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Photo Book Reviews

WINDOW SEAT - The Art of Digital Photography & Creative Thinking by Julieanna Kost Reviewed by Carla Criqui Photographer Julieanne Kost excels in the art of creative thinking.  In her book WINDOW SEAT she provides insight and guidance on how others can add more creativity to their photography as well. Article rating: 7.00

The art of creative thinking is a captivating subject, one in which Julieanne Kost excels at illustrating.  WINDOW SEAT is an exciting look into Kost's creative process.  She communicates her ideas and methods, as well as ways in which the reader can develop their own creativity.  In addition to insights into creative thinking, WINDOW SEAT also includes a thorough how-to guide, explaining the imaging techniques Kost uses to perfect the images that best depict her vision.

Kost's background is diverse.  She is an accomplished photographer, painter and illustrator, as well as a professional instructor for Adobe.  Kost speaks extensively about creative thinking, and her expertise in these varied subjects helps make this book truly unique.  Using her personal insight and masterful tutelage, Kost is able to convey ways in which readers can express their own dreams within the constructs of a visual medium.

In a step-by-step guide that navigates the reader through some basics of the creative thought process, Kost creates an atmosphere of excitement that is contagious.  The first section of this book is truly inspiring.  You can't wait to start your own artistic project, whether it be through photography or another medium!

Perusing the first section of WINDOW SEAT is both interesting and educational.  Kost has a fun way of illustrating the major ideas and concepts with anecdotes from her own life.  Tips such as, “Listen to what your life is trying to tell you” and “Be open to whatever comes your way” introduce the reader to some of the career twists and turns, which unexpectedly brought Kost to where she is today.

Other handy pointers include knowledge sharing and collaboration.  The benefits of these two simple activities can bring surprising results to an artist's work. Kost is keen to highlight the many ways in which they can improve technical skills, while allowing the artist express their individuality.

Inspiration can come at the most unexpected times and places, so Kost suggests always keeping a journal or notebook with you to jot down your ideas.  There is nothing more frustrating than knowing you had a great idea, but not being able to remember it! 

With the many tools available to photographers, from camera options to the digital technologies inherent in programs such as Photoshop, the possibilities for manipulating images are limitless.  As Kost so adeptly conveys, expertise in capturing an image is important, but mastery of  image manipulation software allows the artist to express emotions in their work that may not be adequately  communicated by the original photo. 

For the photographer who needs guidance with Photoshop techniques, Kost includes a comprehensive appendix.  It thoroughly expands upon the techniques that she uses and that can be used to fine-tune your images.

One of the joys of Kost's images is their apparent randomness, which gives way to striking images from the air.  Readers never know what to expect next, but they can be assured that it will be riveting.  Many of Kost's images are clearly shots taken from an airplane – eye level views of clouds, mountains viewed from above and checkered landscapes.

Other images are more abstract.  If you were unaware that the photo was taken from the window seat of an airplane, you would be hard pressed to guess it!

After enjoying Kost's considerable artistic talents, delve deeply into the appendix of the book for the technical know-how you will need to know in order to accomplish similar effects in your own work.  The appendix of WINDOW SEAT is an excellent guide for both the beginning and intermediate photographer. 

Overall, WINDOW SEAT is a delightful book.  The first sections of WINDOW SEAT  are a quick read, so it is definitely worth your while to spend some extra time really examining Kost's photographs.  Her images are truly captivating.

WINDOW SEAT – The Art of Digital Photography & Creative Thinking is 148 pages long.  It was published in 2006 by O'Reilly Media, Inc. and can be purchased at www.oreilly.com or www.amazon.com.

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