The Art of Photographing Nature (Paperback)

~ Martha Hill (Author), Art Wolfe (Photographer) "The first decision to make is what you want to photograph..." (more)
Key Phrases: percent gray, zoom lens, picture space, Fujichrome Velvia, Fujichrorne Velvia, Avers Rock (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The first how-to book by Art Wolfe, America's most renowned nature photographer, written in collaboration with the former photography editor of Audubon magazine. Together, they help everyone from novice to experienced amateur to see like a photography professional. Full-color photographs.

From the Inside Flap

The first how-to book by Art Wolfe, America's most renowned nature photographer, written in collaboration with the former photography editor of Audubon magazine. Together, they help everyone from novice to experienced amateur to see like a photography professional. Full-color photographs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press (July 7, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517880342
• ISBN-13: 978-0517880340
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #35,736 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Art's Art, January 3, 2002

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

The Art of Photographing Nature is probably not for the beginning photographer, but once you?ve learned how to manipulate the camera well enough to consistently make good, properly focussed exposures, you ought to look at this book if you?re interested in nature photography. And I do mean look, because that?s the way this book teaches.

This is a book about photographic composition, which is something a photographer must know well to make pictures that are more than snapshots. Technique is referred to, but if you want a how-to book get John Shaw?s ?Nature Photography Field Guide?

Although Hill claims the writing credits and Wolfe the photography credits, this is somewhat misleading. The form the book takes is to show a picture taken by Wolfe, or more often two, and then have both comment on the compositional choices. Since Wolfe is one of the greatest living nature photographers and since Hill is the former picture editor of Audubon Magazine, their commentary is illuminating. I found the comparison between two pictures of the same or similar subject matter, including why they found one better than the other, to be particularly insightful. It also adds to the discussion that each of them brings a slightly different sensibility to the pictures. There are even a few sets where the two disagree as to the better picture.

As I said before, this is not a technique book, but technique is examined as a way to enhance the composition. For example, in the section called ?Reading the Light?, the authors talk about how to find 18% gray, to get a standard exposure from a light meter. But than they talk about how to use that information to make pictures lighter or darker to enhance the subject.

There are various methods of teaching. Some teachers provide principals and then give examples. Others present the example and then derive lessons from the example. Most of us benefit by a combination of both approaches. Usually photography books take the former approach. Hill and Wolfe use the latter and this book does it as well as any nature photography book I?ve seen.

P.S. Even Wolfe?s second choice pictures are a pleasure to behold.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique treatment of artistic concepts of nature photography., October 27, 1999

By A Customer

I really liked this book. The photographic images are well reproduced and fascinating. The dual presentations of the two authors (photographer and photography editor) allowed for different perspectives that really increased my understanding of the creative process of taking and analyzing these images. The use of multiple photographs of the same subject (some that worked well, some that didn't work as well) and the related discussion was very helpful. The text went beyond the typical photographic techniques recitation to present artistic concepts and how this impacted the "success" of the captured image. I wish the book was even longer with more excellent photographs.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fundamentals of Photography., July 20, 1999

By	[e-mail] "asthana" (USA) - See all my reviews

This was my 3rd book on Photography. When I compared with other 2 books, I really find it an EXCELLENT book on the very basic or Fundamentals of Photography. This book tells you how you should isolate your subject, what color situations to choose, how to frame the picture, how to read light, how to set Shutter speed and Aperture to achieve Depth of Field or Isolation of a Subject etc. This book is almost free of technical jargons but explains evrything you want to know about photography. When I started reading it, I was a little disappointed because of not so amazing photographs but as I continue to read I found that the photographs really tell you the basics. Moreover, the book is not too verbose so you can read it fast and at the same time build up your knowledge. I read the complete book in 3-4 days cause it's so gripping and interesting. Oh, I forgot to tell one thing. This book also contains various aspect of photography for a magazines or for a story etc. Martha Hill happened to be the Picture Editor of Auduban. Therefore, I highly recommend this book for everybody.