Book Reviews
*If you have newer versions (CS4 or CS5, look for the latest books).
EDITING
ADOBE AFTER EFFECTS CS3
Book: Adobe After Effects CS3 Professional Classroom In A Book /DVD
Author: Adobe Creative Team
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Review:
These lessons are a great way to nervously approach the overwhelming software. Start here.
Website: www.adobepress.com/bookstore/product.asp?isbn=0321499794
Book: Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects (CS3)/DVD
Author: Trish and Chris Meyer
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Review:
Currently reading. Will report when completed.
Website: http://www.focalpress.com/Book.aspx?id=1826
ADOBE PHOTOSHOP CS3
Book: Adobe Photoshop CS3 A-Z
Author: Philip Andrews
Level: All
Review:
Not written as a tutorial. Supplemental to your regular instructional books. That being said, this is a necessary book if you believe in the power of dictionaries. When I am stuck, I look up the term, and there is an illustration and definition with a popular use of the tool.
Website: photoshop-a-z.com/index.php?main/home&_form_id=2b5f85d2
Book: The Adobe Photohop CS3 Book for Digital Photographers
Author: Scott Kelby
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Review:
Learn Photoshop from a pro’s palette. Tips and techniques covered within minutes.
Website: http://www.peachpit.com/store/product.aspx?isbn=0321501918
Book: Adobe Photoshop CS3 Classroom in a Book / DVD
Author: Adobe Creative Team
Level: Beginner
Review:
These lessons are a great way to nervously approach the overwhelming software. Start here.
Website: http://www.adobepress.com/bookstore/product.asp?isbn=0321492021
Book: Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended For 3D And Video
Author: Chad Perkins
Level: Intermediate/ Advanced
Review:
If you have CS3 Extended, then you need to extend your reading. You will learn the purposes of Photoshop Extended as well as re-learn uses for Photoshop Standard version as well. No page is wasted.
Website: http://www.adobepress.com/bookstore/product.asp?isbn=0321514343
Book: How to Cheat in Photoshop
Author: Steve Caplin
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Review:
Quick and easy passages to get a project done creatively. All aspects of the program are covered through
efficient tutorials accompanied by a DVD of samples. Fun and worth the practice.
Website: http://www.focalpress.com/Book.aspx?id=5064
Book: Photoshop CS3 For Dummies
Author: Peter Bauer
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Review:
Complete guide to Photoshop. I read alongside Classroom in a Book.
ADOBE PREMIERE PRO
Book: Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 Classroom in a Book / DVD
Author: Adobe Systems
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Review:
These lessons are a great way to nervously approach the overwhelming software. Start here.
Website: http://www.adobepress.com/bookstore/product.asp?isbn=0321499808
PHOTOGRAPHY: (also see Business below)
Book: The Hot Shoe Diaries: Big Light From Small Flashes
Author: Joe McNally
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Review:
Flash terminology and usage in this in-depth book on the subject. After reading my manuals, I dive into books like this one for ideas.
Website: http://www.adobepress.com/bookstore/product.asp?isbn=0321499808
Book: Photographer’s Market, 2010 33rd Annual Edition
Author: From the Editors of Writer’s Digest Books
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Review:
With introductory interviews of established photographers who share their valuable ideas and successful marketing campaigns,this book will conclude with hundreds of pages of contact information from companies who will accept your photography. The book explains the criteria for submitting your photos so that you do not waste anyone’s time. This book can read either as a prelude or postlude to the Photos That Sell book.
Website: http://www.writersdigestshop.com/product/2010-photographers-market/
Book: Photography, 9th Edition
Author: Barbara London, Jim Stone, John Upton
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Review:
I have the 8th Edition and continue to reference it. If you have never touched a camera, this book will make you an Ansel Adams. This is technically a scholastic text book. From shooting to printing, this book will teach you photography. The price may be steep, but you will not need any other book.
Website: http://www.mypearsonstore.com/bookstore/product.asp?isbn=0131752014
Book: Photos That Sell
Author: Lee Frost
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Review:
Technical, administrative and artistic guide to selling your photos. This book can read either as a prelude or postlude to the Photographer’s Market book. Photos that Sell elaborates on categories, photographer’s tips and tech specs.
Website: http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780817455125
FILMMAKING
Book: The Complete Film Dictionary
Author: Ira Konigsberg
Level: All
Review:
This dictionary spotlights motion picture technology. My copy is
very outdated and still ahead of its time. I find the photographic
content very useful for still photography. Caution: you may want to quit film school.
Website: I could not find a specific site. Many on-line book stores have it.
Book: The Five C’s of Cinematography
Author: Joseph V. Mascelli
Level: All
Review:
This book is a comprehensive guide to taking a great shot and why you took it. Photo examples and lengthy
explanations will not leave you in the black. I recommend it for Directors, Editors and all Photographers.
Website: http://www.silmanjamespress.com/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=3416&idcategory=63
Book: A Short History of The Movies
Author: Gerald Mast & Bruce F. Kawin
Level: All
Review:
There is nothing short about this book. A chronological lesson on the history of movies and its production, with great back-stories. I read it like an encyclopedia.
Website:http://www.pearsonhighered.com/educator/academic/product/0,3110,0205537553,00.html
BUSINESS
Book: Business and Legal Forms for Photographers (4th Edition) -CD with forms included.
Author: Tad Crawford
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Review:
Great legal forms that are printable from a CD-Rom. This will add to your confidence level.
Website: http://www.allworth.com/Business_and_Legal_Forms_for_Photographers_p/978-1-58115-669-0.htm
Book: Legal Handbook for Photographers
Author: Bert Krages, Esq.
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Review:
This book is a great way to understand your rights and the rights of others pertaining to images.
Website: http://www.amherstmedia.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1829&Category_Code=
Book: The Small Business Start-Up Kit: A Step-by-Step Legal Guide, CD-Rom included
Author: Peri H. Pakroo, J.D.
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Review:
Great advice for legal and business issues. From pricing formulas to tax forms which are printable from a CD-Rom. Visit the publisher’s website. There are many other handy topics that are easy to read.
Website: http://www.allworth.com/Business_and_Legal_Forms_for_Photographers_p/978-1-58115-669-0.htm
