BOOKS: my reading list and follow-up reviews
A DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHER'S GUIDE TO MODEL RELEASES
I'm certain that this is an excellent book. In fact, I know it is. However, it also decides that drowning you in 99% useless information is a good technique, with the tendency to repeat some of the important parts in case it (as very likely did) get lost. The last legal book I read covered all of this very concisely within a chapter and very few new ideas are presented here.
However, should you desire some need to fully understand this area (especially since 90% of it only applies to stock photographers), this is your book. Just don't expect the obvious: no firm opinions, no sample model releases, no guidelines on when to use and not use one.
Rather, the book seeks to educate you so YOU can make those decisions. Wise perhaps, but in the end a rather fruitless pursuit since the reader very likely did NOT pick up the book expecting this sort of educational tactic.
*** DONE & on Dgrin *******
I'm certain that this is an excellent book. In fact, I know it is. However, it also decides that drowning you in 99% useless information is a good technique, with the tendency to repeat some of the important parts in case it (as very likely did) get lost. The last legal book I read covered all of this very concisely within a chapter and very few new ideas are presented here.
However, should you desire some need to fully understand this area (especially since 90% of it only applies to stock photographers), this is your book. Just don't expect the obvious: no firm opinions, no sample model releases, no guidelines on when to use and not use one.
Rather, the book seeks to educate you so YOU can make those decisions. Wise perhaps, but in the end a rather fruitless pursuit since the reader very likely did NOT pick up the book expecting this sort of educational tactic.
*** DONE & on Dgrin *******
ADOBE PHOTOSHOP CS4 : CLASSROOM IN A BOOK
ANSEL ADAMS: 400 PHOTOGRAPHS
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2: VISUAL QUICKSTART GUIDE
BEST BUSINESS PRACTICES FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS
It must first be mentioned that this is a book geared towards those with established photography businesses. Those just entering the business can still definitely benefit, but perhaps 50% of the reading will apply to a newcomer.
For those already in the industry, learning and refining your decisions is a huge part of putting value in your product and pushing you ahead of your competition. As such, this book is invaluable. From the range of topics it covers, it also covers them very well and in depth. This can be from how you handle clients, balancing family, pro bono work, effective e-mails, contracts or any other aspect of the business.
For anyone looking to improve or review what they do now and see if improvements are possible, this book is invaluable and a great reference to have near by.
*** DONE & on Dgrin *****
It must first be mentioned that this is a book geared towards those with established photography businesses. Those just entering the business can still definitely benefit, but perhaps 50% of the reading will apply to a newcomer.
For those already in the industry, learning and refining your decisions is a huge part of putting value in your product and pushing you ahead of your competition. As such, this book is invaluable. From the range of topics it covers, it also covers them very well and in depth. This can be from how you handle clients, balancing family, pro bono work, effective e-mails, contracts or any other aspect of the business.
For anyone looking to improve or review what they do now and see if improvements are possible, this book is invaluable and a great reference to have near by.
*** DONE & on Dgrin *****
BUSINESS AND LEGAL FORMS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS
This book is exactly as advertise -- copies of the legal forms you will need as a professional photographer, from the expected model releases to wedding contracts, book contracts, stock photography, etc.
Whether you plan on writing your own contracts or using these boilerplate templates, the most important part is the education provided on each contract type. If you receive a contract from another source or one is offered to you, compare it to these and see what is included and missing and learn to think about why and what it means to you.
As such, an invaluable book for any pro.
***** DONE & on Dgrin ********
This book is exactly as advertise -- copies of the legal forms you will need as a professional photographer, from the expected model releases to wedding contracts, book contracts, stock photography, etc.
Whether you plan on writing your own contracts or using these boilerplate templates, the most important part is the education provided on each contract type. If you receive a contract from another source or one is offered to you, compare it to these and see what is included and missing and learn to think about why and what it means to you.
As such, an invaluable book for any pro.
***** DONE & on Dgrin ********
COMPLETE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY (4TH EDITION)
This is the most comprehensive book I've read to date, although much of it is not new information. For a dedicated beginner, this is one I would definitely recommend. Whether as reference or as a read-through, it's full of information on literally every aspect of digital photography.
Someone new to DSLRs could read through this and probably not even realize the importance of some of the information they are reading. Ideally if they re-read sections a few months later, they'd remember and be that much wiser.
As a reference guide, the book comes with a very comprehensive index, which can be used to find the sections that pertain to what you want to learn about.
Used in either fashion, I'm not sure I'd 'gift' this book to anyone (it might seem like a literal burden, it's huge), but a dedicated beginner would do very well to pick it up and read it for their own knowledge and skills.
******** done ************
This is the most comprehensive book I've read to date, although much of it is not new information. For a dedicated beginner, this is one I would definitely recommend. Whether as reference or as a read-through, it's full of information on literally every aspect of digital photography.
Someone new to DSLRs could read through this and probably not even realize the importance of some of the information they are reading. Ideally if they re-read sections a few months later, they'd remember and be that much wiser.
As a reference guide, the book comes with a very comprehensive index, which can be used to find the sections that pertain to what you want to learn about.
Used in either fashion, I'm not sure I'd 'gift' this book to anyone (it might seem like a literal burden, it's huge), but a dedicated beginner would do very well to pick it up and read it for their own knowledge and skills.
******** done ************
CREATIVE NATURE & OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHY
DIGITAL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY : CAPTURING BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES
JOHN SHAW'S CLOSEUPS IN NATURE
Considered to be 'basic' by some, Shaw does an extraordinary job of covering the basics as well as all ranges of macro photography -- with and without macro lenses. His specialty is in the field and he discuss several set ups to help you out there (umbrellas, flash brackets, etc).
The photos alone are inspirational -- you look twice and realize that you've seen such scenes but never thought to compose them into a macro portrait.
His descriptions are clear and concise although he is 'old' school and digital is not discussed at all. In all, there is not much to be skipped in talk of slide film speeds and much still to be gained in learning how to calibrate your set up for middletones and other situations. Anyone who has been taking macros because they have a macro lens, or who wants to understand it more, can definitely benefit by reading through this book.
**** done & on Dgrin *****
Considered to be 'basic' by some, Shaw does an extraordinary job of covering the basics as well as all ranges of macro photography -- with and without macro lenses. His specialty is in the field and he discuss several set ups to help you out there (umbrellas, flash brackets, etc).
The photos alone are inspirational -- you look twice and realize that you've seen such scenes but never thought to compose them into a macro portrait.
His descriptions are clear and concise although he is 'old' school and digital is not discussed at all. In all, there is not much to be skipped in talk of slide film speeds and much still to be gained in learning how to calibrate your set up for middletones and other situations. Anyone who has been taking macros because they have a macro lens, or who wants to understand it more, can definitely benefit by reading through this book.
**** done & on Dgrin *****
in this box:
Portions Copyright © Leah Peasley. All rights reserved. Custom SmugMug Design and Smugization: WolfSnap.com
New comment: Requires approval