Mona Hatoum: The Entire World as a Foreign Land

Book Description

Mona Hatoum was born in Beirut in 1952, to Palestinian parents, and settled in London in 1975. She first became known for a series of performance and video pieces which focused with great intensity on the body. Since the beginning of the 1990s her work has shifted towards installation and sculpture. This book focuses on three new works created for the Tate. Dramatic in scale, Mouli-Julienne (x21), Continental Drift, and Homebound make familiar objects seem foreign, rendering them beautiful yet malevolent. Through the juxtaposition of opposites such as beauty and horror, Hatoum engages the viewer in conflicting emotions of desire and revulsion, fear and fascination.

Book Description

Get Better Results, Save Precious Time, and Focus on What You Really Want to Do
Photoshop puts an astonishing amount of power in your hands. But that power comes at a price: it's easy to get lost in the program's complexity and spend far too much time on repetitive tasks when you could be focusing on creative work. The secret is to do what power users do--let Photoshop's automation features handle the monotonous work and free up your valuable time.
This unrivaled resource from actions guru Al Ward supplies you with over 600 Photoshop actions that you can instantly apply to your work. Tackling basic to complex processes, the actions on the CD allow you to automate routine production tasks, make color and tone enhancements, apply artistic effects, and much more--most of the time with just one click. Al also teaches you how to customize and create new Photoshop actions to suit your precise needs.
Here's just a sample of what Al Ward's Photoshop Productivity Toolkit can do for you:
* Correct color casts to restore natural tones
* Sharpen photos to prepare them for print
* Apply various aging techniques, from sepia toning to advanced wear and tear
* Convert your photos to line art, oil paintings, clip art, and watercolors
* Add impact to images with selective softening and focusing
* Apply warp effects directly to text
* Make stunning black-and-white images
* Add borders, frames, and drop shadows
* Resize images for different uses
* Generate instant contact sheets
* Format art for use on CD labels
* And much, much more!

Customer Reviews:

Needs more Actions, but off to a great start.......2006-01-08

Sometimes you just need a little help in automating your Photoshop efforts. The program's Actions facility can help you avoid re-inventing the wheel each time, but designing that first wheel can be daunting. This book provides hundreds of suggested Actions, with step-by-step (literally) instructions on creating them. Some valuable possibilities are overlooked, but the Actions provided here are a treasure trove of time-saving macros.

Invaluable - and Almost There.......2005-06-05

Unlike the other reviewers, I have been seeking a Photoshop actions/batch processing teacher for a year before discovering this book. To put up event photo galleries efficiently, I want to process images in bunches. So this book, recommended by people who heard my plight, is exactly what I expected and desperately need.

Literally scores of self-styled Photoshop "experts" now teach courses, from community colleges to week-end intensives, but all teach how to process one image at a time. NONE teaches these productivity tools, which are very powerful but also treacherous. For example, if the Action and Batch settings to open or save files aren't coordinated correctly, they won't work. Some rules are counter-intuitive, and Adobe's documentation doesn't reveal the traps clearly, let alone resolve them. Thus Al Ward's book is a life-saver.

That said, the other reviewers are right that he could make things clearer. For one thing, he could spend more time comparing actions to macros, giving an example of a macro in a word processing program and something analogous in Photoshop. Then he must explain the differences, notably that a "macro" in Photoshop is much more file-dependent than in a word processor. For example, a macro inserting a copyright notice can work any text file, whereas an action changing a file size can be scuttled by any number of factors. Thus actions aren't nearly as universal as a macro user might expect, and adapting them is far from obvious.

When Ward gets down to creating actions in Chapter 3, he starts out with a complex one "because I want you see that actions can be used for more than simple shortcuts." NOT! He should give an example of an extremely simple action - so simple that the reader can see the whole concept and its value when it is first described. Then he could take a somewhat more complicated one, and THEN make his point with the extant one as a third example.

But the most serious weakness is that Ward apparently didn't have technically challenged Photoshop wannabes like me beta-test his manuscript before it was published. As a result, it has a few disastrous voids experts like him and his action-addicted colleagues never could imagine. For example, he explains how to actually turn the actions into text files to adapt them - a powerful if risky technique that Adobe doesn't even acknowledge in its Help pages. He starts by exhorting the reader to save any custom action sets, because all but the target set must be cleared from the Action List menu. But he doesn't explain how to save them.

I assumed I could find the sets labeled Default Actions and My Actions as folders on my hard drive, so I cleared them per his instructions. When it came time to put them back, the OS Find function can't find any files labeled Default Actions or My Actions, and the action list in the Photoshop Actions folder has a completely different structure. The action sets that always got installed when Photoshop launched apparently are gone.

Further on, in the section bafflingly titled "Using Actions as Learning Tools," Ward describes how to save an action script as a text file so it can be edited line by line (why does that make it a learning tool?). But he stops in the middle! He does not tell the reader what text can be changed without destroying the action, what is advantageous to change, and what must not be touched. More critically, he doesn't explain how to finish by saving the text file as an action file (*.atn and in the right folder) so it will be found by Photoshop and function correctly. Readers who get as far as the book leads them are suddenly on their own with no land in sight.

Al Ward is courageously going where no Photoshop "instructor" has gone before, particularly for pros who could increase productivity in their imaging-oriented enterprises many times over by mastering these tools. But this tome needs conceptual simplification and extensive user testing before it becomes the industry standard it can be. (Then again, Photoshop's action and batch process systems themselves are far from perfected.) Meantime, I am trying to reach Ward through Sybex (he provides no direct contact information) for answers to the problems described above.

Good book for well versed Photoshop Users.......2004-12-15

This 143 page book is all about auctions. I thought from the name that it would be about short cut keys or how-to tips on the use of Photoshop. I was wrong. It's all about actions - or in other words - Macros. I think macros are a good idea but this book was beyond my ability to "get it". I got lost in the very first chapter and from there it was down hill.

For those more versed in Photoshop, I feel certain that this book would be a useful tool in learning how to create those actions - thus shortcuts - and saving time from doing repetitious keystrokes. For anyone in a time crunch situation, this will be a welcome tool.

By following the steps in Chapters 2 and 3, you will learn how to load, save, play, edit and record actions to use. Chapter 4 discusses how actions interreact, in case you were thinking of sharing your actions with other team members who might have different versions of Photoshop or operating systems. There is a CD included which has all 600 actions the author has so generously created and is willing to share with the reader.

All in all, this is a book for Photoshop users who pretty well know their way around the program. If you are one of those people, grab a copy and learn how to save yourself time.

Good effort to create "action" heros - needs work.......2004-12-07

Al Ward's Photoshop Productivity Toolkit is a good title for this instructional package (book and cd). At first I thought this was a "tips and tricks" handbook that delivered the goods on clever time savers and shortcuts. What I got was much more and pleasantly unexpected. The author, Al Ward, focused in on an "obscure" palette (at least to me); the "Actions" palette (under "Windows" in the toolbar). Now, I'm not a total novice in photoshop, but I'm no pixel Picasso either. The book introduced me to a whole new concept of working on images and text in Photoshop with confidence and speed while cutting the learning curve dramatically in this creative, complex and multidimensional application. It is an incredibly under-utilized super tool in Photoshop productivity, one well worth investigating for both the professional or serious image manipulator.

I had never used Actions before and wasn't inclined to especially with so many other dramatic filters and effects available. For the uninitiated user, it may be best to briefly explain what "Actions" do before reviewing this core topic in Al Ward's book. Essentially "Actions" is a recording program that once started, records nearly every command or effect you initiate on an image or text until you choose to stop recording. It records each command faithfully in sequence. Once a sequence of actions is recorded, it becomes an "Action Set" (a mini pre-set program) that can automatically replay the sequence or effect(s) on any subsequent image or text. When an Action set is created it becomes portable and remarkably versatile. You can load or unload action sets into the Actions palette at will (like color swatches from a swatch library). If you create a really cool action set, send it to a friend to try out. Modify sets by re-recording parts of the sequence to meet your specific needs.

With that said, let's look at why action sets are so versatile and essential to productivity. Action sets can be created to do just about anything; applying multiple filter effects, layering options, alter colors modes, or size. Action sets can be simple or complex. Once loaded and played, an intense multi-layer, multi-filter, resizing and color mode change that used to take 20 minutes manually is done in seconds. Actions save time; lots of it, especially with looming deadlines.

Al Ward's book takes on the task with an in depth exploration of the Actions palette. He is the "actions guru" for the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) among other credentials attesting to his expertise. The book has 4 chapters with a companion CD "toolkit" included. The CD is loaded with images and pre-recorded action sets ready to use. The book itself is a valuable resource that goes far beyond the "basics" found in Photoshop help. However, I highly recommend reading the basics in Photoshop's help first, if you're new to the Actions palette. It will also give insight and a good baseline for a challenging Chapter one. This is not an "Actions for Dummies" format though he does make an attempt through humor. I felt the book really needed to start with a far more measured and simplistic pace to let the whole actions concept sink in. The first chapter was hard to digest at first glance and almost gave up; too much, too fast. But take heart, the book really hits its stride in Chapter two and beyond.

Al Ward dives deep into the amazing versatility of the Actions palette, exploring this super tool's potential. In chapter two, the author went from talking to doing. The reader experiences "hands-on" tutorials, step by step, by downloading matching tutorial action sets and images from his CD. The book's tutorials provide lots of pictorials of the palette and images that you'll see at any point in the process. This was truly valuable and helpful. You load an action set, open an image, and then simply "play" the action and presto, a professional transformation! Seeing the speed and results of action sets at work was impressive and made a believer out of me. The tutorials were well written and easy to follow. The book is well illustrated and has many full color plates demonstrating before and after shots of some of the many action sets available on the CD.

Once the reader learns to use and navigate the action palette, he gets into the core of creating, using and modifying custom sets. How to record or insert action "stops" (pauses in the action sequence) that: a) convey information or cautions, b) access menu commands or c) request user input such as how much to alter effect variables (i.e. adjusting contrast or brightness values) before continuing through the rest of the actions. One of the tutorials is "pencil sketch". It takes a stock photo and through a tutorial action set converts the image into a very convincing pencil sketch in about 3 seconds. Another action set example was a complicated sharpening process to illustrate that action sets could be simple or very complex. While some limits exist in creating and using action sets, there aren't many. It's important to note here that Adobe Illustrator v 8.0+ also have action palettes.

Another chapter goes further and gives in depth instruction in doing "batch" processing and "droplets". Batch processing allows for an action set to be applied to multiple images. Remember, actions are not just about manipulating image effects. Let's say you have 50 images you want to convert from RGB mode to grayscale and reduce the size by 50%. You can create a custom action set that: makes a copy of each image, (so the original is preserved), converts the copy into grayscale, then reduces the image by 50% AND then saves the new image in a separate folder named "My grayscale pics". To do this manually to 50 images could take a substantial amount of time and be unbearably tedious. With an action set loaded and the "batch" process used, those 50 images start converting in a fraction of the time. You could be sleeping or enjoying a movie instead. Sweet, huh? A droplet is just a drop box icon that you can drop an image into and let the action set do its thing. This is but a taste of the possibilities available with Actions, but I hope it whets your appetite and imagination.

By reviewing Al Ward's Photoshop Productivity Toolkit, I discovered a whole new creative and productive "action-packed" universe. Action sets are an invaluable and under-utilized tool for creativity and productivity. This is especially true for any artistic, graphic or photographic professional or serious Photoshop user. Photoshop's Help just scratches the surface but I recommend reading it prior to Al Ward's offering. Al Ward does a great service by shedding light on this super tool and he really knows his stuff. He enthusiastically shares his extensive knowledge and delivers a great resource book. I appreciate his efforts to lighten up the technical material with wit and humor. The value of the book is enhanced by the contents of the companion CD, "Toolkit". It provides a large library of professional ready-to-load action sets for instant use, experimentation and/or modification (which he encourages). The CD action set library offers an amazing variety for different uses as well. There are sets for artistic typographic and photo effects, layering techniques, refined filtering combinations and color application and manipulation. Examining these action sets gives real insight into how some really cool advanced, professional techniques are done (also encouraged). This cuts the learning curve dramatically on advanced techniques that would take ages to learn by tedious trial and error. The tutorials are well done with supplied action sets, comprehensive pictorials of the processes and images so you experience the power and versatility of actions.

On the downside, the author's enthusiasm gets in the way of laying a smooth, measured foundation for beginners in Chapter one. He does this by cramming too many new concepts in too short a space. This is unfortunate because it tends to create more confusion than clarity. This staccato writing style in the opening chapter will likely turn off or intimidate a lot of folks unnecessarily. I found myself re-reading material because it didn't flow smoothly. Its not an easy read for the beginner. The second chapter was an improvement as the tutorials started to illustrate what he was trying to say in the first chapter. I felt there really needed to be better organization and a smoother tempo in presenting the conceptual material. Neither the book nor CD content is well organized or easy to navigate and detracted from the overall potential of the author's intent.

Despite its shortcomings, I applaud Al Ward's Photoshop Productivity Toolkit manual and CD. It offers an invaluable opportunity to really upgrade one's skills in Photoshop (and Illustrator). The book offers a great springboard for skill enhancement; significant timesavings and shaving the learning curve to using advanced techniques dramatically.

The book excels in content, tutorials, technical expertise, troubleshooting and enthusiasm but falls short on organization, flow and readability. The included "Toolkit" CD also scores low on organization and easy navigation, but is a treasure house for a fantastic variety and number of professional action sets well worth having. I recommend it especially for graphic and photographic professionals, but it's not for everyone. I suggest playing with the actions palette basics first and if it works for you, then this is a book you'll want.Now you too can become a graphic arts "action-packed" super hero, go get 'em tiger and "improve your image".

Leave the Driving to Al Ward.......2004-10-06

Al Ward's Productivity Toolkit is just that; a great toolkit. He does all the action crunching and you just simply load whichever action you need or didn't know that you needed. Want to be Ansel Adams, it's there in an action. Want to batch correct images; Al does the legwork for you. There are actions that I never even considered. I highly recommend this labor saving Photoshop adjunct. The instructions make it easy for even the novice.
Also recommended is another of his works:
Phototoshop for Right-Brainers: The Art of Photo Manipulation

Al Ward's Photoshop Productivity Toolkit: Over 600 Time-Saving Actions

Average customer rating:

Al Ward's Photoshop Productivity Toolkit: Over 600 Time-Saving Actions
Al Ward
Manufacturer: Publisher Unknown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Adobe Photoshop | Digital Photography & Video | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000UYCFNQ

Book Description

The Los Angeles area feels almost alive with movie history. It is impossible to walk down any neighborhood block that didn't play host to movie history on some level. From Chaplin walking Hollywood sidewalks in 1915 to the Three Stooges running down Culver City streets in 1930 to westerns filmed in the Valley in the 1950's. The area has been the background for thousands of films and home to millions of movie people.

Historical documents, census records, movie studio and institutional archives, and personal writings have all been scoured in order to compile the most exhaustive and complete Hollywood address listing ever compiled.

Customer Reviews:

Great Guide!.......2006-04-25

This is a terrific book to use to navigate the Hollywood area for anyone interested in the movies. We drive up and down streets with my husband calling out names and events and loved it. We are locals in the San Fernando Valley and for the LA person comenting that changes have occurred in the area and streets over the years, "duh!." Some of the addresses are 100 years old but in the odd case that a street is not there or has been moved, as far as we could tell there was a note included. We didn't check everything, but we didn't have any problem using the lists. THis is a great resource for movies and LA history and great fun for vacations. It's heavy though!

The Stars Homes BIBLE.......2004-10-05

I am a tour guide in Hollywood - one of the very few that actually research our tours. I thought I knew a lot about Hollywood, but this book made my jaw hit the floor.

Mr. Fleming has published the BIBLE for Celebrity addresses. The most comprehensive book on stars homes I have ever poured through. I've even turned a few of my colleagues on to the book, who their own copies immediately.

You've made my job easier Mr. Fleming, and you have published a riveting and important document.

Incredible, just incredible!.......2004-09-20

I envision E.J. Fleming huddled over a pc reviewing census information and entering data in a database and cross checking it against his formidable stacks of notebooks. E.J. is tired, tired, tired. He has worked day and night so I don't have to. Stop, I'm just kidding but this is an incredible collection of information. I am in total awe re: how someone could collect so much data, collate it, and present it in an easily accessible manner.
This directory is exactly what is implied. It is an enormous collection of addresses relating to celebrity homes, film locations, historical sites.......and here's the kicker.....the locations of scandals and crimes. That having been said, this is not a rolling narrative that relates a lot of juicy stories and histories. It presents the facts and it is up to the user to draw in the lines and reach his/her own conclusions.
So why did I drop $75 for this book. I was weary doing this type of research with only lukewarm results and a relatively miniscule database. This book has everything and I can let my fingers do the walking.
Now here is my warning. I reiterate don't buy this if you are expecting a lot of lurid stories as there really aren't any per se. However, buy this book if you want to know things like all the places Humphrey Bogart resided in LA, who cohabitated with Ramon Novarro, or where Laurel and Hardy filmed a lot of their classic shorts. Buy this book if you have a curious mind and the information provided has you asking other questions.
This is an impressive collection of information.

Book Description

Thomas Jefferson once wrote, "Music is the passion of my soul." This essay by Stanford University Professor of Music Emeritus Sandor Salgo explores one of the lesser recognized aspects of Jefferson's life: his love of music and his talent as a violinist. Jefferson had an extensive collection of books on music and on the art of the violin in his monumental library. However, before now we have not known how his study of these books, called "tutors," influenced his musicianship and his abilities as a violinist. Salgo's deep understanding of the history and technique of the violin and of musicianship during Jefferson's time allow him to explore the music Jefferson played and how he acquired the knowledge to pursue the "delightful recreation" that was a central interest in his life.

Book Description

Money does grow on trees, and Christmas Trees by Lewis Hill is the essential equipment for anyone who wishes to gain the pleasure and profit of growing and selling trees, wreaths, and greens. Hill, an experienced and skilled tree grower himself, begins with the very basics, providing valuable insights on how to choose the best land and the best species of trees to grow on that land. Here you will learn how to ; Plan for continuous, efficient growth, including interplanting, natural seeding, and stump culture ; Care for your crop throughout the growing cycle, from planting and pruning, right through harvesting ; Propagate your own plants and collect wild seedlings ; Select the proper equipment for the nature and scope of your planting ; Handle problems dealt by weather, pests and diseases, and animals ; Find wholesale and retail markets, maintain a steady supply, deal with tree buyers, advertise and price, and maintain records and plan for taxes An attractive and lucrative side busin

Customer Reviews:

The BEST book on this subject!.......2004-11-10

Although this book seems more designed to educate the novice at growing Christmas trees, I believe everyone, even people currently in this business, can learn something valuable from it. It is well written and enjoyable to read, plus informative in that it describes all sorts of trees used, planting methods, protection and care of seedlings and transplants, recommendations for planting locations, and a whole host of other information. I attribute this book to getting me interested in this field as a hobby. Recommend it very highly!

Quick Read.......2004-01-04

This was a good book for the novice with no experience in the tree industry. It was a quick read and enjoyable. But not for someone in who works in the field already.

Great book for both hobbyist and serious grower.......1999-03-29

This is a hobby for me, and Hill's book has all the answers. He has been a professional grower for many years. He covers all the details: planting, weeding, pruning and selling.

Easy to read and reasonably priced.

Average customer rating:
Christmas Trees: Growing and Selling Trees, Wreaths and Greens
Lewis Hill
Manufacturer: Storey Publishing LLC,US
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000LWPZZ2

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