My Buck Family of Virginia Book

Over the years, a number of people asked if I planned to write a genealogy book about the Buck family.  For a long time, I always said “No, that would be too much work”.  But I continued in my genealogy hobby and even wrote a bit.  I made a blog, “The Buck Family of Virginia”, http://buckfamilyofvirginia.blogspot.com/2007/01/first-posting.html (begun 13 years ago!) and posted to it irregularly.  Not too long ago, I realized that I actually had written a book – it just wasn’t in book form and was not organized very well.  At that point I decided to not attempt to write about the entire Buck family but to write a book about my direct ancestors and a few other interesting family members.  I did this by cutting and pasting from various articles, posts and emails I had written.  The result is “My Buck Family of Virginia:  The Family Tree of Gordon Sandlin Buck” which was accepted today by Amazon and is available as a Kindle eBook now at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0847R7WG8/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=my+buck+family+of+virginia&qid=1580155175&sr=8-2 .

In a few days, the paperback version should be available at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0842MZMSG/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=my+buck+family+of+virginia&qid=1580155355&sr=8-3 . 

OK, so this is “self-publishing” but it is also “print on demand” so I don’t have to order hundreds of books at a time, keep copies on hand and mail them out.  I’m taking the easy way out and letting Amazon do all the work.  Anyone that wants a copy can order directly from Amazon.

But you don’t have to have a copy of the book to get to the information.  Almost all of the information in the book is available on my Buck Family of Virginia blog.

Mastering Canon EOS Flash Photography

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As I began my learning experiences in flash photography, I came across a very interesting and useful web site, PhotoNotes, by NK Guy.  Because I use Canon equipment, I was especially pleased to find that  a comprehensive section on Canon cameras and flashes was part of the site.  This section reads like a book so I was not surprised when NK Guy's book, "Mastering Canon EOS Flash Photography" was published this year.  I knew that this would be a good book; the only question was "Why buy it?".  Surely the book would be the same material that I was reading for free on his web site.  Well, it is and it isn't.  In the end, I actually bought the book for convenience and as salve for my conscience.

I'm glad I bought the book.  This 419 page book is by far the most comprehensive book that I have on flash in general and Canon flashes in particular.  In his book, NK Guy expands greatly on the information in his web site and illustrates it profusely.  Virtually every page in the book includes at least one photograph or illustration and usually more than one.  Plus, it's a good read -- just finished it. 

Although "Canon" is included in the title, the book also includes a chapter on studio flash, a chapter on flash accessories including various light modifiers, various flash triggers and even third party small flash units.   Of course, the Canon products are described and explained in the most detail.  More than an equipment book, NK Guy also included chapters on basic and advanced flash and lighting techniques.

This is a good book and especially so if you use Canon equipment.

(I bought my own copy and have no affiliation whatsoever with NK Guy -- just liked the book and thought you might like it too.)
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Blurb Book Contest: People's Choice

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In a previous post, I asked for your help
in a book making contest at Blurb. This is one more request for help.

The Blurb contest has drawn in over 2000 contestants from around the world. Apparently Blurb thought there would be several hundred instead of several thousand entries. Blurb has decided to add a "People's Choice" category and allow registered Blurbarians to vote for their favorite. All the contest entries are at this link; my own entry is here.

You can only vote once and must be registered at Blurb to vote. Registration is relatively simple and if you are inclined to make your own book I can recommend Blurb having done three personal books there with a fourth in progress.

Voting ends on September 10 and the winners will be announced September 19.
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Shameless Plug

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In keeping with the saying "He that tooteth not his own horn, the same shall not be tooted." – usually attributed to John L. Lewis – please take a preview of my book, “My Best and My Favorites” over at Blurb.

Blurb.com is a print-on-demand service that my wife and I have used several times to make a few copies of personal photography books. The basic procedure is to download the Blurb software and then, working offline, assemble a book using the Blurb templates. The completed book is then uploaded (takes a while). The software is fairly simple to use although a bit quirky sometimes (especially with text). We think that the Blurb quality is good. The price is, well, expensive at first thought but actually not too bad.

Anyway, Blurb is having a contest and I’ve entered it – along with about 1500 other photographers. The judging is by a panel of experts but it seems that Blurb does track the number of previews so please preview my book and give it a boost in the ratings!

And if you have entered the Blurb contest, well … OK, fair is fair. You look at mine and I’ll look at yours – just leave the link in a comment here and we’ll all take a look.

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