Mountain Light. in Search of the Dynamic Landscape

by Galen A. Rowell

Mountain Light is the best-selling classic that captures the unique artistic vision of Galen Rowell, one of the world's most celebrated nature photographers. This remarkable collection offers 80 of Rowell's finest photographic images, as well as the stories behind them - what he was after and how he achieved it.Rowell arranges the photographs, with details of their creation, in eight exhibits according to visual themes, reflecting his fascination with the infinitely varying qualities of light found in mountain landscapes. He recounts his development as a photographer, his philosophy and techniques for creating "dynamic landscapes," and his adventures in remote, dangerous, and beautiful places, from California's Yosemite Valley to almost inaccessible peaks in China.Rowell also explains how film and the human eye see differently, how he selects and composes the content of his work, how to work with optical phenomena and natural light, and how equipment and adventure interact in the field.

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction, Travel, Art, Nature, Art and Photography, Climbing

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Galen Avery Rowell (August 23, 1940 – August 11, 2002) was a wilderness photographer, adventure photojournalist and mountaineer. Born in Oakland, California, he became a full-time photographer in 1972.

Reviews

[Chris Gager · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this down at the town transfer station a few days ago. Beautiful pictures. Specific prose passages are for specific pictures. I didn't read that much of the text - yet. From what I've seen a lot of the it is technical stuff about film types, lenses & settings, light etc. And ... a brief history of the history of each picture. Nice!

[Dan Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

May Galen Rowell rest peacefully in the light and the wind of the high mountains where he found such peace during his human time. I cannot thank this man enough. I saw this book in my used library section for $1.50. To my recollection, the best dollar I have ever spent. Even at the current price of 20 or so dollars, it is well worth that amount of physical resources. Galen introduces a unique perspective of how to interact with the wild environment, and arrive at a photograph.

His approach is far more based in instinct and fast kinetic interaction with the wilderness. If one should describe his style, one could say he lies between a world-class adventurer , a journalist, and a photographer. Perhaps he leans towards the adventurer with greatest intensity.

The photographs that struck my spirit were pg i, pg 24, pg 70, pg 91, pg 111, pg 133, the sheer magnitude of pg 150, pg 153, pg 218.

The level of detail Galen includes in how he reaches the location of each photograph, and what went into his journeys is unmatched as far as I have found. So the text alone is invaluable.

The cover image is a bit deceiving, at least in my opinion, it is one of the weaker images in this collection. And i would like that to more so illustrate the strength of the other images, instead of criticizing the cover image.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most important things I took away from Rowell's book is his devotion to capturing images because they work for him emotionally, rather than simply shooting pictures that are technically well done yet lack a spark. It has changed the way I shoot; taking more time to really focus on why I'm capturing a moment. A must-read if you're a photographer or at least interested.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my current favorite. Galen Rowell's pictures are amazing (major understatement.) His writings of how he had the forsight to capture each picture makes for an inspiring, great read. He was an athlete and had a scientists mind - The book cover great adventures and he copiously notes the settings and equipment he used for each picture.

[Bastian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite simply, the best photography book I have ever read. From the era of color film, which is unique in that it really couldn't be edited. It all came down to the skill of the photographer, which makes a book from this era much more useful than its darkroom-edited predecessors or photoshopped successors.

And a great book of outdoorsmanship and adventure as well!

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re interested in landscape photography or the photography world of the 1970s/1980s, this is an excellent book. Of course, Rowell’s photographs are beautiful, but his breakdown of what went into each shot as well as his expositions on his process as a photographer are what you really don’t want to miss.

[Russ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn’t believe when I found this book at the library sale for .50, and hard to believe the plane crash that killed Rowell was 21 years ago now. Galen Rowell was the Jimmy Chin of his day, an accomplished mountaineer as well as photographer. I’d long admired Galen’s work and was glad to gain more insight into the passion behind the photographs. I could see myself in him.

[John Orman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This large format book can be taken as a how-to text on landscape photography. The images show off Rowell's true love for the outdoors, the wilder the better. I took these photos as a photo school all by themselves.

[J.D. Gormaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the greatest landscape photographer ever. His images and words became the catalyst for legions of dreamers to quit their humdrum day jobs and become photographers in search of the unfathomable phenomena seen only in the realm of the high summits. Galen Rowell was best known as a photographer. The fact remains that the passion and insight he instilled on his writings does not lag behind. The vignettes of life and adventure narrating how he came to photograph all these classical images is pervaded with passion and good storytelling. He was a Renaissance man: photographer, athlete, mountaineer, scholar, scientific disseminator, and outstanding wordsmith. His essays about the neuroscience underlying iconic photographs are unsurpassable. The world is a poorer place without him.

[Liquidlasagna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended by Ken Rockwell

[Linda J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Photography is my hobby & he is my favorite. It doesn't matter that his camera equipment is dated, his photos are 1st class. And his explanations of them is informative and entertaining.

[Puneet Dembla · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most amazing books ever read on landscape photography.

Its so good that my book, 400 photographs of ansel adams is total crap when compared to this, I am returning that useless pathetic book.

Galen Rowell is the true master, I cannot imagine what kind of images he would have created using current technology if he was still alive.

photographs are amazing and what's more amazing are the stories behind them, and the cherry on the top is that the philosophy of this guy is the purest and most ethical when it comes to photography in general.
all of his tips and techniques can still be applied to digital photography, nothing is outdated in this book.

totally worth it !

[Ali6 · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite photographer. Rowell began climbing mountains at age ten. Later becoming a full-time photographer/climber, his landscape and wilderness photos are even more amazing considering the mountains he climbed to get the photos. No PhotoShop was used in his photography. The book contains great narrative descriptions about most of the photos - the technical aspects at the scene, camera settings, his thoughts about the photos, etc. Galen and his wife Barbara were killed in a small plane crash in California in 2002.

[John Mattson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Galen Rowell was one of the best photographers of his era, and this book explains how. The photographs are incredible, and the master reveals many of the personal techniques he has used to achieve these results. This book greatly enhanced my photography skills, and I highly recommend it for aspiring photographers, or anyone who enjoys great photos of far away places.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been working through this book off and on now for a year, but I recently dived back in headfirst, starting at page one. Rowell backs his images up with sturdy, often inspiring descriptions and text. A must-read for any aspiring landscape photographer.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guy's pretty ridiculous. Forgetting how technically competent he is, just the fact that he does things like camp at the base of K2 for three months is impressive. That said, I couldn't bring myself to read the large swaths of text, instead reading the descriptions by the photos.

[David Kessler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Years ago I read this. It is the most beautiful collection of mountain photos I have ever seen. Galen was a gifted photographer. I do not own any of his pics but his prints go for a very high price. I have looked at them in Lone Pine,CA in his gallery. Mostly pictures of the High Sierras.

[Jazz Fan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book. Beautiful images, lyrical writing, it transcends most books on photography by a mile.
Such a shame this talented photographer and writer's life ended so early.
If you are interested in landscape photography, this will give you something to strive for.

[Jay Lichtman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book every year or so. It is filled with favorite photos of the photographer along with excellent technical details and personal stories. A must-own book for any outdoor photographer.

[Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not to put to fine of point on it, but Rowell reinvented outdoor photography. I really liked this book.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous!

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this if you want to learn outdoor photography tips from the best.

[thirtytwobirds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this if you're a landscape photographer.

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enormous treasure of beauty and technique

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look in to the insights of a great photographer with a hunger for remote places.