While discussing field skills in a photo thread with one of our members I mentioned that I read a lot of nature photography "how to" books when I first got serious about nature photography, which was only about 3-4 years ago. These books helped my development a lot and it was requested I post them. Below is a brief description of 6 books that I feel could be helpful to nature photographers.
It should be noted that each of these was written when film photography was the norm, not digital, so there is no discussion of digital techniques. I took important lessons and ideas from each of these books.
John Shaw's Nature Photography Field Guide - Author John Shaw
This may be the most recommended book in the field and as advertised, it is excellent. So much is packed into this book: discussion of field skills, exposure, extensive sections on gear for not only birds and mammals but also macro and landscape photography.
The Art of Bird Photography - Author Arthur Morris
An excellent discussion of bird photography by one of America's best avian photographers. Includes many very beautiful bird images and a nice section on networking and the business side of nature photography.
Photographing Wild Birds - Author Chris Gomersall
This is an excellent resource as it not only includes advice on field techniques, exposure etc from the British photographer but small sections from many other top notch photographers as well. Also has case studies on how he approached different avian projects.
The Art of Photographing Nature - Authors Martha Hill and Art Wolfe
This book is more focused on composition and artistic issues and less focused on field skills. The authors discuss particular photographs (often photographed a couple of different ways) and the techniques/ style used to create them. It's quite different from the other books listed here and I feel it is a good complement to them.
Photographing Animals in the Wild - Author Andy Rouse
The author is one of NPN's contributing editors. It's an excellent book, smaller and a faster read than the books listed above. It is about photographing mammals and includes longer case studies on photographing badgers, fox and deer.
Photographing Birds in the Wild - Author Paul Hicks
This is another shorter, faster read. It includes some nice information on getting setup shots, using your car as a blind and getting close to birds.
Good reading and shooting to everyone,
Nate
Posted by Peter Conway on July 1, 2007 at 11:50 PM
Art Morris' 'The Art of Bird Photography II", released last year on CD, is a fully digital oriented upgrade to the original published book. Highly recommended, as is Art's "Digital Basics" PDF book on post-processing.
I am very happy with the electronic format of the new book, I have it on my laptop and spend many a happy hour while flying looking at the beautiful pictures and re-reading chapters....
Discussion
2 repliesIt should be noted that each of these was written when film photography was the norm, not digital, so there is no discussion of digital techniques. I took important lessons and ideas from each of these books.
John Shaw's Nature Photography Field Guide - Author John Shaw
This may be the most recommended book in the field and as advertised, it is excellent. So much is packed into this book: discussion of field skills, exposure, extensive sections on gear for not only birds and mammals but also macro and landscape photography.
The Art of Bird Photography - Author Arthur Morris
An excellent discussion of bird photography by one of America's best avian photographers. Includes many very beautiful bird images and a nice section on networking and the business side of nature photography.
Photographing Wild Birds - Author Chris Gomersall
This is an excellent resource as it not only includes advice on field techniques, exposure etc from the British photographer but small sections from many other top notch photographers as well. Also has case studies on how he approached different avian projects.
The Art of Photographing Nature - Authors Martha Hill and Art Wolfe
This book is more focused on composition and artistic issues and less focused on field skills. The authors discuss particular photographs (often photographed a couple of different ways) and the techniques/ style used to create them. It's quite different from the other books listed here and I feel it is a good complement to them.
Photographing Animals in the Wild - Author Andy Rouse
The author is one of NPN's contributing editors. It's an excellent book, smaller and a faster read than the books listed above. It is about photographing mammals and includes longer case studies on photographing badgers, fox and deer.
Photographing Birds in the Wild - Author Paul Hicks
This is another shorter, faster read. It includes some nice information on getting setup shots, using your car as a blind and getting close to birds.
Good reading and shooting to everyone,
Nate
I am very happy with the electronic format of the new book, I have it on my laptop and spend many a happy hour while flying looking at the beautiful pictures and re-reading chapters....