Book Reviews

The Flight Deck: Digital Rhythms Of Our National Wildlife Refuges; by Jim Jamieson; ImageStream Press, 128 pages; $29.95; (ISBN 0-9729126-2-2)
This title expertly blends today's hottest wildlife conservation issues with over 40 top quality digital photography tips and techniques. Jamieson highlights the most popular National Wildlife Refuges in the country and reveals the key photography locations along with information on the different species that can be found there. He also supplies 186 sample images as well as various maps, and graphs to guide you in your quest for the perfect shot.

Love Your Dog Pictures: How To Photograph Your Dog With Any Camera; by Jenni Bidner; Watson-Guptill Books, 144 pages; $19.95; (ISBN 0-8230-7228-2)
Dogs are man's best friend and valued members of the family so it makes sense to add images of them to our treasured photo albums. This book teaches you how to capture lively portraits of your canine pal with a film or digital camera. With the aid of 305 sample illustrations, photographer Jenni Bidner provides top quality advice on expose and lighting, posing, and capturing every facet of your dog's unique personality to provide the perfect shot and a memory that will last forever.

Impressionist Camera: Pictorial Photography In Europe, 1888-1918; edited by Patrick Daum and Francis Ribemont, with Philip Prodger; Merrell, 352 pages; $75; (ISBN 1-85894-331-0)
In the early days of photography, artists eagerly explored this new medium and applied the popular artistic styles of the day to their creations. This title documents how the European Impressionist art movement fused with photography to create Pictorialism. This beautiful collection of 255 images date from 1888 to 1918 and documents how these talented visionaries transformed photography from an interesting novelty to a major art form.

One Planet: A Celebration Of Biodiversity; by Nicolas Hulot; Abrams, 384 pages; $55; (ISBN 0-8109-553444-2)
French television host and journalist, Nicolas Hulot provides the rich text for this breathtaking colleciton of 250 images captured by some of today's most celebrated nature photographers.

The book is broken down into eight ecosystem theme chapters. It's a virtual journey across the globe from towering cities to lush forests, oceans, deserts, mountains, and beyond. The text and images merge to create a true feast for the eyes and the mind.

Traces Of Eden: The Last Of The American Wilderness; by Nishantha Gunawardena; TOE Books, 160 pages; $34.95; (ISBN 0-9769972-0-7)
As our population grows, America's fragile ecosystem shrinks and changes. Photographer Nishantha Gunawardena set out on a journey to capture the beauty of our vanishing wilderness and to bring this dilemma to the public's attention. This magnificent collection of images reminds us of the natural wonders that surround us and the need to conserve these treasures before they are swallowed up by the forces of ever expanding progress.

Portraits Of Tibetan Buddhist Masters; foreword by Sogyal Rinpoche, text by Rebecca McClen Novick; University Of California Press, 191 pages; $29.95; (ISBN 0-520-23973-3)
Photographer Don Farber is renowned for the stunning quality of his images as well as his passion for chronicling Buddhism and preserving Tibetian culture. This title, is a wonderful collection of 79 portraits of the last Tibetian Buddhist Masters. The photos are expertly matched with informative text provided by Sogyal Rinpoche, Rebecca McClen Novick, and the Masters themselves. Together they transform this book into a enlightening journey of the mind and the soul.

Hummingbirds Of Costa Rica; by Michael and Patricia Fogden; Firefly Books Ltd., 154 pages; $49.95; (ISBN 1-55407-163-1)
Michael and Patricia Fogden are world renowned nature photographers. Their journey led them to Costa Rica where they crafted this title from a lovely collection of 180 dramatic wildlife shots. The images capture not only the Hummingbird's shimmering beauty but their struggle for life in an often dangerous environment. This educational book is broken down into chapters that make it simple to absorb the facts while feasting your eyes on the glorious images.

Professional Portrait Lighting: Techniques And Images From Master Photographers; by Michelle Perkins; Amherst Media, 128 pages; $34.95; (ISBN 1-58428-190-1)
Keeping pace with today's hottest style trends is the key to success for portrait, wedding, and fashion photographers. Michelle Perkins' book is a wonderful resource for creative tips on achieving fanatic lighting from professionals like Rolondo Gomez and Michael Biondo. It contains 200 sample color images and helpful diagrams that reveal exactly how the image was created so it will be an easy task to apply this information to your own work.

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