Your favorite nature photography books?

[lolo_lasid]

Okay, I know that practice makes perfect, and no book can make you a better photographer unless you work harder on the field. But knowing the 'theories' definitely leads to better techniques and results, right?

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So, what's your favorite book on nature photography? Please mention the book's coverage on some of these aspects: compositions, techniques and lighting, technical information, equipments, etc.

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FYI, a search on "book review" yielded this

<a href="http://db.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=0000ce">relevant thread</a>, and Philip's dead trees section does not mention much of nature photography books...

[barry_crowder1]

I really liked 'Techniques of Natural Light Photography' by Jim Zuckerman. (Writers Digest Books, Cincinatti, Ohio. ISBN 0-89879-716-0) Mainly, it discusses different lighting situations, and how to recognize and maximize their effect on photos. It has dozens of very nice photos which really illustrate each concept that is being discussed.

<p>It definitely covers ground that has been covered elsewhere, like the differences between shooting midday and just before sunset, but it discusses these common themes in a very useful, practical way. Well worth the US$27.99 I paid for it at Barnes & Noble.

[jim_bridges2]

Any of the books by John Shaw. I think he has all the areas of nature photography covered, (landscapes to closeups) and very well too. They are outstanding books for the new photographer to read. He is one of nature photography finest teacher's.

[piaw]

I really like <a href="http://www.mountainlight.com"> Galen Rowell's </a> "Mountain Light", and "Galen Rowell's Vision: The Art of Adventure Photography." Mountain Light is absolutely inspirational work, and his descriptions of how he got some of his pictures while running, climbing, and skiing is instrumental in getting me to think about my technique for hand-holding and bracing a camera without a tripod.

 

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"The Art of Adventure Photography" is a collection of his columns from Outdoor Photographer. That magazine is maligned by this community, but his columns are real gems. There's real sensible advice on how to use ND grad. filters, his opinion on automation, and all the philosiphizing that we get on this forum, but from someone that I consider really at the top of his field.

[chris_hawkins]

Photographing Wildflowers by Craig & Nadine Blacklock, copyright 1987, Published by Voyaguer Press, 123 North Second Street, Stillwater, MN 55082

 

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This books is a nice balance of techniques, equipment recommendations, and beautiful photographs. I found it as helpful as John Shaw's "Closeups in Nature" which has a well deserved excellent reputation.

 

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Chris

[chris_hawkins]

Photographing Wildflowers by Craig & Nadine Blacklock, copyright 1987, Published by Voyaguer Press, 123 North Second Street, Stillwater, MN 55082

 

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This book is a nice balance of techniques, equipment recommendations, and beautiful photographs. I found it as helpful as John Shaw's "Closeups in Nature" which has a well deserved excellent reputation.

 

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Chris

[dan_smith]

"The Creation", by Ernst Haas. It doesn't dwell on technique, lenses, gear or any of that at all. It shows images & stimulates the imagination.

[anthonty_debase]

If you are interested in getting Shaw's "The Nature Photographer's Complete Guide to Professional Field Techniques" be advised that Shaw is supposed to be working on an updated, revised edition of this book. I heard that about a week after I bought the book. :(

[pete_su]

I like the two Galen Rowell books mentioned.

 

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I have also got John Shaw's Landscape and Closeups books.

 

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I find that these books are also very instructive for general photography, not just nature work. I don't even do a lot of nature work, but the books have helped a lot.

[Brian P Bower CamraScapes]

My favorite and most informative for all nature and wildlife photography, "How I Photograph Wildlife and Nature" by Leonard Lee Rue III. I wouldn't be without this book, great resource to go back to for many wildlife and nature situations and for marketing your work.

enjoy.

[don_ridgway]

As a hopeless book junkie, I'm delighted for a chance to praise a few of my many books.

 

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1. For beginners, I like "Understanding Exposure" by Brian Peterson (Amphoto). Very good overall on basics, with lots of outdoor stuff.

 

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2. Ansels Adams, of course, "Examples: The Making of Forty Photographs." (You don't have to be a B&W buff for this to be worthwhile.)

 

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3. And Freeman Patterson's books, especially "Photography of Natural Things." Has a good mix of the hardware issues and the mental processes (without straying too far into New Age mushbrain stuff).

 

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Cheers.

 

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Don Ridgway

[paal_jensen1]

An old thread but a topic that don't go out of fashion.

 

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My favorite book on nature photography is Galen Rowell's "Mountain

Light". I believe its the ultimate book on the subject, of course with

reservations since I obviously haven't read them all. I've read this

book four times and I look forward reading it again. Superb images and

really inspiring text. Rowell manages to put words to the more

philosophical aspects of the trade.

Rowell's "The art of adventure photography" (not to be mixed up with

his "art of adventure") is also interesting reading. Short columns on

different topics derived from his column in Outdoor photography

magazine. Some of it is uninteresting, some is dated but most is

enjoyable.

 

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My favorite "how to" books are John Shaws "complete guides". Buy 'em

all. These should be obligatory reading for all aspiring (and even

experienced) nature photographers. First rate pictures and clear,

concise and fun to read text. The text is so fun and inspiring that I

have read all of them several times.

John Fielder's Landscape book is also highly recommended. Beautiful

images in the american landscape photography tradition. Good,

informative text although I don't like his "pizza" analogy.

I will also recommend Charles Campbells "backpacking guide"; A well

written "how to" book.

 

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In wildlife photography my favorite books are Frans Lanting's "Eye to

Eye" and "Okavango". In my opinion, Lanting is the worlds best

wildlife phtographer by a large margin. Not only that, but he is

probably the worlds best Elephant phtographer, bird photographer,

Crocodile photographer etc.; all in one person. What Lanting manages

is to make art out of wildlife photography. He connects with the

subject in a way few other manages. This is far away from the

photographically unchallenging "species" photography often seen. In

adition, his work is highly original, and equipment buffs should note

the fact that his Okavango book is shot with a Nikon FE. This camera

has features that came available as early as 1972 with the Pentax ES.

Here are pictures of animals in action and birds in flight. No

marketing bullshit sometimes found in other, less serious photography

books.

Another of my favorites is Jim Brandenburg. Much of Lantings quality

can also be found in his work. In particular I would recommend his

wolf books: "Brother wolf" and "White wolf"; truly involving and

inspiring work and must for wildlife shooters.

 

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I have probably forgotten some of my favorites. However, there are

also bad or dissapointing photo books. I once saw (but didn't buy) a

nature (mostly landscape pictures) book published by a large well

known publishing house, with truly awful pictures. The best picture

was a truly unspectacular landscape shoot in brigth sunlight in the

middle of the day. The most characteristic aspect was the fact that

there was a set of telephone line crossing the middle of the picture.

This proves that its more important to be good at marketing than being

a good photographer, although the latter helps.

[jerome_smith]

Joe McDonald has a couple of nature photo instruction books that are

worthwhile, with some in depth discussion on exposure under different

conditions. George Lepp's "Beyond the Basics I" has a lot of

instruction beyond basics,i.e., polarizing flash, butterfly macro,

aquaria shooting, and, is wonderful to look at. "Beyond the Basics

II" is disappointing on instruction (he ran out of things to talk

about) but is , nevertheless, nice to look at. Rod Planck's "Nature's

Places" is basically a "vanity" book, with nothing say. Nevertheless,

it has some good ideas on locations, and is a visual joy.

[paal_jensen1]

To answer the original question: becoming a good photographer isn't

just about techniques; that's the easy part. Learning to see is the

most important issue. Helpful in the process of learning to see is

seeing as many (good) pictures as possible. This helps you

recognise good compositions in the field. Good nature photgraphy

portfolios in bookform is therefore highly recommended.

In this category is Jim Brandenburg's "Chased by the Light", which I

received in the mail today. This is possible the most impressive photo

book I have ever seen. Not because the picture are better than

anything else, but because Brandenburg made only one shot pr. day over

a 90 day period. This book is the result and it is impressive. Few can

do this after him.

[scott_pick]

I recommend:

 

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� Any of the John Shaw books

� "Selling Nature Photography" by Norbert Wu

� Art Wolfe's "The Art of Photographing Nature"

� John Fielder's "Photographing the Landscape: The Art of Seeing"

 

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I really like the John Fielder and the Art Wolfe books. High quality

and good photos. I like John Fielder's attiude! He's a true purist

photographer.

 

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Scott

[marcus_erne]

Just to add something different, I picked up a "Better Pictures"-

series from Michael Busselle who is a well known British

photographer. Nice pictures and lots of good advices. There are

several themes to choose from, here what covers nature:

 

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Better Picture Guide to Flower & Garden Photography (Better Picture

Guide Series):

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/2880463262/qid=916024984/sr=1-

2/002-9952495-0977633

 

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Better Picture Guide to Landscape Photography:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/288046370X/qid=916024984/sr=1-

3/002-9952495-0977633

 

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Better Picture Guide to Travel Photography (Better Picture Guide

Series):

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/2880463254/qid=916024984/sr=1-

4/002-9952495-0977633

 

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I wrote a few commends about the travel book, the others are written

in the same style. Follow..... http://db.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-

fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000Eiu

[prolix_solutions]

<p>Yes, I’m a <strong>photography book junkie</strong>! This page lists some of <strong>best books</strong> for digital photography and the nature photographer. <br /> <br /> Even if you're not into digital photography, these books have pages and pages of <strong>unusual shots</strong> to help you learn to see the world in new ways. <br /> <br /> Taking photography courses, getting out in the field often, practicing new techniques, meeting with other photographers all help you make better photographs. But many times, when the weather is lousy, or I need to re-energize, I like plopping myself in my big comfy chair beside my woodstove, and curling up with a <strong>good photo book</strong>.<br>

Pizza Equipment</p>