Reviews (2)

An excellent book on a way of 'seeing' the landscape
Joe Cornish has a growing reputation. Joe has been illustrating books and photographing the UK landscape for the National Trust of England and Wales for many years. After building his reputation in this way, he now focuses on landscape photography.
This collection of images gives the technical information that many photographers crave about each image. But more than that, it is a lesson in 'seeing'and can inspire you to gain confidence to develop your own way of seeing and to follow your own vision.
This is not a 'how to' book, but one that will inspire you because the way Joe has developed his own way of seeing and expressing that with the camera is so distinctive. I disagree entirely with the earlier review that gives this book only 3 stars. A photograph may be technically correct in its exposure and its time of day. But it is only as good in the eye of the beholder to the degree that it reflects your own taste. If it is not to the taste of the earlier reviewer, that view is to be entirely respected. But don't let that put you off looking at this book and making up your own mind. Joe really is just as artistic and able as William Neill, Jack Dykinga and any other of the top landscape photographers.

Nice Pictures, but Not Great
This is a collection of Cornish's color landscape photographs taken around the world, mostly with a 4 by 5-inch view camera. Each picture is accompanied by a description of the circumstances under which the picture was taken. There is also a smaller picture taken of the same subject or at the same time that is contrasted with the larger photograph.

The photographer is clearly concerned with light in the landscape. Many pictures show the red glow of "magic hours" or reflections of water, or cloudy skies. Cornish's photographs are lovely, but there is nothing outstanding about them. Once upon a time this book might have been at the cutting edge. But we now live in a world where first-class landscapes are offered to us in every automobile advertisement so that to capture our eye, an image must be exceptional.

Nor is there any common theme among the landscapes that might lead you to look at them because you have an interest in the subject matter. I would have felt proud to have taken any of these pictures. However, I wouldn't expect many people to lay out good money for such a book when there are so many other outstanding works by world class photographers, unless they already owned everything by Ansel Adams or Galen Rowell or Art Wolfe.

I must confess that this book was not what I expected. The publisher, Amphoto Books, usually puts out "how-to" books, and I expected something like Galen Rowell's "Mountain Light" that would deal with using light to create better pictures while at the same time presenting a great portfolio. I am certain most serious landscape photographers would be highly interested in a new book on this subject. But the only way you are going to learn anything from this book is by analyzing each picture yourself at great length, and extracting some photographic principle from your analysis. To be fair, technical information is provided on each picture and the accompanying discussions occasionally present a few of the considerations in using light in landscapes, like the effect of long exposures and the special results of early morning and late day light. Unfortunately I don't find this information very educational for either the beginner or the more experienced photographer. For the beginner, I would recommend either John Shaw's "Nature Photography Field Guide" or his "Landscape Photography" (the former was recently printed and reflects the changes in technology of the last few years, but does not have quite as much detail about landscapes). The more experienced photographer will be more interested in "Fine Art Nature Photography: Advanced Techniques and the Creative Process" by Tony Sweet. Sweet's book also uses single pictures on a page with discussion, but the photos are extraordinary and the discussion instructive. ... Read more

Book Description

Somewhere at the dawn of our history, a wolf lay down by a Cro-Magnon campfire and the first intimate relationship between animal and human was born. As the millennia passed, we learned to harness the tireless speed and strength of horses and matchless hunting and herding skills of dogs, and thus became the dominant mammals on the planet. We continue to employ and rely on animals to this day, not only for the many heroic and utilitarian services they perform, but also for the peerless companionship and unconditional love they offer.

PEOPLE I SLEEP WITH documents this very special bond between some very special creatures, both domestic and exotic, and their beloved human guardians. This powerful collection of images is by turns poignant, provocative, and whimsical. It is impossible not to marvel at the mastiff and the boa curled protectively around their dreaming boy. Or smile at the sensitive hen snuggled up to her girl, the inky embrace of the tattooed gentleman with napping poodles, or the dapper, delicate scorpion and his dozing young friend. Each photograph captures the effortless intimacy between species as they sleep, sometimes tenderly intertwined, sometimes not even touching, yet always quietly, undeniably connected. ... Read more

Book Description

With the superior artisanship and eye for the natural horse that has made him the world's most celebrated photographer of horses, Robert Vavra presents a book of all-new images, profiling eighteen stunning equines spanning six breeds: Arabian, Andalusian, Morgan, American Saddlebred, Friesian, and Peruvian Paso. As in Vavra's most popular books, all are alone and running free in glorious natural settings: a white Arabian in a sun-washed desert; a black Friesian galloping in snowdrifts; a gray Andalusian amid violet flowers; a chestnut Arabian prancing in autumn leaves.

These lush photographs are accompanied by poetry and are followed by text and drawing that profile each breed, highlighting the particularly outstanding traits of each horse depicted. Vavra pays special attention to the Andalusian, providing an essay on its romantic history. Presented on natural, handmade paper, Horses of the Sun fuses the beautiful simplicity of Vavra's earlier works with a new, fresh image of horses. For anyone who loves horses or simply appreciates the finest of photography, Horses of the Sun is a lovely gift -- a paean to this most beloved of animals.

Reviews (16)

Breath-taking photos
This book is a must have. Robert Vavra captures the splendor and beauty of the horse in amazing photo after amazing photo. Horse-lover or not, it is impossible not to marvel at the beauty of the magnificent horses captured in this book. I look through the pages of this book almost every day, each time being like the first. I can't wait to purchase more of Robert Vavra's books!

The most beautiful horse photos ever taken!
I recieved this book as a Christmas gift and I fall in love with it every time I open it! I own several American Saddlebreds and I almost never see any pictures of them. Vavra has takes the most beautiful photos. The background colors always look great with the horses. I would frame each one if I could. If you love horses and art, this book is a must for you!

Essential Reading
Briefly paging thru this awesome piece I had the immediate need to order the publication and add it to my collection of favourites - you have'nt lived til you have this piece of art!!!

Vavra Rides On
Once again Robert Vavra presents us with a look at one of man's oldest friends - the horse. His books give readers an in-depth look at the horse in a natural setting, providing photographs taken by someone who has a deep understanding of the species. Many of the photos seem as though the horse was alone, the photographer invisible. Vavra has captured the spirit and natural freedom that wild horses enjoy. Some of the photos are so realistic that they seem to place the reader right there with the horses. Whether you are a long time horse-lover, or someone who appreciates nature portrayed naturally, this book is enjoyable.
The book contains selected poetry, and details of six breeds with special detail to the Andalusian horse.

Positively Mesmerizing
I first saw this book wrapped in plastic as I was meandering through a book store, and simply from seeing the cover I was mesmerized by the beauty of the photography. For a year I never forgot that cover or the the name Robert Vavra, and now, finally receiving the book as a gift I have had the privelege of actually viewing the pages, and the photos and words that lie on the inside are 10 times more powerful than I ever could have imagined. I find myself drawn to flip through it multiple times every day. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Dignity, grace, beauty, emotional range, & sexuality of cats
Professional photographer Hans Silvester is passionate abut nature as evidenced in his acclaimed career as a travel photographer. Now with Cats In Love he turns his artist's eye to the subject of our feline companions in an impressive array of full color photography wonderfully capturing the images of cats against the dramatic backdrop of Greece. These are images reflecting the dignity, grace, beauty, emotional range, & sexuality of cats, individual and in tandem. Cats In Love is enthusiastically recommended for anyone who appreciates their feline companion, and for students of animal photography wanting to seek how it is done by a true master of the art.

Beautiful Photography, Graceful Cats.
"Cats in Love" is the latest book of feline photography from noted cat photographer Hans Silvester. This large, colorful book is filled with beautifully composed photos of cats in the Greek Isles. Most of the photos are of one or two cats, though there are a few that have larger groups of cats.

The beauty of this book is in Sylvester's ability to convey feline temperament, mood, attitude, guile, poise, and grace in every frame. Most people who love cats admire their range of physical expressions of mood, from facial expressions to body language. Here Silvester captures all of the moods related to feline affection beautifully. The cats come across not so much as mere animals, but as loving, caring beings that have a wide range of emotions, which is of course one of many reasons that humans love cats so much.

Although it definitely is a part of feline affection, my only criticism of the book would be the inclusion of a couple of photographs of cats actually mating. I don't object to this out of prudishness, but that those photos tend to damage the mood of the rest of the book: going from love and sensuality to a more overt, biological look at the mechanics of feline reproduction, which is not what the book is really about. Fortunately there are only a couple of these examples, yet their presence is the sole reason that I didn't give this otherwise very worthy book five stars.

For a cat lover, or anyone who admires beautiful photography, this book would be hard to beat, and I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

James and Other Apes is a collection of 50 close-up portraits of gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans and bonobos - man's closest biological relatives. Photographed over a span of four years in seven ape sanctuaries, in Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Germany and the USA, they are mainly orphans, victims of the illicit trade in _bushmeat_. Djeke, Fizi, Gregoire, James, Koto and the others are all photographed as unique individuals while representing species whose survival is under threat. With case note biographies, and introduced with a powerful and moving essay by Jane Goodall, this book celebrates the great apes. The faces that look back at us also raise profound moral and scientific questions _ including what it means to define ourselves _human_. ... Read more

Book Description

Each volume contains all the winning and commended entries from the annual British Gas Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition--from the best international photographers. ... Read more

Book Description

Whales, dolphins, and porpoises have fascinated humankind for centuries. Amazingly diverse, they have evolved specializations that allow them, despite being air-breathing mammals, to exploit habitats ranging from surface waters to ocean depths. Whales and Dolphins of the World is a celebration of the variety (more than 80 species), behavior, and natural history of these remarkable animals. Stunningly illustrated by 180 color photographs, it describes what we know of their lives, including feeding, reproduction, communication, and social structures, and surveys the factors that affect them, from hunting to pollution. The book explores the strong relationship between our species and theirs, with a look at dolphin therapy and the pros and cons of whale-watching. It details the forces that threaten whales, dolphins, and porpoises, including hunting, whaling, fisheries, pollution, and habitat destruction, and also describes the conservation actions that must take place in the twenty-first century to save them. A color map of the world highlights the waters in which whales and dolphins are found.

Worldwide interest in these unique creatures is growing, as evidenced by the increasing number of people who go whale- and dolphin-watching each year. This book, with its informative, lively text and spectacular images, provides an illuminating look at the lives of whales and dolphins in a changing world. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Probably a good addition to your coffee table, but ...
This volume is filled with beautiful photographs of Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Idaho. If you're looking for a coffee table volume about the area for guests to peruse, this may be the volume you're seeking. If you're looking for photographic tips, I'm afraid you will need to look elsewhere. ... Read more

Book Description

Art Wolfe has been photographing nature and wildlife to wide acclaim for 25 years, but his most recent book takes a new approach. Recognizing the crucial interdependence between animal life and the environment, Wolfe focuses on this relationship. As he says, "An animal . . . within its habitat is a vibrant representation of natural selection." The Living Wild offers breathtaking evidence of this. Wolfe traveled three years to capture these rare, soaring images, from Mongolia to Australia to Iceland and beyond. The result is a rich pictorial tour of a magnificent array of animals, from "charismatic" beasts like the giant panda and the lowland gorilla, to a stunning display of birds, to such unsung contributors to the ecology as insects. Complementing the images are essays by renowned conservationists, such as Jane Goodall, who document the increasingly tenuous state of earth's biodiversity and suggest ways to strengthen it. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

nice photo work BUT....
I liked the photography in this book but i can not believe how UNSHARP many of the shots appear to be. They are blown up way too much considering he works with 35mm equipment. The book layout is splendid but should be produced in half the dimensions of the current version. Best part is the distribution maps with the photos reduced and a brief write-up about the species and how the shots were taken.

amazing
I ordered this book from a book distributor that I deal with at the store where I work and when it came in, 2 of my co-workers were so impressed by it that they asked me to order one for each of them. This is an absolutely incredible book for wildlife enthusiasts. The photographers may be interested in reading Art's notes at the end of each section that often explain some techniques and gear used for the shots. This is a stunning addition to any coffee table top.

Magnificent Wildlife Photography!!!!!
Art Wolfe, perhaps the world's pre-eminent wildlife photographer, and my favorite photographer from any genre, has done it again. The "Living Wild" book is produced in wide format much like his Africa work. This production both shows off his wide angle photography, and creates a high-quality work that would make any coffee table or library proud. Wide-angle shots are combined with multi-image pages to create a portfolio that is at once balanced, and eye catching.

Wolfe has a stunning visual style - his animal shots appear to be more portraits than wildlife photography. I found myself wondering how he could have possibly captured some shots. Better still, he captures them in their habitats, combining landscape with flora and fauna as only he can. Animals from virtually every climate are featured: desert to temperate zone. For the true animal lover, he includes briefs on each animal species featured, much in the way most modern zoos do. These are combined with essays from respected zoologists like Jane Goodall.

The net effect? A beautiful, high-quality photographic collection, wrapped in an interesting and informative package. I recommend this highly to lovers of photography, animals, or show-off quality coffee table books.

Check out his other works as well. Stunning.

Magnificent photographs and call for help to text!
I had heard of Mr. Wolfe before,but it wasn`t until today,when I got this book I saw his photographs. I definitly think he is comparable with my other favourites Lanting and Doubilet,if not better. This book is definitly not a small bad book! At a weight of more than 2 pounds and in a format not suitable for even my bookcase,it is a behemoth in nature photo books. It was pretty expensive,but belive me,it`s worth the money. The book is divided into seven chapters,after the beautifull introduction. Island and Ocean is the first,and it deals with the Galapagos Islands with fantastic iguanas,and also humpback whales,which are very impressive. Polar & Subpolar,which is the second chapter,deals with cute polar bears and elephant seals that looks pretty fun,but also penguins,which are charmy animals. Savannah,Desert & Steppe is also an impressive chapter that features lions,wild dogs and elephants of the african savannah. Here are also some funny australian lizards,among them a moloch which looks like an alien!Mountain is the fourth chapterm,and it has many beautifull views of animals with mountains in the background - perfect inspiration. Temperate shows the beauty of North America`s nature with bears,owls and wolves. Subtropical features the Indian Nature. Here there are an excellent picture of mating peacocks. The tiger enthusiast won`t be disappointed either. The final chapter deals with the tropical rainforests,the most diverse areas in the world. Many wild cats are included here,but also toucans and parrots,to not mention monkeys. Over all,I can almost classify this as a sequel to Lanting`s The Living Planet,but in new format and a new photographer. This is a real mammoth release that won`t make anyone disappointed. It also has interesting comments about the endangered species by different authors. I find it very inspiring and funny to look at. Everyone that sees it says:"Can I look!". In such huge format,the full beauty of the image can be discovered. Every picture is like a poster!The book features a total of 150 species from 40 countries. Together with "The Living Planet" and "Water Light Time" it is the best photo book I have read so far. If Wolfe continues like this,I am pleased to see his future work.

An exquisite call to arms...
Once in a great while, an author produces a book that has the potential to change the way people view the environment and their role in preserving it. From an idea initially born while photographing a single endangered Florida panther, Art Wolfe has produced such a book.

"The Living Wild" is a call to arms that highlights the need for immediate habitat preservation to combat the decline of biodiversity in the world. Happily, it accomplishes this goal while remaining a uniquely accessible work, with a visual splendor that will allow people far-removed from the core environmental debate to appreciate, relate to, and, with any hope, be inspired by its central message.

It is obvious on every page that Wolfe was meticulous in his editing choices during the book's production. Each image is composed carefully, and no photograph in the book appears even slightly out of focus. There is no implication that any photograph made the final cut because it was "good enough." Wolfe stayed in the field until he got it right. Such tenacity was particularly important on this project because the visual style Wolfe chose led to a significantly lower number of "keeper" images than would normally be expected from a seasoned pro running so much film through his camera. By employing slower films, longer exposures, and wider-angle lenses than those typically used for wildlife photography, each of which naturally magnifies the possibility of subject movement or camera shake, Wolfe has created a collection of images that will stand out in a crowd.

After three years of seemingly perpetual motion on the world's many continents, and with hundreds of thousands of travel miles behind him, Wolfe may have met his greatest challenge of the project on the light table when he arrived back home in Seattle. Although there are a large number of pictures in the book, that number represents an incredibly small percentage of the total number of exposures Wolfe made during his three years in the field. Upon a second reading of the book, I found myself extrapolating from the photographs Wolfe ultimately chose to include, wondering what images had found their way to the cutting room floor (metaphorically) during the production process in order to make room for the survivors.

Wolfe's goal in producing this book was to highlight the state of wildlife in the world at the turning of the Millennium, and to that end, the photographs in "The Living Wild" place an unusual amount of emphasis on the animals' context in their environment. This is not a book of portraits; nearly all of the photographs depict the animals in their native habitats. This style will not please every viewer, of course. For those who prefer tightly-framed animal portraits, or animal photographs exhibiting a high degree of anthropomorphism, Wolfe's emphasis on environmental context may detract from the viewing experience. Such readers might be better served with a review of Frans Lanting's excellent "Eye to Eye."

In addition to Wolfe's photographs, "The Living Wild" also features a series of essays written by environmental luminaries, including Jane Goodall, Richard Dawkins, William Conway, John C. Sawhill, and Goerge B. Schaller. The essays tie Wolfe's images together well, and those readers who are drawn to "The Living Wild" for its message of habitat preservation will find that the text of the essays effectively outlines the problems human encroachment on the environment is producing, and calls for immediate corrective efforts before the remedies escape us. On the other hand, those readers who purchase the book solely for its visual qualities will find that the text is easily skimmed, and will not impede the book's value as a fixture on the coffee table.

"The Living Wild" concludes with a section of thumbnail-sized images of each of the photographs in the book. Each of the pictures is accompanied by a small map indicating the habitat range for the particular animal depicted in the corresponding photograph. There is also a narrative passage offering Wolfe's comments about the making and meaning of the image, which those in the nature photography community seeking to emulate Wolfe's work will find helpful.

The fact that such information was presented on additional pages in the book, rather than edited tightly and crammed into captions on the same page as the primary image, underscored for me the commitment Wolfe and his production team had to releasing a top-quality work. Such additional pages invariably add to production costs, and "The Living Wild" is already a thick book, with large pages printed on excellent quality paper. Wolfe spent a great deal of his own money on the project, which was obviously a labor of love, and at the price for which it is selling I'm not sure the project can even recoup its costs.

No book, of course, is perfect, and "The Living Wild" is not an exception. Some readers may be looking for a collection of pretty pictures, and no more, and may accordingly find the message of habitat preservation Wolfe presents unduly 'preachy," although as mentioned above I think the textual portions of the book are easily circumnavigated. Those on the opposite end of the political spectrum may wish that the essays took an even harsher tone in condemning human expansion on the planet. And the emphasis on broad-based accessibility does not allow for a high-minded, scholarly dissertation. At any rate, that is not Wolfe's style.

I would also note that the photographs Wolfe has selected for the book often differ greatly from one another stylistically. While this visual diversity helps showcase the breadth of Wolfe's talents, and probably means that the book will have a "Wow!" shot for every reader, it also increases the likelihood that no reader will feel a connection to all of the photographs. Finally, although it is a very accessible and persuasive work, it is unlikely to have the same far-reaching energizing effects on society as some earlier works, such as Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring." That it may be mentioned in the same company as such a book, however, is already a testament to the power "The Living Wild" does have.

"The Living Wild" is a beautiful and important book. It will improve any shelf or coffee table upon which it sits, and will hopefully have a similar effect on the minds of those that read it. I whole-heartedly recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

More than a hundred extraordinary portraits—lush, rich, textured, sculptural—that reveal the spirit and nobility of the horse. Portraits of horses gazing at the camera, standing in the golden light, stamping away flies, galloping, bucking, rolling in the dust.

They are the work of Michael Eastman, a self-taught photographer influenced by Edward Weston, Walker Evans, and Henry Moore, who spent thirty years capturing the essential nature of subjects that range from Cuban life to landscapes to architecture in many places. Now he turns his refined eye to the magnificent horse.
Eastman has caught the animal’s complexity and power, fear and courage, goodness, masculinity, femininity, uniqueness.

“All animals are wonderful,” says Eastman, “but horses are truly mythic.” ... Read more

Reviews (4)

BEAUTIFUL
Eastman has done a fabulous job! He portrays a side of the horse not often seen with his stunning photographs filled with motion and beauty. Each photo pictures a horse frozen in time, in all of it's equine splendor. This is truly a must have.

Disappointingly stylized rather than real
I had high hopes for this book, especially after seeing the other Amazon reviews. I was very disappointed, however, because many of the photos appear to be touched up or otherwise stylized somehow. There are many very blurry images and various double or multiple exposure shots. If all the photos were like the one on the cover - simple, real, excellent photos of horses - the book would be worth the money. However, only about 1/4 of the photos are that way. This seemed to me to be more like a rich person's coffee table book than a true horse lover's book - for those who like "artistic" renderings rather than the real thing.

Absolutely STUNNING!!!!!!!! A MUST have!!!!
I've been in designing books (mostly pictoral) for over 12 years. I can safely say this is an absolutely incredible book!!! It's worth the $45 sticker price but a can't pass up at the Amazon price. The 4 color b/w photography shows detail that is very, very rare to be able to see in photographs. Perfect jobs were done on tones, contrast, and not to mention the talented artistry of Eastman. I saw photos in here of angles and positions I've never seen printed before and this book has provided me with over half a dozen inspirations for sculptures. I can't possibly recommend this book enough! For those of us that do equine art, you can't be without this beautiful reference. I'll never part with it.

Wow. I mean, wow. Really, wow. No, wow.
Really, Michael has that gift of seeing what others don't see and capturing it in the lens. What you'll see in these images if you're open enough, is pure love. The love Michael has, obviously, for these creatures, wild, free and noble. But also you'll see these animal's love for life itself in their expressions and the briefly-captured energy of their movements. Each page suitable for framing, each page dares you to stroke it and imagine the sweat of the hides and smell the unmistakable odor of a living horse. In fact, most of the images are so beautiful, you could crop out the horses and still have raw beauty. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Beautiful and Well Written
This really is a wonderful investment for Texas bird watchers. It has wonderful photographs which have helped me identify two birds along with my copy of "The Audubon Society Field guide to North American Birds", the Painted Bunting and the Yellow-Crowned Night Heron. Using them together works much better than trying to use only one to identify new birds (the more pictures the better). Also, the layout of this book is much more enjoyable to thumb through and read, no flipping from front to back for details. Basically, it makes a wonderful compliment to a good field guide.

However, noticably lacking from the book is any mention (or photo) of the Great White Heron which is definitely found in Texas (as per the range map found in the Audubon Field Guide). We had one in our yard, standing in our pond (eating our Comet Goldfish no less), and I was able to identify it through the Audubon field guide, but found no mention of it in "The Birds of Texas". In fact, the author state that "the Great Egret is the largest of the white herons in Texas and is distinguished by its yellow bill and blackish legs and feet" (p32). However, the Great White Heron has yellow legs and feet as did the bird we saw. Perhaps the author feels that this bird doesn't visit our state? Perhaps he feels that a mention of the Great Blue Heron will suffice? This is definitely a problem, but only a small one in my opinion, and the only one we have found thus far.

I do recommend this book to all Texas bird enthusiasts. It is well worth the money.

Beautiful photographs!
The photography in this book is superlative and the main reason to purchase it is to admire the lush color photos of Texas's birds. However, I also enjoy the book because it allows me, as a novice birder, to learn to correctly identify various species. This book is much superior to an Audubon guide or a National Geographic Filed Guild to birds because each photo is huge and shows the birds to their best advantage. The photos of the various migrating birds aresimply outstanding!

I recommend this book for anyone who has an appreciation of birds in the Lone Star state and wants to vicariously see them through this medium. It will definitely prompt every armchair birder to take to the field and spy these wondrous creatures in their natural habitat. There are several birds I saw in this book which captured my fancy immediately. By seeing these photos, it prompted me to go out and beat the trails and shorelines to see each of these birds up close and "in person." A great book!

A Great Resource
This book has beautiful photographs of Texas birds. It describes their songs, how they eat, mate, nest, care for offspring, and all in an interesting manner. The way the author describes birds, you know he has a great love for these winged creatures. Cedar Wax-wings are "courteous", Loggerhead Shrikes have "the inclinations of a hawk", Grackles are "bullies", Carolina Chickadees are "acrobatic", Horned Larks have a "rakish, devilish air", etc.. Believe it or not, these descriptions actually help me remember what the birds look like and what they are called. Highly recommended.

Beautiful photographs; not so handy in the field
The remarkable thing about this book is the beautiful close-up colour pictures of almost every species. Not all the pictures are flawless--anyone who's ever photographed birds knows how hard it is to get a good, detailed, well-lit close-up shot--but they are very high quality and make this both a gorgeous coffee table book and a valuable identification aid.

The coverage is not as complete as, say, Peterson's Field Guide to the Birds of Texas, which I also own. The Peterson has, for example, many more of the confusing fall warblers; the Tveten explicitly says that detailed coverage of the warblers is outside its scope. But the differences in coverage are generally of the rarer birds; anything a casual bird-watcher is likely to see will be in the Tveten; and the Peterson has few good colour plates.

This is a larger book than is really convenient out in the field, though. Plus the descriptive sections, while well-written and interesting, aren't organized in a way that makes it easy to quickly find important field marks or check the range. If you want to get just one book I'd recommend this one; get another for completeness or for use in the field.

Outstanding book for bird enthusiasts
This colorful book thoroughly covers the wide range of birds in Texas. The close-up photography is stunning and provides for easy identification of birds encountered in the wild. Every aspect of each bird is described in depth in lively and interesting prose. The excellent organization of this book allows the reader to find the bird they are looking for quickly and efficiently. I highly recommend "The Birds of Texas". I only wish I had bought the hardcover edition instead of the softcover. ... Read more

Book Description

About This Book: Penguin Planet is the stunning result of Kevin Schafer's personal mission to observe and photograph each of the seventeen species of penguins in its natural habitat. With spectacular photos and lively text Penguin Planet is an affectionate portrait of the world's most popular birds.
Includes spectacular photos of all species of penguins. Short text includes natural history tidbits, plus why penguins are so eternally and universally popular, plus reasons for the author/photographer's lifelong obsession with trying to photograph every species throughout the Southern Hemisphere.
Highlights:

Written by Kevin Schafer, a well-known nature photographer and former seabird biologist and naturalist.

Features 112 stunning photographs.

Popular subject, unique in that it covers all species. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Lucky to preview this book...
I had the privilege of seeing the page proofs for this book, and some of the color photography in it. It is a wonderfully warm, yet scientifically accurate overview of penguin life with pictures to die for.

I've been watching this photographer's work since he first started to publish some twenty years ago. He has a great eye, and the technical know-how to convert a potential picture into a work of art. I still keep on my desk a copy of one of his first penguin pictures - which ended up by being published over and over again, even as a cover for International Wildlife.

A sure-fire Christmas present for anyone interested in wildlife or photography - or both! ... Read more

Book Description

Carry-Ons captures the smallest breed on the go: in their owner's pocket, purse, or backpack; riding in a car; hidden inside a hat; tucked under an arm; sitting in an office; perched on a laundry cart. These lively little Chihuahuas are photographed at their favorite spots, which are as diverse as an airplane cockpit and the Hollywood walk of fame. Find out what these little dogs are up to during a typical day with clever text that gives the name of each dog and where it travels. One well-heeled Chihuahua, Vida, goes to Petco, Kinko's Copies, Insomnia Coffee Shop, Samuel French Books, Canter's Deli, Office Depot, Third Street Promenade, and Palm Desert. The author and photographer of Lightweights, Sharon Montrose, delivers another irresistible book sure to delight all dog lovers. The vibrant color photographs and hip design make this book fresh and stylish. Like the toy breed it features, Carry-Ons is an instant pick-me-up. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A must for chihuahua lovers
This book makes a fabulous gift for all people who love Chihuahuas! The author, a professional photographer, does a superb job of showcasing the personalities and adventures of these adorable "carry-ons." The photographs are artistic, edgy, and fun! Unlike most other pet books, this one is prime coffee table material! Several full-color pages are devoted to each pooch hanging out in their favorite haunting grounds (Venice Beach, a flat in Paris, the laundromat, cockpit of a plane, etc.). Highly recommended for all Chi lovers...I already bought two copies - one for me and one for a friend. ... Read more

Book Description

This stunning collection of photographs covers five ecosystems -- savannah, woodland, rainforest, wetland, and desert -- and depicts habitat, animals, and human inhabitants for each. The photographs represent 20 trips to Africa over a span of 20 years, including a March 2001 photo safari to Tanzania. Michelle Gilders's five essays accompany Art Wolfe's exquisite photographs and address the pressing need to protect the diversity of each ecosystem. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Enthusiastically recommended for armchair travelers
Featuring a foreword by Jane Goodall of chimpanzee research fame, Africa: Photography is tremendous, spectacular display of truly lush, wondrous color photographs of natural wildlands and wildlife taken by Art Wolfe . A few pictures of African tribes people are also to be found amidst captures of lions, elephants, monkeys, pelicans, and so much more. Natural splendor abounds in this captivating gallery, and the highly informative text commentary adds depth and understanding to the many eye-catching images. With a foreword by Jane Goodall and an informative text by Michelle Gilders, Africa is enthusiastically recommended for armchair travelers, nature lovers, and anyone with an interest in the majestic splendor and majesty of the African wildlands.

Exquisite!!
I believe that the text I have just read is splendid, simply splendid!! It has wonderful photographs and a beautiful layout. I would certainly suggest a fine piece of literature such as this to anyone who wishes for a wonderful book to add to their home library. Again, splendid!!

Excellent photos of African wildlife and serengiti area
I spent about 50 days in africa, mostly in the eastern africa area. This book brings out the best landscape and wildlife pictures which is always difficult to see. The authoer must have spent months to capture the best of the nature and share it with readers. Excellent book if you are interested in the africal wildlife and scenery.

wow. amazing work.
This is one of my favorite photo books of all time. Very inspiring to me, as I lead 6 trips per year on photo safaris, teaching people how to photograph along the way. So this book hits home for me. I can definitely appreciate the nuances in his photos, as well as the time spent waiting for the shots. If you are looking for a wildlife / landscape / cultural book on Africa, this is a great place to start. I suspect there are many photos in this book that overlap with his 'Tribes' book, so that is my next book from Art.

stunning...
You won't be disappointed. Wolfe is a master, and these images are amazing. Great book, decent price. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Beautiful Collection
One of the best places on earth photographed by the best in the business. These stunning pictures will take your breath away. One sometimes wishes for larger pictures. ... Read more

Book Description

Orchestral music from the national PBS special provides an evocative backdrop for Adams' breathtaking images of the American landscape.

In 1941 Ansel Adams was hired by the United States Department of the Interior to photograph America's national parks for a series of murals that would celebrate the country's natural heritage. Because of the escalation of World War II, the project was suspended after less than a year, but not before Adams had produced this group of breathtaking images, which illustrate both his early innovations and the shape of his later, legendary career as America's foremost landscape photographer.

The invitation to photograph the nation's parklands was the perfect assignment for Adams, as it allowed him to express his deepest convictions as artist, conservationist, and citizen. These stunning photographs of the natural geysers and terraces in Yellowstone, the rocks and ravines in the Grand Canyon, the winding rivers and majestic mountains in Glacier and Grand Teton national parks, the mysterious Carlsbad Caverns, the architecture of ancient Indian villages, and many other evocative views of the American West demonstrate the genius of Adams' technical and aesthetic inventiveness.

In these glorious, seminal images we see the inspired reverence for the wilderness that has made Ansel Adams' work a most enduring influence on the intertwining spirits of art and environmentalism, both so necessary for the preservation of our natural world.

A CD featuring music from the PBS special, "Tim Janis: An American Composer in Concert" completes this new edition. With over one million albums sold worldwide, Tim Janis, known for his music's powerful evocation of the wonders of nature, is one of America's most beloved and accomplished young composers. Performed by the American Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Janis himself, massive orchestral climaxes leading to sweet, passionate melodies unfold in tone poems ranging from "White Mountains" to "Half Moon Bay," to all inspired by the same reverence for nature so movingly expressed in the photographs of Ansel Adams.

Other Details: 125 duotone illustrations, packaged with music CD ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Great Introduction to Ansel Adams
Anyone who doesn't know a lot about Ansel Adams but is interested in learning more about his work will appreciate and enjoy this cleverly organized pictorial. Structured by national parks, the reader will see many wonderful pictures, some classics, that will surely create a better impression as to what type of pictures Adams takes. A great gift book as well.

Wee, but Wonderful
This wee little book (4 inch by 4 inch format) dispels the notion that the work of Ansel Adams can only be appreciated in a coffee table book. Organized into 10 sections by location (Zion National Park, Yellowstone, etc.) and peoples (Native Americans and Their Lands), it shows Adams's work out west in our great national places like Grand Canyon and the Boulder Dam. The great appeal of this little book is that these fabulous black and white images retain their beauty and mystery even though reduced in size. I can, and I have, carried it with me throughout the house, or on a walk with the dog, or have thumbed through it while sipping a cup of coffee. It is well worn and well loved. And now I am going to order one for my cousin who will move out to Montana with her new husband. ... Read more

Book Description

From Texas to the caves of Santa Barbara, the wealth and diversity of Indian rock paintings and carvings astonish us with their beauty, mystery, and spirituality. This new softbound edition presents a broad range of intriguing work spanning more than 4,000 years. ... Read more