California denotes much more than a place-it implies a lifestyle, a space for ingenious, artistic, and enterprising leaders of society to live and play. Throughout the world, California is known as the place where wondrous things are invented and developed. It is the wondrous garden where everything grows and the magical place where movies are made. Historically, California's unlimited opportunities attracted countless newcomers, reaching back as far as the Native Americans. Others followed: the Conquistadors of the 1500s as well as the padres of the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, who built the 21 missions that stretch from San Diego to just north of San Francisco. In 1849, fortune seekers flocked to the Sierras for the Gold Rush, and the years after World War II saw the beginning of another population boom. So dynamic is life in the most populated of the fifty United States that, if it were an independent nation, California could boast the eighth largest economy in the world.

Just saying the words Star Wars evokes images of whooshing light sabers, Luke Skywalker's landspeeder racing above the sand, and epic battles between the forces of good and evil that take place in the farthest reaches of space. Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination explores how George Lucas's incredible use of science and technology may have presaged-and at times directly influenced-the future of life on Earth and beyond. From commercial space flight and super-speed trains that levitate by magnetism to robot servants and microscopic nanorobots that perform surgery internally, scientists inspired by Star Wars are taking fictional ideas and turning them into reality. In the next twenty years, human soldiers will be outfitted like stormtroopers, impervious to chemical weapons and equipped with superhuman endurance. Such advances, while monumental, also raise huge ethical questions. The book gives voice to the scientists and creators of the technologies whose stories describe the complexities and conseq

On the Mines is a re-designed and expanded version of David Goldblatts influential book of 1973. Goldblatt grew up in the South African town of Randfontein, which was shaped by the social culture and financial success of the gold mines surrounding it. When these mines started to fail in the mid-sixties Goldblatt began taking photos of them, which form the basis of On the Mines. The book features an essay on the human and political dimensions of mining in South Africa by Nobel laureate Nadine Gordimer, whose writing has long influenced Goldblatt. The new version of the book maintains the original three chapters The Witwatersrand: a Time and Tailings, Shaftsinking and Mining Men, but is otherwise completely updated, in Goldblatts words, to expand the view but not to alter the sense of things. There are thirty-one new mostly unpublished photos including colour images, eleven deleted images, a post* by Gordimer to her essay, as well as a text by Goldblatt reflecting on his childhood and the 1973 book. On t

Vibrant Home is A-chan's tender visual diary ofthe three places in which she has lived since 2000: Tokyo,Fujishiro and New York City. Wandering the streets with her camera,she captures that which we see but overlook: a grid of power linesagainst the sky, magnolia blossoms reaching sunwards over a wall, aself-absorbed child on the subway, rain-lacquered streets. A-chanexplains: "Vibrant Home is the name of the apartment I used to livein in Tokyo. That was my first time to live alone. There is beauty,slight movement. I stop walking and just follow myintuition."

Over 200 full-color images, an attractive two-column design, and a price under $30 make this guide a must for digital photographers who want to take their skills to the next level. Presents step-by-step instructions in uncluttered, highly visual format Clear steps illustrate the before-and-after transformations of images Topics covered include selecting proper camera settings, shooting against the best backdrop available, using photo-editing tools to correct mistakes, adjusting software and printer settings for better results, and performing "extreme" makeovers. 40 percent of U.S. households now own a digital camera, and digital camera sales grew by 43 percent in 2004 over the prior year.

The Better Digital Photography Guides are aimed at amateur photographers who want to explore the potential of digital technology to improve the quality and range of their work, be it snapshots of family activities, records of their travels, landscapes, portraits, or still-lifes. Master photographer Michael Busselle breaks down the image-making process into three phases: Capture, Enhance, and Print. While his stunning photographs educate through visual inspiration, his clear step-by-step text simplifies all the procedures. Nowhere is the potential of digital photography greater than in the fields of special effects and photo-art. Sitting in front of their PCs or Macs, photographers can now easily manipulate their digital images to achieve effects that, using traditional filmbased photography, could only be attempted by experienced printmakers with years of darkroom experience. And, if one experiment doesn’t work, they can go back and try a different tack with a few clicks of the mouse. Each of Michael

Turn ordinary photographs into striking works of art Masteringthe craft of composing a photograph is all about having a trainedeye. Digital Photography Composition For Dummies helps emergingphotographers create stunning and compelling photographs byteaching the elements, techniques, and conventions used by skilledand successful photographers. It helps advanced beginner toaspiring professional photographers gain an understanding of thebasics of composing a stunning and compelling photograph, as wellas the parts, functions, and capabilities of their camera. * Determine the point of interest in a photo and how significanceis achieved * Use the Rule of Thirds to create better photographs * Manipulate the viewpoint and understand the subject's directionof movement * Master depth of field, framing, and diagonals * Includes suggested exercises to apply as you become morecomfortable with composition techniques Complete with full-colorexamples and technique comparisons, Digital Pho

Best known for his striking photographs of people on the fringes of South African society, Roger Ballen makes images that are ambiguous and often disturbing, but also shot through with flashes of dark humour. The photographs in Shadow Chamber blur the boundaries between documentary photography and art forms such as painting, theatre and sculpture, challenging the ways in which we perceive the 'reality' of photography. Ballen's images are completely honest, yet also fabricated. The mysterious, cell-like rooms that Ballen photographs are actual places, but they are unsettling and strange, logical but impossible: their walls are covered with scribbled drawings, stains and dangling wires, the floors are strewn with bizarre props and artefacts. Dogs, rabbits and kittens wander into the frame or are stuffed into unlikely containers. The humans and animals in Ballen's photographs appear isolated and lost, yet strangely empowered at the same time. The resulting images are allegories of lived experiences and surre

Spanning over 150 years, this photographic book captures thelife and times of man and dog. It features the work of numerousfamous photographers and artists, from Man Ray to Picasso, RalphGibson to Eric Fischl, as well as essays on the presence of dogs inthe history of photography.

Photography has revolutionized the way we see the world. This book is a comprehensive guide to 250 of the world's best-known photographers, from the pioneers of the previous century to the experimental artisit who will take us into the next.

一An lnsider's guide to making it in the stock photography industry。 —lIlustrated throughout with professiOnaI stock photography。 —Invaluable advice frOm those in the knowon preparing a portfolio of work，howto market it and howto make it PaV。 —-——In-depth case studies of Iive shoots and how those shots could eventually be used。 ——Imagegalleryofseven conceptual themes toinspire creatiVity in stock photographers and their customers。 —-Contact names and web addresses of major stock Iibraries。

Tom Ang has worked as a technical editor, editor and picture editor on many magazines. His own photography both digital and orthodox - has been widely exhibited. He now contributes to, among others, magazines such as What Digital Camera and British Journal of Photography. Tom won the Thomas Cook Travel Book Award for his photography of the Marco Polo Expedition and he is a specialist on Central Asia, and is currently working on two photographic books on the region. He is the author of Picture Editing and Digital Photography and is Senior Lecturer in Photographic Practice at the University of Westminster, London.

The Hasselblad Award is the most important international photography prize in the world today, and since 1980 award winners have included some of the greatest names the medium has known. The award is granted to "a photographer recognized for major achievement"; this may be an individual who has made a pioneering achievement in photography, who has had a decisive impact on one or more younger generations of photographers, or one who has implemented one or more internationally significant photographic projects. The 2007 Hasselblad Award winner is Nan Goldin, easily one of the most significant photographers of our time. Adopting the direct aesthetics of snapshot photography, she has documented her own life and that of her friends and others on the margins of society for more than 30 years, offering frank depictions of drug abuse, cross-dressing and alternative sexualities. Her intimate photographs depict urban lives in New York and Europe in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, a period massively determined by HIV and

Images of the century (TASCHEN's 25th anniversaryspecial edition) The history of photography began some 150 yearsago, but only relatively recently has it been fully recognised as amedium in its own right. Cologne's Museum Ludwig was the firstmuseum of contemporary art to devote a substantial section tointernational photography. The L. Fritz Gruber collection, fromwhich this book is drawn, is one of the most important in Germanyand one of the most representative anywhere in the world,constituting the core of the museum's holdings. This book providesa fascinating insight into the collection's rich diversity; fromconceptual art to abstraction to reportage, all of the majormovements and genres are represented via a vast selection of thecentury's most remarkable photographs. From Ansel Adams to PietZwart, over 850 works are presented in alphabetical order byphotographer, with de*ive texts and photographers'biographical details, providing a comprehensive and indispensableoverview of 20th century photography

Paola De Pietri first learnt of World War I at school and fromfamily members who recounted historical facts through personalexperiences experiences that are in danger of being forgotten. InTo Face De Pietri preserves these memories in a series ofphotographs of the alps between Italy and Austria, a landscape thatstill bears the scars of trench warfare from nearly a century ago.De Pietris subtle, unassuming images show a landscape once damagedby man is now being reclaimed by nature.

In this extraordinary collection of color images, noted landscape and wildlife photographer Jeff Drewitz presents Australia's natural beauty in all its stunning diversity. Whether photographs of dry outback or breathtaking coastline, the lush woods of Tasmania or the rainforests and wildlife of the tropical north, these pictures reveal a landscape that offers beauty and diversity in spades. The cities scattered along Australia's coasts are also covered. Here is a portrait of a vast land of extremes that will be the perfect keepsake for any traveler. Superb collection of photographs that captures the natural beauty and diversity of Australia’s landscape and wildlife. Also includes urban scenes. The fifth in teNeues’ successful color version of its Photopockets series, this will be the perfect keepsake for any traveler.

Lighting is a fundamental concern for the studio photographer, and The Studio Photographer’s Lighting Bible explores lighting from every angle. This book explains all the commercial, practical, technical, and creative issues to identify how studio photographers can work successfully with other professionals and make the best and most creative lighting choices in their work. Interviews with lighting specialists from other disciplines, including theater, film, concerts, and galleries, as well as stylists, photographer’s assistants, make-up artists, and picture editors, give the photographer innovative ideas and the understanding needed to work as part of a team. Case studies with showcase images and lighting diagrams, plus information specific to the main photographic market, make The Studio Photographer’s Lighting Bible a must-have for every working photographer.

Your digital camera is the perfect travel companion. You don't need to pack extra film, worry about airport scanners, budget for processing costs, or wait until you get home to learn whether you got that once-in-a-lifetime shot. Tuck this book in beside your Frommer's(r) travel guide and you'll have everything you need for fantastic photos-how to watch for the right opportunity, compose the picture, work with lighting-even how to edit and upload from the road. Learn what you must take along and which accessories are nice to have Capture the soul of a city, its people, and its sights Include fellow travelers without shooting stereotypes Take great shots even where flash is prohibited or your light sources are limited Explore scenarios and expert tips for photographing scenery, wildlife, events, exhibits, and much more Post your photos on the Web before you get home 作者简介： David D. Busch was a roving photojournalist for more than 20 years, who illustrated his books, magazi

"Life" has brought Americans the world in pictures for nearly seventy years. Now, in this very special gift book, "Life" treats us to the most romantic photographs ever to appear in the magazine-a passionate gallery of hugs, kisses, caresses, and embraces. From an old couple walking hand in hand to young lovers sharing a tender moment in a graveyard, from tentative first kiss to tender nuzzle, every picture tells a story and captures one of the many faces of love. Beautifully packaged in a square-format hardcover, LIFE & LOVE is the perfect way to say happy Valentine's Day.

Tips and techniques for making food look good—before it tastesgood! Food photography is on the rise, with the millions of foodbloggers around the word as well as foodies who document theirmeals or small business owners who are interested in cutting costsby styling and photographing their own menu items, and this bookshould serve as your first course in food photography. Discover howthe food stylist exercises unique techniques to make the food lookattractive in the finished product. You’ll get a taste of thevisual know-how that is required to translate the perceptions oftaste, aroma, and appeal into a stunning, lavish finishedphotograph. Takes you through the art and techniques of appetizing foodphotography for everyone from foodies to food bloggers to smallbusiness owners looking to photograph their food themselves Whets your appetite with delicious advice on food styling,lighting, arrangement, and more Author is a successful food blogger who has become a well-knownresource

Calling all mamarazzis! Every camera-toting mom will want thisguide! Moms, if you can't seem to take enough great photos of the childrenin your life, this is the book for you. Now you can learn howto photograph children with the style, clarity, color, and beautyyou see in professional photographs. This fun guide combineshumor with solid know-how to show you how to compose shots, handlecameras from basic compacts to advanced dSLRs, take portraits orcandids, create prints that impress, and even work with kids!Packed with beautiful examples and written in a down-to-earth stylefrom one mom to another, this book will help mamarazzis everywheretake better photos. Moms are one of the fastest-growing segments of thecamera-toting demographic, and the blogosphere has a term for them,mamarazzis Mixes information, inspiration, and fun for women who want to takebetter photographs of the children in their lives Explains how to set up a camera and use the controls on basiccompacts up to advanced dSLR cameras Covers shot

Since the earliest portraits were scratched onto cave walls, we've developed increasingly sophisticated tools for capturing human likenesses. Yet the motivation has changed little — to freeze a human image as an art form, a means of communication, a piece of personal history. Whether formalized with elaborate settings and lighting or snapped at the beach to hold forever the pure joy in a child's face, portraits preserve people. Today's digital technology offers flexibility, economy, and almost limitless tools for perfecting your images, and these experts help you use it. Discover the skills you need to move from serious amateur to professional photographer Learn how a snapshot differs from a casual portrait Identify what you want your portrait to communicate Investigate lighting equipment and how to use it in different scenarios Use natural or mixed light to create unique effects Explore composition, posing, and handling challenges Handle props, backgro

Your COOLPIX camera does it all — from photographing children at play to the Eiffel Tower at night. Here are the details about using all the controls on your P, S, or L series camera to get the best shots possible, along with practical advice on essential photography topics from choosing the best settings to exposure, composition, and more.Learn about blur detection, in-camera editing, downloading, and printing, and get tips for taking dynamic and creative shots in a wide variety of situations.

With this book and your Canon PowerShot, taking pictures becomes a lot more fun! The Quick Tour gets you familiar with all the settings and menus on your G, S, TX, A, or SD-series camera, so you can start shooting. Then spend some time exploring tips for getting super shots in dozens of situations, using manual settings for greater control, and telling a story with your photos. Finally, learn the best ways to download, edit, and print your pictures.