Quantitative Equity Portfolio Management: Modern Techniques and Applications (Chapman & Hall/CRC Financial Mathematics Series) Review

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(More customer reviews)Update after 1 month of reading:
(1) intially rated 4 stars, should be 5 stars (Good books are hard to find, language factor is minor)
(2) A serious Quant reader can gain a lot of insights from this book.
(3) Some of the discussions are way better than the other QEPM book(by Chincarini & Kim ). Although, this is half of the thickness.
(4) you need to be good with Linear Algebra. It is so much fun to see the authors use Linear equations to solve almost everything.
Short summary:
(1) Some advanced math background is needed (Linear Algebra mostly)
(2) Modern investment ideas are presented clearly.
(3) "Quant" book
(4) The Full 9 yards coverage from basic CAPM, alpha model, portfolio construction, trading and turnover, to attribution.
(5) the non-native author(s) should get some help on the writing.
This is an advanced book for quantitative analyst. On the surface, it does not require special math skills to read, which is nice. But to fully appreciate the ideas, you still need a lot of math background.
Most explanations are clean and easy to understand, even with the sometimes annoying writing skills.
Coverage of the modern investment ideas are quite comprehensive and to the right depth. Going deeper could risk more than 1000 pages, less will risk being superficial. There are certain areas in the investment industry that is not covered in this book, including automatic trading, pattern recognition, Bayesian based analysis, macro investing strategies, and alternative investment strategies. Lightly mentioned behavior finance.
Overall, still a good book to have.


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Quantitative equity portfolio management combines theories and advanced techniques from several disciplines, including financial economics, accounting, mathematics, and operational research. While many texts are devoted to these disciplines, few deal with quantitative equity investing in a systematic and mathematical framework that is suitable for quantitative investment students. Providing a solid foundation in the subject, Quantitative Equity Portfolio Management: Modern Techniques and Applications presents a self-contained overview and a detailed mathematical treatment of various topics.From the theoretical basis of behavior finance to recently developed techniques, the authors review quantitative investment strategies and factors that are commonly used in practice, including value, momentum, and quality, accompanied by their academic origins. They present advanced techniques and applications in return forecasting models, risk management, portfolio construction, and portfolio implementation that include examples such as optimal multi-factor models, contextual and nonlinear models, factor timing techniques, portfolio turnover control, Monte Carlo valuation of firm values, and optimal trading. In many cases, the text frames related problems in mathematical terms and illustrates the mathematical concepts and solutions with numerical and empirical examples. Ideal for students in computational and quantitative finance programs, Quantitative Equity Portfolio Management serves as a guide to combat many common modeling issues and provides a rich understanding of portfolio management using mathematical analysis.

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Is Modeling for You?: The Handbook and Guide for the Young Aspiring Black Model Review

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(More customer reviews)I am just starting out as a model and I had so many questions. Is modeling for you? was the perfect find. It gave me insight into the modeling business and helped me to understand the steps that are necessary to succeed. I feel much more conffident now that I have read this book. Every aspiring model should read it.

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The Ultimate How-To Book for the Young Aspiring Black Model The new national bestseller Is Modeling for You? The Handbook and Guide for the Young Aspiring Black Model is the first and only comprehensive book on modeling written for and about the African-American model. The 272 page book has over 60 pages of Black models, and includes such topics as: Super Models and How they Made it to the Top, Finding an Agency, The Modeling Agency and How it Works, How to be Successful in the Modeling Industry, Planning Your Portfolio, Plus Size Modeling, and Children as Models, plus a listing of leading Black Modeling and Management Agencies and a full listing of Modeling Agencies in the United states, as well as International Agencies. The Handbook and Guide is your constant reference to modeling, the Agencies, where to go, what to do, how to get there, and what not to do in this billion dollar industry. Whether you are aspiring to do runway, commercial print, showroom, trade shows or video modeling nationally or internationally, male or female, teenage or adult, plus-size or child modeling this book is a must have.

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Professional Model Portfolios: A Step-by-Step Guide for Photographers Review

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(More customer reviews)This is not a bad book and I'm not going to trash it. It is, however, like many of the Amherst Media books, a little disappointing for anyone pretty far along in the business. I would consider it a complete beginner's guide to modeling and model photography. In that light, it's a useful and interesting book. I found the photos to be less than stellar and a bit dated, but this is totally subjective. (You can see a lot better by browsing the showcased photos on OneModelPlace.com.)The entire book left me wishing for more. With all this stated, I did learn some things from this book, which probably compensated for the cover price. In short, don't expect miracles from this book.

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This photographer's guide to creating successful model portfolios encourages a dynamic, diversified artistic approach and shares essential knowledge about the modeling industry, portfolio basics, and agency requirements. Photographers learn how to work with models for the best possible results, create and refine a standout portfolio, and sell that product to agents in the United States, England, and Asia. Three actual portfolios are included to help photographers conceptualize, sculpt, and refine their own portfolios to maximize their client's reach in the industry. Photographers learn why particular images were chosen for opening and closing shots, how to arrange the interior images, and what constitutes an appealing design. Featuring information on working with women, men, and children, this book will help new and experienced models and photographers alike in getting the results they desire.

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The Business of Professional Modeling Review

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(More customer reviews)I am really impressed with this book. There is no other book on the market today that gives a comprehensive overview of the business side of the modeling industry. In addition, the book is full of beautiful images that give the reader a real sense of what professional models and professional images look like. If you are an aspiring model, new to the industry or working in the industry but don't understand the business side of it, this is a must read. WELL DONE!

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Learn the facts about the Modeling business from industry professionals.Learn how to set yourself apart from all the other aspiring models who want the same success that you are seeking!This book features the work of more than 100 industry professionals and priceless advice from Professional Models, Photographers, Makeup Artists and more.Order your copy today and take your career to the next level!

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The Professional's Guide to Modeling Review

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(More customer reviews)This is the best info out there!
As a working commercial photographer I have worked with many models, both seasoned and beginners as well as agencies, reps and managers. I have dealt with a lot of beginners and often wanted to give them a source for no nonsense info about the day-to-day issues they are likely to encounter. I have also over the years read several modeling guides to see which ones I should recommend but most fell short in some way. Not this one.
What's unique about this book is that it doesn't just cover the NYC fashion world. That's the problem with lots of books by supermodels and celebrity agency owners are their experience is a very narrow and often an outdated one that extremely few others could benefit from. This book deals with fashion and commercial modeling in both large and secondary markets. It clearly explains the differences too.
Another unique thing about this book is how much it deals with the Internet and it's effect on the modeling industry, both the good and bad aspects of it. It lays out in no nonsense terms how both agency and freelance models can befit from the net and the brick & mortar world. Its glossary of terms is the most comprehensive I have seen and includes many "net" terms that until now have never been codified into one printed source.
I think the best thing about it is the frank discussion of all the scams and sorta scams out there, how to spot them and how to tell the quasi legit from legit. (Sometimes that can be hard) That alone is worth the read.
If you are looking to get into the modeling world I would get this book and really read it before you spend a dime on photos, comp cards, web site memberships, open calls, ect.
Don't get me wrong there are several good books out there but for the beginning model this is the best.


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Covers all aspects of the modeling industry, written by an agent and photographer with decades of experience. Describes modeling types you didn't even know existed, what they require, and how to get into them. Mainstream fashion and commercial modeling, alternative modeling types and the burgeoning new field of Internet modeling discussed in detail. Includes a special chapter on child modeling. Different types of agencies, and what to expect from each. Getting an agency (or getting work without one). What is expected of you by clients, casting directors and agencies. and who are all of those people? How go-sees and shoots work, and the paperwork involved. Modeling and the law: agency contracts, copyright and model's rights, including samples of the commonly used forms. A detailed description of many modeling scams, and the myths that surround them. Model safety. Essay that decodes the things said by photographers and agents that don't mean what they say.

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Posing Techniques for Photographing Model Portfolios Review

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(More customer reviews)Most of the "posing guides" I've seen fall into two catagories. There are the "show 'em a thousand pictures of a babe in a swimsuit in various poses" books. I find those totally useless. I'd rather tear pages out of fashion magazines and make my own book than look at the same girl posed a 1000 different ways in the same black swimsuit.
And then there are the books that are obviously done by someone specializing in senior (as in high school senior, not old folks...) pictures with the requisite wooden rail fence poses, the stairstep poses, and... well if you've seen the books you know exactly what I mean. In fact, Amherst, the publisher of this book, has several of them. I'm not knocking them, it's just that they really are not what I'm looking for...
So it was a pleasant surprise to discover Mr. Pegram's book. While he aims it at producing pictures for models portfolios, it's not to hard to figure out that models want to show off exceptional pictures in their portfolios. Thus the poses are contemporary, sexy -- when appropriate, and generally a cut above the run of the mill. Oh, did I mention the models are all female?
If you're expecting the usual 1/3 of the book on how to use a camera, choose lights, and read a light meter... Surprise, surprise... that ain't none of that. God bless Mr. Pegram!
The images are excellent, the models are attractive, the writing is succint and well done, and there is sufficient information that even a grizzled old pro photographer can probably pick up a few pointers.
[...]
Trust me, if you're looking for a posing guide that looks like pictures you'd want to make, take a look at this book.

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With detailed discussions and eye-catching, dynamic images, this guidebook shows professional photographers how to masterfully create beautiful images of a model to achieve any creative objective. Instructions illustrate basic poses as well as a host of subtle variations to provide photographers with an endless array of looks for editorial fashion shots, athletics, glamour or nude photography, and shots designed to show curves, reveal personality, or showcase the hands, hair, or legs. This comprehensive resource also provides expert advice on conducting a successful session, how to work with the model, how to work with a support staff of image stylists, and tips for designing a high-quality portfolio. Additional lessons provide a start-to-finish analysis of four different shooting sessions, each with a different model and a different objective.

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