Book Reviews

Minimalist Lighting: Professional Techniques for Studio Photography; by Kirk Tuck; Amherst Media; $34.95; (ISBN-13: 978-1-58428-250-1)
Photographer Kirk Tuck uses his years of professional experience to take an in-depth look at studio photography. He dispels the myths by providing advice on purchasing the proper lighting equipment, even if you happen to be on a tight budget. Tuck also highlights ways to shape light with commercial modifiers or homemade devices and shows you how a few simple tools can create wonderful results for tabletop photography. This guide has it all, from studio portraits to product shots and beyond.

Rick Sammon’s Field Guide to Digital Photography: Quick Lessons on Making Great Pictures; by Rick Sammon; W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.; $21.95; (ISBN: 978-0-393-33124-0)
Acclaimed wildlife photographer, teacher, and author Rick Sammon offers a selection of lessons from his popular workshops in this handy guide. Designed to fit in your gear bag, the guide offers a wide variety of tips on capturing the best portraits, photographing animals, shooting both indoors and outdoors, and the use of proper lighting in any situation. With all this top-notch information you’re certain to greatly improve the overall quality of your work.

Ghost Ranch and the Faraway Nearby; by Craig Varjabedian; University of New Mexico Press; $45; (ISBN: 978-0-8263-3621-7)
Located in northern New Mexico, the Ghost Ranch has been a place of artistic inspiration for countless artists. Noted photographer Craig Varjabedian also found his muse in this special place. This book offers a beautiful collection of 99 duotone images that expertly capture the essence of the desert and allow the reader to experience the natural wonders that have captured the hearts of so many talented people.

Miramichi: River of Character; photography by Brian Atkinson, text by Joanne Cadogan, foreword by David Adams Richards; Goose Lane; $35; (ISBN-13: 978-0-86492-535-0)
For this book acclaimed photographer Brian Atkinson set out on a quest to document the richness of life along the beautiful Miramichi River. His collection of candid images is expertly paired with Joanne Cadogan’s heartfelt words to tell the tale of the people who call this mystical place their home. Each section touches on the life of one person in order to document their place in this close-knit community.

Faces from the Land: Twenty Years of Powwow Tradition; by Ben and Linda Marra; Abrams; $30; (ISBN: 978-0-8109-8335-9)
Ben and Linda Marra are a husband-and-wife photography team who have traveled across America to document the magic and pageantry of powwows. Their epic journey began in 1988 when they first decided to set up an improvised studio at the events and invited the dancers to pose for portraits in full tribal costumes. The result of their efforts can be seen in this beautiful collection of 155 full-color images. Each shot tells a story that reveals the deep meaning behind every color, ribbon, bell, and stitch.