Extreme macrophotography opens up a new world for photographers, particularly biologists. By photographing subjects way beyond just life size magnifications, this book takes you a step closer to the very cells that make up organisms. Written with clarity and detail, Julian Cremona's book is the perfect guide and sister title to Extreme Close-Up Photography and Focus Stacking. His enthusiasm for and knowledge of his subject makes this book an essential companion for everyone interested in photography and discovering the minutiae of the natural world. Advises on equipment and on low-cost and DIY photography solutions. Explains how to use a microscope and its potential for photographers. Instructs how to light, support and prepare a subject for best results. Covers focus stacking: how to produce composite images with incredible depth of field. Encourages experimentation and suggests ways to develop extreme close-up ideas. A superb guide to taking stunning, detailed photographs at x5 to x30 magnification and more. Captures nature as rarely seen before. Will be of great interest to photographers, biologists, naturalists, scientists and natural historians. A natural companion title to Extreme Close-Up Photography and Focus Stacking.
Time and circumstance often prevent the perfect photograph from being taken. This book explains how to enhance an image using readily available software in order to obtain the photo you wanted to take. It explains how to analyse a photograph to recognize what needs to be done, and then shows how to improve it. Instead of being a guide to one specific software program, the book looks at different styles of workflow and process. It covers transferable skills and uses a variety of software for all budgets. Written with accessible clarity and practical detail, this book is a must for everyone who enjoys their photography and wants to take their images to the next level. Topics covered include: the digital image and the terms used, from pixels to histograms; software to suit all budgets, from the best of the free programs to the most expensive; downloading, organizing and viewing images; the essential elements of the image (how it was exposed, the tonal range, noise and sharpness) and finally, further options such as (composition, monochrome, colour palette and cloning tools). Examples of real photos and problems are given, along with step-by-step guides to how they can be rectified. It is a must for everyone who enjoys their photography and will be of great interest to biologists, naturalists, scientists and natural historians as well. It is superbly illustrated with 218 colour photos. Julian Cremona is a passionate photographer who specializes in extreme close-up photography and focus stacking.
This practical book explains what is meant by macro photography and how to get even closer to your subject: not just a close-up of a butterfly, but details of the eye and wing scales. The techniques described explore ways to photograph virtually any creature, whether terrestrial, marine or from freshwater. All the key elements to achieve extreme close-ups are built in a clear way, for both outdoor and studio use, and special attention is given to focus stacking, with both software and further enhancements covered. Topics covered include an explanation of the equipment and techniques needed to gain extreme close-ups; advice on different lighting and support equipment, including the practicalities of tanks and aquatic organisms; suggestions on how to achieve sharpness, detail and ultimate depth of field; and coverage of all aspects of focus stacking with ideas for improvement. Step-by-step examples cover a wide range of wildlife. Superbly illustrated with 219 colour photographs.
Rocky Shores explores the species, communities and landscape of the narrow strip of land surrounding much of the British Isles. While it may be limited in extent, this habitat is incredibly biodiverse, and this insightful book details all the patterns of marine life that might be encountered on sheltered and exposed shores, from the inhospitable splash zone to the repeatedly submerged lower shore, and everything in between. Comprehensive chapters accompanied by exceptional photographs cover various members of the rocky-shore community in turn: striking lichens that colourfully adorn the rocks; seaweeds that have sustained human settlements for millennia; mysterious and often spectacular worms and their relatives; molluscs with variously configured shells; spiny-skinned echinoderms that move using tube feet; arthropods that range from tiny marine insects to heavy-clawed crabs; and microscopic species that drift around at the mercy of the tides. Rock pools provide pockets of diversity dotted across the shore, while the strandline at the high-tide mark supports a unique assemblage of microbes and invertebrates that attracts a variety of birds and mammals. For anyone with a love of the shore – from the occasional rockpooler to avid naturalists – this book is a must for your collection.
color photos and charts, truly comprehensive, covers camera, its structure, how-to-use techniques, downloading, scanning, printers, section on computers
In this third edition of the classic Verdi, renowned authority Julian Budden offers a comprehensive overview of Verdi the man and the artist, tracing his ascent from humble beginnings to the status of a cultural patriarch of the new Italy, whose cause he had done much to promote, and demonstrating the gradual enlargement over the years of his artistic vision. This concise study is an accessible, insightful, and engaging summation of Verdi scholarship, acquainting the non-specialist with the personal details Verdi's life, with the operatic world in which he worked, and with his political ideas, his intellectual vision, and his powerful means of communicating them through his music. In his survey of the music itself, Budden emphasizes the unique character of each work as well as the developing sophistication of Verdi's style. He covers all of the operas, the late religious works, the songs, and the string quartet. A glossary explains even the most obscure operatic terms current in Verdi's time.
A historical analysis of the course of military operations and political machinations in Italy at the turn of the sixteenth century. The First and Second Italian Wars begins with the French conquest of much of Italy. But the French hold collapsed. The second French invasion gained Northern Italy. This time, the French allied with the Pope’s son, Cesare Borgia. Cesare managed to double deal too many people; his efforts ended in disaster. The French agreement with the Spanish allowed them to retake Naples only to be defeated at the Garigliano by the famous general, Gonzalo de Cordoba. These wars were not just another series of medieval fights. These battles were different from what had gone before: the French utilized a new method of artillery transport; the Spanish commander formulated a new system of military unit organization, and Cesare Borgia sought different systems of raising troops and forming states. And all the powers managed to spend vast amounts of money the likes of which no one had imagined before. This was the emergence of the so-called Military Revolution. Praise for The First and Second Italian Wars 1494–1504 “An amazing account of medieval warfare between two of Europe’s principle nations.” —Books Monthly (UK) “This is a fascinating, detailed look at these crucial wars, placing the military campaigns in their political context—the world that inspired the writings of Machiavelli, and you can see where he got his inspiration from!” —History of War
Full and authoritative, this history of the techniques for dealing with geometric questions begins with synthetic geometry and its origins in Babylonian and Egyptian mathematics; reviews the contributions of China, Japan, India, and Greece; and discusses the non-Euclidean geometries. Subsequent sections cover algebraic geometry, starting with the precursors and advancing to the great awakening with Descartes; and differential geometry, from the early work of Huygens and Newton to projective and absolute differential geometry. The author's emphasis on proofs and notations, his comparisons between older and newer methods, and his references to over 600 primary and secondary sources make this book an invaluable reference. 1940 edition.
This probing analysis of three works by Giotto and the patrons who commissioned them goes far beyond the clichés of Giotto as the founding figure of Western painting. It traces the interactions between Franciscan friars and powerful bankers, illuminating the complex interplay between mercantile wealth and the iconography of poverty. Political strife and religious faction lacerated fourteenth-century Italy. Giotto’s commissions are best understood against the background of this social turmoil. They reflected the demands of his patrons, the requirements of the Franciscan Order, and the restlessly inventive genius of the painter. Julian Gardner examines this important period of Giotto’s path-breaking career through works originally created for Franciscan churches: Stigmatization of Saint Francis from San Francesco at Pisa, now in the Louvre, the Bardi Chapel cycle of the Life of St. Francis in Santa Croce at Florence, and the frescoes of the crossing vault above the tomb of Saint Francis in the Lower Church of San Francesco at Assisi. These murals were executed during a twenty-year period when internal tensions divided the friars themselves and when the Order was confronted by a radical change of papal policy toward its defining vow of poverty. The Order had amassed great wealth and built ostentatious churches, alienating many Franciscans in the process and incurring the hostility of other Orders. Many elements in Giotto’s frescoes, including references to St. Peter, Florentine politics, and church architecture, were included to satisfy patrons, redefine the figure of Francis, and celebrate the dominant group within the Franciscan brotherhood.
Now in full colour, this new and revised edition of The Hospital Autopsy presents a clear and systematic approach to safe and effective modern autopsy practice for pathologists. It begins by discussing issues such as legislation governing autopsies, religious attitudes and ensuring safety, before covering the procedures of external examination, evi
A thorough introduction to the theory of algebraic plane curves and their relations to various fields of geometry and analysis. Almost entirely confined to the properties of the general curve, and chiefly employs algebraic procedure. Geometric methods are much employed, however, especially those involving the projective geometry of hyperspace. 1931 edition. 17 illustrations.
Julian Budden provides a look at the process of putting an opera together, the cut-and-slash of nineteenth-century Italian opera, -the struggle to find the right performers for the debut of La Boheme, Puccini's anxiety about completing Turandot (he in fact died of cancer before he did so), and his animosity toward his rival Leoncavallo (whom he called Leonasino or "lion-ass"). Budden provides an analysis of the operas themselves, examining the music act by act. He highlights, among other things, the influence of Wagner on Puccini--alone among his Italian contemporaries, Puccini followed Wagner's example in bringing the motif into the forefront of his narrative, sometimes voicing the singer's unexpressed thoughts, sometimes sending out a signal to the audience of which the character is unaware. And Budden also paints a portrait of Puccini the man--talented but modest, a man who had friends from every walk of life: shopkeepers, priests, wealthy landowners, fellow artists. --From publisher's description.
Pick up where Classic FM leaves off What does classical music mean to the Western World? How has it transformed over the centuries? With such a rich tradition, what relevance does it have today? Julian Johnson inspires readers to explore the field, and examines how music is related to some of the big ideas of Western experience including spirituality, emotion, the weight of history, and self identity.
What is the true depth of love and commitment? On the road to being forgiven, and tasked to aid those that are lost, Blaeciel, a newly born Cherub seeks to answer just that when his charge, a girl named Deirdre, commits suicide. While battling demons from his own past, Blaeciel attempts to find his beloved in the lowest depths of the universeTartarus. On his journey he confronts many foes, friends, and unlikely allies, but on his quest to find one he runs the risk of losing himself. This novel explores the true path, and pains, of redemption, and how true love can help one to see paradise even in the darkest regions of Hell.
P. T. Barnum is looking for more attractions for his touring shows. The year is 1882 and Barnum's special agent, Henry Feder, seeks out a wonderful new violinist, Nicolaties. It is more than forty years since Europe's greatest violinist, Nicolo Paganini, died without last rites. A few people wonder why Nicolaties looks, behaves, and plays violin like that famed Paganini, but Henry Feder is starting to see an even bigger picture. There has been a struggle with Paganini's son and the church over burial of Paganini's unblest remains that strangely seems to focus on Nicolaties. Also, Nicolaties' vampire mentors do not like competition grabbing their star talent, and wonder if they should start clearing the field by converting Henry into a snack. As luck would have it one of the mentors, a female vampire finds something in that first bite she didn't bargain for, and Henry enters the fray acting more for the mentors than P. T. Barnum. Ultimately, artificial lightning crashes from the hand of a dark electrical genius, Nikola Tesla and the final battle begins.
This vibrant history examines the wars of three Byzantine emperors: Nicephorus II Phocas, John I Tzimiskes, and Basil II “The Bulgar Slayer”. In Byzantium Triumphant, Julian Romane presents an in-depth chronicle of the many wars waged by Nicephorus II Phocas, his nephew and assassin John I Tzimiskes, and the infamous Basil II. Capturing the drama of battle as well as the strategic operations of each campaign, Romane depicts the new energy and improved methods of warfare developed in the late tenth and early eleventh century. He also sheds light on the court intrigues and political skullduggery of the period. These emperors were at war on all fronts, fighting for survival and dominance against enemies including the Arab caliphates, Bulgars, and the Holy Roman Empire, not to mention dealing with civil wars and rebellions. Romane’s careful research, drawing particularly on the evidence of Byzantine military manuals, allows him to produce a gripping narrative underpinned by a detailed understanding of the Byzantine tactics, organization, training and doctrine.
The first popular history of irrational numbers and their discoverers, from ancient Greece to the twenty-first century The ancient Greeks discovered them, but it wasn't until the nineteenth century that irrational numbers were properly understood and rigorously defined, and even today not all their mysteries have been revealed. In The Irrationals, the first popular and comprehensive book on the subject, Julian Havil tells the story of irrational numbers and the mathematicians who have tackled their challenges, from antiquity to the twenty-first century. Along the way, he explains why irrational numbers are surprisingly difficult to define—and why so many questions still surround them. Fascinating and illuminating, this is a book for everyone who loves math and the history behind it.
Rocky Shores explores the species, communities and landscape of the narrow strip of land along our coastline. Limited in extent it may be, but no other habitat in Britain is as extreme and dynamic. As the tide ebbs and flows, physical and chemical conditions can alter dramatically in a matter of minutes, yet an impressive number of life forms have adapted and even thrive in these challenging conditions. Rock pools dotted across the shore contain unique pockets of diversity, while the strandline at the high-tide mark supports a curious community of microbes and invertebrates that in turn attract birds and mammals. John Archer-Thomson and Julian Cremona gently guide the reader through the patterns of marine biodiversity that might be encountered on sheltered and exposed shores: from the inhospitable 'splash zone' to the repeatedly submerged lower shore, and everything in between. In addition to the ecology, there is also much to be said about our cultural and historical links with the shore, and the authors also reflect on what the future may hold for this beautiful but vulnerable coastal ecosystem. Filled with stunning photographs of rocky shores and their extraordinary inhabitants, this book will appeal to anyone with a love of the shore – from the occasional 'rockpooler' through to enthusiastic naturalist.
Bringing together the theory, structure, and practice of legal reasoning in an accessible style, this book explains how to uncover and exploit the mysteries of legal materials. It draws the student into the techniques of legal analysis and argument and the operation of precedent and statutory interpretation.
For its last eighty years, the Western Roman Empire was ruled by emperors who were unable to provide the leadership demanded by the crisis the Empire faced throughout this period. Power was exercised instead by the commanders of the Western armies, the magisteri militum or Masters of the Soldiers, four of whom stood out – Stilicho, Constantius, Aetius and Ricimer. Challenged by barbarian invasions, constantly diminishing resources, and indifference and sometimes hostility from the imperial court, the Senate and the Roman people, these men prolonged the existence of the Empire in the West beyond what would otherwise have been its natural span. This book tells the story of the collapse of the Western Empire, as seen through the lives of these individuals, a collapse that ended more than political and military structures, that encompassed the end of an ancient pagan culture and the inception of the age of Christianity.
Seashores - An Ecological Guide provides an easy-to-use, authoritative reference to commonly occurring organisms. By looking at the habitats of the coastline, it focuses on key species you are likely to find. The book explains how these organisms have adapted and how they are able to cope with the environmental stresses of the seashore. With over 400 colour photographs, the guide looks first at the physical and biological features that determine our coast before surveying the variety of communities that exist on our shores. These include: rocky shores; sand and mud; estuaries; salt-marsh; sand dunes; shingle and plankton. An easy-to-use, authoritative reference and guide to the seashores and its habitats, which is superbly illustrated with 436 colour photographs.
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