John Shaw's Focus on Nature: The Creative Process Behind Making Great Photographs in the Field [Paperback]

John Shaw (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1991

Photographing nature is an attempt to order the chaos around us by emphasizing some aspects of the environment while ignoring others. There is a big difference between the procedures and the process of photography and this book attempts to help the reader recognise the difference. The photographer John Shaw presents many of his most spectacular images and, in addition to explanations of how to create such images, he also explores the reasons why he has photographed certain topics. John Shaw is the author of "The Nature Photographer's Complete Guide to Professional Field Techniques" and "John Shaw's Closeups on Nature".

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Shaw is one of the world's leading nature photographers and the author of many enduring bestselling books. His photographs are frequently featured in National Wildlife, Outdoor Photographer, Natural History, Sierra, and Audubon magazines, as well as in calendars, books, and advertisements. He lives in Colorado Springs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Amphoto Books (October 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0817440569
• ISBN-13: 978-0817440565
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #707,211 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Defines the undefinable: Photographic Aesthetics, February 26, 2000

By 

Mahesh Venkitachalam (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: John Shaw's Focus on Nature: The Creative Process Behind Making Great Photographs in the Field (Paperback)

What separates this book from many others is that it concentrates entirely on the aesthetics of photography, rather than the equipment. Most photography enthusiasts (including myself) are equipment fanatics, and are convinced that photographic nirvana is just another L series lens ahead! This book reduces the essence of the visualization into its basic elements, teaches you (with fabulous examples) to see nature in terms of light, form, texture, pattern, and color. It will change the way you see the world.

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Got Me Going in Nature Photography, April 11, 2000

By 

BetterPhotoJim "Author of 'The BetterPhoto Gu... (Redmond, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: John Shaw's Focus on Nature: The Creative Process Behind Making Great Photographs in the Field (Paperback)

If you are interested at all in nature photography, you will enjoy and benefit from any of John Shaw's works. Shaw is a clear, concise writer as well as a great photographer. Focus On Nature is a wonderful in-depth look at a meaningful approach to nature photography. In his usual friendly style, Shaw teaches how to capture the environment as well as its wildlife and how to go beyond merely identifying, "headshots" of animals. He makes a good point, along with many others, that since any photographer (who can afford it) can use a long lens, the true challenge is to capture something much more meaningful.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Focus on nature indeed, July 5, 2006

By 

M. A. Filippelli "Marc12074" (Roseville, CA, US) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: John Shaw's Focus on Nature: The Creative Process Behind Making Great Photographs in the Field (Paperback)

This book has everything you expect in a John Shaw book and more.

While there are beautiful shots and a detailed descriptions of the equipment, location and the time of that the photos where taken. The book is really more about the thought process that goes into the shot, the hardware involved, lighting, lens focusing, filters types, framing and composition.

The book also details the environment weather it's a desert conditions or lush landscape, time of day and time of season and how to handle lighting, exposure and what types of filters to use based on this.

He reminds us that sometimes there will be a good shot but patience will turn it into a great shot if you a willing to wait for light conditions to change. Look at your framing and composition and deciding what elements to emphasize and what to leave out or minimize. Practicing good stewardship of the environment and making sure to leave things as you found them.

The photography in Focus on nature is breath taking as always. While the book pre-dates digital media it does not detract in any from the book because with the exception of the discussion of film everything else is applicable to the digital and film photographer.

The book cover to cover is hi-gloss paper and all photos are in color and oh-so vibrant.

I own several of Johns books and I would have to say that alll are outstanding and this is no exception.

5 stars and then some.