The Art, Science, and Craft of Great Landscape Photography, 2nd Edition


Book Description

The Art, Science, and Craft of Great Landscape Photography, 2nd Edition teaches photographers how to convert their visual peak experiences—moments of extraordinary natural beauty that evoke a sense of wonder and awe—into stunning images that elicit the same awestruck emotion in their viewers. Author Glenn Randall is an experienced wilderness photographer, and whether you want to venture into the mountains for once-in-a-lifetime shots of raw nature, or simply hone your landscape photography skills from the safety of your back deck, Randall explains the art, science and craft behind creating stunning landscape photographs.

This fully updated edition of the best-selling first edition includes nearly all new imagery throughout the book, as well as a new first chapter, "Photographic Essentials," to help beginners to landscape photography get up to speed quickly. Additionally, this second edition takes into account how Randall's techniques have changed and evolved since the first edition published—from photographic practices to how he uses smart phones and apps as important and powerful tools for landscape photography.

After discussing photographic essentials, Randall focuses on the art of landscape photography. He describes his three-step process for composing a photograph and shows how good composition is an organic process that begins with rules but ultimately transcends them. Randall then explores the science behind successful landscape photographs, which requires understanding key concepts from geography, optics, vision, and psychology. These concepts include:

    • How the position of the sun at sunrise and sunset varies throughout the year. This will help you plan when and where to shoot.
    • Using optics to predict where rainbows will appear, how polarizers will interact with reflections, and where to find spectacular light.
    • How to use topographic maps and computerized mapping tools to help you find promising shooting locations in the wilderness.
    • Calculating exposures, achieving correct exposure in high-contrast lighting situations, and the best digital darkroom techniques.

With some practice and by applying the techniques that Randall teaches you, you will soon be ready to master the finer nuances of creating magnificent landscape photographs.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction
Chapter 1: Photographic Essentials
Chapter 2: Landscape Photography Looks So Easy
Chapter 3: In Search of Extraordinary Landscapes
Chapter 4: Visualization
Chapter 5: The Art and Science of Light
Chapter 6: The Art and Science of Composing Compelling Images
Chapter 7: The Perfect Exposure
Chapter 8: Digital Capture and Processing of High-Contrast Scenes
Chapter 9: Take a Walk on the Wide Side
Chapter 10: The Landscape at Night
Chapter 11: The Psychology of the Compelling Landscape
Index




Art of Landscape Photography


Book Description

There are many general titles on landscape photography, but few that really tackle the issue of composition in great depth. The Art of Landscape Photography assumes a good working knowledge of the technical basics - such as correct exposure, filtration, and sharpness - and concentrates on the 'heart and soul' of landscape photography: the principles of composition and aesthetic design to convey meaning and emotion. While technique will not be ignored, the emphasis will be on how it impacts on the aesthetics of the image - for example, using filtration to enhance the mood of a scene rather than simply to balance the extremes of contrast. Because of the nature of the subject matter, this is very much a picture-led book, with numerous example pictures to illustrate the compositional points being discussed. At the back of the book there will be thumbnails of all the pictures used, with a summary of the technical details - camera, lens, ISO, shutter speed, aperture, filtration - to ensure that those who crave technical information are not disappointed.




The Art, Science, and Craft of Great Landscape Photography


Book Description

The Art, Science, and Craft of Great Landscape Photography teaches photographers how to convert their visual peak experiences-moments of extraordinary natural beauty that evoke a sense of wonder and awe-into stunning images that elicit the same awestruck emotion in their viewers. Randall is an experienced wilderness photographer, and whether you want to venture into the mountains for once-in-a-lifetime shots of raw nature, or simply hone your landscape photography skills from the safety of your back deck, Randall explains the art, science and craft of creating astounding images.Randall begins by focusing on the art of landscape photography. He describes his three-step process for composing a photograph and shows how good composition is an organic process that begins with rules but ultimately transcends them. Randall then explores the science behind successful landscape photographs, which requires understanding key concepts from geography, optics, vision, and psychology. These concepts include: Understanding how the position of the sun at sunrise and sunset varies throughout the year, which will help you plan when and where to shoot. Understanding optics to predict where rainbows will appear, how polarizers will interact with reflections, and where to find spectacular light. Understanding how to use topographic maps and computerized mapping tools to help you find the most promising shooting locations in the wilderness. Understanding how our visual system analyzes images and the psychology of how we view art. These insights will help you produce successful photographs. Exposure is a central aspect of the craft of landscape photography, and Randall tackles the challenges of this topic from every angle-from tips on calculating exposures in the field, to achieving correct exposure in high-contrast lighting situations, to the best digital darkroom techniques.Great landscape photography can be mastered with practice and by applying the techniques taught in this book. The Art, Science, and Craft of Great Landscape Photography is intended for those who already understand the basics of photography and who are ready to master the finer nuances of creating magnificent landscape photographs. Foreword by Reid Callanan Director, Santa Fe Photographic Workshops




Digital Nature Photography


Book Description

Identifying a beautiful image in nature is easy, but capturing it is often challenging. To truly seize the essence of a photograph shot out of the studio and in the world requires an artistic eye and impeccable set of photographic techniques. John and Barbara Gerlach have been teaching photographers how to master the craft of photographing nature and the outdoors through their workshops and best-selling books for more than twenty years. Now, equipped with brand new images to share and skills to teach, this celebrated photo team is sharing their latest lessons in the second edition of Digital Nature Photography. Notable revisions in this new edition include introducing the concepts of focus stacking and HDR, as well as expanded discussions of multiple exposure, wireless flash, RGB histograms, live view, shutter priority with auto ISO, hand-held shooting techniques, and the author’s equipment selections. The inspiring imagery in this book covers a broader range of subjects than before including ghost towns, the night sky, animals, and sports, in addition to the classic nature photographs we expect from this very talented author team. This book is a comprehensive guide to one of the broadest subjects in photography, explained and dymystified by two respected masters.




The Landscape Photography Book


Book Description

Have you ever dreamed of taking such incredible landscape photos that your friends and family say, “Wait a minute, this is your photo?! You took this?” Well, you’re in luck. Right here, in this book, pro photographer and award-winning author Scott Kelby teaches you how to shoot and edit jaw-dropping landscape photographs. Scott shares all his secrets and time-tested techniques, as he discusses everything from his go-to essential gear and camera settings to the landscape photography techniques you need to create absolutely stunning images. From epic scenes at sunrise to capturing streams and waterfalls with that smooth, silky look, and from photographing the night sky or the Milky Way to creating breathtaking, sweeping panoramas, Scott has got you covered. Among many other topics, you’ll learn: • The secrets to getting super-sharp, crisp images (without having to buy a new lens). • Exactly which camera settings work best for landscape photography and why (and which ones you should avoid). • Where to focus your camera for tack-sharp images from foreground to background. • How to shoot beautiful high dynamic range images and stunning panoramas (and even HDR panos!), along with how to post-process them like a pro. • How to create captivating long-exposure landscape shots that wow your viewers. • What gear you need, what gear you can skip, which accessories work best, and a ton of killer tips that will not only help you create better images, but make the entire experience that much more fun. It’s all here, from the planning, to the shoot, to the post-processing—taking your images from flat to fabulous—and best of all, it’s just one topic per page, so you’ll get straight to the info you need fast. There has never been a landscape book like it! TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1: Essential Gear Chapter 2: Camera Settings & Lenses Chapter 3: Before Your Shoot Chapter 4: Composition Chapter 5: HDR & Panos Chapter 6: Long Exposures Chapter 7: Starry Skies & the Milky Way Chapter 8: Post-Processing Chapter 9: Even More Tips Chapter 10: Landscape Recipes p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Verdana; min-height: 15.0px}




Digital Landscape Photography


Book Description

Photographing landscape with a film camera is different than with a digital camera. There are several books on the market that cover landscape photography, but none of them are specifically for the digital photographer. This book is what you are looking for! Digital Landscape Photography covers: * equipment such as accessories and lenses * exposure from shutter speed to common mistakes * shooting * light and its importance * composing your perfect photo * printing * and a special section on specific subjects such as waterfalls and sunrises Digital Landscape Photography, written by experts that have been shooting outdoors for decades, is a fresh look at current ways to shoot landscapes by making the most of digital format.




More Than a Rock, 2nd Edition


Book Description

A deeper look at the creativity, art, expression, craft, and philosophy of landscape photography.

More Than a Rock, 2nd Edition is a passionate and personal book about creativity and expression. In this series of over 70 brief essays, photographer and teacher Guy Tal shares his thoughts and experiences as an artist who seeks to express more in his images than the mere appearance of the subject portrayed. Following up on the success of the first edition, this revised edition contains updated imagery, a new essay in each of the book’s four sections—Art, Craft, Experiences, and Meditations—and is presented in a beautiful hardcover format.

Tal makes an argument to consider creative landscape photography—expressing something of the photographer's conception through the use of natural aesthetics—as a form of visual art that is distinct from the mere representation of beautiful natural scenes. Tal covers topics such as the art of photography, approaches to landscape photography, and the experiences of a working photographic artist. His essays also include reflections on nature and man’s place in it, living a meaningful life, and living as an artist in today’s world.

The book is decidedly non-technical and focuses on philosophy, nature, and visual expression. It was written for those photographers with a passion and interest in creative photography. Anyone who is pursuing their work as art, is in need of inspiration, or is interested in the writings of a full-time working photographic artist will benefit from reading this book. The book is visually punctuated with Tal’s inspiring and breathtaking photography.

“Some images look like things, while others feel like things; some images are of things, while others are about things. A creative image is not a record of a scene nor a substitute for a real experience. Rather, it is an experience in itself—an aesthetic experience—something new that the artist has given the world, rather than a contrived view of something that already existed independent of them.”
—Guy Tal

“The medium of photography has a long tradition of practitioners who were not only masterful photographers, but were also insightful and thoughtful writers—the thinking man’s photographers. Among them we find such greats as John Szarkowski, Minor White, Bill Jay, and Robert Adams. It is no exaggeration to include Guy Tal on this esteemed list.”
— From the Foreword, by Chuck Kimmerle




Light on the Landscape


Book Description

See the images and read the stories behind the creative process of one of America’s most respected landscape photographers, William Neill.

For more than two decades, William Neill has been offering his thoughts and insights about photography and the beauty of nature in essays that cover the techniques, business, and spirit of his photographic life. Curated and collected here for the first time, these essays are both pragmatic and profound, offering readers an intimate look behind the scenes at Neill’s creative process behind individual photographs as well as a discussion of the larger and more foundational topics that are key to his philosophy and approach to work.

Drawing from the tradition of behind-the-scenes books like Ansel Adams’ Examples: The Making of 40 Photographs and Galen Rowell’s Mountain Light: In Search of the Dynamic Landscape, Light on the Landscape covers in detail the core photographic fundamentals such as light, composition, camera angle, and exposure choices, but it also deftly considers those subjects that are less frequently examined: portfolio development, marketing, printmaking, nature stewardship, inspiration, preparation, self-improvement, and more. The result is a profound and wide-ranging exploration of that magical convergence of light, land, and camera.

Filled with beautiful and inspiring photographs, Light on the Landscape is also full of the kind of wisdom that only comes from a deeply thoughtful photographer who has spent a lifetime communicating with a camera. Incorporating the lessons within the book, you too can learn to achieve not only technically excellent and beautiful images, but photographs that truly rise above your best and reveal your deeply personal and creative perspective—your vision, your voice.




Digital Landscape Photography


Book Description

Updated, expanded, and covering the latest software, this new edition of the bestselling Digital Landscape Photography brings the amazing techniques pioneered by Ansel Adams and his contemporaries to every digital photographer. Ansel Adams' imagery - especially his iconic vision of the American National Parks - is widely published and instantly recognisable. Many photographers will have heard of his renowned Zone System, but that is just the tip of the iceberg; his unparalleled attention to detail, which once required hours in the darkroom with specialist tools, is finally accessible to all. Michael Frye's own photography provides many stunning examples of the results that can be achieved, and as one of Adams' natural successors in the field, he is well placed to analyse the many inspirational shots from the great masters of landscape photography. Combining the cutting edge of today's digital work with some of the best-known photos ever taken, this book a must-read for any landscape or nature photographer.




Mastering Landscape Photography


Book Description

This book includes thirteen essays on landscape photography by master photographer Alain Briot. Topics include practical, technical, and aesthetic aspects of photography to help photographers build and refine their skills. Also covered is how to be an artist in business. Alain Briot is one of the leading contemporary landscape photographers. He received his education in France and currently works mostly in the southwestern part of the United States. This book starts with the technical aspects of photography; how to see, compose, find the right light, and select the best lens for a specific shot. It continues by focusing on the artistic aspects of photography with chapters on how to select your best work, how to create a portfolio, and finally concludes with two chapters on how to be an artist in business.