Friday November 21, 2008
Books: Arts & Photography
Displayed below are the top selling items for today, Friday November 21, 2008 along with the review customers have voted "most useful".
To find top selling items in for a specific category, use the menu on the left or click here to see all categories.
- The Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby
- The Digital Photography Book, Volume 2 by Scott Kelby
- The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Book for Digital Photographers (Voices That Matter) by Scott Kelby
- Annie Leibovitz at Work by Annie Leibovitz
- Vanity Fair : The Portraits by Graydon Carter
- Understanding Exposure : How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition) by Bryan Peterson
- Lost Balls : Great Holes, Tough Shots, and Bad Lies by Charles Lindsay
- Domino : The Book of Decorating by Deborah Needleman
- Influence by Mary Kate Olsen
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The Digital Photography Book
by Scott Kelby
(based on 523 customer reviews)
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(Paperback)
Edition: 1
Author: Scott Kelby
Publisher: Peachpit Press
Price: $11.99
You save: $8.00 (40%) off the list price!
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Most useful review as voted by customers:
236 out of 245 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 9/7/06
How you can get professional results with your equipment.
I have enjoyed photography as a hobby for 50+years. I own a Canon 20D and am a Scott Kelby fan. He is a great photoshop expert, yet emphasizes the importance of getting the best possible shot when taking the picture, to make your time in photoshop more enjoyable. You don't have to work as hard if you make the correct exposure to begin with.
Scott approaches each chapter with some humor, and really understands what you really need is a clear bottom line on how to approach the person or subject you want to photograph.
I received my book Sept 4th, read it and used some of his tips shooting 500+ volleyball pictures Sept 5th. I think I can see some improvement in my pictures already.
He has equipment recommendations and shooting tips for the person that has just bought a digital camera to the person that uses it to make a living.
He has worked alongside of professionals learning tips on how to process the digital photographs and how to best print them. Scott believes photography can be more fun if you get results you like by using some of the basic principles used by professional photographers.
I have unhesitatingly recommended this book to several of my friends.
This is one of the least expensive camera related purchases that I have made to bring my excitement of photography to a new level.
I am quite certain you won't be disappointed, especially if you own a Nikon or Canon digital SLR.
I expect my copy to become dog eared from use.
Click here to see more reviews for: The Digital Photography Book
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The Digital Photography Book, Volume 2
by Scott Kelby (based on 156 customer reviews)
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(Paperback)
Edition: 1
Author: Scott Kelby
Publisher: Peachpit Press
Price: $14.99
You save: $10.00 (40%) off the list price!
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Most useful review as voted by customers:
162 out of 179 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 1/12/08
Expert Techniques Made Simple
This book truly has a brilliant premise and here's how Scott Kelby describes it: "If you & I were out on a shoot & you asked me, `When I use my flash, the background behind the person I'm shooting turns black. How do I fix that?' I wouldn't give you a lecture on flash ratios, or start a discussion on flash synchronization and rear curtain synch. I'd just say, 'Lower your shutter speed to 1/60 of a second. That should do it.' Well, that's what this book is all about: you & I out shooting where I answers questions, give you advice, and share the secrets I have learned just as I would a friend-without all the technical explanations and techie photo speak."
Each page covers a single concept on how to make your photography better. Every time you turn the page, you'll learn another pro setting, tool, or trick to transform your work from snapshots into gallery prints. If you are tired of taking shots that are "okay," and if you are tired of looking in photography magazines and thinking, "Why don't my shots look like that?" then this is the book for you.
This isn't a book of theory-full of confusing jargon and detailed concepts. This is a book on which button to push, which setting to use, and when to use it. With nearly 200 more of the most closely guarded photographic "tricks of the trade" this book gets you shooting dramatically better-looking, sharper, more colorful, more professionally-looking photos every time"
Table Of Contents:
CHAPTER 1
Using Flash Like A Pro
10 Things You Wished You Had Known Before Reading This Book!
Here Are Those Last Three Things
Pop-Up Flash: Use It As A Weapon
The Advantages Of A Dedicated Flash
Get Your Flash Off With Your Camera
Making Your Flash Wireless
Going Wireless (Nikon), Part I
Going Wireless (Nikon), Part II
Going Wireless (Canon), Part I
Going Wireless (Canon), Part II
"Drag The Shutter" To See More Background
How To Soften The Light From Your Flash
Softer Light By Bouncing It
Softbox-Quality Light From Your Flash
Tip For Shooting Through A Diffuser
Putting That Nice Twinkle Of Light In The Eyes
Why You Might Want A Stand For Your Flash
Mounting Flashes Anywhere
Rear Synch Rocks (& Why You Should Use It)
The Fourth Secret To Pro Flash Results
Using Gels (& Why You Need Them)
Using Gels To Get That SI Look
If You Have To Use Pop-Up Flash, Do This
Using A Second Flash
Controlling Your Second Flash (Nikon)
Controlling Your Second Flash (Canon)
How Far Back Can You Stand Using Flash?
How To Stand Back Even Farther
Controlling Light To Add Drama
Shooting Sunset Portraits With Flash
CHAPTER 2
Building A Studio From Scratch
Studio Backgrounds
Using Studio Flash (Called Strobes)
Softening Harsh Studio Strobes
Why I Prefer Softboxes To Umbrellas
What A Speed Ring Does (& Why You Need It)
Using A Molding Light
Firing Your Studio Strobe
Firing Your Studio Strobe Wirelessly
Using Contiguous Light Instead
Choosing The Size For Your Softbox
Why You Really Need A Light Meter
How To Use A Light Meter
Adding A Hair Light
Where To Position Your Hair Light
Testing Your Hair Light's Position
Keeping Your Hair Light From Spilling
Which Mode To Shoot In
Where To Position Your Main Light
Using A Fan For Windblown Effects
Want Softer, More Even Light? Feather It?
What That Extra Panel In Your Softbox Does
Using A Pop-Up Collapsible Background
The Least Expensive Extra Light
Three Backgrounds For The Price Of One
Using Off-Camera Flash To Light Backgrounds
The Advantage Of Shooting Tethered
Getting Super-Saturated Background Color
Lighting A White Background
Which Color Reflector To Use
Where To Position A Reflector
Reflectors Without An Assistant
Seeing The Light From Your Reflector
Keep Light From Hitting Background
CHAPTER 3
Shooting Portraits Like A Prayer
Don't Leave To Much Headroom
Shoot In Portrait Orientation
Shooting Portraits? Get A Battery Grip!
The "Sun Over Your Shoulder Rule" Is Bogus
Shoot Wide & Zoom In Tight
Shoot Profile Shots In Horizontal
Shoot Long For More Flattering Portraits
Why Diffusers Rock For Outdoor Portraits
Making A Better Background For Portraits
Trendy Composition Tip
Cropping Off The Top Of Their Head
Group Photos Are Easier Outdoors
Tip For Posing Group Portraits
Great Tip For Casual Group Shots
Don't Light You Entire Subject Evenly
Want Better Portraits? Don't Count Down!
Window Light: Where To Position Your Subject
Window Light: Where You Should Shoot From
Six Quick Tips For Fixing Facial Challenges
Don't Shoot With Their Shoulders Straight On
Making Your Subject Look Slimmer
Using A Poser Chair
Keeping Your Subject "In The Zone"
Avoid Dappled Light
Window Light: Where To Position Your Reflector
Get Couples Really, Really Close
Which Color Reflector To Use
Shoot Outdoor Portraits Shallow
Minimizing Shadows Under The Eyes
CHAPTER 4
Shooting Landscapes Like A Pro
The Secret To Shooting Sunsets
Cutting Reflection In Water
For Landscapes You Need A Clear Subject
Using Your LCD Monitor Outdoors
How To Shoot A Panorama That Works
How To Have Photoshop CS3 Put It Together
Shoot Fast When Shooting Landscape Panos
A Timesaving Pano Trick
The Trick To Using A Fisheye Lens
When To Shoot Streams
Don't Stop Shooting At Sunset
How To Shoot Fog
Getting Shots Of Lightning (Manually)
Getting Shots Of Lightning (Automatically)
A Trick For Shooting Great Rainbows
Removing Distracting Junk
Where To Focus For Landscapes Shots
Find The Great Light First
How To Shoot On A Gray, Overcast Day
A Trick For Great-Looking Flower Shots
The Full Frame Camera Advantage
CHAPTER 5
Shooting Weddings Like A Pro
Create A Shot List
Have Backups For Everything!
Silencing Your Camera's Beep
Backlighting Your Bride
Don't Change Lenses, Change Cameras
Bring A Stepladder For A Higher Vantage Point
Why You Want A Second Shooter
When To Shoot In RAW
Where To Aim Your Flash
Shoot In Lower Light Without Raising Your ISO
A Recipe For Balanced Flash In Church
Add B&W To The Album
The Advantage Of A Flash Bracket
Tip For Posing The Bride
Keeping The Detail In The Bridal Gown
Getting More Flashes Per Wedding
How To Lessen Noise In Your Photos
Tips For Shooting The Brides Profile
Wedding Zoom Effect Made Easy
Read David Ziser's Digital Pro Talk Blog Daily
CHAPTER 6
Shooting Travel Like A Pro
In This Case, Less Gear Is Good
Working People Into Your Travel Shots
Getting People To Pose
What To Shoot On Overcast Days
Shooting From Your Hotel Room
The Magic Time For Cityscapes
Get These Shots Out Of The Way First
Shooting Famous Landmarks
Air Travel With Photo Gear
Shoot The Food
Get A GPS For Your Digital Camera
Shooting Where They Don't Allow Flash
Look For High Vantage Points
Give Yourself A Theme
CHAPTER 7
Shooting Macro Like A Pro
Maximize Your Depth Of Field
Why You Should Turn Auto-Focus Off
Don't Touch That Shutter Button!
Which F-Stop Works Best
Point-&-Shoot Macro Photography
A Tip For Visualizing Macro
Why You Might Want To Shoot Indoors
Buying A Macro Lens
Perfect, Even Light For Macro Shots
Making Your Lens Into A Macro Lens
CHAPTER 8
Pro Tips For Getting Better Photos
Which Mode To Shoot In
Choosing The Right ISO
Which Format To Shoot In (RAW, JPEF, Or TIFF)
Which Size To Shoot In
WHIMS Will Keep You Out Of Trouble
How To Lock Focus
Zooming In Close? Use A High Shutter Speed
When It's Okay To Erase Your Memory Card
Why You Need To Get In Really Close
What To Use Your Histogram For
Leave Your Lens Cap Off
Removing Spots & Specks After The Fact
What Looks Good In Black & White
Recompose, Don't "Fix It" In Photoshop
Want To Be Taken Seriously? Start Editing
Label Your Memory Cards
Go Square
Tips For Shooting At Night (Long Exposure Noise)
The Very Next Book You Should Get
CHAPTER 9
More Photo Recipes To Help You Get "The Shot"
Click here to see more reviews for: The Digital Photography Book, Volume 2
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The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Book for Digital Photographers (Voices That Matter)
by Scott Kelby (based on 26 customer reviews)
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(Paperback)
Edition: 1
Author: Scott Kelby
Publisher: New Riders Press
Price: $26.99
You save: $18.00 (40%) off the list price!
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Most useful review as voted by customers:
40 out of 45 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 9/18/08
THE guide to navigating Lightroom 2.0
First I would like to say that if the book feels a bit like the first version, there's a good reason and it's because Adobe didn't remove features from LR2. There isn't a way to write a Lightroom book without covering features that were included in version 1. This would be a disservice to those that didn't own Lightroom version 1 and are starting fresh with version 2. The other thing that might feel familiar is the layout of the book. Most all of the Kelby books have a visual style that is familiar but even that has changed slight in this book, and for the better.
The book begins with a seven step "Things you wish you would have known before reading this book". It is a quick guide that tells you how the book is organized, what to expect when you read it, where to find source material that is used in the different chapters, and even a warning about his humorous chapter intros. I am actually a fan of Scott's humor but for those that aren't, he tells you to skip the intros and move right to the chapter because that's where the good stuff is.
The actual flow of the book is very logical and moves through the workflow process just as you would in Lightroom. One of the new features of the book that I found extremely helpful are the small header banners at the top of each page which mimic the panels at the top of Lightroom. Listed at the top are the Library, Develop, Slideshow, Print, and Web headings that are so familiar to Lightroom users. Whichever module is being dealt with in the particular chapter is highlighted on the banner, just as it would be in Lightroom. This is a great way to navigate quickly in the book so if you wanted to check out chapters dedicated to printing you can quickly flip through the pages and look for the Print module heading at the top of the pages. This is a small but very clever idea that I really appreciate.
The first chapter is all about importing images into Lightroom and is laid out in an easy, step-by-step progression from where to store your images, to getting your images into the program from your memory card or from folders that already exist on the hard drive. There is even a section on shooting tethered directly to your camera and having the images go directly into Lightroom. And here's another new bonus to this book. Every chapter has a Lightroom Quicktips page following each chapter. These are helpful little hints that somehow relate to the chapter but didn't really fit but are nonetheless important nuggets of information.
The following chapters are laid out just as logically and are beautifully illustrated. Particularly helpful were the chapters on customizing the Library module to make it fit my own needs and the section on the new Adjustment Brush. This new feature in Lightroom 2 is amazing and Scott did a great job of explaining not just how to use all of the features, but also when and why you would use them. I especially liked how he showed how to use the brush as a creative tool that will keep me from having to use Photoshop quite so much.
This book covers every new feature with great depth but not in a textbook way. Every feature of the program is broken down into its basics and then reviewed in a progressive style that will benefit novice and professional alike. The one thing that sets this book (like all of the Kelby books) apart from the rest is that you feel as though he is talking directly to you thoughout the entire process. It's like having your own personal instructor right at your side.
Lightroom has changed tremendously from its humble 1.0 beginnings and any user of the new version will save themselves time and frustration by sitting down with this book which I believe is the definitive guide to using Lightroom 2.0.
Click here to see more reviews for: The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Book for Digital Photographers (Voices That Matter)
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Annie Leibovitz at Work
by Annie Leibovitz (based on 1 customer review)
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(Hardcover)
Author: Annie Leibovitz
Publisher: Random House
Price: $24.00
You save: $16.00 (40%) off the list price!
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Most useful review as voted by customers:
23 out of 23 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 11/18/08
The mind of the artist
I bought this book because as a small travel publisher I have quite a library of photography books, and I thought this would be a unique addition.
I was right, but it's not what I expected.
A better title would be "Annie Leibovitz: On Work."
This is not a coffee table book, and it's not mainly photographs. For each image there's at least a full page of editorial, maybe two or three pages, as the author describes how each shot came about and her thoughts about the experience. The book is smaller than you might think--a little shorter and narrower than a Time magazine--and the photos smaller than you'd expect. Few are larger than a postcard.
There's no dust jacket, just a paper band that wraps around the bottom.
I was expecting the book to include technical shot-by-shot details, with background images showing reflectors, stylists and such. No such luck. Leibovitz does, however, include an insightful essay about the equipment she has used over the years, as well as an FAQ list. "What advice do you have for a photographer that's just starting out?" "Stay close to home." (She goes on to elaborate.)
The stories, though, are interesting, much like those in A Camera, Two Kids, and a Camel. Because Leibovitz has such a clean writing style, and her subjects are often celebrities, the book is a pleasant read, and every bit the unique addition to my library I was hoping for. Now that I've spent some time with it, I actually prefer that the book isn't bigger; it's much easier to sit back and spend time with it this way.
Getting back to the images, some of them really stayed with me. Besides the famous shot of Demi Moore that became a cover of Vanity Fair, there's another one, straight on, with the top of the naked actress fully exposed. A shot of Arnold Schwarzenegger on a white stallion looks like something from Herbert List. A simple portrait of Patti Smith has the revealing facial details and expression like the best work of Richard Avedon. Then there's a 1980s photo of Rev. Al Sharpton getting his hair done at a beauty salon. Made me laugh out loud.
I know many of these shots have been published before, but it is interesting to be able to flip from one to the other.
Here's the chapter list:
1. Nixon's Resignation
2. The Rolling Stones
3. John and Yoko
4. Conceptual Pictures
5. Advertising
6. Al Sharpton
7. Arnold Schwarzenegger
8. Dance
9. Demi Moore
10. Performance
11. Peak Performance
12. War
13. O.J. Simpson
14. Impromptu
15. Patti Smith
16. Fashion
17. Nudes
18. Groups
19. Presence and Charisma
20. Being There
21. My Mother
22. Sarah
23. Susan
24. Hollywood
25. The Queen
26. The Process
27. The Road West
28. Equipment
29. Ten Most-Asked Questions
30. Publishing History
Click here to see more reviews for: Annie Leibovitz at Work
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Vanity Fair
The Portraits
by Graydon Carter
A Century of Iconic Images (based on 10 customer reviews)
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(Hardcover)
Edition: 1
Author: Graydon Carter
Publisher: Abrams
Price: $39.00
You save: $26.00 (40%) off the list price!
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Most useful review as voted by customers:
20 out of 21 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 10/24/08
A History of the World, Courtesy of VANITY FAIR
Few books published survey the fascinating moments of the 20th century the way VANITY FAIR PORTRAITS: A CENTURY OF ICONIC IMAGES does. This hefty, handsome volume contains the photographic works of some of the world's most important photographers whose images have graced the pages to Vanity Fair in the two periods of its publication - the beginning and the ending of the 20th century. This is a photographic collection that gives generous full page (and at time double page ) spreads of brilliant photographs by artists who gained permission to enter the lives of movie starts, artists, writers, government personalities, royalty, stage personas, the wealthy and the significant poor - they are all here in both lush color and black and white reproductions.
Not only is it fascinating to leaf through the 300 odd photographs of this book, but it is also rewarding to read the several introductory notes and essays by Graydon Carter, David Friend, and Christopher Hitchens - each of whom lends appreciation for not only the publication that influenced art and fashion and politics and world affairs, but also gave readers a tasteful and solidly informative way to view the world as the characters displayed here influenced our times. This is a collection of art and history married in a way that allows the reader time and contrasts to re-live the past and appreciate the developments that graced the years from 1900 to 2000. Well worth the price! Grady Harp, October 08
Click here to see more reviews for: Vanity Fair
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Understanding Exposure
How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition)
by Bryan Peterson (based on 477 customer reviews)
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(Paperback)
Edition: Revised
Author: Bryan Peterson
Publisher: Amphoto Books
Price: $17.11
You save: $8.84 (34%) off the list price!
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Most useful review as voted by customers:
615 out of 626 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 9/17/04
A fantastic learning tool!
A friend loaned me the older version of this book, and I was amazed at how much help it provided. Even though the old book was based around film cameras, the fundamentals that were taught and the example pictures were very, very helpful. This book is an almost complete update, with most sections rewritten, several new subsections added with specific information for digital users, and has a slew of new example photographs.
This book is even better than the old edition, and expands on some of the topics that were only briefly touched on in the first book. One in particular that sticks out in my mind is that he explains the "don't care" apertures of F8 and F11 that he uses often. The old book mentioned it in passing, but I don't recall an explanation on why those apertures were useful. There is a short section on just that in this book and suggestions on when to use them.
Full color photos are used throughout the book, and are a great help in understanding the concepts that he talks about. Each picture has a caption with the information used to take the exposure. He shows you the same picture with different settings so you can see the effects the settings have on the exposure.
I find the book pleasant and easy to read. The tone and writing are very agreeable and easy to follow. While some aspects are technical, they are written in a manner that makes them easily understandable.
This is all about how to capture the image, not processing of the image after it is captured. There is brief mention of pushing or pulling film and the effects it can create, but in general, this is about how to get take a proper picture. If you are looking for a book on how to process the picture after you have taken it, this is not the book for you.
I can not recommend this book enough if you are interested in photography. I don't know how useful it would be for professionals, but for the person just starting out or serious amateur, I can't see how you could go wrong with this. While all of the information can be applied to SLR cameras (film or digital), the majority of it can be applied to the point and shoot cameras of either variety as well.
Click here to see more reviews for: Understanding Exposure
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Lost Balls
Great Holes, Tough Shots, and Bad Lies
by Charles Lindsay (based on 14 customer reviews)
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(Hardcover)
Author: Charles Lindsay
Publisher: Bulfinch
Price: $19.79
You save: $10.20 (34%) off the list price!
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Most useful review as voted by customers:
14 out of 15 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 4/16/05
Better than "How To Line Up Your 4th Putt"
Charlie Lindsay is an irreverant guy with an unfailing eye. He sees what others don't and makes you grin for the joy of discovery he has had with his camera out in nature searching for the bizarre and wonderful on and around the golf course.
Be it a golf ball tucked neatly under a "meadow muffin" or a pair of golf shoes hanging from a tombstone, be prepared for a visual feast where golf and golf courses are the metaphor.
What a treat. What a great gift!! I've sent a dozen already and it's early in the day.
Click here to see more reviews for: Lost Balls
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Domino
The Book of Decorating
by Deborah Needleman
A room-by-room guide to creating a home that makes you happy
(based on 30 customer reviews)
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(Hardcover)
Edition: 1st Simon & Schuster Hardcover Ed
Author: Deborah Needleman
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Price: $21.12
You save: $10.88 (34%) off the list price!
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Most useful review as voted by customers:
54 out of 54 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 10/3/08
Practical, Doable and FUN
As an interior designer, I am always looking at new decorating books for ideas and tips. I read Domino: The Book of Decorating: A Room-by-Room Guide to Creating a Home that Makes Your Happy, immediately. My approach is accessibility, sustainability and livability--a live in, down to earth approach, not the hands-off look of many designers.
My approach, in other words, is similar to Domino's approach. This book provides terrific and inspiring photographs, good layout advice, and great design tips.
Your home should make you happy and that is what the designers/authors of this book set out to teach. To be happy in your home is my number one goal for my clients and myself.
I also appreciate the green tips scattered throughout the book. Another indispensable guide for green and beautiful homes that I recommend with Domino is HARMONIOUS ENVIRONMENT: BEAUTIFY, DETOXIFY & ENERGIZE YOUR LIFE YOUR HOME & YOUR PLANET.
For real life examples of decorating, I also recommend: APARTMENT THERAPY.
Highly recommend for real, practical and timely decorating advice!
Click here to see more reviews for: Domino
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Influence
by Mary Kate Olsen (based on 7 customer reviews)
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(Hardcover)
Author: Mary Kate Olsen
Publisher: Razorbill
Price: $23.10
You save: $11.90 (34%) off the list price!
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Most useful review as voted by customers:
9 out of 11 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 11/3/08
Surprisingly fantastic
So, I grew up with Mary Kate and Ashley, watched Full House and bought their movies. But, kids grow up. I outgrew them, they seemingly outgrew their targeted demographic and for anyone who paid attention to them, it was obvious.
Forward through their attempt at NYU to now. Ashley has all but dropped acting and now heads the Row, which is really fantastic. She has captured how to make couture lines wearable to the every day. She was the first person to put couture seams on a tee/tank. That's pretty remarkable for a now 22-year-old. Mary Kate is still acting (well) and does a good job with Elizabeth and James, their more affordable (though still expensive) line.
Basically, these are young women who grew up in fame, so their perspective on it is more jaded, deservedly. Moreover, they grew up admiring these people just like us, except they can actually afford them and go out with them. poor us.
Regardless, my point is these are girls that actually have a clue what they're talking about and they're asking questions that aren't entirely typical because they know how to dance around cliche questions. They've obviously been there.
There's a pretty heavy-handedness to Mary Kate's love of Warholian culture just in terms of who she interviews and the questions involved. Ashley, you can tell has more of a designer's appreciation for these people. She loves them like a wearer, but also can be considered a colleague, and I think that comes across from time to time.
If you have an interest in fashion, photography, the culture that surrounds that and you care about them in a way that you aren't looking for the next YSL biography, I'd definitely recommend this to you. Its a fantastic read and I think it really helps you get over the fact that these are the Olsen twins and now they're using their entity (read: influence) to prove their talent.
Click here to see more reviews for: Influence
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