I learned a few things reading this book, about infared photography and such, but a lot of what he writes about is more technical, I wanted some tips, ideas and maybe inspiration. I recommend it to anyone looking to go professional. He covers portraiture a lot, which is helpful since people can sometimes be very hard to photograph well! I love the mini photoshop tutorials placed randomly throughout the book, also. Pick this up! Look me up on on flickr, (lovedecember) =]

Great Book.
This book is great for teaching you about black & white photography. Gives you all the info you need to take the picture and how to manipulate in photoshop.

Black & White photography is really hot right now. But there is a right and wrong way of doing it. In this book Patrick Rice walks you through all that you need to know to produce AWESOME black & white images that your clients will LOVE. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Best book ever on photographic lighting
Norman Kerr has managed to do what no other author I have run into has been able to do: teach photographers the basics of lighting (which is after all the photographer's basic tool and stock in trade). Usually books on photographic lighting are crammed with detailed recipes, telling you where to put the main light and where to put the fill and the hair light and so on. That's fine, but it doesn't teach the photographer the subject of lighting. WIthout a basic understanding, you're not going to get the photos to look the way you want them to and you're not going to know how to use light effectively.

Norman Kerr has managed to cover the basics in a small book. All the necessary understanding is there. You won't need recipes after you study this book. You will look at each lighting situation you encounter and know how to deal with it because you have a basic understanding of photographic lighting.

I cannot recommend this book enough. It is how I learned photographic lighting at the start of a successful 25 year career as a pro photographer ... Read more

Product Description
Adobe Photoshop is the tool of choice when preparing images for print or theWeb, and the new version 6.0 promises new tools to create vector-basedshapes, layer styles, enhanced layer management, new type formattingcontrols, updated color management, and much more.

Real World Photoshop 6 is the only book that explicitly covers the productionissues Photoshop users deal with every day. Richly illustrated and in full-color throughout, the book is entirely updated to cover the new featuresof Photoshop 6.0, on both Windows and Macintosh platforms. It explains theessential concepts and techniques for producing high-quality, professionalimages quickly and efficiently, covering in depth the key Photoshop tools -not only how to use them, but also why and when. Real World Photoshop 6 isdestined to become a well-thumbed reference for graphic designers,illustrators and production professionals.Amazon.com Review
Although this cornucopia of tips, tricks, explanations, and experienced wisdom would be useful to any Photoshop user, those most likely to benefit, and benefit a lot, are graphic designers and others working on prepress production. From bit depth to monitor settings, gamut warnings, and file formats, this book faces all those nasty problems that designers often want the service bureau or printer to fix, but really should handle themselves (if they want to have the most control over how their artwork prints).

The first chapters deal with hardware (platform, RAM), what's new in version 6, tools, palettes and dialog boxes, and resolution and color issues (including the complex area of color profiles and monitor calibration). Then there's tonal correction (using histograms and levels), RGB vs. CMYK, adjustment layers, sharpening, spot colors and duotones, working in black and white, and scanning. The last chapters explore selections (paths, masks, and channels), storage options and file formats, output methods (halftones, saving for use in Quark, PageMaker, or InDesign), and even preparing images for onscreen viewing.

This is not a book for beginners who don't yet know basics like opening, saving, and creating artwork. It's good for intermediate and advanced users needing to fill out gaps in their Photoshop knowledge and as a reference--ideal for skipping around, accessing information that's helpful when problems occur. Look up, for example, "drop shadows" and you find five lengthy tips on how to go beyond simply fiddling with the sliders in the dialog box. One lengthy tip even dissects what makes consistent and realistic shadows (where's the light source?). The writing is conversational and occasionally humorous, making reading enjoyable.

The tips are the pot of gold here; there's a whole chapter devoted to them (even Easter eggs). One example shows you how to crop a sliver off the edge of an image without being thwarted by the annoying snap-to-edge--by holding down the Control key while dragging the cropping rectangle. These tricks won't make you a showoff; they are essential time-savers and enhancements to your arsenal of techniques. --Angelynn Grant ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Warning: very limited in scope
I was expecting a complete overview of photoshop techniques.When I did read it, it seemed this book was focused on adjusting color for photos. It is a comprehensive study of the topic, and I learned a great deal about adjusting the color of photos, but a comprehensive walkthrough of photoshop features, it is not.

A "Must Have" if you use Photoshop to make a living
I remember an earlier edition of "Real World Photoshop" that was rather boastful. On the back cover, it stated catagorically that certain effects and filters were NOT included. Not that many of the filters in Photoshop don't have a place; they just don't have a place in the day-to-day production work professionals use Photoshop for.
RWP 6 is no exception. It doesn't include sections on how to use the Dry Brush filter, for instance. But if you want the absolute best advice about color profiling and color management; how to use (and not to use) the Unsharp Mask; how to get great scans, and generally how to more effectively use this graphics wunderkind, Mssrs. Blatner and Fraiser have the best advice in the business.
The first edition of this book I owned covered Photoshop 3, and I've owned each successive edition as Photoshop matured into its current version. Blanter and Fraiser do an excellent job of making sure references to older items or techniques are updated or deleted to reflect new or different capabilities. If you own Photoshop with the intention of earning money with it, invest in some RAM, and Real World Photoshop. Both will make your Photoshop experience faster, more efficient, and more profitable.

Read in the library, don't buy
This book leads to more questions than answers.The manner in which this book is written is frustrating.

Essential guide to colour management
I upgrade my Real World Photoshop when I upgrade Photoshop itself. This is the only book that truly covers Adobe's colour management. While it is true that there is very little change from the last edition, those changes are critical for using Photoshop's newest colour management tools. The authors have also made Adobe Gamma setting more reasonable by using a monitor colour temp of 6500k instead of the yellowish 5000k, and by recommending the contrast be lowered to something that looks good instead of full-on, which is really bad on the eyes, if nothing else. Finally BruceRBG is a colour space that works beautifully for inkjet users. I've advised many people to try it and they usually report much easier time going from monitor to print. I notice that Bruce himself says in this edition he does not use it as much as he used to, but I still find it the best colour space for my work -- except for the web. BruceRGB is a printers colour space and has no value in web publishing.
There are no neato effects like in the WOWIE! type books. I consider that to be a plus. Your opinion may vary.
If I were allowed only 2 books on Photoshop this would be one. Katrin Eismann's book on retouching would be the other

Essential guide to colour management
I upgrade my Real World Photoshop when I upgrade Photoshop itself. This is the only book that truly covers Adobe's colour management. While it is true that there is very little change from the last edition, those changes are critical for using Photoshop's newest colour management tools. The authors have also made Adobe Gamma setting more reasonable by using a monitor colour temp of 6500k instead of the yellowish 5000k, and by recommending the contrast be lowered to something that looks good instead of full-on, which is really bad on the eyes, if nothing else. Finally BruceRBG is a colour space that works beautifully for inkjet users. I've advised many people to try it and they usually report much easier time going from monitor to print. I notice that Bruce himself says in this edition he does not use it as much as he used to, but I still find it the best colour space for my work -- except for the web. BruceRGB is a printers colour space and has no value in web publishing.
There are no neato effects like in the WOWIE! type books. I consider that to be a plus. Your opinion may vary.
If I were allowed only 2 books on Photoshop this would be one. Katrin Eismann's book on retouching would be the other ... Read more

Product Description
A fully illustrated book which is a comprehensive reference on all aspects of the care and identification of 19th-century photographic prints. Excellent for anyone who is a serious collector or has an interest in preserving old pictures. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Pricey Worth it?
I got this for my girlfriend and she is very happy.

I am not sure this book is worth the price but I got a great deal considering.

Contact IPI to buy this book
This is a great book but I think you can still buy it for a lot less money from IPI (The Image Permanence Institute) at RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology)

Detailed Care for PAPERPhotos Based on Scientific Research
To learn more about old photographs and their care, I ordered three books; An Ounce of Preservation by Craig Tuttle, Collector's Guide to Early Photographs by O. Henry Mace, and Care and Identification of 19th Century Photographic Prints by James Reilly.

It doesn't take long to see why this book is often quoted as an outstanding reference regarding care of old photographs.This book is the outgrowth of intensive scientific research performed under the direction of the author at Rochester Institute of Technology.The research was funded by the National Endowment for Humanities, the National Museum Act, and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

The focus of the book is care and identification of "Albumen" prints and other paper based photographs.The title is misleading, in that virtually nothing is contained regarding photographic prints on materials other than paper.Not only are daguerreotype, ambrotype and tintype not even mentioned in the chapter "The History of Photographic Printing in The 19th Century," they aren't mentioned until almost half way through the book, and then only briefly. The information on paper prints, however, is extensive.Detailed descriptions are included of the composition of paper prints and the variations in the chemical processes used to create them.

To help identify the types of deterioration that occur, color photographs are frequently included.A separate chart is even included that shows full color examples of the various print processes used for 19th century paper prints.Almost one-fourth of the book is devoted to proper care, storage, and display of paper photographs.It goes beyond stating the simply effects of different levels of humidity and temperature.It includes details regarding various types of air pollutants, effects of different wavelengths of light, and specific types of plastic and paper that are suitable as storage containers.

For someone serious about identifying and providing the utmost!care to old paper photographs, this appears to be the definitive source of information.If you are primarily interested in learning about identifying all types of 19th century prints and their value as antiques, then "Collector's Guide to Early Photographs" is a better source.Finally, if your interests are more casual and you prefer a concise description of old photographs and their proper care, "An Ounce of Preservation" is a better choice. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (32)

A good overview, but don't expect in-depth information
The book provides a quick, decent review of modern wedding photography. What I like about it are the many good and inspiring photos it contains. I think it also does a good job stressing the importance of non-photography related issues when running a business, e.g. the relationship with the clients (and tips on how to build it). What I don't like about it is that it very much stays at the surface. E.g. the equipment section doesn't mention hot lights, while the legend of many example photos says they were taken with hot lights - hey, among all photographers, wedding photographers probably use hot lights the most! The composition and design section rushes over the concepts on a few pages - if I wasn't already familiar with these concepts, I am not sure if I would have gotten much out of it. The album section showcases the products of a few manufacturers. That information I can find online or at my local photo store. Instead the book fails to give practical information, e.g. how many shots to present in a wedding album and guidelines on how to select them, i.e. which are the 'must have' shots?Also, while the book was recently updated (e.g. it includes a reference to Nikon's D3S), there is no mentioning of the possibility to print albums yourself. The author keeps writing about the necessity that "your lab must prepare these prints to size before submitting them to the album company for binding." Strange... Overall, I think this is a good, brief overview over most aspects of current wedding photography. It will provide you with some good ideas, but don't expect an in-depth, text book like treatment of the subject.

Great ideas
Thoroughly enjoy the book. Great ideas to send your wedding photography to a new level.

This covers all the basics for any library catering to neo-professionals
The Best of Wedding Photojournalism: Techniques and Images for Professional Digital Photographers appears in an updated second edition covering the history of photojournalism and its role in modern wedding photography. From selecting the right equipment to preparing an image and creative ideas, this covers all the basics for any library catering to neo-professionals.

Photojournalis Education for Wedding
I am really enjoying this book. One of the things that I like about this book was defining what wedding photojournalism is.To often the term has been used incorrectly and has confused Brides and other photographers as well. Chapter 1 page 12 sets the foundation.Also this is one of the few books that also sets the record straight and has confirmed what my sales have told me.People do want some posed images in their book regardless of what they may say upfront and the group photos, (the formals do sell or at least always make it into the album.

After reading this book and taking it with me to lunch before the wedding, we took 3 elements from this book to incorporate into our coverage that day to help tell the story.We will include more storytelling elements into our contemporary approach.I have to admit our approach is not from the Photojournalism style. However we are taking Chapter 3 suggestions about watching for EVEN MORE details to capture and use for backgrounds or business cards for other vendors.I think the best thing about this book is for me it has helped us take a fresh look at how and WHY we need to add some new elements to our style.

This book is a good coaching or mentoring tool Buy it for yourself or a friend and have them pay it forward

A lot of talent in one reference manual
Marcus Bell!Yervant!Jeffrey and Julia Woods!Just a few names that are huge in the wedding photography realm.

This book is excellent for the wedding shooter.It's packed with tips for making your images extraordinary, choosing the correct equipment, how to better sell your work, and how to become a better business owner overall.The pictures alone can assist with ideas and direction.

Amherst books are excellent resource books.My library is FILLED with them....because they are GOOD!This is another one. ... Read more

Product Description
Selected by the American Library Association's 'Choice' magazine as "best technical book", the first edition of this book soon established itself as the standard reference work on all aspects of photographic lenses and associated optical systems. This is unsurprising, as Sidney Ray provides a complete, comprehensive reference source for anyone wanting information on photographic lenses, from the student to the practitioner or specialist working with visual and digital media worldwide.

This third edition has been fully revised and expanded to include the rapid progress in the last decade in optical technology and advances in relevant electronic and digital forms of imaging. Every chapter has been revised and expanded using new figures and photographs as appropriate, as well as extended bibliographies. New chapters include details of filters, measurements from images and the optical systems of digital cameras. Details of electronic and digital imaging have been integrated throughout. More information is given on topics such as aspherics, diffractive optics, ED glasses, image stabilization, optical technology, video projection and new types of lenses.

A selection of the contents includes chapters on: optical theory, aberrations, auto focus, lens testing, depth of field, development of photographic lenses, general properties of lenses, wide-angle lenses, telephoto lenses, video lenses, viewfinder systems, camera movements, projection systems and 3-D systems.

Everything you need to know about still and moving image lenses in one handy volume
Be completely up-to-date with vital new information on optics for digital imagingBenefit from the expertise of this award-winning technical author

... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Everything you want sensibly to know on photographic optics
I have an older (second) edition of this book, and I use it regularily for reference. It is comprehensive and covers everything imaginable about photographic optics. It does skip basics and a reader without deeper prior knowlegde would do good, to read a solid optics book beforehand (the old books by Conrady are to be recommended). Mathematics is not overly complicated, highschool knowledge should be sufficient - but one can learn a lot from this book, even without going into the details of the formulae presented. Sidney Ray is a great teacher with a precise and clear language.

If I miss something, it is mainly all the specifics about digital imaging. At least the second edition is very thin on this... But it lays very solid foundations and serves as a venerable reference even in our digital imaging age. Applied Photographic Optics does not cover things like colour and the scope is very focused. So it is really not a substitute for a general optics or colour book (like Hunt's "The Reproduction of Colour").

For many readers the much shorter "The Photographic lens" by the same author might be a good and much cheaper alternative. But it won't go into detail as much and might leave the reader with the wish to learn more - then Applied Photographic Optics is the logical next step.

To my (limited) knowledge, there is no other current book, that could be a sensible alternative to this classic.

Expensive, but worth it when you need it
If you have an amateur interest in photographic optics, there are excellent books for a lot less money.But if you really need the most in-depth information in a wide range of detailed topics and applications, this one is well worth the price.Though for $150 you'd think they'd throw in a hard cover, wouldn't you? ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (12)

Back to the basics and more.
I recently got my hands Allison Earnest's new book Light Modifiers.
I have been a professional photographer since the 90's, with a primary focus on Wedding's.
The photography world is ever changing, and now we are in the digital world.
I like what Allison said, and I find it to be so true "It is very common to find yourself shooting a wedding using exactly the same equipment as the guests attending the wedding."I often find my self shooting with people who have the latest and greatest camera with all the bells and whistles, but as Allison puts it, "we make photographs, not take them." That is so true.

As a photographer, I find my self shooting in a similar fashion, doing what feels is comfortable.What I really liked about this book is how she illustrates how adding or removing a certain light changes the feel of the photograph.The doll that was used to show off the lighting was very cool to see because it was stationary but had human curves to give a sample of how light works.

Another aspect of the book I liked, is she introduced types of flashes and modifiers out there these days, and how it looked on the subject.

This book brought me back to the basics again, and then introduced me into new ways "Sculpt with Light."

After all we make our portraits, as photographers.

Looking forward to the next book!

Michael Johnson - Wedding Photographer.

The saga continues...
Allison Earnest continues her educational Sculpting With Light series with her latest release "The Digital Photographer's Guide To Light Modifiers". Filled with illustrations and diagrams, she leads the reader through a visual survey of light modifiers commonly used to control both hot shoe and studio light sources. By using a standardized subject and numerous photographic illustrations, the reader sees for himself how each modifier uniquely alters the quality of light. In addition, detailed set images and clear narration explains how and why specific modifiers can be employed in real-life portrait sessions.

Very comprehendible for the aspiring photographer, it was easy to apply the principles detailed by Ms. Earnest to my own photography. Her text helped me see the nuances between different modifiers and how those subtle differences could be leveraged to affect the overall emotion of my final image. This book contains the tools necessary to aid in defining my own creative style and set my work apart from my peers.

"Light Modifiers" is for the serious photographer who wants to create unique imagery by mastering his control of light. It's an excellent reference and could easily be used as an introductory text for the aspiring student.

Covers all the basics of light and how modifiers can help adjust light
An important pick is Allison Earnest's DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHER'S GUIDE TO LIGHT MODIFIERS: TECHNIQUES FOR SCULPTING WITH LIGHT. It covers all the basics of light and how modifiers can help adjust light, showing how to use modifiers to blend light indoors and out and how to create dramatic results from unusual light modifiers.

Looking for that WOW factor in your photography then read this book!
This book is a great guide for both amateur and professional photographers offering easy to follow instruction on use of modifiers and the importance of lighting in composing a photograph, inspiring great ideas and creativity to give your photos that "WOW" factor.Allison uses amazing photo examples that allow the reader to understand the process and the difference between each lighting technique. As an amateur photographer I also appreciate how Allison incorporates real life instances in each instruction showing how a photographer takes control of the situation to capture the photo they intended. My photographic lighting as improved immensely using techniques laid out in this book and I look forward to experimenting with more!

A Must Read For Photography Students!
Allison does such a great job showcasing different light modifier techniques. Not only does she teach, she shows amazing photo examples that really allows the student to understand the process and the difference between each technique. I like her use of the models and the photography itself is amazing. This is definately a must buy! ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (5)

Lighting for model portfolios at its best
I found this book to be very practical and loaded with information.Included is creating lighting effects and the equipment used to do so as well as working with models to showcase their attributes and reach out to the target audience.There are ample examples and also the thought process behind the creation of such images.I would highly recommend this book.

theory vs passion
this book is about technique and passion. giving you ideas with explanation and diagrams to explain lighting setups and scenarios to create better an more interesting pictures.

Good, but not for the methodical types
This is one of those books you see at the bookstore, and the cover immediately grabs your attention. Beautiful woman, great pose, killer lighting, super sharp, etc... so naturally you thumb through it. Inside you find more of the same - fantastic composition, colors, exposure, etc... of more gorgeous women. Now unless you are one of those lame people that reads the whole book right there in the bookstore, you then have to decide is this book worth my $20+ or is it another one of those books that has great images, but no substance. I answer this question and more on my full review at [...].

By reading the chapter by chapter section in my full review on my blog you might think that I didn't care for this book, but you'd be wrong. Instead, I actually quite liked this book and found that it had lots of useful and practical information. What was bad about the book was that the chapter titles were totally bogus as you can easily tell that they have little to do with the information the author wants to share with the reader. The author does a good job of educating the reader on how to be a more successful model photographer, but not in a methodical way that some will require. In the end I kinda chucked because this book is written much like I would probably write a book because the author pretty much shares what is on his mind at the time he sat down at the computer the day he wrote any given section, despite what part of the book he was working on. He has a genuine desire to share his wealth of valuable knowledge but he expresses it very loosely which works well for some people like me, but less so for the more methodical types.

In the end I'm glad I got this book, and I enjoyed reading it. I felt I learned some useful information which I was able to apply to my work and improve my photography. To me that is the definition of a successful book so it is for that reason I must recommend* it. I use an asterisk because if you are the type of person who can watch something do something once and without taking notes, apply that knowledge to a new situation then this book will be useful. If you are the person who can use a complex product without reading the instruction manual, then this book is for you. If you aren't, then you may find yourself with more questions than answers after your done reading this book.

Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Value: Good for those who are a quick study
Recommendation: Clearly this book is for those who want to know more about how to photograph beautiful women. if complex methodology and/or theory bore you to tears, then this might be a good book for you so pick it up and enjoy. If you want detailed instructions, then skip it.

Lighting techniques for Model Portfolios
I purchased "Lighting Techniques for Photographing Model Portfolios: Strategies for Digital Photographers" for the purpose of drawing on a Digital Pros experience in lighting models in the digital arena.In that respect, the book did not disappoint.I have 2 decades of experience in 35 mm photography and finally went kicking and screaming into the digital era.If you are looking for an extensive book covering all aspects of photographic lighting, then this is not your book.If you are looking for a book to help you in the realm of head shot and glamour photography utilizing a pro-sumer or DSLR, or are looking for fresh ideas for lighting when shooting digital, then this book will serve you well.I commend the author and publisher on delivering a book that actually delivers what the title says!

Beautiful photos and great instruction
This book is the perfect compliment to Pegram's book on posing for models. As with other good lighting books, I really find the before-and-after shots to be immensely helpful and this book has many. There are also many 'practical examples' placed throughout the book where Pegram takes a specific scenario and explains every aspect of how he shot it. And, there are many lighting diagrams and a number of equipment shots.

If you loved his last book, you really need to get this one as well. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review
Product Description

The art of macro photography-photographing small objects or super close-ups of small sections of big objects-yields fascinating results, but shooting at this level brings its own set of challenges. Now you can shoot close-ups with confidence and creative flair with this information-packed guide.

Renowned photographer Harold Davis provides pages of field-tested techniques on focus, depth-of-field, exposure-even the appropriate equipment to use for this unique niche of digital photography. The book includes stunning and intriguing examples of his work to illustrate concepts.

• Walks you through the basics of macro photography, whether you're capturing an insect, a flower, a close-up of the texture of a pine cone, or more
• Shows you how to overcome the challenges of this type of photography, such as using the appropriate equipment and how to handle focus, depth of field, and exposure
• Takes you beyond the fundamentals to help you develop your own creative style
• Informs and inspires you with the author's own stunning examples of macro photography

Join the vast and beautiful world of small photography with this essential guide.

Amazon Exclusive: Photography Tips and Techniques from Harold Davis

How to Use Shadows to Enhance Your Composition

How to Use LAB Color for Black and White Effects

Professional Photography Techniques from Harold Davis

Amazon Exclusive: Interview with Award-Winning Photographer Harold Davis

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

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

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

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

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

... Read more

Customer Reviews (27)

Better instruction is available elsewhere.
After reading Bryan Peterson's Understanding Close-Up Photography I found this book at my local bookstore.Thumbing through it I saw that there were macro techniques explained for Photoshop and quickly decided to purchase the book.Well, there are two techniques that are quite well explained, but other than that I can honestly say that I found nothing else useful through the whole thing.Most of the book seems to be the author telling you what he likes to shoot (flowers on black background, flowers on white background, still life, etc.) in a short paragraph, then a few example shots with a brief synopsis of what you're looking at and what the author "feels" about the shot.He mentions a handful of items that are useful for shooting close-ups or macros, but never goes into any detail about their application.Much more disappointing than that, everything that he describes that would be new and exciting (i.e. digital painting) is left completely unexplained and the reader is given a reference to another book, of course written by this same author.I strongly recommend that you purchase Peterson's book and leave this one on the shelf.The only reason I'm giving it two stars is because I did learn a new technique in Photoshop (focus-stacking).Now, I think I'll find someone or somewhere to donate this book.

Creativity Ideas
I rate this book a 5 for the new ideas and methods of making macro photographs. Mr. Davis is an excellent writer who's instructions and suggestions are easily understood and followed. I particularly like the sections on flowers. I love flowers and the book presents several methods of closeup flower photography that I have not yet tried. The photographs are beautiful and inspiring. There is a section on photographing in the studio, which also gave me some new insights and ideas. I think the book is a worthy investment if you're looking to expand your macro/closeup portfolio of techniques and photos.

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

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

Help with getting closer
There are many books written on the subject of close up photography but I haven't seen any that are as comprehensive as Mr. Davis's work. His detailed explanation of high dynamic range (HDR) and focus stacking were wonderful. I've seen other examples of how HDR works but the book takes it one step further with information on how to manually manipulate seemingly drab layers into a masterpiece.
Another feature I really loved is his detailed coverage of various types of equipment he uses and recommends such as lenses, extension tubes, filters, etc. The book also does a terrific job of explaining the use of this equipment. Equally remarkable is the ability to give down to earth explanation of focusing, exposure, lighting, aperture and depth-of-field.
The book has a very logical lay out and is easy to transition from one section to the next. The uses of many inspiring images to illustrate a point are well done. I feel that any photographer with basic skills could use this book to achieve some wonderful results.

Inspired!
After reading "Creative Close-ups" I can't wait to get to the wildflowers springing up in the desert and try some of the many superbly described and illustrated techniques for close-up and macro photography Harold Davis includes. He efficiently covers the basics - cameras and settings, lenses and extension tubes, tripods, lighting and flash, aperture and depth of field and criticality of focus, and then tells exactly how they're varied and applied to each of the >200 images included. Each image has a purpose - showing something a little different to try whether photographing insects, flowers, water droplets, abstractions, reflections, or studio close-ups. His flower photography variations are most inspirational - covering lighting methods, settings and background colors - white and black - to emphasize shape, color, texture and transparency. His descriptions and illustrations of HDR flower photography and focus stacking techniques are so clear they beg to be tried.

I'd have liked a few photos of actual equipment setups, but this is still a 5-star book for me.

It's an easy to read book I'll browse through whenever I'm thinking macro and looking for something new to try.

... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (5)

Great Book, Easy to follow, great results!
This book has been essential in understanding basic light setups for portraits.Lighting has been an illusive subject for me, and this book has integral to my understanding of it.The pictures that the author uses are simply phenomenal.I would recommend this book to any beginning photographer.

A Practical Overview
It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that good lighting equals complicated lighting. With that mindset, you can defeat yourself before you even begin--you'll intimidate your portrait subjects with too much equipment and frustrate yourself trying to manage it all (never mind potentially TRANSPORTING it all!). Moreover, you'll squash anything that was fluid or natural about the portraits you're trying to create. The images will end up looking "produced."

In this book, Hurter reminds us that even one-light portraits can be breathtaking--add a reflector and you're pretty much in business. The KISS (keep it simple stupid) principle pays off here in some truly lovely images that show how the best in the business are streamlining their lighting strategies for a look that is very current, very authentic, and very appealing. And, hey, it's even more ECO-FRIENDLY--fewer lights, less power!

Whether you're trying to get back to simpler shooting style or just getting started in portraiture and looking for ways to minimize your initial investment in lighting equipment, you'll find this book a useful guide.

Any public lending library or photography library needs this
Photographers often spend thousands on the latest lighting and photography gadgets when they should be seeking simplicity: that's the contention of neo-pro Bill Hurter, which covers the basics of understanding light and how it works in photographic results. From designing two-light studio setups for natural portraits to taking photos on location, the idea is basic: simplify approaches yet preserve natural, professional results. Any public lending library or photography library needs this, which comes packed with color examples throughout.

A great read!
If you're new to studio photography and looking for a great book to help you get going, Simple Lighting Techniques for Portrait Photograhers by Bill Hurter is an excellent start.It's definitely a book for beginners that talks about light, lighting, and how to control it.There is discussion about the classic lighting set-ups and how to achieve them, it provides tips from some of the Masters of light, and it will answer many questions that one may have as they set up a studio.The sample images are beautiful and do a great job of conveying the theories being taught.

Simple lighting equals natural images
A book that steers away from complex lighting situations and enters the realm of lighting techniques in a more basic form.Advantages of this philosophy are outlined and examples to reinforce are illustrated throughout.A nice characteristic of such a style of lighting is that it does not matter if you are working in or out of the studio.A lot of good information that is clearly written make this book highly recommended. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review
Product Description

Sometimes you get the best results by breaking the rules, but first you have to know what the rules are!In this indispensable photography guide, renowned photographer Harold Davis first walks you through the recommended guidelines for composing great shots with your DSLR camera-and then shows you how to break free, build your own unique style, and compose beautiful images with confidence.

• Provides practical composition basics as well as the artistic tips and tricks eagerly sought by digital SLR camera lovers, who are growing in number as DSLR camera sales continue to grow
• Explores the fundamental rules of composition-then how to break those rules to take captivating and unique images
• Informs and inspires you with the author's own gorgeous examples of landscapes, portraits, close-ups, and other photos that illustrate his concepts
• Helps you jump-start your creativity by showing you new ways to see

Go beyond the basics and create a photography style that's all your own with this must-have guide.

Amazon Exclusive: Photography Tips and Techniques from Harold Davis

How to Use Shadows to Enhance Your Composition

How to Use LAB Color for Black and White Effects

Professional Photography Techniques from Harold Davis

Amazon Exclusive: Interview with Award-Winning Photographer Harold Davis

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

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

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

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

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

... Read more

Customer Reviews (32)

A Better Title Would Have Been "Creative Vision"
I jumped on this when I saw it come up for review, as I have been searching for the "final screw" of composition books to answer my remaining questions... one of those being, when you walk up to a scene, how do you know how much to include into the image and more specifically, where is it best to place objects within the frame for best impact and staying somewhat within the proper rules of design.

Unfortunately for ME, this book isn't that. However, knowing many of the elements of composition and all of the basics to start out with, such as Depth of Field and exposure and lens focal length and types of lighting and the mantra of line/form/shape/pattern/texture, I can honestly say that this book is one of the best for compiling all of that in one place. Therefore if you are starting the road of real photography and not just snapshooting, I HIGHLY recommend this book.

You do get one more thing besides the standard Composition instruction, and that is what my title refers to: the author goes very much into the vision of what you are trying to shoot and does a fairly good job IMO. He even goes a little out there to make you stretch your box of ideas, so really this is a book more geared to composition basics and then applying that to seeing or your vision for lack of a better term. I wish I had this book 10 years ago, it would have been a favorite.

A good introduction to Composition for someone just learning the topic.
So I'm still a newbie when it comes to Composition but I seem to have figured out all the various features of my camera.This book looks to be a pretty good introduction to the topic.I doubt that it is something that would be a reference source on the topic, but it does allow a beginner to get some concepts to challenge them in their compositional exercises.I would recommend it as a beginner's idea book.

Encyclopedia of composition
Creative Composition is a basic photography book by world renown photographer, Harold Davis. A lot of his work is on close-up/macro, still life and landscape. You will see many amazing photos of these types in this book. Fortunately, Harold also provide helpful caption and technical data of each photograph, so you can learn from it.

One third of the book discusses about the basic photography such as exposure, how to use lenses, bracketing, and so on. The other third discusses about vision and pre-visualizing. Then, the last part is many examples and discussion about of popular composition such as rule of thirds, golden ratio, line, pattern and so on.

This book is very suitable for beginners, but experienced photographer will also find this book helpful for inspiration and reference.

Enjoyable book - one to consider & reflect on
Harold Davis tells us in this book that he's going to tell the reader the rules, and then tell us how to break them in order to create wonderfully composed images.

Davis gives us lots of his own images, along with details on how he achieved the composition & display found in the image, which is probably the most helpful part of the book.His narrative, of course, provides additional details that prove invaluable, but I found studying the photos provided the most value to me - as photographers (amateurs or professionals) we are looking to figure out how to take photos and make those images the best possible. Most subjects have been photographed innumerable times, and we just need to figure out how to compose the images to make them memorable or somehow distinct.

It is this idea of making them memorable that Davis really strives to achieve in his work, and he does a great job of helping us, as photographers, to come up with unusual images that tell a story - exactly what a photo should do!

I like the book a tremendous amount; he touches on any number of topics here (as a previous reviewer mentioned, there are over 50 different topics covered - that's probably the only weakness; the book tries to touch on too many things (i.e. macro photos, telephoto images, HDR, specialty topics such as spirals and patterns.It's almost a "jack of all trades, master of none" type book, but it's still very helpful and well worth reading.It will indeed convince you to think about how to compose that photo just a little bit better!

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

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

Product Description
500 tips make digital SLR photography easy for all photographers

* 450 images plus jargon-free text lets photographers learn painlessly
* Ideas for beginners and beyond--all in bite-sized chunks
* Makes digital SLR photography fun and approachable

Here’s the definitive companion for photographers who want to get the best out of their digital SLRs--and themselves. This accessible, colorful blend of step-by-step tutorials, quick fixes, and bullet-point tips offers the perfect antidote to dry, boring technical manuals. Everything from the digital workflow to advanced manipulation techniques, filters, special effects, and output options is presented in bite-sized chunks, accompanied by illuminating illustrations. And no jargon! A comprehensive bible of the digital SLR, 500 Digital SLR Photography Hints, Tips, and Techniques allows photographers everywhere to take great pictures and get professional results. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

500 Digital SLR Photography Hints, Tips, and Techniques: The Easy, All-in-One Guide to Those Inside Secrets
So far I have found it to be very imformative. It's step by step how to process has been very helpful.

Recipient loved it!
I purchased this as a gift for a 15 year old camera buff with his first SLR Digital. He said the book is great and he uses it constantly. That tells me the book is a great asset. As soon as I can afford an SLR, I'll be picking up a copy of the book for me too!

Slim, rag-tag collection of very useful tips
You'll enjoy browsing through this book, picking up nuggets of information here or there. The 500 tips in this book are certainly more easily digested than what you might find in a huge, comprehensive guide to digital SLR photography.

But the tips are a mixed bag.A lot of them are the sort of thing you'll find in your camera manual or could figure out using common sense (turning off picture review to save battery power comes to mind. D'oh.)Others are a little misleading.My personal pet peeve is calling the crop factor produced by digital SLRs with a smaller than "full-frame" sensor a "focal length multiplier factor."The focal length isn't being multiplied, which might imply reduced depth-of-field.The image is simply being cropped, and, because of the way we do math in our heads it's easier to calculate equivalent field-of-view by multiplying the focal length by the reciprocal of the true crop factor, rather than dividing.

But my comments are just nit-picks. Overall, I think this book is well worth having, if only because it extracts a healthy helping of common-sense tips and presents them in a form that's easy to absorb.

Good overview
This book glosses over a lot of techniques.The tip is given, with a sentence or 2 to follow up on it.While much of the advice is good or even excellent the book doesn't go in depth on anything.When combined with the other books I have bought on digital SLR Photography it is helpful.On its own not so much.I would recommend this book as a starter, you'll need other books to get in depth on the Tips.

Just okay
Leaves you wanting more...500 little blurbs.Each of the 500 techniques are as little as a one sentence how-to, which only leaves you wanting more information.Which means, you need yet another book to actually learn the techniques presented in this book.The "500 tips" is just a gimicky way of selling the book, and it makes it hard to read.For instance, tips 261-269 on bracketing come out to a total of 13 sentences which span two pages.And yet, 13 sentences on this subject is only a tease.

It's a really pretty book, lots of vibrant, glossy pictures.But it only will take you 20 minutes to skim it and move on to something with more substance.The best person to buy this book should probably be someone who has never held a camera and has just gotten their first one. ... Read more

Product Description
Photographers will learn from a master the impact and beauty that can be created through the precision creation of high key portraits. In photography, the word key is used to describe the overall tonal range in which the photograph is created-including the background, subject, props, and clothing. If the tones are very light, the image is called "high key." Because photographers often neglect to consider the impact of creating images in a controlled key, many portraits fall short of their potential. This book provides helpful guidelines for selecting the best lighting equipment and light modifiers for efficiently creating high key portraits, as well as detailing techniques needed to select the perfect clothes and props for a high key portrait. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Conquer high key
After reading this book, it had fulfilled everything I had hoped for and then some.I was able to make better decisions and ultimately, better results.This is the book to get if you want to become versed in high key photography.Norman Phillips, through his writing style, techniques and examples, makes sure the reader becomes well educated on the subject.Like many of the reviews here, I think the feedback speaks for itself.This book truly sets the standard for high key.

Great for a newbie..
This book is great for a newbie but if you are a professional, don't bother.If you are just starting to learn about photography/lighting, I do recommend this book.I enjoyed reading it although I didn't take much from it.

Very helpful reference...
I bought this book because of positive customer reviews and I was not disappointed after reading it myself.The author provides a very comprehensive and informative approach to just about every aspect of high key lighting techniques and none of it goes over your head.I definitely recommend this book to photographers at any level.

Great how to book
I have been able to master most of the lighting set ups it want except of coarse for that challengeing one of high key.This book I found to be a real help with finally understanding why i never could really get the backgrounds gleaming white.This book explains well and gives specific instruction.A good book.

Excellent!!
This give all the info you need to get perfect High Key images. It gives all the light setup, type of backgrounds to use, model placement, and f/stop measurement. There are lot's of photo examples. Very well written. ... Read more

Product Description
Video Camera Techniques is an ideal starter guide for anyone owning a camcorder, newcomers to the field of broadcast or corporate video-making, or students who all wish to make videos to professional standards.


Written in Gerald Millserson's easy to understand style, this step by step guide will help you to master the operation of your camera and quickly develop your own style and imaginative skills.

This new edition now covers the latest types of video camera and gives guidance on camera handling and picture making form basics to advanced techniques.

Gerald Millerson's books on video and television have long been acknowledged as among the best ever published. For more in-depth coverage of all aspects of video production his highly acclaimed Video Production Handbook is the definitive work on the subject. He is the author of two other titles in the Media Manuals series - Lighting for Video and Effective TV Production. His other books published by Focal Press are The Technique of TV Production (now in its 12th edition), The Techniques of Lighting for TV and Film and TV Scenic Design Handbook.

Learn all you need to know to produce videos of a professional standard
Keep you up to date with the latest technologies
Comprehensive step-by-step guide to provide you with the knowledge and the confidence of working with any kind of camera ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description

Customer Reviews (3)

Eye for an Eye
This is an excellent book for a beginner--which I am. It is a school textbook still in use today. While written for film cameras the book is still useful because it is not a how to use your camera
book, but is geared to the artistic side of photography. I found the insights useful and it helped me 'see' through the lens in ways I had not sone before reading the book. A very useful tool.

Never too old to learn
As an experienced amateur photographer with 30 years experience, I've found all photographers seem to get caught up in the technology of new digital cameras and lose all perspective on the fundamentals.This book, though a bit dated regarding technology, is an excellent reference and should be required reading when one ventures into the world of photographic art.

This book takes you on a step-by-step journey with detailed instructions and photographic assignments.It has explanations of the tools as well as many aspects of composition.The chapters are well organized with many examples of photos to guide you in understanding each concept.

I highly recommend this book.Search out used book stores if you can't find a copy online.It is well worth the effort.

A very good beginner's book.
I have been interested in photography for quite a while. I've taken many photos, but have never found the elements that i need to understand to compose good images. This book takes you from a know-nothing beginning, through Lines, Shapes, Negative/Positive Space, the grid, etc. It lays an excellent groundwork with lots of examples to get you started with the right way of taking pictures. The assigments are a good way to put the knowledge learned in the book to practical use. No expensive cameras needed, even a cheap 35mm SLR you can find at a thrift store (i found mine with 2 lenses for 19.99) is perfect for this book. ... Read more

Product Description
The purpose of this book is to explain the basic principles of optics and image fomation particular to such lenses and optical systems. Much importance is placed on clear and detailed diagrams of contemporary equipment, and graphs of performance characteristics.



The book begins with an explanation of visual perception, followed by sections on basic optics and image formation by representative systems; the design, the manufacture and testing of lenses andd optical systems; optical attachments, including filters and converters; the optics of a numbr of different types of camera; the projection of images; the anicllary and auxillary systems associated with image capture; and related optical and optp-electronic systems including fibre optics, LEDs and LCDs.

The book is intended as a compact source of useful data, for anyone concerned with th visual communications industry, from secondary school pupils to professional camera users and euipment specialists.

Sindey F Ray is Priniciple Lecturer in Photographic Sciences and Electronic Imaging at the University of Westminster. His other book for Focal Press, Applied photographic Optics has been acclaimed as the definitive work on the subject. he is also the co-author of The Manual of Photography.

compact source of information
fully illustrated
simple clear explanations ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Photographic Lens (Media Manuals)by Sidney F. Ray
I am an accountant by profession and a Photography enthusiast. I had neumerous questions in my mind on the physics and structures of lenses. I was confused why prime lenses cost so much more than the normal variable focal length lenses, why a large aperture was diff from a smaller aperture. etc. I found my answers and now feel more confident in buying, using and evaluating lenses ... Read more

Product Description
Photographers who know makeup techniques set themselves apart from the competition. All aspects of professional makeup, from initial evaluation to final application, are covered in this guide to makeup for portrait photography. Topics include evaluating a makeup job; recognizing trouble spots; bringing a face into shape, balance, and proportion; creating highlights and shadows; and dealing with problem situations such as sunburned areas. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

No important information at all
This book was empty as far as knowlege and techniques for a makeup artist. I would also assume for a photographer as well.

Thank god I checked it out at library
I recently checked this book out at the library. Thank God I did before I bought it. It should instead be titled, "Makeup application for little girls that think lipstick all over the face is a good look." It would have been more accurate.

If I was the author of this book, I would be ashamed of some of the images. He obviously didn't look closely at the photos that were supposed to be representative of what he was writing about. The eyeliner is jagged and not close to the eye. The foundation is oily and dirty looking. The child's clown makeup looks like she probably put it on herself.

This book is a waste.

Make-up Techniques for Photography
As a professional portrait photographer, I thought it would be helpful to have a better understanding of the differences in applying make-up for a normal social setting, and a photography shoot.What a disappointment this book was!In addition to being poorly written and redundant from page to page, it didn't offer any information that any female over the age of 12 doesn't already know.I think we all know that we should wash our faces every day.And the make-up depicted in the photographs was very poorly done--my 14 year-old daughter does a better job of applying eyliner than their so-called expert.Even the photography itself was not impressive.And most of the make-up styles shown were very dated.All in all, it was a complete waste of my money, and of the 30 minutes of my time it took to read it.

dissapointing
This is, at best, a poorly done book.As a professional photographer, I thought it would be helpful for me to know a little more about makeup.This book has the basics, but the example photos don't look particularly impressive and the writing seems carelessly or hastily written.
There don't seem to be a lot of books on makeup for photographers, but I didn't think this book was worth the price.

Disappointing
I have over 40 books on make up and this is surely the worst one I have bought.The title is completely misleading and there is very little of substance.Basic make up techniques with reference to various lighting techniques as well as color light relationship is not mentioned.Fundamental things like colour theory which is so essential to make up and photography is not mentioned in the book.This book is just one of the many mediocre titles available on make up.I would not recommend this book to anyone but if you wish to waste [price] feel free to order the title. ... Read more