\nA<\/strong> Better than the average book
\nB<\/strong> Up to standard<\/p>\n
We do not include reviews below this level.<\/p>\n
Text:<\/strong> Is the text well written, helpful and accurate?<\/p>\n Layout:<\/strong> Is the layout clean, but interesting?<\/p>\n Photography:<\/strong> Are the images of high quality (technique, composition and creativity)?<\/p>\n User: <\/strong>\u00a0For what photo skill level is this book intended (Beginner, Intermediate or advanced)<\/p>\n Click on the book to order your copy from Amazon.<\/p>\n The Complete Guide to Nature Photography: Professional Techniques for Capturing digital Images of Nature and Wildlife<\/strong> This large book has an immediate clean and organized appeal. The pages are full of high quality landscape images and the accompanying text is clear and not excessive. The author, Sean Arbabi, covers the standard basics of photography using landscapes as the subject matter: equipment, digital format, composition, lighting, macro, creative options, and post processing. Amongst these topics are chapters that are unique to understanding and succeeding with nature photography. The chapter titled Lighting and Weather <\/em>includes issues that might come up with using light and direction of light, along with Using the Elements to Your Advantage.<\/em> This is a great way to prepare the readers for struggles they will mostly likely come across, but give them a toolbox of skills and goals to encourage them to proceed. Capturing Wildlife<\/em> is another chapter covering the unique needs of the nature photographer. Sean Arbabi walks the reader through understanding patterns of animals and how to be prepared. At the end of every chapter, the author has written an Assignment<\/em> for the reader to practice the skills learned. This also gives inspiration to the photography professors and teachers out there on how to best serve the needs of their students interested in this subject.<\/p>\n Text:<\/strong> A+ Click on a book above to order your copy from Amazon.<\/p>\n The Changing Face of Portrait Photography: From Daguerreotype to Digital The author of this book, Shannon Perich, is a Smithsonian curator who has chosen ten photographers to feature in this book about the history of portrait photography. She used images from the Photographic History Collection of the Smithsonian\u2019s National Museum of American History. The select list of artists includes: George K. Warren, Julia Margaret Cameron, Barr & Wright Studio, Gerturde K\u00e4sebier, Dorothea Lange, Nickolas Muray, Richard Avedon, Henry Horenstein, Lauren Greenfield, and Robert Weingarten. The introduction also features images by and of many other significant photographers including William Henry Fox Talbot, Evelyn Nesbit, and Jerry Uelsmann. This book is an important artifact in the documentation of human history. Art is often used to illustrate or clarify our understanding of previous eras, but photography has a unique ability to not only show an artist\u2019s interpretation, but document an aspect of reality at the time. The National Museum of American History\u2019s director, Brent D. Glass says it best in the book\u2019s foreword, \u201cthis rich and rewarding publication derives its greatest significance by reminding us that history is about people.\u201d For each of the featured photographers, Perich introduces the photographer with an image and a biography of their life, accomplishments, and significance. Then around a dozen full-page images are displayed captioned with the title, year, and process. Perich uses facts and historical evidence to discuss the understanding of the person, and then uses that to walk the reader through the evolution of this field: portrait photography. She discusses the relationships between photographer and subject, changes in technology, and the varying theories of the time. This book is intriguing to both the reader who wants more details about history and photographers, and the viewer who likes to stare at the beautiful reproductions of inspirational images from historical photographers.<\/p>\n Text:<\/strong> A++ Click on the book to order your copy from Amazon.<\/p>\n George Platt Lynes: The Male Nudes<\/strong> So often, males are overlooked as possible subjects for nude photography. Our society is obsessed with the style, shape, and size of our female citizens. We love to admire the beauty of the curvy, sensual, and reproductively amazing bodies of our women, forgetting that men can also be appreciated for the exact same qualities. Photographer George Platt Lynes had a talent for using light to accentuate the fabulous forms and textures on a male body. All of the images featured in this book are black and white and full page. Books that feature black and white images are often not up to standard in replicating the texture and quality of an original silver gelatin. However, the publishers of this book, Rizzoli International<\/a>, have done an outstanding job. This book is an inspiration to all figure photographers, including those committed to the female form. I highly recommend every photographer, and photography lover, spend a few hours examining the artistic quality of the images in this book.<\/p>\n Text: <\/strong>A PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE ART OF SEEING<\/strong><\/p>\n A Visual Perception Workshop for Film and Digital Photography<\/p>\n By Freeman Patterson<\/p>\n Freeman Patterson is an international star in the photographic world. He has published 12 books and won many awards including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the North American Nature Photography Association. He is also an outstanding visual artist instructor.<\/p>\n The original classic book that many photographers raved about years ago has been updated and expanded for use by both film and digital photographers. Photography and the Art of Seeing<\/em><\/strong> is truly a workshop giving both novice and advanced photographers ways of looking at their world in a new light. The technical guidelines, as well the exercises that Freeman Patterson suggests, give one a way to move forward in composing strong and exciting images. They allow one to break from preconceived ideas and rules and forge ahead in more creative ways.<\/p>\n This updated edition has new photographs from Freeman\u2019s personal collection and the detailed captions offer not only technical information about the shots but detail his thinking process. Freeman writes in an easy-to-read style that allows the reader to look into the way he perceives creative visual design.<\/p>\n As both a photographer and photography instructor for Apogee Photo, I can highly recommend this book for creative content and inspiration.<\/p>\n Text: <\/strong>A+ Reviewed by Noella Ballenger<\/em><\/p>\n Click on the book to order your copy from Amazon.<\/p>\n Tibet: Culture on the Edge<\/strong> One of my most favorite photographers is Phil Borges. I am permanently inspired by the black and white, hand toned images of the people he has documented in Tibet. It is with pleasure that I introduce you to a collection of his new work, featured in another outstanding book by Rizzoli International. The original collection of images by Borges that are featured in Tibetan Portrait: The Power of Compassion<\/em> were from his first visit to Tibet in 1994. Borges returned to Tibet in 2009 and spent a year and a half traveling across the Tibetan Plateau. He spent time talking to Tibetan nomads, farmers, monks, and nuns about climate change, development, and devotion. Borges states in his introduction, \u201cAt no time did they offer any comments on topics that were politically sensitive.\u201d The images he took of these people are featured in this book. Although these images differ from his previous Tibetan portraits because these are in full color, the same intimate and culturally appreciative style is apparent. I recognize the images of up-close faces with blurring landscapes in the background as uniquely Borges, but there is also a new exploration of documenting people: landscapes of their terrain, documentations of their living and devotional spaces, and non-posed action shots of individuals living and interacting. The images are large, often full-page spreads with captions that include the title, location, and interesting description of the scene. This book is a must-have for any fan of Phil Borges, portrait photography, or the concerns of the people of Tibet.<\/p>\n Text:<\/strong> A Click on the book to order your copy from Amazon.<\/p>\n Click on the book to order your copy from Amazon.<\/p>\n Click on the book to order your copy from Amazon.<\/p>\n Focal Press: Focus On Series Focal Press continues its series of small photography handbooks with these three new additions. The purpose of this series is to have a quick reference on a more specific subject. So many how-to photography books out there try to cover it all, which is good for the photographer who has the interest, time, and need for that kind of thorough resource. But for the photographer who wants fast information on a definitive topic, this series offers a tool.<\/p>\n Focus on Adobe Photoshop<\/strong> covers the topics of Bridge, Camera Raw, metadata and keywords, adjustments, retouching, and “Sharing Your Images”, making it a great tool for the photographer who knows their camera, but needs help optimizing their understanding of the tools offered in this unlimited image editing resource: the basics are covered.<\/p>\n In Focus on Lighting Photos<\/strong>, the authors cover Tools, The Color of Light, Light and Shadow, Sunlight, Portraits, Metal, Glass, Motion, and the Future. This book focuses on techniques used in the studio, making it a valuable resource for the photographer who already has an understanding of exposure. An excellent resource for a studio lighting class, either student or instructor.<\/p>\n Focus on Apple Aperture <\/strong>helps the reader to understand an image editing program that so many amateur photographers have because of the growing number of Apple computer users. The book features instruction on topics such as Importing, Layout and Viewing Images, Organizing and Backup, Image Adjustments, Metadata and Keywords, and Output.<\/p>\n Text:<\/strong> A+ by Elizabeth Powis<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/dec2011\/Book%20Reviews\/bookre4.jpg\")
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\nBy Sean Arbabi<\/p>\n\n
\nLayout: <\/strong>A+
\nPhotography: <\/strong>A+
\nUser:<\/strong> All Photographers<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/dec2011\/Book%20Reviews\/bookre5.jpg\")
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\nBy Shannon Thomas Perich<\/p>\n\n
\nLayout: <\/strong>A
\nPhotography:<\/strong> A++
\nUser: <\/strong>All Photographers and Non-Photographers<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/dec2011\/Book%20Reviews\/bookre3.jpg\")
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\nEdited by Steven Haas<\/p>\n\n
\nLayout:<\/strong> A
\nPhotography:<\/strong> A++
\nUser: <\/strong>All Photographers and Non-Photographers<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/dec2011\/Book%20Reviews\/BOOK_freeman-cover.jpg\")
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\nClick on the book to order your copy from Amazon.<\/p>\n\n
\nLayout:<\/strong> A
\nPhotography:<\/strong> A++
\nUser: <\/strong>All Photographers and Non-Photographers<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/dec2011\/Book%20Reviews\/bookre1.jpg\")
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\nBy Phil Borges<\/p>\n\n
\nLayout:<\/strong> A+
\nPhotography:<\/strong> A++
\nUser: <\/strong>All Photographers and Non-Photographers<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/dec2011\/Book%20Reviews\/bookre2.jpg\")
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\n<\/strong>Focus on Adobe Photoshop
\n<\/strong>By Corey Hilz
\nFocus on Lighting Photos
\n<\/strong>By Fil Hunter and Robin Reid
\nFocus on Apple Aperture
\n<\/strong>By Corey Hilz<\/p>\n\n
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\nLayout:<\/strong> A
\nPhotography:<\/strong> A
\nUser: <\/strong>All Photographers<\/p>\n