The Complete Guide to Nature Photography: Professional Techniques for Capturing Digital Images of Nature and Wildlife [Paperback]

Sean Arbabi (Author)

Book Description

Release date: December 6, 2011

The authoritative guide for photographing nature in today’s digital world
  
Infused with both a passion for nature and an abundance of technical expertise, The Complete Guide to Nature Photography guides amateur photographers through every stage of shooting landscapes, close-ups, and animal portraits in today’s digital world. Master nature photographer Sean Arbabi offers insider advice on everything from packing your gear bag to selecting sites, staying safe while working in the field, getting a perfect exposure, composing your images for maximum impact, and processing your digital images afterward.
Packed with more than 200 inspiring and instructive images, this complete course is the only book you’ll need to capture the beauty of the world around you.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

SEAN ARBABI is a commercial photographer specializing in nature, adventure, lifestyle, and travel imagery. His work has been featured in more than 250 publications including National Geographic, Outside, Newsweek, Sunset, Backpacker, and the New York Times. Sean teaches on-site nature photography workshops and is an instructor at the Perfect Picture School of Photography (ppsop.com). He is also the author of The BetterPhoto Guide to Exposure. Sean can be found at seanarbabi.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 239 pages
• Publisher: Amphoto Books; Original edition (December 6, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0817400109
• ISBN-13: 978-0817400101
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.6 x 10.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #190,180 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A commercial photographer for 20 years, and self-professed PhotoGuru, Sean shoots assignments, writes books, teaches workshops, and is developing on a tv show on photography. He authored the successful book, The BetterPhoto Guide to Exposure (January 2009 - Amphoto Random House). His second book, The Complete Guide to Nature Photography (Amphoto/ Random House), hit bookstores December 2011.

A native Californian, he received a B.A. in Commercial photography from Brooks Institute in '91, began his business thereafter combining outdoor, on-location, and studio imagery. He specializes in adventure, lifestyle, nature, and travel; for ad, corporate, and editorial clients, and has had freelance and contracted assignments with over 250 publications and 150 companies worldwide including Amazon, American Express, Backpacker, California Division of Tourism, Fuji Film, GEO Germany, Microsoft, National Geographic Adventure and Traveler, The NY Times, Nikon, The North Face, Outside, Petersen's Photographic, Random House, Sunset, Timex, and Via.

To date, he's captured over a million images, written numerous articles, and traveled the world capturing locations around Canada, Mexico, South America, Southeast Asia, the United Kingdom, and the US.

As an expert in the industry, Sean is often on the radio, on tv, or the web discussing various aspects of photography, new imaging software, cool new gear, and fun photo projects.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Standard for Outdoor/Nature March 1, 2012

By Les Schmader

Format:Paperback

Finally, there is a book for reference from an author who actually does this and "gets it". If you're just getting started and the outdoors is your interest, this is close to perfect for the exposure basics, framing, composition and guidelines for both the proper equipment and procedures necessary.

A lot less emphasis on needing this lens to take this shot, but this is a shot you can take with this lens. And this is how it's done. More of an outdoor photographer's style and approach. We have to carry this stuff and know why.

I don't think there is an example photo in the book that I haven't taken in one way or another. That's what impresses me. I've tried everything outdoors imagineable and Arbabi covers it "all". And explains and emphasizes the procedure in the preferable, "this is how I do it, you can do it too". If you have a reasonable, initial understanding of the basics of exposure, you should have no problem applying that concept to outdoor situations. In fact, one could "almost" learn exposure based on this book as a stand alone, but I don't think that is the author's intent.

The fundamentals of exposure are probably better addressed with a more dedicated issue like the author's own "Better Photo Guide to Exposure" which I do not have, or my personal favorite Jeff Wignall's "Exposure Photo Workshop", to whom I'll forever be in debt.

Sean Arbabi puts considerable time and effort into the more physical aspect of outdoor/nature photography with chapters and tips throughout that describe gear handling and safety that are often overlooked or not discussed. You've got to have been in those situations to realize how important this is. Nature isn't always nice....

I like the fact that the book has very little devoted to editing/photoshop, but concentrates on the business at hand rather than the "create it in photoshop" approach. Again, more of the outdoor style. If I didn't see something that caught my attention, why shoot it and try to make nature look un/natural in a computer. Sure, he describes HDR and panorama/stitching, but it's not the end all, be all of nature photography.

Now, I can't really say this book has many of those "nuggets" of info that would surprise a hard core, experienced outdoor photographer or the "pro forum expert" crowd will be quoting, but having learned this stuff myself from the "school of hard knocks", this book will definitely reduce the learning curve of a beginner/amateur or someone new to outdoor photography.

Lighting, from daylight to midday to direction is mentioned, even camouflage and expressions from wildlife are covered. I think the only thing not covered is whether to wear leather lined or gortex hiking boots.

I just can't believe how valuable this information can be to a beginner at outdoor photography, whether using a dslr, an m4/3 or even a point and shoot. You simply can't learn this stuff indoors.

For us know-it-all, battle scarred veterans of those unique, outdoor challenges, it's still an excellent refresher, reminder and pleasant read from cover to cover.

This book was my Christmas gift, and it is, in more ways than one. Excellent. Read more ›

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Landscape Guide February 19, 2012

By Brev00

Format:Paperback

This is probably the best guide to nature and landscape photography I have read. For the first and most important thing, Arbabi's images are outstanding. I enjoy photography books mainly for the images. If the photographer wins me over with the pictures, I am ready to soak up his words of advice. So, second to the pictures are the words. In this case, Arbabi does an excellent job narrating the ins and outs of getting those memorable shots. The lessons proceed organically, that is, without feeling he is going down a list of topics. Rather, he moves along seemingly naturally explaining his approach. It just so happens that he does cover all the hot topics, basic and more advanced. Although he does discuss macro and wildlife photography very well, I consider the book more of a landscape primer and most of the book is devoted to capturing these gorgeous views. The only negative point is something that has maybe just to do with me. I shoot using a D90, a crop sensor camera. All of his images are taken using either a medium-format or full frame camera. Although he provides lens, shutter speed, and aperture info for each image, he does not always specify the camera. Since he does not discuss the differences between the cameras, I was not able to figure out how I would apply his settings to my camera. To be specific, how does f 32 on a medium format camera translate to my aps-c camera? Besides that one minor issue, the book is beautiful and well-written, really a must read for anyone interested in the topic.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Photography Book I've Read June 7, 2012

By Kimberly O'Connor

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Although this is not Sean Arbabi's first publication, it is the first of his books that I read (I am not new to photo books, I have read several by different authors.) Cover to cover... I ate this book up. It is full of useful information that can be tried immediately as each chapter is followed by an "assignment". Some of the material was refresher for me as I have been a hobbyist photographer for ten years, but it delves into more than your basic photographic information. I would give this book top reviews for the content alone but the images within are coffeetable appropriate. I had to use exraordinary self discipline to refrain from flipping ahead just to look at the amazing photos on almost every page! Every gorgeous image not only illustrates the topic, but includes all the shooting data as well ~ ie. focal length, apperture, shutter speed, ISO, filters when used, and exposures. I could not wait to turn the page. I learned alot from both content and the images. After reading this book I ordered his first one, The Better Photo Guide to Exposure.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An author with enthusiasm... July 14, 2012

By ritewinger VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I agree with the above reviews, owning quite a few "photography" books, I have had trouble getting through a few, but not so with this publication. Sean Arbabi writes with seemingly enjoyment of sharing his landscape knowledge and tips which transcends the usual "how to" type book. I found the book well laid out and organized, unlike so many it was easy and fun to read. The example photography is very good, very inspiring and I appreciated the side bar "tips" throughout the book. I can't think of a think the author didn't cover, and I would recommend this to anyone interested in landscape photography from the newbie to advanced, and maybe to those experienced that might need a creative nudge.
Well done , Mr. Arbabi.....

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars You don't have to be a photographer to love this book! February 8, 2012

By Book CraZ

Format:Paperback

Sean Arbabi has written a good how-to book for digital photography if you're interested in taking great pictures of wildlife and natural settings. But even if you aren't, buy this book for the pages and pages of color photos. They're breathtaking. The book makes a great coffee table picture book as well as an instructional text for shutterbugs.