Shooting Paddlers: Photographic Adventures with Canoeists, Kayakers and Rafters [Paperback]

Toni Harting (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2000

Shooting Paddlers: Photographic Adventures With Canoeists, Kayakers and Rafters is the first book published anywhere designed to help all paddlers strengthen their ability to see, recognize and record meaningful images. It presents an original approach to the study of photography, concentrating on specific possibilities and problems unique to the paddling environment. Most of the 238 black-and-white and colour photographs are discussed through the presentation of one or several pictures on a page, each accompanied by an analysis that includes explanations, tips, recommendations and other useful background information. Shooting Paddlers provides a wealth of specialized knowledge, difficult, if not impossible, to find elsewhere.

"I would have saved myself a fortune in wasted film if I had this book years ago when I first began to write about canoeing. Shooting Paddlers is unique because it analyzes 'water' shots through a paddler's eye and suggests how to improve them. Toni Harting's work is awesome! Even the oldest dogs will learn new tricks if they take to heart his suggestions."
- Cliff Jacobson guides canoe trips in northern Canada for the Science Museum of Minnesota. He is a contributing editor to Canoe & Kayak Magazine and the author of sixteen books.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...with many useful hints and ideas...Equipment for use on canoe trips is discussed and, of special interest to our sport, what to attempt if a camera of film gets soaked. The book could be a worthwhile investment on that point alone." -- Canoeist, january 2004.

About the Author

Toni (Antoni) Harting immigrated to Canada from The Netherlands in 1970 and has lived in Toronto with his wife and canoeing partner, Ria, ever since. He holds two Master of Applied Science degrees in Aerospace Engineering, but left his consulting engineering profession in 1974 to build a new career as a full-time freelance writer-photographer specializing in canoe topics, particularly wilderness canoeing.

Over the years he has become the international expert in paddling photography and the products of his work have been widely published in numerous books, articles, brochures, posters, manuals, catalogues, calendars, book reviews, reports and logos. Several of his photographs are included in private art collections. For many years, Toni has presented illustrated lectures and courses on subjects related to wilderness canoeing and paddling photography.

In 1993, one of his photographs was used in the design of a postage stamp by Canada Post. In 1996, Toni published the important book French River: Canoeing the River of the Stick-Wavers, and he is now recognized as the leading authority on canoeing that historic river. He is the editor of Nastawgan, the quarterly journal of the Wilderness Canoe Association.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Natural Heritage (May 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1896219624
• ISBN-13: 978-1896219622
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,409,067 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a book for all paddlers, August 3, 2005

By 

Wayfarer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shooting Paddlers: Photographic Adventures with Canoeists, Kayakers and Rafters (Paperback)

Toni Harting migrated to Canada from the Netherlands in 1970 and has lived in Toronto with his wife and canoeing partner, Ria, ever since. He holds two Master of Applied Science degrees in aerospace engineering, but left his consulting engineering profession in 1974 to build a new career as full time freelance photographer specializing in canoe topics, particularly wilderness canoeing.

You can learn a lot from his book. It is designed to help all paddlers strengthen their ability to see, recognize and record meaningful images. At the same time the book is simply fun to read or browse through it.

There are more than two hundred black and white and color pictures. Some of them are in two versions, e.g. an original picture and the same picture after cropping. Each picture is accompanied by its story and discussion with tips on composition, technique and logistics. Of course, there is also a chapter on equipment but you will not find information on a highly specialized gear, rather tips on using regular 35 mm point-and-shoot and SRL cameras.

There are many amazing shots. You can see a lot of action pictures from canoe and kayak racing and rafting, contemplative scenic or close up shots, pictures from paddler's life on camping or portage trail. You will not find many pictures from sea kayaking, but a great representation of a canoe including sprint and marathon canoes, voyageur canoes and dragon boats.

Some of my pictures have been already inspired by Toni Harting photos.

I always admire people who have sacrificed their "other" career to be a full time photographer. I know enough about photography to recognize how hard photographer job is and that it is not only about shooting pictures. Writing skills help for sure.