Faces Of Hope: Children Of A Changing World; by Alison Wright, foreword by Marian Wright Edelman; New World Library, 14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949; hard cover; 180 pages; $35; (ISBN 1-57731-223-6)
Even in the poorest of countries, the light of hope still shines in the eyes of a child. Its warm glow was the beacon that guided award-winning photographer Alison Wright on her quest around the globe. She has done an magnificent job of filling this book with 200 inspirational portraits of children from various cultures enjoying life with the carefree spirit that only youth can bestow upon mankind. Join her on this fascinating journey through images and heartwarming text, it's a trip you'll never forget.

Vintage San Francisco; photographs by Moulin Studios, edited by Peter Beren; Welcome Books, 6 West 18th Street, New York, NY 10011; hard cover; 160 pages; $16.95; (ISBN 0-941807-31-2)
San Francisco has been in a state of rapid transition since the late 1800s and the fine photographers of Moulin Studios have been there to capture the city's beautiful yet ever changing face. Over 100 gorgeous black and white images and lively quotes grace the pages of this tiny treasure. It is an almost magical combination that cleverly brings the past to life and allows the reader to glimpse a vision of San Fransico from its early days to its near destruction in the 1906 earthquake and the remarkable rebirth that followed. This certainly is a wonderful journey through time that I'm sure you will enjoy .

Shadows And Light: A Photographic Exploration Of The Sea In Black And White; by Jonathan Bird; Jonathan Bird Productions, 59 Old Andover Road, North Reading, MA 01864; www.jonathanbird.net; soft cover; 80 pages; $19.95; (ISBN 0-9728634-0-0)
Photographer Jonathan Bird has a unique and exciting vision of underwater photography. His extremely creative use of black and white transforms this wondrous art form from a riot of intense color into a symphony of pure shape, composition, and tone. The book contains 73 captivating images of lonely shipwrecks, curious whales, and playful dolphins that expertly showcase this photographer's talent. Bird provides a totally different look at what lies beneath the waves so don't miss out on this book. You may purchase this title directly from the author or at www.amazon.com.

Photo Portfolio Success: A Complete Guide To Presenting, Submitting And Selling Your Photographs; by John Kaplan; Writer's Digest Books, 4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236; soft cover; 160 pages; $27.99; (ISBN 1-58297-210-9)
The creation of a successful portfolio can be a daunting task. There are so many important decisions to make regarding the images chosen to grace its pages including the materials which make up the portfolio itself. In spite of all this drama, it really doesn't need to be an impossible task with award-winning photographer John Kaplan lending a helping hand. His guide will show you the best ways to get noticed, all the latest portfolio options available, along with useful tips on how to promote and exhibit your work. This is a wonderful resource for both amateur and professional photographers, so grab your copy today.