Customer Reviews

Travel and Photography: Off the Charts

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4 star:		(1)
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This book is a delight, a book that you feel fortunate to have in your hands.

And it's really more than one book - it's five books in one cover, this is how I read it.

Book 1: It's a picture book.

You can't just open it and start reading; it's just not that easy. Why? Because starting with the very first page you are greeted with Lou Jones images. Lou's pictures are more than what you first see, more than the initial point of focus. As your eyes start to move it is grabbed by another point of interest, and then another. And then you realize that what you were looking at was not a picture about one thing; it was a story about many things.

After you absorb all of the pictures on page one, curiosity has you turn the page to see if there are more to follow. Each time you turn page, you are rewarded with up to four images. And before you know it, you've reached the last page, grateful for the almost 200 pages that make up this book, and a little disappointed that you have reached the end.

Book 2: It's an instruction manual.

There are roughly 150 images in this book, some taken for his commercial clients, others taken over several Olympics, and still more taken during Lou's travels all over the globe. Along with each image you also get the how and why the images were taken, information that would interest anyone with even the slightest curiosity of photography and the photographic process.

1. Where the image was taken
2. Why Lou thought it was an image was worth capturing
3. What the conditions were (weather, lighting, etc.)
4. How the conditions were overcome (lens choice, shutter speed, tripod, etc.)
5. How the time of the day impacted the image

It's similar to watching the Food Channel; they start by showing you the most delicious food, and then give the list of ingredients followed by step by step instructions so you too can make this marvelous dish.

This is what Lou Jones does for us in this book, he shows you the possibilities, and then arms you with the knowledge to be able to evaluate a given situation and select the tools to make it work.

Book 3: It's a helping of wisdom sprinkled with a little humor.

Throughout the book you will find quotes from photographers, the Bible, and great "thinkers" that make you pause a moment to digest the words.

Here are a few of my favorite:

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough" - Robert Capa

"Imagination is more important that knowledge" - Albert Einstein

"Light is an active, aggressive force" - Jay Maisel

"Photography in direct sunlight is like drinking from a fire hose" - John Sachs

"Clothes make the man, naked people have little or no influence in society" - Mark Twain

Book 4: Pearls (AKA "Yellow Boxes").

In each chapter you will find one or more "yellow boxes", highlighted areas that contain a paragraph or two, pearls of wisdom related to the chapter topic. I took it as Lou saying, "If you take only one thing from this chapter be sure this is it".

Chapter one is on equipment and the yellow box talks about the importance of a good watch, keeping track of your time zones, and the cultural impact of timeliness.

Chapter seven is about international travel and the need to do your research before you leave, that a simple thing like color can be truly important. Did you know that green is considered bad luck in England, good luck in Ireland, and absolutely sacred in Islam?

Chapter ten focuses on health. You learn why you should have your own health kit when you travel and that it should include syringes. Things that a novice traveler would give no thought to, but when you hear from an experienced traveler of what to do and why, it goes from no thought to a "no-brainer"

Book 5: The meat and potatoes.

Once you finish reading the first four "books", it's time to dig into most in-depth and detailed part of the book, the chapter content.

The first few chapters are dedicated strictly to photography. Chapters on cameras, lenses, tripods and filters. There is an entire chapter on the subject of film vs. digital and how airport security and the effect of x-rays on film is "another compelling reason to switch to digital".

The chapter on lighting that will give you an outstanding explanation of a histogram, exposure, how to use available light and the properties of light.

Then Lou moves into the important things you should, no MUST, know and do before you travel, as well as what to do and how to act when you are a guest in another country.

The subjects are covered so well and in such detail that anyone who is considering traveling internationally should seriously consider getting this book.

Lou explains the how's and why's of researching prior to leaving on your trip, covering important things to do (and not to do) with your passport, insurance and terrorism.

What about jet lag, water, food, sunburn altitude sickness and bug bites? It's covered. So is getting there and back - customs, airports, planes, trains, and automobiles.

Lou will also explain that clothing to bring and why for all weather conditions, hot, cold, and wet.

If you haven't picked up on it yet, this is one of my favorite books, the kind of book that when I lend it out I make a note of who took it, so I will be sure to get it back.

This book is aimed at the inexperienced travel photographer and discusses considerations relevant to taking photographs on the road. The book does not deal with photographic technique except in the most cursory manner, such as pointing out the existence of histograms on digital cameras, but not detailing an explanation of their use to adjust exposure.

After a brief discussion of equipment and a comparison of film and digital for the traveler (digital is less likely to be harmed by x-rays), the author writes about topics like clothing, composition, what to photograph, research, editing, security, health, transportation, language and money. Most of the topics will seem like common sense to an experienced traveler. For example, Jones advises the traveler not to wear clothing which will call attention to his or herself. I would think this should be obvious to most travelers, but I have seen the clothing that some people wear when they expect to be photographing strangers, and they could have used this advice. Similarly the advice not to carry large sums of cash around while traveling seems self-evident. But once again, some people do, so I suppose the advice is warranted.

I really expected the advice on what to photograph to be meaty, but once again, most of the material seemed self-evident. For example, the author suggests taking pictures of people in traditional costume. But sometimes it's difficult for a traveler to find people in traditional dress. I'd have liked to know how the author found people wearing such garb. The chapter on what to photograph seemed to mostly deal in broad generalities.

Now it may be that taking pictures while traveling is no different than taking any other kind of picture. The principles of landscape photography probably apply, whether one is in California or India (but maybe not). On the other hand getting into a Japanese silk factory may involve some special skills that Jones could teach us.

Jones' pictures are sprinkled throughout the book. While they do not always seem closely related to the nearby textual material, they certainly are interesting travel pictures. In fact, one could probably get a better idea of what to photograph by examining these pictures and asking oneself what was going on in the picture and why the photographer felt that this was a picture worth taking.

I wondered what the subtitle "Off the Charts" meant. I would have thought it might mean that the author would show us how to go to places off the beaten path. However, there doesn't seem to be too much like that in this book.

In summery, here's a book aimed at the inexperienced traveler, telling them some basic does and don'ts about travel and travel photography.

As a professional travel photographer, I can unequivocally endorse Lou Jones' "Travel and Photography" as simply the best book available on the subject. It has a tremendous amount of useful information for the serious amature and the experienced professional. Although I do this for a living, I have found one useful idea after another in this wonderful volume. It has everything you could think of asking about--and more, much more. The book is actually mistitled: it should be "How to Travel--and Take Great Pictures Too", because the book really discusses photography in the context of the art of traveling--how to go to new places and really see and experience what these places have to offer. Every insight is illustrated with a story from Jones' experience, and it makes the book a pleasure to read--something much more than just a useful handbook. Jones is one of the best and most versatile photographers shooting today, and this is a must read for anyone, amature or professional, with a serious interest in travel photography.

Lou Jones has put together a book that any working photographer as well as a photography enthusist should have in their library. Travel and Photography: Off the Charts is full of pictures as well as information based on Mr. Jones' experiences traveling through many countries. If you're going to the next town or around the world, this book is worth having.

Most travel book waste your time with discussions of the "lesser understanding", meaning too much time spent on equipment issues, and technical "how to" notes, all of which become dated almost before the book hits the stores.

This book, however, is an important exception. It's written by someone who has not only been there and done that, but has understood the context of the cultures he's visiting as well. And he gives savvy advice about a range of issues from clothing, personal safety, language (go learn one if the place is important to you!), photographing people and much more, for example. This book has more useful advice and such excellent quotes (Riboud, Frank Lloyd Wright,Twain, Bacon, Sontag) that it alone is enough to make you a real traveller if you'll just listen to its counsel. Plus he's a very fine photographer....

This book is a pleasure to recommend.
It is a joy to read and lovely to look at.
Photographer Lou Jones is a keen observer,
a master of detail, and his photographs are
beautiful and strong. His enthusiasm for capturing
a 'great' photo is infectious. His portraits show his love
for people and his respect for his fellow "travellers".
Lou Jones is also a gifted writer and his anecdotes
from his travels are full of wisdom, warmth and humor.
Not least, he includes plenty of technical how-tos
and gives sage advice from his years as a successful
professional photographer.
No matter what you consider travelling, Lou Jones wants to help
you photograph the people and places that are part of your journey.

Full of super photos, interesting and informative quotations, keen insights, excellent graphics, and the distilled wisdom of an outstanding professional photographer. Learn the how-to, what-to, why-to, where-to and when-to while traveling with a camera. This book is a user-friendly text book full of information and it is a must-have for anyone, whether an amateur or a professional, who wishes to take photographs.

I bought this book directly from Lou Jones after attending a photographic safari. Therefore, I'm not entirely unbiased. Lou is a great teacher with many stories and I enjoyed learning from him.

He gave a slideshow presentation and I was "blown away" by how creative he could photograph common landscape in a unique way. After I saw his photographs of the St. Louis Arch, The Eiffel Tower, and the Lincoln Memorial & Washington Monument together, I was ready to buy the book! Nevertheless, the book is a great instruction manual on various levels. He has the photojournalistic style of Gordon Parks but a great way of instructing you in a conversational tone (i.e., Joe McNally).

1. He points out the need to show respect to whatever subject you photograph. This may seem obvious at first. However, I have traveled enough and seen plenty of people violate other cultures rituals or just lack common courtesy.

2. His photographs may not appear on postcards. However, they tell a story and they are compelling and if you desire to photograph more than the images you see in tourist shops, this book will show you how.

He does not spell out the EXIF data for many of his photos. Possibly, the point is each situation is unique and once you understand the principles of good photography, you will figure out the technical aspects as needed.

I recommend this book for someone who understands how to use a camera. However, you may be on the brink of traveling and desire guidance from an experienced traveler. It will challenge you to go beyond the famous landscapes and immerse yourself in the people you're visiting. It will be harder to accomplish but you will leave with much more satisfying images.

Example of his work: He has a photo of several seagulls flying at twilight in Maine. During this time of day, the ability to stop flying motion is nearly impossible. Digital cameras only recently developed the ability to use fast shutter speeds at this time without severe noise. However, Lou froze the action of birds during this time using film and pushing the development process. His ability to understand his equipment and push the boundaries was something I didn't initial recognize or appreciate. However, the more I read his book, the more I learn.

Lou Jones does a great job of explaining the fun and the perils of travel photography, simple and concise information that I personally find very useful.Very attractive package with tidbits of additional information and helpful tips. A must have if you're planning to go out there.

"Travel and photography" is a must have survival guide for any traveller or enthusiastic photographer. It is a lonely planet, survival guide and photography book all rolled into 1.

This book fitted perfectly into the front of my backpack and travelled with me through 18 counties. With each border crossing, each extreme change of climate and the ever change in culture, this book guided me along on how to capture the ultimate moments.

In this book Lou Jones offers his expert advice of what equipment to carry, how to deal with any lighting situation along with composition tips, as well as sharing his own personal travel experiences and gives advice on how to travel safely, how to adapt to different cultures ("On another country's turf, they're right and you're wrong") and how to overcome various illnesses that come hand in hand with traveling.

If you are thinking about going traveling around the world or just across the state, this book will guarantee that your photographs will capture the excitement and beauty of this world that made you want to go travel in the first place.