I would have to say that the best photography book ever published is now in the book stores, and its name is, LIFE: A Journey Through Time. I can tell you that the images in this book are grouped by Elements, Beginnings, Out of the sea, On land, Into the air, Out of the Dark, and Planet of Life, but I am at a loss for words to describe this book. It is a very large (and heavy) book, and with most images covering the full pages from edge to edge, and many others  cover the full 2-page spread, it is a book that you truly have to see to believe. The 2-page spreads I actually have to hold at arms length to see the whole image, or else I turn my head back and forth to each one. The images range from vast landscapes down to nose-to-nose shots of some of the animals. This whole book is just as fantastic inside as the image you see on its cover. I am at a loss for words every time I look at it, but I will say that if you never buy another book in your whole life, make this the last one you get. You won’t be sorry.  It is worth three times the price!

This hardback book is about 12x15 inches, with 304 pages, retails for US$49.99 – and is published by Taschen at www.taschen.com.   
I Rate it:  A++++plus (PF)
(Reviewed April 2007)

Light and Lens: Photography in the Digital Age
By Robert Hirsch

Instead of writing another how-to book on photography, Hirsch explores the purpose and concepts of photography to better understand the camera and photographer. Hirsch uses the images of many extremely talented photographers including Deborah Oropallo, Loretta Lux, Nicholas Kahn and Richard Selesnick, and Adam Fuss, creating a rich discussion of the topics on photography. There are excellent “Exercises” throughout the book to be used by the reader to explore a new technique or better understand the camera. This book is perfect for the higher education class that includes a contemporary view of the topics of photography. Just looking through the book and the wonderful collection of artists’ work is an experience worthy of purchasing this information-packed book.

I rate this book A++++ (EP)
(Reviewed January 2008)
 

Light & Lighting is a great new book on all you will need to know to handle whatever lighting situation you may come across. It is loaded with so much info that you will want to pack an extra one along with you every time you go out to shoot. Each lighting subject is fully illustrated with images, two pages of text, and useful tips, plus the tools and settings needed when an imaging program is used. This is one book that will save you a lot of time by getting the image right in the first place, so that you don’t have to work later on to fix mistakes.

This soft cover book is about 8x9 inch, with 160 pages, and is distributed by Thomson Course (www.thomson.com) in the US, and by iLEX Press (www.ilex-press.com) in the UK.  Check their web sites for the current price.            
I Rate it:  A+  (Reviewed Dec. 2005)

Click on the above image to find out current pricing or to purchase this book from Amazon.com

Lighting for Glamour Photography,
by Evans and Kimber.

Another great addition in this nude book collection is from AMPHOTO;  Lighting for Glamour Photography, by Evans and Kimber. This soft cover, 160 page book also includes just as much glamour subject matter for those who like beach, bath, and bedroom attire. There are probably twice as many illustrations as there are pages, so you will have more than enough new ideas for months of work. At $24.95-US it is more than worth the small price for what you will get in return. Published by AMPHOTO Publishing. (Reviewed Aug. 2004)

 

Lighting for Interiors is a new book filled with super illustrations and information on lighting just about any interior you will come across, from a home dining area to a palace room. From bounce light, to single light, to multiple lighting set ups, and artificial, it covers them all and does it well. I really wish I could include samples of the images in this book like the office building staircase with its 5 levels and combination of stairs that include curves, angles, and straight steps ALL in one shot. It is hard to believe that could even be lit at all. Each illustration includes shooting info and tech notes.

This soft cover book is about 9x11 inch, with 160 pages and retails for US$35.00.  Distributed by RockPort Press at  www.rockpub.com      
I Rate it:  A+++  (Reviewed Oct. 2005)

Click on the above image to find out current pricing or to purchase this book from Amazon.com

Lighting for Nude Photography,
by Rod Ashford.

This is a second excellent book for learning how to light and photograph the nude form. At 9x11 and 160 soft cover pages, this book is also richly illustrated with top quality images, and drawings as to how each image was made. The reproductions in this, as in all of the books here, are of coffee table quality, and will give you a wealth of information and ideas. Retail price $24.95-US

All four of the above books will be keepers for any photo library and they are all published by RockPort Publishers. www.rockport.com (Reviewed Aug. 2004)

 

Click on the above image to find out current pricing or to purchase this book from Amazon.com

Lighting for Still Life,
by Steve Bavister

The second book is Lighting for Still Life.  Pick just about any still life subject you want, from a match stick to a car, and this book will show you how to light it. Each image shows its lighting set up and equipment used, as well as the photographer's notes on each. It is a 9x11 inch, soft cover, with 160 pages, and retails for $35.00-US.  
I Rate it:   A+ (Reviewed Dec. 2004)

Click on the above image to find out current pricing or to purchase this book from Amazon.com

Lighting The Nude,
by Hicks, Schultz. Larg, and Wood.

This one is a, 21 chapter, 448 page hardback book of coffee table quality, and measures 8x10.5 inches.  Every image is accompanied with a detailed illustration of how it was lighted, either in the studio or outside. At only $30.00-US, this book is worth twice the price, so you’d better get it before they realize what they’ve done, and jack up the price.
(Reviewed Aug. 2004)

Here is a great study of women by one of the world’s best female photographers. Women see other women in a completely different way then men do, and this book is a perfect example of that fact. The most striking feature I noticed is the women’s eyes are so sharp that they seem to be a subject of their own. As with a lot of Tenneson’s work, these are all brown toned, which gives them even more appeal to the viewer.

Subjects are young and old, mother and child, and from nudes to covered with feathers, all done in that unique Tenneson style. There are few photographers whose work you know as soon as you see it without any name attached, and Tenneson is one of the few.

This hardback book is a large 9x12 inch, with 112 pages and retails for US$50.00. Distributed by BULFINCH Press at www.bulfinchpress.com      
I Rate it: A++  (Reviewed Dec. 2005)

 

This is another of William's many great books on using the Mac. If you are new to Mac, this book will get you up to speed in no time. If you are an old-time user it will teach you things you probably didn’t even know about your system. Since this is a beginner level book, it is very easy to understand and learn from, and almost everything is illustrated so you will know what she is talking about. This is one of those books that you keep right next to your keyboard so you always know where it is at when needed.

This soft cover book is about 7x10 inch, with 204 pages and retails for only US$14.99.  Distributed by Peach Pit Press at  www.peachpit.com      
I Rate it:  A  (Reviewed Oct. 2005)
 

The Lost Border is an interesting new book that documents the history of the Berlin Wall in a cross-country photo trip. It shows the wall in locations that few people outside of the local residents have ever seen. Most people around the world think of the wall as just being the big brick structure that divided the city of Berlin, but most of it was just a wire fence that divided all of Germany along the Iron Curtain. A fence that at places even ran the whole length of a centuries-old stone bridge, brought roads to a dead-end, and at one very odd place, wrapped around a group of buildings in one big “U” shape.  This hardback book is 10x10 inches, 144 pages, 80 color photos, and retails for US$40.00.  It is distributed by Chronicle Books and can be ordered at: www.chroniclebooks.com      
I Rate it:  A   (Reviewed Feb. 2005)