Computer Vision: A Modern Approach (Hardcover)

by David A. Forsyth (Author), Jean Ponce (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The accessible presentation of this book gives both a general view of the entire computer vision enterprise and also offers sufficient detail to be able to build useful applications. Users learn techniques that have proven to be useful by first-hand experience and a wide range of mathematical methods. A CD-ROM with every copy of the text contains source code for programming practice, color images, and illustrative movies. Comprehensive and up-to-date, this book includes essential topics that either reflect practical significance or are of theoretical importance. Topics are discussed in substantial and increasing depth. Application surveys describe numerous important application areas such as image based rendering and digital libraries. Many important algorithms broken down and illustrated in pseudo code. Appropriate for use by engineers as a comprehensive reference to the computer vision enterprise.

From the Publisher
The accessible presentation of this book gives both a general view of the entire computer vision enterprise and also offers sufficient detail to be able to build useful applications. Users learn techniques that have proven to be useful by first-hand experience and a wide range of mathematical methods. KEY TOPICS: Comprehensive and up-to-date, this book includes essential topics that either reflect practical significance or are of theoretical importance. Topics are discussed in substantial and increasing depth. Application surveys describe numerous important application areas such as image based rendering and digital libraries. Many important algorithms broken down and illustrated in pseudo code. MARKET: Appropriate for use by engineers as a comprehensive reference to the computer vision enterprise.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 693 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; US ed edition (August 24, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130851981
• ISBN-13: 978-0130851987
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.1 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #520,812 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A difficult read, even for the initiated, September 10, 2005

By	calvinnme "Texan refugee" (Fredericksburg, Va) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)

I found this book a tough read, and I have studied quite a few computer vision books over the years. Oddly enough, the figures are very good and instructive, but the mathematics portion of the book is quite involved for someone who does not have a background in advanced mathematics, including probability theory, advanced calculus, and numerical analysis. Quite a few steps are omitted in the derivation of the equations to the point that I am not sure what many of the integrals actually mean. The algorithm boxes throughout the book are helpful, but often they overcomplicate the algorithms involved. This overcomplication of subjects starts right from the beginning, when the background computer vision material is being developed. Even such basic subjects as linear filtering, color, and edge detection are presented in an oblique and confusing manner. I would assume that the book was written mainly to present the more advanced material in some kind of novel fashion. Instead, the chapters on applications- "Finding in Digital Libraries", and "Image-Based Rendering" are largely a textual explanation with no algorithms to speak of on HOW to accomplish these complex tasks. If you are an introductory student of this topic, might I recommend "Computer Vision" by Linda Shapiro. It has all of the introductory material that this book has in a much clearer presentation. Plus, there is even some information on advanced topics such as content based image retrieval that gives clear algorithmic instructions. For more advanced students, I recommend Trucco & Verri's "Introductory Techniques for 3D Computer Vision". Trucco & Verri's book contains the algorithm boxes much like this book has, but I feel that the algorithm steps have a more concise format, and I have been able to code a number of algorithms by following their instructions. I have had no such luck with this book. Just because this book is the very latest to be published on this subject, does not mean that it is the most instructive.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Look for something else to learn Computer Vision, September 29, 2003

By A Customer

This book was very confusing even for a first year grad student like me...it is not a good book to learn Computer Vision from the beginning. I had to turn to other texts to better understand the material. I was highly disappointed that my professor chose this text for first year grad class in Computer Vision. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this book. There are other books out there that are so much better to learn Computer Vision.

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars An unfathomably horrendous text, November 3, 2005

By	O. Ahmad "Iceman" (Baltimore MD) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

First of all, the field of computer vision requires a requisite level of mathematical sophistication in order to engage constructively the many topics. These methods are not difficult, per se, but borrow from many other disciplines and simply require time and effort.

Forsyth and Ponce do not provide the necessary qualitative and intuitive descriptions of the various concepts prior to engaging in the rigorous mathematics. Moreover, they simply do a shabby job of explaining some rather simple concepts in mathematics and their application to Vision. They babble on and on about very simple concepts, over complexifying them, and then spend too little time giving intuitive overviews.

The 5 star reviews are written by the authors and/or publishers. No self respecting PhD student, Masters student, or teacher, other than the author, would ever endorse this collossal waste of money. My own Vision professor said the only reason he has it up there is because there isn't an alternative.

When receiving a poor review, authors typically respond with, "well, you need to have such and such a basis before appreciating the book". This is basically, self-admitted failure. Granted, a book like this should not go into the depths of linear algebra, and should fairly assume some basic requisities. However THIS book just flat out fails as a TEXT-BOOK. As a book to teach students computer vision, it is just horrible. Not much more needs to be said. The authors cannot clearly, logically, and intuitively explain concepts. Its as simple as that. Has nothing to do with the intelligence of the reader.

A certain well known professor in Vision called it, and I quote, "utter garbage as a student text".