Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful in several ways
Review: This book deserves all of its rave reviews. In addition, it's a terrific teacher of portrait photography. I know that I have tried for years to take pictures of loved ones that could show even half of what I was feeling toward my subjects. So how does he do it? Smith's portraits of beautiful dads and their delicious babies succeed magnificently for a variety of reasons. He uses light and shadow to make a point: for balance and harmony. If a dad's face is partially obscured in darkness, the beaning grim on his baby's face assures the viewer of the dad's (unseen-by-us) big smile. Where a muscled fatherly arm is in view, there is the pudgy softness of the baby's arm. One feels the strength of dad, the vulnerability of baby, and is thrilled with the photo. Torsos, either trim or pudgy, are nearly always balanced and complemented by one another. A dad holds a baby in one hand, and the solidity of the dad's legs - and the calm face of the baby - assure us that the child is safe. Another thing I loved about this book is that it reveals mature bodies - not for their conventional "perfectness," but as vessels of love and (in the dads' cases) protection. It's about bodies, but is never voyeuristic. But it is the faces which are so arresting. Study this book, not only for its message of love, hope, and caring - but for the great advice it offers on how to begin to take much better, if not downright successful, pictures!
Rating: 
Summary: wish i'd known what kind of pictures were in the book
Review: This book is a must-have for new fathers. It highlights the social, mental and emotional evolution of what it is like becoming a father which most anyone can relate to. The black and white pictures are incredibly tasteful and expressive.
Rating:
Summary: New Perspective
Review: This book is a must-have for new fathers. It highlights the social, mental and emotional evolution of what it is like becoming a father which most anyone can relate to. The black and white pictures are incredibly tasteful and expressive.
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: This book is a visual and emotional masterpiece. People say, "A good book is a page-turner", but when experiencing this book, its hard to turn the pages. Each image is enthralling and powerful but at the same another work of art lies on the next page. This is black and white photography at it's best and most special. J. Gerard Smith has captured something on film that is divine. Any Father, Mother, Grandfather, Grandmother, etc. would treasure this book. I give it five stars, two thumbs up, and all that. Congradulations J. Gerard Smith.
Rating:
Summary: The Joy Of Fatherhood
Review: This book is visually stunning. While looking at the photographs I found myself smiling, laughing, and yes, even wiping a tear from my eye. The photos of the fathers and their babies touches the heart. The brief text that accompanies each picture tells about that fathers hopes and dreams for his child. This is the type of book I'll pick up over and over again, not only because of the wonderful photographs, but because it is so uplifting.
Rating:
Summary: wish i'd known what kind of pictures were in the book
Review: when i saw the book cover, i immediately thought the book would be a great father's day gift for my daughter to give my husband. when the book arrived, i was surprised to see that on each page, there was a naked dad with a naked baby. i found it to be a little distasteful, and i was frustrated that nowhere in the amazon book description was it mentioned that the book contained nude dad/baby pictures. while some might find the book fascinating and sweet, i wish i'd had more information on the book before purchasing it. if i had, i wouldn't have bought it.
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