The Magic of Digital Nature Photography

by Rob Sheppard

For anyone who has tried to capture a blazing sunset or catch the stark and simple beauty of bare tree limbs in winter, this manual will prove irresistible. Rather than providing ideas of what to photograph, Sheppard presents invaluable insider techniques and use a histogram to get the ideal exposure, or white balance to create atmospheric images. Find out how to shoot crisp close-ups or awe-inspiring panoramic shots, and how to enhance pictures by using filters such as grads and polarizers. See how computer and image-editing software can turn ordinary images into extraordinary photos. Each section lists 10 Quick Tips for handling common outdoor photography challenges.

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction, Reference

208 pages, Paperback

First published September 28, 2006

Reviews

[Roy McDine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a well written and presented book - several useful tips already using from it.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure what to say about a book of this ilk. It's not literature really. Actually, the author did wander into pseudo-spiritualistic topics on occasion. I can't say that I read that part.

I liked the lists of tips, with associated difficulty levels.

I didn't really dislike anything, as it's too neutral to develop an actual opinion on.

In case you're interested, here are my "notes to self" for my own future reference. At least half of them came from this book, the others are just reminders of previous thoughts that I've had, though forgotten.

In no particular order:
1) play with white balance in camera
2) buy a graduated neutral density filter
3) fill flash in daylight
4) quit being so stingy with light
5) remember to check for dumb stuff at edge of frame in LCD
6) thirds
7) go polarizing every so often
8) superimpose two pictures to properly expose different sections of the picture (tripod)
9) change washed out pictures to black and white
10) make post-picture composites - ie put several pictures in an logical arrangement on the wall
11) try a panoramic some day

Not a bad resource.

[Ryan Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the first photography books I read. The information still holds up despite the book's age. The book is geared towards those new to photography and explains the the basic fundamentals of the craft. This would still make a great introduction to photography. Highly recommended.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty pictures, but the how-to's are missing.

[Susinok · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broken into topical sections. There's a good, brief discussion on equipment for each section, but the book focuses on composition and technique, not equipment.

[Pyroslava · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has helped me so much with photography and has really good tips and doesn't describe stuff with lots of technical terms.