Saturday, December 31, 2011

The Magic of Digital Nature Photography (A Lark Photography Book)

The Magic of Digital Nature Photography (A Lark Photography Book) Review



For anyone who has tried to capture a blazing sunset or catch the stark and simple beauty of bare tree limbs in winter, this manual will prove irresistible. Rather than providing ideas of what to photograph, Sheppard presents invaluable insider techniques and insights: use a histogram to get the ideal exposure, or white balance to create atmospheric images. Find out how to shoot crisp close-ups or awe-inspiring panoramic shots, and how to enhance pictures by using filters such as grads and polarizers. See how computer and image-editing software can turn ordinary images into extraordinary photos. Each section lists 10 Quick Tips for handling common outdoor photography challenges.


Monday, December 26, 2011

Complete Guide to High Dynamic Range Digital Photography (A Lark Photography Book)

Complete Guide to High Dynamic Range Digital Photography (A Lark Photography Book) Review



It’s the latest and hottest technique, made possible only through digital. High Dynamic Range photography is the process of taking several pictures of a scene at various exposures, then merging them into one file. So the entire photo can look crisp and detailed, from highlights to midtones to shadows—and photographers needn’t sacrifice any part of their image. And the best way to master this exciting technology is with this thorough, easy-to-follow, and visually spectacular guide. No other title does justice to these cutting-edge techniques, which actually take the viewer into worlds far beyond normal photography—sometimes even beyond normal human perception. Ferrell McCollough, a widely respected photographer, pushes the boundaries and inspires others to pursue their artistic vision, too. The amazing results simply can’t be achieved any other way.


Friday, December 23, 2011

Creative Black and White: Digital Photography Tips and Techniques

Creative Black and White: Digital Photography Tips and Techniques Review



Creative Black and White: Digital Photography Tips and Techniques Feature

  • Goes beyond basics to teach photographers how to conquer the challenges posed by black-and-white photography
  • Appeals to professionals and serious amateurs who are interested in exploring creative black-and-white imagery
  • Presents photography fundamentals and shows how black and white requires some of the rules to be bent
  • Encourages creative thinking and confidence
  • Lavishly illustrated with Harold Davis's outstanding monochromatic photos
Black-and-white photography poses unique challenges; without color to guide the eye, contrast, lighting, and composition take on even more importance. Renowned photographer Harold Davis explains these elements and demonstrates the basic rules of black and white photography as well as when and how to break them. He breaks through the complexity of this photographic medium, explores opportunities for black-and-white imagery, and shows how to capitalize on every one.

Richly illustrated with the author's own images, this beautiful guide presents the skills needed for great black-and-white photos while encouraging your confidence and creativity.

  • Goes beyond basics to teach photographers how to conquer the challenges posed by black-and-white photography
  • Appeals to professionals and serious amateurs who are interested in exploring creative black-and-white imagery
  • Presents photography fundamentals and shows how black and white requires some of the rules to be bent
  • Encourages creative thinking and confidence
  • Lavishly illustrated with Harold Davis's outstanding monochromatic photos

Whether you're a professional just venturing into black and white or a serious amateur, Creative Black & White will both educate and inspire you.

Black-and-White Photography Tips from Author Harold Davis


Black-and-White Photography Tips

Photos by Harold Davis

Tips for Seeing in Black and White [PDF]

Learn how breaking photographic rules can result in stunning black-and-white photos

Black-and-white photography poses unique challenges; without color to guide the eye, contrast, lighting, and composition take on even more importance. Renowned photographer Harold Davis explains these elements and demonstrates the basic rules of black and white photography as well as when and how to break them. He breaks through the complexity of this photographic medium, explores opportunities for black-and-white imagery, and shows how to capitalize on every one.

Richly illustrated with the author's own images, this beautiful guide presents the skills needed for great black-and-white photos while encouraging your confidence and creativity.

  • Goes beyond basics to teach photographers how to conquer the challenges posed by black-and-white photography
  • Appeals to professionals and serious amateurs who are interested in exploring creative black-and-white imagery
  • Presents photography fundamentals and shows how black and white requires some of the rules to be bent
  • Encourages creative thinking and confidence
  • Lavishly illustrated with Harold Davis's outstanding monochromatic photos

Whether you're a professional just venturing into black and white or a serious amateur, Creative Black & White will both educate and inspire you.


Thursday, December 22, 2011

National Geographic Complete Photography

National Geographic Complete Photography Review



A comprehensive illustrated reference about photography and the camera, this book combines how-to advice, knowledgeable commentary, and useful tips on how to take and look at photographs. Not just a how-to book, it is a how-does-it-work book, focusing on cameras, photographs, and photographers. Throughout, voices and photographs from the greatest of National Geographic photographers add authority to these pages. Chapters build from camera basics—like how a digital camera works, what different lenses do, and the definition of exposure—to advanced and specific techniques—such as taking the best family candids, underwater photography, or techniques for capturing fireworks on film. Every chapter includes a feature called "My Perspective," highlighting a National Geographic photographer and his or her work with a personal note on photography. Every chapter ends with a feature called "What Makes This Photograph Great?"—twelve different iconic National Geographic photographs are analyzed thoroughly for their subject matter, composition, lighting and exposure—by James P. Blair, longtime National Geographic photographer. A fascinating illustrated timeline of photography places milestone moments in the developing technology and art of photography into historic context. With something for everyone, novice and experienced amateur alike, designed in such a way that a reader can dip in and out of page after page, this complete reference will become a family favorite, to which young and old will refer over and over for years to come.


Thursday, December 15, 2011

True Confessions of Nude Photography: A step-by-step guide to recruiting beautiful models, lighting, photographing nudes, post-processing images, and maybe even getting paid to do it.

True Confessions of Nude Photography: A step-by-step guide to recruiting beautiful models, lighting, photographing nudes, post-processing images, and maybe even getting paid to do it. Review



True Confessions of Nude Photography: A step-by-step guide to recruiting beautiful models, lighting, photographing nudes, post-processing images, and maybe even getting paid to do it. Feature

  • ISBN13: 9781452808680
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Learn to photograph beautiful nude female models by reading this book.

It's a step-by-step guide to recruiting beautiful models, lighting, photographing nudes, post-processing images, and maybe even getting paid to do it. 

Prior experience with nude models is not required to benefit from this how-to guide. This guide can be enjoyed by anyone, but is written for two main audiences: the accomplished photographer wanting insight from a peer, and the serious amateur wanting a guided introduction to the field. 

The female body has been an inspiration for artists since before the invention of photography. Naturally, nudes were one of the first subjects of photography as well. Although the guide covers the basics of nude photography, it is assumed that you have a digital camera that is more advanced than a point-and-shoot and that you already understand the basics of operating your camera. This book deals with female models. You won't find male models or advice on photographing non-models in this book.

Finding Models. Nude photography entails more than just photographic technique, there is a huge interpersonal element; much more so than in any other kind of people photography. The guide addresses everything from finding models, to working with them long term. Most guides on photographic technique assume you've already found a willing model. This one assumes that you're having trouble - or at least having trouble finding a model that you feel takes your work to the next level. It contains techniques for finding and recruiting models.


Techniques. A range of processes are explained step-by-step. You'll find more than just a selection of photos and a dissection of each; you'll see full lighting diagrams as well as frank discussions of techniques and pitfalls in the days and weeks leading up to making a nude image. From finding your first nude model to selling your first nude photo, the guide presents complete, concise instruction on lighting, posing, and-post processing with Photoshop.

Includes 120+ pages, 170 nude poses, and 10 detailed lighting diagrams. Text is 25,000+ words.


Sunday, December 11, 2011

Improve Your HDR Photography (Improve Your Photography)

Improve Your HDR Photography (Improve Your Photography) Review



There are hundreds of simple HDR tutorials online, but few tips on improving your HDR photography past the absolute basics. This book was designed to fill that void with dozens of easy-to-implement tips and techniques to create realistic-looking HDR images.

The first chapter is a quick HDR tutorial for beginners, and then the remaining chapters build on the basic knowledge with advanced techniques and dozens of tips from the pros.

This book focuses on shooting HDR in the field, and post-processing your HDR images using Photomatix software. The book is packed full of hundreds of tips from professional HDR photographers.

The edition of this book currently available on this page was published on March 8, 2011. This new version has a significantly expanded section on post-processing your HDR on the computer using Photomatix.


Friday, December 9, 2011

The Complete Guide to Digital Color Correction (A Lark Photography Book)

The Complete Guide to Digital Color Correction (A Lark Photography Book) Review



There’s no more comprehensive and invaluable guide to the use and control of color in digital photography, and print, Web, and multimedia design. This volume brings a fresh perspective to common color problems, explaining exactly how we see color, what the differences are between human and camera perception, and how to work with a color wheel. There’s a full discussion of display issues, including monitor calibration and resolution, color palettes, and consistency across varying platforms, operating systems, and software. A skills “toolkit” provides a detailed look at both computer hardware and image-editing software, and a hands-on workshop provides lessons in adjusting skin tones, retouching and restoring archived photos, and dealing with landscapes, fashion, still lifes, and more.


Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Bryan Peterson's Understanding Photography Field Guide: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera

Bryan Peterson's Understanding Photography Field Guide: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera Review



Bryan Peterson's Understanding Photography Field Guide: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera Feature

  • ISBN13: 9780817432256
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Everything you need to know in one take-anywhere field guide!

This all-in-one guide from renowned photographer, instructor, and author Bryan Peterson will help you take better photos anytime, anywhere–with any camera.

Want to finally understand exposure? Interested in learning to "see" and composing your images more creatively? Ready to master the magic of light? It’s all here, the techniques every amateur photographer needs to take better nature, landscape, people, and close-up photos. You’ll even get creative techniques, like making "rain" and capturing "ghosts," and practical advice on gear, equipment, and postprocessing software. Filled with Bryan’s inspirational photographs, this is the one essential guide for every camera bag.


Monday, November 28, 2011

How to Wow: Photoshop CS3 for Photography

How to Wow: Photoshop CS3 for Photography Review



Wouldn’t it be great if you could have one of the world’s most sought-after Photoshop teachers sitting next to you as you navigate through the infinite possibilities of your digital photographic darkroom, especially with a tool as deep and as complex at Photoshop? How to Wow: Photoshop CS3 for Photography is the next best thing. It’s the brainchild of Photoshop Hall-of-Famer Jack Davis, world-renowned author and educator, and award-winning designer and photographer, who has developed invaluable methods to help you reach your full creative and craftsmanship potential. In this gorgeous full-color book, Jack guides you step-by-step through real-world projects, with an emphasis on uncompromising quality, last-minute flexibility, and go-home-at-night speed! You’ll receive tips and techniques on everything from streamlining your workflow in Bridge to hand-tinting an antique look, to optimizing and enhancing an entire photo shoot automatically (and nondestructively) in Adobe Camera Raw! Whether it’s optimizing the color and tone of your image, retouching cosmetic undesirables, or creating classic sepia color treatments, you’ll receive the tools at every stage of the creative process in order to learn How to Wow! Jack begins with the essentials of workflow (including color management, Bridge file-organization, and instant Camera Raw optimization), and continues with targeted adjusting and optimizing and retouching and repairing in Photoshop. Finally, Jack rounds it out with the fun stuff—projects that focus on enhancing and exaggerating aspects of your photos for maximum impact.

Bonus CD, included with the book, contains all the images you’ll need to follow along with each project!

How to Wow Topics Include:
  • Camera and Computer Workflow: From Camera settings to using Calibrated Profiles to Soft Proofing and Print Previewing in CS3.
  • Bridge and Camera Raw Workflow: Organizing and Processing your plethora of images in Bridge, and using the power of Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) to blaze through Optimizing dozens of photographs at once.
  • Smart Non-destructive Workflow: Between ACR’s prowess and CS3’s Smart Filter technology you may rarely need to “push pixels” again!
  • Selecting Tips and Techniques: Whether it’s the new Quick Select and Refine Edge tools or masking secrets that have been available for years, you will be selecting quickly and easily in no time.
  • Color and Tone Optimizing: Sometimes you can’t tweak an image enough in ACR. Instead, use the power of CS3’s Curves and Masks for Color Correction and “Smart” nondestructive Dodging and Burning!
  • Enhancing Can Begin in Camera Raw! Correct everything in ACR from Color and Tone (with Jack’s Four-Step Tango Fix) to instant Special Effects.
  • Skin Softening, Portrait Patching, and Wrinkle Reduction: Skin Softening, Unifying Color, Problem Patching, Wrinkle Reduction and Skin and Glasses Glare Removal, even Selective Body Reshaping.
  • Enhancing Eyes, Teeth, Hair, and Lips: Quick Color and Tone Enhancing, along with Selective Sharpening and some essential “Hollywood Glow“ effects can instantly turn a good shot into a great portrait.
  • Retouching, Replacing, Removing, and Repairing: When one shot just won’t convey the whole story, it’s time for combining different images to make the perfect picture – from Group Portraits to Epic Panoramas.
  • Enhancing Edge, Glow, Density, and Focus Effects: Creating everything from Illustrative HDR Edge effects, Diffused Glows to Graduated Neutral Density Gradients and Artistic Texture Overlays.
  • Black & White, Tinting, and Hand Coloring: These techniques are some of the best (and easiest) methods to turn a “seen-it-before” picture into a fine-art print. And how you do it makes all the difference!



Thursday, November 24, 2011

National Geographic Simply Beautiful Photographs

National Geographic Simply Beautiful Photographs Review



National Geographic Simply Beautiful Photographs takes readers on a spectacular visual journey through some of the most stunning photographs to be found in National Geographic's famed Image Collection. Award-winning photographer Annie Griffiths culled the images to reflect the many variations on the universal theme of beauty. Chapters are organized around the aesthetic concepts that create beauty in a photograph: Light, Composition, Moment (Gesture and Emotion), Motion, Palette, and Wonder.

Beyond the introduction and brief essays about each featured concept, the text is light. The photographs speak for themselves, enhanced by lyrical quotes from scholars and poets. In the chapter on Light, for example, we read these words of whimsical wisdom from songwriter Leonard Cohen: "Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything. That's how the lights get in." And then the images flow, of light entering scenes via windows, clouds, and spotlights, from above, alongside, and behind, casting radiance upon young ballerinas and weathered men, into groves of autumn trees and island-dotted seas, revealing everything it touches to be beautiful beyond expectation.

To illuminate the theme of Wonder, Griffiths chose a wish from Andre Bazin: "If I had influence with the good fairy...I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life." This thought is juxtaposed with an exquisite vision in white, a frame filled with the snowy-pure dots and rays of a bird's fan tail. And on it goes, picture after tantalizing picture, alive with wondrous beauty.

When she created National Geographic Simply Beautiful Photographs, Annie Griffiths set two goals: to maximize visual delight, and to create a book unique in the world of publishing--one in which many of the photographs could be purchased as prints. She has succeeded on both counts. Many of these stunning images are available for order, and there can be no doubt as to the visual delight. You must open this book for yourself, and take in its radiant beauty.


Monday, November 21, 2011

Beyond Portraiture: Creative People Photography

Beyond Portraiture: Creative People Photography Review



Great portraits go beyond a mere record of a face. They reveal one of the millions of intimate human moments that make up a life. In Beyond Portraiture, renowned photographer Bryan Peterson shows how to spot those “ah-ha!” moments and capture them forever. A teary child...old people laughing together...a smiling girl with big, big hair. Everyone remember pictures like these, usually taken by a mother, a father, a friend holding a camera, forever preserving small yet revealing vignettes of our personal histories. But we always relied on pure luck and chance to catch those moments. Peterson’s approach explains what makes a photo memorable, how to spot the universal themes that everyone can identify with, and how to use lighting, setting, and exposure to reveal the wonder and the joy of everyday moments. Beyond Portraiture makes it easy to create indelible memories with light and shadow.


Thursday, November 17, 2011

The Art of Engagement Photography: Creative Techniques for Photographing Couples in Love

The Art of Engagement Photography: Creative Techniques for Photographing Couples in Love Review



This beautiful guide to engagement photography will show aspiring and professional wedding photographers how to boost their current income by offering higher-quality engagement sessions (or by adding them for the first time). Written by award-winning photographer Elizabeth Etienne, this modern guide to engagement photography offers portrait and wedding photographers a step-by-step approach to shooting in-demand engagement sessions and maximising an often-untapped revenue stream. Including 200 inspiring images and written in a fresh style, this guide offers a high-end, magazine-style approach that is coveted by brides and wedding photographers alike.


Saturday, November 12, 2011

Understanding Shutter Speed: Creative Action and Low-Light Photography Beyond 1/125 Second

Understanding Shutter Speed: Creative Action and Low-Light Photography Beyond 1/125 Second Review



The first book in the Understanding Photography series, Understanding Exposure, was a runaway best-seller, with more than 250,000 copies sold. Now author Bryan Peterson brings his signature style to another important photography topic: shutter speed. With clear, jargon-free explanations of terms and techniques, plus compelling “before-and-after” photos that pair a mediocre image (created using the wrong shutter speed) with a great image (created using the right shutter speed), this is the definitive practical guide to mastering an often-confusing subject. Topics include freezing and implying motion, panning, zooming, exposure, Bogen Super Clamps, and rendering motion effects with Photoshop, all with helpful guidance for both digital and film formats. Great for beginners and serious amateurs, Understanding Shutter Speed is the definitive handy guide to mastering shutter speed for superb results.


Thursday, November 10, 2011

Through the Lens: National Geographic Greatest Photographs (National Geographic Collectors Series)

Through the Lens: National Geographic Greatest Photographs (National Geographic Collectors Series) Review



For more than 100 years, National Geographic has set the standard for nature, culture, and wildlife photography. In Through the Lens, 250 spectacular images—some famous, others rarely seen—are gathered in one lavish, newly formatted volume.

Through the Lens is divided into geographical regions with a special section devoted to space exploration. Each geographical section features an outstanding array of photographs that exemplifies the area’s unique people, wildlife, archaeology, culture, architecture, and environment, accompanied by brief but informative captions. From Barry Bishop’s heroic Mount Everest climb in the 1950s to the glorious wildlife of Asia and Africa, from ancient Maya culture to the Afghan woman found 17 years after her piercing green eyes captivated the world, these are some of the finest and most important photographs ever taken.

Featuring master photographers from the late 1800s to today, including Frans Lanting, David Doubilet, David Alan Harvey, Jodi Cobb, William Albert Allard, Nick Nichols, and Annie Griffiths Belt, Through the Lens is an extraordinary photographic celebration of some of the greatest the world has to offer.


Monday, November 7, 2011

Understanding RAW Photography

Understanding RAW Photography Review



A RAW file allows far more flexibility than a JPEG will, and enthusiastic amateur photographers everywhere are discovering their vast potential. RAW files open up a whole new world of image processing where photos can go from ordinary to perfect simply and quickly. In Understanding RAW Photography, renowned photographer Andy Rouse follows the entire procedure from start to finish: the volume takes the form of an easy-to-follow workflow overview, covering all the essentials right from the beginning of a shoot. Rouse explains how to make software choices; work in the field; edit, correct, and process the picture; and ultimately display it in print or on screen. A wide range of images and screen grabs illustrate techniques both basic and advanced, as well as creative possibilities.
 


Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 Digital Field Guide

Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 Digital Field Guide Review



Digital SLRs can be both exciting and intimidating. Focus on the fun with this portable guide! Clear explanations show you how to use every setting on your Sony DSLR-A200 and make the most of the 10.2 megapixel CCD image sensor, Super SteadyShot image stabilization, dynamic range optimization, and other top-of-the-line features. Refresh your knowledge of photography basics like composition, shutter speed, aperture, and lighting; explore creative suggestions and advice for photographing kids, concerts, wildlife, even online auction items; and learn the best ways to download, view, and print your photos.