The Story of Photography: How it grew to be an Art / 
/ 2000-03-25
This fascinating story of how photography developed from a technical invention to a foremost art should be in the library of everyone who is interested in how our world came into being. Photography not only shows us the world, it helps us to interpret it; and this book clarifies how that came about. It traces the accomplishments of the inventors and their inventions, as well as those who use photography as their art or profession. In addition, it contains an excellent glossary; and a helpful Timeline, relating technical developments, photographers and movements, and historical events. This concise book is liberally illustrated, and contains a summary at the end of each chapter. For those who would like to apply what they have learned, there are also assignments that clarify the subjects. Overall, this book is a highly informative and enjoyable read.
Regents/Prentica Hall - Cosmetology / 
/ 2003-11-17
I feel that there is a reason that this book is not in print anymore; it is very poorly written. The information is extremely outdated. I have been a cosmetology instructor for 8 years and this book is the worst I have seen. If you want good up-to-date cosmetology information, the only way to go is the Salon Fundamentals (Pivot Point) textbook. Regents/Prentice Hall explains very little about all topics and, in my opinion, will not prepare the student for the state board exmaination.
regents/prentice hall textbook of cosmetology / / 2003-05-05
I have taught cosmetology for over 16 years- this is still the best text I have ever used- it is a smaller book, yet it covers the important items much more thoroughly. I can't believe it is not still in print for school use. It exceeds Milady cosmetology and Pivot Point Salon fundamentals by far. If I could only have one source this would be my choice.Please bring it back !!!
Excellent book on Acting for Drama Instructors / 
/ 2007-07-08
I found the book, "ACTING FOR LIFE", an excellent resource to create a curriculum for various theatre workshops. Just about every topic there is to know about acting is covered in this book in great detail. Some of the material is a little advanced for younger children, but by sifting through the book, you can gear the information for just about any group, age 8 and older. I highly recommend this book for theatre instructors and actors.
A Decent, Well-written Book / / 2007-05-09
When I bought this book I was fully aware that the latest edition (8th) was available to ship immediately while this previous 7th edition will still be ordered. Yet, I stuck to this older 7th edition as I wanted a book that was written solely by Michael Langford before he died. The 8th edition is a collaborative work based on his previous editions and written by several authors.
What I like most about this book is the more dogmatic approach to the basics of photography. That's the way I wanted it. No funny anecdotes, no jumping and bypassing guidelines. Just straighforward discussion of the fundamentals with awareness of what is possible when you intentionally disregard the rules.
For example, Langford explicitly states that the best place to learn lighting is in a studio. I can imagine some people would argue with it, but I take it at face value. This is what I mean with "dogmatic" teaching. I shall let experience teach me otherwise when I have shot thousands of pictures already. For the moment, I want to learn the rules and internalize them. This is not to say the author advocates strict complaince alone. Not at all. He emphasizes the basics. Creative licence is up to you.
Again, veterans may say, there are no "rules" in photography; only good pictures. It's easy to say that IF you knew those "rules" by heart to begin with and can make contrary decisions for your own creative purposes. But as an amateur or a novice, my belief is following guidelines is still best. Following, even copying what the teacher does is still valid. Individual creative decision will come on its own time.
This book is about basic photography yet it is generously illustrated and very revealing. The principles (equipment, techniques, lighting, etc...) were illustrated using mainly film, understandably. But the author also discussed digital cameras and digital manipulation which are outdated now owing to the technology available when the book was written. But his teaching is right on the money, including the ones on digital ethics. The author shows you the basics, shows you where you stand in relation to the big picture out there, and gives his opinion on where photography is going and where you might be depending on your options.
No doubt as you gain more experience you will drift towards more specialized photography books. But if you are totally clueless about photography and want to learn, if you want to know its very basic principles, then I highly recommend Michael Langford's 7th Edition Basic Photography as a very useful reference. All the accolades he got for this book were well deserved! I have several other photography references like John Shaw's Nature Photography and Lee Frost's A-Z of Creative Photography, for example. But I put them all aside for the time being and concentrate instead on Langford's Basic Photography.
This is a very decent, well-written book for those willing to spend the time to educate themselves on the basics of photography- whether you shoot film or digital.
Education for Photographers / / 2006-11-04
Whether you are a beginner photograher or you having been taking photographs for years...there is a lot in this book that im sure you never thought of when you snapped your picture. It has a lot of great information in it.
Photography... where it all begins / / 2005-03-13
Basic Photography is a book explaining the basics of photography, technically as well as creatively, in a clear and easy to understand way. If you want to know how a camera (35mm SLR, medium-format, large-format, digital) or f-stops work, this is the book for you. It is a good book for beginners just starting out in photography as well as advanced photographers who just want to fill in the gaps of technical understanding.
Although this book does contain some mathematical equations, you do not need to know mathematics or physics to understand the concepts explained in the book. Here's an excerpt from the book's introduction: "It is intended for students of all ages and, beginning at square one, assumes that you have no theoretical knowledge of photography, nor any scientific background."
It won't teach you how to shoot beautiful pictures, but rather tell and show you what it takes in terms of photo equipment, working with photo equipment, light, and technique to produce photographs from exposure to final print. This book is not specific to any type of photography, but deals with photography in general and is basically a 'how photography works' kind of book. "In short, Basic Photography is planned as a primer for professionals which will interest and inform amateur photographers too."
Basic Photography is the kind of book I should have read when I was first starting out in landscape photography; it would have definitely made my life and learning easier.
A very good book / / 2004-10-10
I started photography in 1987 & this book (the older version of course) is what I started with. I quite recommend it & I think its a very useful book to add to your library.
Another real useful book I came across (& treasure) is the Photo know how.
This book was published by Sinar (www.sinar.ch) & most unfortunatly they do not have it in english any longer but I think they might still have the french & german language editions. If you ever find it, do't miss it.
Readable, indepth look at important photography concepts / / 2003-01-16
I am just getting into photography and would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in getting more serious about photography, or has been at it for a while and wants a refresher. Figures and photo examples help to make the author's points very clear. Exercises for practicing concepts outlined in book were also very useful.
