Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!

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.

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!

Boyd Norton does a great job of covering a broad range of topics in a relatively small amount of space. His clear and casual writing style makes the book fun to read and the concepts easy to understand.

Norton first discusses a range of general issues such as lighting, lens choice, composition, films, etc. A section on impressionistic rendering is quite interesting and gives a different perspective from what is normally taught. He then discusses specific cases in more detail: wildlife, travel, landscape, closeup and underwater photography. An additional section on photographing ones immediate surroundings once again provides a different twist.

Norton provides enough charts and technical material to make a useful reference text. The section on lens choice - with advice on the effective use of wide-angles and telephotos - helped me quite a bit.

I found his view of compositional rules to be the most interesting aspect of the book. Instead of rigid rules that would result in everyone taking the same pictures of the same things, he tries to provide some intuition into what makes for good composition. Even in one of his own examples there is some latitude. In the pair of shots of a racing sailboat, one picture has the boat heeled a bit more, giving the greater sense of motion he mentions. In the other shot the boat is surrounded by the sails of its competitors. This may only clutter the scene, or, worse yet, further the impression that the boat is parked. However, to someone familiar with the sport, it can evoke the flurry of activity that marks the start of a race.

This is one of the best-written technique books I have read on outdoor photography! It is very complete covering technical aspects such as Lighting, Composition, Lenses (wide angle through telephoto), Capturing Motion with shutter speed, and films and filters. And, it covers creative technique for wildlife, landscape, and underwater photography. Both essential for fine photography.

While reading this book, I felt I was being taught, coached, encouraged, prodded, and admonished to become a better photographer.

The book contains some absolutely beautiful images that perfectly match the written subject. Nearly every photo includes an "how I took this picture" sidebar that got an "Ah Ha! So THAT'S how it's done!" reaction from me every time. There was not one element of this book that was not specifically designed to educate. I felt like I had enrolled in the premier photography class with the world's best photographer for an instructor.

This isn't a book. It's a learning experience and if you miss it, YOU HAVE MISSED IT!

This is one of the best "how-to" photography books I've found. Boyd does an excellent job of helping you create great outdoor pictures - very well written and great comparison photos of the same scene done poorly and then correctly. One caveat, you will need an advanced 35mm camera and a few different lenses to take advantage of some of his techniques. However, once you own the proper equipment, you'll have the know-how to create truly professional looking pictures!

The thing that grabbed me about this book is that it approaches outdoor photography in a more artistic view rather than the "technical" view I've found in most other books. Boyd doesn't just talk about capturing the main subject on film but also the environment the subject is in and the mood of the area. I also like Boyds mention of his dislike of photography rules. When taking pictures anything should be allowed.

I've been to bookstores and looked through all the books on the shelves trying to find one with the same artistic point of view Boyd has and havn't found any yet.

One could write a thousand words to exalt this book. I will simply say: great book allowing one to see. Once again I am convinced that it is not a camera that makes the picture - it is the man who's behind it. This one is a must-have (if you are an amateur with aspirations, at least). Thank you Mr. Norton!

This is a "must have" for any serious photographer. The book is so good I keep going back and re-reading portions of it because it is so inspiring and informative. Boyd Norton is such a good writer that you feel as though he's right with you, talking to you personally. Thanks, Boyd Norton for one great book! And by the way, if you ever write any novels, I'll be first in line to buy them!

The writing is above average and mostly interesting. Photos are good to very good. Finally a book with tables with practical information, such as recommendend exposures for low-light situations or reciprocity failures (though most of the films are unfortunately not sold anymore, such as Kodachrome 64). Highly recommended for beginners, recommended for medium level photographers.