Glorious Eclipses

Glorious Eclipses: Their Past, Present and Future
by Serge Brunier and Jean-Pierre Luminet

reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher (kcstarguy@aol.com_

As a Black Sun eclipse chaser, I've journeyed to several parts of the globe, to view seven total solar eclipses and videotape and photograph them. Total solar eclipses are nature great spectacle and while I have my memories, thoughts, ideas and published photos and videos, I always seek more about the topic. To explore further about this amazing phenomenon, I have stocked my astronomical collection with eclipse related books. After seeing the cover of this book and looking inside, I also had to have this book.
This is a big book with oversized photographs and illustrations (many that I have never seen before or look remarkably better on a bigger display) which integrate well with the content. The main premise is eclipse of the the past, present and future. The two authors have worked together, to create a book which delivers on all accounts.
The larger text makes reading easier and draws you into the celestial information. There are many brilliantly, displayed visuals that include photographs, sketches and illustrations, many which are over sized. These capture the full majesty and grandeur of different aspects of eclipses and many are ones that I have never seen. Journey of an eclipse chaser (Chapter 1), portrays personal accounts and more.The Story of eclipse,the story of people (Chapter 2), includes a nice set of great examples based on historical accounts and perspectives. .
Songs of the eclipses, and Moon (Ch. 3), waxes poetic and includes information about the integration of the Moon interplay with the Sun. The Dance of the Sun and Moon (ch 4), follows up the previous chapter by focusing about the Moon and lunar eclipse. Also eclipse paths are portrayed. Screenshots of computer planetarium software show how an eclipse on the Earth, are looked upon from outer space The Great cosmic clockwork (ch.5), expands to include the interplay of the Moon and planets, including planetary conjunctions. By the light of the eclipses (Ch.6), includes marvelous sketches of various phases of total eclipse of the Sun. Chapter 7, starts with a full 2 page photograph of the umbra (darkest eclipse shadow), as seen from the Mir Russian space station. This chapter then continues to include information concerning many aspects of the great eclipse of August 11, 1999, as viewed from different parts of the world. Finally, the book is supplemented with additional helpful celestial data and information.
Several shorter chapters include at the end include: a very nice atlas of the Sun and Moon; observing and photographing eclipse of the sun; global charts of total and annular eclipses of the Sun until 2060; Detailed charts of total and annular eclipse of the Sun until 2020 Lunar eclipses ; Observing and photographing eclipses of the Moon, Detailed charts of the total eclipses of the Moon until 2020. Lastly there is a glossary (including in-depth information about famous astronomers, eclipse and astronomical vernacular), a nice extensive index and a bibliography/index of credits.
This is a must have book for your collection if you have enjoyed eclipses, will do in the future or want to know more about the phenomenon. While it does not take the place of viewing an actual total solar eclipse, this book is exhilarating in itself as the photos are awe inspiring, like a total eclipse itself. The brilliant photographs, illustrations and sketches are both breathtaking and informational. The book also excels at integrating many facets of eclipse phenomenon with the visuals. While many books include eclipses as the main theme, this book is one that elevates the majesty of the phenomenon through the (over sized) visuals, historical and scientific perspectives, astronomical information and more.
Whether you are an eclipse chaser or will see your first (or plan to see another) eclipse, this text is nice to have at any price (it can be found at other stores for a lower price). The authors’ effort in crafting this large text is evident. While the price of the book is a steep one, the book is a wonderful display of eclipse related history, visuals and factual information of all different types. And if you are like me, you can’t get enough of such topics. Take a look at this book, if only for its grandeur and see if it needs to be in your collection.

Model Releases: A digital Photographer’s Guide to

Model Releases: A digital Photographer’s Guide to
reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher, Olathe, KS: (dreric1kansas@aol.com)

Author: Dan Heller
Publisher: Wiley Publishing , Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NY 0703 Released: March 31, 2008
Pages: 288
$30 USA
$ 33 Canada
ISBN-10: 0470228563
ISBN-13: 978-0470228562

Strengths: Comprehensive information about model releases. Full color and additional hints abound through the book. Excellent model photographs highlight nice examples. Vertical tabs at the side of each page highlight main part of the section. Nice yellow like sticky notes are strategically placed throughout the book and the pages, to portray tips and highlight specific concerns or ideas that are relevant to the chapter/ pages or text.

Weaknesses: None

Novice/Intermediate/Advanced

Rating: 5/5


Introduction

Taking photos of people, places and many types of visuals, for publication, is commonplace. However in many lines of work, the necessity and use of model release forms is misunderstood, to say the least. Sometimes the nuances are not quite understood or well defined in many cases, by photographers or the places of business themselves. The book Model Releases: A digital Photographer’s Guide, helps to clarify the meaning of much of the process and update advanced in print media and more in recent years.

The author has been a freelance photographer and photo industry analyst. His works have been featured in publications from news and business media to fine arts books. This book is the result of over five years of his research to model releases. He is well versed in the changing trends that have transformed books, the press, music and much more, in recent years. His knowledge is transmitted to this book in a very readable and understandable way.

The seven part book covers a wide range of important topics within its 288 pages. The titles of the parts of the book highlight the necessity of model releases. These are : Everyone’s doing it ; So what’s wrong; What’s a model release ; Understanding “use”; Analyzing the need for a model release; Dealing with photos of property; The business of Licensing. The book makes it much easier to clarify when releases are needed and not needed. What buyers need in the way of model releases, and those who don't need releases are summarized. Also included is information for marketing and licensing all your photos, whether they have been released or not. Also the author does the best he can in accumulating years of information and distilling helpful information in one book.

The book is relevant to those in the United States and abroad. The author helps to define in clear terms, what should be initiated and followed through, under many situations and circumstances. He is clear and concise so that misinformation does not occur and clarity of the releases are understood. The well illustrated text is a very comprehensive book available on the subject, covering everything you would to know about model releases. The releases pertain to people, places and additional circumstances. Much has changes in light of a photographer's role in the creation of photographs that may be uses on or in conjunction with the internet, with digital photography. newspapers, books and magazines.

Conclusions

This important book is both insightful and a pleasure to read and understand. The book is useful for everyone from professional photographers whose work involves photography to those amateur photographers who take vacation pictures on vacation, take photos of at their children' s teams/games, schools or more. This book also includes information about models themselves and what they can learn about their rights concerning how they can protect themselves and when that is not possible.

The importance of this book is highlighted by the fact that a well known technology firm “stole” (or should we say “did not secure properly”), music from my daughter’s business/ firm. Whether it was on purpose or not, she had to set them straight and went through the proper channels. This was an interesting event and it served to highlight what should and needs to be done. In addition, a firm in Africa wanted to use one of my photographs for their greeting cards. To make a long story short, I had to find that person and that firm, after they used my photographs, as the individual did not forward my payment. If I would have the information from this book, I would have know the proper course of action to protect the transaction. This book would have let me know, in advance, the proper procedures so that the situation would have not occurred. Now I am better prepared. And you will be too if you read this well prepared book.

Whether you are in business, work with photographs at your home, business or use photos for personal use or involved in possible interactions with businesses, schools or more, this book is well worth reading. There is something to be said for knowing and understanding your rights, as well as the rights of clients and businesses and anything that relates with and dealing with photography and photorgaphs. That way you can make the best decision about your photographs that possibly will end up in businesses, books or elsewhere.

Macintosh observatory and astrophotography

I opened up my MacLife issue 2/2009 and found a nice article P.50-52) "In a galaxy far, far away" by Leslie Ayers. It's about David Illig of Maryland and his very nice observatory and telescope system. His four macintosh computers, Canon 50D, two telescopes help his digital imaging and deep sky endeavors. He used Equinox software (never heard of this one) and Starry Night Pro (which I love). Very in depth and nicely written with photos.
I can't find the article online but you can take a look at it in bookstores with the MacLife magazine

Dr. Eric Flescher (kcstarguy@aol.com), Olathe, KS: Lat 38.834, Lon -94.778