Welcome to Oz: A Cinematic Approach to Digital Still Photography with Photoshop [With DVD]

by Vincent Versace

Book Overview

Creating memorable photographs is a process that starts before you edit an image in Photoshop, before you capture the image, even before you pick up the camera. You must first approach the subject... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0735714002
• ISBN13: 9780735714007
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: New Riders Publishing
• Length: 188 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 9.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Not for the faint-hearted

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.

This raised me to a new level

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.

Read this review if you want to know the real scoop on VV book ...

This may or may not get a little long winded but here goes. Vinnie's book is by far one of the best pieces of work put together for digital photographers that I have ever read. Don't get me wrong, there are many books out there and a handful of authors that we all know are phenomenal! Many of these authors mentioned by Versace at some point in varying instances ... not necessarily in the book. I would believe that anyone who may have given this book a "Ho-hum" rating could truly have not read the book. One thing that I have realized about Versace is that he is a "chess master" of digital workflow. It is all about knowing the middle, the beginning and the end (the end being the print because in the end we all want a photo worthy of the ultimate ... to be printed) before it happens while leaving room for creativity. I am a pretty tough critic myself when it comes to things I find useful but if you read Versace's book you will without a doubt start looking at your photography differently whether through the lens or in the digital darkroom (most likely through both ... I know I did). Either way, it can only improve your output. I have used his techniques learned from his DVDs (get them all if you are like me and like the visual aspect of seeing it done ... it is like having a class with him and much cheaper than attending the seminar ... sorry VV if you are reading this but those classes are pretty expensive) and his book and have recently sold my first photos. Each time I go to the computer I now look at that as an opportunity to create my view of the world instead of just make the photo look "better". And by creating my view, I don't mean turn the photo into something that was not there. Everything is as it seems in the eye, the minds eye and the feeling obtained when photographing the subject. Our job during the beginning, middle and end is to get that minds visual and feeling across to yourself and then your audience. Versace insist on students using PS as an emory board and not a jackhammer. This is what each logical step leads anyone who reads the books or watches the dvds to do. I originally ordered the DVDs and found them great! I recently bought the book as a supplement to the DVDs and have found it very useful. The set makes a great collection for any digital processing knowledge base. I use Versace's techniques in combination with other techniques I have learned in PS but you can truly create something astonishing just using the techniques he teaches. Every step has a real purpose (unlike many books or dvds he explains why he does something a particular way instead of just saying do this, this and this ... if you agree with it fantastic and if you don't then you use what you feel is best for your work) and like anything it must be practiced. Don't look at the book as a key to automatic beautiful digital images. Although it does come pretty darn close to being that way if you have captured a good subject in the right

Getting the Image That Your Eye Saw

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!

How to see and think like a master photographer ...

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.