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Author : Darren Brooker
Edition : 3
Number of Pages : 416
Publisher : Focal Press
List Price : $49.95
Amazon Price : $28.96
Used Price : $34.80 |
Product Description Certified by Autodesk, Darren Brooker's new edition teaches the production techniques behind real-world work. The tutorials take you from the fundamentals of lighting, right through to advanced techniques. * Everything you need to learn the art of CG lighting in one easy-to-use volume * Free trial software and detailed tutorials take you through every step of the CG lighting process * Learn the art and science of lighting CG environments the Autodesk-certified way Customer reviews great book to learn every aspects of CG  by .. Shaobin Tao (Orlando, FL)
I have read this book from cover to cover and multiple times for some chapters. There are two reasons I like this book
First, most chapters start with basic theories and offer some tutorials which reader can try themselves. The tutorials are very easy to follow. The structure help learn new concepts as well as how to use Max.
Second, this book almost touches every aspect of CG application in Max, such as radiosity, indoor, outdoor, MR, texture baking for games, shadow etc. By reading the book, it also help navigate and read Max help contents which are usually boring to read.
In short, it is a good book especially for persons who already know something about CG and interested in 3ds Max.
A technical book very useful by .. Tridello Cris (Forlì, Italy)
416 page which explain how to use light on 3ds...once finish it you'll be a light creator master!
Solid intro to lighting, but not for advanced users  by .. Jaramiah Severns (Utah)
Advanced user aren't going to learn anything revolutionary, but over all this is a good beginner/intermediate level guide to CG lighting. As with many other Focal Press titles, much of this book's contents are covered in Max 9's own tutorials and user reference.
Lights..camera...?  by .. N. B. Moore (chicago, IL)
This is a good looking book with full color prints. One of the tutorials was highlighted in 3D Magazine as an example of 3 point lighting. I experienced some difficulty with some files when I tried to use the radiosity plugin. Also, one tutorial has missing files. The instructions kind of jumble together in think prose. Not easy to follow. The material, however, touches on light theory, shadows, HDI, and renderers. The HDI tutorial is a good one to introduce you to the concept and yes, HDI maps are included. I think this is a good cocktail table book. Nice discussions and great graphics. Can't take learning specifics about Max lights seriously. But good discussion and some good examples.
Good book by .. Laszlo Pokorny (Malden, MA USA)
It is a good book. It really helps to understand different notions about the cg lighting. Well structured and uses everyday language.
Tutorials are good, sometimes maybe to long, but they help to structure and have an overview of the matter.
I recommend the book to everyone who want to have an understanding of how to set up lights in 3dsmax with maximum efficiency.
Related Search : media entertainment , max third , essential cg  |
Author : Scott Citron
Edition : 1
Number of Pages : 320
Publisher : Adobe Press
List Price : $50.00
Amazon Price : $26.98
Used Price : $25.99 |
Product Description Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Standard brings together under one roof the tools that design professionals use on a daily basis. Designing in an integrated environment results in greater efficiency and streamlines the development of flexible designs. In this book, author and distinguished designer Scott Citron leads designers of all kinds through the ins and outs of working with the components in the suite. With an easy, engaging style, Scott takes a designer's approach to address the complexities of using multiple tools to perform a variety of tasks, and focuses on important principles that can be applied to working in all the programs. Part inspiration and part how-to, each chapter contains a full project to help cement these principles, complete with steps and full-color illustrations. Project files are included on the accompanying Web site so that readers can follow along and recreate each project. Whether an aspiring designer or a practicing professional, anyone who is interested in learning to use good design techniques with Adobe Creative Suite 3 will come away with a solid foundation in this extraordinary suite of creativity tools. Professional Design Techniques with Adobe Creative Suite 3 shows you how to: • Choose the right design tool for the job • Use automation to cut down your production time • Use typefaces effectively and set type like a professional • Work smartly with color-critical projects and complement your projects with kuler • Create stunning artwork and packages for CDs, letterhead, invitations, and more • Give structure to magazine and newspaper layouts with columns, guides, and grids • Create interactive PDFs with video, audio, rollover buttons, and links TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 1 Getting Started The Principles of Graphic Design Use Grids to Add Structure Starting Your Design Organizing Your Work with Adobe Bridge Creative Suite 3 Preferences In Conclusion 2 Creating Effective Typography Introduction to Using Type Creating the Pattern Art Adding Dimension and Lighting in Photoshop Putting It Together in InDesign Formatting Your Text Choosing Compatible Type Preparing Text for Formatting Final Formatting and Adjustments Typesetting with Adobe Illustrator Project Wrap-Up 3 Designing a Corporate Identity System What Is a Logo? How to Develop a Logo: A Quick Case Study Choosing the Right Design Tool Creating Your Logo in Illustrator Laying Out Business Cards in InDesign Creating Letterhead and Envelopes Laying Out Envelopes and Labels Project Wrap-Up 4 Creating Newsletters and Forms What Makes a Good Newsletter? Paper Newsletter Preproduction Checklist Developing the Newsletter Work Smart with Styles The Zen of Baseline Grids Adding Interactivity Working with Graphics Charts, Forms, and Tables The Acrobat 8 Professional Component Project Wrap-Up 5 Designing Magazines and Newspapers What Makes Great Magazines and Newspapers? Let’s Design a Magazine Setting Up the Document Adding Footers Choosing a Color Palette Beginning the Layout Pouring Copy Project Wrap-Up 6 Books and Longer Documents What Makes a Good Book? How to Begin Designing a Book The Strategy of Working with Long Documents Using the Book Panel Synchronizing Styles Adding Object Styles Styles in Sequence Automating Folios and Headers with Text Variables Cruise Control: Automated Tables of Contents Mass Production: Preflight, Packaging and Exporting a Book Keep It Organized and Back It Up Project Wrap-Up 7 Designing Annual Reports Creating a Custom Workspace Numbering and Section Starts A Tasty Cover: Using Live Paint Focus on What’s Important in Images Documents as Artwork Maximum Flexibility: Smart Objects and Smart Filters Importing and Formatting Spreadsheet Files Project Wrap-Up 8 The Personal Portfolio and Interactive PDF Why PDF When We Have the Web? Exploring Interactivity in PDFs. Exploring Distribution Strategies Getting Started with Interactive Options in InDesign Using Bookmarks to Create Destinations Creating Buttons and Setting Button Options Adding Visual Feedback with Button States Adding Hyperlinks Adding to the Experience with Movies Saying It with Sound Exporting the Finished PDF Project Wrap-Up 9 Making Your Workflow Work What Makes a Successful Print Project? Begin the Beguine Designing a CD Package Setting Up the Front Panel Designing the Front Panel Designing the Tray Card Creating the CD Label Proofing Your Work Project Wrap-Up and Conclusion Customer reviews Needs research and editor....badly.  by .. E. LEBLANC (SLO, CA)
As a student with no experience using CS3, I found this book is terrible. In his examples, the author regularly refers to tool without telling you where to find them. As stated in another review, he does not teach readers how to use the tools, he guides them through a very specific example without suggesting other uses of the practiced techniques.
The writing is poor at best. It contains grammatical errors, forced analogies, and false information. (The author refers to daVinci's "Last Supper", noting the emphasis of important persons: Judas and PONTIUS PILATE.)
As a result of the poor writing, I have stopped doing the assigned readings and relied on lectures to fill the gaps.
A pleasure to read and absorb by .. James Fritz (Milwaukee, WI)
Scott's handling of design and the Adobe Creative Suite is demonstrated page after page throughout this book. It is a welcome pleasure to read a computer book that was designed as well as it was written.
Defining Product by .. Halifax Creative User Group (Halifax NS)
From Adobe Press, this soft cover format book defines it's self in one of those areas between a great design magazine and a handy educational tool. The book itself breaks chapters out by project work rather than product. This is more inline with what I require as a digital based graphics designer. I am not about to use an illustrator project book, but rather one that targets a project like what I am involved with to use as a resource.
The chapters are the ubiquitous "Getting Started" (great info on what and how Bridge should be used, as well as info on preferences and organization.
This is actually more important a chapter than at first glance. I am supprised by the amount of designers now in CS3 who still hang on to old habits (die hard) with bad or non existing preferences and layouts tailored to themselves. Bridge too is so important to great workflow, yet not enough designers out there are taking advantage of it.
THe remaining chapters in the book are broken out by projects on typography, corp identity, newsletters and forms, magazines, books, annual reports and interactive PDF. The book closes off with a chapter on workflow that covers a CD label. This I would say is a miss. CD - um yeah that format that no one buys. Why is it not something more interesting such as a DVD jacket and label for a movie or better yet, an actual game on the market. THough it shows good workflow, the example is dated and not relevant and makes the chapter a bit of let down.
Another point missed out in this book is the inclusion of digital media. Is it an aim for the book to be knowingly exclusive of any form of non print media other than an interactive pdf? The book does feel, though using the latest CS3 project, that it is from a pre web period when there was the promise of interactive CD's and an interactive PDF world. This is a shame as a professional designer who thinks that all outside of print is irrelevant is, in theselves in danger of being irrelevant.
Overall the book reads well, has great examples and excellent tips scattered throughout. The examples are for the most part relevant only to print based designers, so one can look at this as more of an upgrade read through to garner more from CS3 than from any hands on learning in a start to finish setting.
You call yourself a Pro? by .. Ahmad Fuad (Malaysia)
Pah!...Encouraging people to learn but the concept of helping reader to truly understand the method on 'how those truly happens' is a 0. Scott has been living in his own world long enough for not to understand how to help readers truly understand what his instruction are. People buy professional book to get professional result with professional guidance. But this, is filled with POOR method of explanation on how to achieve those result. Professional advice: If you're a beginner, you will never understand the book. If you're a pro, you will get MAD / ANGRY because the book really blow your heads off, as if you're a total beginner and do not know how to do things in those programs. Congratulations Adobe!..for bringing in this Mr.Scott to produce a book on your behalf and waste a lot of innocent people money! Don't get me wrong; Scott design is indeed POWERFUL but if you're hoping to get the best, professional result just like what the book front cover promises, then it fails to deliver. Professionals always want to move fast (because there's already a LOT of job to be done) and don't ever suggest me buying the visual Quick Pro. Although Visual Quick Pro is good but I'm searching for great design to get the job done, not the how to's. Excitement comes when reading Scott story but it is the end when it comes to the instruction...Sorry Scott, it is the truth. I'm not happy, and so are you. Make the instruction easy to follow and cut off unneeded story. Focus on the instruction part very, very seriously (because that what the reader want) and this book will be one of the best in Adobe collection. But for now, I will stay with my 1 star.
Good starting point by .. P. Heesterbeek (Belgium)
Scott Citron's book offers in a nutshell a lot of information on very different graphic projects. It offers most of the basic information you need to make graphic projects work.
Related Search : suite 3 , techniques with , adobe creative  |
Author : Michael Wohl
Edition : 2
Number of Pages : 584
Publisher : Peachpit Press
List Price : $39.99
Amazon Price : $27.77
Used Price : $16.00 |
Product Description Editing Techniques with Final Cut Pro, 2nd Edition is an insightful and practical guide for intermediate to advanced Final Cut Pro users who want to extend their use of the tool to achieve sophisticated storytelling. The second edition of this popular book by professional filmmaker and editor Michael Wohl includes an entirely new chapter on finishing and outputting video to a variety of formats for both film and the Web; a major new section on color correction, including color photo illustrations; and a comprehensive look at how to create effective sound design. A unique blend of editing theory and practice, this book opens the readers' eyes and ears, making them more perceptive movie viewers and giving them the essential film vocabulary they need to advance their work to the next level and develop their own editing style. Customer reviews editing techniques by .. Rita Schembri (Santa Lucija, Malta)
great book not to be missed by people who like to start a carrier in film editing, it stars from the basics a a camera shot and builds up to cutting etc. I have found it very useful even as a handbook.
A mixture of an editor's personal experience and FCP bits by .. dangarrob (Spain)
Michael Wohl has written a book. This book is an exercise of self-publicity and little else. It is a very messy conglomerate of his experience as an editor, director and Final Cut Pro user but not a rigorous or well written book about any of the themes he intends to cover. The coverage of Final Cut Pro is poor and simplistic. (There is nothing here that you cannot learn in the manuals or in a few hours exposed to the software). His comments and examples about his experience as an editor are pretty simplistic and do not inspire or entertain, and most of all don't teach a lot about the craft of editing. He also keeps refering to a movie he directed to give examples of typical situations encountered by editors but, this feels utterly incomplete without the inclusion of a sample of his movie on CD ROM or DVD. You can make comments about a movie and learn from it only if it is available to you. To summarise, this is a very dissapointing book which will not satisfy any of the areas it intends to talk about. Its only redeeming feature are the interviews with famous editors, but apart from that, this book is intended to absolte beginners with no experience whatsoever.
Great Book! Every FCP user should have it. by .. Aydin (Canada)
When I got this book I openned the first few pages and kept going on. It seems to me that anyone who helped create a program will certainly know how it works or that's what we think. Micheal is and editor with many years of experience and he shows you the different ways you can use FCP. Don't buy this for problem solving to FCP, buy it as a good reference book when you need to learn different ways to edit. It's like a good cook book , you can always pick it off the shelf and look for something new to cook.
Excellent book on Editing with FCP for non-beginners by .. K.B. (Princeton, NJ USA)
This book is not for someone looking to learn the basics of Final Cut Pro, the manual and other books are better at that, but this book is a MUST for anyone looking to learn about editing and are going to be doing it in FCP. Other FCP books teach you the program primarily, this book is about editing and the skills and techniques you need to do it well. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
A perfect mix of editing theory and practical advice by .. J. T. Kennedy (Sammamish, WA United States)
If you are serious about Film Editing, you are probably already been looking at books like Shot by Shot by Steven Katz, and checking out local training courses. You may also be trying to learn how to use Final Cut Pro, and checking out the many books on that topic. This book could save you a lot of time and effort, by combining both subjects into one. It teaches, from a completely practical viewpoint, how to frame and edit shots. It also discusses how to use Final Cut Pro in order to achieve the right effect. There are also sections on sound, special effects and distribution - and again, all are realistically explained. At every point, real-world editing examples are used, so it's not simply a discussion of every menu option. There are plenty of screenshots, and even though it doesn't cover the very latest version of FCP, everything is still 100% relevant. After working through the huge pile of paper that is the FCP manual set, this book should be next on your list. It will tell you which features you will actually need to know, and pass on some very useful cinematic editing information at the same time.
Related Search : editing techniques , 2nd edition , with final  |
Author : Arnold Lowrey
Number of Pages : 96
Publisher : Search Press
List Price : $19.95
Amazon Price : $11.82
Used Price : $12.21 |
Product Description Arnold Lowrey presents a lively, inspirational introduction to acrylics which illustrates the versatility and beauty of this wonderful medium. Acrylic paint is easy to use, it dries quickly and many different effects can be created from washes and glazes to exciting textural finishes. It is an ideal medium for anyone starting to paint, but it also offers challenges to the more experienced artist because of its quick drying properties and versatility. Watercolour and oil painting techniques can be used, either on their own, or combined to create paintings full of depth, mood and atmosphere, and there is the added benefit that the paints are watersoluble. Using over 100 step-by-step photographs in a sequence of simple demonstrations, Arnold shows how to paint landscapes, seascapes and buildings, and he also illustrates how to change daylight into night and sunlight into mist using transparent glazing effects. With his help you can create sparkling pictures full of life, atmosphere and depth. Customer reviews release the inner artist by .. D. Francia (Sydey, Australia)
This book is great, it shows in detail exactly how to do acrylic paintings using all kinds of subjects and mediums... as a newby to painting (I usually draw) I am having a lot of fun. I thoroughly recommend this book
Great Step by Step Instructions by .. Anna M. Eisenberg (Tallahassee, FL United States)
After a short introduction about the materials, color, and tips on composition, Arnold Lowrey spends the bulk of this book giving instructions on how he created 6 paintings that use different techniques. These instructions really are step by step and never jump way ahead in the painting in one "step" leaving you thinking, "what, how did he do that?" He always lets you know exactly what colors and instruments he used to create each object in the painting. All in all, incredibly helpful.
Informative by .. Rae (Cincinnati, Ohio)
"Painting With Acrylics" starts with an informative introduction which discusses the wide variety in styles and uses of acrylic paint. The sections on acrylic mediums, brush strokes, composition and using color were particularly interesting. The author then shows how to paint six scenes using a well-rounded variety of techniques. He shows how to use palette knives, sponges, sand paper, paper towels, razor blades, fingers and of course paint brushes to achieve the look of water color, scumbling, oil paint, and glazes. In addition, he teaches the reader how to use acrylic pastes and gels. I highly recommend this book.
An extremely helpful introduction to acrylics by .. Smiling Tom (Oklahoma City, OK)
I was unsure of buying this book because it was unreviewed and I had not heard of the author. I'm very glad I took the chance. I've been dabbling with acrylic painting for the last year or so (with no other painting or art experience), and I'm still a pretty rank beginner. I have several other books on acrylic painting. Some of them I like very well, but this is the one I was able to follow the most easily and wind up with something approximating "art."
The strenght of the book is the detailed instruction for completing each project. Lowrey approaches things in a step by step manner. Some of my other books are step by step, but they seem like huge steps because I am left wondering, okay, how did you get from this step to that step? Not here. I think any beginner would be very pleased with this book.
As for what the book covers - It has brief sections on materials, color theory, and composition. Most of the book, though, is split up into six projects:
1. Watercolor technique
2. Oil (impasto) technique
3. mixed watercolor/oil technique
4. glazing with white
5. glasing with color
6. using pastes & gels.
Following each project is a number of paintings created with the same technique. And Mr. Lowrey's paintings are very attractive, I think. I very much like his use of color.
At any rate, Mr. Lowrey's book was very helpful to this beginner. He maintains a website, so check out some of his art if you're curious. (an internet search on Arnold Lowrey and acrylic should be sure to turn it up.)
Related Search : tips techniques , acrylics acrylic , painting with  |
Author : Michael Ingrassia
Edition : Pap/DVD
Number of Pages : 416
Publisher : Focal Press
List Price : $49.95
Amazon Price : $27.98
Used Price : $34.76 |
Product Description Well-known Maya professional, Michael Ingrassia, takes readers through his unique style of modeling: "Image Based Modeling" where efficient, realistic models can be created very quickly. Ingrassia's techniques allow modelers to create exact replicas of their concept characters or objects. The techniques presented are very efficient and allow game modelers to quickly build out stand alone props to populate environments and game levels. Presented are tried and true techniques that the author has used successfully in game production for the past 10 years. Most, if not all 3D books, focus on basic "box" modeling techniques, which are the basis for proper 3D modeling but not the complete solution. In the author's experience, students who have learned through the Image Based Modeling brand, have quickly excelled into effective modelers. One of the hardest things for any modeler to do is match their model EXACTLY to the concept art or photos they are provided. The insider tips in this book walk artists through this process. Artists begin with basic modeling and advance to a creating a complete scene and set design/game level. Rather than including sporadic models with zero association from to one another, each model in the book becomes an integral part of an overall theme realistic in game development today. The accompanying DVD includes 8 exclusive video tutorials on advanced Maya techniques as bonus tracks for artists providing invaluable modeling, rigging and texturing samples. Also, an in-depth video on assembling a "Killer Demo Reel" showing simple but effective video editing techniques used by the author so that artists can learn how to get their work seen. The book not only teaches effective methodology, but provides the user with impressive content for producing effective demo reels and portfolios. Pros and cons of demo reel, website and artist representation are given, along with insights into the expectations of game studios today. The video tutorials show users the finished product, and then run through the process of step by step creation of that particular technique. --Author Ingrassia is a veteran artist and instructor (Senior Artist on several XBox game projects; and Senior Maya Instructor for Escape Studios in London, considered the top training academy in Europe; with game credits including Shadowrun (2007), Azurik: Rise of Perathia (2001), Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001), Electronic Arts, Inc.) He provides insider secrets, tips, and tricks so that artists can learn a wide variety of cutting-edge modeling and texturing techniques. --The latest Next-Gen modeling techniques combined with "tried and true" processes provide a leg up for artists new to game work so that they can "hit the ground running" with professional results. + DVD with bonus videos on advanced modeling techniques. --Game Industry professionals speak about their experiences and advice providing artists with candid, unique insights into the game industry (how they broke in, and how they stayed in). --Coverage of Autodesk's newly acquired MUDBOX software, so that artists can learn quick and effective sculpting techniques to make use of this exciting and powerful tool that can add a professional look to their models. (Ingrassia has been working with Mudbox for years - he recently gave a lecture on the tool at an animation festival in Prague. His expertise will come through in the book.) Customer reviews BEST book on maya game modeling and texturing by .. B. Dorman ()
I've gone through all the Autodesk books on Maya and while they were pretty good, that's all they were - pretty good. They just give a grand tour of every single feature of Maya and about half of them are of questionable use for someone aiming to learn about making game assets with Maya.
I say making game assets because the author covers not only modeling in polygon mode with some unique methods that I found make things much easier, but he also extensively covers ways to UV map and special Mudbox and Maya tricks that are going to cut down on my production time dramatically. He also covers baking occlusion maps into textures and other texturing tricks that make it much easier to create good textures without spending countless hours handpainting textures.
In addition, he has lots of practical advice. For example, while many books offer suggestions for customizing GUI, most of them seem questionable or esoteric to me - not the sort of things that are going to help most people and more preference than anything else. I found that the GUI customization tips alone almost justify picking up the book, though.
Overall, the biggest thing to recommend this book is simply that it will save you time. Everything is laid out in an efficient and easy to read way and likewise, it lends itself to an easy and efficient workflow that yields better results than any other techniques I've learned.
The only thing lacking is covering animation and rigging much (beyond the scope of the book) and the mudbox version used is the previous version with no 3D painting. That was a dissapointment because I really would have loved to see some 3D texturing tips as well, but the uses he made of mudbox were very surprising in their effectiveness and creativity; it's obvious he is a truly top notch artist, but unlike many of the other authors out there he's able to get across to you how to get results yourself and get them quickly.
Related Search : modeling texturing , techniques with , maya mudbox  |
Author : Kim Thittichai
Number of Pages : 128
Publisher : Batsford
List Price : $27.95
Amazon Price : $16.19
Used Price : $16.15 |
Product Description Textile artists will find this unique guide—which follows up on the bestselling Fusing Fabrics—a superbly practical and inspirational introduction to a truly “hot” topic! With detailed instructions, beautiful photography, and health and safety advice, it explains how such equipment as soldering irons, heat guns, and even household irons can add stunning levels of texture and variety to all types of fabrics. The range of techniques covered is amazing: hot and cold foiling, painted and plain Bondaweb (fusible webbing), bead making from synthetics, three-dimensional work, embossing powders, and so much more. There are even ideas for melting and distorting plastic bags and cellophane, and for using a combination of tools and fabrics to create various layers on a single piece.
Customer reviews New Ideas by .. Jean Stearn ()
After just paging through the hard covered book it appears that there are lots of new ideas to play with. I'm looking forward to trying many of the suggested techniques.
Comprehensive and Useful How Tos of Fabric Manipulation by .. Midgie Mac (Perth, Australia)
I have recently become a fan of heat treating textiles for unusual effects and this book provides lots of inspiration, step by step, easy to follow directions and ideas about unusual textiles and tools. Highly recommended for the textile art novice or enthusiast wanting to expand their repertoire.
Hot Textiles is packed with inspiration and techniques!! by .. H. Pyle (Las Vegas, NV)
I am really enjoying all the ideas and great instructions for techniques packed into this book. I feel I really got my moneys worth with this purchase and will browse through it over and over.
I love this book by .. P. Cozby (NV United States)
This is one of the few books I have bought that I read cover to cover. I can't wait to get started on everything!
There are not step by step directions but there are good descriptions of what to do to achieve each effect. It might not be the book for a beginner. The pictures are wonderful.
Interesting Book by .. Dunlap Bean (Illinois)
Although I am not skilled in this type of art, I am a visual artist. This book and the methods shown intrigued me enough that I will try to find a way to incorporate some of the methods and materials into my work.
Related Search : with heat , inspiration techniques , tools  |
Author : Allison Earnest
Number of Pages : 128
Publisher : Amherst Media, Inc.
List Price : $34.95
Amazon Price : $21.84
Used Price : $20.86 |
Product Description Techniques for creating flawless lighting show photographers of all levels how to take full control of their photographic atmosphere in this indispensable guide. Illustrating the physics that govern light; the visual difference between the eye and camera; the qualities of incident and reflected light; and the effects of the size, intensity, direction, contrast, and ratio of light, this manual offers tools for sculpting the face for remarkable portraits. The three desirable positions for the main light are described in detail, as well as how to use those arrangements to accentuate all types of faces—oval, long, angular, heart-shaped, and square—to create portraits with a variety of different effects, from romantic to edgy to high fashion. Customer reviews A foundation book for photography by .. D. E. Hagmaier (Colorado Springs, CO USA)
If your goal is to become a better photographer - Buy this book! Light is the vocabulary of photography. One must learn to see, control, and finesse light into your photographic vision to become an accomplished photographer. Without these skills, you are as stifled as Shakespeare without total mastery of English prose. While no one book can fully cover all aspects of portraiture lighting, Ms. Earnest lays a solid foundation with such clarity that the new student can grasp it, yet provides insights for the long time practitioner. Starting with the physics of light, she guides the reader through the analysis of light, using tools and showing their effects to modify light, and finally, how and when to apply those principles to develop an accomplished portrait. The strength of this book lies in its prolific use of before and after images, coupled with their explicit narratives. Throughout the book, you first read the concepts Ms. Earnest presents, and then you can visually study how each affects the composition in the accompanying imagery. Well worth the read. I strongly recommend it.
Textbook and guide by .. Jfadams (Alexandria, VA United States)
A textbook and a guide for both those learning to advance their knowledge of lighting techniques, and for those just being introduced to the subject matter. The book has an excellent number of images and diagrams that help fully explain the author's written descriptions of subjects such as incident light, reflective light, ambient light, design tools, portrait basics, and the nuances of multiple subjects and lighting for specific facial shapes. Great book.
Sculpting with Light by .. Margaret J. Rupe ()
Very thorough with explaining the use of light on different projects to get the most effective result.
Provides portrait photographers with essential keys to using studio lighting for optimum results by .. Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)
Allison Earnest's SCULPTING WITH LIGHT provides portrait photographers with essential keys to using studio lighting for optimum results. The focus on using such lighting to 'sculpt' results in a flattering way makes all the difference between professional and amateur results, with the book covering not just lighting basics, but common face shapes and how each should be lit for maximum effect.
Excellent resource for any photographer by .. L. P. Kittiel (Colorado Springs, CO)
There are many books out there dealing with lighting for portrait photography. This one stands out among the rest because of the accessible way Ms. Earnest presents the information. It's as if you are having a one-on-one workshop with her. She uses both photographs and diagrams to explain various lighting situations. She discusses the camera settings that produced the various photos. She provides some background about the models, which lends a human touch to the technical information. I especially like the "before and after" photos - very helpful in understanding what the light really is doing. The "info arrows" in the photos of the lighting setups are an excellent teaching device!!
Bottom line - I'm very glad I purchased this book. I know it will help me grow as a photographer, even though I, as a fine art photographer, photograph "things" more than "people." Having a better understanding of how to use light doing people portraits transfers readily to doing portraits of things: still lifes, trees, flowers, trains, etc.!!! I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in expanding his/her understanding of light in photography.
Related Search : light techniques , portrait photographers , sculpting with  |
Author : Nancy Reyner
Number of Pages : 128
Publisher : North Light Books
List Price : $27.99
Amazon Price : $16.89
Used Price : $16.79 |
Product Description Liberate Your Creativity With Acrylic Paints! Acrylic Revolution is your essential, all-in-one guide for acrylic painting techniques and more. It features over 101 ways to break through the boundaries of conventional painting and re-define the creative potential of this all-purpose medium. Every page provides insight on how to use acrylic paint in ways you never thought possible to create stunning visual effects and textures. Ten complete sections detail a range of empowering applications, including how to: - Prepare and paint on virtually any surface
- Create textures of all kinds
- Work with transfers, collage, resists and mixed media
- Achieve innovative stenciling and line work
- Customize your paint to adjust thickness, transparency and drying time
- Simulate other mediums, such as oil, tempera or watercolor
- Create faux finishes, magical effects, sheens and more
To give you additional insight and inspiration, this book features a gallery of finished works by fellow painting revolutionaries that blend various acrylic techniques to create amazing effects. You'll also find practical advice that covers the basics and beyond--from selecting materials and cleaning your brushes to finishing and preserving your artwork. There's even a complete glossary of terms for fast and easy referencing. Pick up a brush and start your own acrylic revolution today! Use the techniques in this book to free your creative spirit and create the paintings you've always dreamed of. Customer reviews Techniques That Will Expand Your Work by .. E. Deuble ()
Just what i was looking for: various ways to expand the use of my materials and enhance my technique. Well laid out, easy to understand, stimulating and worth every penny. Every artist, no matter what level, can benefit from the Acrylic Revolution.
Helpful book for beginners by .. Jessica M. Johnson ()
This book has been very helpful to me as a novice painter. It is very easy to read and understand.
Great read can't wait to try some of the techniques this weekend by .. Tamara Charland (Lake Tahoe)
Acrylic Revolution is a great book for abstract acrylic artists or mix media artists. About 1/4 of the techniques the author wrote about I was already familiar with, the other 3/4ths of this book was a pleasant surprise!
The book was a welcomed Christmas gift.
I have been painting abstracts for many years and agree with another reviewer that there are many properties of acrylic I was not familiar with and Reyner explains acrylics in such a way that the reader does not need a Master's Degree in science to understand.
The book format is clearly laid out and the reader is guided through the book from basic to more advanced methods of being creative with the paint and the various mediums. The spiral binding is a pretty good addition to the book.
The photos were easy to follow and the directions are pretty straight forward. I also went to Ms Reyner's website and was pleasantly surprised and intrigued by her art work. In some ways some of her work is similar to my artistic style I'm even tempted to sign up for a workshop if time allows.
Great tips, tricks and techniques by .. Nita Leland (Dayton, OH USA)
There's much information in this book, from tools to surfaces to special techniques and tricks. It's far more than applying acrylic paint to canvas. There are suggestions for new surfaces to try, a plethora of tools and texturing methods. The imagination can run wild with all these ideas. I love the stay-flat coil binding, making the book lie flat on my workspace so I have both hands free to paint.
5 minutes in and already I am painting with more PIZZAZZ! by .. Sj Green (Gisborne, North Island New Zealand)
This book is truly infectious - in fact I accidentally purchased 2 and have already got a buyer for the other - all the way downunder in New Zealand!
I say "infectious" because of the effect it is having on me - I want to try new things - buy new products - although here in NZ I have not yet sourced a supplier of Golden! Will find a way though.
Nancy - this is a winner - and thank you Amazon because you bring the most amazing packages to my doorstep - all for the sake of art of course!
I loved this book from the first 5 mins of reading it and truly I completed a painting - I think I've completed it - I may just have to "tweak" it a little more and add more layers - I marbled, I used the gel medium and even my husband had to agree - my butterflies almost flew off the canvas! Simply wonderful....
Related Search : versatile medium , new tricks , acrylic revolution  |
Author : Doug Stowe
Number of Pages : 128
Publisher : Betterway Books
List Price : $24.99
Amazon Price : $10.85
Used Price : $2.99 |
Product Description Featuring step-by-step projects Creating Bea utiful Boxes with Inlay Techniques is the definitive guide t hat makes building elegant boxes easy. ' Customer reviews A box book first, inlay book second by .. Charles S. Holzheimer (Centennial, CO)
Doug Stowe definitely knows his boxes. He's built thousands over the years. Anytime an expert like this decides to share his secrets, one should take the opportunity to acquire the knowledge.
The focus on "inlay" is a fuzzy one at best. Stowe talks in detail about how to make inlay strips or panels and for that information alone, this book is worth its price. A true artist should know how every little bit of his/her works are put together. Since inlay can be a beautiful enhancer to wood projects, designing and assembling your own inlay can only increase your artisanship.
Once the basics of inlay work has been covered, the book goes into some excellent box designs that I look forward to trying. However, and here is where one star goes away, many of these boxes don't require inlay for them to be successful. As a woodworker I both like and dislike this. I like the freedom to use the designs without being bound to the concept of inlay. I dislike that the title of the book specifically ties it to using inlay when many of the projects don't need to utilize it.
Picky? Maybe. Either way this is a good book and many useful designs and techniques can be drawn from it.
Creating Beautiful Boxes With Inlay Techniques by .. Dayton D. Kitterman (Central California)
Good tips and beautiful boxes. The directions are sufficient to be able to make the boxes in the book.
Great learning tool by .. Bill Neupert (Metairie, LA United States)
The Inlay book is an invaluable resource for beginning woodworkers. Very informative and well written. The author demonstrates methods for using pre-made inlays, as well as providing instructions for making your own inlays. I highly recommend the book. I have all of Doug Stowe's books on box making and enjoy them all.
I shudder to think! by .. Philip C. Jones (Iowa City, Iowa United States)
The book has some really interesting ideas for boxes. It is definitely worth getting for that reason alone.
This is not a good book for an inexperienced woodworker. Many of the router table techniques shown are incredibly dangerous---I can't believe the author has gotten away with doing things the way he does without losing a few fingers along the way. I shudder to think what might happen to a new woodworker who tries these techniques.
The projects described are somewhat incomplete and quirky. One project, for example, has panel doors---the cutting list contains dimensions for the rails and stiles of the doors, but not the panels. Not a problem for me, since I normally use these things as a source of ideas/inspirations for projects of my own design. But for someone who is looking for a step-by step project guide, this will prove disappointing. As another example, one project mentions using "brainerd hinges"--not a knife hinge, a slot hinge, a quadrant hinge, etc, but a "brainerd hinge". But the author neither shows the hinges in any of the illustrations nor explains them in the text. I was quite puzzled as to just what exactly a "Brainerd Hinge" might be and asked several woodworking buddies. Nobody had any idea. Finally, out of desperation, I "googled" the term "brainerd hinge" and found out that there is a "Brainerd" company that makes hinges. Apparently the author meant a simple butt hinge made by the Brainerd company. The book is full of these quirks and one can either be frustrated at them or view them as part of the book's charm.
One final comment---many of the boxes appealed to my design sense, but some others seemed rather clunky in their proportions. But that's easy enough to change on your own. I say this to stress that the strength of the book is in providing a number of interesting design/construction ideas that can be adapted in many different ways.
Not as in-depth as I hoped  by .. (Long Island City, New York United States)
I bought this book hoping to cull some ideas for an idea I have for a box with inlay. However, this book is just straight ahead projects. The book does cover other things, like hand made dove tail joints, and making wood inlay - but they weren't as in-depth as I was hoping. If you have a shop full of various power tools and chisels and saws, etc - this book is for you. If you're looking for ideas on box designs/construction, and have a limited set of tools - I wouldn't recommend this one.
Related Search : inlay techniques , creating beautiful , boxes with  |
Author : Peter Elbow
Edition : 2
Number of Pages : 416
Publisher : Oxford University Press, USA
List Price : $19.99
Amazon Price : $9.00
Used Price : $8.40 |
Product Description A classic handbook for anyone who needs to write, Writing With Power speaks to everyone who has wrestled with words while seeking to gain power with them. Here, Peter Elbow emphasizes that the essential activities underlying good writing and the essential exercises promoting it are really not difficult at all. Employing a cookbook approach, Elbow provides the reader (and writer) with various recipes: for getting words down on paper, for revising, for dealing with an audience, for getting feedback on a piece of writing, and still other recipes for approaching the mystery of power in writing. In a new introduction, he offers his reflections on the original edition, discusses the responses from people who have followed his techniques, how his methods may differ from other processes, and how his original topics are still pertinent to todays writer. By taking risks and embracing mistakes, Elbow hopes the writer may somehow find a hold on the creative process and be able to heighten two mentalities--the production of writing and the revision of it. From students and teachers to novelists and poets, Writing with Power reminds us that we can celebrate the uses of mystery, chaos, nonplanning, and magic, while achieving analysis, conscious control, explicitness, and care in whatever it is we set down on paper. Customer reviews Inspirational, but not very practial by .. MotorMind (The Netherlands)
This book is filled to the brim with inspirational talk for people who want to write. Elbow tends to emphasize non-fiction, which is a bit of a shame. Most of what he says boils down to: write a lot and revise a lot. Although that is sane advice, it hardly justifies the number of pages Elbow has filled. The last half consists of vague, non-directional musings about the "voice" of a writer--a concept Elbow can't even describe with sufficient detail to be of any practical use.
So all in all, this book is a bit of a mixed bag. When you're stuck in a rut and need some ideas to keep your juices flowing, this might just do the trick though.
Writing With Power by .. Christine West ()
Peter Elbow has chapter after chapter techniques to get you through the writing process from start to finish. He helps you to create your most powerful writing. Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, are a beginner or seasoned writer, this book is a "must have" in your writing library.
Great Resource! by .. akorn (Auburn, Wa, U.S.A)
Elbow is the known authority for writing techniques and this book is a classic. Easy to read and understand, Elbow creates a world where writing is not only important but rewarding. I have tried many of the suggestions and after years of frustration with writing papers, I have found tools that are very useful.Best of all, Elbow is so excited about the writing process, I actually look forward to sitting down and getting started.
Writing with Power by .. Becki Merritt ()
The Institute I am currently taking a writing course through, encourages the students to collect other points of view toward achieving our goal. I learned of this book from my neighbor who also took a writing course. I am enjoying the use of it very much. Thank you.
A Powerful Book by .. Paul Nordquist (Pennsylvania, USA)
At one time, writing was slow and awkward for me. My college assignments forced me to write, but each essay and paper was an excruciating ordeal. Peter Elbow's book, recommended by one of my professors, turned my writing life around.
Writing With Power explains how the writing process works (and why it sometimes doesn't work). With those insights in hand, and using Peter Elbow's simple techniques, I began to write faster, more often, and less fearfully. And now, years later, I'm a full-time professional writer -- something that would have been unimaginable before I read Writing With Power.
Related Search : writing with , process , power techniques |
