Dynamic Wildlife Photography: Techniques for Creating Captivating Images [Paperback]

Cathy Illg (Author), Gordon Illg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2004

For experienced photographers who want to apply their technical skills to wildlife photography and for photographers who already have experience with photographing animals but want to further refine their images, this book provides the guidance needed to master artistically compelling wildlife portraits. Photographers learn how to create images that not only document their subjects, but also cause viewers to study and discuss them. Written for photographers who know how to create a technically precise photograph, this book shows them how to flex their creativity, apply their imaging prowess to the field, and evaluate their subjects in a new light. Practical tips cover everything from backlighting the soft, downy "stubble" of a newborn chick to choosing and using the accessories that help capture a unique perspective.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Cathy Illg and Gordon Illg are professional photographers whose images have appeared in numerous publications, including Backpacker, Canadian Wildlife, National Geographic Traveler, Outdoor and Nature Photographer, and Ranger Rick. They live in Lakewood, Colorado.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Amherst Media, Inc. (May 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584281308
• ISBN-13: 978-1584281306
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,488,444 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Beyond Documentary, February 10, 2005

By 

Conrad J. Obregon (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dynamic Wildlife Photography: Techniques for Creating Captivating Images (Paperback)

You have to agree completely with the basic thesis of "Dynamic Wildlife Photography". Readily available modern camera equipment makes it easy for anyone who cares to make a technically perfect picture of an animal. Advances in travel allow photographers to go anywhere to photograph even the rarest of animals. As a result viewers have become accustomed to seeing good wildlife pictures. As a further result, to get viewers' attentions, photographers have to go beyond merely documenting an animal.

The authors suggest ways to accomplish this. Among other things they advise using unusual lighting and eye-catching composition, capturing behavior, and learning and using whatever is special about your subject. They advise incorporating weather into the your pictures and capturing the moods of animals, even at the risk of anthropomorphizing them. This book is all about composition.

It's all good advice, but I have to confess, other than so clearly articulating the premise, there's nothing that hasn't appeared in other books on wildlife photography. Like the documentary pictures described by the authors, nothing separates this book from the crowd. I certainly had more fun reading Moose Peterson's "Guide to Wildlife Photography: Conventional and Digital Techniques" where his discussion of making pictures "pop" was similar to the Illg's ideas. I wondered if this book was meant primarily as a showcase for the authors' photographs. And while these pictures are attractive and interesting, I'm not sure that they all reached the level to which the authors aspire.

There is no discussion of technique in this book, except to the extent that it impacts upon composition. That's not necessarily bad, but it means that the book is limited in what it discusses. Experienced wildlife photographers who are looking to take their work to the next level may find something here to think about. People new to wildlife photography will be better served by a book like the late Bill Silliker, Jr.'s "The Master Guide for Wildlife Photographers".

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding book, September 2, 2009

By 

John F. Miller (New Zealand) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dynamic Wildlife Photography: Techniques for Creating Captivating Images (Paperback)

As a a fairly new digital photographer and new wildlife photographer I found this book to be very informative and also challenging too. I have used some of the techniques to capture a shot of a Magpie which I am very pleased with. I hope that in time I become as good as the authors. My aim in purchasing this book was to become a better photographer. And I agree totally that you need to know your subject and its habitat.

As an ex game hunter there is something more rewarding "shooting an animal" and see it live than killing it.

I would recommend this book to anyone.