Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
60 of 62 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent and indespensible resource, December 21, 2007
Anyone who is shooting home movies, whether using iMovie '08 or another editor, will find a treasury of useful information in this book. The features of iMovie '08 and iDVD are explained in a thorough, straightforward and easy-to-understand way, with superb color illustrations throughout. Pogue offers excellent guidance on connecting camcorders or other devices, effective lighting techniques, sound recording, composition, editing, exporting -- all the critical aspects of video production.
Amateur shooters ought to buy this book just to read the treatise on limiting zooming and panning -- the most egregious mistake I've seen as I watched at the Acropolis, the ruins of Tikal and Yosemite Valley as people swung cameras left and right, up and down as they tried to capture the grandeur of the location. (I just hope they handed out Dramamine when they played the video at home.)
Pogue goes well beyond that, providing valuable insights into a number of hidden features, as well as very useful tips on transitions (both how to do them and when they're appropriate) titles, narration, music and sound, adding still photos and using the Ken Burns effect, exporting to iPod, iPhone, YouTube, moving to iDVD and much, much more. All are thorough and explanations are intuitive.
For those who are still tied to iMovie 6, he explains how to move back and forth to take best advantage of the features of both programs.
iMovie '08 took a lot of hits when it was released, including a particularly blistering one from Pogue himself. But with this book he uncovers the appropriateness and usefulness of the program and makes the transition a bearable -- if not pleasant -- experience. I will not even open iMovie '08 without this excellent book next to me at my computer.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
 
|
|
|
|
|
|
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great for iMovie 06 and iDVD 08, March 2, 2008
The great thing about this book is that it talks about the best times to use iMovie 06 (most of the time) instead of iMovie 08.
Basically, if you want to assemble short clips to post on the Internet use iMovie 08.
For longer projects or if you want the make a DVD use iMovie 06 with iDVD 08. (Apple includes iMovie 06 as a free download to iLife 08 owners.)
The book is an excellent resource for iDVD 08 and describes the seamless integration between iMovie 06 and iDVD 08.
You will never get the full benefit of iMovie and iDVD without this book. A good resource for users of iMovie 06, iMovie 08, and iDVD 08.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good basic information for the beginner, March 10, 2008
I bought iMovie 08 missing manual after devouring the Leopard missing manual. The Leopard manual was a real page turner with excellent tips with each turn of the page. The iMovie '08 application doesn't have the depth that Leopard does so you won't find the quantity of tips and tricks in this book. The first sections of the book are dedicated to taking good videos and goes through some great basics of digital photography and equipment.
Personally I found little new information on iMovie that I didn't discover through trial and error before buying the book. I'm not sure if I read the book first if it would have saved me any time.
That all being said, there is a great section on Quicktime Pro that's a must read.
If you're new to video shooting and editing it's a good purchase. David Pogue is a terrific writer and walks you through the application like no one else.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
by Derrick Story
by Jim Heid
by David Pogue
by Jeff Carlson
by Aaron David Miller
