Women
by ANNIE LEIBOVITZ SUSAN SONTAG
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (19 October, 1999)
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Editorial Review

Each of the extraordinary portraits made by photographer Annie Leibovitz for her book Women stands on its own. Looked at together, these "photographs of people with nothing more in common than that they are women (and living in America at the end of the twentieth century), all--well almost all--fully clothed," writes Susan Sontag in the book's preface, form "an anthology of destinies and disabilities and new possibilities." Leibovitz, who in her years working for Rolling Stone, Vogue, and Vanity Fair magazines has photographed hundreds of celebrities, turns her lens on a wide range of ordinary and extraordinary female subjects: coal miners, socialites, first ladies, artists, domestic-violence victims, an astronaut, a surgeon, a maid. What she creates is a reflection of contemporary American womanhood that mirrors both women's accomplishments and the challenges they still face individually and as a group.

Leibovitz demonstrates her own range as a photographer in this body of work, shooting in the studio and natural settings and working in both black-and-white and color film. She depicts model Jerry Hall wearing a little black dress, a fur coat, and high heels, staring frankly at the viewer from a velvet chair in a plush red parlor while her naked infant son nurses from her exposed right breast. Schoolteacher Lamis Srour's eyes--the only part of her face visible behind her heavy black veil--illuminate a dark black-and-white portrait. Leibovitz frames actress Elizabeth Taylor and her dog Sugar by their shocks of snow-white hair. She captures four Kilgore College Rangerettes, a drill team, at the apex of their kicks--white-booted legs pointing up, obscuring their faces and revealing the red underpants beneath their blue miniskirts. There are many more wonderful and unexpected images here, over 200 in all. The delight in discovering them awaits readers. --Jordana Moskowitz ... Read more

Reviews (42)

Wonderful wonderful
I loved this book.It made me feel like a real woman.

Image as Everywoman
Fiction is my preference when writing book reviews, because I love the complexity of words, stories, and the vagaries of human nature with its endless permutations. But when I received Leibovitz's astonishing compilation of photographs as a gift, I thought I might attempt an impression of page after page of females, as seen through the professional eye of one of the most important photographers of our generation.

Who has not gazed in awe at Leibovitz's unusual perspective, the beautiful made even more so? But I want real women with wrinkles and dirt under their fingernails, the kind of women overlooked in the rush to worship human perfection. I want to see if there is a balance, not just the too thin, too gorgeous, too self-indulgent. In that regard, I believe Women contains a preponderance of well-groomed elegance, albeit impressive, for instance a breathtaking portrait of Gwyneth Paltrow and her mother, Blythe Danner. This particular image contrasts a young woman in the blush of her feminine power with the graceful progression of years that adds to a woman's complex attraction. To be sure, there are folios of celebrities, socialites, all those who live in the rarified strata of entitlement.

While not as numerous, the presentation of real women like me, those who inhabit my world, are so powerful as to diminish the bland compositions of society's darlings. The studies of abused women jump off the pages, eyes glazed, the immediacy of domestic violence tattooing their faces, staring into a future devoid of hope; a remarkably insightful photograph of Ellen DeGeneris, virtually unrecognizable under a layer of cracked white greasepaint; two pre-adolescent girls in the back of a pickup truck, displaying a row of leggy blonde Barbie's, with Ken in a faux high school letter jacket, his plastic Prom Queen sporting a crown atop hair that cascades down the length of her body; three young Latino women glare accusingly at the lens, displaying gang colors with pride, ambiguously dangerous; the lines of age score lived-in faces, eyes shadowed by years of struggle, etched finally by the exhaustion of daily survival. For me, these pictures contain the essence of womanhood, untainted by ubiquitous vanities.

In all, Leibovitz "sees" these women, their strengths, frailties and vulnerabilities. This series of images is a walk through the multi-hued, textured world of women, esoteric, generous, often brutally honest and unflinching. Luan Gaines/2004.

A moving and exceptional book
This is definately my favorite book, and one I enjoy giving to special women friends.Annie Leibowitz has managed to capture the full spectrum of women, from the subdued and simple to the succesful and sophisticated. It is a moving book and a celebration to women's individuality and uniqueness. I warmly recommend it. ... Read more

Isbn: 0375500200
Subjects:  1. 1949-    2. Individual Photographer    3. Individual Photographers And Their Work    4. Leibovitz, Annie,    5. Photo Essays    6. Photoessays & Documentaries    7. Photography    8. Photography of women    9. Subjects & Themes - Portraits    10. Women's Studies - General    11. Photography / Individual Photographer    12. Bargain   

Harley Brown's Eternal Truths for Every Artist
by Harley Brown Lewis Barrett Lehrman
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (01 March, 2001)
list price: $29.99
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Reviews (16)

What you should be thinking
Fantastic look into the thought process of an accomplished artist.Mr. Brown gives you the concepts and ideas you need to create better quality work.And I do think the concepts apply to "abstract" art.The problem is most abstract artists resist anything that might 'hinder' their creativity (Yes, that is an opinion).Things like knowledge or developing a skill through hard work.The truth is even if you're spewing paint at a canvas from 30 feet away with a super-soaker while riding a mechanical bull in your birthday suit, some of your 'art' will look better and feel more complete or finished.Why is that? Because somehow the concepts of design or of dominate value or dominate color, etc.. are satisfied.Maybe it would happen by accident but knowing the concepts will help you separate the good pieces from the unworthy or help you to know when you're done. This is not a How-To Paint Book or How-to draw or whatever, this is a How-To-Think-As-An-Artist book. Awesome book.I wish there were more from Mr. Brown.

If I could give it10 stars I would!
My shelves are full of pastel and other art books but by far, this is the absolute best! Do just as Harley says, and USE it, do not just put it up on your shelf to collect dust. Mine is sitting next to my easel for constant reference. I love this man's work, his writing style is witty and makes it feel like he is talking right to YOU! I have seen a definite improvement in my pastels, just from using this wonderful book!

Probably the most helpful art book I've ever read!
In this book don't expect to be taught every technique for every medium.No, that's not Mr. Brown's goal at all.Instead he's going to share the things that make a painting more interesting, more full of life and quite simply 'work' in a way that draws the viewer into the art.I've been amazed as page after page has been loaded with things that I never knew - that no one ever told me before! - even though I've read dozens of books on technique and have taken classes.These are the eternal truths of composition, dominate tone and color and the list goes on.I can tell that this will be a book I will refer to endlessly throughout my journey as an artist. ... Read more

Isbn: 1929834063
Sales Rank: 62645
Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Techniques - General    4. Techniques - Painting   

Artist's Manual: A Complete Guide to Painting and Drawing Materials and Techniques
by Angela Gair
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 September, 1996)
list price: $27.50 -- our price: $17.32
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Reviews (10)

Beautiful
I'm a true novice, a friend once said I like to "color".She may be right!

I find this book informative (basic info for people like me who didn't go to art class in school) and inspirational.I love the art in it and the collage with art materials on the cover and throughout the book is stunning.A must even for us non-artists!

I bought the book a few years back and still dig it out when I feel the urge to be creative.That to me is a sign of a good book!It is a book that I look at over and over again, and doesn't get "dated".

Good book, but definately for novices
This is a good book to become familiar with a wide range of materials and basic techniques.Appearance wise, it is heads and shoulders above the competition.

However, the text itself is more of a dummy's guide to art materials.Essentially, it gives enough information for someone to be able to communicate effectively with others on the subjects.It gives some basic instructions, which are perfect for someone with little background in the subjects.

I would really give this text two scores, one on the body of content, and another on its helpfulness to amatures.The scores would probably be a 3 and a 5.

A Keeper
I see this book as a complement to Ray Smith's book The Artist's Handbook. Mainly because The Artist's Manual covers some media that the Ray Smith book doesn't. The chapters give a good introduction to things such as papers, canvas, stretching paper and canvas, preparing them with various types of grounds (the correct word is ground when referring to materials used to prime canvas- gesso technicallyrefers only to grounds applied to prime wood panels - or did until paint marketing departments convinced artists to call any ground applied to any surface 'gesso').

Some of the media covered in this book are dry and water-soluable colored pencils, pastels, oil pastels, conte crayons, charcoal, pen and inks, colored drawing inks and markers. Paints covered include oils, oil bars, egg tempera, watercolor, gouache and acrylic. One of the nice things is that there is a special chapter devoted to Chromacolour paints (This is a type of paint that was developed for the film animation industry and is now available to fine artists and craftsmen). Each drawing or painting medium mentioned above has a chapter discussing painting techniques used for it.

The final one-third of the book covers such things as composition, color theory, working on location, landscapes, portraits, figures, architecture, setting up a studio, varnishing and framing, directory of suppliers, understanding health and safety information on paint labels, glossary and index. A really good reference book for any artists bookshelf. ... Read more

Isbn: 0811813770
Sales Rank: 114239
Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Art Media (General)    4. Artists' materials    5. Technique    6. Techniques - Drawing    7. Techniques - General    8. Techniques - Painting   

The Artist's Body (Themes and Movements)
by Tracey Warr
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (06 January, 2000)
list price: $75.00 -- our price: $47.25
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Reviews (1)

great thematic survey
This is like a catalog for an exhibition that could never be mounted (at least not with the actual works).It is a collection of documents of various performance artists whose works deal with the human body as boththe subject and object of their art.The book divides the works intovarious categories and creates some very interesting and surprisingcomparisons.By grouping such 'painterly' aritists as Gunter Brus, PaulMcCarthy and Karen Finley, the authors present new avenues ofinterpretation for each.The captions function in much the same way aswall labels for a gallery show would and encourage the reader to thinkabout the complex meanings of works that are not often discussed beyondtheir sensational surface.The introductory essay is good but it is thecaptions, photographs and the artist statements at the end where the realaction takes place.The book also includes works by sculptors andphotographers whose works are performative in nature.I was happy to seethat Brazilian artist Lygia Clark is included.Her imaginative and playfulobjects are often overlooked because their gentle qualities are usuallyovershadowed by the more sexually explicit works of other artists. ... Read more

Isbn: 0714835021
Sales Rank: 129137
Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Art    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Art, Modern    5. Artists and models in art    6. Body art    7. Conceptual    8. Criticism    9. History - Modern (Late 19th Century to 1945)    10. Performance    11. Performance art    12. Special Subjects In Art    13. Art / General   

Business of Art, The
by LeeCaplin
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (08 September, 1998)
list price: $21.95 -- our price: $14.93
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Reviews (5)

Its a start: you must know what you are encountering
The format of this book is not "10 quick things you can do". It is mostly a discussion, from different people, attacking different subjets. It is not uniform. There is a lot of repetition. However, being a lawyer, I find that it is a good start for people who have little concept of technical aspects of the art market.

Author recounts book's success
When I was Special Assistant Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, visual artists had few ways to support themselves except for grants. Apart from the special few, little hope existed for selling their art, and most artists had no idea of how to "go about it." I assembled an internationally respected group of artists, dealers, art lawyers and accountants and put them in front of tens of thousands of artists nationwide. Through questions and answers, speeches and demonstations, a distilled book's worth of unique knowledge and advice came into being. Unlike any other books that give one artist's opinion, or one "art advisor's advice" this book does something different: the straight story comes directly from the most outstanding and respected authorities in the field. No other book does this. No other authority can provide this knowledge in a single volume. The Business of Art is now the basis for college level courses on the business side of art. There is also a companion video sold by Phoenix Flms at 800-221-1274. Used together, they provide artists and art groups with a wealth of learning material for either immediate use or continuing education of artists worldwide.

Not so good
There is a lot of info in this book.However, the information seems jumbled.I say that because, one chapter seems to be more for the emerging artist and the next for the established artist.I did not care for the chapters about the dealers (ex. one chapter in New York dealer, one is Houston dealer, etc.)
I would recommend other business of art books first and save this one for last if your starting a reference collection of art business books. ... Read more

Isbn: 0735200130
Sales Rank: 92203
Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art (Economic Aspects)    3. Business & Economics    4. Business/Economics    5. Careers - General    6. Careers / Job Opportunities    7. Economic aspects    8. Economics - General    9. Marketing    10. Reference    11. Business & Economics / General   

The Gallery Management Manual
by Zella Jackson
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 July, 1998)
list price: $49.95 -- our price: $49.95
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Reviews (8)

All of her books are like this one... useless
As a gallery owner, I was unimpressed by the quantity and more importantly the quality of information included in this book. I have ordered and read all of her books and unfortunately it just isn't worth the price, time or effort.

Disappointing
I'd been looking forward to receiving this book. It's expensive - especially when having to pay shipping, handling and VAT outside of the US - so perhaps I was expecting too much.
But the tone is patronising and the information extremely repetitive. Even some of the "useful forms" are duplicated.
The most essential aspects of gallery management are glossed over, or not mentioned at all, and in addition the text is filled with typographical errors.
The book seemed so promising: the chapter headings are logical and appear to offer meaty, meaningful advice - what a pity to find instead that it's all rather vague.

Great Sales Management Tools!
The Gallery Management Manual is a solid book of tools that will help anyone get the most out of their sales team and client dossiers.The author is a well known industry expert in this area.I am continually impressed with how often she is quoted in Art Business News, Art Expressions and other trade journals on this very subject,"how to effectively manage your sales staff and client files." ... Read more

Isbn: 0965956032
Sales Rank: 688642
Subjects:  1. Art    2. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - General   

How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist, 5th ed. : Selling Yourself Without Selling Your Soul
by Caroll Michels
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (December, 2001)
list price: $17.00 -- our price: $11.56
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Reviews (22)

professional read
this is a good book and i also recommend Gilli Moon's "I Am A Professional Artist" as a comparative read.

A Must Read for All Artists
This book is great for someone who needs a broad overview of the fundamentals of creating a career as a freelance artist. It is basically a checklist of what you need to know and do to be successful as a self-employed artist, in other words: the business side of art. As a 32 year old man who has always been one of those 'talented' amateur artists, but didn't know squat about the business side of being an artist, this book was exactly what I needed to read in order to help me draw out a roadmap towards achieving my longtime dream of being a freelance artist. Caroll points out that even people like me who do not have an extensive background and education in fine art, still have the ability to create a career in the visual arts.

Caroll begins by tearing apart the myth of the 'starving artist' or the 'poor but noble artist'. She basically discusses common psychological pitfalls that many artists fall into (including myself), believing that it is not possible to have a successful career as a freelance artist. Let's face it, all our lives we have been told how a career as a freelance fine artist is a career in futile struggle and poverty. We have been brainwashed with the belief that a degree in fine art is not worth the paper it is printed on. And we have been constantly reminded that if we are stubborn in our choice to be a fine artist, then at least have a 'backup plan'. We have even been told, "It is better to major in something else, and just do a minor in fine art". (I have also gotten these types of comments in my choice to study music). I actually didn't realize the degree to which I have been brainwashed into believing that art is not a valuable profession. Caroll points out that if you believe it is not possible to make it as an artist, then you have already severely handicapped your chances of making it. In contrast she discusses how in having the self-confidence to believe you are just as good as any other professional, and worth being paid, this will automatically lead you to making the right positive steps towards having a sucessful career. In essence: if you can convince yourself that your skills as an artist are valuable, you will have the ability to convince others that you are valuable. On the other hand, if you go into a situation and believe you are not worth being paid, your potential client will also believe you are not worth being paid, hence continuing on with the negative stereo-type of freelance art not being a serious or valuable profession.

She uses a an excellent example of two of her clients: one was a 40 year old woman with no professional or educational experience in fine art, who decided she wanted a career change. At her first art exhibit, she sold about $18,000 in paintings, the average price of her paintings being about $5000. The second client was also a 40 year old woman and had an extensive background and education in fine art. The experienced artist was also able to sell her paintings at an average price of about $5000. This brings up the question, "why was the woman with essentially no artist resume, able to sell her paintings for the same price as the woman with years of experience and art degrees?". The answer is simple: the first woman believed she was worth being paid a professional wage, and because she believed it, her clients also believed it!In other words, she wasn't tainted with the myth of the 'poor starving artist', she had created an image of herself of a professional, and successful artist, and it worked! It is also worth mentioning that the first woman's previous career was in selling real estate. It goes to show that one of the primary ways in which you can achieve success as an artist is simply being a good salesperson.

Caroll then lays out the fundamental business must-knows of being an artist. It is more of a broad overview at this point, and she gives some detailed examples, but still leaves plenty of room for you to do more research and reading on the topic. A good 220 pages of the book is her advice and insights, and the last 120 pages or so are all names, adresses and websites of organizations that can further help you learn your profession, and make professional contacts.

The reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5, is because there certainly was plenty she could have elaborated on further, and given more specific information. As one reader above mentioned, I too sat down and read this book in one sitting. This shows how captivating it can be to someone like me who just didn't know alot of these basic 'must-knows'. But on the other hand, it also shows that it is a relatively quick read, and could have been packed with more detailed information to read and study.

Overall I must give this book two thumbs up and a recommendation to every serious artist who has always wanted to have a career as a freelance artist.

I plan to re-read this book SEVERAL more times, in order to ingrain the information in my brain, and make it second nature with how to deal with various basic problems. I most likely will use it as a checklist everytime I am about to take a serious move towards promoting and developing my career as an artist.

I like this book so much I am going to buy a second copy and give it to a friend of mine who has a BFA and MFA in sculpture, and yet he works as a dump truck driver!!!! He really needs this book!

A big thankyou to Caroll for writing this wonderful book.

A Little Old, But Still On The Money
A combination of common sense, inside knowledge, and courage bolstering; even though this book needs some updating for the computer age, Michels' observations are right on target. She tells the unvarnished truth about bad gallery practices and how to protect yourself, legal pitfalls, and the myth of not being paid "because you're doing something that you---looove."But most importantly, Michels strips away the silly notions that we artists must play the victim and give in to every unreasonable demand galleries and possible clients make. Being rolled is exactly how artists have gotten into the contemptible position we are in now, and it won't stop until we take control of our careers, make our own demands and learn to say things like "no" and "sorry, if you can't take digital images, then you aren't technically advanced enough to represent me on the level I deserve".

I am absolutely going to buy this book again when the new version comes out. One of the few "making it in the arts" books which isn't full of: New Age fluff, unworkable schemes, pompous pep talks, or half baked advice. Not for the cringing hobbiest who is willing to pay a $50 entry fee to be in a high priced street show, but very much for anyone who is serious and respectable. ... Read more

Isbn: 0805068007
Sales Rank: 4032
Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Business Aspects    4. Career/Job    5. Careers - Arts    6. Careers - General    7. Marketing    8. Marketing - General    9. Personal Growth - Success    10. Reference    11. United States    12. Vocational guidance    13. Business & Economics / Careers   

The Artist's Guide to New Markets: Opportunities to Show and Sell Art Beyond Galleries
by Peggy Hadden
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 April, 1998)
list price: $18.95 -- our price: $12.89
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Reviews (5)

Excellent Read
I started reading this book and did not put it down until it was done. Although some info is outdated, it is an excellent read.

I wish I could discourage artists from buying this book...
...it would stop them from having access to the most valuable ideas to helping anyone from progressing as a serious artist, and leave more room for ME to advance!!!!
I thought I was an ideas person, and knew most of the ways of getting my art 'out there' but this book is jam packed with viable options of all imaginable venues and opportunities,as well as spelling out specific contacts and how to go about it all.
From the moment I opened the book, I was highlighting, jotting down ideas, and revitalised in my enthusiasm to succeed with my art. I intend to read, re-read, and then read again this book. It will become my artist 'bible'.
It encouraged me to put effort into submitting work to a hospital where it will now be viewed by thousands of people, and other exciting projects are now being explored.
A HUGE thank you to Peggy for writing this book and being so generous with her first-hand knowledge sharing. I certainly learnt SO much from it, and would have to recommend it to any artist who wishes to progress in the art world (even though I wish they don't buy it, so that I can have all the opportunities to myself!).

Great reference tool!
Keep this on your bookshelf to get your mind jumpstarted re: where to show your work.It's a great guide to be read cover-to-cover or just occasionally flipping through.The suggestions of how and where can be easily answered if you're wondering how to get started in showing your work.It's like someone is there to hold your hand when you're worried or to cheer you on when you're excited. ... Read more

Isbn: 1880559757
Sales Rank: 39747
Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Art (Economic Aspects)    4. Arts Management    5. Business Aspects    6. General    7. Marketing    8. Marketing - General    9. Selling   

Oil Painting Secrets from a Master
by Linda Cateura
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 September, 1995)
list price: $24.95 -- our price: $15.72
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Reviews (16)

Excellent - Not for Beginners though
I am always skeptical of books which are meant to teach you to paint.I myself am an artist and I've learned the only way to paint is to do it and do it often.But his book is excellent because it helps you learn to "see" things you might otherwise miss.It is not for beginners but for those with some painting experience.This is one of the only books on painting I would recommend, besides perhaps, Gregg Kreutz's Problem Solving for Oil Painting, another excellent book, very similar to this one.Coincidently, Leffle [sic?], whose paintings are the ones featured in this book, was a teacher of Kreutz at the Art Students League of New York.

Not for beginners
This book focusses intially on the process of thinking that should be adopted while painting and during composition, which is quite helpful. The rest of the book are filled with tips on brushstroke, color, chiaroscuro, etc which are also occasionally educational. However, the tips are sometimes confusing and not very clearly articulated. The drawback of the book is that the quality of the prints are nor esp good and the tips, though sometimes helpful, are neither thorough nor are they put down in a very orderly manner. Some of the tips do not focus on the "why" of the same, but just that they should be adopted. If a person is looking for an in-depth technique book, this is not it. Intermediate painters, rather than beginners, would find this book to be of some help. But neither does this book contain any great inputs for artists who have already attained some degee of expertise.

Very Disappointed
I was very disappointed with this book.The quality of the paintings that are reproduced in this book are so poor.I have an entire library of painting books, and I have never seen one that is such poor quality.Part of the way that I learn from a painting book is by examining the artwork after reading the copy.As with many artists, I tend to learn much better visually then from straight text.If you learn that way as well, then this is not the book for you.I can't even begin to describe how poor these reproductions look.They are blurry with poor color and very distant.What a shame.This appears to be a great artist, and I can't understand how he could have allowed such a poor quality book such as this to represent his work.I was also disappointed by the way that the book frequently will refer to a painting that the artist critiqued in a class, but then never show the painting.I am such a visual learner, that this did not work for me.I think that this book is best for artists that can learn easily from text and are not bothered by the lack of quality visual aids. ... Read more

Isbn: 0823032795
Sales Rank: 15671
Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Oil Painting    4. Techniques - General    5. Techniques - Oil Painting   

The Art of Outdoor Photography: Techniques for the Advanced Amateur and Professional
by Boyd Norton
Average Customer Review:
Rag Book (01 February, 1997)
list price: $21.95
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Reviews (31)

For beginners, not advanced amateurs and professionals
The sub-title of the book says "Techniques for the Advanced Amateur and Professional."Hardly.This is simply one of many generalist photography books geared to beginners and "non-advanced" amateurs.Don't expect to find anything that isn't in dozens of similar books.The photos are average, and aren't helped by the lacklustre quality of the printing.

Great book
Great book that teaches a lot about "outdoor photography". Equipment, interesting technigues, locations, and many other topics are explained with many examples. I am mostly interested in landscape photography and found many advices very usefull. Highly recomended.

Great book - very helpful
This is the most helpful photo book I have ever seen! The illustrations are superb, with helpful captions. Moreover, it's good for beginning levels despite what the subtitle says. I highly recommend it. Worth every penny. Also a great gift for other photographer friends. ... Read more

Isbn: 0896583465
Sales Rank: 380929
Subjects:  1. Outdoor photography    2. Photo Techniques    3. Photography    4. Techniques    5. Techniques - General   

Travel Photography
by Roger Hicks Frances Schultz
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (October, 1998)
list price: $38.95 -- our price: $25.71
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Reviews (3)

Photography writer leaders
Not what I expected from Hicks & Schultz. I have been purchasing alot of travel photo books lately due to my decided direction with my photography. This book is way less value than I expected. Lacks direction, many other book available here that are way better value and offer alot more. Tends to tell the reader what he already knows. Not up to there usual standards...Maybe of interest to the novice..any higher than that...forget it.. Dissapointing!!

A good place to start
I wish I had this book when I began my travel writing career. It includes most of what a beginner needs to know, without spending too much time with minor details.

I found it to be a good tool for answering hard to find answers, but the best way to learn is just by doing it.

Great how-to book for travel photographers.
Hicks and Shultz will be the first to admit there is no fortune to be made in travel photography. But for those of us out there who want to at least try, they have given the perfect starting point with an easy to read book offering wonderful advice and enviable photo illustrations. The authors explain in detailed chapters the tools, attitudes, business sense and intuition needed to break into the business. After reading the book, I have no doubts about my direction in travel photography. No matter what your book reading style, whether a pick up and read at leisure person or a read all at once person, the book is adapted to either. Many people will enjoy the friendly way the text is written making photo enthusiasts feel as though they are life long friends with the authors. ... Read more

Isbn: 0240515145
Sales Rank: 700071
Subjects:  1. Commercial    2. Commercial Photography    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Photo Techniques    5. Photography    6. Subjects & Themes - Travel - General    7. Techniques - General    8. Travel photography    9. Advice on careers & achieving success    10. Photographic equipment & techniques    11. Photography / Techniques    12. Special kinds of photography   

National Geographic: The Photographs
by Leah Bendavid-Val Leah Bendavid Val
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (01 October, 1994)
list price: $50.00
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Reviews (7)

Manna on mulch
The strength of the photographs in National Geographic is that they are often gorgeously-shot and expertly composed by professionals who clearly know their craft. Their weakness is that their perfection sometimes masks a banality of subject matter and narrative, often sinking them beyond the level of illustration. "National Geographic: the Photographs" embodies both aspects of the magazine's photography.

While more than a few photos barely rise above the snapshot level, most are thoughtfully (if a bit too artfully) composed, though a few are absolutely standouts. Steve McCurry's haunting 1984 shot of Sharbat Gula, the green-eyed Afghan refugee girl, is the classic example. The girl's haunted expression speaks volumes about the hardships she has experienced. The photo graces the book's cover, while her updated portrait, shot 18 years later, adorns the back. Now a wife and mother, the same hauntedness appears in Gula's eyes, now encased in a face grown older and wearier. Another standout -- an overhead shot of camels traversing the wastes of Djibouti -- is disconcerting until one recognizes the camera's vantage point. The straightforward grace of some photos belies the difficulty with which they were taken. It takes only a second to flip past an underwater picture of an approaching hippo; but the photograph cannot capture the hours of patience and luck it took to take it.

"National Geographic: The Photographs" includes the expected pictures of wildlife, nature and human cultures from around the globe as well as several topical spreads -- Spain, sleep, and the Titanic. The book's large format helps many photos communicate the grandeur of their natural subjects. When the subject and composition coincide, the photographs are strikingly beautiful.

How best to describe -The Photographs
How can we best describe the National Geographic's publication, The Photographs? Creative, aesthetic, unnatural perspectives, abstract, ultra realistic, surreal, vibrant, and the list of adjectives is endless! However, I guess what best sums up this book is that it constitutes one of the most important and impressive contributions to photojournalism.

It is in reality an excellent survey or synthesis of photo images that permits readers to follow the evolution of photography dating back one hundred years until today. In fact, as mentioned in the book, although the techniques may differ, some of the earliest photos still compare favourably with those of today.

This is quite evident when you view the 1902 photo shot by photographer George Shiras lll entitled Loon Lake, Ontario, Canada. Here we notice a lynx sitting proudly along the banks of the lake and unfazed by the photographer's lantern that detects the glow of its eyes. However, as indicated, the lynx was alarmed by the flash photography. As an added detail, the reader is apprised of the fact that Shiras pioneered nighttime close-ups of wildlife and the use of remote-control devices. It is noteworthy to mention that scattered throughout the book are these very interesting tidbits pertaining to the history and science of photography.

Fast forward to the cover and back of the book where we immediately are exposed to the renowned photographer Steve McCurry's spellbinding images of the young Afghan girl with the penetrating eyes taken in a refugee camp in Pakistan in 1984 when she was 17 years and rediscovered in Afghanistan in 2002.

In all of these instances we see the superb focusing of the lens on the subject matter and the reflection of someone or something. It is an encouragement of some sort of reaction or level of contemplation. Moreover, the creation of a great photograph lies in the photographer's ability to use the full range of options at his or her disposal. It is these essential ingredients that are continuously prevalent in the multitude of impressive images contained in the five sections of the book dealing with such topics as science, astrology, archaeology, wildlife, underwater, and cultures.

What enhances the value of this spectacular book is the many captions, articles, essays and descriptions that have been contributed by the editor Leah Bendavid-Val and her many National Geographic assistants. Without these contributory writings the book would not have been able to effectively aid the reader in appreciating the moving and penetrating characteristics of the photographs, as well as following the evolution of the history of photography.

Norm Goldman Editor of Bookpleasures.com

Not the best
After looking through national geographics, I don't know if I would classify these as their best pictures.I've seen better and expected more. ... Read more

Isbn: 0870449869
Sales Rank: 76468
Subjects:  1. Collections Of Photographs    2. Documentary photography    3. National geographic    4. Nature & Wildlife    5. Photo Essays    6. Photography    7. Photojournalism    8. Reference    9. Subjects & Themes - Plants & Animals    10. Subjects & Themes - Travel - World/General    11. Travel - World/General    12. Travel photography    13. Photography / General   

The Photo Book
by Editors of Phaidon Press
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (10 February, 1997)
list price: $45.00 -- our price: $28.35
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Editorial Review

The concept for this book is simple: 500 photographers, 500 pages. Arranged alphabetically, each of the photographers--from contemporary Dutch cameraman Hans Aarsman to mid-century New York shutterbug James Van Der Zee--gets a full, oversized page. On it is a large, expertly reproduced image and a concise caption packed with information about the photographer and his or her work. The coincidental alignment of photos of different eras and aesthetic sensibilities provides unusual and exciting contrasts that add an extra dimension to readers' perception of the work. Rineke Dijkstra's color-saturated shot of a bikini-clad beachgoer in South Carolina faces a Mike Disfarmer portrait of a rural Arkansas couple in 1943. Imogen Cunningham's inimitable Nude is here, along with a more surprising image--My Mother, Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire, a color-photo collage by painter David Hockney. With iconic photographs like Alfred Eisenstaedt's shot of a sailor and a nurse kissing in Times Square on V-J Day, historic ones like Larry Burrows's shot of wounded U.S. soldiers in Vietnam, and pop images like David LaChapelle's picture of a bodybuilder posing amid a cluster of little boys aping his stance, the scope of this visual encyclopedia is truly epic. And with its incredibly low price tag, there's no better value out there for fans of photography. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Child of the Art Book.
One of the may "relatives" of the original "Art Book", this is possibly the most accesible of the collection. The photographic image is after all, an art form we can all identify with and one which most of us regularly utilise and interact with.
The layout follows the same gentic coding as the previous books, which is a tried, tested and highly sensible a-z format, exploring a wide range of artistic schools as it wades through the alphbet.
The chosen works are stunning and like any good gallery plan, aims to stir a vast range of human emotion and experience.
My only problem with this book, and it is more a criticism of the genre really, is that page after page of same artisitic medium (however diverse the pictures may be) renders it a little lack lustre, but then however beautiful a picture may be one cannot escape the basic premise that the image is more about good fortune than good work;however skilled the cameraman/woman.
While I would undoubtedly recommend this book, it is the quieter child of the family and you won't want to visit it as often as it's more vibrant siblings.

Excellent survey of photography from it's birth
This book shows what amazing and inspiring pieces of art can be created with a camera.

Each of 500 photographers is represented with a single photograph. Every possible period and genre is represented and since the photographers are simply presented alphabetically, the contrast from picture to picture can be striking.

An excellent book, and it's available in both "coffee table" and "night table" sizes.

Simply outstanding
What pictures, what beauty, what a blend of art in photography, what a beautiful cover, page design, typeface, everything is just simple beauty.A must have if you have a coffee table or if you love good photography.The masters are shown here.You won't regret it. ... Read more

Isbn: 0714836346
Subjects:  1. Collections Of Photographs    2. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    3. General    4. History    5. Photo Essays    6. Photoessays & Documentaries    7. Photography    8. Photography, Artistic    9. Photography / General   

Secret Knowledge: Rediscovering the Lost Techniques of the Old Masters
by David Hockney
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (25 October, 2001)
list price: $60.00
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Editorial Review

British painter David Hockney, well known for his cool and lovely paintings of California pools, has taken on the new role of detective. For two years Hockney seriously investigated the painting techniques of the old masters, and like any admirable sleuth, compiled substantial evidence to support his revolutionary theory. Secret Knowledge is the fruit of this labor, an exhaustive treatise in pictures revealing clues that some of the world's most famous painters, Ingres, Velázquez, Caravaggio (just to mention a few) utilized optics and lenses in creating their masterpieces. Hockney's fascination with the subject is contagious, and the book feels almost like a game with each analysis a "How'd they do that?" instead of a whodunit. While some may find the technical revelation a disappointment in terms of the idea of genius, Hockney is quick to point out that the use of optics does not diminish the immensity of artistic achievement. He reminds the reader that a tool is just a tool, and it is still the artist's hand and creative vision that produce a work of art. (296 pages, 460 illustrations, 402 in color.) --J.P. Cohen ... Read more

Reviews (54)

Fascinating historical reconstruction.
The premise is simple: Hockney believes that the Old Masters of European art used tools and techniques of which little record remains. This book presents his justification for that belief.

The first half of this book is visual. It shows the original paintings and drawings that led Hockney to this idea. Once it's pointed out, many signs are unmistakable: odd proportions in otherwise masterful works, inconsistent perspective drawn by people who really knew perspective, and a few other better-known oddities. Although I'm not a fan of Hockney's own work, I respect the training and sensitivity that picked out these features.

Hockney goes on to show how these artifacts could have come from use of a family of optical tools, including camera lucida and several variants on the camera obscura. This is where he brings the most to this book, in trying the tools himself, as an artist, and seeing what unique features each tool imposes on the resulting artworks. This is what has so many critics upset - the idea that the Old Masters might have used every tool possible to complete their commissions faster, and to give their patrons the most pleasing result for the ducat. Those critics know about the assembly-line work in some of the Old Masters' studios and who know about the other mechanical aids that are well documented, but squawk at the idea of adding another tool to their toolboxes. Huh?

Hockney's evidence is often circumstantial, since painting was (and often is) a secretive and competitive business. Still, he offers a good story, and the second half of the book adds a strong foundation of written records to the structure. This is the book's weakness, though. Hockney is an artist, not a historian or optical technologist. He chose a story-telling format for presenting his findings, the letters he exchanged with scholars and specialists in other fields. It has a friendly look, but lacks in density and in organization of the historical records.

Despite its many flaws, I find it a fascinating study. Hockney really brings history to life, with his own hands, dispelling the idea that historical study is a dry, dusty practice. His documentation lacks in formal rigor, and he addresses the Great Masters about whom people have strong sentiment. Some people see that as iconoclasm for its own sake - guys, get over it.
-- Address his facts with facts. Name-calling says more about you than him.
-- Picking one nit (and there are lots) doesn't pick apart the whole presentation.
-- Don't assume that Hockney's own art (of which I'm not a fan) decides the merit of his historical analysis.
-- Accept the idea that his eye may be better than the words he can put to his vision.

It's an honest and vivid account, with a good base in reason and fact. It deserves respect on that account, and works hard to earn the reader's enjoyment. I recommend this to anyone interest in the history and practice of visual art.

//wiredweird

Great story, great information
"Secret Knowledge" is a great read and a fascinating revaluation of past artistic techniques. The way the book slowly builds up visual evidence (with excellent reproductions) to present the case for the use of optics is very convincing. While reading the book, I was concerned that only paintings that supported Hockney's conclusions were presented.

However, since this book was published in 2001, there has been plenty of time for art historians to refute Hockney's conclusions. I expected reasonable arguments against the evidence presented in the book. Instead, all of the "optics theory" critics I could find on the Internet presented only shrill denunciations of Hockney. The author is berated for daring to question the skills of the artists that would make them resort to using optical technology. I found only the most meager and unconvincing challenge to the actual evidence.

I think most people recognize that if Hockney's thesis is correct, much of the aura of these past masters dissolves in the eye of the general public. While any painter recognizes the tremendous skill involved in producing these works (even with optic help), I believe the public would tend to see these masters as mere copyists. I believe that's the reason for the vehemence and bile directed at Mr. Hockney.

If you're an artist, be sure to pick up this book. It is amazingly helpful in application of many of these techniques to your own work. It also shows you how to avoid some of the pitfalls that provide the visual evidence of the use of optics. If you're curious about art history, this is also a must-have.

Revealing and relieving
I have to disagree with cat cattus, prior reviewer, who just screwed up the rating for Hockney.This is not about HIS work, this is about his project to study the work of others.He does that very well.I've often thought that the work of the Masters was uncanny, and apparently, it was.Every artist uses whatever aids are available at the time.The deliniation between "before opticals" and "after opticals" is quite clear.His most compelling reason is that the artists of the time were business men first.They HAD to get the production out.They didn't have time to spend months or years on a single painting. ... Read more

Isbn: 0670030260
Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Criticism    4. Drawing    5. European    6. History    7. History - General    8. Painting    9. Technique    10. Techniques - General    11. Technological innovations   

Drawing for Older Children and Teens: A Creative Method That Works for Adult Beginners, Too
by Mona Brookes
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 November, 1991)
list price: $15.95 -- our price: $10.85
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Reviews (5)

Great art teaching aid
This book was easy to follow and interesting.It would be a little too much for a child to understand on their own, but with limited assistance it is an excellent guide for beginners who want to draw.My grandson was thrilled with it!

DO NOT BUY
This book is terrible. If you are looking for a book to teach you how to draw better more realistic and dynamic drawings then definitely do not buy this. Half of the book is on gesture drawing (the annoying five-minute drawings which are usually printed on your homework paper). The other half is full of other people talking about their lives in art. This book is more for people who don't know how they want to draw and is to help you explore very boring sides of art. If you are interested in drawing more active drawings ( possibly comic, realistic, lively, anime/manga, or anything interesting) then look for books by Burne Hogarth. He has done some great books on the human anatomy, hands, head, facial exxpressions, etc. Unless you really want to draw potted plants and scribbling exercises, DONT BUY THIS BOOK.

This Book Really Deserves To Be Better Known
If I had to pick only 5 books from my art instruction shelf to keep and had to sell all the rest this would head the list as Keeper Book 1.Many people are familiar with Betty Edward's Drawing on the Right-Side of the Brain and I agree it is a good book. But Mona Brooke's book is every bit as good and I really feel it is unknown and under-appreciated compared to Ms. Edwards book - especially considering the excellent instruction and lessons each chapter gives. These 2 books are excellent complements to each other. And don't let the title throw you. This book is worthy of every adult wanna-be-artist's bookshelf. There are just as many examples of adult beginner artwork as there are examples from children and teenagers. Like the Betty Edwards book it teaches beginners progressively how to see and draw things and people. But this book puts a much larger focus on creativity - take what you learn and unleash it creatively as well as realistically (or even un-realistically if that's what you prefer as the author says).

Everything is here - proportion, perspective, contrast, shading, scale, etc. and the tons of "projects" help reinforce the lessons. But a big chunk of the book give projects stressing creativity as well. That is what I love about this book so much. Not only do these people go from childlike drawings and progress to increasingly amazing results -they throw in big doses of creative inspiration as well. So, for example, some of the students (after learning and proving to themselves they can finally draw realistic portraits) forsake strict realism for more creative interpretive portraits. In short, the author never loses sight of the fact that drawing, any artistic endeavor in fact, should be fun. All kinds of materials are suggested for the various projects. And the student artwork in this book is very inspiring. Everything from strict realism to whimsical to experimental is shown. Once you learn how to draw realistically you can then break those rules if it suits your creativity better. This book is just plain FUN. FUN! FUN! FUN! Get it along with the Betty Edwards book. They really make a great art-instruction duo. ... Read more

Isbn: 0874776619
Sales Rank: 13341
Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Drawing    4. Study & Teaching    5. Technique    6. Techniques - Drawing   

The Artist's Complete Guide to Figure Drawing: A Contemporary Perspective on the Classical Tradition
by Anthony Ryder
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 June, 1999)
list price: $24.95 -- our price: $15.72
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Reviews (37)

Pour épater la galerie
Des images léchées. Des rendus à couper le souffle. Des dessins irréprochables. Mais...

Si vous voulez apprendre à dessiner, ce livre n'est pas pour vous. Je m'explique: Si vous vous attendez à un livre explicatif où on décrit étape par étape tout le processus pour en arriver à une oeuvre achevée, vous risquez d'être déçus. M. Ryder a étudié avec des maîtres réputés et enseigne lui-même d'ailleurs (voir son site internet) mais j'ai eu l'impression, en lisant ce livre, d'avoir été laissé dans le mystère.

Plusieurs étapes du processus de dessin ont été escamotées ou restent -volontairement?- nébuleuses (la fameuse "enveloppe" par exemple). De plus, vous n'apprendrez pas à dessiner au sens propre du mot. Vous apprendrez à reproduire, ce qui est légèrement différent. Tous les dessins de Ryder sont d'après modèles. Rien sorti de sa tête, si on peut dire.

Bref, si vous cherchez un livre motivant qui vous pousse à vous dépasser, ce livre peut vous servir. C'est son principal mérite, d'après moi.

Si vous aimez ce livre, vous serez peut-être interessés par un de ses professeurs: Ted Seth Jacobs. Tous en anglais.

An excellent book for advanced and beginning students alike
This book is the most comprehensive one I've read to date, along with "Keys to Drawing".
It breaks down Ryder's over-the-top work into a simple drawing process which consists of an envelope (4-5 lines) that encapsulates the form, then a rough block-in to act as the basis for a detailed contour, and then scanning across the form as you start to draw out and push in the shapes themselves, utilising your knowledge of anatomy (which I suggest you get other books for, like Loomis, Villpu, Hogarth, Hale and Bridgeman).
You will find alot of valuable info about checking for tilt, relationship of shapes, non-parallelism (i.e. nothing in nature is parallel), behavior of light and shadow, pathways of form, gestural current, etc.
There's not much more to say other than, if you have the cash, you probably won't regret spending it on this great assembly of text, pictures and sound advice.

Good Idea and Well Presented
I purchase books for ideas.In the drawing category I have many books and most of them espouse a rather common idea of drawing which involves making an overall shape, such as an oval, and then working to improve the shape into a face or feature into which the eyes, mouth et al are added.In Ryder's book he starts out stressing that the artist should use a method that allows the overall production of the figure to proceed in distinct steps which stress the total development of the work rather than just one area at a time.He wants the artist to try to use an "envelope" to start out with that embodies the entire figure including the gesture and the energy of the pose.

This is a new idea - at least to me - and it is worth trying.The author doesn't say it is the only way to draw but he does say it will improve your drawing to try this method and work at it consistently.Of course it isn't for everyone.There are many methods of drawing.Contour is only one.Mass is another.This author uses what is basically a contour method and he adds in the mass (light and dark areas) after the contour is perfect.It shows in his art.Some will like it and some will not.But that isn't the point.The point is he has a method of producing lifelike figures that is different.

Thus, I give the book 4 stars, because Mr. Ryder introduces this new idea in a straightforward fashion that allows the artist to try it out to see if it suits them.The illustrations could be a little more complete but they are good enough to introduce the concept and by trial and error the student can see if it is something that works for them.
... Read more

Isbn: 0823003035
Sales Rank: 22053
Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Figure drawing    4. Study & Teaching    5. Technique    6. Techniques - Drawing    7. Techniques - Life Drawing   

The Elements of Color
by JohannesItten
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (31 January, 1970)
list price: $40.00 -- our price: $37.67
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Reviews (5)

Essential Reading for the Serious Colorist
I have been a professor for 15 years."The Elements of Color" has been required reading for many of my courses.It is not only enriching as a color theory document, but it helps expand the artist or designers possibility of using, arranging and conceiving color.

The book that tought me color.
Itten's analysis and application of color is thoughtful and scientific. As a practicing art director, I have successfully used the theories and methods explained in "Elements of Color" for over twenty years. I also teach them to my design classes.Whether you use a paintbrush or amouse, his "seven color contrasts" will prove invaluable.

colour miracle
I took an art course to learn about colour and learnt nothing. ThenI read this book...It answered all my questions and informed me about areas of colour theory I had never dreampt of. Now I paint with knowledge and confidence. ... Read more

Isbn: 0471289299
Sales Rank: 34866
Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Color Theory    4. Art / Color    5. Painting & paintings   

Creative and Mental Growth (8th Edition)
by Viktor Lowenfeld W. Lambert Brittain
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (01 February, 1987)
list price: $83.00 -- our price: $73.74
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Reviews (4)

Buyer BEWARE!!!! Buy it used!
This was originally a fabulous 4-color printed book, but, it has been reprinted with very poor quality black & white photocopy looking pages. I contacted the "publisher" who basically said tough luck, this is business, and this is how we make our money. Buy it used!!! Because as you may have figured out, an art education book with low quality black and white examples is worth it's weight in beans!

40 Year Friendship
I bought this book almost 40 years ago. I was surprised and pleased to see that it is still "thee" book. Everytime I get stuck for help, I go to this book. Now I am planning courses to teach pre-school teachers in Japan. "Thee" book is open once more. Any chance it is available in Japanese? Thanks Lowenfeld and Brittain!!!

Meeting with the Titians
As I finish my final weeks as an art education major, I have tried to complete a reference guide for some of my friends that I will be leaving behind in my department. Other than books by Dr. George Szekely, Viktor Lowenfeld's book "Creative and Mental Growth" stands as the 'bible' for the educator, period. Art isn't "frill" or "elective classes" to children, it is the way of life. Without the understanding of how children view their world and how it does bend toward creative expression, a teacher is simply stumbling around in the darkness. In this stumbling a teacher may find a light switch from time to time. However, join the rest of us with the "torch" of post-modern education with Mr. Lowenfeld's book. ... Read more

Isbn: 0023721103
Sales Rank: 99759
Subjects:  1. Art    2. Artists    3. Child artists    4. Creation (Literary, artistic,    5. Creation (Literary, artistic, etc.)    6. Education    7. Elementary    8. Elementary School Creative And Manual Arts    9. General    10. Psychology    11. Secondary School Creative And Manual Arts    12. Study & Teaching    13. Study and teaching    14. Teaching Methods & Materials - Arts & Humanities    15. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / Arts & Humanities