California: Portrait of a State (Portrait of a Place) [Hardcover]

David Muench (Author), Marc Muench (Photographer)

Book Description

Series: Portrait of a Place | Publication Date: November 1, 2004

It's all here: the fruitful cornucopia of the Central Valley and the solitary ancient pillars of redwood old-growth forests; the soaring granite cliffs of Yosemite Valley and Death Valley's heat-blasted wastes; the sun-drenched, flowering meadows of the High Sierra and breathtaking sunset sky canopies reflecting off coastal mists. The Muenches apply their decades of on-location photographic skills to the making of interpretive views embracing all aspects of California's primal myths and realities. Among the one hundred powerful, evocative color plates within these pages, you will find a California that sings of the breadth and depth and soaring heights of the American spirit.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Muench has been photographing America for more than 30 years.

Marc Muench was born in Santa Barbara, California, where he now resides with his wife, Stefanie, and their three children. He has been a professional landscape and sports photographer for over 20 years. After completing his studies at Pasadena Art Center College of Design, Marc immediately began photographing for book publishers such as Graphic Arts Center, Browntrout Publishing, and Time Inc. His photographs have appeared in numerous magazines, books, calendars, and postcards, and in 2003, he was designated as a Kodak Photo Icon.

Marc is now the artist-in-residence at dgrin.com for Smugmug, where he contributes on a regular basis to the Muench University critique thread. He is also the photo editor of the National Parks Guide, published by The American Park Network. The guides contain many of his images taken throughout the United States National Park system.

Marc recently completed a year-long video project on Catalina Island for the Catalina Island Conservancy. The five-minute video highlights the new Trans Catalina Trail, capturing dynamic landscapes, wildlife, and hikers exploring their way across the Island.

Marc ™s goal is to convey the drama and the power of nature "to share the experience " in his photographic images. And his images show that, without a doubt, Marc has achieved his goal time and time again.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Graphic Arts Books; Photographic, with dust jacket edition (November 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155868848X
• ISBN-13: 978-1558688483
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #126,690 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #43 in Books > Travel > United States > States > California

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible, December 17, 1999

By 

"campervan9" (San Diego, California United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: California (Hardcover)

This book confirmed my feeling that David Muench is, for lack of a better description, the Ansel Adams of color photography. I already owned his Appalachian Trail book, "Uncommon Places" (I think it's called), but my brother wanted a California-related book for Christmas, so I picked this up, sight unseen. Quite simply, it's breathtaking. The photos span the length and breadth of the state, from Humboldt County's misty redwood stands to the La Jolla coast, to Yosemite and the mountain passes and lakes of the Southern Sierras along the John Muir Trail. There are even a handful of urban photos that make downtown L.A. look quite nice. If ever you doubted that we live in the closest to a natural paradise as there is, take a look at this book, and doubt no more.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking photos, wide varitey of beatiful landscapes, March 20, 2000

By 

Angel Lee "Liocorno Amethyst Moonstone" (Cleveland, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: California (Hardcover)

I love David and Marc Muench's photography and this book is a treasured addition to my library. The color and production values are exquisite and up to the high standards I expect from Muench.

These photos capture the awesome beauty and fantastic variety in California's natural landscape through the seasons. The book is divided into sections for the mountains, forests & plains, coast and desert.

Muench has brought new life to many often photographed landmarks with his mastery of light and detail. He has also uncovered many beautiful but less known places; dawn & dusk skies, vibrant flowers, delicate waterfalls & more.

James Lawrence's accompanying text touching on a wide range of topics relating to California's natural history is fascinating and entertaining. I have loved spending hours with this magnificent book.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous Photos, December 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: California (Hardcover)

The most beautiful book with California's photos I've ever seen. I have already one book by Muenches and when I so this one I didn't have to open it to make sure it's gorgeous. But it was even better then I expected. It has 4 parts: Mountains, Oak and Grass, Coast and Deserts. So, you are not gonna miss any detail of nature in California (of course poppies, redwoods and spanish moss on the trees are there too). If you want to make somebody going to California give him this book :) I promise anybody will fall in love with California and Muenches' books.