The Art of Outdoor Photography: Techniques for the Advanced Amateur and Professional [Paperback]

Boyd Norton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 13, 1997

Excellent introduction to a complex subject by one of the modern masters. Shutterbug

"Anyone can benefit from this volume -- a blend of information and inspiration". F8 and Being There

"The very practical text covering equipment, composition, exposure, films, night and low-light photography is lively and fun to read, with photographer talking to photographer. You'll learn a lot. It's good for beginners, too". Popular Photography

"(A) beautifully printed, well-designed book.... Norton excels at breaking down largely intuitive processes, like photographic composition, into understandable, step-by-step progressions". Travel Holiday

"Unlike numerous other photography books that are full of pretty pictures but don't tell you how they were taken, this book is quite obviously intended to instruct and educate. What's more, Boyd Norton does it in a light-hearted, humorous manner. In essence, The Art of Outdoor Photography says, 'Here's how to do it. Now go out and have yourself some fun.'" Backpacker

"Norton uses many comparative shots to illustrate such concepts as focal length, depth of field, and color rendition by different types of film; good tables and diagrams support the text.... the chapter on underwater photography alone makes this a desirable acquisition". Library Journal

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Excellent introduction . . ." -- Shutterbug

"The chapter on underwater photography alone makes this a desirable acquisition." -- Library Journal

About the Author

Boyd Norton is internationally renowned and widely published. He has travelled extensively in documenting the world's wild places and environmental issues. His articles and photo essays have appeared in many leading magazines, including National Geographic, Smithsonian, Audubon, Conde Nast Traveler and Vogue. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Voyageur Press (April 13, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0896583465
• ISBN-13: 978-0896583467
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,624,473 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I once blew up a nuclear reactor. Deliberately. It's true. On November 5, 1962 I sat at the controls of a reactor, operated by remote control from a half mile away, and ran the ultimate super prompt-critical power excursion that blew apart the core. See my blog for a video of that event. (http://thewildernessphotography.blogspot.com) This is the subject of one of two memoirs I have underway.

After I made my getaway, I began free-lancing as a photographer and writer, specializing in wilderness, wildlife and adventure travel. I'm the author of 16 books ranging in topics from African elephants to mountain gorillas, from Siberia's Lake Baikal to the Serengeti ecosystem, Alaskan wilderness - and more. I've been an environmental activist for over 45 years.

I'm honored to be chosen as "One of the 40 most influential nature photographers from around the globe" by Outdoor Photography Magazine U.K. I once received an award from Robert Redford on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency for my "important, exciting environmental photography and writing." Thanks Bob.

Recently I've organized opposition to the proposed commercial highway that would cut across Serengeti National Park and perhaps destroy the greatest animal migration on earth. I'm co-founder and co-director of Serengeti Watch (savetheserengeti.org).

My newest book, "Serengeti: The Eternal Beginning" will be released in October 2011. Pre-orders available here on Amazon. Pre-publication comments have been great, from Ed Begley Jr., actor and eco-activist to Joe McGinniss author of "Fatal Vision," "Going to Extremes," and the forthcoming "Rogue: Searching for the Real Sarah Palin." These and more are on my blog.

New pre-publication comments on my Serengeti book:
"Boyd Norton has captured the magic of this ancient and majestic ecosystem. Through superb and deeply sensitive photographs and compelling accounts of his experiences there he introduces its animals and people. Serengeti: the Eternal Beginning is profoundly moving - you will understand why it is so important to preserve this place for generations to come." Jane Goodall

"Preserving the Serengeti is as much about saving our humanity, our link to nature and our own ancient past, as it is about stopping an environmental tragedy." Richard Engel, Chief Foreign Correspondent, NBC NEWS

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

95 of 95 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, Inspiring photography book!, December 26, 1999

By 

Ken Sheide (Praia, Azores, Portugal) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of Outdoor Photography: Techniques for the Advanced Amateur and Professional (Paperback)

I just wanted to echo what others have said so far about this book. To be honest, I had never heard of Boyd Norton until Amazon recommended the book to me when I purchased another photography book. But I decided to try the book out, based on the previous reviews and the inexpensive price, and I'm sure glad I did! It's very well written and I can relate to the author's challenges of long-held photographic beliefs. He seem to state that, as long as the end result is pleasing, go ahead and break all the rules! I agree, and he offers many ideas and methods of coming up with unique perspectives and images that do just that.

I find most photography books I read to just re-state what others have already said, but this book continually gave me new ideas and fresh insight into different techniques and subjects. I'd be surprised if even an accomplished and seasoned photographer didn't get more than a few things out of this book.

Thanks, Boyd Norton, for putting together a very informative book with amazing pictures and descriptions of the processes used to create them!

78 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Still Looking for the Perfect Outdoor Photography Book!, September 19, 2001

By 

Conrad J. Obregon (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Art of Outdoor Photography: Techniques for the Advanced Amateur and Professional (Paperback)

Norton's Outdoor Photography: Techniques for the Advance Amateur and Professional sounded like just the book for me. I didn't want another how to. I know how to manipulate the camera and what happens when light hits film. That's for the beginning photographer. What I wanted was something that went beyond technique to the point where technique becomes discovery. What I wanted, to quote Norton, was "a more methodical, precise approach to capturing the essence of scene or subject.

Norton's first chapter got me really excited. He talked about making the technical choices that bring order out of chaos. For example, he suggested that this involved "the tough process of isolating and arranging the picture elements." That certainly sounded like he was on the right track.

But then the book went down hill. I got the usual discussion of light metering, the differences between lens lengths, the elements of composition - in short the usual set of instructions for just beyond beginning photographers. Oh, the instructions were accurate and beautifully illustrated. But they didn't tell me how one could take the elements of composition beyond a list of elements and into "art".

Now maybe I expected to much. After all, if creating art was easy enough to put into a 152 page book, Art Wolfe wouldn't have a job. But I blame Norton (or his publishers.) They put on the catchline "Techniques for the Advanced Amateur and Professional". And then they gave me the same stuff as many another photography book writer. For my money, I would take John Shaw over Norton any day. At least he makes no bones about what he's teaching.

In summary, as a manual for photographers who know how to properly expose film, this is as good a book as any. But for the advanced amateur and professional who wants help in creating art, look elsewhere.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book, even for beginners like me, June 29, 2001

By 

David P. Ellis (Takoma Park, MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Art of Outdoor Photography: Techniques for the Advanced Amateur and Professional (Paperback)

I'm scared some novices will be daunted by the subtitle of this book: "Techniques for the Advanced Amateur and Professional". Perhaps advanced photographers are the target audience, but as a beginner, I still find it informative to read and inspiring to look through. I do recommend that you take the time to read some other basic books first so that you understand basic photography jargon (e.g. f/stop, depth of field, lens aperture, shutter speed, etc.). However, once you're confident in your ability to understand this esoteric vocabulary, you'll be fully armed to appreciate the significance of this book. In addition to covering information like lighting and composition (the two keys to quality photos), he also breaks down various outdoor photographing opportunities into separate sections (e.g. wildlife, travel, landscape, closeup, etc.) and explains in detail how to compose and take great shots in each.

Finally, as I've written in other reviews about photography books, the quality of the enclosed prints is a big factor in determining how much credence I give the author's ideas. This book does not disappoint. It not only prints all full-color photos on high quality paper, but it more importantly shows some spectacular outdoor shots, both skillful and creative in nature. It also fully explains how each shot was captured and with what equipment. Excellent.

I highly recommend this book, not only to advanced photographers but also to beginners like myself. I'm not sure if I have the ability to implement all his ideas(!), but even if it takes me time to learn, the information contained within is marvelous. Incidentally, if you're looking for a great beginner's guide that includes more detail about equipment and terminology, I strongly suggest you look into Lee Frost's "The Complete Guide to Night & Low-Light Photography". The enclosed 66-page section on equipment is wonderfully helpful when you're trying to get into your first 35mm SLR system. Good luck!