Product details
Description: This 60- page, 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" , computer printed and plastic spiral bound book is written, and I assume, assembled by Anne White, the most accomplished photographer of magicians working today. Her work has graced the pages of virtually every magic magazine produced in the states and her photos are used by some of the best pros and "professional wanna-bes" in magic. The book with forward by Stan Allen, editor of Magic Magazine is filled with lots of photos of Anne's clients to illustrate the points she makes in her text.
Mike Maione: I like the work Anne White does. She's found an opportunity and filled it in spades. She is the undisputed champion of her market. Some magicians I know even consider it a rite of passage to be photographed by her. They feel it makes some kind of statement to be photographed by her... something like, "Look magic world I'm here and I'm serious." There are some that even go so far as to print her name all over their brochure. (Of course, only fellow magicians know or care who takes your photos... it means nothing to most prospective clients.) Still, and in spite of the fact that no photographer can turn a Woody Allen look-alike into a Harrison Ford or a ho hum hack into a knock-em-dead entertainer, her pictures are great and if you can have her do yours, more power to you.
In a former life, I was a professional photographer, so I can attest to the value of the information in book. Anne gives some great advice for the magician planning photographs. For example, she helps you determine if you need photos. And, what kind of photos you should make, which is based on your entertainment and marketing goals. To me here's the most important lesson in the book... "Make your photos say 'MAGIC!'" Unless you're already a celebrity of David Copperfield's magnitude, you can't just take a picture of your face. You have to say in your stills that you are a magician.
I say if you are planning to have photos made, read this book. It will make your shoot much more productive. I bet Anne makes all of her clients read it before they come to her studio.
Here's what I don't like about the book. I think it's too short. It's really not much more than a long magazine article. I think there's lots more to discuss about photography, i.e. indoors vs. outdoors, performance shots, assistants, illusions, lighting effects, etc. And, the standard practice of taking photos for a specific application should have been discussed. To me, it's a chicken egg thing... should you do photos and then design a brochure or should you design your brochure and then make the photos to sell the story. I think the latter. And, I think any good art director would agree. Instead of a day long session with five costume changes, background changes, head shots, full lengths etc. etc. followed by hundreds of shots to view and a huge bill, I say take what you need for the application, no more, no less.
I also don't like the production value of this book. Ugh! This is a book on photography. The really great photos Anne takes loose so much reprinted in such a small size and on a computer. Still, I recommend the book. I just expected more.
