Digital Nature Photography: The Art and the Science [Paperback]

John and Barbara Gerlach (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0240808568 | ISBN-13: 978-0240808567 | Publication Date: July 25, 2007 | Edition: 1

Over 50,000 photographers can't be wrong! John and Barbara Gerlach finally write the book their workshop attendees have been asking for!

Digital Nature Photography is a how-to guide for photographers who want to take their work to the next level. Written by professionals with over 20 years experience, the Gerlachs reveal enlightening techniques for shooting nature images in the field. The combination of artistic approach and impeccable technique will help you capture your next great image.

·Learn what equipment works best in the field, and why, as well as tips for superb shots
·Create sharp images at capture with detailed instructions for digital exposure
·Master the three factors that lead to excellent images: technique, subject and situation

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Gerlach earned a B.S. Degree in Wildlife Ecology from Central Michigan University in 1977. He has earned his living as a professional nature photographer since 1980. He is a versatile photographer who is equally at home making landscape images of Death Valley, photographing hummingbirds with high speed flash, or making moody images of dewy dragonflies and butterflies. Rather than photographing subjects that might sell well in the marketplace, he prefers to pursue subjects that interest him the most. He often photographs subjects that are not well known such as the Black Rosy-Finch which appeared on the front cover of the October 2000 issue of BIRDING. His photographs have been published in every major national magazine that uses nature photographs including NATIONAL WILDLIFE, SIERRA, NATURAL HISTORY, PETERSEN'S PHOTOGRAPHIC, RANGER RICK, BIRDER'S WORLD, MICHIGAN NATURAL RESOURCES, and AUDUBON. OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHER and POPULAR PHOTOGRAPHY have published his instructional articles about nature photography on several occasions. His nature photos are showcased in calendars produced by Hallmark, Kodak, Sierra Club, Argus, Browntrout, Abbeville Press, and many others. His photos can be found in books published by the National Geographic Society, Reader's Digest, Time-Life, Smithsonian, Eastman Kodak, Abbeville Press, Stewart Tabori & Chang, Northword Press as well as hundreds of scientific textbooks in use in colleges and universities throughout the world. John is the associate editor of NATURE PHOTOGRAPHER. His column, "Field Notes" is found in each issue and reveals enlightening tips on shooting nature images in the field. Barbara Gerlach is a skilled nature photographer with a highly artistic approach. Since Barbara grew up on a farm, she's always had a keen interest in nature. She became interested in nature photography while working as a color printer for NASA. She met John in the mid-eighties and with his guidance, quickly developed her hobby in

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 1 edition (July 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240808568
• ISBN-13: 978-0240808567
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 9.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #336,527 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Contender, October 16, 2007

By 

Conrad J. Obregon (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Digital Nature Photography: The Art and the Science (Paperback)

For many years John Shaw's "Nature Photography Field Guide" was my recommended book for beginning nature photographers, even though it was based on film rather than digital media. I sometimes recommended other newer digital books to supplement Shaw but I found no replacement. At last the complete nature photography book for the digital age has arrived.

The Gerlach book tells you everything you need to know to get started in digital nature photography. After a few inspirational chapters, the author discusses equipment for nature photography, exposure, effective lens use, composition, close-up, flash and even the methods of carrying equipment.

When Gerlach (I refer primarily to John, since while Barbara's influence appears throughout the book, instruction is given from his point of view) discusses exposure, he lays out the relationship between aperture, shutter speed and media sensitivity completely, doing a better job than some lighting books I've read. When he talks about the use of the histogram and "blinkies" in setting proper exposure, he even tells you what to beware of in using these tools. Moreover, reference to these tools appears many times throughout the book, so that the beginner will understand the importance of them. The book also recognizes that some equipment of the advanced nature photographer may not make financial sense for the beginner and indicates the alternatives.

When he talks about the use of telephoto lenses, he dispels the misconceptions about depth of field, but does emphasize the importance of perspective control. In discussing flash photography, he describes the use of state-of-the art equipment, like Nikon's CLS system, and even gives suggestions for multiple flash (although he didn't advise me how to use more than one flash for a rapidly-moving bird).

Most of the book is aimed at the technical side of nature photography, although the section on composition does provide some guidelines that will help the photographer find the art in nature photography. The photographs range from accomplished to beautiful, and always support the teaching points.

Sometimes the suggestions while good, seem a little beyond what most of us will attempt. I don't see myself riding a horse through waist deep snow with a string of pack mules with my equipment, but at least the book made me feel the snow shoes in my closet weren't such a crazy investment.

Intermediate nature photographers will probably not pick up much that's new, although the book may serve as a good review of fundamentals.

Now I'm waiting for a book from the Gerlachs that will tell me about getting close to the animals and birds.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fire The Editor, April 29, 2008

By 

Jack H. Tasoff (San Pedro, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Digital Nature Photography: The Art and the Science (Paperback)

I attended the Gerlach's seminar 15 to 20 years ago and learned more from them than any other seminar or book. And their newest book is a fantastic continuation of their exceptional teaching skills. Techniques are insightful. Photographs are gorgeous, always improving over the years. Text is clear and concise, EXCEPT: FIRE THE EDITOR. The first few chapters are a mixture of typographical and grammatical errors, the phrasing is disorganized and distracting to the point of being almost unreadable, and they ramble.

Buy the book, but skim very quickly the first few chapters.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book, poor printing, December 17, 2007

By 

J. T. Pater (Oxford, OH USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Digital Nature Photography: The Art and the Science (Paperback)

This is a very enjoyable book to read for inspiration and learning some photography tricks and tips as well as developing a photographic workflow. As a graphic designer, I was shocked at the quality of the printing of this book. The title on the front cover is enough to send anyone who has an interest in typography, screaming. Other than the poor print quality, the book is filled with photographs that are not only inspirational, but tend to make the reader very envious of the photographic opportunities of this pair of authors who are husband and wife.
This is a smallish book that you can take with you many places if you just want to occupy a few minutes while reading. It will make you want to get outdoors and experiment with your camera. I find the horizontal format of the book a little clumsy to hold. It is good nonetheless for displaying the landscape format of many of the photographs.
Anyone who has an interest in nature photography should definitely check out this book.