National Geographic Photography Field Guides: Landscapes (Paperback)

~ National Geographic Society (Author) "WE'VE ALL HAD THE EXPERIENCE: You're driving along through beautiful country and stop at every scenic overlook to make pictures you are sure will capture..." (more)
Key Phrases: gray card, landscape photographs, landscape photography, Bruce Dale, National Geographic, Raymond Gehman (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

When is the right moment to snap a sunset? Landscapes, the first in the new, information-packed National Geographic Photography Field Guide series, supplies the answer to this question and much more as readers discover the secrets that have made National Geographic photography so well known.

In Landscapes, readers will learn how to compose and photograph the lay of the land at its breathtaking best, whether it’s the Grand Canyon or a backyard garden. Filled with easy-to-understand instructions from an accomplished National Geographic photographer, this guide will be accompanied by specialized volumes on wildlife, black and white, digital, adventure photography, and more. With the National Geographic Photography Field Guide series, novice to professional photographers will take the best pictures of their lives.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic (March 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792264983
• ISBN-13: 978-0792264989
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #406,064 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Buy the original, October 7, 2002

By	Christopher A. Smith (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

National Geographic's original Field Guide was a big hit for a wide audience of photography aficionados. There was plenty for beginners, such as advice on equipment selection, basic subjects such as the relationship between shutter speed and aperture, and film selection. More advanced readers could benefit from the excellent essays contributed by Geographic's veteran staff photographers.

Unfortunately, Geographic appears to be trying to turn the formula into a franchise. In this most recent volume, Landscapes the focus is on, well, landscapes. The problem is that there is very little in this book that wasn't effectively covered in the first one. Yeah, use a tripod. Yeah, don't let snowy scenes fool your lightmeter. And no, the art of photography does not become clearer if you repeat the same points over and over for 150 pages.

If you don't have the original Field Guide then get it; I found it to be both informative and inspirational. If you already have it then don't buy Landscapes; it doesn't add any meaningful new material. Not recommended.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Great Photos, but little information, August 23, 2002

By	Jeffrey R. Elver "jeff82" (Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I expected more from this book. It is basically a non-technical review of composition for the beginner. The photos are really great, but they don't list the usual information used to get them (lens type, settings, filters, etc.). I really didn't gain any insight from this book, and doubt that anyone other than a beginning photographer would either.

For landscape photography, and for photography in general, their basic photography guide is much better.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Great Photos, but little information, August 23, 2002

By	Jeffrey R. Elver "jeff82" (Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I expected more from this book. It is basically a non-technical review of composition for the beginner. The photos are really great, but they don't list the usual information used to get them (lens type, settings, filters, etc.). I really didn't gain any insight from this book, and doubt that anyone other than a beginning photographer would either.

For landscape photography, and for photography in general, their basic photography guide is much better.