Superb for the beginner to DSLR, 28 Oct 2008
I cannot emphasise enough how well this book sets out the basics of DSLR photography. I am on my first DSLR and to be honest knew nothing about aperture, shutter speed and ISO and how the 3 interelate. This book sets these out so clearly that the layman can understand. Been wondering how/when to use the P, M, A or S buttons on your camera
?, This explains it perfectly, and gives nice glossy examples of a scene when you would use f/4 vs f/22. I also have the David Busch book to "replace" the manual, but this far exceeds what you can learn from that. Both good books in their own right.

Fantastic book for DSLR beginners!, 13 Sep 2008
In a nutshell - this is everything you need as a DSLR beginner. Concise, to the point, and, quite simply, well explained. You won't get better. Buy this book if you want to progress quickly and understand the manual settings on your DSLR.

Good starter text, 04 Sep 2008
While the bias of this book leans heavily towards 35mm film cameras, with a vague nod in the direction of digital, it's still a worthwhile read. The information on aperture, shutter speed and ISO may be familiar enough, but the material on metering and exposure compensation is extremely interesting, not to mention useful. While Peterson's tendency to boast gets a little tiring (his comments discussing how he took a particular shot would be fine, if he didn't insist on showing off how quickly/well he'd done it) and occasionally his tone veers into patronising, but he clearly knows his stuff and manages to put it across in an informative and practical way. The book is reasonably useless unless you have a camera that allows you a high degree of control over settings, but if you have either a film or digitial SLR, I'd recommend you start with this text as an introduction.

Definetly a Great Book for Learners., 27 Aug 2008
If you're new to digital photography or you think that you don't know the basics about exposure, which is very important for good pictures, you should definitely buy this book. I learned a lot about its theory. However it doesn't only tell about the theory itself but also gives practical tips and tricks, which help you understand how some wonderful pictures are taken. There are some exercises Bryan Peterson suggests doing and I found them very useful. Even if you are not able to do everything he says at the time of reading, there are pictures which show the results. So you can take it with you and read on the bus.

It almost tells about everything but if you need a night or low light photography book it only tells about it a few pages. So if I feel I need more information about it, I would buy a different book.

I'm very glad to buy it and it'll be always a good reference for me.

If you're advanced photographer, you should already know about exposure and you should already take most of your pictures with correct exposures. So this is not a book for you.

Excellent book, 18 Aug 2008
I bought this book only based on its good reviews and I was not disappointed. It is written in simple, easy to understand language, it is illustrated with amazing pictures and it is full of good tips. Buy it !

Superb for the beginner to DSLR, 28 Oct 2008
I cannot emphasise enough how well this book sets out the basics of DSLR photography. I am on my first DSLR and to be honest knew nothing about aperture, shutter speed and ISO and how the 3 interelate. This book sets these out so clearly that the layman can understand. Been wondering how/when to use the P, M, A or S buttons on your camera
?, This explains it perfectly, and gives nice glossy examples of a scene when you would use f/4 vs f/22. I also have the David Busch book to "replace" the manual, but this far exceeds what you can learn from that. Both good books in their own right.

Fantastic book for DSLR beginners!, 13 Sep 2008
In a nutshell - this is everything you need as a DSLR beginner. Concise, to the point, and, quite simply, well explained. You won't get better. Buy this book if you want to progress quickly and understand the manual settings on your DSLR.

Good starter text, 04 Sep 2008
While the bias of this book leans heavily towards 35mm film cameras, with a vague nod in the direction of digital, it's still a worthwhile read. The information on aperture, shutter speed and ISO may be familiar enough, but the material on metering and exposure compensation is extremely interesting, not to mention useful. While Peterson's tendency to boast gets a little tiring (his comments discussing how he took a particular shot would be fine, if he didn't insist on showing off how quickly/well he'd done it) and occasionally his tone veers into patronising, but he clearly knows his stuff and manages to put it across in an informative and practical way. The book is reasonably useless unless you have a camera that allows you a high degree of control over settings, but if you have either a film or digitial SLR, I'd recommend you start with this text as an introduction.

Definetly a Great Book for Learners., 27 Aug 2008
If you're new to digital photography or you think that you don't know the basics about exposure, which is very important for good pictures, you should definitely buy this book. I learned a lot about its theory. However it doesn't only tell about the theory itself but also gives practical tips and tricks, which help you understand how some wonderful pictures are taken. There are some exercises Bryan Peterson suggests doing and I found them very useful. Even if you are not able to do everything he says at the time of reading, there are pictures which show the results. So you can take it with you and read on the bus.

It almost tells about everything but if you need a night or low light photography book it only tells about it a few pages. So if I feel I need more information about it, I would buy a different book.

I'm very glad to buy it and it'll be always a good reference for me.

If you're advanced photographer, you should already know about exposure and you should already take most of your pictures with correct exposures. So this is not a book for you.

Excellent book, 18 Aug 2008
I bought this book only based on its good reviews and I was not disappointed. It is written in simple, easy to understand language, it is illustrated with amazing pictures and it is full of good tips. Buy it !

I just adore this book, 17 Nov 2008
I'll keep this simple. Basically this is one of my absolute favourite books. The quality of the book itself is fantastic, the images inside the book are top notch and its quite hefty so it will impress friends and family when they visit your house lol. But seriously its a fantastic book that will not dissapoint one bit. But be warned, as with this type of photography there is a little nudity. Tastefully done ofcourse

Now wheres my application form to join the agency....

Since the 10.5 million images in National Geographic's possession won't fit in a book, the 250 in this moderately glossy, minimally costly collection will do nicely. Through the Lens is a stunning collection of photos judiciously apportioned to represent the regions of the earth, the sea and outer space; humans and nature; and even the history of the medium--a few historic black and whites contrast dramatically with the eye-popping modern colour shots that dominate the book.

The aesthetic key to their impact is the use of big, emotional pictures with witty little captions and, whenever possible, startling juxtapositions, such as a Boston matron's faux-fur coat that looks just like her pet Dalmatian (the caption identifies them as "spots fans"); the world's widest street (in Buenos Aires) by night looks great next to a grassy highway overpass for grizzly bears in Alberta; and the famous green-eyed Afghan refugee poses in a purple burkha with her 1985 National Geographic cover. There's also a fuzzy shot of a 1907 inventor testing a multi-winged "Katydid" flying machine contrasts with a crisp 1974 shot of Skylab soaring far above fluffy clouds; newborns are lined up like bread loaves in Shanghai. This is a beautiful collection of photographs drawn from an amazing archive. --Tim Appelo, Amazon.com

Superb for the beginner to DSLR, 28 Oct 2008
I cannot emphasise enough how well this book sets out the basics of DSLR photography. I am on my first DSLR and to be honest knew nothing about aperture, shutter speed and ISO and how the 3 interelate. This book sets these out so clearly that the layman can understand. Been wondering how/when to use the P, M, A or S buttons on your camera
?, This explains it perfectly, and gives nice glossy examples of a scene when you would use f/4 vs f/22. I also have the David Busch book to "replace" the manual, but this far exceeds what you can learn from that. Both good books in their own right.

Fantastic book for DSLR beginners!, 13 Sep 2008
In a nutshell - this is everything you need as a DSLR beginner. Concise, to the point, and, quite simply, well explained. You won't get better. Buy this book if you want to progress quickly and understand the manual settings on your DSLR.

Good starter text, 04 Sep 2008
While the bias of this book leans heavily towards 35mm film cameras, with a vague nod in the direction of digital, it's still a worthwhile read. The information on aperture, shutter speed and ISO may be familiar enough, but the material on metering and exposure compensation is extremely interesting, not to mention useful. While Peterson's tendency to boast gets a little tiring (his comments discussing how he took a particular shot would be fine, if he didn't insist on showing off how quickly/well he'd done it) and occasionally his tone veers into patronising, but he clearly knows his stuff and manages to put it across in an informative and practical way. The book is reasonably useless unless you have a camera that allows you a high degree of control over settings, but if you have either a film or digitial SLR, I'd recommend you start with this text as an introduction.

Definetly a Great Book for Learners., 27 Aug 2008
If you're new to digital photography or you think that you don't know the basics about exposure, which is very important for good pictures, you should definitely buy this book. I learned a lot about its theory. However it doesn't only tell about the theory itself but also gives practical tips and tricks, which help you understand how some wonderful pictures are taken. There are some exercises Bryan Peterson suggests doing and I found them very useful. Even if you are not able to do everything he says at the time of reading, there are pictures which show the results. So you can take it with you and read on the bus.

It almost tells about everything but if you need a night or low light photography book it only tells about it a few pages. So if I feel I need more information about it, I would buy a different book.

I'm very glad to buy it and it'll be always a good reference for me.

If you're advanced photographer, you should already know about exposure and you should already take most of your pictures with correct exposures. So this is not a book for you.

Excellent book, 18 Aug 2008
I bought this book only based on its good reviews and I was not disappointed. It is written in simple, easy to understand language, it is illustrated with amazing pictures and it is full of good tips. Buy it !

I just adore this book, 17 Nov 2008
I'll keep this simple. Basically this is one of my absolute favourite books. The quality of the book itself is fantastic, the images inside the book are top notch and its quite hefty so it will impress friends and family when they visit your house lol. But seriously its a fantastic book that will not dissapoint one bit. But be warned, as with this type of photography there is a little nudity. Tastefully done ofcourse

Now wheres my application form to join the agency....

RATHER DISAPPOINTED ON THE WHOLE, 18 Apr 2008
Was so excited when my book arrived today but to be quite honest was rather disappointed. Although the book is extremely heavy and the paper quality good, I personally was not too excited by the photos at all. Maybe I was expecting more Wildlife scenes or more landscape scenes. Too many "people" photos for my liking. Also each photograph is spread over two pages which often distracted due to the join in page. On the positive side there are a few stunning photos.

Gorgeous, gorgeous book, 02 Apr 2008
I bought this book as a present for someone that loves to take pictures of animals and wildlife scenes....they loved it.

To my, admittedly 'unprofessional', eye - the pictures are just...gorgeous!

Its a definate coffee table book, but its more than that - its unusual and inspiring. You almost want to hop on a plane and go and see these things for yourself.

I would say its a great gift for anyone interested in photography, anyone interested in the world and nature and anyone with an appreciation for beautiful things - anyone left?!...

A little too big, 19 Mar 2008
It's a coffee table book - on the large/heavy size for me. I would prefer something smaller that I could pick up and browse more easily.

Breathtaking photos, little short on print quality, 22 Jan 2008
I see that the contents are well explained so I'll be giving a more personal view on the book itself. When I first gazed through the pages, I found myself drowned in the richness of the compositions.
Every page carried a different wind and there were lots of them. After a while I found it rather relaxing to open a few pages and try to understand the feeling in each photograph.
The book is well organized and explained. You do not have to turn a hundred pages to look back at your favorites. Of course there are some photos that are far better taken, thus stand out, but when the number of photos is considered this is expected.
Lastly, the print and paper quality may have been slightly better. These kind of books feel even better when they stroke your fingertips with a quality paper.. All-in-all a book that deserves a place on the living room table by the sofa!


What a great value for money book, 27 Jun 2007
I couldn't believe the size of this book when i received it. It is huge!!!

The sections are split up by Continent and some of the European and Asian photos are spectacular. For a fan of photography this book is an absolute must and this is a great book for your coffee table!!

Perfect present material and an absolute bargain for the price!

Superb for the beginner to DSLR, 28 Oct 2008
I cannot emphasise enough how well this book sets out the basics of DSLR photography. I am on my first DSLR and to be honest knew nothing about aperture, shutter speed and ISO and how the 3 interelate. This book sets these out so clearly that the layman can understand. Been wondering how/when to use the P, M, A or S buttons on your camera
?, This explains it perfectly, and gives nice glossy examples of a scene when you would use f/4 vs f/22. I also have the David Busch book to "replace" the manual, but this far exceeds what you can learn from that. Both good books in their own right.

Fantastic book for DSLR beginners!, 13 Sep 2008
In a nutshell - this is everything you need as a DSLR beginner. Concise, to the point, and, quite simply, well explained. You won't get better. Buy this book if you want to progress quickly and understand the manual settings on your DSLR.

Good starter text, 04 Sep 2008
While the bias of this book leans heavily towards 35mm film cameras, with a vague nod in the direction of digital, it's still a worthwhile read. The information on aperture, shutter speed and ISO may be familiar enough, but the material on metering and exposure compensation is extremely interesting, not to mention useful. While Peterson's tendency to boast gets a little tiring (his comments discussing how he took a particular shot would be fine, if he didn't insist on showing off how quickly/well he'd done it) and occasionally his tone veers into patronising, but he clearly knows his stuff and manages to put it across in an informative and practical way. The book is reasonably useless unless you have a camera that allows you a high degree of control over settings, but if you have either a film or digitial SLR, I'd recommend you start with this text as an introduction.

Definetly a Great Book for Learners., 27 Aug 2008
If you're new to digital photography or you think that you don't know the basics about exposure, which is very important for good pictures, you should definitely buy this book. I learned a lot about its theory. However it doesn't only tell about the theory itself but also gives practical tips and tricks, which help you understand how some wonderful pictures are taken. There are some exercises Bryan Peterson suggests doing and I found them very useful. Even if you are not able to do everything he says at the time of reading, there are pictures which show the results. So you can take it with you and read on the bus.

It almost tells about everything but if you need a night or low light photography book it only tells about it a few pages. So if I feel I need more information about it, I would buy a different book.

I'm very glad to buy it and it'll be always a good reference for me.

If you're advanced photographer, you should already know about exposure and you should already take most of your pictures with correct exposures. So this is not a book for you.

Excellent book, 18 Aug 2008
I bought this book only based on its good reviews and I was not disappointed. It is written in simple, easy to understand language, it is illustrated with amazing pictures and it is full of good tips. Buy it !

I just adore this book, 17 Nov 2008
I'll keep this simple. Basically this is one of my absolute favourite books. The quality of the book itself is fantastic, the images inside the book are top notch and its quite hefty so it will impress friends and family when they visit your house lol. But seriously its a fantastic book that will not dissapoint one bit. But be warned, as with this type of photography there is a little nudity. Tastefully done ofcourse

Now wheres my application form to join the agency....

RATHER DISAPPOINTED ON THE WHOLE, 18 Apr 2008
Was so excited when my book arrived today but to be quite honest was rather disappointed. Although the book is extremely heavy and the paper quality good, I personally was not too excited by the photos at all. Maybe I was expecting more Wildlife scenes or more landscape scenes. Too many "people" photos for my liking. Also each photograph is spread over two pages which often distracted due to the join in page. On the positive side there are a few stunning photos.

Gorgeous, gorgeous book, 02 Apr 2008
I bought this book as a present for someone that loves to take pictures of animals and wildlife scenes....they loved it.

To my, admittedly 'unprofessional', eye - the pictures are just...gorgeous!

Its a definate coffee table book, but its more than that - its unusual and inspiring. You almost want to hop on a plane and go and see these things for yourself.

I would say its a great gift for anyone interested in photography, anyone interested in the world and nature and anyone with an appreciation for beautiful things - anyone left?!...

A little too big, 19 Mar 2008
It's a coffee table book - on the large/heavy size for me. I would prefer something smaller that I could pick up and browse more easily.

Breathtaking photos, little short on print quality, 22 Jan 2008
I see that the contents are well explained so I'll be giving a more personal view on the book itself. When I first gazed through the pages, I found myself drowned in the richness of the compositions.
Every page carried a different wind and there were lots of them. After a while I found it rather relaxing to open a few pages and try to understand the feeling in each photograph.
The book is well organized and explained. You do not have to turn a hundred pages to look back at your favorites. Of course there are some photos that are far better taken, thus stand out, but when the number of photos is considered this is expected.
Lastly, the print and paper quality may have been slightly better. These kind of books feel even better when they stroke your fingertips with a quality paper.. All-in-all a book that deserves a place on the living room table by the sofa!


What a great value for money book, 27 Jun 2007
I couldn't believe the size of this book when i received it. It is huge!!!

The sections are split up by Continent and some of the European and Asian photos are spectacular. For a fan of photography this book is an absolute must and this is a great book for your coffee table!!

Perfect present material and an absolute bargain for the price!



Glossy but flawed, 15 Nov 2008
This is a lovely item for the Madonna collector or fan, but I honestly don't see anybody else buying it. The blurb cites exclusive never seen before pics, but really that boils down to about 2 backstage shots, the majority of the book being filled with endless permutations of live shots we all saw when she was on tour.
I'm quite disappointed with how soft focus & airbrushed 99% of the pics are. The whole Madonna Live experience is about raw energy, not fluffy perfection! On top of that a lot of the shots are just plain out of focus! This whole thing feels a lot like a vanity project for Guy Oseary who knows 'the fans' will snap it up no matter how good or bad it actually is!

The concept for this book is simple: 500 photographers, 500 pages. Arranged alphabetically, each of the photographers--from contemporary Dutch cameraman Hans Aarsman to mid-century New York shutterbug James Van Der Zee--gets a full, oversized page. On it is a large, expertly reproduced image and a concise caption packed with information about the photographer and his or her work. The coincidental alignment of photos of different eras and aesthetic sensibilities provides unusual and exciting contrasts that add an extra dimension to readers' perception of the work. Rineke Dijkstra's color-saturated shot of a bikini-clad beachgoer in South Carolina faces a Mike Disfarmer portrait of a rural Arkansas couple in 1943. Imogen Cunningham's inimitable Nude is here, along with a more surprising image--My Mother, Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire, a color-photo collage by painter David Hockney. With iconic photographs like Alfred Eisenstaedt's shot of a sailor and a nurse kissing in Times Square on V-J Day, historic ones like Larry Burrows's shot of wounded U.S. soldiers in Vietnam, and pop images like David LaChapelle's picture of a bodybuilder posing amid a cluster of little boys aping his stance, the scope of this visual encyclopedia is truly epic. And with its incredibly low price tag, there's no better value out there for fans of photography.The concept for this book is simple: 500 photographers, 500 pages. Arranged alphabetically, each of the photographers--from contemporary Dutch cameraman Hans Aarsman to mid-20th-century New York snap-happy James Van Der Zee--gets a full, oversized page. On it is a large, expertly reproduced image and a concise caption packed with information about the photographer and his or her work. The coincidental alignment of photos of different eras and aesthetic sensibilities provides unusual and exciting contrasts that add an extra dimension to readers' perception of the work. Rineke Dijkstra's colour-saturated shot of a bikini-clad beachgoer in South Carolina faces a Mike Disfarmer portrait of a rural Arkansas couple in 1943. Imogen Cunningham's inimitable Nude is here, along with a more surprising image--My Mother, Bolton Abbey, and Yorkshire, a colour-photo collage by painter David Hockney.

With iconic photographs like Alfred Eisenstaedt's shot of a sailor and a nurse kissing in Times Square, New York on V-J Day, historic ones like Larry Burrows' shot of wounded US soldiers in Vietnam, and pop images like David LaChapelle's picture of a bodybuilder posing amid a cluster of little boys aping his stance, the scope of this visual encyclopedia is truly epic. And with its incredibly low price tag, there's no better value out there for fans of photography.

Superb for the beginner to DSLR, 28 Oct 2008
I cannot emphasise enough how well this book sets out the basics of DSLR photography. I am on my first DSLR and to be honest knew nothing about aperture, shutter speed and ISO and how the 3 interelate. This book sets these out so clearly that the layman can understand. Been wondering how/when to use the P, M, A or S buttons on your camera
?, This explains it perfectly, and gives nice glossy examples of a scene when you would use f/4 vs f/22. I also have the David Busch book to "replace" the manual, but this far exceeds what you can learn from that. Both good books in their own right.

Fantastic book for DSLR beginners!, 13 Sep 2008
In a nutshell - this is everything you need as a DSLR beginner. Concise, to the point, and, quite simply, well explained. You won't get better. Buy this book if you want to progress quickly and understand the manual settings on your DSLR.

Good starter text, 04 Sep 2008
While the bias of this book leans heavily towards 35mm film cameras, with a vague nod in the direction of digital, it's still a worthwhile read. The information on aperture, shutter speed and ISO may be familiar enough, but the material on metering and exposure compensation is extremely interesting, not to mention useful. While Peterson's tendency to boast gets a little tiring (his comments discussing how he took a particular shot would be fine, if he didn't insist on showing off how quickly/well he'd done it) and occasionally his tone veers into patronising, but he clearly knows his stuff and manages to put it across in an informative and practical way. The book is reasonably useless unless you have a camera that allows you a high degree of control over settings, but if you have either a film or digitial SLR, I'd recommend you start with this text as an introduction.

Definetly a Great Book for Learners., 27 Aug 2008
If you're new to digital photography or you think that you don't know the basics about exposure, which is very important for good pictures, you should definitely buy this book. I learned a lot about its theory. However it doesn't only tell about the theory itself but also gives practical tips and tricks, which help you understand how some wonderful pictures are taken. There are some exercises Bryan Peterson suggests doing and I found them very useful. Even if you are not able to do everything he says at the time of reading, there are pictures which show the results. So you can take it with you and read on the bus.

It almost tells about everything but if you need a night or low light photography book it only tells about it a few pages. So if I feel I need more information about it, I would buy a different book.

I'm very glad to buy it and it'll be always a good reference for me.

If you're advanced photographer, you should already know about exposure and you should already take most of your pictures with correct exposures. So this is not a book for you.

Excellent book, 18 Aug 2008
I bought this book only based on its good reviews and I was not disappointed. It is written in simple, easy to understand language, it is illustrated with amazing pictures and it is full of good tips. Buy it !

I just adore this book, 17 Nov 2008
I'll keep this simple. Basically this is one of my absolute favourite books. The quality of the book itself is fantastic, the images inside the book are top notch and its quite hefty so it will impress friends and family when they visit your house lol. But seriously its a fantastic book that will not dissapoint one bit. But be warned, as with this type of photography there is a little nudity. Tastefully done ofcourse

Now wheres my application form to join the agency....

RATHER DISAPPOINTED ON THE WHOLE, 18 Apr 2008
Was so excited when my book arrived today but to be quite honest was rather disappointed. Although the book is extremely heavy and the paper quality good, I personally was not too excited by the photos at all. Maybe I was expecting more Wildlife scenes or more landscape scenes. Too many "people" photos for my liking. Also each photograph is spread over two pages which often distracted due to the join in page. On the positive side there are a few stunning photos.

Gorgeous, gorgeous book, 02 Apr 2008
I bought this book as a present for someone that loves to take pictures of animals and wildlife scenes....they loved it.

To my, admittedly 'unprofessional', eye - the pictures are just...gorgeous!

Its a definate coffee table book, but its more than that - its unusual and inspiring. You almost want to hop on a plane and go and see these things for yourself.

I would say its a great gift for anyone interested in photography, anyone interested in the world and nature and anyone with an appreciation for beautiful things - anyone left?!...

A little too big, 19 Mar 2008
It's a coffee table book - on the large/heavy size for me. I would prefer something smaller that I could pick up and browse more easily.

Breathtaking photos, little short on print quality, 22 Jan 2008
I see that the contents are well explained so I'll be giving a more personal view on the book itself. When I first gazed through the pages, I found myself drowned in the richness of the compositions.
Every page carried a different wind and there were lots of them. After a while I found it rather relaxing to open a few pages and try to understand the feeling in each photograph.
The book is well organized and explained. You do not have to turn a hundred pages to look back at your favorites. Of course there are some photos that are far better taken, thus stand out, but when the number of photos is considered this is expected.
Lastly, the print and paper quality may have been slightly better. These kind of books feel even better when they stroke your fingertips with a quality paper.. All-in-all a book that deserves a place on the living room table by the sofa!


What a great value for money book, 27 Jun 2007
I couldn't believe the size of this book when i received it. It is huge!!!

The sections are split up by Continent and some of the European and Asian photos are spectacular. For a fan of photography this book is an absolute must and this is a great book for your coffee table!!

Perfect present material and an absolute bargain for the price!



Glossy but flawed, 15 Nov 2008
This is a lovely item for the Madonna collector or fan, but I honestly don't see anybody else buying it. The blurb cites exclusive never seen before pics, but really that boils down to about 2 backstage shots, the majority of the book being filled with endless permutations of live shots we all saw when she was on tour.
I'm quite disappointed with how soft focus & airbrushed 99% of the pics are. The whole Madonna Live experience is about raw energy, not fluffy perfection! On top of that a lot of the shots are just plain out of focus! This whole thing feels a lot like a vanity project for Guy Oseary who knows 'the fans' will snap it up no matter how good or bad it actually is!

A brilliant book for enthusiasts, 20 Jan 2008
This book is presented beautifully with 500 pages of famous and less well known photographers who have made an impact on the art today. I think this book was made to entertain more than educate, with its lovely photographs but short descriptions.
I use The Photo Book to help me with college assignments in choosing photographers to study and styles to focus on. I think its perfect for amateurs who already have all sorts of book on technique, and shows us why photography is such a popular subject.
A great coffee table book, if nothing else.

okay - bit disappointing, 28 Apr 2005
I bought this book because I am always interested in the medium of photography and how things are 'caught' on camera but I found this book a bit disappointing and I thought the description with each photo was, to be honest, a bit rubbish. However perhaps that was becuase I bought the mini version, perhaps the bigger version has more description or makes more of an impact.

I think I am more interested in who the subject was or why the picture was important within photographical history but I found some of the photos a bit pointless and the description did not help me to see why this person was a famous photographer or why he/she was worthy to go in the book. However I guess if you are more of a photography student you would find the description more helpful and you would perhpas know more about the person's portfolio of work. I think I am more interested in photographs from a historical/social aspect, and if you're the same I would advise flicking through this book in a library/bookshop but not buying it.

Dull text - but too small tor ead anyway!, 19 Nov 2004
This is the large book squished down to a small format. So the text, which I assume was legible in the original version, is now too small to read comfortably.
It's impossible to open the book fully to look at the photos without breaking its spine.
When you have spoilt the book by opening it and managed to read the text you'll wish you hadn't bothered - it doesn't give you any insight whatsoever into the associated image.
Even at under £6 this is a waste of money.

Breaks down the old fashioned fiew of photography., 01 Jul 2000
This book shows the best examples of the variety of ways people use their cameras. It shows that you don't need to follow in the footsteps of the masters to get great photos and the great images can be of any subject. The'documenting' photographs, such as the first landing on the moon and the murder of a judge, show a moment in time that is unique and saved on film forever. Photography is not about the great technical skills of Ansel Adams of the ways of capturing human emotion like Bill Brandt, but about capturing a persons view of the world, which all of the photographers in the book have done. Vital in anybodies book collection even if photography doesn't interest them. It's an wonderful example of how we should all stop and take time out to view the world we live in, in a different way. Especially as the mini version is avaliable.

A good book for anyone who likes photography!, 22 Feb 2000
This book includes some classic photos mixed in with the extra ordinary . The use of text is particulally strong as it helps to solve the meaning of certain photos.The book has many strong points but one bad point is that you can't fit it into your pocket to read on the way to work!

Superb for the beginner to DSLR, 28 Oct 2008
I cannot emphasise enough how well this book sets out the basics of DSLR photography. I am on my first DSLR and to be honest knew nothing about aperture, shutter speed and ISO and how the 3 interelate. This book sets these out so clearly that the layman can understand. Been wondering how/when to use the P, M, A or S buttons on your camera
?, This explains it perfectly, and gives nice glossy examples of a scene when you would use f/4 vs f/22. I also have the David Busch book to "replace" the manual, but this far exceeds what you can learn from that. Both good books in their own right.

Fantastic book for DSLR beginners!, 13 Sep 2008
In a nutshell - this is everything you need as a DSLR beginner. Concise, to the point, and, quite simply, well explained. You won't get better. Buy this book if you want to progress quickly and understand the manual settings on your DSLR.

Good starter text, 04 Sep 2008
While the bias of this book leans heavily towards 35mm film cameras, with a vague nod in the direction of digital, it's still a worthwhile read. The information on aperture, shutter speed and ISO may be familiar enough, but the material on metering and exposure compensation is extremely interesting, not to mention useful. While Peterson's tendency to boast gets a little tiring (his comments discussing how he took a particular shot would be fine, if he didn't insist on showing off how quickly/well he'd done it) and occasionally his tone veers into patronising, but he clearly knows his stuff and manages to put it across in an informative and practical way. The book is reasonably useless unless you have a camera that allows you a high degree of control over settings, but if you have either a film or digitial SLR, I'd recommend you start with this text as an introduction.

Definetly a Great Book for Learners., 27 Aug 2008
If you're new to digital photography or you think that you don't know the basics about exposure, which is very important for good pictures, you should definitely buy this book. I learned a lot about its theory. However it doesn't only tell about the theory itself but also gives practical tips and tricks, which help you understand how some wonderful pictures are taken. There are some exercises Bryan Peterson suggests doing and I found them very useful. Even if you are not able to do everything he says at the time of reading, there are pictures which show the results. So you can take it with you and read on the bus.

It almost tells about everything but if you need a night or low light photography book it only tells about it a few pages. So if I feel I need more information about it, I would buy a different book.

I'm very glad to buy it and it'll be always a good reference for me.

If you're advanced photographer, you should already know about exposure and you should already take most of your pictures with correct exposures. So this is not a book for you.

Excellent book, 18 Aug 2008
I bought this book only based on its good reviews and I was not disappointed. It is written in simple, easy to understand language, it is illustrated with amazing pictures and it is full of good tips. Buy it !

I just adore this book, 17 Nov 2008
I'll keep this simple. Basically this is one of my absolute favourite books. The quality of the book itself is fantastic, the images inside the book are top notch and its quite hefty so it will impress friends and family when they visit your house lol. But seriously its a fantastic book that will not dissapoint one bit. But be warned, as with this type of photography there is a little nudity. Tastefully done ofcourse

Now wheres my application form to join the agency....

RATHER DISAPPOINTED ON THE WHOLE, 18 Apr 2008
Was so excited when my book arrived today but to be quite honest was rather disappointed. Although the book is extremely heavy and the paper quality good, I personally was not too excited by the photos at all. Maybe I was expecting more Wildlife scenes or more landscape scenes. Too many "people" photos for my liking. Also each photograph is spread over two pages which often distracted due to the join in page. On the positive side there are a few stunning photos.

Gorgeous, gorgeous book, 02 Apr 2008
I bought this book as a present for someone that loves to take pictures of animals and wildlife scenes....they loved it.

To my, admittedly 'unprofessional', eye - the pictures are just...gorgeous!

Its a definate coffee table book, but its more than that - its unusual and inspiring. You almost want to hop on a plane and go and see these things for yourself.

I would say its a great gift for anyone interested in photography, anyone interested in the world and nature and anyone with an appreciation for beautiful things - anyone left?!...

A little too big, 19 Mar 2008
It's a coffee table book - on the large/heavy size for me. I would prefer something smaller that I could pick up and browse more easily.

Breathtaking photos, little short on print quality, 22 Jan 2008
I see that the contents are well explained so I'll be giving a more personal view on the book itself. When I first gazed through the pages, I found myself drowned in the richness of the compositions.
Every page carried a different wind and there were lots of them. After a while I found it rather relaxing to open a few pages and try to understand the feeling in each photograph.
The book is well organized and explained. You do not have to turn a hundred pages to look back at your favorites. Of course there are some photos that are far better taken, thus stand out, but when the number of photos is considered this is expected.
Lastly, the print and paper quality may have been slightly better. These kind of books feel even better when they stroke your fingertips with a quality paper.. All-in-all a book that deserves a place on the living room table by the sofa!


What a great value for money book, 27 Jun 2007
I couldn't believe the size of this book when i received it. It is huge!!!

The sections are split up by Continent and some of the European and Asian photos are spectacular. For a fan of photography this book is an absolute must and this is a great book for your coffee table!!

Perfect present material and an absolute bargain for the price!



Glossy but flawed, 15 Nov 2008
This is a lovely item for the Madonna collector or fan, but I honestly don't see anybody else buying it. The blurb cites exclusive never seen before pics, but really that boils down to about 2 backstage shots, the majority of the book being filled with endless permutations of live shots we all saw when she was on tour.
I'm quite disappointed with how soft focus & airbrushed 99% of the pics are. The whole Madonna Live experience is about raw energy, not fluffy perfection! On top of that a lot of the shots are just plain out of focus! This whole thing feels a lot like a vanity project for Guy Oseary who knows 'the fans' will snap it up no matter how good or bad it actually is!

A brilliant book for enthusiasts, 20 Jan 2008
This book is presented beautifully with 500 pages of famous and less well known photographers who have made an impact on the art today. I think this book was made to entertain more than educate, with its lovely photographs but short descriptions.
I use The Photo Book to help me with college assignments in choosing photographers to study and styles to focus on. I think its perfect for amateurs who already have all sorts of book on technique, and shows us why photography is such a popular subject.
A great coffee table book, if nothing else.

okay - bit disappointing, 28 Apr 2005
I bought this book because I am always interested in the medium of photography and how things are 'caught' on camera but I found this book a bit disappointing and I thought the description with each photo was, to be honest, a bit rubbish. However perhaps that was becuase I bought the mini version, perhaps the bigger version has more description or makes more of an impact.

I think I am more interested in who the subject was or why the picture was important within photographical history but I found some of the photos a bit pointless and the description did not help me to see why this person was a famous photographer or why he/she was worthy to go in the book. However I guess if you are more of a photography student you would find the description more helpful and you would perhpas know more about the person's portfolio of work. I think I am more interested in photographs from a historical/social aspect, and if you're the same I would advise flicking through this book in a library/bookshop but not buying it.

Dull text - but too small tor ead anyway!, 19 Nov 2004
This is the large book squished down to a small format. So the text, which I assume was legible in the original version, is now too small to read comfortably.
It's impossible to open the book fully to look at the photos without breaking its spine.
When you have spoilt the book by opening it and managed to read the text you'll wish you hadn't bothered - it doesn't give you any insight whatsoever into the associated image.
Even at under £6 this is a waste of money.

Breaks down the old fashioned fiew of photography., 01 Jul 2000
This book shows the best examples of the variety of ways people use their cameras. It shows that you don't need to follow in the footsteps of the masters to get great photos and the great images can be of any subject. The'documenting' photographs, such as the first landing on the moon and the murder of a judge, show a moment in time that is unique and saved on film forever. Photography is not about the great technical skills of Ansel Adams of the ways of capturing human emotion like Bill Brandt, but about capturing a persons view of the world, which all of the photographers in the book have done. Vital in anybodies book collection even if photography doesn't interest them. It's an wonderful example of how we should all stop and take time out to view the world we live in, in a different way. Especially as the mini version is avaliable.

A good book for anyone who likes photography!, 22 Feb 2000
This book includes some classic photos mixed in with the extra ordinary . The use of text is particulally strong as it helps to solve the meaning of certain photos.The book has many strong points but one bad point is that you can't fit it into your pocket to read on the way to work!

Beautifully Presented, but lacking in application assistance., 05 Oct 2008
I bought this book based on the high reviews that it had received. It is a beautifuly presented book, with fabulous photography.

Unfortunately I do feel it was a shame that it did not contain step by step photographs. Also it would have been nice to see the eye makeup on a shut eyelid as well as an open one, to give you a more detailed example of how the look is created/blended.

That aside, it is a nice book that will be flicked through many times.

I take it back..I LOVE IT!!!!, 10 Sep 2008
I have been a qualified make up artist for years but despite this, I wanted some inspiration for some new looks to try on myself. I have quite intense blue eyes and have always stuck with browns etc to show them off, but fancying a change, I looked on here, after all I'm now 34 and although I am good at what I do, I qualified over 16 years ago and needed a few new ideas.
I saw the great reviews for the book, and bought it based on those. When I first got the book, I flicked through and was very disappointed (hence why I only gave it 3 stars). I was going to send it back and it sat in my room and I totally forgot all about it to be honest. I decided to unwrap it from the packaging once more and have a proper look.
All I can say is that I am annoyed at myself for giving it only 3 stars in a previous review (which I have now deleted).

In the book, the looks are created using Nars products, obviously, so I am already arranging a trip to Selfridges/Harrods to visit the Nars counter (it's cruelty free too) even tho I have most of the colours in other ranges.
There are some really odd looks in there, not good on anyones face, but most of them are really good and today I am wearing a yellow gold on my eyes (not something I thought I would ever wear, but it looks fab!).
The book is beautifully laid out, the photographs are very clear and easy to follow with the acetate layovers and it has given me the confidence to try new looks. I even wore a bright white with black eyeliner and it looked great! I am able to be brave and I am also encouraged to try new stuff.
I only have two bugs with it:
1- No page numbers on the photos..
2- When you read the info on the looks at the back of each section, there is sometimes an addition in products used to what is stated on the corresponding acetate layover.

It really is a great book tho, and despite my rash review prior, I love it and it sits on my dressing table and I refer to it every morning to give me a new look for the day.
I hear that he is bringing out a new one..all I can say is: HURRY UP FRANCOIS!!!
Can't wait for the new one.
A great buy for those of you wanting new ideas with great instructions and great products.


A must have for all NARS lovers!!, 02 Jun 2008
this book has really helped me piece together all the bits sitting in my make up box. The book really helps you understand on how to achieve an overall look and is very inspirational on how to get creative with your make up.

An answer to a photographers prayer, 29 Apr 2008
This book has made the difference.
I'm a photographer working with models producing images to many different genres. The visual before-and-after format enables me to share a common language with the models, make-up artists and stylists that we shoot with. We all know what we are trying to achieve and we achieve it.

I highly recommend this book.

Bible, 10 Apr 2008
I received this book as a birthday present and while some of the looks it contains are a bit too "catwalk" for me, there are many that are besutifully natural as well. My favourite aspect of this book is the fact that specific product colours and names are given. Too many makeup books refuse to give specific product reccomendation, if you are anything like me you aim to completely re-create the look which becomes very hard if you have to go out and scout through the shops trying to find each correct colour or product.

I have referred back to this book so many times as the before and after pictures of each model are actually quite inspiring, I find it helps me to decide what I want to do with my makeup.

Superb for the beginner to DSLR, 28 Oct 2008
I cannot emphasise enough how well this book sets out the basics of DSLR photography. I am on my first DSLR and to be honest knew nothing about aperture, shutter speed and ISO and how the 3 interelate. This book sets these out so clearly that the layman can understand. Been wondering how/when to use the P, M, A or S buttons on your camera
?, This explains it perfectly, and gives nice glossy examples of a scene when you would use f/4 vs f/22. I also have the David Busch book to "replace" the manual, but this far exceeds what you can learn from that. Both good books in their own right.

Fantastic book for DSLR beginners!, 13 Sep 2008
In a nutshell - this is everything you need as a DSLR beginner. Concise, to the point, and, quite simply, well explained. You won't get better. Buy this book if you want to progress quickly and understand the manual settings on your DSLR.

Good starter text, 04 Sep 2008
While the bias of this book leans heavily towards 35mm film cameras, with a vague nod in the direction of digital, it's still a worthwhile read. The information on aperture, shutter speed and ISO may be familiar enough, but the material on metering and exposure compensation is extremely interesting, not to mention useful. While Peterson's tendency to boast gets a little tiring (his comments discussing how he took a particular shot would be fine, if he didn't insist on showing off how quickly/well he'd done it) and occasionally his tone veers into patronising, but he clearly knows his stuff and manages to put it across in an informative and practical way. The book is reasonably useless unless you have a camera that allows you a high degree of control over settings, but if you have either a film or digitial SLR, I'd recommend you start with this text as an introduction.

Definetly a Great Book for Learners., 27 Aug 2008
If you're new to digital photography or you think that you don't know the basics about exposure, which is very important for good pictures, you should definitely buy this book. I learned a lot about its theory. However it doesn't only tell about the theory itself but also gives practical tips and tricks, which help you understand how some wonderful pictures are taken. There are some exercises Bryan Peterson suggests doing and I found them very useful. Even if you are not able to do everything he says at the time of reading, there are pictures which show the results. So you can take it with you and read on the bus.

It almost tells about everything but if you need a night or low light photography book it only tells about it a few pages. So if I feel I need more information about it, I would buy a different book.

I'm very glad to buy it and it'll be always a good reference for me.

If you're advanced photographer, you should already know about exposure and you should already take most of your pictures with correct exposures. So this is not a book for you.

Excellent book, 18 Aug 2008
I bought this book only based on its good reviews and I was not disappointed. It is written in simple, easy to understand language, it is illustrated with amazing pictures and it is full of good tips. Buy it !

I just adore this book, 17 Nov 2008
I'll keep this simple. Basically this is one of my absolute favourite books. The quality of the book itself is fantastic, the images inside the book are top notch and its quite hefty so it will impress friends and family when they visit your house lol. But seriously its a fantastic book that will not dissapoint one bit. But be warned, as with this type of photography there is a little nudity. Tastefully done ofcourse

Now wheres my application form to join the agency....

RATHER DISAPPOINTED ON THE WHOLE, 18 Apr 2008
Was so excited when my book arrived today but to be quite honest was rather disappointed. Although the book is extremely heavy and the paper quality good, I personally was not too excited by the photos at all. Maybe I was expecting more Wildlife scenes or more landscape scenes. Too many "people" photos for my liking. Also each photograph is spread over two pages which often distracted due to the join in page. On the positive side there are a few stunning photos.

Gorgeous, gorgeous book, 02 Apr 2008
I bought this book as a present for someone that loves to take pictures of animals and wildlife scenes....they loved it.

To my, admittedly 'unprofessional', eye - the pictures are just...gorgeous!

Its a definate coffee table book, but its more than that - its unusual and inspiring. You almost want to hop on a plane and go and see these things for yourself.

I would say its a great gift for anyone interested in photography, anyone interested in the world and nature and anyone with an appreciation for beautiful things - anyone left?!...

A little too big, 19 Mar 2008
It's a coffee table book - on the large/heavy size for me. I would prefer something smaller that I could pick up and browse more easily.

Breathtaking photos, little short on print quality, 22 Jan 2008
I see that the contents are well explained so I'll be giving a more personal view on the book itself. When I first gazed through the pages, I found myself drowned in the richness of the compositions.
Every page carried a different wind and there were lots of them. After a while I found it rather relaxing to open a few pages and try to understand the feeling in each photograph.
The book is well organized and explained. You do not have to turn a hundred pages to look back at your favorites. Of course there are some photos that are far better taken, thus stand out, but when the number of photos is considered this is expected.
Lastly, the print and paper quality may have been slightly better. These kind of books feel even better when they stroke your fingertips with a quality paper.. All-in-all a book that deserves a place on the living room table by the sofa!


What a great value for money book, 27 Jun 2007
I couldn't believe the size of this book when i received it. It is huge!!!

The sections are split up by Continent and some of the European and Asian photos are spectacular. For a fan of photography this book is an absolute must and this is a great book for your coffee table!!

Perfect present material and an absolute bargain for the price!



Glossy but flawed, 15 Nov 2008
This is a lovely item for the Madonna collector or fan, but I honestly don't see anybody else buying it. The blurb cites exclusive never seen before pics, but really that boils down to about 2 backstage shots, the majority of the book being filled with endless permutations of live shots we all saw when she was on tour.
I'm quite disappointed with how soft focus & airbrushed 99% of the pics are. The whole Madonna Live experience is about raw energy, not fluffy perfection! On top of that a lot of the shots are just plain out of focus! This whole thing feels a lot like a vanity project for Guy Oseary who knows 'the fans' will snap it up no matter how good or bad it actually is!

A brilliant book for enthusiasts, 20 Jan 2008
This book is presented beautifully with 500 pages of famous and less well known photographers who have made an impact on the art today. I think this book was made to entertain more than educate, with its lovely photographs but short descriptions.
I use The Photo Book to help me with college assignments in choosing photographers to study and styles to focus on. I think its perfect for amateurs who already have all sorts of book on technique, and shows us why photography is such a popular subject.
A great coffee table book, if nothing else.

okay - bit disappointing, 28 Apr 2005
I bought this book because I am always interested in the medium of photography and how things are 'caught' on camera but I found this book a bit disappointing and I thought the description with each photo was, to be honest, a bit rubbish. However perhaps that was becuase I bought the mini version, perhaps the bigger version has more description or makes more of an impact.

I think I am more interested in who the subject was or why the picture was important within photographical history but I found some of the photos a bit pointless and the description did not help me to see why this person was a famous photographer or why he/she was worthy to go in the book. However I guess if you are more of a photography student you would find the description more helpful and you would perhpas know more about the person's portfolio of work. I think I am more interested in photographs from a historical/social aspect, and if you're the same I would advise flicking through this book in a library/bookshop but not buying it.

Dull text - but too small tor ead anyway!, 19 Nov 2004
This is the large book squished down to a small format. So the text, which I assume was legible in the original version, is now too small to read comfortably.
It's impossible to open the book fully to look at the photos without breaking its spine.
When you have spoilt the book by opening it and managed to read the text you'll wish you hadn't bothered - it doesn't give you any insight whatsoever into the associated image.
Even at under £6 this is a waste of money.

Breaks down the old fashioned fiew of photography., 01 Jul 2000
This book shows the best examples of the variety of ways people use their cameras. It shows that you don't need to follow in the footsteps of the masters to get great photos and the great images can be of any subject. The'documenting' photographs, such as the first landing on the moon and the murder of a judge, show a moment in time that is unique and saved on film forever. Photography is not about the great technical skills of Ansel Adams of the ways of capturing human emotion like Bill Brandt, but about capturing a persons view of the world, which all of the photographers in the book have done. Vital in anybodies book collection even if photography doesn't interest them. It's an wonderful example of how we should all stop and take time out to view the world we live in, in a different way. Especially as the mini version is avaliable.

A good book for anyone who likes photography!, 22 Feb 2000
This book includes some classic photos mixed in with the extra ordinary . The use of text is particulally strong as it helps to solve the meaning of certain photos.The book has many strong points but one bad point is that you can't fit it into your pocket to read on the way to work!

Beautifully Presented, but lacking in application assistance., 05 Oct 2008
I bought this book based on the high reviews that it had received. It is a beautifuly presented book, with fabulous photography.

Unfortunately I do feel it was a shame that it did not contain step by step photographs. Also it would have been nice to see the eye makeup on a shut eyelid as well as an open one, to give you a more detailed example of how the look is created/blended.

That aside, it is a nice book that will be flicked through many times.

I take it back..I LOVE IT!!!!, 10 Sep 2008
I have been a qualified make up artist for years but despite this, I wanted some inspiration for some new looks to try on myself. I have quite intense blue eyes and have always stuck with browns etc to show them off, but fancying a change, I looked on here, after all I'm now 34 and although I am good at what I do, I qualified over 16 years ago and needed a few new ideas.
I saw the great reviews for the book, and bought it based on those. When I first got the book, I flicked through and was very disappointed (hence why I only gave it 3 stars). I was going to send it back and it sat in my room and I totally forgot all about it to be honest. I decided to unwrap it from the packaging once more and have a proper look.
All I can say is that I am annoyed at myself for giving it only 3 stars in a previous review (which I have now deleted).

In the book, the looks are created using Nars products, obviously, so I am already arranging a trip to Selfridges/Harrods to visit the Nars counter (it's cruelty free too) even tho I have most of the colours in other ranges.
There are some really odd looks in there, not good on anyones face, but most of them are really good and today I am wearing a yellow gold on my eyes (not something I thought I would ever wear, but it looks fab!).
The book is beautifully laid out, the photographs are very clear and easy to follow with the acetate layovers and it has given me the confidence to try new looks. I even wore a bright white with black eyeliner and it looked great! I am able to be brave and I am also encouraged to try new stuff.
I only have two bugs with it:
1- No page numbers on the photos..
2- When you read the info on the looks at the back of each section, there is sometimes an addition in products used to what is stated on the corresponding acetate layover.

It really is a great book tho, and despite my rash review prior, I love it and it sits on my dressing table and I refer to it every morning to give me a new look for the day.
I hear that he is bringing out a new one..all I can say is: HURRY UP FRANCOIS!!!
Can't wait for the new one.
A great buy for those of you wanting new ideas with great instructions and great products.


A must have for all NARS lovers!!, 02 Jun 2008
this book has really helped me piece together all the bits sitting in my make up box. The book really helps you understand on how to achieve an overall look and is very inspirational on how to get creative with your make up.

An answer to a photographers prayer, 29 Apr 2008
This book has made the difference.
I'm a photographer working with models producing images to many different genres. The visual before-and-after format enables me to share a common language with the models, make-up artists and stylists that we shoot with. We all know what we are trying to achieve and we achieve it.

I highly recommend this book.

Bible, 10 Apr 2008
I received this book as a birthday present and while some of the looks it contains are a bit too "catwalk" for me, there are many that are besutifully natural as well. My favourite aspect of this book is the fact that specific product colours and names are given. Too many makeup books refuse to give specific product reccomendation, if you are anything like me you aim to completely re-create the look which becomes very hard if you have to go out and scout through the shops trying to find each correct colour or product.

I have referred back to this book so many times as the before and after pictures of each model are actually quite inspiring, I find it helps me to decide what I want to do with my makeup.

A Collection to make you think, 20 Aug 2008
I agree with the other reviews so will try not to repeat too much in my own review.

Children (and some adults) are all too dismissive of the previous generations and, although I would not recommend showing this to young children, it could help teenagers studying history to get a real sense of the conditions the men fighting in the First World War were subject to. The author does not shy away from showing the dead in photographs and I think it gives the reader something to think about and possibly discuss.

As a book, it is well thought out and presented beautifully. It's a book I would happily leave on my coffee table for friends to flick through. A couple of friends can not understand why I would want to look at pictures from the War (as they find the subject of warfare disturbing) but I've never believed in wrapping people in cotton wool - I think people should know what those men went through and be proud of them. Although it is a collection of frank photographs of war, I think the subject has been handled sensitively too - there are no gratuitous shots what so ever in this book.

Highly recommended to anyone who wants to get a real sense of the lives of the men involved.



Great book. , 07 Aug 2008
This is a brilliant book. Every picture, many of which I have never seen before tells a different story. Max Arthur has juxtaposed the photographs in chronological order and there is a real drama in the build up to the war from both sides and also in the lead up to the battles of the Somme and Arras. The consequence of the battles is poignantly told not only in photos but in words of the men who fought in them. I was particularly moved by the photo of the packs taken from the bodies of the dead, the photo shows British soldiers searching through for anything that can be sent home to the dead man's next of kin.

One particular photo is accompanied by the words of a young Lieutenant 'Now we die. It is the wet death, the muddy death, death dripping with blood. The bodies lie frozen in the earth which slowly sucks them in. The luckiest depart wrapped in canvas, to sleep in the nearest cemetery.'

But there are lighter moments such as the amazing shot of the Zulus dancing in their full battle costume and the tough looking Australian who the Kaiser loathed because he was always stealing from the German dead. There are many more like this in this memorable book.


Essential Addition to the WW1 Library, 06 Mar 2008
This is first and foremost a picture book. As you might expect, there are many uncomfortable images, but it is a far more balanced book than that. There are many depictions of strong comradeship and even happiness amongst the desperate conditions and casualties of the trenches. Without much in the way of text, it doesn't fully, even with pictures, convey the 'grit' of the WW1 experience that I think many of today's, removed generation would like to understand. But as a picture book, it has no rival, and is beautifully printed.



Unforgettable faces, 30 Oct 2007
There have been other books of photos of World War 1, and one might expect to see the same old images - but this is a collection of many unfamiliar, previously unseen photos - of subjects ranging from the Western Front, Gallipoli, the home front, and behind the lines - and both before, during and after the war.
The large format lends itself to the often panoramic images - and also allows you to see in detail extraordinary and haunting portraits - the 'faces' after which the book is named. It's a collection to please the expert and the interested browser alike - a WWI buff will appreciate the precisely captioned battle scenes - but any reader will feel the impact of the personal quotations which accompany many images - they add an extraordinary dimension to one's understanding of life and conditions in the trenches. It's an immensely moving photo-record, but my heart was particularly wrenched by the three Australian brothers who all died in one two-day attack, the home images of the average, working-class man who went to fight for king and country... not the Eton toffs, but the desperately poor. The images depict a world of contrasts, both in Britain and in Germany - but when it came down to it, all the men at the front were in the same boat, and returned after the conflict to their bleak lives with their terrible disfigurements, mental scars and the memory of lost comrades.

Superb for the beginner to DSLR, 28 Oct 2008
I cannot emphasise enough how well this book sets out the basics of DSLR photography. I am on my first DSLR and to be honest knew nothing about aperture, shutter speed and ISO and how the 3 interelate. This book sets these out so clearly that the layman can understand. Been wondering how/when to use the P, M, A or S buttons on your camera
?, This explains it perfectly, and gives nice glossy examples of a scene when you would use f/4 vs f/22. I also have the David Busch book to "replace" the manual, but this far exceeds what you can learn from that. Both good books in their own right.

Fantastic book for DSLR beginners!, 13 Sep 2008
In a nutshell - this is everything you need as a DSLR beginner. Concise, to the point, and, quite simply, well explained. You won't get better. Buy this book if you want to progress quickly and understand the manual settings on your DSLR.

Good starter text, 04 Sep 2008
While the bias of this book leans heavily towards 35mm film cameras, with a vague nod in the direction of digital, it's still a worthwhile read. The information on aperture, shutter speed and ISO may be familiar enough, but the material on metering and exposure compensation is extremely interesting, not to mention useful. While Peterson's tendency to boast gets a little tiring (his comments discussing how he took a particular shot would be fine, if he didn't insist on showing off how quickly/well he'd done it) and occasionally his tone veers into patronising, but he clearly knows his stuff and manages to put it across in an informative and practical way. The book is reasonably useless unless you have a camera that allows you a high degree of control over settings, but if you have either a film or digitial SLR, I'd recommend you start with this text as an introduction.

Definetly a Great Book for Learners., 27 Aug 2008
If you're new to digital photography or you think that you don't know the basics about exposure, which is very important for good pictures, you should definitely buy this book. I learned a lot about its theory. However it doesn't only tell about the theory itself but also gives practical tips and tricks, which help you understand how some wonderful pictures are taken. There are some exercises Bryan Peterson suggests doing and I found them very useful. Even if you are not able to do everything he says at the time of reading, there are pictures which show the results. So you can take it with you and read on the bus.

It almost tells about everything but if you need a night or low light photography book it only tells about it a few pages. So if I feel I need more information about it, I would buy a different book.

I'm very glad to buy it and it'll be always a good reference for me.

If you're advanced photographer, you should already know about exposure and you should already take most of your pictures with correct exposures. So this is not a book for you.

Excellent book, 18 Aug 2008
I bought this book only based on its good reviews and I was not disappointed. It is written in simple, easy to understand language, it is illustrated with amazing pictures and it is full of good tips. Buy it !

I just adore this book, 17 Nov 2008
I'll keep this simple. Basically this is one of my absolute favourite books. The quality of the book itself is fantastic, the images inside the book are top notch and its quite hefty so it will impress friends and family when they visit your house lol. But seriously its a fantastic book that will not dissapoint one bit. But be warned, as with this type of photography there is a little nudity. Tastefully done ofcourse

Now wheres my application form to join the agency....

RATHER DISAPPOINTED ON THE WHOLE, 18 Apr 2008
Was so excited when my book arrived today but to be quite honest was rather disappointed. Although the book is extremely heavy and the paper quality good, I personally was not too excited by the photos at all. Maybe I was expecting more Wildlife scenes or more landscape scenes. Too many "people" photos for my liking. Also each photograph is spread over two pages which often distracted due to the join in page. On the positive side there are a few stunning photos.

Gorgeous, gorgeous book, 02 Apr 2008
I bought this book as a present for someone that loves to take pictures of animals and wildlife scenes....they loved it.

To my, admittedly 'unprofessional', eye - the pictures are just...gorgeous!

Its a definate coffee table book, but its more than that - its unusual and inspiring. You almost want to hop on a plane and go and see these things for yourself.

I would say its a great gift for anyone interested in photography, anyone interested in the world and nature and anyone with an appreciation for beautiful things - anyone left?!...

A little too big, 19 Mar 2008
It's a coffee table book - on the large/heavy size for me. I would prefer something smaller that I could pick up and browse more easily.

Breathtaking photos, little short on print quality, 22 Jan 2008
I see that the contents are well explained so I'll be giving a more personal view on the book itself. When I first gazed through the pages, I found myself drowned in the richness of the compositions.
Every page carried a different wind and there were lots of them. After a while I found it rather relaxing to open a few pages and try to understand the feeling in each photograph.
The book is well organized and explained. You do not have to turn a hundred pages to look back at your favorites. Of course there are some photos that are far better taken, thus stand out, but when the number of photos is considered this is expected.
Lastly, the print and paper quality may have been slightly better. These kind of books feel even better when they stroke your fingertips with a quality paper.. All-in-all a book that deserves a place on the living room table by the sofa!


What a great value for money book, 27 Jun 2007
I couldn't believe the size of this book when i received it. It is huge!!!

The sections are split up by Continent and some of the European and Asian photos are spectacular. For a fan of photography this book is an absolute must and this is a great book for your coffee table!!

Perfect present material and an absolute bargain for the price!



Glossy but flawed, 15 Nov 2008
This is a lovely item for the Madonna collector or fan, but I honestly don't see anybody else buying it. The blurb cites exclusive never seen before pics, but really that boils down to about 2 backstage shots, the majority of the book being filled with endless permutations of live shots we all saw when she was on tour.
I'm quite disappointed with how soft focus & airbrushed 99% of the pics are. The whole Madonna Live experience is about raw energy, not fluffy perfection! On top of that a lot of the shots are just plain out of focus! This whole thing feels a lot like a vanity project for Guy Oseary who knows 'the fans' will snap it up no matter how good or bad it actually is!

A brilliant book for enthusiasts, 20 Jan 2008
This book is presented beautifully with 500 pages of famous and less well known photographers who have made an impact on the art today. I think this book was made to entertain more than educate, with its lovely photographs but short descriptions.
I use The Photo Book to help me with college assignments in choosing photographers to study and styles to focus on. I think its perfect for amateurs who already have all sorts of book on technique, and shows us why photography is such a popular subject.
A great coffee table book, if nothing else.

okay - bit disappointing, 28 Apr 2005
I bought this book because I am always interested in the medium of photography and how things are 'caught' on camera but I found this book a bit disappointing and I thought the description with each photo was, to be honest, a bit rubbish. However perhaps that was becuase I bought the mini version, perhaps the bigger version has more description or makes more of an impact.

I think I am more interested in who the subject was or why the picture was important within photographical history but I found some of the photos a bit pointless and the description did not help me to see why this person was a famous photographer or why he/she was worthy to go in the book. However I guess if you are more of a photography student you would find the description more helpful and you would perhpas know more about the person's portfolio of work. I think I am more interested in photographs from a historical/social aspect, and if you're the same I would advise flicking through this book in a library/bookshop but not buying it.

Dull text - but too small tor ead anyway!, 19 Nov 2004
This is the large book squished down to a small format. So the text, which I assume was legible in the original version, is now too small to read comfortably.
It's impossible to open the book fully to look at the photos without breaking its spine.
When you have spoilt the book by opening it and managed to read the text you'll wish you hadn't bothered - it doesn't give you any insight whatsoever into the associated image.
Even at under £6 this is a waste of money.

Breaks down the old fashioned fiew of photography., 01 Jul 2000
This book shows the best examples of the variety of ways people use their cameras. It shows that you don't need to follow in the footsteps of the masters to get great photos and the great images can be of any subject. The'documenting' photographs, such as the first landing on the moon and the murder of a judge, show a moment in time that is unique and saved on film forever. Photography is not about the great technical skills of Ansel Adams of the ways of capturing human emotion like Bill Brandt, but about capturing a persons view of the world, which all of the photographers in the book have done. Vital in anybodies book collection even if photography doesn't interest them. It's an wonderful example of how we should all stop and take time out to view the world we live in, in a different way. Especially as the mini version is avaliable.

A good book for anyone who likes photography!, 22 Feb 2000
This book includes some classic photos mixed in with the extra ordinary . The use of text is particulally strong as it helps to solve the meaning of certain photos.The book has many strong points but one bad point is that you can't fit it into your pocket to read on the way to work!

Beautifully Presented, but lacking in application assistance., 05 Oct 2008
I bought this book based on the high reviews that it had received. It is a beautifuly presented book, with fabulous photography.

Unfortunately I do feel it was a shame that it did not contain step by step photographs. Also it would have been nice to see the eye makeup on a shut eyelid as well as an open one, to give you a more detailed example of how the look is created/blended.

That aside, it is a nice book that will be flicked through many times.

I take it back..I LOVE IT!!!!, 10 Sep 2008
I have been a qualified make up artist for years but despite this, I wanted some inspiration for some new looks to try on myself. I have quite intense blue eyes and have always stuck with browns etc to show them off, but fancying a change, I looked on here, after all I'm now 34 and although I am good at what I do, I qualified over 16 years ago and needed a few new ideas.
I saw the great reviews for the book, and bought it based on those. When I first got the book, I flicked through and was very disappointed (hence why I only gave it 3 stars). I was going to send it back and it sat in my room and I totally forgot all about it to be honest. I decided to unwrap it from the packaging once more and have a proper look.
All I can say is that I am annoyed at myself for giving it only 3 stars in a previous review (which I have now deleted).

In the book, the looks are created using Nars products, obviously, so I am already arranging a trip to Selfridges/Harrods to visit the Nars counter (it's cruelty free too) even tho I have most of the colours in other ranges.
There are some really odd looks in there, not good on anyones face, but most of them are really good and today I am wearing a yellow gold on my eyes (not something I thought I would ever wear, but it looks fab!).
The book is beautifully laid out, the photographs are very clear and easy to follow with the acetate layovers and it has given me the confidence to try new looks. I even wore a bright white with black eyeliner and it looked great! I am able to be brave and I am also encouraged to try new stuff.
I only have two bugs with it:
1- No page numbers on the photos..
2- When you read the info on the looks at the back of each section, there is sometimes an addition in products used to what is stated on the corresponding acetate layover.

It really is a great book tho, and despite my rash review prior, I love it and it sits on my dressing table and I refer to it every morning to give me a new look for the day.
I hear that he is bringing out a new one..all I can say is: HURRY UP FRANCOIS!!!
Can't wait for the new one.
A great buy for those of you wanting new ideas with great instructions and great products.


A must have for all NARS lovers!!, 02 Jun 2008
this book has really helped me piece together all the bits sitting in my make up box. The book really helps you understand on how to achieve an overall look and is very inspirational on how to get creative with your make up.

An answer to a photographers prayer, 29 Apr 2008
This book has made the difference.
I'm a photographer working with models producing images to many different genres. The visual before-and-after format enables me to share a common language with the models, make-up artists and stylists that we shoot with. We all know what we are trying to achieve and we achieve it.

I highly recommend this book.

Bible, 10 Apr 2008
I received this book as a birthday present and while some of the looks it contains are a bit too "catwalk" for me, there are many that are besutifully natural as well. My favourite aspect of this book is the fact that specific product colours and names are given. Too many makeup books refuse to give specific product reccomendation, if you are anything like me you aim to completely re-create the look which becomes very hard if you have to go out and scout through the shops trying to find each correct colour or product.

I have referred back to this book so many times as the before and after pictures of each model are actually quite inspiring, I find it helps me to decide what I want to do with my makeup.

A Collection to make you think, 20 Aug 2008
I agree with the other reviews so will try not to repeat too much in my own review.

Children (and some adults) are all too dismissive of the previous generations and, although I would not recommend showing this to young children, it could help teenagers studying history to get a real sense of the conditions the men fighting in the First World War were subject to. The author does not shy away from showing the dead in photographs and I think it gives the reader something to think about and possibly discuss.

As a book, it is well thought out and presented beautifully. It's a book I would happily leave on my coffee table for friends to flick through. A couple of friends can not understand why I would want to look at pictures from the War (as they find the subject of warfare disturbing) but I've never believed in wrapping people in cotton wool - I think people should know what those men went through and be proud of them. Although it is a collection of frank photographs of war, I think the subject has been handled sensitively too - there are no gratuitous shots what so ever in this book.

Highly recommended to anyone who wants to get a real sense of the lives of the men involved.



Great book. , 07 Aug 2008
This is a brilliant book. Every picture, many of which I have never seen before tells a different story. Max Arthur has juxtaposed the photographs in chronological order and there is a real drama in the build up to the war from both sides and also in the lead up to the battles of the Somme and Arras. The consequence of the battles is poignantly told not only in photos but in words of the men who fought in them. I was particularly moved by the photo of the packs taken from the bodies of the dead, the photo shows British soldiers searching through for anything that can be sent home to the dead man's next of kin.

One particular photo is accompanied by the words of a young Lieutenant 'Now we die. It is the wet death, the muddy death, death dripping with blood. The bodies lie frozen in the earth which slowly sucks them in. The luckiest depart wrapped in canvas, to sleep in the nearest cemetery.'

But there are lighter moments such as the amazing shot of the Zulus dancing in their full battle costume and the tough looking Australian who the Kaiser loathed because he was always stealing from the German dead. There are many more like this in this memorable book.


Essential Addition to the WW1 Library, 06 Mar 2008
This is first and foremost a picture book. As you might expect, there are many uncomfortable images, but it is a far more balanced book than that. There are many depictions of strong comradeship and even happiness amongst the desperate conditions and casualties of the trenches. Without much in the way of text, it doesn't fully, even with pictures, convey the 'grit' of the WW1 experience that I think many of today's, removed generation would like to understand. But as a picture book, it has no rival, and is beautifully printed.



Unforgettable faces, 30 Oct 2007
There have been other books of photos of World War 1, and one might expect to see the same old images - but this is a collection of many unfamiliar, previously unseen photos - of subjects ranging from the Western Front, Gallipoli, the home front, and behind the lines - and both before, during and after the war.
The large format lends itself to the often panoramic images - and also allows you to see in detail extraordinary and haunting portraits - the 'faces' after which the book is named. It's a collection to please the expert and the interested browser alike - a WWI buff will appreciate the precisely captioned battle scenes - but any reader will feel the impact of the personal quotations which accompany many images - they add an extraordinary dimension to one's understanding of life and conditions in the trenches. It's an immensely moving photo-record, but my heart was particularly wrenched by the three Australian brothers who all died in one two-day attack, the home images of the average, working-class man who went to fight for king and country... not the Eton toffs, but the desperately poor. The images depict a world of contrasts, both in Britain and in Germany - but when it came down to it, all the men at the front were in the same boat, and returned after the conflict to their bleak lives with their terrible disfigurements, mental scars and the memory of lost comrades.


Amazing, 03 Apr 2001
An amazing book of photos from the last 100 years or so and from all over thw world. I have loved reading through this book and learning about the world around me and about places I have never been to!

If you are interested in photos, get this book.

ART AND SCIENCE BLENDED TO PERFECTION., 04 Dec 1998
This book presents lots of photographs and they a