The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 - The Unofficial Quintessential Guide is a new title from Rocky Nook. In this guide, authors Brian Matsumoto and Carol F. Roullard explore and explain the features and capabilities of the G2 camera in detail, as they cover everything from the basic features of the camera to numerous advanced photographic applications. Illustrated with a wealth of example images, the 288-page volume sells for $29.95 in the USA and $34.95 in Canada.

Far Too Close is a new book by Martina Hoogland Ivanow which meditates on the closeness to a subject and remoteness from a place. Martina Hoogland Ivanow interweaves family portraits and interiors of home with landscapes of some of the most remote and far flung locations at the very ends of the Earth. Far Too Close costs £29.00 / €34.00 / $46.00 and is available in March 2011.

Exploring North American Landscapes is a new title from Rocky Nook. Author Marc Muench, a third generation landscape photographer, tells his readers his stories as well as those of his father and grandfather, discusses the technical aspects of landscape photography, and shares his own stunning images of various iconic locations throughout North America. The 228-page volume sells for $39.95.

Create Great iPhone Photos is a new title from No Starch Press. Written by technology guru Allan Hoffman, this 224-page book covers a number of photography apps, and explores topics like producing panoramas, HDR imaging, and general post-processing on the iPhone itself. The book can be pre-ordered from O’Reilly at a price of $29.95.

The Bibble Survival Guide by Marco Frissen and Andreas FX Siegert is anin-depth guide to Bibble 5.x. Available as a printable e-book in Adobe Portable Document Format, The Bibble Survival Guide explains how to get the most out of Bibble for newcomers but also has in- depth information for more experienced users. The 200+-page e-book retails for $30, and is available for immediate download from the website below.

Website: Bibble Survival Guide

Why Photographs Work by George Barr is now available in the United Kingdom. Announced last month in the US, the 288-page volume contains analyses of 52 striking images by some of the world’s top photographers. Accompanying Barr’s analysis of each image is an explanation by the photographer describing the circumstances of making the image, including not only the how, but also the why. Also included is each photographer’s biography, a reference to his or her websites and publications, and brief technical descriptions of the equipment used in taking each photo. The book is prioced at £30.99.

GIMP 2.6 for Photographers by Klaus Goelker is a beginner’s guide to GIMP, an open-source image editing tool that runs on Linux, MacOS and Windows. Topics include the basics of image editing and simple adjustments, as well as advanced techniques using layers and masks, stitching panoramic images, and preparing high-quality black and white photographs from full-colour originals. A companion DVD includes GIMP installation files for three operating systems, and a number of freeware programs including IrfanView, Hugin, and much more. The 384-page volume is available for $39.95.

Word on the Street is a new book by photographer Richard Nagler. The 128-page hardcover contains seventy photographs that pair isolated words found in Nagler’s environment with random passersby. “It is the culmination of Nagler’s decades-long project of seeking out words that appear in public spaces and waiting until just the right person walks by to capture photos that are sometimes playful, sometimes poignant, and always arresting,” the publisher says. Word on the Street is available now from Heyday, at a price of $25.

White Knight Press has just released a new title, the Photographer’s Guide to the Leica D-Lux 5: Getting the Most from Leica’s Compact Digital Camera . This book is a follow-up to the author’s earlier guides to the Leica D-Lux 4, Panasonic Lumix LX3, and Panasonic Lumix LX5 digital cameras. The new book, like the earlier ones, explains all operations, features, menus, and controls of the camera in clear language, providing guidance not only about how to accomplish things with the camera, but when and why to use certain features. In addition, the book goes beyond the realm of everyday photography, and provides introductions to more advanced topics such as infrared photography, street photography, digiscoping, astrophotography, and creating 3D images that can be viewed with conventional red and blue 3D glasses. The book is available now in PDF format for download through the website below at a price of $9.95.

A star is Born: Photography and Rock since Elvis is a new book published by Steidl & Partners. Tracing “how stars on both sides of the camera shape the image of musicians and rock bands,” this book contains glamour portraits, journalistic documents of live performances and PR materials from record labels. The 340-page hardcover sells for £26 in the UKm $48 in the USA and €30 in the euro zone.

The updated and newly revised edition of Bruce Barnbaum’s The Art of Photography: An Approach to Personal Expression, published a month ago in the US, is now available in bookshops across the UK. With well over a hundred photographic illustrations in both black-and-white and colour, as well as numerous charts, graphs, and tables, this book presents the world of photography to beginner, intermediate, and advanced photographers seeking to make a personal statement through the medium of photography. The 364-page volume is available at a price of £34.50.

Before Color, a new book published by Steidl, contains 152 black-and-white photographs by William Eggleston, all taken before he embraced colour film. These photos, found in the archives of the William Eggleston Artistic Trust, depict suburban Memphis as it was in the 1950s and 1960s. Captured on high-speed 35mm film, the images were printed by Eggleston himself, and recently scanned for this publication. “This book reunites these photos in their entirety, and shows the artistic beginnings of a pioneer of contemporary photography,” the publisher says. The 200-page hardback is available now for £40/$65/€48.

In Rocky Nook’s newest title, Why Photographs Work, author and photographer George Barr analyses 52 striking images by some of the world’s top photographers. Accompanying Barr’s analysis of each image is an explanation by the photographer describing the circumstances of making the image, including not only the how, but also the why. Also included is each photographer’s biography, a reference to his or her websites and publications, and brief technical descriptions of the equipment used in making each image. The 288-page volume is available from O’Reilly for $39.95 /  £30.99 .

Professional photographer Tamara Lackey has just released a 100-page book and 90-minute DVD tutorial entitled Capturing Life Through Better Photography. Complete with before-and-after images that highlight Tamara’s tips, and simple sketches and lists to illustrate her points, the book aims to improve the skills of everyday photographers. Topics covered include lighting, composition, depth of field, and more; presented within a framework of typical shooting scenarios like Action, Group Settings, Babies & Children, Landscapes and Pets. The complete bundle sells for $59.99, but the DVD and the book can also be purchased as standalone products for $27.99 and $34.99, respectively.

Polaroid Hotel is a new project started by photographer Patrick Hoelck. “I decided to pay tribute to the dying art of Polaroid photography with a book of images and an exhibition that capture intimate moments of my career through the years,” Patrick says. “I wanted to show that just because a certain technology has aged it doesn’t have to lose its appeal.” If you would like to help Patrick make this happen, visit the project’s Kickstarter page to read more and make a pledge.

An updated and newly revised edition of Bruce Barnbaum’s The Art of Photography: An Approach to Personal Expression has just been released by Rocky Nook. With well over a hundred photographic illustrations in both black-and-white and colour, as well as numerous charts, graphs, and tables, this book presents the world of photography to beginner, intermediate, and advanced photographers seeking to make a personal statement through the medium of photography. The 364-page volume is available at a price of $44.95.

Photoshop Elements 9: The Missing Manual is now available in the UK. The book premiered last month in the US. “Elements 9 has some major new features, like Layer Masks, and the Organizer for Mac, that are very powerful but not easy to figure out, as well as some fun new features that you may well overlook if you don’t know where to find them,” says author Barbara Brundage. The 640-page “manual” can be yours for £34.50.

Mastering the Nikon D300/D300S by Darrell Young guides readers through camera features with step-by-step setting adjustments, colour illustrations, and detailed explanations for each option. Each button, dial, switch, screen, and menu configuration option is explored in a user-friendly manner, with suggestions for set-up according to various shooting styles. The 416-page guide is available for $34.95.

The Photographer’s Guide to the Panasonic Lumix LX5 by Alexander S. White is a new book from White Knight Press. A follow-up to the author’s earlier guides to the Leica D-Lux 4 and Panasonic Lumix LX3 digital cameras, the Photographer’s Guide to the Panasonic Lumix LX5 explains all operations, features, menus, and controls of the camera in clear language, providing guidance not only about how to accomplish things with the camera, but when and why to use certain features. The 268-page paperback is available now on Amazon for $24.95. An electronic version in PDF format can be downloaded from the publisher’s website, priced at $9.95.

La Maison is a new series of books by Lesothan photographer Koto Bolofo. Bolofo’s dream came true in 2004 when he started working for Monde d’Hermès, photographing craftsmen making handbags, saddles, scarves, prêt-à-porter, and shoes. The result is a collection of 11 books published by Steidl. Priced at £103 / €115 / $125, La Maison will be released in December.