Seeing Landscapes: The Creative Process Behind Great Photographs [Paperback]

Charlie Waite (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1999

"Packed with practical tips, Seeing Landscapes is a beautifully illustrated guide to the art of landscape photography. Information on the creative aspects of each photograph combines with technical details to make this book an invaluable addition to the library of all keen photographers."--BOOK JACKET.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Amphoto Books (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081745831X
• ISBN-13: 978-0817458317
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #944,810 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get this one!, May 22, 2001

By 

Marius S. (San Jose, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seeing Landscapes: The Creative Process Behind Great Photographs (Paperback)

This book is a gem. I was about to ignore this book when browsing through Amazon.com myself (it drowns in mediocre books), but I took a chance on this one. I'm glad I did. Soon after I got this one, I just had to get Waite's other book; "The Making of Landscape Photographs". In my collection of photography books, these two are by far the best, both in text and photograpy. Unlike many photography books, "Seeing Landscapes" is not about the technical aspect of photography. This book is about what's more important. It's all about composition. It's all about seeing landscapes, just as the title suggests. So, even though technical details are found in the captions for all the photographs, this book won't teach you anything technical, such as exposure. For that, look elsewhere.

After about six pages of introductory text (double spaced), the rest of the book follows the format of showing a picture and some text about the picture, typically why it works (or doesn't), how it was done and how it could have been done better. I find the text exceptionally helpful and entertaining. Several nature photographers seem to have a somewhat arrogant tone (works demotivating) to their writing. Thankfully, you won't find that here.

Waite uses mostly 6x6cm, but there are also some 6x17cm and a few 35mm pictures. Expect great photography in square format. The pictures are of excellent quality and the difference between the few 35mm shots and the 6x6cm is obvious. The latter format is obviously superior in terms of image quality, making it great to print and present in book form. But you don't have to use medium format to find this book useful, although you might have a hard time matching his dedication; You'll find him referring to using a ladder (!) throughout the book, for example to avoid tilting a camera upwards when shooting a building (to keep the lines straight).

His photographs are mostly from Europe (France, Italy and England in particular, but also Greece and Spain) and a few shots from USA, Africa, India and China. As such, the scenery pictured is refreshingly different from what seems typical to find amongst American photographers. But it's not just because it's a different continent. It's also Waite's photographic style which I find quite unique. There is no postcard feel to any of Waite's photographs. You won't find cliched sunset (only one picture could perhaps be categorized as a "sunset" picture) or blurred waterfalls (only one waterfall) here. While many nature photographers go for the majestic and grand scenery, Waite takes a step pretty much in the complete opposite direction. His style is abstract. Simple and uncluttered landscapes. That makes his photographs calm, peaceful and harmonic.

At the end of the book, Waite tries something interestingly different; Introducing the unexpected into a scenery. He also goes for extreme abstraction which I don't think work all that well, but this is just at the very end of the book and is insignificant to the overall quality of the book.

The book is 160 pages long with 140 color photographs. Excellent print.

If you like this book, you can't go wrong with Waite's "The Making of Landscape Photographs". In fact, that one might be even better...

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful photos, but lacking on practical advice, June 21, 2000

By 

L. Owen (Vancouver, BC Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Seeing Landscapes: The Creative Process Behind Great Photographs (Paperback)

This book is a real treat for the eyes, full of beatiful photos. My only significant complaint is that the information isn't presented in a manner which was useful for me -- I would have preferred a format oriented to specific lessons, or at least clearly identifying the principles involved. Instead, the author discusses the qualities of each photograph and how he created the photo. Don't get me wrong, you can learn a lot from his descriptions, but it takes me some work to understand how to apply what he says to my photographs. One feature of the book I really enjoyed is where the author contrasts two photos -- one good and one not-so-good -- and explains the differences that make the one photo much better.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seeing Landscapes - what it means to me, February 13, 2000

By 

Julie Hulse (Buxton, Derbyshire, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seeing Landscapes: The Creative Process Behind Great Photographs (Paperback)

If your passion is Landscape Photography then this is for you. As the title suggests, your eyes are opened wider to the beauties of the landscape around us. Also what is wonderful about this publication is that Charlie explains how he came across the subject and then talks you through each image.

I find this a very personal book, it's as though it has been written especially for each individual reading it, to help them creatively advance in their own photographic journey.

Having said that, if you just want to marvel at great photographs taken all around the world by an artist so in love with his subject, then just sit back and enjoy from the comfort of your favourite chair.