I am interested in learning landscape photography. I know that there are many well qualified artists/writers, including, of course, Galen Rowell and John Shaw. I would describe myself as an advanced beginner, i.e. I understand depth of field, shutter speed, and the basics. I have read about the graduated neutral density filters, and have ordered three from Singh-Ray. I have excellent equipment (F100 and the S series zooms from 17mm to 200mm- the new 70-200 VR). So I just need to learn how to use it correctly. I prefer something with specific examples and reference points, not abstractions. Which books/videos or other medium do you recommend? Thanks.

JDT

Here\'s my list of recommended books for what it's worth.

Along with learning how to use everything correctly and the other details you list, one of the biggest missings in most "advanced beginners" is learning to see. There are countless excellent photos to be made in most any situation if only we could learn to see them and extract them from their surroundings so they can be concisely captured on film. Many aspiring landscape photographers need to slow down and start paying attention in order to find what may be literally in front of their faces. I continue to work on this myself. I truly believe this is a huge area of learning that lies relatively untapped in most of us.

Bob Johnson
Earthbound Light
Nature Photography from the Pacific Northwest and beyond
http://www.earthboundlight.com

Bob Johnson - Earthbound Light - Nikonians Gallery
Nature Photography from the Pacific Northwest and beyond
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Here is the Basics Bare Minimum Nikonians Bookshelf

Have a great time
JRP (Founder & Administrator. Nikonian at the north-eastern Mexican desert) Gallery, Brief Love Story, The Team
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Make sure you check our workshops at The Nikonians Academy

I would recommend two books in particular by Galen Rowell - "The Inner Game of Outdoor Photography" and "Galen Rowell's Vision." In his essays, he describes the equipment, the technique, and his rationale. I seldom meet the challenge, but one thing his books do is teach one how to look and see.

A BAD DAY BEHIND A NIKON BEATS A GOOD DAY BEHIND A DESK - Bob Tomerlin

A BAD DAY BEHIND A NIKON BEATS A GOOD DAY BEHIND A DESK - Bob Tomerlin
My Nikonians Gallery

How about his book "Mountain Light"? If you've read it, would you recomend it as well?

Jim M
softwhile.com

Haven't yet, but I want to. I've asked for it for my birthday.

A BAD DAY BEHIND A NIKON BEATS A GOOD DAY BEHIND A DESK - Bob Tomerlin

A BAD DAY BEHIND A NIKON BEATS A GOOD DAY BEHIND A DESK - Bob Tomerlin
My Nikonians Gallery

All of Galen's books are worthwhile. Definitely recommended.

Bob Johnson
Earthbound Light
Nature Photography from the Pacific Northwest and beyond
http://www.earthboundlight.com

Bob Johnson - Earthbound Light - Nikonians Gallery
Nature Photography from the Pacific Northwest and beyond
Lots more new images!! - Weekly Phototips and Articles - RSS Feed

Thanks to all for your help. It appears that I have a lot of reading/looking/studying to do. And I look forward to it.

JDT

You can speed up the learning to half a day or less.

You need to find an art book for people starting painting.

Many art books start of by explaining how "to see".

If there is a chapter (including sketches) on composition, and a chapter on colour harmony and colour contrast that's all you need to understand to be better than 99% of photographers.

Art books explain the basics, then the techniques and assume you will then get on with enjoying doing it.

Many photograph books tend to have chapters on format sizes, rangefinder verses SLR, 14mm versus 500mm - all IMO of little relevance to enjoying taking photos and analysing what makes a good picture.

When it comes to technique John Shaws down to earth explanations take some beating.

Photography is a bit like archery. A technically better camera, lens or arrow may not hit the target as often as it could if the photographer or archer does not practice enough.

Len Shepherd

Len: If you can learn to be a better landscape photog
in a half day or less, God Bless Ya.

Jim:

If you're at the point where you feel you're a
good technician, but realise you need to become
a more finished photographer - the advice given
is fine.

The ability to see creativly and translate that to
a dramatic, or moody or serene image is easy to define - a
bit more difficult to put into practice.

Bob's list is first rate. Lens idea of painting is good as
well. Although I'd be a bit more specific and say:

Look at Wyeth for comp...
look at Monet for color...
Look at Rembrandt for shadow and texture...
Look at anybody and critique it.

Photogs you like, say Rowell, its easy to see why
his Rainbow in Patagonia pic works; look at others
of his you like, and try and specifically define Why
it attracts you.

Go Practise, practise, practise.

Be your own worst critic, but critique ( ! ) don't get
down on yourself.

Put a pic you've done and like, up as computer wallpaper.
Look at it frequently, and as dispassionately as you can.

Do the same with others..

And go practise, ,....

In the Hills by the Finger Lakes..


" A velvet hand, a hawk's eye -
these we should all have." - Henri Cartier-Bresson

One other point worth mentioning: If you keep studying composition and keep shooting, don't be surprised if the pictures you think are your best compositions today will not look nearly so good a few years from now. Chock this up as a good thing since you are learning. I've gone back several times and cleaned out shelves of stuff I had saved that now I can't really imagine why... I guess that means I'm getting better

Bob Johnson
Earthbound Light
Nature Photography from the Pacific Northwest and beyond
http://www.earthboundlight.com

Bob Johnson - Earthbound Light - Nikonians Gallery
Nature Photography from the Pacific Northwest and beyond
Lots more new images!! - Weekly Phototips and Articles - RSS Feed

If you are still working on technique then my first recommendation would be John Shaw's "Nature Photography Field Guide" or his"Landscape Photography" (the former is more current; the latter puts more emphasis on landscape). Another good book is Boyd Norton's "Art of Outdoor Photography".

If you are past technique than you will have to deal with some abstractions because what you want to develop is vision. For more advanced photographers I recommend Galen Rowell's "Inner Game of Outdoor Photography" and Niall Benvie's "Creative Landscape Photography"

If you want to go further out, try Tony Sweet's "Fine Art and Nature Photography".

Finally, if you want to work on the vision thing and don't mind touchy-feely try one of the great photography books of all time, Freeman Paterson's "Photography and the Art of Seeing".

Agreed. All good books

Bob Johnson
Earthbound Light
Nature Photography from the Pacific Northwest and beyond
http://www.earthboundlight.com

Bob Johnson - Earthbound Light - Nikonians Gallery
Nature Photography from the Pacific Northwest and beyond
Lots more new images!! - Weekly Phototips and Articles - RSS Feed