Dale Chihuly: A Celebration

The appeal of this book lies in the color photographs displaying the originality of color and form in the work of glass artist Chihuly. This companion book to an exhibition celebrating his 70th birthday focuses on how his family, his hometown of Tacoma, Wash., and the Pacific Northwest have informed his career. Chihuly's mother fostered his fascination with color and form through the complex colors and forms in her flower gardens and her love of sunsets. His thinking about gardens certainly inspired Chihuly's Ikebana and Mille Fiori series. Tacoma's frontier mentality, observes Tacoma Art Museum curator Hushka, drives Chihuly's experimentation with scale, texture, color, forms, and thinness (which is technically difficult) free of the conventions of both the East Coast and European conventions. The abundance of water and rain in the Puget Sound area is a major influence on Chihuly, who also explored the frozen state of water in his Icicle Creek Chandelier and other installations. A lifelong interest in Native American culture and imagery profoundly influenced his Baskets, Cylinders, and Soft Cylinders series, which keenly pay tribute to the Indian crafts of basket and blanket weaving. This intimate, thoughtful celebration highlights the influences of nature and nurture on a unique talent, but the book's regional feel and small scale of its photographs likely preclude a wider audience
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Ai Weiwei: Architecture

Ai Weiwei, born in the Socialist People's Republic of China, is one of the most important artists of the present global art scene. Taken under house detention for his provocative political opinion,  he planned a celebration for the official governmental demolition of his Studio. His creations are based on the idea of provoking discussion about their content. For example, he spread about 150 tons of porcelain sunflower seeds on the floor of the Tate Modern in London to remind young Chinese people of propagandist pictures which show Mao Tse-Tung in the middle of sunshine and sunflower seeds. The daab-book embraces some of the astonishing works of the exceptional artist.
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American Artist Guide to Painting Techniques

In 1986, Tate published "The Encyclopedia of Painting Techniques" which quickly became an art instruction reference classic. Practicing artist Harrison here updates it to reflect recent advances and trends in painting materials and techniques. All the most popular painting techniques and a few of the more esoteric ones get concise, two-page, step-by-step explanations. Approaches to a selection of representational themes are covered, but abstract subjects are not explored. Owing to the broad coverage, many different types of artists, designers, students, and hobbyists will want to consult this book
(Library Journal)
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Digital Landscape Photography: In the Footsteps of Ansel Adams and the Great Masters

Ansel Adams (1902-1984) was a pioneer of landscape photography, whose imagery-especially his iconic views of the American National Parks--is widely published and instantly recognizable. While he is undoubtedly one of the best-loved and best-known visionaries of American art, photographers also recognize him as a pioneer of technique, a theoretician, and as one of the great teachers of the craft of photography.
His zone system has been widely adapted, but Adams unique imagery also relied on his determination and application at every stage of the photographic process; he spent years in his darkroom, as well as out in the open air. For decades, this kind of attention to detail required the kind of equipment, time, and facilities that were out of the reach of most photographers--but now, in the digital age, technology has finally made his techniques accessible.
This book will show you what can be learned from Adams working process, and how these lessons can be applied today. The craft of Adams photography is discussed, and the ZONE SYSTEM is related to the digital age. Sections on light, composition, mood, and the darkroom all show what can be achieved today using and understanding his thinking. Michael Frye's own photography provides many stunning examples of the results that can be achieved and, as one of Adams' natural successors in the field, he is well placed to analyze the inspirational shots which open each chapter.
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Digital SLR Photography All-In-One for Dummies

If you have a digital SLR camera, you'll find everything you need in this full-color reference to help you get the best results. Ten self-contained minibooks cover the basics of dSLR photography and address camera models from the five leading dSLR manufacturers. Topics include lenses, exposure, lighting, composition, processing and editing, a guide to manufacturers and systems, and a guide to camera settings, plus separate minibooks covering video and high dynamic range (HDR) photography.This full-color volume covers all the key elements essential to good photography as well as the basics of camera bodies and lenses, dSLR workflow, and advice on the best camera settings to use for different situationsCovers lighting, composition, and exposure as well as macro and telephoto lensesFeatures minibooks on video, HDR photography, processing and editing images, and a guide to leading camera manufacturers and systems.
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Photo Recipes Live (2): Behind the Scenes: Your Guide to Today's Most Popular Lighting Techniques

Scott Kelby, author of the best-selling "The Digital Photography Book, "once again brings to life his "Photo Recipes" chapter--not just from this book, but from his smash best-selling follow-ups, volumes 2 and 3. In this two-hour video and companion booklet, Scott shows you exactly how it's all done, from scratch, without holding anything back.
If you've ever wondered how the pros use natural light, studio light, and even direct daylight to get those amazing shots, you'll see it all here, live, as it happens. For this follow-up to the incredibly popular first volume of "Photo Recipes Live, " Scott heads to Miami--both on location and in the studio--to re-create the looks he describes in the book, along with some bonus lighting set-ups that aren't in the book.
Everything is put together from scratch (from studio shots to location shots), all while the cameras are rolling-- you see it all from the very beginning so you'll be able to re-create those same looks without spending thousands on expensive high-end equipment.
Best of all, Scott explains everything in simple, plain English, just like he'd tell a friend, using the same casual, conversational style that made his series of books a worldwide sensation. If you've ever wondered "how they do it," you're about to fi nd out in this amazing DVD/book combo that shows how easy this all can be--once you know the secrets.
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Why photographs work : 52 great images : who made them, what makes them special and why

 by George Barr. Every photographer, from weekend enthusiast to professional, can learn by studying the "greats". In Why Photographs Work, author/photographer George Barr analyzes 52 striking images by some of the world's top photographers. Accompanying Barr's analysis of each image is an explanation by the photographer describing the circumstances of making the image, including not only the how, but also the why. Also included is each photographer's biography, a reference to his or her websites and publications, and brief technical descriptions of the equipment used in making each image. With guidance from Barr, we learn to decipher that certain intangible "something" that makes an image go beyond the ordinary. As we gain an understanding of and appreciation for the elements that make an image truly great, we are bound to improve our own images as well.Included are images by:Charles Cramer, Bruce Barnbaum, Harald Mante, Dan Burkholder, Nick Brandt, Hans Strand, Roman Loranc, Huntington Witherill, Susan Burnstine, Ryuijie, Beth Moon, Phil Borges, Shaun O'Boyle, David Ward, Michael Levin, Michael Reichmann, Michael Kenna, Cole Thompson, George Jerkovich, Bengt Ekelberg, Sandra Davis, Brian Kosoff, Joe Lipka, Gordon Lewis, Lawrence Chrismas, Craig Richards, and many more. --Summary (Check Catalog)