The Worlds Top Photographers and the Stories Behind Their Greatest Images: Wildlife [ILLUSTRATED] (Hardcover)

by Terry Hope (Author) "Cherry Alexander who together with her husband Bryan, runs a thriving picture library developed to the polar regions, feels that the wildlife photographer tag she..." (more)
Key Phrases: camera traps, underwater housing, wildlife photographer, National Geographic, Fujifilm Provia, Fujifilm Velvia (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Forty of the world's top wildlife photographers including Frans Lanting and Art Wolfe have been brought together to produce a memorable collection of stunning wildlife images in one publication. Experience the incredible energy and vibrancy of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles and insects in their natural habitats and their ability to both inspire and bring us joy. With glossy colour images of species as diverse as the polar bear, elephant, iguana, rhino, weedy sea dragon, Alaskan moose, snowshoe hare and spike headed katydid, the book provides the reader with an opportunity to be transported to the most remote corners of the globe to discover species you never knew existed and landscapes you only dream of. Accompanying the images is the story behind each one, told in the photographers' own words, plus in-depth interviews providing insights to their philosophy, working methods and the sheer amount of passion and hard work involved in capturing the intimate secrets of the natural world. e

About the Author
Terry Hope is a regular photography contributor to the UK?s national press, including The Times, the Sunday Telegraph, and the Guardian. He is the author of a number of books for RotoVision, including Portraits, Landscapes, and Photojournalism in the Black & White Photography series, and The World?s Top Photographers: Landscape. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Rotovision; illustrated edition edition (November 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 288046689X
• ISBN-13: 978-2880466893
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 9.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #976,453 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not a Complete Meal, August 17, 2003

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

This is a collection of the work of 40 of the world's most famous wildlife photographers. Names like Iwago, Lanting, Mangelsen, Morris and Wolfe will be quite familiar to people interested in this genre.

Each artist gets four pages for some biographical data and several pictures. Every one of the photos is world class.

While the biographies are generally too short to provide much insight into the individual artists, one can discern a couple of trends in their lives. A good many started life in some other career and after a while decided to make the risky jump to professional wildlife photography. Others were interested in nature all of their life and the photography grew out of this love. No one started life as a commercial or fashion photographer and then made the switch to wildlife. Occasionally a photographer will offer a surprising statement about the commercial nature of wildlife photography, like the photographer who notes that the books he has published don't make financial sense, but do help to drum up other business.

As I've perused a number of wildlife photography books over the years, I've noticed that a good book is like a good piece of music. As you proceed through it, you notice both the repetition and the variation of elements so that by the end of the book you have not just looked at pictures, but also come to understand something about the photographer and the way he relates to the animals he photographs. This book is more like a CD my son owns, called "50 Great Classical Hits" (or something like that). The CD plays just the most dramatic points from a number of symphonies. While that can be interesting, it certainly doesn't provide the same experience as listening to a single full symphony.

This book has the same effect. Many of the pictures are obviously well composed and striking but when one turns the page the picture one just looked at disappears from the mind as the reader tries to come to grips with a completely different subject and style. Ultimately I found this beautiful book unsatisfying.

But, it does serve the very useful purpose of introducing you to wildlife photographers you may not have yet encountered. I, for one, will be keeping my eyes open for the work of Chris Packham and Konrad Wothe. Reading it may also lead you to look for the work of unfamiliar artists.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful.., February 6, 2005

By	Drew Poland (Baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I love this book, it is sitting on my coffee table right now. I've read this book atleast 5 times in the past couple months, most photography books I read once then never touch them again for quite a long time.. This book is amazing though.

I highly suggest purchasing it if you enjoy wildlife photography and reading about the photos. All the storys are short but very entertaining and the photos are of top notch quality.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a brillant book!, January 8, 2003

By	danny (ponte vedra beach, florida USA) - See all my reviews

This is my favorite book of the year. The photos are really beautiful! I gave this as a Christmas gift to several of my friends who are into photography. In addition to the fabulous photos there is useful practical information for up and coming photographers.