Customer Reviews

Romancing the Rain

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Breathtaking, beautiful, inspiring, these are only a few of the words that come to mind when leafing through the photographs of Stephen Kirkpatrick taken during a photographic journey into the Amazon jungle. Organized on the basis of the progressive growth of Stephen's feelings for the forest it is divided into four basic sections. The first is enchantment in which the photographs demonstrate how the Amazon enchants the visitor. The second section is disenchantment and focuses on the perils of the jungle. Spiders, snakes, camouflage and death are parts of the disenchantment as the reality of the dangers of the Amazon forest comes to light. The third section is work in which the photography relates to understanding the forest in all of its detail. Filled with giant lilies, orchids, birds of various types, and similar photographs it is the melding of the enchantment and disenchantment into a deeper understanding of the Amazon basin. The fourth section is longevity, the movement to lasting commitment and joy based on a complete understanding of the Amazon.

While the pictures alone make the book worth the purchase price, the narrative that goes along with the pictures is also interesting. The narrative helps the reader to understand how the author and photographer moved through the four stages of growth. From the romantic concepts of the rain forest they started with to the fears and struggling for survival as they became lost in an uncharted area to rescue and reflection it is an interesting tale on its own.

For those that enjoy photography, it even includes exposures and setting information in the back for each picture along with comments by the photographer. A highly recommended book.

After reading the photographer's book relating the trials and tribulations of an Amazon photo journey, I had to see the final product. The photos are awesome. It is unbelieveable how he can manage to capture such creatures on film and with such clarity. Many of the pictures look like the subject is posing just for for you. If you don't desire to take a journey into the jungle for yourself after seeing the photos, check your pulse, you may have a problem.

Chuck

Combining the four phases of love with a wildlife "picture book" sets this coffee table book apart. A compelling narrative of the author's love affair with the Amazon jungle is woven around the striking photographs. Uplifting, beautiful, spititual, and fun. Buy it for the photographs, but read the text!

Stephen has done it again. Outstanding photography that takes me to a place I'll probably never go myself. Very well written and designed. Everyone on my Christmas list get one! Also check out "Extreme Exposure" by Marlo Carter Kirkpatrick...the true-life story of one of Stephen's photo trips to the Amazon.

Great book and wonderful picture. Story made me think of all of the efforts that went into each shot.

In April spent a week on the Amazon and treking through the rain forest. The book took me back to the time and saw beautiful pictures of what we had actually seen.