Capturing Drama in Nature Photography [Paperback]

Jim Zuckerman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2000

Designed to help photographers create exciting, professional-looking images, from animals and flowers to broad landscapes, this guide covers a range of outdoor subjects and combines sound guidance with spectacular, full-color images and features clear, how-to instruction suitable for intermediate to advanced photographers. Focusing on different photographic elements, such as color, texture and form, readers will learn how these elements can be altered using filters, lighting, film stock and other devices to produce breathtaking results. Each discussion features two to three images illustrating the effects of Zuckerman's masterful techniques. In addition, photographers will find a chapter discussing equipment options, as well as a chapter filled with superb advice for shooting in the field.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jim Zuckerman has been a nature photographer for more than 30 years. He conducts seminars and international photo tours and is currently a contributing editor to Petersen's Photographic magazine. He is the author of Techniques of Natural Light Photography and Jim Zuckerman's Secrets of Color in Photography.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Writer's Digest Books (September 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898799910
• ISBN-13: 978-0898799910
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,462,590 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars An Exercise in Frustration, October 1, 2001

By 

Conrad J. Obregon (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Capturing Drama in Nature Photography (Paperback)

In his introduction to "Capturing Drama" Jim Zuckerman says that "translating nature's drama to film requires a three step process.locate the subject.previsualize an artful interpretation.the technical aspects come into play." If Zuckerman had organized his book by his three-step procedure this might have been an interesting and useful book with a new slant on nature photography.

Instead, he picked twelve concepts around which to organize his work, such as form, perspective and exposure. Under each of these headings he shows several of his pictures with a brief statement. The pictures and the statement often do not relate to his chosen concept. They rarely relate to his three-step process. Often he omits really significant information that should be covered. For example, in his chapter on perspective he does not point out that using different focal length lenses, with different angles of vision, while keeping the image the same size, will change the amount of background included in a shot.

Sometimes he is just plain wrong. In several places he suggests that if he had used a different focal length lens for a subject, changed his distance but kept the exposure and image size the same, he would have gotten a different depth of field. It's an optical fact that if the image size and exposure are the same with different focal length lenses, the depth of field around the image will still be the same.

I also can't walk away from the publication itself. The book was printed on a semi-coated stock rather than the usual coated stock of photography books. The color gamut of such paper is less than coated stock and many vibrant colors appear slightly toned down. Too bad. Some of Zuckerman's photos are good.

In summery this book is a collection of random tips rather than an organized approach to the subject. And I was frustrated.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific book, well-written, good recommendations, April 29, 2009

By 

S. Snow "beccadog" (LA, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Capturing Drama in Nature Photography (Paperback)

This is a terrific book with good recommendations and illustrations, and alike Jim Zuckerman's courses, it is well organized and well written. Jim speaks in the first person with his classes and tells what he has done and in the necessary order. This is important because it makes directions work if followed precisely, I learned from experience.

I'm very thankful that I purchased this book, and recommend it to others whether or not you capture in film or digitally.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very cool book, May 15, 2002

By 

scotty (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Capturing Drama in Nature Photography (Paperback)

As with most of Jim Zuckerman's books, this one was incredibly informative. The 12 chapters cover the areas in photography that are the most helpful in getting the best shots of nature and the outdoors.
From perspective to motion to exposure to self-critique, Jim's knowledge of photography is second to none. I know of no one out there shooting who understands the mechanics of this medium more than him. And it shows in his photography, which is simply amazing.
This is a must buy for any one serious about seeing and capturing nature better in their photographs.