Mountain Light: In Search of the Dynamic Landscape [Hardcover]

Galen Rowell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 12, 1986

A stunning colleciton of 80 of Galen Rowell's best, full-color photographs, with explanations fo the circumstances, composition and techniques of their making.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The viewer's first reaction to these photographs (part of a traveling exhibit) is awethey are sheer magic. Rowell, author of In the Throne Room of the Mountain Gods and Mountains of the Middle Kingdom, is perhaps the leading photojournalist of our time; he is arguably the foremost wilderness photographer. The text is partly autobiographical but focuses on Rowell's perception of photography as art and his technique of taking pictures. Accompanying each photograph of mountains in China, California, Alaska, Pakistan, Tibet, etc., is a brief essay describing how it was composed and shot (including technical data). This is a gem, the perfect gift for camera buffs, nature lovers, virtually anybody. 20,000 first printing; $35,000 ad/promo; Nature Book Society Book Club featured alternate; author tour.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Rowell ( Mountains of the Middle Kingdom ) is preeminent among photographers of mountains. His creations carry extraordinary visual impact: the affinity for light that marks his personal vision is supported by superb technical achievement. His abilities as a climber have allowed access to some of the world's most remote landscapes. This book presents 80 of Rowell's favorite photographs, grouped according to instructive similarities ("Light Against Light," "Integrated Vision," etc.). Accompanying descriptions cover not only technical data but the circumstances which surrounded the making of the image. The quality of reproduction is in keeping with the high Sierra Club standards. Necessary for serious photography collections. Jim Heckel, Lewis & Clark Lib., Helena, Mont.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Random House, Inc.; 2 edition (September 12, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087156761X
• ISBN-13: 978-0871567611
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #588,963 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Landscapes without Peer, December 26, 2000

By 

CMOS (US) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Mountain Light: In Search of the Dynamic Landscape, Tenth-Anniversary Edition (Paperback)

IF you love the mountains and the feeling they give you as you take in their grandeur...or if you love photographing these majestic places, this book will likely become one of your favorites. As a landscape photographer, I've poured over literally thousands of landscape photos - in books, slides and magazines - but the work of Galen Rowell stands alone in the realm of mountain landscapes. As Arthus-Bertrand has mastered photography from above (aerial) and Doubilet from below (undersea), Rowell has mastered the mountains.

If you pay attention to his photos and read what Rowell has to say about the making of each, you will begin to "see the light" - quite literally. No one captures the ethereal like Galen Rowell. He has the rare ability to sense and then photograph those fleeting moments that most (even many photographers) only daydream about. His photos will not only impress your eyes but they will tug at your soul. If ever a collection of photographs defined the majesty and mystery of mountians, this is it.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Appealing to the technician and artist!, July 31, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Mountain Light: In Search of the Dynamic Landscape, Tenth-Anniversary Edition (Paperback)

I've read probably 20 books on photographic instruction, leafed through at least a hundred more, spent countless hours on web articles, sites, talking to people, and at least as much time taking pictures, but this is first time I can truly say that something changed my perspective of the craft. After reading each chapter I would shoot a roll of film with more confidence and better artistic and technical results.

What is most striking to me is how generous Galen is with information. He explains how things work, not by telling you what to do, but by relating what HE did, which helped me draw my own conclusions and understand the material more thoroughly. For example, most photographers know that polarizers increase color saturation, cut down on glare, etc. but Galen goes the extra step of integrating the explanation with his style of photography and use of light. My appreciation for the utility of polarizers increased tenfold. He does a similar job of demystifing many other aspects of photography.

I really can't say enough about Galen Rowell's messages, whether they are technical, artistic, or even philosophical. Everything made sense. After reading between the lines I realized it's not just for photography instruction, but a way to approach life itself. Read his thoughts about "Luck" and you will know what I mean.

Thank you Galen!

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!, April 10, 2001

By 

Richard Semiatin (Falls Church, Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mountain Light: In Search of the Dynamic Landscape, Tenth-Anniversary Edition (Paperback)

Galen Rowell's "Mountain Light" teaches beginning, intermediate and even advanced landscape photographers more about "seeing" than any other landscape photography book I have read. Unlike many other great photographers who cannot explain their craft with great clarity (including the incomparable Henri Cartier-Bresson who simply says it is "geometry"), Rowell is articulate and explains what he is doing technically, but more important artistically. Rowell has often been compared to the American landscape portrait artist Thomas Cole--but Thomas Cole on his best day could never have produced the quality of art that Galen Rowell gives to us every day. A lot of books can teach you technique; Rowell shows technique as a part of art. The art drives the technique and not the other way around. Everyone can learn something useful from this book. A tour de force.