Adirondacks: Views of an American Wilderness [Paperback]

Carl Heilman (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 12, 1999

"In most places, human beings dominate the picture. But in a few spots...nature rules unchallenged." So writes Bill McKibben in his uplifting introduction to Adirondacks, a book that reveals nature's glory, and the unique give and take between people and wilderness in the vast Adirondack Park.

Bigger than the Grand Canyon, Glacier, Yellowstone, and Yosemite National Parks combined, the Adirondack Park contains a stunning array of mountains, wildlands, forests, rivers and lakes, waterfalls, and deep gorges. Photographer and Adirondack resident Carl Heilman has traveled from the foothills to the highest peaks in all seasons to photograph the park's natural wonders, its flora and fauna, and the myriad variations of light and weather that make each trip to the region a new experience.

Favorite sites such as Lake George are here, along with secret bogland lakes, and the spectacular mountaintop views that are only experienced by the most intrepid hikers. Adirondacks demonstrates the beauty of nature's gifts-- and serves as a testament to the power of the people who protect them.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Carl Heilman is an outdoorsman, snowshoe-maker, and well-known Adirondack photographer who has lived in the area since 1973. His photographs have been published in Outside, National Parks, Adirondack Life, and other magazines, and his work has been very popular in limited-edition prints and panoramic posters. Since 1985 he has produced a number of multi-image shows on the Adirondacks, two of which have been aired on public television. His most recent program, "The Adirondacks: A Wilderness of Waterways," was produced in 1994 for the Adirondack Park Visitors Interpretive Center, and is shown there on an ongoing basis.

Bill McKibben is a former staff writer for The New Yorker and a frequent contributor to The New York Review of Books. This Adirondack resident's bestselling books include The End of Nature, The Age of Missing Information, The Comforting Whirlwind, and Hope, Human and Wild: True Stories of Living Lightly on the Earth.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Rizzoli (June 12, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847821706
• ISBN-13: 978-0847821709
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,725,766 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Carl has photographed the Adirondacks since 1975; working to meld his passion for wildness into his landscape and panoramic photography. His work has been published in numerous national and regional publications and coffee table books. His most recent photography techniques books are, 'The Landscape Photography Field Guide' (Focal Press 2011), and 'Contemporary Landscape Photography' (Amphoto Books 2010). Both titles are published internationally by the Ilex Press in the UK.

Carl has been leading nature photography and Photoshop workshops from his studio in Brant Lake in the southern Adirondacks since the 1990's. Information on his prints, calendars, puzzles, books, and workshops is available through his website www.carlheilman.com. You can also follow his schedule of events by becoming a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NaturePhotographyWorkshops or join in the discussions at www.facebook.com/NaturePhotographyTips

Carl photographed for and helped produce the highly acclaimed digital panoramic presentation, 'The Wild Adirondacks', that is shown daily at The Wild Center Natural History Museum in Tupper Lake. His AV program on the Adirondack Waterways is also shown daily at the Adirondack Park VIC's.

'I Am the Adirondacks' is Carl's most recent digital multi-image production. The intent of the program is to evoke a sense of our being part of the wild, natural world. Going into the wilderness is about leaving the everyday behind and being absorbed in the flow of the nature. Simply, it is about venturing into the spectacular and finding wonder in the details....

We ARE nature. As much as we separate ourselves from a life in nature - we still need to live in balance with the Earth and remember how much of an effect each of our lifestyles has on the world we are living in.

'I Am the Adirondacks' has aired frequently on PBS. Both of these programs are available on DVD.

Carl has been interviewed for several TV programs for PBS and regional programming. These include, People Near Here (WCFE), Adirondack Outdoors (WCFE), Adirondack Living (Adk Living Show TV), Four Seasons (WNCE), and The Adirondacks (PBS / WNED). Carl was interviewed as the featured nature photographer for the 2 hour program - The Adirondacks. This all encompassing PBS special on the Adirondack State Park was produced by Emmy award winning Tom Simon of Working Dog Productoions for WNED in Buffalo. He can also be seen in a 'How'd They Do That?' segment of Adorama TV.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular Photography, February 9, 2000

By 

Karla Guererri (Albany, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Adirondacks, Views of An American Wilderness (Hardcover)

I was privilaged to be present at the slide show presented by Carl Heilman at the annual Adirondack Club dinner last autumn. Many exquisite pictures from this book were shown. Mr. Heilman has captured the true spirit of dawn in the mountains, children leaping with joy , winter landscapes, and especially the wild creatures that most of us may never be patient enough to discover in their natural homes.Many shots exhibit a seemingly impossible depth of field sharply focusing on both a spider web in the foreground and Mount Marcy in the background. The book is full of beautiful images not to be missed!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Fullest Range With Majectic Moods!, June 4, 2001

By 

Martin A Hogan "Marty From SF" (San Francisco, CA. (Hercules)) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Adirondacks, Views of An American Wilderness (Hardcover)

Photographer Carl E. Hellman has crafted a collection of Adirondack photographs that continue to fascinate page after page. All aspects of this remarkable region are well represented from the wildest of waterways and majectic peaks to the outlying areas of cozy farms and inland towns. By far the most amazing photographs are those in wide-screen format - much wider than anything this reviewer has seen elsewhere. Ranging from awe-filled aerial views from high peaks in all seasons to the intimate settings of bogs and marshes, Hellman captures the mood of these mountains. Mist shrouded ponds, newly falling snow, green glimpses through mature virgin forests and close-ups from lady-slippers to primeval bogs; the viewer is mesmerized. Overwhelming beauty and the calm feeling of a lonely untouched wilderness is caught everywhere. This is a collector's item to cherish all year long.