Book Reviews

C.A. Boylan, August, 2004

The Fine Artist’s Guide To Marketing And Self-Promotion: Revised Edition; by Julius Vitali; Allworth Press, 10 East 23rd Street, Suite 510, New York, NY 10010; soft cover; 256 pages; $19.95; (ISBN 1-58115-281-7) Artists often find it difficult to reach their target market or make their work accessible to a wider audience. This task may seem daunting but with Vitali’s expert advice you will find the most effective and creative ways to accomplish this goal. Renowned artist, Julius Vitali has condensed his years of experience into an easy to understand guide that offers information on the best ways to promote yourself. He explains the potential of print-on-demand and self publishing, ways to work with the media, how to create your own press releases and videos, building a website or burning CDs for distribution, and tips on getting your work in a gallery. This knowledge could make or break a budding career so add a copy of this book to your library today.

Plug-Ins For Adobe Photoshop: A Guide For Photographers; by Jack and Sue Drafahl, Amherst Media, 175 Rano Street, Suite 200, Buffalo, NY 14207; soft cover; 128 pages; $29.95; (ISBN 1-58428-129-4) Adobe Photoshop is an amazing program but I bet you didn’t know it could be customized to suit you. Jack and Sue Drafahl are professional photographers and educators who are very adept at the use of this software and they have utilized their skills to create a guide on building a unique version of Photoshop with the aid of Plug-ins. Plug-ins are tiny programs that add features for image correction and special effects. The authors will show you how to find the right ones for your system and install them as well as explain what they are and how they work. They will also show you how to manage your plug-ins or even make some of your own. This book is a fantastic resource for the digital photographer and should not be missed.

Underwater Photography; by Paul Kay, Guild Of Master Craftsman, Distributed by Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 387 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016; hard cover; 192 pages; $29.95; (ISBN 1-86108-322-X) The sea is beautifully mysterious, it conceals a multitude of sights that are rarely witnessed by mankind and that rarity makes underwater photography so unique. Professional photographer Paul Kay is no stranger to the depths and his wealth of knowledge on capturing stunning images is revealed in this book. Kay begins by focusing on the basics of exposure, aperture, shutter speed, film, and equipment then quickly moves on to more intense topics like flash photography and available light. He also includes tips on selling your work while educating the reader on the codes of conduct that help protect this fragile environment for future generations. There are 192 full color sample images to illustrate each lesson and more than enough information to get you started in the right direction.

The Portrait Photograher’s Guide To Posing; by Bill Hurter, Amherst Media, 175 Rano Street, Suite 200, Buffalo, NY 14207; soft cover; 128 pages; $29.95; (ISBN 1-58428-126-X) A picture is worth a thousand words but it speaks volumes when properly designed and excuted. Bill Hurter utilizes his vast reserve of knowledge and 200 sample images from 50 of todays top photographers to illustrate the fine points of posing the subject for maximum effect. These trusted techniques are great for all ages as well as weddings or groups and work for both traditional and digital photography. Hurter’s wonderful tips are certain to push your images over the top and away from the ordinary. I highly recommend exploring the benefits of this book for yourself.