Digital Nature Photography: The Art and the Science (Paperback)

by John and Barbara Gerlach (Author)
Key Phrases: shoot sharp images, making sharp images, highlight alert, Yellowstone National Park, The Magic of Light, Shoot Sharp Images Consistently (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Book Description
John and Barbara Gerlach finally write the book that their workshop students have been asking for!

Product Description
Over 50,000 photographers can't be wrong! John and Barbara Gerlach finally write the book their workshop attendees have been asking for!

Digital Nature Photography is a how-to guide for photographers who want to take their work to the next level. Written by professionals with over 20 years experience, the Gerlachs reveal enlightening techniques for shooting nature images in the field. The combination of artistic approach and impeccable technique will help you capture your next great image.

·Learn what equipment works best in the field, and why, as well as tips for superb shots
·Create sharp images at capture with detailed instructions for digital exposure
·Master the three factors that lead to excellent images: technique, subject and situation

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press (August 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240808568
• ISBN-13: 978-0240808567
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #173,628 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Contender, October 16, 2007

By	Conrad J. Obregon (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

For many years John Shaw's "Nature Photography Field Guide" was my recommended book for beginning nature photographers, even though it was based on film rather than digital media. I sometimes recommended other newer digital books to supplement Shaw but I found no replacement. At last the complete nature photography book for the digital age has arrived.

The Gerlach book tells you everything you need to know to get started in digital nature photography. After a few inspirational chapters, the author discusses equipment for nature photography, exposure, effective lens use, composition, close-up, flash and even the methods of carrying equipment.

When Gerlach (I refer primarily to John, since while Barbara's influence appears throughout the book, instruction is given from his point of view) discusses exposure, he lays out the relationship between aperture, shutter speed and media sensitivity completely, doing a better job than some lighting books I've read. When he talks about the use of the histogram and "blinkies" in setting proper exposure, he even tells you what to beware of in using these tools. Moreover, reference to these tools appears many times throughout the book, so that the beginner will understand the importance of them. The book also recognizes that some equipment of the advanced nature photographer may not make financial sense for the beginner and indicates the alternatives.

When he talks about the use of telephoto lenses, he dispels the misconceptions about depth of field, but does emphasize the importance of perspective control. In discussing flash photography, he describes the use of state-of-the art equipment, like Nikon's CLS system, and even gives suggestions for multiple flash (although he didn't advise me how to use more than one flash for a rapidly-moving bird).

Most of the book is aimed at the technical side of nature photography, although the section on composition does provide some guidelines that will help the photographer find the art in nature photography. The photographs range from accomplished to beautiful, and always support the teaching points.

Sometimes the suggestions while good, seem a little beyond what most of us will attempt. I don't see myself riding a horse through waist deep snow with a string of pack mules with my equipment, but at least the book made me feel the snow shoes in my closet weren't such a crazy investment.

Intermediate nature photographers will probably not pick up much that's new, although the book may serve as a good review of fundamentals.

Now I'm waiting for a book from the Gerlachs that will tell me about getting close to the animals and birds.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Very disappointed...few direct references to Nature Photography, November 13, 2008

By	grumpy3b (Sunny California) - See all my reviews

I was really looking forward to this book. I wanted an interesting book introducing the topic of nature photography. What this book is in reality is an introductory book to photography itself. Sure there are a lot of amazing photos, but nothing about how they were obtained.

I realize photography is photography but why would I want a book nature photography that has chapters dedicated to how to pic a digital camera?!?!?! I have done that, I wanted info on the topic in the title. I have plenty of books on exposure, composition and shutter use...and one chapter on "Carrying Your Photography Gear"...again, huh?

This is an excellent book for someone just starting out in photography who does not have other references and/or no clue how to use the internet to learn the basics. If you want shared experiences and philosophy about nature photography...THIS IS NOT FOR YOU....or for me.

I simply cannot fully express how let down I am by this misleading title and extremely basic content. I was going to leave a 3-star rating because the info is solid but, after more thought, given there is essentially zero reference to the implied topic of nature photography I am giving this 1-star. Just a shame...

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book, poor printing, December 17, 2007

By	J. T. Pater (Oxford, OH USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a very enjoyable book to read for inspiration and learning some photography tricks and tips as well as developing a photographic workflow. As a graphic designer, I was shocked at the quality of the printing of this book. The title on the front cover is enough to send anyone who has an interest in typography, screaming. Other than the poor print quality, the book is filled with photographs that are not only inspirational, but tend to make the reader very envious of the photographic opportunities of this pair of authors who are husband and wife.
This is a smallish book that you can take with you many places if you just want to occupy a few minutes while reading. It will make you want to get outdoors and experiment with your camera. I find the horizontal format of the book a little clumsy to hold. It is good nonetheless for displaying the landscape format of many of the photographs.
Anyone who has an interest in nature photography should definitely check out this book.