Ebook: Digital Nature Photography: The Art and the Science

I have been a John Gerlach fan for many years and still have amidst my photo gear a typewritten exposure guide that he handed out during a seminar I attended many years ago in Orlando. His emphasis then, which is repeated in this book, is an emphasis on getting the picture right in the camera - not depending on Photoshop to "rescue" haphazard results. Exposure and sharpness are critical and he demonstrates how to achieve the results. Comments on equipment are interesting since he shoots Canon and his wife who is now his partner in these endeavors shoots Nikon so you can gain insight into both systems. He will also reference Sony and Pentax now and then but on a more limited basis. Tips on composition are also quite helpful.

An excellent book to get the basics down but also some great content for those, like me who have been doing this for many years. (47 in my case) The cover shot alone is enough to keep one inspired!

Two areas might disappoint. First, there is little discussion of the use of software like Photoshop. As he points out, there are plenty of books on the topic and he would rather be out taking pix as opposed to siting in front of the computer. The second area that might disappoint is that there are no pictures or illustrations of equipment or accessories. This was less of a problem for me as an experienced photographer but some may wish to see exactly what a particular item such as an "L bracket" for off camera flash or a flash extender looks like. (I understand that given the rapid changes in technology that material may become dated - as opposed to the photos which are timeless!)

I found reference to this book in his column in Nature Photographer and ordered this and the one on landscape photography. Both were worthy purchases.