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Summary: Muybridge's landmark photographic studies of human motion
Review: Eadweard Muybridge (1830-1904) was the most significant contributor to the early study of human and animal locomotion, whose extensive studies were acknowledged by such pioneers of motion pictures as the Lumiere brothers and Thomas Edison. If you have ever seen slow-motion photography of a horse galloping and seen how they have all four hooves off the ground at the same time, then you can understand the fascination in the early days of photography of taking a series of pictures of people running, climbing stairs, or dancing. In fact, it was the horse that got Muybridge involved in this work. In 1872 Muybridge was enlisted to settle bet regarding the position of a trotting horse's legs. But using a camera with the fastest shutter speed available only provided a faint image. Five years later Muybridge used a battery of cameras with mechanically tripped shutters to show the what really happens (in fact, a trotting horse and a galloping horse move differently in having all four hooves off the ground simultaneously). Consequently, Muybridge invented the zoopraxiscope, a primitive motion-picture machine, which recreated movement by displaying individual photographs in rapid succession. "The Human Figure in Motion" was first published in 1901 and reflects the work Muybridge did at the University of Pennsylvania, where he had been invited to work at the behest of the painting Thomas Eakins, who painted motion subjects, which explains why art students are even more interested in this book than scientists. Includes are over 160 motion studies of the human figure engaged in everything from dressing to hopping on one foot. There are almost 5,000 photographs in this 390 page clothbound edition. Be warned that most of the models, both adults and children, are "undraped" to use the vernacular of the time. In 1887 Muybridges's most important work, "Animal Locomotion," was published in 11 volumes containing over 100,000 photographs taken between 1872 and 1885. Obviously, "The Human Figure in Motion" is a more accessible way to appreciate Muybridge's groundbreaking work.
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Summary: Muybridges Masterpiece Collection
Review: Eaweard Muybridges work after his success with Animals in Motion, logically would pursue humans doing tasks that would allow us to view humans in motion.With about 4700 photos in this collection, larger than the animals collection, you will see men, women and children doing just about everything short of coition. All models are nude, running, skipping, jumping, carrying pails of water. This collection by Dover, one of the finest publishers around, is a great reference for all artists, especially animators. As it can show them the muscles and movements and positions of weight, balance, footing, head movements and expressions to gain an edge on their drawings for more accuracy. The Walt Disney Animation Studios reading list highly reccomends this collection for every prospective animator.
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Summary: Good Content, Plain and Simple
Review: Muybridge created an extremely comprehensive collection of photos of people engaged in normal activities. For example, he had men shouldering rifles, women walking up stairs, men playing baseball, a little kid crawling, people with disabilities walking, people carrying objects and so on. Not only were the collections in the form of sequences of shots showing the movement, but they were done from several angles at the same time, so you could see the activity (throwing a bucket of water) front, back and sideways. Some folks I knew at Autodesk scanned these images into their computers to test early versions of their Animator products. Others have made animated gifs out of Muybridge photos for their web pages. Others just sit and look at them because it's so interesting to see the care in these shots (not to mention all those charming Victorian hairdos :-)). My only (and this is only) beef with it is the images are quite small. It, and the companion book about animals are very useful and enjoyable, indeed, and there isn't a lot of chatter.
Rating:
Summary: Good Content, Plain and Simple
Review: Muybridge created an extremely comprehensive collection of photos of people engaged in normal activities. For example, he had men shouldering rifles, women walking up stairs, men playing baseball, a little kid crawling, people with disabilities walking, people carrying objects and so on. Not only were the collections in the form of sequences of shots showing the movement, but they were done from several angles at the same time, so you could see the activity (throwing a bucket of water) front, back and sideways. Some folks I knew at Autodesk scanned these images into their computers to test early versions of their Animator products. Others have made animated gifs out of Muybridge photos for their web pages. Others just sit and look at them because it's so interesting to see the care in these shots (not to mention all those charming Victorian hairdos :-)). My only (and this is only) beef with it is the images are quite small. It, and the companion book about animals are very useful and enjoyable, indeed, and there isn't a lot of chatter.
Rating:
Summary: MUST HAVE!
Review: This book belongs in every artist's library. First issued at the end of the 19th century, it has become a timeless reference. The author took quick time photographs of humans in a wide variety of common movements. The result is almost like breaking a film into separate cells. You get a 'blow-by-blow' breakdown of activities from simple walking to pouring water into a basin to sports. Both men and women are showcased, nude, with height reference lines behind. These are 'real' people, not the toothpick female and muscle bound male that have become today's figures to emulate. I hear people say, "I can only draw if I have something to look at," so often it makes me sad. It's OKAY to need something to look at. Artists have used models for centuries untold. You are not a lesser artist because you need something to look at. And this is the perfect 'something.' Great for you because these models never fuss or fidget. They never change their position except in the next photo. I lent my copy to someone and it was never returned. Every time I looked at the place on my bookshelf where it used to sit, a little part of me cringed. I am overjoyed to find the book here on Amazon. Get your copy and take it from someone who learned the hard way --don't let it out of your sight!
Rating:
Summary: MUST HAVE!
Review: This book belongs in every artist's library. First issued at the end of the 19th century, it has become a timeless reference. The author took quick time photographs of humans in a wide variety of common movements. The result is almost like breaking a film into separate cells. You get a 'blow-by-blow' breakdown of activities from simple walking to pouring water into a basin to sports. Both men and women are showcased, nude, with height reference lines behind. These are 'real' people, not the toothpick female and muscle bound male that have become today's figures to emulate. I hear people say, "I can only draw if I have something to look at," so often it makes me sad. It's OKAY to need something to look at. Artists have used models for centuries untold. You are not a lesser artist because you need something to look at. And this is the perfect 'something.' Great for you because these models never fuss or fidget. They never change their position except in the next photo. I lent my copy to someone and it was never returned. Every time I looked at the place on my bookshelf where it used to sit, a little part of me cringed. I am overjoyed to find the book here on Amazon. Get your copy and take it from someone who learned the hard way --don't let it out of your sight!
Rating:
Summary: Great Tool
Review: This book is by far the most useful reference books for cartooning anatomy that I have found. also, much cheaper than buying it at a book store.
Rating:
Summary: Great Tool
Review: This book is by far the most useful reference books for cartooning anatomy that I have found. also, much cheaper than buying it at a book store.
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Summary: don't trust whitey
Review: This book is great if you don't plan on drawing from it. although the pictures are nice ,contrasty black and whites they are small and repetitive. But what do I know? alot of obscure movie quotes.
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Summary: Good Historical Reference but poor Art Reference
Review: This book is of historical interest and shows the genius of Muybridge. It comes practically without text and is simply Muybridge's photo album with lots and lots of images of naked man and women in action. However, to go beyond that and to take the book as an art reference to anatomy, is simply a fallacy. The pictures are so small and the resolution so poor (understandably) that unless you are drawing stick figures, it is simply impossible not usable as a reference.
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