Here is a new book covering the switch from darkroom to digital. When I requested this book I had thought I would be getting something about how to take digital images after a lifetime of working with film, but I was wrong. In fact the book covers almost nothing about how to take digital images. It is almost all one long discussion of “WHY” one may want to change to, or include digital in their work, written as one would do if talking themselves into it. It covers how some digital things work, and compares others with darkroom work, but that’s about it. I also do not understand why about half of the illustrations in this book are nothing but shots of darkroom bottles, film, trays, and tools hanging on the wall. The only real “photo images” are in the gallery section, and there are not many good ones of those. In the beginning the author asks himself why he should switch to digital. I ask him, why did he write this book?
    This soft cover book is 9x9 inches, with 128 pages, and retails for US$30.00. This book is published by Aurum Press at  www.aurumpress.co.uk  
I Rate it:  C+ 
(Reviewed Sept. 2005)

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For those photographers who use their work to create unique pieces that go beyond the normal framed prints, The Decoupage Gallery will help you add even more interest to them. This is not only a how-to book for those who have never created decoupage work, but it also includes over 450 color, and 550 B&W finished pieces of artwork to use. You can use them for montage work, or just to add something extra to your images, which you can then transfer onto plates, wood, metal, or whatever you’d like to attach your work to. This would also make a great way to create your own personal gifts for friends or family. The book is 8.5 x 11 inches, and retails for only $19.95-US. 
I rate it:   A
(Reviewed Sept. 2004)

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Designing A Photograph
by Bill Smith

Another new photo book from AMPHOTO BOOKS is Designing A Photograph, by Bill Smith. This 144 page soft cover how-to book teaches you how to create better images with improved composition and communication. With top quality illustrations, that shows you what each technique will do for your work, and also gives you many new ideas for your own work. At US$24.95, you will learn a lot for very little cost.
(Reviewed June 2004)

Here is one of the best how-to special effects books I have seen, and it is also for digital photography. This is a step-by-step instruction book on how to turn your regular, and even poor images, into great special effects images. Each lessons tells you what steps to take, but it does not give any Photoshop settings used, probably because the book is for intermediate to advanced users who should already know how to use each tool and adjust the settings they’d need. I found this to be a great ideas book, plus the information to make them work, and filled with great illustrations. The book is a soft cover, 8.5x11 inches, with 289 pages and retails for US$34.99. It is published by Course Technology and can be ordered from www.courseptr.com
I Rate it: A++ 
(Reviewed Aug. 2005)

Here is another new book from AMPHOTO that will show you how to create B&W digital prints that are as good looking as any done in a darkroom. (Depending on the quality of your equipment of course) The techniques not only tell you how to do each step, but also includes many illustrations of the tools and settings used, and also before and after images. Being able to convert color to B&W gives you a whole new area in which to output your images, and this book will show you how. It's a soft cover with160, 8.5x11 inch pages, and retails for US$24.95. Published by AMPHOTO BOOKS and can be checked out at www.watsonguptill.com
I Rate it: A+ 
(Reviewed Aug. 2005)

 

DIGITAL black and white photography is a new book that will interest anyone interested in turning their color images into B&W ones. I requested this book because I had thought it was about producing top quality B&W prints from color files, since many digital camera only record in color. It turned out that this book is more for beginners and mostly covers what all books on B&W cover; filters, exposure, lighting, and so forth, but not what I would call “perfect” photos. There are only 6 pages devoted to conversion. There are many sections that cover special effects that can be used on B&W images, but several of those I found to be lacking, and even including some misinformation. The digital simulations for reticulation and for simulating infrared are far from what you would get in a darkroom or with film. All is not lost though! There are many sections on toning, embossing, and other such effects that are very good and would make for great images. This book is a soft cover, 9x10 inches, with 144 pages, and retails for US$24.99. It is published by Course Technology and can be ordered from www.courseptr.com
I Rate it: B 
(Reviewed Aug. 2005)

 

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Digital Calligraphy
by George Thomson.

This book is also not a photography one, but any photographers who also do their own graphics work, such as brochures and photo ads, will find it a lot of help. Designers will love it. It is a how-to book on how to create perfect lettering for any need. Want to create you own business cards, or your family holiday greetings?  There is no better way than to add calligraphy, and this book will show you how. It is not just type either. There is a host of special effects you can add to them. The book is 9 x 10, soft cover, 160 pages, and retails for just $24.95-US. It is also published by www.watsonguptill.com     
I rate it: A++
(Reviewed Nov. 2004)

Text: A
Layout: B
Photography: A
User: Beginning Photographers
(Reviewed by EP Sept. 2008)

Digital Collage and Painting: Using Photoshop and Painter to Create Fine Art
By Susan Ruddick Bloom 

In this book, the author describes how to create digital collages and digital paintings using Adobe Photoshop and Corel Painter.  This is not a book for beginning Photoshop and Painter users; it does not give exact instruction on how to operate either program.  This makes it perfect for those who are familiar with either program and want to strengthen their skills as digital artists.   Inspiration can be obtained not only from the author’s own images but the third chapter which showcases twenty-one digital artists.  Each artist has chosen one of their images to explain their production and creativity process.  Part Two of Bloom’s has instructions on how to paint and collage in both programs.  The last part of the book includes information on the filters and plug-ins available in and for Photoshop.  Bloom has made projects, with files available for download on a website, for those who want some practice with the information gained from this book.
608 pages, Focal Press (June 2, 2006),Paperback, US$49.95
I rate this book an A+++ 
(Reviewed Aug. 2006)

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