Book Description
An updated bestseller, this book of extraordinarily beautiful photographs of nature contains state-of-the-art instruction on how any photographer can aim for equally impressive results every time a camera is focused on the great outdoors. Even highly skilled photographers are often baffled by the problems facing them when they work outdoors. But with this exceptional field guide in hand, every photographer-beginner, serious amateur, semi-pro, and pro-can conquer the problems encountered in the field. Using his own exceptional work as examples, the author discusses each type of nature subject and how to approach photographing it. Specific advice and information cover selection of equipment and lenses; how to compose a shot; how to get close ups; and other tips covering a range of techniques to enrich various types of nature photographs.
Customer Reviews:
Great content and easy to read. .......2007-08-29
I bought three photo books at the same time. This one was great for understanding the basics again but more in depth. Everything about his discussion on exposure relates to being outside and shooting outside.
This book is a good book to teach from if needed. I found myself highlighting many many statements and excited about reading the next chapter. I will be re-reading this book.
I would have liked to see more on blinds, building them, and stalking techniques. However, the first part of this book is very very good. I was thinking this was all about field techniques for getting close to the subject but there is little about that. However the content about stalking, etc., is very good. Now that I read the book, I see how this is a field guild. Learning how to have correct exposure in the field and get the shot you was wanting.
I really enjoyed the tone of the book. It is low key and easy to follow. Each time there is a term that may be unfamiliar he would define it and use an example. Easy to see John is a good teacher.
This is not an "all in one" book but close. However that is not the aim of the book. This one with another good basics book and I would say someone just starting out could really start taking wonderful pictures that make a mark.
-Jeff
[...]
Ease of Use.......2007-05-07
When you see a terrific photo, it screams "great" at you. For those of us who love great photos but have a difficult time with all the numbers, combinations, and what changes to make on the fly, this book was a breath of fresh air. Shaw tells you in plain English what makes a photo good while bouncing along in a Land Rover in the wilds of Africa or comfortably entrenched behind a tree with your telephoto lens trained on a native village in rural Mexico. He writes simply, with lovely concision. The two of you could be sitting in your living room chatting photography. I love that approach! Because the book is fairly heavy and wouldn't fit in my camera bag, I copied the needed chapters and stuffed them in. Perfect!
Simply the best.......2007-05-07
After reading several other books on nature photography, most were good, but this one is without reservation, the very best. Although written for film, most of the book is still valuable for digital photography. I was hooked on the book by the chapter on exposure. His treatment of the subject is clear and simply rang true. It has heped me to think of exposure in ways that have improved my photography significantly.
The book covers a wide range of topics and does so consistently and clearly.
Detailed Photos and Attention Grabbing Techniques........2007-02-28
Let me just thank [...]
Now to the book. I made a cursory reading of Nature Photography Field Guide and I can already tell that I did not make a mistake ordering it. It is like a course in photography itself on first glance with specialization in nature and outdoor photography. All the main stuff that I wanted to know are there: exposure, what type of lenses to use, equipment and film, composition, etc.
I especially like the fact that tricky lighting situations and exposure are addressed and techniques recommended. This is the chapter that grabs my attention at the moment, as this is my weakness: how to compensate exposure manually based on scene lighting. I will try out Shaw's suggestions as soon as I can. His photos are breathtaking and detailed with camera, lenses and accessories used.
I shall be updating this review once I made thorough reading of it. Meanwhile, thanks again Amazon for the speedy delivery of my copy of Shaw's Nature Photography Field Guide and Immortal Beloved DVD!
must book for Nature Photography .......2007-01-07
I am an armature photographer, which studied photography for one academic year in Camera Obscura (one of Israel's leading photography schools). Reading the book was equal to a second year. The book covers basic photography concepts and technique (DOF, lenses ect.)as well as a very practical what you need to know and get in order to start working in the field. I must say that a great deal of my equipment was bought and upgraded based on the recommendations of John Shaw. One of the import issues the book deals with (including some very good examples) is horizontal vs. vertical positioning of the camera and the issue of cropping effect on how the image "feels".
Any new photographer that wants to start nature photography should read this book, whether he uses a DSLR or a point and shot. I go further and recommend it to any one planning a nature vacation, so when he shows his pictures to family and friends it will amaze them instead of bored them.
Great and practical book.
Book Description
Traveling the world for eight decades, mountaineer, explorer, cartographer, and aerial photographer Bradford Washburn has documented the landscape from the Grand Canyon to the Alps, from Mount McKinley to Mount Everest. Genius has inspired him to pioneer photographic techniques that capture the most remote and inaccessible points on earth under conditions worthy of a stunt man. Genius has also transformed his photos-conceived for a purely functional purpose-into works of expressive art. Now the career of America's most celebrated mountain photographer is presented for the first time in book form.
In Bradford Washburn: Mountain Photography, one hundred large-format mountain photographs, selected from more than 10,000 images, take the reader through Washburn's lifetime of accomplishments. Aerial images of high mountains, looking more like bold relief maps, are captured in extreme raking light. There are picture essays of early Alaskan expeditions-striking modern still lifes of supply caches and camp conditions-plus portraits of team members and colorful characters and situations encountered along the way. Additional aerial photographs reveal, in breathtaking clarity, the workings of the earth, continuously transformed by upheavals and erosions, and the slow march and retreat of glaciers.
Customer Reviews:
Bradford Washburn: Mountain Photography.......2007-04-03
I was looking for something different. The photographs are beautiful but they are mostly not of the mountain in which I was interested.
Bradford Washburn: Mountain Photography.......2005-10-17
TERRIBLE COPY - FALLING APART - PAID VERY HIGH PRICE AND WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE QUALITY OF THE BOOK. WHEN PURCHASED IT SAID IT WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION.
Picture the mountains in all their glory..........2003-01-15
This book is a marvelous record of mountain exploration and photography with photos that span a period of almost 70 years. This small collection representing much less than 1% of Washburn's photographs is a remarkable record of photography rivaling Ansel Adams or Vittorio Sella. Although the photos were originally taken to support his geological or surveying research or to provide guide shots for climbers, Washburn soon realized that he had a knack for taking photographs as art that were as good as any being produced by other photographers.
This book may be a disappointment for those who want expedition photographs as few of the photographs include people. Indeed, having a few more pictures of people would have warranted five stars. Yet, many of the pictures are aerial photographs so the lack of people in many is not surprising. What makes it ultimately worthwhile is the crispness of the pictures, the attention to details on the ridges and valleys of the mountains, the patterns revealed in the flow of glaciers, and so on.
One other point of interest is that this book was the Grand Prize Winner of the 2000 Banff Mountain Book Festival -- the only pure photography book to win that award.
A slight disappointment.......2001-07-29
After the exhiliration generated by Washburn's classic book on Denali, this one left me slightly disappointed. There are many exquisite photographs and a few truly great ones, such as the famous picture of climbers on the Doldenhorn (in the Bernese Alps). But on the whole there are just a little bit too many pictures of abstract geological features. These reveal a more scholarly side of Washburn's art: interesting to round out our view on this great artist, but less captivating than the epic mountain pictures. Also, there is an appendix with a detailed account of Washburn's career, with many little inset pictures of people he worked with (Barbara Washburn being the most prominent amongst them). I would have liked to see many more of these pictures and at a size more amenable to detailed study. A final point of criticism on this book concerns the interview with Washburn by the editor: it is very revealing but way too short! I would have guessed that Decaneas would have been able to extract much more material from all the conversations he has had with Washburn in the final years of his life. So, it's a nice book to have in the library, but Decaneas missed an opportunity to put together an absolute classic. Pity.
Museum quality visual images.......2001-03-16
Bradford Washburn roamed the globe for eighty years as a mountaineer, explorer, cartographer, and aerial photographer. In Bradford Washington: Mountain Photography, Tony Decaneas as assembled one hundred full-size landscape mountain photographs from the more than ten thousand images that Bradford made during his lifetime of photographic accomplishments. From the Grand Canyon to the Alps, from Mount McKinley to Mount Everest, these black and white landscape photos of mountain peaks and picture portraits of team members and colorful characters that are each of them museum quality visual images showcasing Bradford's photography as having risen to the level of fine art.
Average customer rating:
- great mother's day gift, or mother's bday present.
- Gorgeous coffee table book on orchids
- My brother loved it!
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Orchidelirium
Harold Feinstein , and
Robert H. Hesse
Manufacturer: Bulfinch
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One Hundred Flowers
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Foliage
ASIN: 082126205X |
Book Description
The Dutch had Tulip Mania in the 17th century. Victorian England had its own equivalent with "orchidelirium," an obsessive passion for orchids that has carried into thepresent day. Orchids remain among the most beautiful, hotly debated, and passionately collected of all flowers.ORCHIDELIRIUM presents Harold Feinstein's breathtaking pictures of orchids--dozens of different varieties and shades of them. In the tradition of the critically acclaimed gift book One Hundred Flowers (Bulfinch Press, 2000), this new volume offers images of staggering detail and subtlety. Nobody has been able to match Feinstein's mastery of flower photography, and nowhere is his remarkable talent as evident as it is in these pictures oforchids, nature's most delicate and variegated creations.
Customer Reviews:
great mother's day gift, or mother's bday present........2007-06-08
my mom loves it. beautiful images. great gift idea.
Gorgeous coffee table book on orchids.......2007-04-21
This book has stunning photographs of all kinds of orchids. If you like the front cover, you are sure to like this book. The book is large, not only coffee-table size, but also very thick (and heavy!). With the gorgeous pictures, it would make a wonderful gift for any orchid lover. Unfortunately I haven't seen the main competition, the book "Orchids" so I can't say how they compare, but I can't imagine going wrong with this book.
My brother loved it!.......2007-04-06
I bought this book for my brother for his birthday. He was floored by its beauty.
Kay Martin
Book Description
The world's oceans are one of the last great largely unexplored places on earth. They teem with life some of it familiar and some of it strange to us and "Fish Face" takes us closer to the fish that live here. Showing full-page pictures of close up portraits of their faces, the book takes us from the beautiful to the ugly, from spiky to rotund. The huge variety of species is appealing and astounding. The book takes a look at the work of David Doubilet, widely acclaimed as the world's leading underwater photographer. He has photographed fish for over 25 years and "Fish Face" looks at the most colourful, fun and bizarre fish he has encountered. This book should appeal to anyone who has ever wondered about the variety of fish living in our oceans and to naturalists and photographers alike.
Customer Reviews:
Great pictures!.......2007-06-10
This book has wonderful pictures but I think it could have been presented in a better way. The pages are small so the pictures are too small in some cases. Some pictures you can't see well because they are spread over two facing pages & get lost in the center. But I love the expressions of many of the fish, you can almost sense their personality. And I love seeing the incredible variety of fish.
A great gift........2007-01-20
Lot's of interesting and colorful photos. I gave it to my sister, for christmas, and our whole family sat around looking at the fish for hours.
Not just a pretty face..........2007-01-13
Once again, David Doubilet shows his ingenious photography work. I really enjoyed Water Light Time, and Fish Face is proving to be a close second. Each image is carefully shot. It is wonderful to see close-up images of deep sea marine life and other creatures that one would not normally find on a casual snorkel excursion. There is a sense of humor to some of these photos, too, which makes looking at them even more entertaining. This is a perfect companion to Water Light Time!
best book ever, picture or otherwise.......2007-01-10
we bought this book first at the monterey aquarium and have recently purchased it on amazon again for our montessori library. parents and children alike love looking at the pictures and marvelling at the wonders of the coral seas and barrier reef. buy this book. it's great!
fish face.......2004-02-06
Doubilet has done it again. As a vintage underwater photographer of 50 years I have devoured all of his books, as an inspiration. Undoubtedly he is the best underwater photographer in the world today and his use of light and subject matter are masterly. Fish Face is an interesting and difficult theme handled with great aplomb.I recommend this work to photographers and all those interested in the sea.
Book Description
Thirteen essays on landscape photography by master photographer Alain Briot. Topics include practical, technical, and aesthetic aspects of photography to help photographers build and refine their skills. Also covered is how to be an artist in business.
Alain Briot is one of the leading contemporary landscape photographers. He received his education in France and currently works mostly in the southwestern part of the United States.
This book starts with the technical aspects of photography; how to see, compose, find the right light, and select the best lens for a specific shot. It continues by focusing on the artistic aspects of photography with chapters on how to select your best work, how to create a portfolio, and finally concludes with two chapters on how to be an artist in business.
Customer Reviews:
A refreshing perspective that may change your life.......2007-08-16
I own probably 40 books on photography. All were well researched before purchase, so all are good books. Of the 40, 10 were very valuable, 10 more were worth reading, the the other half were not. This is the first that I read cover to cover in just a couple of days. Some mentioned there is not a lot of information in the book. Well, it's not filled with tips and tricks and specifics of how to use a tool or camera. It's more a book on how to approach and think about fine art photography, than how to do it. Meaning you will learn what directions to head in, and be given exercises that if you do them, will help get you there. There is a lot of information about subjects many gloss over, and that lead to a lot of thought and introspection. At least it did for me. Some will say the book is too simple. To me, the simplicity is it's strength. The messages are clear. I took away the sense these are the right concepts to think about to be better at this craft.
Briot makes the point that even in todays apparently saturated market (my words, not his), there is room for hard work, quality, and a clear focus to lead to a successfull business. If that's where you want to go. He makes the point that no matter what you do, to do it well will be a lot of hard work. That's just the way it is. So if that's the case, why not work hard at something you love or really want to do? Rather than work hard at something that will pay you to do what you love in your 'spare time'. I've learned the spare time usually doesn't happen. I've read these words before, as I'm sure you have. But this author makes the point in a way I, at least, related to more than any other author. There are whole books about that one subject, actually. But Alain spends a good chapter on it, in the context of a book on how to approach being a fine art photographer. So that chapter was long enough to say something meaningful, but not so long you lost interest and forgot what the message was about in the end. Each chapter fits that mold. Long enough to convey exactly his message. And no longer. That's why the book held my interest to the end.
Those are not the only insights I got from the book. There were many. They're just the ones I believe will be most important over time for me personally. Many will say "that was obvious, you just didn't get it". That's true of just about anything you want to discuss. Some have already gotten it. Some will get it now. Some may never get it. The measure, to me, is how effectively this book conveys concepts to me that are clear, and that I can take away how I can use them in my own life or work. This book more than any other, gave me a lot of that kind of insight. And most of what he says applies to any endeavor, so whether you're a photographer or not, you'll get something from this book. Possibly I was just ready for his message. It doesn't matter. This book did it for me.
So I have to thank Alain Briot for his insight, and for taking the time to write a book that conveys it clearly and deeply. His writing and his photographs are both examples of how deeply he cares about what he does. They're also clear examples of what dedication to a few things you choose to care about deeply can bring.
A Master Has Spoken.......2007-07-25
Alain Briot has taken great pains to write a book that goes beyond any other Landscape Photography book. His approach is concise; his ability to communicate the message of "light" will serve as an inspiration to everyone who reads this book.
This is not a simple "how to" book.....It's a book with valuable information. "Let there be light"....Mr. Briot teaches us how to interpet light and develop our creativity. This is a must read book for all serious landscape photographers!!
DR Jones
Very Wordy - Doesn't Say Much!.......2007-07-14
I was initially offered this book sometime back when it was much more expensive. After seeing it on Amazon considerably cheaper I decided to purchase the book.
I was under the impression by the title that it would cover off on technical and artistic recommendations for landscape photography.
I found the book to be relatively well written, however, very wordy! The author is not succinct and to the point, but rather very long winded. Much of the text is repeated throughout the book as the writer becomes sidetracked - yet again. Therefore, approximately 30% - 50% of the book is extra words and duplicated information. Furthermore, the images in the book do not teach you anything. Many of the images are duplicated in each chapter.
The book is divided into roughly two sections - technical aspects and artistic aspects relating to landscape photography.
I found the technical aspects to be a little lacking. If you are already versed in the basic technically knowledge of photography, you do not require this book. Everything written can very easily be gleaned form other "free" sources. If you are searching for technical aspects - purchase another book.
Art by it's very nature is highly subjective, and it's very difficult to put into words as this author has demonstrated. There are literally pages and pages in which nothing is actually stated - just "mumbo jumbo". Briot goes on endlessly about his success and the reasons for his success. Although interesting in its own right, the book is a photographic book on the technical and artistic approach to landscape photography - not an autobiography! When reading his book I kept thinking to myself, when will it end, what is this guy trying to say, when will he cease to `blow his own horn".
Many reviewers have mentioned that the book was inspiring, and I must agree with them. Briot makes you want to "get out there and give it a go". But this is what autobiographies do - inspire. I bought the book for information which is sourly lacks.
I have a PhD in earth science which focuses my thoughts to the technical side of photography (science is basically technical). I often feel I lack the artistic side required to make images which is why I bought this book. Unfortunately, the book did not convey the information advertised. After reading the book a month ago, all I can remember is the author's personal history. I should be remembering photographic points - not whether he lived in France, Arizona or Colorado, or whether he hired a removal van for 3 days or 6 days, or whether he moved into a house with 3 or four rooms!
I'd suggest borrowing the book from a library rather than purchasing it.
I rate this book as follows:
Readability 2/10
Information 3/10
Biography 9/10
Imagery 3/10I
Boring.......2007-07-06
I read or rather ploughed through Briot's essays when they appeared on the Luminous Landscape website. I kept thinking 'when is he going to say something?'. I look at his photos and wonder why he is considered by anyone as a top landscape photographer.
If you want a really good education and wonderful photos, I highly recommend Working the Light by Joe Cornish. It is a stunning collection of photos, many of which glow with light. The writing is straightforward with lots of valuable suggestions for the landscape photographer. A winner.
Creating art with your photography.......2007-06-14
Although there are alot of great books that teach the range of photographic skills from camera usage to Photoshop to composition, this is the first book I've found that helps you discover how to create your own unique art with your photography. While these essays do go into topics such as exposure and lens selection, what sets them apart are the discussions of how to go about creating images that reveal your individual expression and personal vision. Practicing photography is not just about creating better images...it's about creating *your* images, and this is what Alain focuses on in this book.
Book Description
The worlds preeminent nature photographer creates magical images of wildlife in camouflage. In this astonishing new book, legendary wildlife photographer Art Wolfe turns to one of natures most fundamental survival techniques: the vanishing act. His portraits show animals and insects relying on deception, disguises, lures, and decoys to disappear into their surroundings and so confuse the eye of the predator. In a world where nothing is as it appears to be, a lion blends into the tall grass in the late afternoon sun, a harp seal disappears against his snowy backdrop. Pastel orchids can suddenly morph into predatory praying mantises; lizard heads become tails. What at first appears to be a torn and decomposing leaf on a forest floor in Peru suddenly sprouts legs and starts walking: it is a leaf-mimic katydid. Spotting each hidden animal amid Wolfes clever compositions is both a fun and informative game. At a time when many species are performing permanent vanishing acts due to habitat loss and human encroachment, this book showcases the beauty and evolutionary brilliance of animal behavior and artfully illustrates the tenacious will to stay alive in an eat-or-be-eaten world.
Customer Reviews:
The Best!.......2007-06-05
This is such an amazing and wonderful book of photos taken by Art Wolfe. "Vanishing Act" refers to the natural camouflage of living beings as they blend into their environment, as a means of self-preservation.
Honestly, I have had to look at some of the pictures 3 or 4 times before I could locate the animal, insect, bird, etc. that was lurking there. There is a "cheat sheet" in the back of the book, but I am determined to locate these creatures without resorting to outside help.
It is so amazing that I could look at a large picture 3 or 4 times and not see what I was looking at; however, once you see it clearly you can't understand how you could have missed it in the first place. Isn't nature grand? I have two of Art Wolfe's works hanging on my walls and they are the first things commented on by any visitor to my home.
Buy this book!
Fantastic nature photographs..........2007-03-09
A mezmerizing coffee table book. It's almost a puzzle to find the incredible creatures in the photos that have natural camouflage. Large format views with lots of detail. A nature lover's must-have.
Astonishing Vanishing Act.......2007-01-27
This photography/nature/evolution/puzzle book was simply astonishing. Everyone I've shown it to, from 8-80, has been both amazed by the photographs and thoroughly enjoyed reviewing it. When I brought it to work, a common response was, "Very cool ... Can I borrow this book overnight to show my husband/wife?" I need to e-mail Art Wolfe to ask him if I could represent him on his next creative effort. That way his work will achieve wider distribution and recognition.
Beautiful Book.......2007-01-22
I saw this book at a store and had to sit down in the store and look at it page by page and since it was a $50.00 book, had to race home and buy it on Amazon. It is a BEAUTIFUL book. If you love animals and nature in general, this book is awe inspiring. I bought it for my family. It shows the miraculous strategy of camaflage in nature. It is fun to see if you can find the animals in their natural settings. There are descriptive text and fingernail pictures in the back of the book to tell you where the animal is in the picture if you weren't able to spot it and a paragraph or two about the animal in general. It is a great coffee table book for guests to look through while they are waiting.
Vanishing Act - an entirely natural puzzle.......2007-01-09
This is a coffee table book with a twist - as you peruse the photographs the animals gradually or quickly appear out of their natural background - exactly the way they are sighted in the wild and giving you exactly the same thrill of discovery. Anyone curious about the natural world from young kids to expert biologists can enjoy it because, while it's a game, it's a very primal game.
Book Description
New York City's American Museum of Natural History is a national treasure, attracting four million visitors annually. Its dioramas-a dazzling mixture of nature, science, and art-have inspired young and old alike, and are world-renowned examples of the unique diorama craft: art in the service of science. Now, in the only book of its kind, readers get an insider's view of these "windows on nature," witnessing their creation step by meticulous step.
More than forty of the museum's finest dioramas are featured here, depicting the fauna and flora of myriad ecological environments. Stephen Quinn, a diorama artist at the museum, introduces the explorers, naturalists, painters, sculptors, taxidermists, and conservationists behind these three-dimensional marvels, and explains how their collaborations make the displays so lifelike. This enchanting book is the perfect gift for nature lovers, art enthusiasts, and museum goers everywhere.
Customer Reviews:
Monuments to Wilderness.......2007-09-16
There is nowhere beneath a roof, anywhere on earth, that means more to me than the great diorama halls of The American Museum of Natural History. It is stunning (and, really, rather sad) that it has taken this long for a popular book to be written about these magnificent works of art and science, but at least it has been done well. (It is also gratifying to see the book getting such good--and well deserved--reviews here.)
For many millions of people habitat dioramas have been their first taste of the beauty, calm, and nobility of wild creatures and wild places. More people are familiar with nature documentaries these days, and since I love good documentaries too I can't really complain about that. Nonetheless there are some things that habitat dioramas, when done well, can convey that the flickering image, even on an IMAX screen, just can't. No medium portrays the spacious calm of wild country, and the simple dignity of wild animals, better than dioramas. It's also important to remember the valuable record dioramas can provide: many of the dioramas in this book are of places no longer wild.
Stephen Quinn's credentials for writing this book are probably as good as anyone alive. He started as an artist for the museum and has been an important force in helping keep the medium alive through the dark years of the 60s to 80s, when across the U.S. it was frequently neglected, if not despised, by curators though not, blessedly, by the general public. Things are at least somewhat better now, and Mr. Quinn is now project manager for exhibitions at the museum. He has done a fine job with this book. The text is engaging and informative and the photos are big and beautiful.
I do have a few quibbles. He sometimes uses the word "captured" for animals collected (read killed) for the dioramas. I'm sympathetic with why he felt he had to do that, given what he's trying to do with the book and given the cultural forces with which he must contend. The moral issues behind hunting and museum collection are complex and beyond what a book like this could be expected to cover. Nonetheless, animals are never "captured" for taxidermy.
I should hasten to add that animals do not need to be killed specifically for taxidermy. Many if not most animals mounted for museums in the last few decades died in zoos, were hit by automobile traffic, etc. That generally was not a realistic option at the time these dioramas were created.
My other reservation is deeper, but harder to articulate, and I don't have a real solution to it. I also know that a lot of readers will be unsympathetic with it. I'm not completely comfortable with "behind the scenes" stuff in anything other than technical manuals, trade magazines, etc. The people who made these dioramas were of course just people but had high ideals (ideals that Mr. Quinn without question shares) and they wanted the dioramas to be about their _subjects_. His behind the scenes writing will engage people more with the medium and is interesting in itself, no argument. But how much does it really help to have people thinking "I wonder if that rock in Diorama Z is the one that employees used to go to make out behind on their lunch hour."?
I don't know the answer, and so I can't really fault the author. I also recognize that many of the reviewers here loved that aspect of the book. My hope, and I'm sure it's the author's as well, is that it will all stay in perspective. Let's hope that's right. It would be very sad to see dioramas become the subject of the kind of psychologizing and trivializing that permeates the world of "fine" art.
That said, this is a beautiful and well-written book about a noble, if often neglected, realm of art and natural history. If you've read through a long review like this one about a book on this subject, I promise you won't regret owning it.
Beautiful........2007-05-12
Stephen Christopher Quinn, Windows on Nature: The Great Habitat Dioramas of the American Museum of Natural History (Abrams, 2006)
Dioramas are amazing things. Looking at them may not make it seem so, but that, more than anything, is testament to the artistry practiced by the men and women who construct them. Windows on Nature goes behind the scenes of the construction of the dioramas at the Museum of Natural History in New York City.
This is a coffee-table book, so there are a large number of excellent pictures of the dioramas themselves accompanying the text on how they were created. Both are as fantastic as they are fascinating. If you're a fan, this is a must-have. ****
great nature book.......2007-01-16
This was a gift for my mother who visited this museum years ago. It brought back great memories we had when we went. The book was very well done.
unbeatable and unique book on the Museum.......2006-07-26
I am not a scientist nor museum professional, simply a museumgoer. This book is a clear and attractive presentation about the dioramas that have helped define this wonderful museum for decades. Anyone who has ever visited the American Museum of Natural History will be captivated by the behind-the-scenes perspective presented. Understanding this background adds depth to our appreciation of the habitats. Quinn must have dug up old diaries, records and I wonder if he even listened in on some conversations as well because he offers little known factoids which are fascinating to read about and which enhance our experience as a museumgoer. I highly recommend this volume to anyone who has visited the museum. For those who have not visited, the book provides a wonderful view of what you've been missing!
What a Gem!.......2006-06-04
I found this treasure at my local bookstore (could have got it cheaper here!), looked it over, walked away, came back and looked again, walked away again, but couldn't find anything else I wanted as badly. It is an elegant masterpiece. I happen to thrill at anything remotely connected to taxidermy, but this book will also interest those who like nature, museums, or art.
This book is specifically about the dioramas of one museum, but in telling how they were constructed - taxidermy, foreground, and background painting - it is enlightening to anyone who loves natural history museums in general. There are color photos of the dioramas today, and black-and-whites of the artists working on various stages of their development decades ago. The step-by-step pictures of how a huge elephant mount is put together are nothing short of fascinating. Then, in addition, there are behind the scenes stories about how each diorama came together, and some hair-raising tales of specimen collecting in Africa.
If I have a complaint, it is this: the author has written the text as if only addressing fellow New Yorkers, assuming his readers have already been to this museum and seen these dioramas in person. "Think back to your memories of visits to the grand diorama galleries of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City." I can't help but feel a bit excluded, having never been there, although I am perfectly able to appreciate the exhibits based on the museums I have had the pleasure to visit. Perhaps he underestimated the broader appeal this book would have, but at any rate he unknowingly sparks a desire in the rest of us to try to get there someday!
Book Description
The striking images in Extraordinary Chickens showed that "the world of chickens is a world of wonders" (New York Times Book Review). Now, in a follow-up to the extraordinarily successful first book from Stephen Green-Armytage, the photographer presents 61 breeds and 5 species, including 14 breeds not previously included in the first book, a new series of chicken couples, and virtually all new images. Capturing with his camera chickens of all sizes, shapes, and colors, he illuminates gorgeous feather patterns worthy of French fabric designers, as well as elaborate wattles, elegant crests, and many other details. Through his exquisite photographs, he captures the surprising and expressive personality of these amazing creatures. Included are breeds developed in Japan, Malaysia, Britain, France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Holland, Poland, Australia, South America, Canada, the United States, and elsewhere. For breeders and enthusiasts, this volume will be a treasure they must own; for others it will be a revelation, worth having for the sheer enjoyment of the beautiful photographs and the wonderful birds they portray.
Customer Reviews:
Really fun chicken book, but not a must have.......2007-08-07
This book is full of photographs of chickens. Not your typical chicken pictures mind you. You will see various breeds of chickens (many you have never seen before that are very interesting to look at), and you will also get a brief chicken history in the back of the book. What I especially enjoyed was the fact that the author wrote a small paragraph on each breed (again in the back of the book) featured in the book. I enjoyed the pictures of the various types of jungle fowl (the chickens early ancestor), and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This is not a must have, but it sure is an enjoyable one.
great picture.......2007-07-05
I give this a 5 star just for the pictures. If you want to know about chickens. I highly recommend these 2 books. Living with Chickens and Choosing and keeping Chickens.
Poultry Book Review.......2007-03-31
As a breeder of rare breeds in the Illawara region of Australia, I enjoyed adding to my poultry library a book as unique as this one. If you enjoy chicken breeds & photos of them I would recommend this book. The author has used a photgraphic studio to capture & highlight features of chickens that would never have been appreciated in previous books. I had purchased his original 'Extraordinary Chickens' & was delighted to add this extra book. The text is succinct & correlates well with other chicken information in other books. I recommend this book to all poultry enthusiasts.
A Chicken Lover's Delight.......2007-03-15
My friend Marjorie is a person who is very fond of chickens. She decorated her little rental cottage with a chicken/rooster motif. I sent her this book for her birthday, because I knew she would be the right person to appreciate it. She called and raved about the pictures in the book. She said she did not know there were so many different kinds of chickens. Marjorie was delighted, and I was pleased to have made her so happy. The is not a book for everyone. but in the right hands it is a joy.
beautiful portraits of chickens.......2007-01-09
This is a beautiful book with lots of high quality photos. The chickens are not presented the ordinary way (from one side) but let us see more realistic poses like stretching, crowing or flapping. There is not much information about the species, but you really don't need it in this book. Lots of other books gives you that information, but this is the only choise (as I see it) for this kind of chicken portrait photos. The book is a follow-up to Extraordinary chickens, and I think you should buy them both!
Book Description
Every gardener who seeks to capture the fleeting moments of perfection in plants and gardens must inevitably turn to photography. In this remarkably clear and informative book, celebrated photographer Ian Adams provides detailed instruction in every aspect of the art and craft of garden photography, from selecting the right equipment to starting a garden photography business. Chapters include such topics as: Digital cameras Film and filters Sharpness and exposure Abstracts and close-ups Lighting Scouting and preparing the garden The garden vista Garden structures Gardens through the seasons Finding fine gardens Making color prints Filled with the author's first-hand experience and expert wisdom, The Art of Garden Photography is certain to be a treasured reference for gardeners and garden photographers. Awards for this book: Garden Writers Association Media Award: Gold Award
Customer Reviews:
great pictures.......2007-06-08
great pictures, I am not a photographer; I just like looking at the pictures to use them for other art projects.
Very good, practical information.......2005-06-27
There are not many books available about garden photography and this one will be a welcome addition. It is filled with outstanding photos and practical advice. The author explains the usual dilemmas with film, cameras, composition, etc. but also includes very good information about labeling, storing and organizing your work (a link is included for a software program that I was not aware of - thank you!).
I bought this book mainly, however, for learning more about taking nature photos with a digital camera. While the author raves about the digital format and even confesses that he uses digital for most of his work now, there are only 2 photos in the entire book (out of hundreds) taken with a digital camera. This is a little disappointing and kind of puzzling. I would have liked to know more about the specifics for using digital photos for publication.
the book we have been waiting for.......2005-05-19
This is in every respect a masterpiece. Competence, didactic skill, glorious photographs and beautiful layout - you find it all in this book. My only quibble: A hardcover edition would have be more practical (pages open flat) and durable.
Customer Reviews:
Clear, Organized, Focused........2006-02-15
Firstly, this is a nice quality hardback book with some fabulous photographs. But then most wildlife photography books have great photos. What sets this one apart in my opinion is its intructional content.
Weston gives instruction on both technical photography skills and "hunting" skills. He understands the importance of both and blends and balances the two nicely. The book is organized into bite-size topics which are presented clearly. And most impressive to me is Weston's ability to focus on the important aspects of a subject. He knows what is important and is good at imparting it.
This book was fun to read, I learned a lot from it, and it got me excited about planning my next shoot.
A Good Introduction.......2005-09-29
"Digital Wildlife Photography" is an excellent introduction to its subject. It covers all of the bases that one would expect and hope for. The author particularly emphasizes the use of digital equipment in getting pictures of animals. For example in his discussion of exposure, he explains the use of histograms (a graph showing the distribution of light values) and the highlights screen (an optional screen on a digital camera's LCD display that blinks in areas of the picture that are overexposed.) Although this is one of the features of advanced digital cameras that makes digital exposures easier, it is rarely explained in any detail in many of the books that purport to discuss digital photography.
The book starts out with the usual basic equipment discussion but as one reads through the book other equipment which will prove useful to the wildlife photographer is introduced. The book progresses from simple photography, through composition, to more complex techniques, like the use of flash and action photography. The final chapter of the book is devoted to digital post processing with a discussion of simple Photoshop techniques, like setting levels and cropping. Sprinkled throughout the book are "Wild Files" where the author deals with specific animal species, like the lion, discussing where and when to photograph the animal, the shots to look out for and any special equipment needed.
I have said that the book is a useful introduction. It is, however, also a rather light once over that covers all the essential points, but doesn't go into the depth an experienced wildlife photographer might need. After reading this book, the new wildlife photographer will soon want to go on to other books with more depth like the late Bill Silliker's "Master Guide for Wildlife Photographers" or Moose Peterson's "Guide to Wildlife Photography". Those expecting to spend any time in the digital darkroom will want to read Ellen Anon and Tim Grey's "Photoshop for Nature Photographers".
I should also warn new wildlife photographers to be careful in looking at Weston's pictures. It's obvious, from reading the technical data on many of the pictures that the photographer was extremely close to the animal when the picture was taken. As they say, don't try this at home! While the captions do not identify when the pictures were taken in controlled situations (as recommended by the North American Nature Photographers Association), it seemed clear to me that many were. (In fact I'm sure I recognized a badger I had photographed at the Triple D Game Farm.) There's nothing wrong with this, since that may be the only way to get the shot needed, but readers and photographers should be aware that they should not endanger either themselves or wildlife just to get a picture.
Books:
- Journal, 1955-1962: Reflections on the French-Algerian War
- Keepers of the Animals: Native American Stories and Wildlife Activities for Children
- Keeping a Nature Journal: Discover a Whole New Way of Seeing the World Around You
- Kill It & Grill It: A Guide to Preparing and Cooking Wild Game and Fish
- La oruga muy hambrienta: Board Book
- Land Of The Giants Cl
- Living Things We Love to Hate Facts Fantasies & Fallacies
- Locomotor Neural Mechanisms in Arthropods and Vertebrates (Studies in Neuroscience, No 16)
- Lone Star Field Guide to the Snakes of Florida, Second Edition (Lone Star Field Guides)
- Looking for Longleaf: The Fall and Rise of an American Forest
Books Index
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