Useful Books and Software

Flash 5 now includes a new full-fledged programming language called "ActionScript" for controlling animation and multimedia. It's a quantum leap from the bare-bones "Actions" supported in Flash 4, andActionScript: The Definitive Guide is the first book dedicated entirely to documenting and demonstrating this new language.

ActionScript includes all fundamental programming constructs (variables, loops, conditionals, functions, etc.), and is inextricably fused with Flash's authoring behaviors and animation timelines. Because ActionScript is based heavily on the ECMAScript Language Specification (ECMA-262) and is syntactically nearly identical to JavaScript, Macromedia expects thousands of existing JavaScript programmers to migrate to ActionScript.

This book is divided into three sections.

• "ActionScript Fundamentals" introduces both programmers and non-programmers to the new language by first describing fundamental programming concepts and then delineating in detail the components, syntax, and usage of ActionScript.
• "Applied ActionScript Code Depot" shows you how to use common applications, such as processing online forms.
• "Language Reference" is a concise and detailed reference that makes all ActionScript globals, properties, and objects, including extensive implementation samples, easy to find quickly.

Code samples are also available from the "Code Depot" on theauthor's web site devoted to Flash developers.

Topics covered in this book include:

• Step-by-step tutorials of the most common ActionScript behaviors
• Object-oriented programming in Flash
• Intelligent interface development
• Server communication
• Dynamic content generation
• Password protection
• String handling
• Message boards
• Basic physics
• Games

ActionScript: The Definitive Guide is structured so both programmers and non-programmers can learn how to use ActionScript. This book will take you well beyond simple Flash animations so you can create your own enhanced Flash-driven sites.

Macromedia Flash is the obvious choice for delivering multimedia over the Web. At the heart of Flash's power is ActionScript, the product's powerful object-oriented scripting language. ActionScript is based on JavaScript, making it easy for Web developers new to Flash to get up to speed. ActionScript: The Definitive Guide is a tutorial and reference to ActionScript that meets the needs of both new Flash developers learning the language and experienced coders who need a daily reference.

Author Colin Moock starts off with a primer to Flash terminology and a quick example application--an interactive quiz. Following that, the book quickly gets down to ActionScript nuts and bolts. The first part covers the basics of the language, such as operators, variable scope, and conditional logic, in a traditional presentation. A few lines of example code illustrate each concept.

Critical topics like arrays, movie clips, and object-oriented programming are covered well at the detail level, though a more extensive example application would really have come in handy to illustrate the big picture. The back of the book contains an excellent reference to the ActionScript language, complete with inline example code. ActionScript is an important tool to master, and ActionScript: The Definitive Guide is a fine means to that end. --Stephen W. Plain

Publisher: O'Reilly
Author: Colin Moock
Release Date: 2001-05
ISBN/EAN: 1565928520 / 9781565928527

New Price: $8.97 / Used Price: $0.36

There's even deliberately bad code here. In a very novel chapter, the book challenges readers to fix 10 faulty Flash files, offering first a clue and then the solution. Since so much of real-life work, particularly in animation applications like Flash, is spent debugging and finding one's way out of a seemingly dead end, this chapter is really valuable. (By going to phillipkerman.com, you can view a detailed description of all chapters, download selected ones in .pdf format, view all completed Flash animations, and download all the .fla files to work alongside the text.)

Another advantage is Kerman's own teaching style. Using many metaphors, he describes how the pieces of script work in a way that is often clearer than mere definition of function, and definitely easier to remember. For example, "If you think of most variables as an empty whiteboard onto which you can write a value, an array is like a whiteboard with permanent horizontal lines separating many pieces of information." It's true that one can copy code and instantly get results, but to devise and debug your own requires the kind of internalized understanding one can get from working through this book. --Angelynn Grant

Publisher: Sams
Author: Phillip Kerman
Release Date: 2001-04-09
ISBN/EAN: 0672320789 / 9780672320781

New Price: $0.50 / Used Price: $0.01

New Price: $32.50 / Used Price: $29.99

• Outdoor techniques for shooting in low light, shooting in bright light, for capturing action, taking profiles, taking group shots, and more
• Indoor techniques for using a flash and strobes, and for shooting silhouettes, working with mirrors, and other techniques
• Photo philosophies and creative advice, such as developing a sense of place, carefully choosing the background, seeing pictures within a picture, and more
• How to photograph people in different cultures, along with fascinating behind-the-scenes stories of photos in the book

The largest section of the book, "Photo Philosophies", lays out several principles for making people pictures. Rick stresses that the camera looks both ways -- in other words, the attitude and energy you bring to a shoot will be reflected in a subject's face. If you're enthusiastic, you'll capture a picture that portrays enthusiasm. If you're impatient or distracted, that will be reflected as well.

Getting subjects to accept him in a matter of seconds is his prime goal as a people photographer -- after that, he says, taking pictures is much easier. Even if you're not a world traveler, Rick's tips and techniques will have you taking top-notch people pictures wherever you are.

Rick Sammon gives more than a dozen workshops and presentations each year, holds online classes, and is the producer of seven interactive DVDs for photographers on all facets of photography.



Whether you're interested in studio photographs, or "environmental" photos of individuals where they live, in Face to Face you'll learn the preparation and attention to detail required to make alluring people pictures.

From the Introduction
The Camera Looks Both Ways
“In picturing the subject, we are also picturing a part of ourselves.�
When it comes to photographing people, that is, no doubt, the most important photo tip I can share with you. “Every picture is a self portrait� is another way of conveying that point. Let me explain. When you are looking through your camera’s viewfinder, viewing and framing a subject, if you realize that the feeling, the emotion, the attitude and the energy that you project will be reflected in your subject’s face--and eyes--you’ll get a higher percentage of pictures that you like. That’s because by your actions, you are subconsciously “directing� the subject to mirror the way you feel. So in looking at the opening photograph in this introduction, I am sure that you know exactly how I was feeling when I took the picture outside a school in Lombok, Indonesia. That’s right! I was having a blast. For all the photographs in this book, I will provide their locations for those of you who may want to know where the pictures were taken. Some of you may find that photographing strangers in strange lands is the ultimate photography experience. For me, getting people to like, or at least accept me, in a matter of seconds in far-away places is my prime goal as a travel photographer. After achieving that goal, taking the pictures is relatively easy--if you follow the tips in this book. Even if you are not a world traveler, however, you’ll find that my tips and techniques for photographing people, for the most part, are the same, no matter where you go. In this book, the one that I’ve dreamed about writing for years, I’ll also share some behind-the-scenes stories. For my Lombok picture, for example, I had just finished doing magic tricks for about an hour in one of the school’s classrooms. I love doing magic tricks when I travel, and it’s also a great technique for “breaking the ice� and getting people to let me into their lives for a few moments. That effort resulted in one of my favorite group shots--a shot that captures the enthusiasm of the school kids. Of course, I’ll also get into the technical aspects of photographing people on the following pages. You’ll learn how to photograph people in low light and in bright light, with a flash and without a flash. You’ll see how reflectors and diffusers can turn a snapshot into a great shot. You’ll understand the difference between an environmental portrait and a portrait--and the difference between taking and making a picture. Camera settings and lenses will also be covered. You’ll find sections on Outdoor Photography and Indoor Photography. In some cases, you’ll be able to use the techniques interchangeably, such as when it comes to posing a group or creating a sense of depth in a photograph. In fact, I will share everything I know about photographing people with you--all while trying to make the learning process fun and enjoyable. Before moving on, I’d like to share three more pictures with you that illustrate my “Camera Looks Both Ways� philosophy.

Check out my pictures of a young woman whom I photographed in Cuba, a Buddhist monk whom I photographed in Cambodia, and a man with face piercing whom I photographed in Cuba. While photographing one subject, I was beaming with joy. For another, I was trying to show an honest feeling of respect. And for another, I was expressing the feeling of, “Man, you look totally awesome.� I don’t have to match the photos with the feeling for you. See! The camera does, indeed, look both ways. Speaking of photo philosophies, if you check out the table of contents, you’ll see that Photo Philosophies is the longest section in this book. That’s because getting a good picture of a person goes way beyond technique. When it comes to photographing a person, you really need to think before you shoot, and that section offers a lot of food for thought. So what about Photoshop? Well, all of the pictures in this book have been enhanced to some degree, even it was only in sharpening, cropping and/or adjusting the brightness, contrast and color of an image. This is not a Photoshop book. However, because Photoshop can help you get a more dramatic, dynamic and artistic images, I’ve included a section at the end of this book that features my favorite Photoshop enhancements when it comes to people pictures.




For now, this before-and-after pair of images of a horse and rider at sunset, photographed at the Ponderosa Ranch in Oregon, shows how simple cropping and a bit of color, contrast and brightness enhancement can turn a snapshot into a great shot.
Ready to get going with some solid tips and techniques? I am. In fact, I can’t wait for you to read the rest of this book--because I truly enjoy teaching and sharing my photographic experiences. Naturally, I also like “revisiting,� so to speak, some of my favorite subjects. Those of you who have attended my workshops and seminars, or have seen my Web TV shows, also know that I enjoy meeting people. For those of you who are joining me for the first time, I hope you enjoy “meeting� me here. Before you go, however, I’d like to share two of my all-time people pictures with you.





Let's look at a portrait of a young girl whom I photographed in Bhutan and a picture of three girls that I photographed in Costa Rica. What I like about these pictures is the direct eye contact the subjects are making with my camera--and me. Connect with your subjects, and your pictures will connect with those who view them.
Understand your subject, and you’ll gain some insight into the soul of the photographer--your soul.








--Rick Sammon
Croton-on-Hudson, NY


Publisher: O'Reilly Media, Inc.
Author: Rick Sammon
Release Date: 2008-05-28
ISBN/EAN: 059651574X / 9780596515744

New Price: $18.57 / Used Price: $16.00

New Price: $26.48 / Used Price: $27.50

About EZ Flash 5:
If you are new to Flash, or an experienced Flash user, you will find this book to be exciting, informative, and offers a wealth of creative ideas and techniques for getting the most out of Flash.

This book provides over 30 short projects and over 100 experimental ideas that cover a variety of effects and techniques such as: Melting Type, Solar Explosions, Animated Typist using ActionScript, EZ Web Games, MP3 Sound Controllers, Dynamic Photography, Fading Web Paint, Motion Trails, Score Keeping for Web Games, Collision Detection, Creating and Testing Preloaders, and Interactive Web Portfolios. There are also tutorials for using Photoshop and Illustrator with Flash and a chapter on reverse engineering interesting Flash web sites. Additionally, this text provides a straightforward introduction to ActionScript. You will enjoy exploring new Flash ideas that are presented in a short (2-8 page), easy to follow, step-by-step format. This book allows you learn, create, and publish a variety of Flash effects quickly and easily.

If you have never worked with Flash you will appreciate the fact that from chapter two, you are producing web content. Rather than describing each palette and menu item, you will learn by doing. The projects were designed by a professional Flash instructor, peer reviewed, and classroom tested, to insure that they are accurate, exciting, and most importantly, easy to understand. Extensive screen shots makes it easier to learn. Short projects, means that you can gain a solid understanding of a single concept before moving onto the next.

For Educators

As an educator, I am sure my friends and colleagues will find this text ideal for classroom use. I could not find the Flash materials that I felt would best introduce new students as well as captivate experienced students. I started writing short projects to illustrate features and techniques in Flash and was delighted by the positive student response. Based on praise from students and colleagues I decided to pull these projects together into a text book. As a fellow academic I am sure you will quickly recognize how this text was designed to fit into different academic situations, and appeals to a variety of different learning styles. Because the projects are open ended this text should fit well with most courses that utilize Flash including Computer Applications, Visual Arts, Publishing, and of course Web and Internet curricula.All course materials (with the exception of the EZ Flash 5 book) on the Faculty only web site, are provided copyright free, for those who decide to use the text in their courses. These course materials are available for immediate use. Finally as a colleague, I am delighted to respond to your questions.

Educators Only: For a review copy in PDF format please email your request to Brad@comcast.net. Include your name, institutions name, academic email, and an office, department, or dept. chair phone number for verification purposes. Review copies are only provided to educators.

Publisher: Trafford Publishing
Author: Bradley Kaldahl
Release Date: 2001-08-01
ISBN/EAN: 1552128997 / 9781552128992

New Price: $30.89 / Used Price: $9.49

• Video on demand
• Live webcasts
• Video chat and messaging
• Shared desktop conferences
• Live auctions
• Interactive whiteboard presentations
• Workflow collaboration
• Multi-user games

New Price: $18.83 / Used Price: $11.79

Author Peter Armstrong walks readers through eleven iterations in which the sample application--pomodo--is variously built, refactored, debugged, sliced, diced and otherwise explored from every conceivable angle with respect to Ruby on Rails and Adobe Flex. The book unfolds both the application and the Flex-on-Rails approach side-by-side.

Publisher: Manning Publications
Author: Peter Armstrong
Release Date: 2008-01-23
ISBN/EAN: 1933988509 / 9781933988504

New Price: $22.73 / Used Price: $23.85

• Uses the VISUAL approach to cover new features of Flash MX.
• Teach Yourself VISUALLY Flash MX is the full-color tutorial with clear, concise, jargon-free instructions with over 500 color screenshots throughout. Jam-packed with information, this book goes beyond the basics.
• Book covers how to create musical tracks, sound effects, dynamic animations, and innovative interfaces; using timelines, adding text effects, and creating tweens.

New Price: $13.95 / Used Price: $0.46

New Price: $17.77 / Used Price: $14.96