Customer Reviews

Welcome to Oz: A Cinematic Approach to Digital Still Photography with Photoshop

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The book is basically about how to create images similar to Mr. Versace's (not to duplicate his work, but to use his techniques to achieve similar results)

I really love Mr. Versace's images, I have seen them in print on display and am always taken with them.

There are a number of unique things about this book.

First it comes with the images he talks about (full resolution) so that you can try and exactly duplicate his techniques which is very helpful in the learning process.

Second he gives you a idea of why he is doing something and not just how he did it. The approach of the chef vs. the recipe following cook.

Third his approach is one of artistic vision vs. pure representational photography (which in my opinion does not exist) and which I totally embrace.

Fourth he shows you how to use multiple images to overcome limitations of camera gear (dynamic range, depth of field, etc) and how to use Photoshop to add visual flow and direction to produce a final artistic vision.

Fifth he emphasizes what I call just in time pre-visualization with an end in mind. Where many might see an uninteresting subject he can "Fast Forward" through his workflow and pre-visualize a much more beautiful result than just using the camera with its limitations might allow.

Though I love his work, and do recommend this book I can't give it 5 stars since there is room for improvement.

In the book Mr. Versace jumps around at times, repeats concepts just talked about but in a slightly different way (a little confusing) and in general it seems to take most people one or two or three tries to take in what he is explaining.

There are also things I think that need to be expanded upon and others that are distracting. The use of catch phrases "traveling a circle in a straight line" etc. are useful philosophically at times and cute at first, but in my opinion just get in the way of learning overall.

A bit more organization, expanding on some still hazy topics, and cutting down on the eastern philosophy jargon would make it a 5 star work.

If you want to get inside Vincent's head it's worth every penny.

I can only thank Vincent for sharing his approach, knowledge, and philosophy. This is not a breeze through, how to book, but rather an approach that will make you think. I have now gone back to tons of photos that I thought were well thought through, applied Vincent's approach, and was so happy with the results. And that just getting through the first 1/3 of the book. This does assume you are very comfortable with PS and already have generally good photos to work with. Just a few thoughts if Vincent is reading through these ...

a) I'm practicing using the techniques but using a Wacom instead. This seems like a great way to go but there's no mention of this in the book.
b) There is heavy use of the render lighting effects. It would be helpful to get into more discussion regarding how to control better this effect.
c) I have tried using multiple lights with multiple subjects (people) in a an image and it's just not intuitive in PS how the lighting behaves. Some discussion about this would be great.

I have been trying out Versace's techniques chapter-by-chapter, and I am thrilled with the results that I am getting. Each chapter deals with both the philosophical approach to creating unforgettable images and the in-depth, step-by-step instructions to make it happen. In addition, it includes a DVD with the actual Photoshop files, with all the layers, to show exactly how the magic happens. I knew how to use Photoshop, but this book is taking me to a whole new level.

The author's techniques, such as image mapping and image harvesting, put the 3D back into my images. No more disappointment when I print. With Versace's help, my photos now look like what I saw when I depressed the shutter!

The chapter on converting color to black & white is excellent. Versace explains the art of the black and white images, as well as the steps in Photoshop to create the best image for printing.

That is what is neat about this book. It is not just about using Photoshop, it is about taking great photos and making them even better with Photoshop. I highly recommend this book!

In my opinion, this book is aimed squarely at the photographer aiming at exhibition quality work, with no concessions. Having said that, there is a lot of valuable information for others as well. It requires a willingness to push the philosophical boundaries of the ethics of manipulated image, because Versace's approach is to take multiple shots of the same subject from subtly diferent viewpoints, then combine them to produce a single image that matches his artistic vision. He is quoted as considering Photoshop an imagination enhancer, and says in his forward that one of his aims is to teach the reader to be able to make magic, starting at the point of capture. Indeed, this is what he proceeds to do. His methods require that you take pictures of subjects that move you, capture the image with spontaneity while being able to conceptualise the end result, and have advanced Photoshop skills. He then offers an insight into the ensuing conversation between photographer and image, with a great deal of the "how" and the "why" along the way. The final results are stunning, but the process is somewhat tortuous, and not for the faint-hearted. This is not your generic "how-to-do-it" Photoshop book, but a glimpse into what drives one man's quest for as near to perfection as possible. It wasn't what I expected - I bought it on the strength of the review in Photoshop User - and it won't be one of the books that lives by my Mac for constant reference. It will, however, be one to which I refer to be reminded of the potential of digital imaging towards which I might aspire for my art prints.
I gave it 5 stars because Versace succeeds in what he set out to do. It won't be for everyone, though.

I had the privilege of Vincent's help while struggling to edit a photograph. I just couldn't make it look like I saw it in the viewfinder. Just 15 minutes later I finally understood the value of masks and blending modes.

If you just read this book, you'll miss most of the value. You actually have to work along, seeing what Vincent saw and attempting to replicate it. If you do that, it will change your approach to photography (and Photoshop) forever. (And a lot of your "old" photographs will demand a revisit in Photoshop...)

Thanks, Vinnie, for the years of effort, and a lifetime of practicing, that went into this book.

You can find many books on photography, and maybe even more on Photoshop. Most deal with the "left-brained" side of the craft of creating images. Shutter speeds, lenses, filters, and crops are all covered. But what about the why? If you have ever spent time in a museum looking at priceless paintings you will find yourself asking why the artist created it. Vincent has created a book to help us answer that question. And the answers you find will make you better a better artist. Also, make sure you get the set of dvd's that accompany the book, they are amazing.

Versace's book introduces some great concepts about seeing and handling images that are not found in your typical Photoshop book and are always given from the perspective of a practicing photographer rather than a computer jocky. It is designed however as a tutorial with the intention of having the reader actually do all the exercises not just once, but several times. All great advice, but there is one aspect of this book that is exasperating. The editing is terrible. I have found this problem with many technical tutorial books. I believe it is because the editor does not have the knowledge to know when something is amiss in the instructions and the author is too close to his material to see the ambiguities and layout mistakes are never picked up. In layout mistakes, the author never sees them and the editor has no clue if they exist or not. It is only the poor reader trying to follow very detailed instructions that picks up these gafs.

In this book, I found every tutorial had mistakes in the instructions with steps out of order, ambiguity in instructions, mismatched example images for the step involved, layer masks that did not match the instructions. Truly maddening. These types of books should be proofed by a student so that these mistakes can be reported and fixed.

So I have started doing the exercises, but when I come to a step that has mistakes, I just have to wing it. Frustrating for an expensive book.

One reviewer mentioned that the exercises depended on using proprietary plug-ins. Well, he does encourage the use of Nik plug-ins, but does usually give you a work around with the exception of the Nik Skylight filter. He also notes that you can freely download time-limited trials that can be used to do the exercises. I agree that the arrangement between Versace and Nik is just a bit to tight in this book.

Overall I am glad that I am working through this book, but poor production practices have made it a struggle and thus my 3 star rating.

Also it should be noted that Versace's handling of images is quite theatrical with very strong lighting effects that will strike some viewers as phoney looking. This however is this photographer's style. I believe that the concepts he is trying to impart can all be used but much more subtly if his style seems way over the top to you.

I experienced a presentation by Vince Versace on this topic at PhotoShop world convention last fall-06. This book is both a great companion to the presentation and a full course in its own right.

I have worked in the film industry and was curious to see how he would handle the beautiful quality of lighting that we experience watching a well crafted movie.

Unfortunately most photographers have never been behind the scenes of a feature film production. The expertise and equipment that goes into beautiful lighting is at times immense. Most amateurs and even some pros do not have the resources to duplicate that quality of light. Now with Photoshop it is possible to approximate it.

Mr. Visace does at great job in giving us a software digital solution. Truly shooting it in great light in the first place is preferred. The better the source file the more enhancement is possible and the less correction is needed.

It is nice to know we can have a second tool for recreating it if our budget, time, and expertise do not allow us to get it right in the camera.

The only down side is Mr Versace's personality is very dominate which at times may cloud the readers view of the material Mr Versage is so passionate about teaching.

I have many interests and hobbies that I have had over the years. Photography is one of those that has stuck around and become a passion. With that I have grown my library of books on the subject, and I can say now that this book is a gem. The pages of many of the books are laden with 'how to,' and that is good to a point. Those are some of the first things I learned, and I am glad for that. This book is on another level. It moves beyond 'how to' and speak to 'why to'.

Learning the 'why to' in my opinion is far more important once a basic knowledge of photography, or really anything, is grasped. With that why to comes a clarity of vision that I have struggled to have with many images that I knew had potential that I was at that time unable to unlock. I am now able to go back to those marked images with new eyes and bring them to life. I would not recommend this as a first book in photography, but to anyone comfortable behind a camera and with the basics of PhotoShop I would say it is a requirement. I teach on a one to one basis fairly regularly and this book is now required reading for those I work with. Thank you for bringing your experience to us, this is a wonderful book.

Vincent Versace is, without doubt, one of the greatest photographers of his generation. His prints hang in some incredible collections, he's been honored with quite a few awards over the years, and I think so highly of his work I've actually purchased some. This book is direct access to Versace's workflow and techniques. If you're a photographer who wants to take that next step to "artist," buy this book. You'll see how one of the greatest works his magic. Perhaps best of all, the book includes a DVD with the actual high-resolution image files that he uses, so you can follow along, step-by-step, learning by doing. Afterward, once you understand the how and the why of what Versace is teaching, you can apply the same techniques to your own images.

Why should you take my advice on how to spend your hard-earned money? Let's start with the fact that I'm the book reviewer for "Photoshop User" magazine, have written more than a half-dozen books on digital imaging and photography myself, and am considered by many to be one of the leading authorities on Photoshop. Let me say it again: "Buy this book!"

Happy Photoshopping!
Pete Bauer