Galen Rowell's Inner Game of Outdoor Photography [Paperback]

Galen Rowell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 17, 2010

“Photographs as timeless, as stunning, and as powerful as nature itself.”—Tom Brokaw

In this renowned guide to capturing the outdoor world on film, Galen Rowell, the master of nature and adventure photography, reveals the art, craft, and philosophy behind his world-famous images. Now available in paperback for the first time, this groundbreaking work remains both an inspired manual to taking better pictures and an inspiring journey of discovery into the creative process. In more than 140 color photographs and 66 essays, Rowell shows how he transformed the world around him into vivid, memorable works of art. Both the artist and his unique talent come alive in these pages, a tribute to the ways in which his photographs, philosophy, and vision immeasurably enrich those who view his work. 140 color photographs

Editorial Reviews

Review

[Galen Rowell] was the real thing. . . . His skillful writings were a rare combination of engaging behind-the-scenes narrative and actionable photographic instruction. Everyone wants to explore in his shoes and see through his lens. (Steve D. Werner, publisher, Outdoor Photographer )

About the Author

Galen Rowell, internationally renowned photographer and mountaineer, is the author of such acclaimed books as My Tibet (with His Holiness the Dalai Lama) and Mountains of the Middle Kingdom. His work regularly appears in Life, National Geographic, Outside, and Sports Illustrated.

Product Details

• Paperback: 287 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (May 17, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393338088
• ISBN-13: 978-0393338089
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,882 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #26 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Lighting
  • #26 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Nature & Wildlife
  • #55 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Equipment

More About the Author

Galen Rowell, internationally renowned photographer and mountaineer, is the author of such acclaimed books as My Tibet (with His Holiness the Dalai Lama) and Mountains of the Middle Kingdom. His work regularly appears in Life, National Geographic, Outside, and Sports Illustrated.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The "Inner Passion" of Galen Rowell, May 11, 2003

By 

J. Franck (Madison, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Galen Rowell's Inner Game of Outdoor Photography (Hardcover)

If you're a serious photographer (amateur or pro) and find your interest in shooting lagging occasionally, Rowell's enthusiasm might be contagiousness enough to provide a cure. This man was passionate about photography and went to extraordinary ends to get the shots he visualized. The majority of the book deals with his philosophy of photography and how he accomplished what he did. There's also much excellent technical advice. The book's only shortcoming, from my very personal perspective (take it for what it's worth), is the undercurrent of Rowell's ample ego. Were the personal pronoun "I" deleted from the book, its page count would be reduced considerably. Nonetheless, I still strongly recommend "Inner Game" for the highly passionate and very personal account that it is - an extraordinary photographer's testimonial to a life totally devoted to the art of photography and love of nature. It makes you want to climb a mountain and take pictures!

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The latest incredible work from the master., July 8, 2001

By 

Michael Offner "Bugsy Fan" (Boston, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Galen Rowell's Inner Game of Outdoor Photography (Hardcover)

I could not possibly say enough about the brilliance of Galen Rowell. It is self-evident from his photographs that he is both a technical master and an artist with tremendous vision -- he possesses an extraordinary ability to capture and convey breathtaking images and moments in time.

What is extremely lucky for other photographers like me, constantly striving to learn and improve, is that Galen Rowell is also a phenomenal writer. Some can do; some can teach -- Galen Rowell is one of those rare instances of a master of both.

The first time I picked up his Mountain Light (a MUST read), I heard a voice speaking to exactly all of the difficulties I had encountered in my work, explaining what the problems were, and clearly showing me how to correct them.

Some of Galen Rowell's photographs are so extraordinary that some people doubt whether they are authentic -- let me just say, read Galen's teachings, apply them to your own work, and you will understand the power of this man's vision. Before studying his work and writing, I would not have believed what I could do with my own camera.

Galen Rowell's Inner Game of Outdoor Photography is yet another magnificent addition to his collection of works which will allow any photographer to expand and fulfill their potential, and to achieve realization of their artistic and personal vision.

60 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not much of a "game", mostly "travel log", July 9, 2005

By 

A. Zarusski (Dallas, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Galen Rowell's Inner Game of Outdoor Photography (Hardcover)

I read some of the reviews about this book present on this site and was somewhat surprised to see mostly positive ones. Maybe it is just my perception or the expectation I had after reading these reviews but before buying the book that lead to my disappointment in the book. What were my expectations...? I did expect Galen to tell me what he thinks and feels before, during, and after taking those great pictures. I did NOT expect a HOW-TO book (which it is definitely not). I expected a book about artistic approach to the outdoor photography. What I found instead was mostly a travel log. The first 2 chapters were as close to my expectation as it ever got. The author talked some about his creative approach and very little about his technical one. The rest of the book doesn't even present his "photographic philosophy". He simply talks about his travels, places he visited, people he met. All that would be great for an illustrated travel book but not for a book that was supposed to tell me about how HE came to those pictures, what (in his opinion) made those pictures great or standing out (there is some of it but so little it almost doesn't exist). The book's title has "inner game" words in it. I wanted to know what that "inner" game was before, during, and after taking EACH picture (or at least most of them). Overall - disappointing and expensive for that.