Large Format Nature Photography (Paperback)

by Jack Dykinga (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A manual on taking large-format nature photographs, written by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jack Dykinga. The author merges photojournalism techniques with large-format photography to create spectacular images of nature and remote locations. In order to capture the intricacies, patterns, textures, tonal range and colours that made Dykinga famous, he uses a 4x5 camera, film, lenses, light metres, filters, colours, composition, digital backs and tripods. Photographers will also learn how to work with the weather, keep images organized and maintain their personal vision, as expressed in more than 200 photographs of Dykinga's own work.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Amphoto Books (October 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0817441573
• ISBN-13: 978-0817441579
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #609,705 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like being on a workshop, November 7, 2002

By	Richard de Lhorbe (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews

A solid read from one of the premier colour landscape photographers in North America today. The author provides good insight to the techniques used to create each photograph, and contrary to one of the other reviews here I find the detailed information provided on each shot reflects the professional attitude of the photographer. If you know Jack's other printed works, his mission is to help protect the ever diminishing wild spaces on the planet, and he is careful to document exactly what he has photographed, indicating his intense involvement with the subject. His tips on how to prepare your equipment to be ready for the fastest set-up for when the decisive moment of lighting suddenly appears (based I am sure on years of being out in the field and probably missing his fair share of shots in his early days) is worth the price of admission all by itself.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisite pictures and discussion of technique, February 12, 2007

By	David McAllister "Blurt" (Charlotte, NC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is by far the most useful book of advice on taking LF pictures, showing how to handle many important aspects of the craft. The discussions are all very enlightening: on equipment (from cameras to tripods to filters), technique, problems and their solutions, advantages of the format, and the philosophy of LF photography. The important points are illustrated with wonderful pictures of the processes and with the resulting photos. The author uses pairs of similar pictures to demonstrate the effects of variations in settings and approach.

It is also a spellbinding book of nature photographs. Each one is a like little jewel.

I believe some of reviewers on this site who express disappointment must have been looking for a primer or handbook, which this is not. Anyone thinking of trying LF or already immersed in it, no matter how successfully, should own this book and study it closely. It's all pleasure.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Large Format Nature Photography-It's a must have!, November 10, 2002

By	Robert Clark (Kennesaw, GA USA) - See all my reviews

I have only recently made the move to large format photography and welcomed the publication of Jack's book. Not only are the photographs inspiring but there is a great weath of technical information to help with composition, exposure and camera movements. It is always interesting to learn how photographers work and this book gives insights into how Jack works a situation to get the photograph.
The section on camera movements is particularly helpful. Jack has created excellent pictorial diagrams to show the effects of camera movements on the focusing plane. In addition there are chapters on film exposure, reading the light and filters.
Making the commitment to large format photography can be a very daunting experience. This book helps. It is an excellent reference tool. One that I would not be without.