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UNDERWATER
PHOTOGRAPHY,
DIVE PICTORIALS |
.. |
UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHIC PICTORIALS
Every
one of these books is superb, with exceptional underwater photography.
All books are hard cover, and of excellent quality. Although other books
listed in this catalog also have superb underwater photographs, the books
in this section are specifically pictorial. These books provide inspiration
and make excellent gifts. |
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OCEANIC
WILDERNESS. Roger Steene. $85.00. **
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED **
Roger Steene has done it
again. This remarkable Australian photographer is well known for his images
in many underwater pictorials including his Nature's Richest Realm. Oceanic
Wildnerness is a massive book, in physical size, and exceptional content.
Weighing in at just over 3 kilos, and 280 x 325mm in size, it is a remarkable
record of marine life taken with extraordinary skill and perception. The
exquisite beauty of form, colour, and motion of marine life is profusely
illustrated in over 600 colour photographs covering 312 pages. Five years
in preparation, Oceanic Wilderness visits geographic extremities from the
Caribbean to the East Pacific, Japan to the South and West Pacific, temperate
and tropical Australia to Southeast Asia, through the Indian Ocean to the
Red Sea and places in between. Take a fascinating journeyfrom helicopter
to deep reef, drifting in mid ocean to tropical island and lagoon; from
microscope to tidepool, from kelp to coral, from cold water to warm, from
day to night. A number of subjects are featured here for the first time
and have never been recorded before.The text has been co-authored with
Dr Gerry Allan one of the world's leading reef fish biologists.
What I particularly enjoyed
about the book was the rather unique display of similar and same species
- the pread on scorpion fishes for example, or the beautifully presented
‘panels' of invertebrate close-ups. The diversity of marine life
and photography technique is exceptional. This is a must book for any library. |
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THE
GREAT BARRIER REEF. A World Heritage National Park
Photos by Gary Bell. Text
by Tony Ayling.
"Be enchanted by the miraculous
living wonder of the Great Barrir Reef. Colour stream from every page as
art and science unite to compel raders to share in the discovery and conservation
of the Earth's most beautiful habitat. Informative text, penned by esteemed
marine biologist Dr Tony Ayling, coupled with award-winning photogarpher
Gary Bell's vibrant underwater photography, charts the evolution, composition
and day-to-day workings of the exquisite, enigmatic ecosystem". Thats from
the fly of the book. To me, its a nice book of delightful photrographs
that capture the essence of the Great Barrier Reef in straighforward, functional,
descriptive images. With Ayling's professional yet easy to read text, the
book extends beyond the traditional coffee-table picture book, into a valuable
document on this marvellous of all reef systems. And it's photographed
and written by Aussies, and published by an Aussie (but printed in China
- you can't win ‘em all!). Hardcover, dustjacket, large landscape format,
full colour throughout, 224 pages, index. Would make a great gift, not
just for divers. $59.95 |
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BENEATH
NORTH SULAWE SEA (With DVD) **
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED **
Michael Aw.
The photography of Michael
Aw, in its quality, imagination, production, and prolification, is nothing
but outstanding. There are insufficient superlatives to define his work,
and yet, each new volume contains images that literally bring tears of
appreciation, for their beauty and uniqueness. Most ‘coffee-table' books
retain interest for a brief browse: here we have a book that should remain
permanently on the coffee table, and when in a dour mood, pick it up and
embrace the images. Your demeanour will change and any misery forgotten.
But there are more thn just pretty pictures. Aw embraces the ocean environment
with a genuine desire to ensure that his children - and yours and mine
- will be able to see for themselves the wonderful marine creatures that
he freezes in time.
This is an ideal gift for
yourself - and for anyone whom you know who loves the ocean and its inhabitants.
And check out Alexandra on the last page; will her children see what she
sees? A brilliant book.
Large format, approx. Square,
dustjacket, full colour throughout (with several remarkable mono shots).
Comes complete with a Video DVD.
$86.00 |
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RICHEST
REEFS - INDONESIA. Michael Aw. **
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED **
If Indonesian waters are
regarded as having some of the richest reefs in the world, then Michael
Aw has captured them superbly. Not since Newbert's Within a Rainbowed Sea
has there been such a magnificent production. All of the images are excellent
- some exceptionally stunning. And I particularly like the amusing captions,
a play on words, which includes a one line description of the marine life,
and the location. The book is sectioned by location, with a few pages of
introduction on the region before the photographic spread. Most images
are full page - some spread over two pages, others may be grouped in twos
or threes. This is an ideal book as representative of the exotic marine
life of Indonesia, perhaps as a reminder of a past visit, anticipation
of the future, or for anyone who appreciates the marine world - and exceptional
photography. That the book is endorsed by the President of Indonesia herself
is beside the point. If you don't appreciate the excellent photography
then you may as well give up diving. An ideal gift. The production of the
book, its layout and style, complements the images.
Large format 290 x 270 mm,
hardcover, dustjacket, 180 pages, gloss art high quality paper.
$88.00. |
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CELEBRATE
THE SEA
Michael Aw and Steven Wong.
"Why do humans insist on
destroying the sea... the very resource that keeps us all alive?". Such
is the quotation at the begining of this excellent book. If this gives
you an indication that Celebrate the Sea promotes environment protection
you could well be right as its shows the marine life of the oceans in dramatic
form, from a drifting salp chain to a huge humpback - there is beauty is
their very existence. The images range from macro to extreme wide angle,
all delightful in their composition and colour, setting a mood that truly
relaxing. The text in informative (the creature and its habitat) and also
personal, expressing the photographers mood. After being absorbed
into the tranqulity of the underwater world, the book ends on a more sober
note, mentioning the indicriminate destruction of marine life for a number
of deplorable reasons.
Softcover, 280 x 275 pages,
180 pages, full colour.
$46.00 |
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UNDERWATER JUNGLES -
SARAWAK
Michael Aw.
The sea of Sarawak is one
of the most prolific for marine life anywhere in the world and thus provides
international photographer Michael Aw with outstanding subject matter.
Like all of his publiations, this is a superb book, superbly produced with
superb photographs.
Hardcover, dustjacket, 126
pages, full colour of course.
Sorry,
but I have only the one copy left. $55.00 |
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CORAL KINGDOMS
Carl Roessler.
Nice work from this nomadic
travel agent who covers the Caribbean, Red Sea, Micronesia, PNG, Fiji,
and a few other 'Islands of Spellbinding Beauty'. An upmarket divers guide
to the world's top dive sites with examples of Roessler's excellent underwater
photography.
Hardcover, 216p, full colour,
large format 240x300mm.
$42.00 |
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CORAL REEFS
- NATURE'S RICHEST REALM
Roger Steene.
One of the finest books
on life in the coral seas. Shot on the Great Barrier Reef, the Red Sea,
Indian and Pacific Ocean islands and reefs, it features Steene's superb
photography. The text is brief but valuable. The book is now out of print
and will no doubt become a collectors item.
Limited stock available.
Hardcover, dust jacket,
336p, large format, gloss art paper, full colour.
$65.00 |
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DIVING
THE RAINBOW REEFS
Adventures
of an Underwater Photographer.
Paul
S. Auerbach, MD.
The
author is better known in the USA for his excellent photography and other
publications.
This
is both an inspirational small coffee table book covering several mjor
dive region in the world, the marine animals and terrain, expressed with
fine photography and text. Eight chapters cover: Apo Reef (Pgilippines),
Truk and Pohnpei, The Caribban, the Red Sea, Galapagos Islands, Fiji Islands,
Palau, and our own Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. The marine life is
covered well in each area, woth single page photo-text essays. Certainly
the region covered have some of the finest diving in the world. This would
make an excellent gift, a guide to future diving dreams, or a souvenir
of places visited.
Hardcover,
dustjacket, 236 pages, full colour on gloss art paper.
$45.00 |
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DIVING THE WORLD'S CORAL
REEFS.
Editor Jack Jackson.
What a superb book. The
photography is excellent, and the text lucid and informative. So where
are thse top coral reefs. Sections include The Caribbean, Indian Ocan,
Red Sea, eastern and western Pacific, the Great barrier Reef of course,
Melanesia, Hawaii. Authors include Michael Aw, Bob Halstead, Angie Belcher,
Ann Storrie, all of whom are familiar to Australian divers. This is a large
format book, 176 pages, full brilliant colour throughout. Apart from being
an exception book to own, for inspiration and memories, it would also make
a wonderful gift for any diver, irrespective of experience.
$54.95 |
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OCEAN - Photographs from
the World's Greatest Underwater Photographers.
Boyce Thorne-Miller. Foreward
by Sylvia Earle.
And who are they - according
to the publishers, Jean-Michel Cousteau, David and Anne Doubilet, Roger
Payne, Howard Ghall, Carl Roessler, Bob Talbot, Chris Newbert and Birgitte
Wilms, Norbert Wu, Amos Nachoum - well, I didn't make the list so what
credibility has this book? I'd like to say that it is a fine collection,
but some of the shots are quite ordinary. It is an interesting book however,
moreso for the text which has a strong ecological theme. Did you know that
actor Ted Danson was co-founder of the American Oceans Campaign - he has
an article in the book. Limited copies available.
Very large vertical format,
hardcover, dust jacket, full colour, 240 pages.
$65.00 |
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OUT OF THE BLUE - A Journey
Through the World's Oceans
Paul Horsman. $54.95
It is difficult to categorise
this book as it covers such a diverse number of themes; ideal for the diver
but also for anyone interested in the world's oceans. The cover blurb says
it all: It is a stunning portrayal of the wealth of living creatures, from
seemingly unremarkable plants and planktonto the awe-inspiring Giant Squid....
from plankton to coral reefs, with an emphasis as to how the different
elements within the oceans interact. The author is marine biologist. The
photograph are exceptional in quality, informative, and relevant to the
topic. For the diver, it givs a greater perspective of the marine environment
which he/she enjoys so much, and to anyone who has not had the pleasur
of experiencing for themselves life benath the waves, it prvides a greater
understanding.
A great book for the diver's
own library, and as a gift for the yet to be initiated. Extra large format(320
x 245 mm), full colour throughout, 160 pages, harcover with dust jacket. |
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SECRETS OF
THE OCEANS REALM
Michele and Howard Hall.
Forward by Peter Benchley.
A stunning collection of
brilliant photographs of the marine world by one of America's finest underwater
photographers (author of Successful Underwater Photography). Many images
were taken in Australian temperate waters, as well as the Great Barrier
Reef, and Papua new guinea. The text is brief but sufficinet to add to
the enjoyment of the image, giving a personal perspective of the scene
by the photographer. Basd on a five part award-winning documentary of the
same name.
Large format, hardcover
with d/jkt, 162 pages, full color.
$64.00 |
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SPLENDORS
OF THE SEAS - The Photographs of Robert Wu.
Wu's photographs place him
in the top category of international underwater photographers, with credits
in National Geographic, Audubon and hundreds of books and magazines. He
combines an artists eye with skills as a marine biologist in capturing
the marine life from the Arctic Seas to the GBR, Borneo and elsewhere.
Australia is well featured. Divided into chapters -the Open Sea, the Coral
reef, the Sand Communities, the Kelp Forrest, the Deep Sea. Although predominantly
a photographic essay, the text is sufficient to educate.
Hard cover, dust/jkt, full
colour large format, 252 pages, art paper, superbly produced. Limited editions
available.
$58.00 |
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THE CORAL
REEFS OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA.
Bob and Dinah Halstead.
Those of you who have visited
Papua New Guinea will know Bob and Dinah Halstead, and many would be familiar
with their excelent articles in dive magazines, and dive guide books. Their
latest title, The Coral reefs of Papua New Guinea, is a superb book.
It may well have been published with the assistance of aid funding for
the International Year of the Coral Reef (1997), and the International
Year of the Oceans (1998), but the end result is more than just an ecological
awareness promotion. This is a magnificent book, very well designed, and
made exceptional by the surperb photography of the three authors ( the
other is the Italian Sergio Sarta). The marine life illustrated in the
book is unique; the authors know how to capture a subject and do it such
a manner that the end result is a beautiful photograph, combining art with
technique. The text is concise and relevant. If you have dived anywhere
in Papua New Guinea, this is a wonderful momento. If you are into superb
photography, then it deserves a place in your library. And look at the
value. Hardcover, dustjacket, quality art paper, full colour, half and
full page photographs, 208 pages. $49.95 Review |
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REALM OF THE
PYGMY SEAHORSE
Constantinos Petrinos
$88.00
Hardcover, dustjacket, large
A4+ format, 256 pages, full clour throughout, references, index.
A beautiful photographic
essay shot predominantly in Indonesian waters - the Flores Sea,m Sulawesi
Sea, Molucca Sea. The text compliments the excellent photographs, divided
into chapters related to the families of mqrine life, and their bhaviour
- the coral reef, survival recipes, innovative housing, reef sex, crinoid
communities, snails and nudibranchs, seahorses and pipefishes, fishes.
(Not always in stock but
can obtain.) |
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WITHIN A RAINBOWED SEA.
**
SORRY, OUT OF PRINT **
Chris Newbert.
An incredible book - absolutely
brilliant - arguably the finest collection of underwater photographs ever
produced. Newbert is one of the few photographers regarded as a true artist,
with an incredible perception of form and beauty. The photographic reproduction
does justice to Newbert's exceptional photographs. His book has become
the standard on which to judge other underwater pictorials. Newbert has
put underwater photography on a the high professional plateau that it deserves.
His work has changed the perceptions of so many people, of the world within
the sea, and of photography itself.
A definite collector's item
- brilliant.
Hardcover, dw, large format,
full colour. 202 pages.
$120.00 |
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WONDERS OF
THE REEF.
Diving with a Camera. Stephen
Frink.
Frink is a well-known undrwater
cameraman in the USA with thousands of published photographs to his credit.
This excellent book notm only shows of his work, but covers the techniques
and equipment used to create them.
Hardcover, dust jacket,
160 pages, full colour of course.
$68.00 |
STILL UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY - FILM
The era of the Nikonos and housed film-cameras is virtually over. Digital
photography is quite obviously the way of the future, and certainly in
terms of cost per image taken, it is the way to go. The results are now
quite spectacular and the likes of Aw, and Doubilet, use only digital now.
Pewrhaps there remain the purist who will continue to use film underwater
but I suspect thgis would only incur if the photographer had a substantial
investment in 'old' equipment. Thus the books listed immediately below
are of much lesser interest now, despite their exceptional value in terms
of content when film was being used. Perhaps the only one that is of continuing
value is Jim Church's Essential Guide to Composition. I don't believe Jim
is still with us, and I wonder what he would have thought of the digital
revolution. Certainly it was around in its embyo days when he was alive. |
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THE MANUAL
OF UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY. ***
Highly
Recommended.***
De Couet & Green.
Still the definitive text
on underwater photographic techniques, the Nikonos systems (not the RS),
housed cameras, and strobes. Excellent diagrams, ideas and instruction;
high on technique and maintenance. Ideal for beginner to advanced photographer.
A valuable text and a must for anyone serious about underwater photography.
Even the digital photographer would benefit from this book.
Hardcover, 394p, full colour
throughout.
Excellent value Was
$48.00 - now $20.00. Still an exceptional book of content value. |
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BEGINNER'S
GUIDE TO UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY *** SORRY,
OUT OF PRINT ***
Ron Church.
First published in 1971,
it gives the basics of underwater photography, a primer for anyone contemplating
entering the exciting field of underwater photography.
Softcover, 64 pages, full
colour.
Limited stock.
$12.00 |
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Jim Church's ESSENTIAL
GUIDE TO NIKONOS SYSTEMS.
This replaces the popular
Nikonos Handbook which is now well out-of-print. Includes the new RS system.
Why is underwater photography different to terrestrial photography? The
technical side is covered, as is the artistic - composition, lighting,
subject; films and use of strobe and ambient lighting. Handling and maintenance
of the Nikonos V takes up a major part of the book, and is followed by
use of the new RS system. Macro photography is included. A good chapter
on general maintenance.
A must for the Nikonos user.
Softcover, 268p, colour
throughout.
$38.00 - Now $25.00 whilst
stocks last. There are still a few Nikonos users around. |
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Jim Church's
ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO COMPOSITION
‘A Simplified Approach to
Taking Better Underwater Pictures'. This is a companion title to Church's
very popular Essential Guide to Nikonos Systems, although it matters not
what type of camera you use. Without composition you have a snapshot, not
a photograph. Using examples from his own extensive library, and from other
photographers, Church describes the photographs - how they were shot, and
why. Anyone even moderately serious in improving their underwater photography
would benefit from this excellent book.
Softcover, 136 pages, full
colour, index, selected references.
$38.00. Still a very useful
book, but I'll reduce to $25.00.
Review |
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CHOOSING AND
USING UNDERWATER STROBES.
Jim and Cathy Church.
Excellent text for use of
strobe photography. Some of the equipment mentioned is out-of-date but
this is still a useful book as techniques remain the same. First published
1984, it is still relevant as the book covers more the actual use of a
strobe, and the various types of strobes, rather than any prticular bank
name.
Softcover, 100p.
$12.00. Pretty useless
now, but if you want one, ask for it when you purchase something else. |
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| STILL UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY - DIGITAL |
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THE
UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHER - DIGITAL AND TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUES
Martin Edge.
$79.00. *** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
*** New Edition
We are now seeing a few
books on underwater digital photography as print film is consigned to the
archives of obsolete technology. Although I am told it is sooooo
much easier than using the old 35mm film cameras, there is little value
in complacency, as technique and creativity is still required, naturally.
I am also told by those who have progressed from film to digital that this
book is th ‘bible', a must have for anyone now using digital equipment.
And I can see why. Its medium format, 392 pages are crammed with full colour
photographs. Sections covered are: The Basics and Beyond, The Digital Revolution,
Using SLR Cameras and Compact Digitals Underwater, The Mindset (brilliant!!
- the ‘approach' to sucesful underwater photography, and The Big Four (composition,
lighting, close-up, and wide angle). You could not find a better book on
the subject.
Medium format, 392 pages,
full colour throughout, glossary, index.
(Personal comment - if ever
a book has tempted me to ‘get back into it', this is the one. But it is
several years since I sold my Nikonos equipment. Now I'm too old, too tired,
too broke, and much infatuated with my family that those days are gone.
But the memories...) |
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AN
ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO DIGITAL UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY
Michael Aw and Mathieu Meur.
A most useful book covering
the new technology of photography. The five modules or sections are: Digital
Essentials, Shooting Digital Underwater, The Art of Underwater photography,
The Digital Darkroom, Beyond the Basics. Perhaps half of the book is common
with standrad film underwater photography, the rest is pure digital; the
digital darkroom is especially interesting and of course unique now to
digitised images. An excellent book for anyone contemplating digital underwater
photography or who has just entered the field. Siftcover, 150 x 210mm,
128 pages, full colour throughout.
$25.00 |
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AN
ADVANCED GUIDE TO DIGITAL UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY
Michael Aw with Mathieu
Meur.
Advanced Composition &
Shooting Methods. Deeper Into Photo Editing Techniques. Deeper into Workflow
& Asset Management. Learning with the Masters: Doug Perrin, David Doubilet,
Alex Mustard, Stephen Frink.
A companion to: An Essential
Guide to Digital Underwater Photography by Michael Aw and Mathieu Meur.
The author is well-known for his exceptional photography expressed through
his several photographoc books and exceptional dive magazine. This book
takes the subject further, commencing with ‘Advanced Digital Essentials',
and extending into ‘Advanced Techniques'. The ‘lessons' are illustrated
by example, with a full description of when, where and how the image has
been shot. The final section is of particular use to the more advanced
photographer who is, or aims to be, a professional in that his or her work
is placed on the market or used in publication. Softcover, 132 x
210mm, 128 pages, full colour throughout. $25.00. |
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DIGITAL IMAGING FOR THE
UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHER
Computer Applications
for Photo Enhancement and Presentation.
Jack and Sue Drafahl.
Underwaterphotography lends
itself to computer manipulation of images as the potential to ‘improve'
the image is so great. Eliminate backscatter, move that fish a bit to the
right, delete the other diver's fins behind the main subject, add another
shark or two... Is it legitimate photography? Of course it is. Image
manipulation may contravene the rules of a photographic competition, but
for commercial or personal use, the end result is what counts, irrespective
of how it was ‘captured'. This book is excellent, the first of its kind
that I know of, to address the specific problems of underwater images.
And the knowldge gained is of course applicable to all images. Chapters
include, the digital process, scanning images, resolution, photo software,
image adjustments, photographic curves, backscatter, grain reduction etc
etc - and ‘The Ethics of Photo Manipulation'. The book considers the use
of Adobe Photoshop in its examples, but any photo software is applicable.
Softcover, 224 pags, full
colour throughout.
$68.00 |
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MASTER GUIDE FOR UNDERWATER
DIGITAL PHOTGRAPHY
Jack and Sue Drafahl
Digital versus film? There
is no argument any more. Digital is the way to go, for many many reasons,
especially for underwater photographers. But just what are the differences?
Technically the equipmenbt varies considerably, but how about technique
of use. The principles of exposure, depth of field, composition, lens selection
remain similar - but not identical. The film underwater photographer will
have little problem switching across to digital. And there is the added
benefit of not worrying about running out of film, airport x-ray machines,
heat and storage on trips. Care is still required but life is getting easier.
This book gives an excellent grounding on the equipment and its use, and
whereas the basic principles of (underwater) photography are still mentioned,
the authors concentrate on the specific use of digital equipment and how
it differs from traditional film equipment. Softcover, A4 format, 126 pages,
full colour throughout, index. $48.00 |
| UNDERWATER VIDEO - UNDERWATER DIGITAL |
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UNDERWATER
DIGITAL VIDEO MADE EASY.
Steven Barsky, Lance Milbrand
& Mark Thurlow.
Not having the skills of
an underwater videographer, I can only quote from the cover blurb, which
ttes that this book will "take you from beginning through advanced underwater
video skills, and has the following sections: camera selection, housing
selection, accessories, shooting topside in the marine environment, shooting
underwater, lighting, travel, maintenance, editing... and much more". Howard
Hall gives it a great rap: "This book is a must have for anyone aspiring
to produce professional quality underwater video".
Softcover, 192 pages, mono
photographs and drawings, index.
$42.00 |
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UNDERWATER
VIDEO - A STEP BY STEP GUIDE
John
Boyle.
An
essential guide to underwater videography wth tips on equipment, techniques
and how to make money from your hobby. The author is a British award-winning
film-maker. The book is a most practical guide with the author not afraid
of sharing some of his mistakes and disasters. It includes buying equipment,
practical filming, lighting, specific filming techniques, advanced techniques,
making a film, selling your work, travelling. It is a very personal book
which will enlighteen and encourage any underwater film maker.
Softcover,
128 pages, full colour throughout.
$54.00
***
SORRY - NO LONGER AVAILABLE *** |
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ESSENTIAL
GUIDE TO UNDERWATER VIDEO. $38.00
Another
classic guide by the master of underwater photography instruction, Jim
Church. Covers all the essentials as the name indicates, including equipment
selection, shooting techniques, editing and graphics. Softcover, 208 pages,
many colour photographs. Excellent book. Includes free copy of Litchen's
Cinematography Underwater. |
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SHOOTING
UNDERWATER VIDEO Rosenberg & Ratterree. $36.00
A
Complete Guide to the Equipment and Techniques for Shooting, Editing, and
Post-Production. Softcover, 256p, full colour, many diagrams. |
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CINEMATOGRAPHY
UNDERWATER - John Litchen. $6.00
The
only movie guide of its kind. Some techniques are useful for video.
Softcover. 64 pages. |
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