Book Description

Gardens are unique creations, reflecting not only the landscape, flora, and climate of their environments but also the heritage-the history, architectural styles, and influences-of the cultures that made them. From the fountain gardens of the Iranian desert to the whimsical "Garden of Cosmic Speculation" in Scotland, from the Zen gardens of Buddhist temples to the Impressionist gardens in Giverny, the huge variety of gardens around the globe is a testament to our age-old desire to tame and refashion nature.

In The Most Beautiful Gardens in the World photographer Alain Le Toquin celebrates the diversity of these manmade landscapes, capturing 31 of the greatest public and private gardens on five continents, including Majorelle in Morocco, the Versailles gardens outside Paris, the Keukenhof flower show park in The Netherlands, and the Huntington Gardens in California. With more than 150 images and 12 gatefolds featuring spectacular panoramic photographs, this gorgeous book will captivate travelers and garden admirers alike, and will inspire gardeners themselves with fresh ideas for design, horticulture, and use. AUTHOR BIO: Alain Le Toquin, a former specialist in ornithology and animal ecology at the Natural History Museum in Paris, has been a photographer specializing in both culture and nature for more than 20 years. Jacques Bosser, a writer and translator for design and photography books, was a contributor to Abrams' The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World. Michel Baridon leads a history and research group for the French National Council of Parks and Gardens. He has published several books on gardens. ... Read more

Book Description

An updated bestseller, this book of extraordinarily beautiful photographs of nature contains state-of-the-art instruction on how any photographer can aim for equally impressive results every time a camera is focused on the great outdoors. Even highly skilled photographers are often baffled by the problems facing them when they work outdoors. But with this exceptional field guide in hand, every photographer-beginner, serious amateur, semi-pro, and pro-can conquer the problems encountered in the field. Using his own exceptional work as examples, the author discusses each type of nature subject and how to approach photographing it. Specific advice and information cover selection of equipment and lenses; how to compose a shot; how to get close ups; and other tips covering a range of techniques to enrich various types of nature photographs. ... Read more

Reviews (44)

Very useful information, irritating style
I've read this book cover to cover several times and I have to say it has greatly improved my understanding the technical aspects of photography and my results have improved rapidly. I highly recommend the book, especially to beginners like me. That said, I have to say that when I'm looking through the book for the umpteenth time for advice and technical information, the condescending, know-it-all tone that the author occasionally adopts to make his point gets really irritating and detracts from my enjoyment of the book. Also, although the brand-specific information is probably useful for Nikon users, and in the cases of some kinds of equipment like tripods, for people with large pocketbooks, it is of little use to people with other systems or limited budgets, and once again this makes me as a reader feel a bit like a second-class citizen. My point is that John Shaw is a very experienced photographer and decent writer who has collected a great set of useful tips into a handy book, but I wish he would stop bragging about himself and his equipment in the process.

Great advice for all photographers
John Shaw is a master photographer who excels at communicating his knowledge in very clear and concise language. This book is a marvel of efficiency as he covers topic after topic in highly succinct fashion. While keeping each section brief, he manages to teach a lot in the clearest way possible.

Many tips on how to get correct exposure and strong composition are in here as well as techniques for macro photography. Also, a significant portion of the book is devoted to considerations when purchasing equipment and the information is invaluable.

As others have pointed out, the equipment he favors is not cheap but some seem to miss the entire point of those chapters. Shaw does not give the reader a shopping list. He discusses the pros and cons of various equipment and encourages you to weigh the trade-offs to develop your own equipment list. Since much of the better equipment is expensive, this may mean rationing your money to get the best bang for the buck.

This is an excellent book. It covers a variety of topics with a rare clarity that makes it a must have for any serious photographer.

Excellent Author
I won't dwell on this topic, but I've consumed many photogrpahy books in recent years and John Shaw is an excellent writer that gets his point across. I wish I had read it earlier than I did because it is fantastic. He writes exceptionally well and drives his point home from multiple angles. He starts with the essentials like exposure and.... I just can't say enough about the way John is able to communicate photographic concepts and photography in general. The best I have ever read. Second to John's book is, Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs With a Film or Digital Camera by Bryan F. Peterson; Bryan is also excellent. If you buy two books, buy these.

Very nice for advanced and beginner
Great information and reference. Yes, the gear he discribes is pricey pro stuff but its guide to what is best, and from there you can judge what you need or can afford. At least you know that you need a ball head, or that composite tripods are really not worth the price, and how to test tripods in a store.
Nice tips on conditions that I did not know even existed, like snow, there are 3 or 4 different ways it will expose film, all different. Snow is not white like you think, it depends on the weather. Great tips through out the book. I don't read it cover to cover. When I pick it up I just open it and read a few pages on that topic. Great stuff and great examples. Shoting images for over 35 years. I have already used some tips and my outdoor pictures are a notch better. And thats the bottom line, right?

Excellent book
A lot of practical techniques, very easy to follow ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Comprehensive, informative and readable
I found this to a great book for the budding close-up photographer. First, it is very comprehensive, covering all areas of macro know-how in enough detail to get you going. It takes you through, step-by-step how to control your macrophotography to achieve various effects, with lots of sage and practical advice along the way. As other reviewers have noted, his writing is incredibly clear and easy-to-read. I found his explanations to be very intuitive, and several times whilst reading I thought "yeah, but what about...", and, boom, there was the answer in the next paragraph. Impressive. Some suggestion its getting out of date, but really (aside from some equipment examples, which are precisely that anyway) this stuff doesn't get out of date. Its written for film photography, but even if you're doing digital macro, the majority of this book (exposure,tripod use, flash, framing, background control, etc, etc) is still equally relevant. Gripes? Hard on the credit card - I know I need a decent tripod each time I refer to it (and a new lens, and a...)! And spending too much time reading it rather than taking the bloody photos! Its really good.

An Inspirational Book
This book is worth the price for the breathtaking images alone. More importantly, John Shaw's ability to explain complex photographic issues and techniques with clarity makes this one of the best "how to" books I have ever read on any topic.

Here are a few of the book's features that I especially appreciate with each re-reading:

1. Thorough technical details beside each shot; 2. Emphasis on appreciating nature, and enjoying nature photography; 3. Appreciation of good photo gear for its effectiveness and convenience, combined with suggestions for improvising to reduce expense (such as how to shoot arresting closeups without investing in a macro lens); 4. Lots of Nikon-specific equipment references, but mentions Canon equivalents; 5. Ethical, urging photographers not to harass creatures or damage plants in the wilderness; 6. Did I mention the breathtaking images?

His newer "Nature Photography Field Guide" is also brilliant,and equally full of superb images, valuable tips, and further inspiration. There is little overlap between the two.

"Closeups in Nature" opens up a new world of perception and expression for photographers. Treat yourself or a photographer friend to a copy.

Close up on Closeups in Nature
One of the most readable books on closeup photography has to be Closeups in Nature. Each chapter, while dealing with the subject, goes into very understandable detail on how to go about taking photographs of the little things. Each chapter describes using different types of equipment, from the most simple and inexpensive products, to the very precise and obviously costly. Most of us, I'm sure, fall somewhere in between. He also covers not only types of film, but the differences in film brands. If you truly have a passion for this type of photography, Mr. Shaw's book is a "must read."

All you need to know and more
Like all of his books excellent text with clear, easy to understand concepts and instructions. This has definitely improved my close up work or at least removed several of the mistakes I use to make.

Excellent Book, Well Written, Awesome Photographs
John Shaw's were the first books I read on photography, after the Canon camera manual, and his books are the absolute best you can find.
The photographs are brilliant, no doubt. But what makes this book special is that almost each photograph is explained. You not only get to see great photographs, but also get an insight into what went into the composition of the photograph itself. Small things like using a tripod, not relying too much on filters, and the use of macros rounds off this excellent book.
This book, John Shaw's Landscape Photography, and 'Nature Photographer's Complete Guide to Professional Field Techniques' make it a must-have for any budding as well as experienced photographer.
If you have read some of his other books (like the ones I mention above) you may find some concepts being repeated, but they are so essential to good photography that they are well worth being read and re-read.
Go ahead, beg, borrow, or buy this book. (No, do not steal :) ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Animal portraits
Walter Schels fotos are stunning portraits of creatures great and small. They provoke a whole range of feelings on the viewers side, some are witty, some proud, some rather funny, clever, serious etc., but always admired beings in their own rights. The book is a statement of the authors underlying love for the animal kingdom.

Recommended for photography and animals enthusiasts!
Walter Schels' photography of animals provides oversized, black and white pages filled with close-up portraits of farm animals and others, displaying striking differences in features and expressions. Artists with a special passion for animals will find this packed with diverse images which, when seen under one cover, do a fine job of displaying animal characteristics and animal art. ... Read more

Book Description

"When I'm really old and can't use myself anymore, this is what I'll be doing." -Cindy Sherman

"Not only was I enthralled with Mrs. Ballard's Parrots, I was slightly jealous that these creatures had a better sense of style than me." -Isaac Mizrahi

In the late 1960s, Long Island housewife Alba Ballard decided to sew a little outfit for one of her many pet parrots. Soon she began staging elaborate productions, casting her lavishly costumed birds in scenes from popular movies, TV shows, and historical events-all preserved in photographs by Alba and her husband. One minute, parrots were tiny, winged incarnations of such luminaries as Sonny and Cher and General George Patton; another, yellow and green macaws in leather jackets rode on miniature motorcycles reenacting scenes from Easy Rider. Word of Alba's quirky creations spread, and with her feathered cast she eventually appeared on Late Night with David Letterman, Saturday Night Live, and even in Woody Allen's film Broadway Danny Rose.

In 1992 a small collection of her photographs turned up in the Swiss home of Elizabeth Taylor, and they soon reached the hands of Arne Svenson. Although Alba died in 1994, her fantasy world lives on in these pictures-a bizarre yet endearing mix of artistry, kitsch, and humor-which form the heart of this irresistible book. AUTHOR BIO: Arne Svenson is a New York-based photographer whose work has been shown extensively in the United States and Europe. He is the author of Prisoners and Sock Monkeys. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Birds scare me.
But when I saw them dressed as Sonny, Cher, General Patton, Liberace, and/or Little Red Riding Hood I screamed all right, of absolute laughter. Arne Svenson's wonderfully respectful book on Alba Ballard is a view into the world of a unique artist who used her pet birds as the protagonists in fantastic surreal tableaus based on 1970's movie and TV scenes, historical occurances, and fairytales.The photos walk a fine line between humor and pathos and offer somewhat satirical, and I am sure intended, comment on the culture of the time.

I am certain that when Mrs. Ballard created these images she was looked upon as a "bit odd" and perhaps even laughed at. I mean, let's get real, she was a housewife in Long Island who designed and created tiny bird costumes, velcroed them onto her pet parrots and made them run around miniature stages while her husband snapped the camera. Not exactly your typical neighborhood gal. However, with this marvelous volume, I think that Mrs. B is having the last laugh. Buy this book, and you will laugh along with her.

Just knowing this book exists makes the world a better place
Alba Ballard was the kind of woman who dressed her various parrots in outfits (astronaut, Batman and Robin) and put them in little scenes (Easy Rider, cowboy saloon) and then photographed or filmed them. In otehr words, Alba Ballard was a GENIUS!

Combining her love of birds, theatre and pop culture. she created tableaux that would likely fetch kajillions of dollars and make her the darling of the art world today, but back in the 50s and 60s primarily only garnered her scorn and weird looks. Alba's story is fascinating, funny, and frankly inspirational and touching.Just imagining Mrs. Ballard in her Long Island home, late at night, arranging her parrots in a faux bedroom with little overturned champagne glasses is enough to make one dazzled by the human spirit -- and the forebearance of her parrots! (As a parrot owner myself, I can't imagine trying to get any of my birds in one of these get-ups without losing a finger.) ... Read more

Book Description

Stephen Green-Armytage, author/photographer of Abrams' enchanting Dudley: The Little Terrier That Could, has now produced a unique adult book, introducing the bizarre and beautiful world of exotic ornamental chickens. His startling pictures present an international selection of breeds ranging from the Bearded Silkie and the crested Polish to the majestic Phoenix, whose tail feathers can exceed 10 feet in length.

Chickens of all sizes, shapes, and colors parade through these pages, as Green-Armytage captures the surprising and expressive personality of these amazing birds. For breeders, this will be a volume they must own; for everyone else, it will be a revelation, prized for the sheer enjoyment of the striking photographs and the extraordinary animals they portray.

STEPHEN GREEN-ARMYTAGE's photographs have appeared in many books and magazines. Author and photographer of the Abrams book Dudley: The Little Terrier That Could, he lives in New York City.

165 photographs, 160 in full color, 9 x 10" ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Extraordinary is absolutely correct!
If you have any interest in beautiful birds of any species, I suspect you will like this book. The photography is of the highest quality and Mr. Green-Armytage has a wonderful way of presenting the birds as special characters, not just standard poses. He has done a wonderful job of selecting a wide variety of lovely chickens from both British and American poultry shows. There is just enough text to whet one's interest in the breeds. Unfortunately, the index only has page numbers for the photos. Descriptions of the birds need to be hunted up on your own. But you bought it for the photos of lovely, strange and cute/funny birds.

If you thought chickens all look alike-think again!
I recently picked up a copy of Extraordinary Chickens & was delighted with both the photo layout & the treatment of the subject. The author (who some may remember from the photo article on chickens in Life magazine in the early 1980s)consulted with chicken experts & exhibitors around the world to produce this feast for the eye - a wonderful collection of the bizarre & the beautiful - most people will be astonished at the variety of colors, shapes, & sizes available in the world of the pure-bred exhibition chicken.

More than Extraordinary, it is brilliant!
The book teaches, it enlightens and it delights. The photographs are truly extraordinary and not just for the aficionado of rare poultry. The entire book is simply a feast for the eye and with very useful text. A perfect gift for the chicken lover in your life.

note card size
Buyer beware - these note cards fold to 3"x5".

all the pretty chickens
What's not to like? This book contains many lovely photographs of chickens. Chickens can be beautiful, too, you know. They are not just senseless creatures pecking in the dirt until their lives are one day summarily ended on the chopping block. They like to dress it up and step out on occasion, just like everybody else.

Now, this tome should not be read as some type of argument for a chicken eugenics, whereby the beautiful and unique are spared, while the homely, the overly-wattled, and the splay-footed are consigned to the workhouse, laying eggs for your McMuffin in silence and disgrace. Far from it. This book is a celebration of all chickens, for all chickens.

Vive la chicken. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

The book is like taking course in photography
Brenda is a terrific teacher. Her book is written in easy to understand language. Her variety of techniques discussed and beautifully illustrated will keep a photographer busy for a long time. For the beginner it is like taking a course in creative photography. For the more experienced photographer it is a wonderful review.

Creative Nature and Outdoor Photography
Brenda Tharp is a gifted nature photographer and teacher. Her images bring a sense of freshness and unique perspective not found in more traditional collections of outdoor photographs. Aspiring photographers, from the beginner to the advanced amateur, will find this book extremely helpful.

I can't understand why everyone else gave this book 5 stars
I bought this book sight unseen, based on the strength of all the 5-star reviews below. My mistake. It's a decent enough book, with lots of nice photos, but in my opion it certainly doesn't deserve a 5-star rating. There isn't anything in this book that isn't in dozens of other photography books, and there's nothing outstanding in it. It's not a bad book at all, but it's not a great book either.

Delightful
This is a delightful book in which concepts for creative photographs are cogently explained and illustrated with consistently strong images. This book could well have carried a subtitle something like -- "A Composition Toolkit". Very useful -- perhaps even inspirational -- for all skill levels.

Take More Creative Photos!
This book is well written and easy to understand. It includes a ton of great photos, which illustrate the points Brenda is making. My photographs have definitely become more creative and unique because of Brenda's tips. Her book challenges me to look for photos that aren't my "normal" compositions, which has resulted in getting more creative and satisfying photos. ... Read more

Book Description

For more than ten years, wildlife photographer Steve Bloom traveled all over the world, roaming through the jungles of Borneo, the African savannahs, and the frozen banks of Antarctica to assemble this dazzling collection of photographs of animals in their natural environments. With an international range that is rare in books of animal photography, the 200 photographs in Untamed bring to life a vast panorama of animal diversity, and of the landscapes, climates, and habitats in which they live.

Here we see the serene gaze of a gorilla relaxing in the trees, a shark jumping in midair to catch its prey, a Siberian tiger traipsing through the snow in search of food, and penguins congregating on an ice floe. Bloom's anthropomorphic approach reveals rage, tenderness, and even humor in his subjects, capturing those fleeting moments when the gap between animal and human seems to disappear altogether. These amazing images, augmented by a personal account of Bloom's unforgettable career as a wildlife photographer, make Untamed an essential volume for all animal and photography lovers. AUTHOR BIO: Steve Bloom is an award-winning wildlife photographer who also founded his own wildlife stock photo agency and fine print gallery in the mid-1990s. His first photography book, In Praise of Primates, has been published in ten languages. His other publications include Thank You for Being a Friend! and We Are Family! . ... Read more

Book Description

From the hush of an old-growth forest to the skyline of Seattle, WASHINGTON II stimulates all the senses. Lush woodlands and dramatic waterfalls, misty coastlines and snow-dusted mountains, twinkling nightlife and vast yellow wheatfields-all await you in this enticing book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Washington II
This is the best photographic essay of Washington. The pictures are lightyears above the competition. True artwork. I am sending this book to friends in London for a good view of life here. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Art meets earth science in Earthsong, a gallery of spectacular aerial photographs by Bernhard Edmaier. Reproduced in full color on oversized pages, the patterns of deserts, glaciers, volcanoes, and grassland often resemble abstract paintings. But the wisdom of this book lies in its pairing of beautiful images with brief explanations by geologist Angelika Jung-Huettl of the forces that produced these startling effects. Divided into four parts--Agua (water), Barren (tundra), Desert, and Green--Earthsong is full of surprises. The action ranges from the brilliant, firecracker-like explosion of lava fields on Mt. Etna in Sicily to the sci-fi shapes of boiling mud pools in Waiotapu, New Zealand, powered by sulphur gas. On Disko Bay in western Greenland, a delicate embroidery of fine-grained ice has been shaped by wind, waves and frozen fog. The pristine clarity of early morning light reveals huge swaths of rolling and rippling orange-red sand in the Namib Desert of southwest Africa. Subtly meandering patterns worthy of a master etcher are carved into the icy wastes of Iceland by the action of volcanic dust, snow, sun and wind. While most of the book surveys sparsely inhabited regions, geologic action is also observed next door to major population centers. Cutting a dark ribbon through a lush meadow in eastern Germany, the Tollense River and its hungry algae will eventually erode and conquer the entire valley. Quietly acknowledging the effects of global warning, Earthsong literally hovers above the earth to reveal the effects of the interconnected forces that continue to shape our planet. --Cathy Curtis ... Read more

Amazon.com

Jane Goodall is the most famous primatologist, possibly the most famous field biologist, of the 20th century. Her chimpanzee research did more to increase human knowledge of the lives of our closest relatives than that of any other scientist. It's in large part due to her example that primatology is the closest thing to a female-dominated science.

But in 1986 Goodall gave up fieldwork for a higher, more pressing calling: rescuing chimpanzees from inhumane conditions in captivity and preserving the species from extinction. Jane Goodall: 40 Years at Gombe is a pictorial tribute to her life, her studies of the chimpanzees, and her unflagging efforts to motivate human beings on their behalf.

"Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference." Goodall began her research by giving the chimpanzees names, by observing them as nonhuman individuals. Her activism is directed toward the human individuals: scientists who use apes in research, Africans who live near wild apes, children in Africa and in the industrialized world who can learn to value other creatures for themselves. Goodall says of this last project that "I think Roots & Shoots is probably the reason I came into the world. Yet I couldn't have done it without all those years with the chimpanzees and an understanding that led to a blurring of the line between 'man' and 'beasts.'" --Mary Ellen Curtin ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent tribute to Goodall's life and work
_____I bought this book for my girlfriend, who is a huge fan of Jane Goodall. But I find myself picking it up and reading through it a lot. This book is an excellent read, for the casual animal lover as well as those with a deep interest in primatology.

_____The book covers much of Jane Goodall's life, including biographical info, historical research milestones, and even those special moments that make Goodall the concerned activist she is. It has well-written text and beautiful, high-quality photos. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Jane Goodall, especially those who do not know much about her and would like a starter reference book.

A Worthy Devotion to an amazing Woman!
At 14, I admire and sulute Ms. Goodall! Her work and devotion to some the most fascinating of animals is absolutely stunning! I think that over her 40 wonderful at Gombe, she has developed a beautiful relationship with these animals, and you can definetely see and feel their love with this book! Everyone who has ever read her dazzling books or has any knowledge or admiration for Jane's hard and unmistakably hard work will enjoy this timeline of a stunning woman's life in Africa! Enjoy! ... Read more

Book Description

Award-winning photographer Adam Kufeld takes on the always popular subject of flowers in a fresh and provocative way, using a close-range lens to describe the intricate, surprising forms hidden inside blossoms. His macro lens allows Kufeld to capture detail invisible to the naked eye, and take advantage of the naturally brilliant color and suggestive forms of petal, stamen, and pistil to create images that transform their subject. His elegant, stylized, seductive portraits depict common garden flowers, including morning glories, bougainvillea, daisies, poppies, lilies, zinnias, roses, and passion flowers, as well as more exotic varieties, such as orchids. His original GiclÈe prints, on traditional watercolor paper, have been hugely successful in exhibition. Flowers: Portraits of Intimacy includes more than 60 photographs captioned with the common name of the flower and an introduction by acclaimed floral designer Rebecca Cole. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A visual, exquisite journey
Adam Kufeld's book on flowers is a pure delight. It is a fantasy book in the truest sense -- it allows your imagination to soar as these beautiful photographs take you from the depths of the sea to the farthest reaches of outer space, all in the limitless creation of your mind's eye. Kufeld's photographic vision turns flowers into abstract paintings, into fantastic creatures, into images so sensual that they should be viewed in the privacy of one's boudoir! Kufeld leads us into the delicate private sanctum of the heart of the flower, revealing the intricate gloriously rich world that is so easily overlooked in our hurried lives. What a delicious treat!

Flowers: Portraits of Intimacy
Stunning!!! I have just poured over my copy of this book and am amazed by the depth, color and sumptuousness of these photographs. Flowers will never look the same after you see this book. Mr. Kufeld has explored the inner sanctum of one of nature's greatest wonders as though it were uncharted territory. His gentle touch and perceptive eye have rendered the universe hiding behind each petal like a magical netherworld.

The Poetry of Flowers
The images in Flowers: Portraits of Intimacy, by Adam Kufeld, are reminiscent of Georgia O'Keeffe's erotic portraits of flowers, yet each one is wholly original. Kufeld brings details--a pistil, stamen, or ring of petals--into sharp focus, letting the background become softly blurred. The result of this selective emphasis is the creation of foreground and distances, so that each orchid, lily, daisy, and rose becomes a world unto itself, a beautiful, intoxicating world that the viewer longs to enter. Kufeld has captured the poetry of flowers--starbursts, silvery cascades, lips, fingers, and dazzling flesh. This is not photojournalism or scientific photography: it is exquisite art.

Visually Enchanting
I have always been a huge fan of close-up photography, especially when the subject-matter is nature. I recently saw this book, and was amazed at the clarity, and the intense colors eminating from each page.

I will definitely be passing this one on to family and friends who appreciate incredible photography like I do!

Flowers As You Have Never Before Imagined Them
This is an exquisite book.Through the expert use of microphotography, Mr. Kufeld transports us to a world within flowers which defies the imagination. Combining consummate photographic skill with the vision of an artist, Kufeld presents flowers as though they were paintings. The images are passionate and sensual. They awaken all of the senses. One sees flowers in a new and special way after spending time with this book. This is a book for self reflection, for giving to someone you really care about. It is for plant and flower lovers, lovers of nature, lovers in general. And if there is someone who is not particularly into flowers, this book may well give them a new perspective. ... Read more

Book Description

The Photographs of Ansel Adams with the Writings of John Muir

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Ansel Adams whose landmark early photographs of wild America, originally taken for the Works Progress Administration, fill the pages of this splendid volume.Adams' breathtaking images are accompanied by excerpts from the writings of Sierra Club founder John Muir, the renowned conservationist who devoted his life to celebrating and preserving the American wilderness. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Great Book
If you're a fan of Ansel Adams, you will absolutely love this book. It's 127 pages of breathtaking photography with poetic writings by John Muir. The images fill the entire page while subtle text accompanies the photographs. "I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out until sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in." These passages work hand in hand with the photographs giving a meditative quality about them. For a split moment you actually feel like you are physically standing in that surrounding and experiencing the beauty of nature. Adams and Muir work as a unit to document this beautiful phenomenon we call nature and present it to us in this book called America's Wilderness.
This book allows you to appreciate the beauty of America from the vast mountaintops to the endless plains to the ever-changing cloud formation. He captures the essence of Mother Nature and all her minute details. This book would be far from complete if it were not for the eloquent writings of John Muir. Though Muir has long passed away, his writing, fortunately, will never depart.

Great book!
If you're a fan of Ansel Adams, you will absolutely love this book. It's 127 pages of breathtaking photography with poetic writings by John Muir. The images fill the entire page while subtle text accompanies the photographs. "I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out until sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in." These passages work hand in hand with the photographs giving a meditative quality about them. For a split moment you actually feel like you are physically standing in that surrounding and experiencing the beauty of nature. Adams and Muir work as a unit to document this beautiful phenomenon we call nature and present it to us in this book called America's Wilderness.
This book allows you to appreciate the beauty of America from the vast mountaintops to the endless plains to the ever-changing cloud formation. He captures the essence of Mother Nature and all her minute details. This book would be far from complete if it were not for the eloquent writings of John Muir. Though Muir has long passed away, his writing, fortunately, will never depart.

Great Images
If you're a fan of Ansel Adams, you will absolutely love this book. It's 127 pages of breathtaking photography with poetic writings by John Muir. The images fill the entire page while subtle text accompanies the photographs. "I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out until sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in." These passages work hand in hand with the photographs giving a meditative quality about them. For a split moment you actually feel like you are physically standing in that surrounding and experiencing the beauty of nature. Adams and Muir work as a unit to document this beautiful phenomenon we call nature and present it to us in this book called America's Wilderness.
This book allows you to appreciate the beauty of America from the vast mountaintops to the endless plains to the ever-changing cloud formation. He captures the essence of Mother Nature and all her minute details. This book would be far from complete if it were not for the eloquent writings of John Muir. Though Muir has long passed away, his writing, fortunately, will never depart.

Awful quality
This book is not worth the paper, believe me! I don't know if it's because 'printed in China', but the photos are not comparable with other Ansel Adams books or calendars. Please don't mix it up with the hardcover version which is >100$.

Awful printing quality bad shadow detail, poor sharpness
Terrible printing quality of photos that are obscure because they're not that good. Whether the lack of sharpness in these is down to the paper, the printer, or the photographer (yes, even Ansel took crap at times, and people seem determined to publish everything he ever did, however bad!), I don't know, but the lack of sharpness and the awful shadow detail make this book an absolute waste of time. Maybe it will impress a non-photographer (simply so they can boast having a book of Adams's shots) - but a photographer is wasting their money. ... Read more

Book Description

Three years ago Yann Arthus-Bertrand's Earth FromAbove-the result of a five-year airborne odyssey across five continents-was published around the world to critical and popular acclaim.Now, Arthus-Bertrand's monumental achievement is available in a revised and expanded edition: Here are all the astonishing original photographs together with 17 new images and authoritative new texts by world-renowned environmentalist Lester Brown and other well-known ecologists-all at the new low price of $45.00!

Arthus-Bertrand's remarkable aerial photographs offer the most revealing and spectacular portrait of our world ever created. Produced under the sponsorship of UNESCO, the book is also a unique documentary record of the state of the world's fragile environment. ... Read more

Reviews (53)

good subject, great presentation, fair execution
When I first saw this book, I figured it was exactly what I was looking for - striking perspectives and colors of the earth like the Orbit book, but from a lower altitude. The amazing images on the front and back cover make you belive this. Although there are a good bunch of these types of pictures, most photos are neither close and abstract enough to feel artsy, nor wide and far enough back to encompase an entire scene. It felt as though it wanted to be one way or the other - as though many shots were cropped arbitrarily from some greater image. The wide format of the book has potential for dramatic compositions, but few of the images seem to take strong advantage of this.

However, the printing and binding of the book is so excellent, its worth the price of admission alone. The prints themselves could use a bit more saturation, but the 365 glossy photos, heavy duty spine, and massive color and subject variety make this a good find none the less.

Soak in a Book Well Worth Every Cent (it sells itself)
I saw this amazing exhibit, "La Terre Vue Du Ciel", of Yann Arthus-Bertrand's in the Jardin du Luxembourg Senat when I was in Paris a few weeks ago. The exhibit included much larger-than poster-sized photos that are some of the same photos contained in the book. They were spectacular and breath-taking. Stunning really. But if you can't afford to go to Paris, or if you can't get a hold of a poster of his work, this book is a fantastic collection of awesome, thoughtful, inspiring, thought-provoking, and humanistic usually unseen images taken from above Earth, that have an incredible aesthetic beauty. I can't recommend this book more highly. I was going to purchase 3-4 of them myself for me and my family and friends. However, I waited to get back to the US before doing so since they are large and very heavy due to the high-quality paper the photos are printed on. I was sorry they would not fit in my luggage as I had wished to stare at the photos for many hours on the plane trip home. Many kudos to Yann Arthus-Bertrand for an outstanding artistic work! Bravo! I hope to see another exhibit by this talented photographer in Paris or the U.S. in the near future.

A world above
I seldom buy books on impulse. This volume? I saw it and bought it. Use all the superlatives here. Not that the photography is spectacular which it is, not that the subjects are perfectly framed which they are and not that the colors are strikingly vibrant which as you will see is true. But even if all these things were not true this book transports me to hundreds of places I want to go. They are pictures of places I dream of all over the world. And let me tell you a story. My dad is in the hospital with little chance of recovery [82 and has had a good life] I know he has always wanted to travel but because of life circumstances he has not. In this book there are 365 pictures of all the places he's always wanted to go. I held each one up to him as he lay in his hospital room and he wept with the dreams that never happened. I love this book and have bought two more since as gifts. Simply the best and I never buy picture books.

Exhibit is the only thing better!
If you go to the exhibit-- you'll feel you MUST have this book. If you don't go-- this is second best!

Great joy and a few minor complaints
This is a wonderful book, one that you can spread in front of yourself and a loved one (it is a big, heavy tome). The captions do tend at times to "leap" to moralizing remarks about matters ecological, but that's fine with me, especially given the depressing political attitudes toward conservation over the last few years. Anyone who can nudge public opinion back to concern for the environment is doing a real service. A few minor complaints about the book, though: 1. Those who have seen the outdoor exhibition of these images in London or Paris will find the versions here are not quite as tight or vibrant. 2. The spreading of the images across two pages breaks many of the powerful views down the middle. (I wonder if the 24-hour format is bound differently, as it appears on the Amazon site.) 3. Perhaps the most striking image, one of the great dromedary caravan photos (P. 173) appears only on the caption flap in miniature form. The large image to which it supposedly refers (pp. 178-79) has been replaced by a slightly different, and less powerful, image (cropped differently and with darker shadows obscuring the surreal Z-pattern of the dune-and-dromedary shadow). But these are petty objections. A wonderful book for fans of photography and nature, and a great gift. ... Read more

Book Description

Any ocean lover knows the transformative power of the ocean wave and its perfect confluence of energy, water, and light. Waves offers a mesmerizing collection of photography that explores the many faces of the singular ocean wave, whether it is the quiet rush of a crystalline wavelet over tropical sand or the deadly slam of storm surf against Oregon cliffs. Former editor of Surfer magazine, Steve Hawk has selected photographs from New Zealand to Newfoundland, from Fiji to the Aleutians, and paired them with insightful ruminations on the science and poetry of waves. With work from world-renowned photographers such as Art Brewer, Jeff Divine, Wayne Levin, and Joel Meyerowitz, Waves will captivate all those with a passion for the sea. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Beautiful and Charming
This is a Wonderful book! The pictures are very beautiful, vivid!
And the verses are lovely...I am just thrilled to have bought a copy. Our Public Library even ordered a copy after having looked through mine. Outstanding!! Truly.

A Photo Collection Of Great Interest
I lived in London for two years a decade ago and so had the opportunity to travel extensively through the stunning countryside of England and Scotland. I never made it to Ireland however and so purchased Irish Blessings in order to have a good look at what I missed. TOO MUCH!

This collection of photographs was taken from a number of different sources. It is a lovely, well-assembled collection indeed and many of the plates are of a very high quality. All are of interest.

The book is broken up into three distinct parts with the first concentrating on the land itself. The second part, "...Home And Hearth," includes numerous shots of both the interior of Irish dwellings and photographs of a diverse sampling of buildings, often in sumptuous settings. The final segment of Irish Blessings is devoted to means of travel about the country which includes photographs of boats by the sea, rivers, roads through the countryside, and the odd bicycle or two propped up against a wooden covered bridge or a village pub waiting to provide simple transport to their owners.

There are not many people represented in the collection but photographs of animals that are integral to Irish country life are ubiquitous . One photo of a dog lazily resting upon the back of a horse is devine. And a picture of a cow atop a wondrous stone wall abutting the sea offers a unique, special image.

The photographs in this portfolio are matched with Irish verse and song. That is a nice idea but I only wish that a bit of text which conveyed something about the locations depicted had been included as well. As it stands, there is no way to know where in Ireland each photograph was taken unless one was very familiar with the country beforehand. A small problem perhaps, in an offering of great beauty and spirit.

A Beautiful Coffee Table Book...
I guess I'm partial to Irish things, but I think this is a beautiful book. Pages are split between pictures...landscapes, buildings, homes, and text... Irish blessings (May the road rise to meet you...etc.) and Irish poets. Not a book to read staight through, but a great display book for you and guests to thumb through during idle moments. ... Read more

Book Description

Every gardener who seeks to capture the fleeting moments of perfection in plants and gardens must inevitably turn to photography. In this remarkably clear and informative book, celebrated photographer Ian Adams provides detailed instruction in every aspect of the art and craft of garden photography, from selecting the right equipment to starting a garden photography business. Chapters include such topics as digital cameras, film, filters, sharpness, exposure, abstracts, close-ups, lighting, preparing the garden, garden structures, gardens through the seasons, finding fine gardens, and making color prints. Filled with the author's first-hand experience and expert wisdom, The Art of Garden Photography is certain to be a treasured reference for gardeners and garden photographers. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

the book we have been waiting for
This is in every respect a masterpiece. Competence, didactic skill, glorious photographs and beautiful layout - you find it all in this book. My only quibble: A hardcover edition would have be more practical (pages open flat) and durable. ... Read more

Book Description

The companion to the Oscar(r)-nominated film, Winged Migration is the definitive visual account of its subject: the extraordinary flights of migrating birds around the world. Migration is an enigma. Who knows why the cuckoo, born in Europe, flies alone to the far forests of Africa, home of its ancestors? Or how the Arctic tern can fly over ten thousand miles on its astonishing journey from pole to pole? Winged Migration follows single birds and whole squadrons on their restless flights seeking answers to such riddles. The result is a tour de force that is testament to the patience of a globe-trotting team of filmmakers and ornithologists. With its informative text, Winged Migration offers both the general reader and the dedicated bird watcher a bird's-eye view of five continents and a grand, yet intimate, portrait of the secret life of birds. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Winged Migration by Perrin
This book is perfect for a school project. It contains full color
pictures of birds in the natural environment. There are pictures
of the Guacharos of the Andes, the Snowy Owl and many other
denominations on every continent including Antartica. The
presentations are larger than life depictions of nature.
Birds are shown in the migratory state; wherein, it is not
unusual to travel beyond 10,000 miles to a final destination.
The volume is well worth the price charged. This would make a great gift for the student in your house. The pictures are
on par with the National Geographic Magazine presentations
of birds in their natural habitat.

Winged Migration -- the book
My interest for this book was sparked by my having seen the video of the same name. The book, however, goes beyond the video in that it identifies specifically "the players" -gives descriptions of them, their migratory patterns, their habits and habitats, as well as explaining by example the filming of the movie. If you have not seen the video, it will open a whole new world of bird migration to you. The migrations will become, to the reader, so important, majestic, and exciting in and of themselves. The premise, very simply, is that birds migrate to survive. The book will take the reader beyond his own responsibilities of commuting to work every day; it will reaffirm for the naturalists the necessity of living each day within an already pre-established harmony ; it will move any reader to higher levels of tolerance and compassion as, with its reading, one feels with absolute and great starkness how we all fit together on this planet. The book is truly an uplifting masterpiece. And it is magnificently photographed and presented. As long as birds are migrating, this book will be timelessly and repeatedly appreciated for its, as well, as the birds', utter beauty. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Bridging the gap between floral decoration and art/sculpture
In this exquisitely photographed volume of cutting edge (forgive the pun) floral decorator and Dutch flower shop owner Daniel Ost's innovative floral and leaf/branch/twig sculptures, this artist in greens, browns and multi-colored flora attempts to bring us into a totally new realm of plants and flowers as art and architecture. The narrative is written in three languages (depending on the edition, mine was in German, French and English). The photography demands that the reader extend his or her senses to try to understand how articles formerly animate could possibly be intertwined into seemingly brand new, even shockingly nouveau, inanimate statements of artistic freedom: some soaring sculptures of fine vines wrapped around deep purple stems and white.yellow lilies; other basketlike formations of plant material interwoven with flowers so small that one has to imagine the fine tiny winds gently rustling this very Japanese, Zen-like water lily (looks alive but isn't).

Daniel Ost is one of the European plant/flower artists, designers and photographers who have made such an impact on art-as-live material. You have to see these photos and carefully read the challanging narration to understand why you will never again be able to look at plants or flowers the same way you do now. Ultimately, Daniel Ost is telling us that although flowers and plants used for decoration must be cut from (separated from) life; the beauty and the architectural integrity of these materials in the hands of a contemporary master can work a miracle of design and function which results in forms that transcend everything we know about traditional floral arranging. ... Read more