Books published by publisher Marcinson Press

Stunning Digital Photography is much more than a book; it's a hands-on, self-paced photography class with over 14 hours of online training videos and free help from the author and other readers. That's why award-winning author and photographer Tony Northrup's book is the #1 photography book with over 250,000 readers. This book gives you five innovations no other book offers: 1) Free video training. Watch over 12 hours of fast-paced, hands-on video tutorials integrated into the book to support and reinforce the lessons. View the videos using any web browser or by scanning QR codes with your smartphone. 2) Hands-on practices. Complete the practices at the end of every chapter to get the real world experience you need. 3) Practice quizzes. At the end of Chapters 2-13 you have the option of taking an online quiz to apply what you learned in the chapter and make sure you didn't miss anything important. 4) Classroom support. Join an author led private community of supportive, helpful people who also want to improve their photography. 5) Free ebook with lifetime updates. When you buy the book and join the private Stunning Digital Photography readers community, you can download the ebook and copy it to your smartphone or ereader for easy reference. The ebook is regularly updated with new content and videos as new photography trends and equipment emerge, so it never becomes outdated. In this book, beginner photographers will master: * Using composition to take great photos with any camera * Adjusting exposure to control the brightness of your photos * Setting your shutter speed to freeze action or blur motion * Controlling your aperture to blur or focus the background * Setting your ISO for bright and dark environments * Finding beautiful natural light for landscapes and portraits * Using flash without the ugly effects * Troubleshooting blurry, dark, and bad pictures * Taking great pictures of pets * Wildlife photography (mammals, birds, insects, fish, and more) * Taking pictures at night, including fireworks, stars, and meteors * Photographing sunrises, sunsets, landscapes, cityscapes, flowers, forests, waterfalls, rivers, fireworks, and more Advanced photographers can skip forward to learn the pro's secrets for: * Posing men and women, with checklists * Taking candid, casual, formal, and underwater portraits * Using RAW files * Using HDR to overcome lighting challenges or create art * Macro/close-up photography * Using diffusers, reflectors, and other light modifiers * Remotely triggering multiple flashes for inexpensive studio lighting * Building a permanent studio in your home * Using studio lighting on any budget * Shooting your first wedding * High speed photography * Location scouting/finding the best spots and times * Planning shoots around the sun and moon * Creating star trails using two techniques: long exposure and image stacking * Light painting * Eliminating noise * Focus stacking for infinite depth-of-field * Underwater photography * Getting close to wildlife * Using electronic shutter triggers

Amazon's #1 rated and best-selling digital photography book, and the first ever Gold Honoree of the Benjamin Franklin Digital Award, gives you five innovations no other book offers:1. FREE VIDEO TRAINING. 100 videos totaling 14+ HOURS of video training integrated into the book’s content (requires Internet access). Travel around the world with Tony and Chelsea as they teach you hands-on. Appendix A lists the videos so you can use the book like an inexpensive video course.2. TEACHER AND PEER SUPPORT. After buying the book, you get access to the private Stunning Digital Photography Readers group on Facebook where you can ask the questions and post pictures for feedback from Tony, Chelsea, and other readers. It’s like being able to raise your hand in class and ask a question! Instructions are in the introduction.3. FREE LIFETIME UPDATES. This book is regularly updated with new content (including additional videos) that existing owners receive for free. Updates are added based on reader feedback and questions, as well as changing photography trends and new camera equipment. This is the last photography book you'll ever need.4. HANDS-ON PRACTICES. Complete the practices at the end of every chapter to get the real world experience you need.5. 100+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS. Ungraded tests teach you to apply what you've learned.6. 500+ ORIGINAL PICTURES. Detailed example pictures taken by the author and his wife in 15 countries demonstrate both good and bad technique. NO STOCK PHOTOS. Many pictures include links to the full-size image so you can zoom in to see every pixel. In this book, Tony Northrup (award-winning author of more than 30 how-to books and a professional portrait, wildlife, and landscape photographer) teaches the art and science of creating stunning pictures. First, beginner photographers will master:* Composition* Exposure* Shutter speed* Aperture* Depth-of-field (blurring the background)* ISO* Natural light* Flash* Troubleshooting blurry, dark, and bad pictures* Pet photography* Wildlife photography (mammals, birds, insects, fish, and more)* Sunrises and sunsets* Landscapes* Cityscapes* Flowers* Forests, waterfalls, and rivers* Night photography* Fireworks* Raw files* HDR* Macro/close-up photographyAdvanced photographers can skip forward to learn the pro’s secrets for:* Posing men and women. including corrective posing (checklists provided)* Portraits (candid, casual, formal, and underwater)* Group photos* Remotely triggering flashes* Using bounce flash and flash modifiers* Using studio lighting on any budget* Building a temporary or permanent studio at home* Shooting your first wedding* High speed photography* Location scouting/finding the best spots and times* Planning shoots around the sun and moon* Star trails (via long exposure and image stacking)* Light painting* Eliminating noise* Focus stacking for infinite depth-of-field* Underwater photography* Getting close to wildlife* Using electronic shutter triggers

What makes you amazing? That’s what adoptee Jazzy Armstrong has to figure out before the big community talent show. Is she musical like her parents and sisters? Can she make dazzling flower arrangements like her birth mother, score goals on the soccer field like her birth brother, or is there something unique about Jazzy that is nothing like her families? Join Jazzy on her quest to discover just what makes her amazing!

Ever wonder how to “talk adoption” with your adopted or foster child? Rest assured… you’re not alone! Your heart breaks when considering the pre-adoption trauma your child endured. Should you encourage your child to talk about it? The good news is that you don’t have to figure it all out. Let Little Branch lead you and your child into the complexities of adoption through his own story. As he shares his grief, loss, and joy, your child will identify and find new freedom to do the same when talking adoption with you.Reviews:"Little Branch Gets Adopted perfectly combines the validation of adoptee grief with the hope and comfort of unconditional parental love. An open-hearted and generous story, it will touch you deeply. Definitely, one to add to your family’s library! - Carrie Goldman, Author/Speaker, Host of Portrait of an Adoption "Sherrie beautifully captures the foster and adoptive journey in this stunning book. Her words resonate deeply with me as an adoptive mom. My 10-year-old son sat beside me as I read it and he felt that the character, Little Branch, was telling his story. Sherrie paints a picture of adoption that includes feelings of loss, love, heartbreak, and healing. This book will prompt empowering connection and conversation with adoptees and deeper understanding for parents. Every foster and adoptive family should own this book!" - Kristin Berry, Co-founder of confessionsofanadoptiveparent.com

This video book will quickly teach you what every photographer needs to know about Photoshop CC, including: * Removing blemishes and distractions * Creating amazing, natural-looking portraits * Changing the color of clothing and hair * Changing the shape of bodies and objects * Using layers, adjustment layers, and masks * Replacing skies and backgrounds * Straightening lines and buildings * Compositing multiple images together * Changing facial expressions and poses * Creating complex selections and masks * Creating panoramas * Creating actions to automate tasks * Choosing the best image formats * Customizing and configuring Photoshop CCTony & Chelsea go beyond teaching you how to use Photoshop; they teach you why and when to use each feature to create stunning, natural images. When Photoshop isn’t the best tool, they suggest other alternatives.Combining the benefits of video training and book learning, this video book gives you over 10 hours of video and dozens of images to practice with. If you learn better with video, watch the video training and refer to the book for quick reference. For best results, walk through each procedure in the book using the provided sample images. Then, watch the videos to learn more advanced and artistic techniques. If you still have questions, or want peer review, join our Photoshop group on Facebook and get feedback from other Photoshop users.Tony and Chelsea cover every aspect of Photoshop in-depth, but structure their teaching so that both beginner and advanced photographers can learn as efficiently as possible. If you just want a quick start, you can watch the first video or read the first chapter and you'll know the basics of photo editing in less than an hour. If you want to know more about a specific feature, switch to that video or jump to that chapter in the ebook. If you want to know everything about Photoshop, watch the videos and read the book from start to finish.

Ever wonder how to “talk adoption” with your adopted or foster child? Rest assured… you’re not alone! Your heart breaks when considering the pre-adoption trauma your child endured. Should you encourage your child to talk about it? The good news is that you don’t have to figure it all out. Let Little Branch lead you and your child into the complexities of adoption through his own story. As he shares his grief, loss, and joy, your child will identify and find new freedom to do the same when talking adoption with you.Reviews:Little Branch Gets Adopted perfectly combines the validation of adoptee grief with the hope and comfort of unconditional parental love. An open-hearted and generous story, it will touch you deeply. Definitely, one to add to your family’s library! - Carrie Goldman, Author/Speaker, Host of Portrait of an Adoption Sherrie beautifully captures the foster and adoptive journey in this stunning book. Her words resonate deeply with me as an adoptive mom. My 10-year-old son sat beside me as I read it and he felt that the character, Little Branch, was telling his story. Sherrie paints a picture of adoption that includes feelings of loss, love, heartbreak and healing. This book will prompt empowering connection and conversation with adoptees and deeper understanding for parents. Every foster and adoptive family should own this book! - Kristin Berry, Co-founder of confessionsofanadoptiveparent.com

"Chasing Charleigh" helps young adoptees understand adoption, and gently tells a story that includes birth families in a positive, loving family. Told through the eyes of an inquisitive little girl, Charleigh, who asks her adoptive mother about many issues surrounding adoption, including the differences between closed and open adoption, biological and adoptive siblings, interracial adoption, and looking "different" from her adoptive family. The book is sensitively written, with beautiful illustrations, and is designed to guide parents and young adoptees into having comfortable discussions about questions or issues children may have regarding their own family circumstances. Reviews:“Chasing Charleigh” lovingly describes interracial open adoption through the eyes of a child. The inquisitive Charleigh asks many questions, and her mother answers them in an honest and caring way that she can understand. This heartwarming story supports the acceptance of diverse families and the love that can be shared through adoption. - Dr. Gineen O’Neil, Executive Director, Southwest Cook County Cooperative Association for Special EducationA well-written, insightful story around adoption, which is explained throughout the story. Certainly a must-read, tug-at-your-heartstrings book! - Cindy Darling, Director of Technology, Marquardt School DistrictThis story is a sweet, honest, and heartfelt look into open adoption. It truly celebrates the power of unconditional love. - Sharon Ahmann, Angel AdoptionIn an ever-changing world of diversity, this beautiful story about unconditional love, acceptance, and inclusion reminds us all how ultimate love has no boundaries. Cortesi-Caruso opens the door to the what if to bridge two cultures together into one seamless story which brings hope for a new tomorrow. - Dr. Kara Coglianese, School District SuperintendentWhat an honest, genuine portrayal of the beauty of adoption. As a school social worker and a prospective adoptive mother myself, this book gave me hope in my journey. Charleigh’s journey shows the gift this little girl is to the world and to both of her families and should be shared and celebrated! - Stasia Bijak, Licensed Clinical, Social Worker

What really matters most? That’s what biracial open adoptee Jazzy and her new friend, foster child Michael, need to figure out when faced with some tough decisions. Is what matters most being at the coolest birthday party in town? Is it competing in an amazing sci-fi contest? Or is it helping a friend in need? Join Jazzy on her quest to discover what matters most. This is the second book in the critically acclaimed "Jazzy's Quest" series.

Jazzy is a ten-year-old transracial adoptee navigating the complexities of being adopted along with all the typical challenges of being a tween. She and her brother, Carlos, attend a week-long camp specifically created for birth siblings separated by foster care and adoption. Based on a real camp – Camp To Belong – Jazzy, Carlos, and their fellow campers find that spending a week with your siblings can be unexpectedly challenging. The campers learn restorative ways to manage peer social conflict and deepen their bonds with each other.Endorsements for Jazzy’s Quest“Jazzy’s Quest: Camp To Belong tackles topics seldom seen in children’s books while weaving together an engaging story which will interest foster, adoptive, and fun-loving families alike. This book should be in your family’s arsenal of resources for helping to promote healthy conversations.” - Darren Fink, Transfiguring Adoption “A compassionate story that sheds light on children who have been separated from their birth siblings and shows the healing power of family connections.” – Trudy Ludwig, Bestselling Author, The Invisible Boy “As an adopted person, how I related to the importance of Jazzy’s relationship with her birth sibling! I have found eight of my siblings. Siblings ‘connect the dots’ for adoptees, and I’m thankful to the authors for providing literature on this important relationship.”– Sherrie Eldridge, Author of Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew and Little Branch Gets Adopted“This book does a good job of realistically showing what adoptive children might be thinking or feeling due to being separated from their siblings. As a child adopted out of foster care, I was surprised by the true emotions in the book and found myself with goosebumps more than once while reading the story.” – Jasmine Fink, daughter of Darren Fink, Transfiguring Adoption/ “Jazzy’s Quest: Camp To Belong is a beautiful reminder of the power of connection and belonging. For children in foster care, the loss of first parents is often followed by the loss of a sibling/s through separation in placement. I lost four half-siblings when I was placed in care, in the United Kingdom. Healing requires that we share our stories and are allowed to see ourselves in another person’s journey. We empower children when they know that they belong and that they matter: a message that this book delivers with dignity and compassion.” – Michelle Madrid-Branch, International Adoptee, Mom-by-Adoption, Author, Speaker, Adoptee Empowerment Coach

"Chasing Charleigh" helps young adoptees understand adoption, and gently tells a story that includes birth families in a positive, loving family. Told through the eyes of an inquisitive little girl, Charleigh, who asks her adoptive mother about many issues surrounding adoption, including the differences between closed and open adoption, biological and adoptive siblings, interracial adoption, and looking "different" from her adoptive family. The book is sensitively written, with beautiful illustrations, and is designed to guide parents and young adoptees into having comfortable discussions about questions or issues children may have regarding their own family circumstances. Reviews:“Chasing Charleigh” lovingly describes interracial open adoption through the eyes of a child. The inquisitive Charleigh asks many questions, and her mother answers them in an honest and caring way that she can understand. This heartwarming story supports the acceptance of diverse families and the love that can be shared through adoption. - Dr. Gineen O’Neil, Executive Director, Southwest Cook County Cooperative Association for Special EducationA well-written, insightful story around adoption, which is explained throughout the story. Certainly a must-read, tug-at-your-heartstrings book! - Cindy Darling, Director of Technology, Marquardt School DistrictThis story is a sweet, honest, and heartfelt look into open adoption. It truly celebrates the power of unconditional love. - Sharon Ahmann, Angel AdoptionIn an ever-changing world of diversity, this beautiful story about unconditional love, acceptance, and inclusion reminds us all how ultimate love has no boundaries. Cortesi-Caruso opens the door to the what if to bridge two cultures together into one seamless story which brings hope for a new tomorrow. - Dr. Kara Coglianese, School District SuperintendentWhat an honest, genuine portrayal of the beauty of adoption. As a school social worker and a prospective adoptive mother myself, this book gave me hope in my journey. Charleigh’s journey shows the gift this little girl is to the world and to both of her families and should be shared and celebrated! - Stasia Bijak, Licensed Clinical, Social Worker