Customer Reviews

The Photographer's Guide to Canyon Country: Where to Find Perfect Shots and How to Take Them

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1 star:		(2)

 

 

I bought two books for my trip to southern Utah. I read this one first and found it lacking. The author spends too much time decrying what he calls "photocopying," which is shooting iconic scenes that have already been done to death. Now I agree in principle that one should find their own interpretation of a scene and not look for Muench's tripod holes. But in reality, most amateur photogs are looking for the "trophy shots" that are icons. I don't need a lecture, just tell me how to get there and what time of day the light is good. That's all I ask from this kind of book.

The book "Photographer's guide to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks" helped me so much before my trip that I thought this book would be on the same level by its name. Only to be very much disappointed. The author piles up some local history which one could find from any decent tour book and lists some general area for photo-taking. But there are very little details helpful to photographers. I guess the author expects the readers to spend months, if not years, to venture out and discover their own photogenic spots. The problem is one would not need this book at all in that case. For rest of the photographers needing a "guide" to an unfamiliar area, this books is of little help. In fact, outright useless.

"The Photographer's Guide to Canyon Country by John Annerino. From the author of Hiking the Grand Canyon, 3rd edition, (Sierra Club Books), offers a similarly intense focus. The introduction leads from Indians as the "first photographers" through pioneer photographers to how present-day photographers can define their goals and match them to modern techniques and equipment. The book hews to a no-nonsense formula, with chapters devoted to Mesa Verde, Zion, Canyonlands, Arches and five other national parklands. Annerino gives an overview of each, directions and contact information, along with tips for photographing the best sights and vistas. The text design is unremarkable and even slightly clunky, but the photos are National Geographic quality in both technique and printing -- beautiful enough to either inspire or intimidate the reader."

- San Francisco Chronicle

I had purchased the guide for Yellowstone (which is wonderful) and looked forward to receiving this for my trip to southern Utah. What a waste. Very little useful information. Author spends way too much time on the history of who took the first known shot of the area, way too little time on useful information on location, times to shoot, etc. that are of interest to a photographer. Pass on this book and pick up any of the books on photographing the Southwest by Laurent Martres instead (which are excellent).

This book offers some interesting shots you'll want in your own library of photos. However, The photos are mostly from easy-to-get-to places and are standard shots you may not need this book to identify. For Utah I have found two of David Day's books much more helpful in obtaining interesting shots: "Utah's Incredible Backcountry Trails" and "Canyonlands National Park Favorite Jeep Roads and Hiking Trails." He tells you how to get there and provides examples of good shots of interest.

If you are a hiker/photographer, this is the book for you. The book gives you an elaborate description of photography locations. I'm glad someone took the time to write this book. Since I'm, not much of a hiker I was a bit disappointed that it in not always clear if I need to hike X miles for the shot or that it is a curbside shot.

I am looking forward to using this guide in our trip to Arches next year. The book came as advertised and on a timely basis. Good service.