Reviews (14)

Currently one of the two best books for LF photography
Thank you Jack for sharing your thoughts, methods, and vision with all of us less talented photographers.

This book along with John Fielder's LF book are THE guides for today's LF photographers. Many LF photographers in the past began with Adam's three texts; however, today many have switched to saturated transparency film. Thus, a new reference is needed. And that reference is... Jack Dykinga's Large Format Nature Photography. Buy it, you will not be disappointed.

Large Format Nature Photography
I found this book to be filled with valuable tips/advice. It gives an excellent overview of Composition, Light, Focusing the Camera, Lenses, Exposure,Film, and Filters, Gear and Weather and Career. Each chapter is to the point and has Jack's beautiful photographs for use in illustrating each point he makes. Many of the photos have information regarding the lens used with additional info that ties in with the text itself.

I can assure any landscape photograper who shoots large format or is considering stepping up to large format that this is a must have book. Even though I've been using a 4X5 for nearly 10 years I have learned a great deal from this book. Actually, I've read most of it 3 or 4 times already. I can't wait to leave on my next trip so I can put the things I've learned to use.

Not what I had hoped for - but OK
This book is light on technical information unless you happen to use the exact same equipment as the author. This is primarily a personal journal and not really an instructional volume. Pictures are OK.

Excellent, sound advice, beautiful images.
Though I don't do large format photography, I found this book very interesting to read. It is literally packed with sound advice and lots of beautiful images. Well worth the money.

Large Format Nature Photography-It's a must have!
I have only recently made the move to large format photography and welcomed the publication of Jack's book. Not only are the photographs inspiring but there is a great weath of technical information to help with composition, exposure and camera movements. It is always interesting to learn how photographers work and this book gives insights into how Jack works a situation to get the photograph.
The section on camera movements is particularly helpful. Jack has created excellent pictorial diagrams to show the effects of camera movements on the focusing plane. In addition there are chapters on film exposure, reading the light and filters.
Making the commitment to large format photography can be a very daunting experience. This book helps. It is an excellent reference tool. One that I would not be without. ... Read more

Book Description

While millions of people view the Grand Canyon from the rim each year, only a handful float the Colorado River in small wooden dories, run the roughest rapids in North America and explore the many beautiful side canyons accessible only from the river. In The Hidden Canyon: A River Journey, photographer John Blaustein and journal-keeper Edward Abbey take an intimate look at this natural wonder. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

AWE INSPIRING!!
Having rafted the Colorado myself 2 years ago, this was a perfect souvenir-reminder of my trip. The photos in particular are exquisite - some I have no idea how he managed to capture without ending up in the river himself. I lost my Pentax to the very first rapid! This book definitely gives a sense of what the Canyon, the river, and the rapids are like. Makes me want to go back!

Breathtaking
I have traveled through the Grand Canyon many times, both on the river and on the trails. John Blaustein has not only been able to capture the beauty of the canyon but also the soul of the river it contains. Abbey's journal is a fine compliment to the pulchritude of the pictures.

excellent
Any fan of unique photography and wonderful words should buy this reissue. Mr. Blaustein is a gifted photographer and abbey is equally adept in capturing the magic of this river trip. The book is a reminder of what could be lost, if we fail to preserve the glorious heritage of our national parks. ... Read more

Book Description

Spectacular color photos of Yellowstone National Park's wild wolves plus eye-witness stories from park scientists and "wolf watchers." An unprecendented portrait of individual wolves and wolf packs and astonishing new information about how wolves are changing the park's very nature. This book sets a new standard for wolf photography and natural history. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Re-introduction Triumph.
When the introduction of Wolves into Yellowstone National Park first occured in 1995/96 many books appeared celebrating and philosophizing the environmental and social effects of that success. Now, eight years later comes this wonderful book that not only looks at the success of the Yellowstone experiment, but also at those pioneering Wolves, the actual animals who braved that unknown scientific test to see if, after 80 years, the Wolf could again be a part of the Yellowstone ecosystem.

Author James C Halfpenny has beautifully, with just the right amount of anthropomorphism, detailed the lives and experiences of the introduced wolves known to us only by numbers. But like all animal/human interactions even a number can create an emotional attachment, as was the case with the fate of Rose Creek number 10M, the 'Big Guy', whose ultimate sacrifice became the strenghth and symbol of the desire for the Yellowstone experiment to be a success despite the echoes of human hatred still being felt throughout the wilderness.

Ultimately, with all popular wolf books, it is the photographs that are the real joy to most readers, and again this publication delivers. Beautiful and fascinating pictures are presented throughout, and with the well advertised phrase 'no captive wolves" ,a unique claim also, it should be noted, found in David L Mech's Arctic Wolf: Living with the pack (1988) and Jim Brandenberg's White Wolf (1988)and Brother Wolf: a Forgotten Promise (1993) , the photographs take on a special importance of being truely wild and free animals in an environment that had been stolen from them for so many decades. Also included in this text are several Appendices, outlining the original packs and pack members, detailing their histories and social status and also the 2002 wolf packs, their members, offspring and pack locations around the park.

For those wolf enthusiasts who enjoyed the Yellowstone wolf experience in the books, Yellowstone Wolves (Ferguson) Return of the Wolf to Yellowstone (McNamee) Yellowstone Wolf Guide & Sourcebook (Scullery) and Wolves of Yellowstone (Philips & Smith),this is an essential addition to that collection of documents about the most successful animal re-introduction program ever undertaken. As Henry David Thoreau once wrote -" In wildness Is the preservation of the World "-

Yellowstone Wolves in the Wild by James C. Halfpenny
We received our Yellowstone Wolves Book on Monday.
And We, wanted to say Thank You, So much !
This is the BEST book yet.
It will help to keep us close to the Wolves, even down here in Kansas.
Excellent work, and Praise to the Photographer's too !
Can't wait for more like this one.

Beautifully done, excellently written
Dr. James Halfpenny has done a marvelous job of telling the story of the Yellowstone wolves, using photos of the actual animals (no photos of captive wolves, a first for a book of this kind!). He marvelously interweaves biology and research topics with first-hand accounts and stories from the park staff, visitors and volunteers to give a rich account of what the Yellowstone Wolf Project has taught us about this magnificent animal.

The book contains a wealth of information on the wolves, including their reintroduction, the history of the packs, their behavior, and their impact on the entire ecosystem. Plenty of reference material at the end including ID charts and maps round out the factual data. Filled with personal accounts, gorgeous photos and fascinating stories, this book is a must for anyone interested in the most successful endangered species restoration project of the century.

A stunning photo book and a first-class reference
I have high expectations of any work of Jim Halfpenny's, but Yellowstone Wolves is absolutely stunning. In logical progression this book describes the latest field biology and the story of one of the few successful wildlife restoration projects. In describing the "how" of returning a key predator to Yellowstone, it answers the more important but harder question of "why."
Unlike similar, decorative nature books with captions and text created to suit stunning photos of posed, penned, or tame animals, this book uses only photos of Yellowstone's free ranging, wild wolves. This is not just a noble abstract ideal, like using recycled products; it is at the root of the editorial concept for the book. Jim has selected each photo to illustrate a specific point in Yellowstone wolf ecology. There are close portraits of individual animals, but they do not dominate. I think the best photos are more distant ones where the body language of the pack illustrates a point of mainstream wolf behavior, like traveling single file in heavy snow, a strong but not necessarily alpha wolf breaking trail for the rest, or an alpha male following the alpha female up a hill. For contrast, there are photos of unusual or individual behavior, like wolf 224M in a "mousing" leap that he is particularly apt to display after a pack kill of conventional prey. It could be play or it could involve things we don't understand yet, as Jim freely admits.
The book concludes with numerous technical appendices, including "snapshot charts" that show, in remarkably compressed shorthand, the gender, age, social standing, and pack of origin for each yearling through alpha member of each pack.
Yellowstone Wolves is the rarest of formats: scientifically gray literature that is also entertaining reading, artistically chosen photographs placed exactly within the text, clear identification of sources for key facts, and clear separation of fact, speculation, personal opinion, and dissenting ideas. It will join the small group of popular books that can be, and are, cited in scientific literature. All in all, it is a first class reference on technical merit disguised as a coffee table decoration.

Wonderful pictures and stories about wolves in Yellowstone
This book is great for a variety of reasons. If you are an armchair traveller, this book explores the magic of wolves in Yellowstone through stories and pictures. If you are going to travel to Yellowstone, this would be a wonderful book to take with you to help you with your questions about discovering and seeing the Yellowstone wolves. If you are presently an avid wolf watcher in Yellowstone, you would want this book as part of your collection. This book details the history being made during our lifetime. ... Read more

Book Description

The nobility and pure poetry of horses is celebrated in the exquisite color and black and white photographs of Viggo Mortensen, who thoughtfully explores their roles as partners, teachers, and fellow travelers, asking no favors and returning respect for respect. Featuring photographs from Mortensen's extensive international travels, the images range from sharply colorful close-ups and vivid mustang landscapes to dappled, dreamy forms and ghostly, abstract tableaus. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

"Horse" is good
Artist Viggo Mortensen has rapidly gained a reputation for befriending his equine costars in movies like "Hildago" and "Lord of the Rings," even buying some of them once the movies were done. Now he takes his love of horses one step further. In "The Horse is Good," Mortensen presents his unique vision of horses from across the world, from a perspective that isn't entirely human.

Mortensen presents a sort of ethereal photographic exercise, showing all sorts of horse photographs. Some are sharp black-and-white shots, and some are colorful. Some are blurred, and some take awhile to figure out where the horse is in the photo. And some are distant and obscured by weather conditions, like a the final shot in a depressing movie finale.

Mortensen took his photographs all across the world, presenting us with photos from Morocco, South Dakota, Montana, New Zealand, Denmark, Brazil, Iceland, California, and Argentina. Surprisingly, he keeps the perspective fresh -- you don't get sick of page after page of horses. You're more likely to be struck by the quiet, earthy beauty captured in each image, all different.

And Mortensen's photography itself is pretty varied -- there's color and stark black-and-white photos, with some bright and blurry and some sharply focused. The shots themselves vary in a technical sense. Mortensen took some photographs from the rider's point of view (never has the back of a horse's ears looked so interesting), and others from the horse's point of view, down below where photographs are usually shot. That unusual technique makes the photos seem less like a simple photo, and more like a split second through a horse or lonely rider's own eyes.

Viggo Mortensen's love of horses shines through brightly in "The Horse is Good," a simple, beautiful study of one of mankind's oldest companions. Quiet and very lovely. ... Read more

Book Description

Breathtaking photographs of North Carolinas celebrated coastal islands, the Outer Banks, come to life in Portrait of the Outer Banks, A Pictorial Tour.

The book opens with photographs of a typical morning on the Outer Banks, where fishermen, wildlife, and beachcombers revel in the breathtaking sunrises that only the North Carolina Coastline can offer. In Buxton and Frisco, the hypnotic vision of seagulls flying overhead is balanced against a sole kayaker making her way across Pamlico Sound. Drapala captures the essence of these delicate barrier islands with an artists eye, while Kims text weaves a timeless history between the mesmerizing images. Even the Outer Banks lifelong residents will discover breathtaking views through the books photographs, some of which were taken from remote parts of the island that many people have never even visited.

Aerial and ground shots of the Outer Banks famous lighthouses are accompanied by the rich historical details of how these Lighthouses came into existence -- often a result of dramatic sea turmoil on the dark, rough waters of the North Carolina Coast.

Portrait of the Outer Banks is a timeless history that envelops the essence of Americas coastline: pristine beaches, weathered lighthouses, and salty old fishermen, along with a dose of unparalleled charm and beauty. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Torrey Kim is a genius!
Did I say genius? I meant to say she's an artist with words. The photography in this lovely book is truly inspiring, but the writing is really the icing on the cake. (I guess that makes her a baker and a genius!)

Breathtaking Photography
I go to the Outer Banks as often as possible, but never often enough. This book takes me there right from my living room. The photography as well as the information contained in the book is outstanding. I found it to be relaxing as well as educational. Because the book has something for everyone, I highly recommend it for all ages.

Extraordinary Photography
Breathtaking, peaceful, extraordinary photography. Makes you feel like you are there. Mr Drapala captures the essence of the Outer Banks. Your experiences are captured through his lens. Heart felt work. Recommended for anyone who has, or wants to experience the ocean, the shoreline, the tranquility.

Stunning photography
I live in Pennsylvania but spend one month of every summer in Hatteras, and this book brought me right back there! The photographs are amazing, particularly the full-page color pictures. The book is very well-researched--I didn't know any of the information about Blackbeard until I read the chapter on his exploits on Ocracoke. This book makes me want to go to the Outer Banks right now! I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

The one book that any photographer needs to become an expert in the art of portraying nature close-up, Macrophotography invites readers to explore a magical world in which miniature landscapes are magnified in all their radiant splendor, capturing flora and fauna in exquisite detail. In these pages, in remarkably clear, larger-than-life stop-action images, we see the delicate stamen of an orchid, the intricate pattern of a butterfly's wings, snails climbing on mushrooms, and the eye of a gecko. This splendid how-to manual not only reproduces these images in glorious full-color photographs, but also provides technical information of immense value to nature photographers, both amateur and professional.

Topics covered in this outstanding guide range from practical advice about basic equipment and more sophisticated accessories to aesthetic concerns such as composition and color. After explaining how to proceed in the variety of terrains nature photographers may encounter in their travels, the book examines macrophotography in the studio, discussing how animal and plant life can be shot in aquariums and vivariums and using studio backdrops. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

No better than this...
This is the daddy of all macro photo books Ive ever seen!
Wonderfully layed out and stunning photos. A very big book that is well worth it for beginners but especially advanced photographers.

Must have book for anyone considering getting into MACRO!
The photos that pack this great book are amazing! If you are even considering getting into macro photography you should own this book. I found myself up late into the night unable to put it down. Afterward I was so eager to get out and explore this new world that I had never put much thought to. Who would have thought tiny bug and other "creepy crawlies" would be so colorful and fascinating?

Excellent book on this subject
Excellent technical details and exquisite photos !!!

This book is one of the best I have seen in this field and IMHO is on "the top" of what I have collected over several years. It is refreshing to see technical details and high quality prints together, there is enough for novice to high end macro-photography enthusiast!!!

My hobby - Macrophtogrpahy, photomicroscocpy etc ...

Best yet!
This book not only covers the basics but goes into some very elaborate set ups for doing advanced close-up work. Great printing quality also helps this book be the number one reference in this field.

The best book on this subject I've seen in years.
My only complaint with this book is the use of the terms "macrophotography" and "microphotography", instead of the more proper photomacrography and photomicrography, however I must assume this somehow is due to language translations. Anyway, I find this book good in that it deals with the more modern styles of cameras with all the auto-everything devices. This should make the book more comfortable with folks who didn't grow up in the prehistoric era when cameras didn't even have built in light meters. I find the book is written in a way to be very understandable to photographers of all levels. I also found some interesting ideas for very elaborate studio-type setups that should be of use to even professional photographers who think they already know everything. I think the numerous large images within the book are excellent and could allow this book to exist just as a "coffee table" book. I'm currently teaching a class on scientific photography and I'm going to use this book as a reference for the class. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Aztecs called them mitzli. The Apache called them yutin. Others call them cougars, Florida panthers, or puma. Call them what you will, North America's largest cats are celebrated in this beautiful book, simply entitled Mountain Lion. Rebecca L. Grambo has written a highly readable guide to these felines, with information on their habits, their habitats, and their interactions with humans. What make this book special, however, are the pages of stunning photographs. Nature photographer Daniel J. Cox spent more than 10 years observing mountain lions and snapped these remarkable images of the animals in their native habitats. The fact that most of the pictures are of "captive-bred mountain lions under controlled conditions" (sort of a feline fashion shoot?) doesn't detract from their beauty. Cox presents amazing photos of newborn cubs taking their first breaths and older cubs, fluffy and spotted, at play. Even more impressive are the gorgeous, clear shots of mature cats roaming their territory, hunting prey, and simply resting. Cox has certainly managed to capture what he calls the "elegant fluidity" of these magnificent animals. Any nature lover would be thrilled with this beautiful and informative book. --C.B. Delaney ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Pretty pictures, but ....
I spent two months last winter in a mountain cabin far up a back road in Washington's Methow Valley, just below the Canadian border and just east of the North Cascade National Park, where there are many cougars. One broke into my nearest neighbor's house and I found fresh tracks one morning beside the road into town. So with all the cougar excitement in the Valley, I decided to learn more about them by reading two recently published softcover books. Either book is a good place to start if you want to know more about the big cats that are becoming a more common part of life throughout the West.

Mountain Lion (Cox and Grambo) is a medium format photo essay of 99 spectacular color photographs of cougars running, jumping, caring for their young, attacking deer and so forth. These remarkable pictures, mostly taken in southwestern red rock country, give a real feel for how the animals move through their territory. After being stunned by the images, I was a little disappointed to read that they were taken "mainly with captive-bred mountain lions under controlled conditions". Well, the cougars LOOK wild and at least none of them are wearing sunglasses or have their kitty litter boxes visible. The brief text is a well-written essay about the cougar's natural history and human interaction, and there is a bibliography.

A book I preferred is Cougar! by Harold Danz. It is a comprehensive historical and natural history coverage of the cats by a retired National Park Service employee. Besides a description of cougar habits and hunting techniques with each of their prey species, interesting chapters describe the human-cougar relationship from Native Americans and Colonial times, through the bounty hunter years and on to the present.

There is a fascinating section in Cougar! that describes all documented cougar attacks, both fatal and non-fatal, in the U.S. and Canada from 1751 through mid-1998. Danz reports that the only fatal cougar attack in the United States between 1909 and 1974, was of a 13-year old boy traveling on snowshoes near Lake Chelan (not far from my winter retreat) in December 1924. When his body was found it was deduced that the young victim had cut off one of the cougar's front claws (!) while unsuccessfully defending himself with a pocketknife. Contemporary cougar fans may find poetic justice in descriptions of two recent non-fatal incidents where National Park campers were forced by cougars to spend the night up in a tree (!) until someone came to their assistance. There is also a description of historic and current cougar populations in each state (Washington, with 2,300, has one of the largest populations) and Canadian province, as well as the exhaustive bibliography you'd expect from a university press.

I really enjoyed Cougar!, and while the grainy black and white photos don't compare with those in Mountain Lion, it is the much more informative and interesting of the two books.

Beautiful & Informative
You can judge a book by it's cover. It's just as beautiful inside as it is outside. Very informative and a joy to read. If you love wildlife or any of the big cats, you'll definitely want to add this book to your collection!

A book you will be proud to own.
A wonderful book. A joy to read. Rebecca L. Grambo writes well with a sympathetic eye. She discusses these beauties and their plight for survival. The accompanying magestic photos by Daniel J. Cox perfectly match the content from the Author. Since the Nature of Mountain Lions are so shy, I appreciate the wonderful photographs of them in nature which would otherwise be very difficult to photograph. I recommend this book to any cat and animal lovers out there. I hope this book stirrs up the public's interest in saving the Mountian Lion from extinction.

Rating: "A" -- wonderful wildcat photography. Highly recomme
These are the best mountain lion photographs I've ever seen, and
one of the best wildlife-photography books I know of. The text is
competent and well-researched, but the real attraction is Cox's
wonderful photos. If you have any interest in wildcats, you need this
book. Or if you need a gift for a cat-lover ....

Cox photographed mainly captive-bred cats; this is evident only in
the extraordinary intimacy of the photos, such as one of the mother
cat giving birth, and many of appealing blue-eyed, spotted cubs at
play. I'd have liked to know how he took the one where the lion is
leaping straight into the camera. Or the one where it looks like he
was in the same sandstone cave with the lion, in Utah's magnificent
canyonlands. Or the cat in mid-leap over a chasm. Sadly, such details
are conspicuous by their absence; the text is resolutely generic.

But this is quibbling. The photos speak for themselves -- like the cat
who's treed a porcupine, and (next photo, please) gets a snootful of
quills. The publisher's puff copy calls this "the most extraordinary
photographic book on mountain lions ever published." I would
agree, and recommend it highly. ... Read more

Book Description

The second book on Yellowstone's seasons by Montana photographer Tom Murphy (Silence & Solitude: Yellowstone's Winter Wilderness). A sweeping, exquisite portrait of Yellowstone Nationa Park in its season of annual rebirth. Beautiful photography accompanied by compelling notes and stories by the photographer make this another great addition to any library! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Intimate portrait of the grandeur and subtlety of the park.
The Light of Spring portrays a time of renewal and subtlety in a harsh and sweeping land. Few people understand Yellowstone as intimately as Tom Murphy. While the casual visitor speeds through the park hoping to get a snapshot of a bear or erupting geyser, Murphy takes the time to embrace and capture the park in all of its moods and diversity. The frontpiece photo is a prime example. I know this because I was there when the photo was taken. Passersby stopped and scoffed in bewilderment as Murphy photographed the subtle green and grey mosaic of grass and boulders in Phantom Lake without realizing that he was capturing the true "light of spring" in this wonderful place. From this first photo to the last, the book delights the senses as Murphy continues to demonstrate that he is the photo master of Yellowstone.

Great Book!
Having visited Yellowstone in spring several times, I can truly say that Tom Murphy's latest book The Light of Spring - The Seasons of Yellowstone captures this time of transition and rebirth in America's first National Park. This exquisite book of 144 pages includes 91 of Tom's finest photos. They range from the fourth image in the book of a robin's nest built in a forest fire, charred tree snag to grand landscapes of the Lamar Valley and Absaroka Mountains. The book is also filled with wildlife from a small house wren at Swan Lake Flat to American bison and their calves. In fact, the book is filled with images of all young wildlife that Yellowstone is know for - trumpeter swans, river otters, elk, moose, Sandhill cranes, and of course the grizzly bear.

The photos of this book are complemented with prose that is both entertaining and educational. For example, a picture of an American bison with eight cowbirds on its back reads "Brown headed cowbirds are insectivores, and they are often seen walking and fluttering around noses and feet of grazing ungulates. Localized disturbance by an elk or bison grazing in a clump of grass causes the insects to panic and scatter, creating an opportunity for the cowbirds to find and catch them. A huge, warm bison back is also very attractive as a perch and sometimes as a meeting place for the whole flock." ... Read more

Book Description

Wild Orphans tells the emotional tale of eight baby elephants living in the nursery of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Orphanage at the Nairobi National Park in Kenya, East Africa.It chronicles their story over two long years, including memorable images of the rescue of abandoned baby elephants, their upbringing by dedicated 24-hour surrogate human "mothers," the lessons they learn, and ultimately, their release back into the wild. The stars of Wild Orphans are the "Orphan 8":eight babies who arrived at the orphanage during the summer of 1999, a time of prolonged drought and increased ivory poaching.They are:Natumi - Rescued froma well at just two months old after her mother was killed by hunters, she is the ringleader of the eight and is very possessive of the smaller babies; Icholta - Rescued at six weeks old after being abandoned by her herd.She is small for her age, with soft fuzz on her head, and is very gentle and friendly; Ilingwezi - Rescued at just one month, she was abandoned by her herd after falling into a deep gully.She is very sweet and playful; Idie - Four months old when rescued from a well, Idie grieved deeply for the family that abandoned her.Idie and Ilingwezi are now best friends; Nyiro - Found in a trench, he is sturdy and tough.As the smallest and most out-going of the group, he is a great favorite among the bigger elephants; Salama - Just three or four months old when abandoned by a herd that was fleeing poachers, Salama is tough, confident, and occasionally pushy; Lolokwe - He was rescued after falling into a well at just one month old.It is possible that he, Salama, and Nyiro all share the same father; Laikipia - She was rescued at four months after falling down a well. While Wild Orphans focuses on the adventures of these elephants, the reader will also be introduced to other orphans living in the nursery, their caregivers, older "graduate" elephants who return to teach the babies, and the greater story of the African elephant's plight.Never before has a photographer been granted this kind of access or spent this length of time photographing these orphans of Nairobi.Never before has their return to the wild been documented.Wild Orphans is certainly a landmark in nature photography and journalism, but it is also, perhaps more importantly, a story:One that will warm the soul and pull at the heart-strings of all animal-lovers. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Captivating Photographic Essay of Orphaned African Elephants
Photographer Gerry Ellis spent 2 years with the orphaned elephants of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust at the Nairobi National Park in Kenya in order to document the rescues, daily lives and preparation to return to the wild for these young elephants who have fallen victim to natural and unnatural disasters. In the summer of 1999, prolonged drought and increased ivory poaching brought brought more orphaned baby elephants to the Trust in one season that it had seen in the entire previous decade. Gerry Ellis followed, photographed, and got to know 8 of the young elephants who were one month to one year old when they arrived at the Wildlife Trust. Through more than 100 photographs and accompanying text, we meet the "Orphan 8", learn of the challenges of raising them, observe as the youngsters recover from their injuries and fear, adjust to life at the Trust, develop relationships with one another and with their human keepers, and, after 2 years, move to Tsavo National Park, where they will eventually be released into the wild. An essay by Gerry Ellis introduces each of the book's 6 chapters. Detailed explanations accompany all photographs -not as captions, but full-sized text. I've long been a fan of Gerry Ellis' fine art nature photography, but "Wild Orphans" is fantastic photojournalism and more personal work than I have seen from Ellis before. Ellis' love for this project shows. Admirers of elephants and those concerned with their fate -or that of African wildlife in general- won't want to miss "Wild Orphans".

I LOVE THIS BOOK
I LOVE THIS BOOK!It ranks up there with rainy days, wet puppy noses and double iced mochas.

The text was written by the photographer.The photographs alone are priceless.I think it is also a very valuable contribution to the ongoing oftentimes contentious debate about human intervention in the animal kingdom.This book makes an eloquent statement that there are times when it is appropriate to intervene, save the lives of the animals and educate humans on the importance of maintaining animal habitat in the process.

What I enjoyed the most was the gradual realization of the author that we are all connected - human and animal.We have created the conditions that are killing these animals through our unsound environmental practices.There is no conscionable way to turn our backs on the animals that are being forced to live in what we have created.We must admit our responsibility for the environmental chaos we have created and help where we need to.To simply look the other way as these elephants die and throw out the excuse that it's "nature", "the law of the land" or worse yet "survival of the fittest" is inhuman.

It is extremely touching.For those of you who can't tolerate another anthropomorphic happy-meal animal book, some die as they are being rescued and some after.

The information on GLOBIO and the work they are doing world wide is a valuable teaching tool for children.

You wont forget it!
Bought this for my niece, she loves it.Beautiful photography.

Fantastic
The photography is amazing and that alone is worth getting this book.However the stories behind each picture and story of each member of the Orphan 8 are extremely touching, and provide a wonderful insight between humans and elephants.It will leave you in awe of the difference the wonderful people at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust make in this endeavor to help save the African Elephant. ... Read more

Book Description

There's something magical, almost mystical, about horses. Our earliest ancestors felt it--on the walls and ceilings of the caves of Lascaux and Altamira are magnifcent images of horses that were painted 40,000 years ago.

In Dream Horses: A Poster Book, Bob Langrish, one of the world's leading equine photographers, continues the tradition of celebrating the beauty, the power, and the mystery of the horse. Horse-crazy kids will be enchanted by the book's 30 spectacular poster-size photographs. Horse-loving adults who appreciate fantasy photography will be awestruck by Langrish's superb compositions. With the sure hand of a master, he has manipulated these images so that each shot has a fantastical, even mythological quality.

These dreamlike scenes, accompanied by inspired text, tell a story that is otherworldly, and yet still familiar. ... Read more

Book Description

The grand master of adventure photography reveals the art, craft, and philosophy behind his images. In sixty-six essays based on his popular column in Outdoor Photographer, and in more than one hundred and sixty color photographs, Galen Rowell shows how he transforms what he sees into vivid, memorable works of art. He clearly explains why "pre-visualizing" a photograph before exposing any film is one key to making an arresting image rather than a mere replica of what we see through the viewfinder. Along the way he also offers advice on practical and technical matters such as how to pack camera gear; what to leave behind when you've got to travel light; pushing film to extremes; and when and how to use fill flash, smart flash, and remote smart flash. This is a how-to book by an artist who has made adventure and photography a way of life. It is both an inspired manual to taking better photographs and an inspiring journey of discovery into the creative process. 160 color photographs. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

One of the best books on photography I have ever purchased
It is quite sad and unfortunet that Galen Rowell and his wife were killed in a plane crash recently. The world has lost a truly visionary photographer. The results that Rowell achieved with 35mm film are truly breathtaking.

I paid full price for this book, which is something I don' t do very often. In it, Rowell proves himself a very generous and inspiring person. He shows an uncanny ability to not only make amazing photographs, but to also talk saliently and make cogent statements about them too. He shares with us all his thoughts, stories and techniques for his photography. I'm not sure many other other photographers would be so willing to do so.

As a photographer myself, I found it interesting to learn and understand what went through Galen Rowell's mind while making photographs. Oftentimes one sees a photographer's results (his images) yet knows nothing about the journey of work it took to achieve the results. This book fills that gap beautifully. You don't have to be a landscape photographer to enjoy this book. You only have to be interested in photography in general to get something from it.

The book is easy to read and the size of it is just about right (ie. not too big and bulky).

A superb read for any photographer
This is a review that I have been meaning to write for some time, but with the recent, tragic death of the author in a light plane crash, its time to put pen to paper.

Galen Rowell was one of the outstanding adventure photographers of our time. A major proponent of "participatory photography", Rowell's unique approach was based less on equipment and technique, and more on vision and philosophy. Participatory photography is an approach where the photographer is not a passive observer of the subject, but someone who is interacting with the environment and the subjects. Rowell was an active participant, and as such was a noted mountain climber and hiker, skills that allowed him to get a unique perspective that most photographers don't even get close to.

Most of us have seen those photos of a climber hanging delicately from a cliff face, and marvelled at the extreme situation in which that climber has got themselves into. Yet few of us stop to think about the photographer, who is right there in the same place taking that photo. Many times that photographer was Galen Rowell.

His remarkable photographs have been featured in National Geographic, Outdoors and Outdoor Photographer. He wrote 18 books; some of them coffee table books, others more instructive about his approach to photography, and some of them about climbing.

The Inner Game of Outdoor Photography is one of Rowell's most recent books. Inner Game is a compilation of various articles that Rowell has written over the years for Outdoor Photographer magazine.

Clearly underwater photography is a form of participatory photography - it is difficult for the photographer to be passive. Although not known for underwater images, Rowell's philosophy and approach is one that underwater photographers should consider. Few other photographers become so much a part of their environment as underwater photographers!

As a matter of interest, Rowell did in fact do some underwater photography, and some of these pictures are published in Inner Game. When you look at these, underwater photographers may notice some backscatter - a curse that most land based photographers never learn much about. But the composition, the organisation of the elements within the photo and the technical exposure are up there with the best, as you would expect. His landscape and adventure photography are without equal.

Many underwater photographers have an extensive library of books on our subject. Many of us read up on photographic fundamentals, landscape photography, macro photography and so on, due to the parallels between topside and underwater techniques. This book is different - it focuses on the philosophy and approach. These are aspects independent of environment.

The Inner Game of Outdoor Photography is a superbly written and beautifully illustrated book. I would recommend this book highly to underwater photographers, landscape photographers, and indeed to any photographer who understands the importance of vision in image creation.

...

The "Inner Passion" of Galen Rowell
If you're a serious photographer (amateur or pro) and find your interest in shooting lagging occasionally, Rowell's enthusiasm might be contagiousness enough to provide a cure. This man was passionate about photography and went to extraordinary ends to get the shots he visualized. The majority of the book deals with his philosophy of photography and how he accomplished what he did. There's also much excellent technical advice. The book's only shortcoming, from my very personal perspective (take it for what it's worth), is the undercurrent of Rowell's ample ego. Were the personal pronoun "I" deleted from the book, its page count would be reduced considerably. Nonetheless, I still strongly recommend "Inner Game" for the highly passionate and very personal account that it is - an extraordinary photographer's testimonial to a life totally devoted to the art of photography and love of nature. It makes you want to climb a mountain and take pictures!

I have much to learn.
People that purchased this book thinking they will be instructed on how to insert TAB-A into SLOT-B will be very disappointed.

People that purchase a book on electrodynamics to tell them how to change a light-bulb will also be disappointed.

Let's be very clear about this: This is not a How-To book. If you're looking for a How-To, there are people lined up around the block to tell you what to do.

This is a book about capturing emotion, feeling, and energy in a photograph. Most importantly, this book discusses the need to be able to communicate these feelings and energy to other viewers. Without this, your photograph has failed. This is how to put parts of yourself (not physically) into the images you've captured. This is book that explores more the philosophy of photography than anything else.

I've certainly gained a much greater appreciation on what it takes to capture those elements from this book. It's not a be-all-end-all to photographic discussion, but it has made me think. The first part of the text has probably been the most valuable, but each section thereafter ties into elements of the first section in quite interesting ways.

This book is not only humbling, (as are most books written by professionals and read by amateurs,) but it is uplifting. It has both inspiring me to start down the path to being a better photographer, and has shown me with frightening clarity how my habits could turn that path into the road to mediocrity.

It's sad that Mr. Rowell's voice and shutter have been silenced, but I'm glad to have been introduced to his work and writings.

Galen Rowell laid his first egg here
I have read all of Galen's books, God rest his soul, but I was really disappointed with this book. It's a collection of things about how good a photographer he is. I already know he was a great photographer but what I wanted is some ideas how I could get better. After 200 pages or so, I gave up reading the rest. Some info. is useful but 90% of the 280 pages were just plain boring. ... Read more

Book Description

ENTER THE GREAT BEAR RAINFORESTThe southern half of Canada's west coast is justly famous for its fabulous scenery and pitched battles to save remnants of its magnificent coniferous forest-but what about the northern half? Between Vancouver island and Alaska, the mainland BC coast winds through a 250-mile wonderland of forested islands and inlets every bit as enchanting as the southern half, but still very much as nature created it, a wonderfully complex and delicate rainforest masterpiece ten thousand years in the making. The area is one of the northern hemisphere's richest unprotected wildlife habitats, the home of Canada's largest grizzly bears as well as the rare all-white spirit or Kermode bear.Ian and Karen McAllister, both environmental campaigners, have spent over ten years exploring, photographing and researching this once-forgotten coast. The book contains over 150 stunning colour photographs, including some of the most extraordinary images of wild bears ever seen in print, lush river valleys where grizzly bears feast on salmon, dramatic Coast Range mountaintops, exotic plants of the ancient rainforest, and some of the most magnificent coastline in Canada. With these photographs, a personable, informative commentary by Ian and Karen and environmental writer Cameron Young, and full-colour maps and drawings, this book is the first to unveil the beauty and magnificence of this unique place.Since 1990, fourteen large rainforest valleys on the mainland coast of British Columbia have been lost to industrial logging. The publication of The Great Bear Rainforest aided Greenpeace, the Sierra Club, Ian and Karen McAllister's Raincoast Preservation Society and other environmental groups successfully lobby BC's provincial government for a moratorium on grizzly-bear hunting and the protection of a large portion of the area as parkland in 2001. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A Unique Journey AND A Desperate Plea
This book is written as a journal of a sailing voyage. Although the authors had previously visited the remarkable areas they photograph and describe six times before, the seventh visit is chronicled in these pages. Thus there is a great depth of knowledge and experience inherent to this work which transforms a simple if elegant journal into a powerful, somewhat doleful, environmental monograph.

This is a beautifully done book with many fascinating photographs of rainforest topography and the diverse life forms which abide therein. The accompanying text is well-written and consistently informative and interesting. But the overarching theme here is that pristine environments which are critical to the survival of untold species of flora and fauna are in jeopardy. Grave jeopardy. Moreover, the McAllisters take great pains to point out that the small islands of preserved and protected ecosystem created in compromise between commercial interests and environmentalists are insufficent to protect wildlife (bears, for example) that depend upon an interlinked vastness of unspoiled terrain in which to flourish.

So this book is as much an alarm and a plea for action as it is a wondrous presentation of its picturesque subject matter. As such, it is urgent reading for those of us concerned about the ravages unleashed when a society values short-term economic advantage (as when untouched river valleys are clear-cut by logging companies) over the work nature takes eons to complete.

A must of bear lovers, intersting facts, great photos
This is a wonderful book for both nature and bear lovers alike. It is packed with beautiful color photos. Many interesting facts about the wildlife & plants of the area are detailed in the captions.

The landscape photos feature vibrant wildflowers, ancient forests, & mountains. There are also many remarkable pictures of several bear types. I loved the close-up shot of a bear eating a fish & another of a sprit bear on a log.

Stunning photos of some other animals include a puffin close-up, a bald eagle mother with baby, & an elephant seal gathering. If you can tear yourself away from the pictures, the text is equally impressive.

The authors tell of their experiences while exploring the rainforest. They also discusses the environmental concerns of the area. Journal entries from the trip are scatted throughout the book.

Keep sacred places secret while we can
A powerful book on this special place. But, now she's discovered

Beautiful
The authors clearly love and are dedicated to their subject. The photographs are stunning, in both technique and subject.

Canada's forgotten coast no longer.
The pictures are awesome, powerful, profound and they make you feel you are there. The writing is very insightful. The journals put you there in a very personal way. The cause is just and vital. This is a powerful book that takes you to one of the last great places, not only in a geographical way but in a spiritual sense as well. Yes, bears need whole untouched ecosystems as well as old growth forests, as explained so beautifully in the book. One day the people of British Columbia and the Wolrd will realize that if the Great Spirit Bear Rainforest can survive, then so can humanity. THIS BOOK IS A KEEPER! ... Read more

Reviews (17)

The perfect book for beginning landscape photographers
If you know John Fielder's name, you know that whatever that it is attached to is going to be top quality. I attended school near Lincoln, NE studying commercial art for 2 years ending in the summer of '96, and while there, I longed to see any landscape other than the plains which lack diversity. I lived to go back home on school breaks so I could enjoy the everyday view of the front range. Anyway, I started getting into photography in early '97. I had seen this book and had checked it out from the library multiple times. I found it very easy to read and understand, and being aware of good design, I found this book all the more enjoyable to read. It was designed very well. I learned the fundamentals of landscape photography and then some from this most valuable resource. By the time I was done, I knew what features I was looking for in a new camera. With a little shopping around, I found the perfect camera for me: a Canon Elan II E with three lenses covering the spectrum of 20-300mm. Living here in Colorado allows me to enjoy and look forward to the opportunities to take short and close vacations taking shots of some gorgeous country. Of course, with the great photos in this book, it gives you something to shoot for. I think that the book is very thorough and the display of bad pictures for examples add to the excellent touch. I couldn't recommend a better book for beginners. It's not difficult reading or hard to get into which I can't emphasize enough. Of course, with mostly Colorado photos, you can't go wrong either! If you want to know how to shoot landscapes, this book is for you. Enjoy!

A "must have" for outdoor photographers
This is an outstanding guide to taking landscape photographs. John Fielder takes you through all of the elements that make a successful landscape photograph. He guides you through well-written text and examples of his own stunning photography. This book is a "must have" for any aspiring landscape photographer...

Pictures teach more than words
John Fielder is one of the best photographers of this age. Perhaps not as commonly know as a Tom Till or a Larry Ulrich, he centers the majority of his work in the backcountry of Colorado where he's hiked virtually every inch of terrain.

This is one of the most beautiful books on photography that I own and his images taught me more than his words. He has some of the more typical landscape scenes that could be done by most competent professionals. But where Fielder stands out the most are the pictures that truly look like a complex model of math and art. He blends perfectly the elements of his trade. Photography is as much a technical craft as it is an art. To be great, you need both. Fielder is a virtual Bach of photography where he punctuates his gorgeous style with obvious control of technique.

What sets him apart from most other photographers is his style. Most of his images are not typical and clearly make use of simplicity, beautiful lines, hazy afternoons. He doesn't rely on perfect buttermilk clouds to paint a photograph for him. He uses the soft folds of a hill on a cloudy day or the sheer layers of a clear sunrise on a beach to make his pictures. He doesn't need much to turn his world in a vivid piece of artwork captured precisely on his large format.

His writing style is very much like his photographs. Simple and concise. Though at times, I did wish he would explain some concepts a bit more in depth. Mostly though, he uses his images as an example of what to do or what not to do.

He writes how he learned photography by taking pictures and then comparing them to the best (Ansel Adams and Eliot Porter). His own photographs have set a precedent, a standard beyond many landscape photographers could even dream. Take his advice and study the greats to develop an eye for the craft. The technical aspect requires some learning but to be great like Fielder, follow in his footsteps until your own style emerges.

I also enjoyed his accounts of a day in the life of a landscape photographer. To find those beautiful, untouched places, you have to be tough and be able to hike miles at altitude. It's always great to have a personal touch to an educational book. Nothing could be more mundane than a purely technical photography book especially when we all know that photographers are fairly opinionated and outspoken.

If you want a strictly technical book, invest in National Geographic's field guide. But if you are looking for inspiration, for a chance to study a master in his prime, look to Fielder. He will teach you in his images, in the subtle language of art and make the text on the page virtually unecessary.

nice layout...concepts expressed simply
This is a book that explains basic concepts of landscape photography -- rhythm, proportion, etc. -- in ways that will allow you to easily understand and use those concepts. You get clearly explained information about different types of cameras, filters, lighting, etc. and how they affect the outcome. This author capably explains the principle AND illustrates that principle with his own work, so whether you learn best from a tutorial or a definition, this book will help you. It is laid out in such a way that it is easy and pleasant to read, and the author uses plain language. It includes some useful charts and diagrams. This book seems aimed somewhat more at beginners than advanced photographers. I've been shooting a while though and found my understanding of some concepts explained by his work. His photos may not be the best I've ever seen but they ARE quite good, certainly beyond the range of most beginners and adequate for illustrating the concepts. I collect Galen Rowell's books due to a great respect for who he was -- both in terms of his wilderness ethic and his phenomenal photographs -- but, as another reviewer mentions, his books are not nearly as easy to learn from. This author concentrates on teaching but includes enough of his own experience to make for an interesting and instructive read.

Organized
In comparison to Galen Rowell's books, the content is better organized and it is quite a good reference book for landscape photography.
If you have read any of Galen's books, you'll know that you literally have to mine for the relevant info in the midst of his philosophies and the accounts of his stories.
This one is closer to the idea of a how-to book and quite similar to John Shaw's style. ... Read more

Book Description

In this wonderful exploration of the American Landscape, 17 distinguished writers and photographers create a vivid, perceptive portrait of our nation's natural beauty. Highlighted by 120 breathtaking images and featuring thoughtful, evocative prose by award-winning authors, Heart of a Nation ranges from Vermont to Alaska, from the Appalachian foothills to the lofty peaks of the Sierra, from the still ponds of our southeastern wetlands to the stormy shores of the Pacific Northwest. It's a magnificent portrait of our majestic land -- and a journey of discovery no reader will ever forget. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Inspirational
Photography has always been an outlet to certain visionaries in our society. Giving them a way to express to others the way they interpret somewhat ordinary and sometimes not so ordinary sights. This collection of images inspires all those who look at them. And then combining these with words of inspiratin and thought provoking prose makes it a treat to the soul as well as the eyes. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Gorgeous photographs, interesting text
The text relates the history of the Blue Ridge Parkway, from initial conception through to completion, which actually didn't happen until 1983 with the opening of the Linn Cove Viaduct. That is interesting enough, but the real merits of this book are in the gorgeous photographs, which stretch all along the length of the Parkway and cover all seasons and moods. Organized in milepost order, they brought back fond memories of the places I've visited (Peaks of Otter, Mabry Mill) and hopes to visit all the rest someday.

Wonderful Essay and Photography
This is a book I've turned to often as an inspiration for photographing the Blue Ridge mountains. The writing is very good and informative. The pictures are stunning. A good introduction for someone who is thinking about going to the BR Parkway and needs some guidance.

A pleasure to own this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Mysterious canyons, natural stone bridges, delicate arches, unexpected mountain peaks, a saltwater lake, and endless desert: this is Utah. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

An enticing book.
This is the first of two books by photographer David Muench about Utah, each entitled "Utah". It is the better of the two, because Muench hadn't yet come to rely so completely on photographih tricks and overuse of the telephoto lens. In this book as opposed to its successor, the traveler/reader will actually see some photos of things he or she will recognize when the traveler arrives at the site.

The photographs are all in color and emphasize the touristic draws of the state, e.g. the National Parks, particularly Zion , Bryce Canyon, and Arches, and the national monuments.
Little attention is paid to more out-of-he-way places such as the Escalante canyons and the San Rafael Swell. Good pictures of Monument Valley and the Temple Square in Salt lake City are also present. Again, however, the reader is cautioned that Muench's use of the telephoto lens may result in a pretty picture, but that the sight depicted will never be seen without one.

Hartt Wixom's companion essay is a compelling, evocative portrait of the courage and determination his Mormon ancestors used in making Utah their version of the Promised land. It is well worth reading.

This book is worth having if picked up at a reasonable price. It is a fine coffee table work.

Glorious
This is the book I use to entice friends and family to come and visit! An absolutely stunning portrait of an incredible landscape.

Every Page Inspiring
This is the second work by David Muench that I have purchased. I happen to be a native Utahn and looking at the photographs in this collection made me realize that I really don't get out much! Every picture contained herein has inspired me to visit these places.

Utah has some of the most spectacular national preserves in the country and David Muench shows us why they are considered national treasures. ... Read more

Book Description

The most hilarious, whimsical, shocking moments ever captured on film, from the editors of Outside magazine.

Brace yourself for more take-your-breath-away images from Outside's famed, back-page "Parting Shot" photo feature. Each of these seventy-one shots will surprise you, wow you, and make you chuckle if you don't laugh out loud. Hip-Hop Hares brings you more of what you loved in The Polar Bear Waltz. It's another zany, eye-popping collection that celebrates the pratfalls and bizarre coincidences of outdoor life—the comic circumstances of relatively tame mammals (us) spending more and more time closer and closer to wild animals. It's a rare chance to look into the wide world outside and laugh at both ourselves and that infinitely wondrous, entertaining, three-ring circus we call the universe. 71 photographs. ... Read more

Book Description

Now available as a mini paperback, Heaven & Earth charts an awe-inspiring voyage of discovery through the infinite world of science – from the smallest particles on the earth’s surface to tiny dots in galaxies that are light years away.Featuring the extensive range of matter contained in the cosmos, the book navigates an unfamiliar world and celebrates the beauty and boundless mysteries of planet earth and the universe. These beautiful photographs are presented in sequence according to scale and distance within distinct chapters, and are accompanied by extended captions. ... Read more