Light on the Landscape: Photographs and Lessons from a Life in Photography

by William Neill

See the images and read the stories behind the creative process of one of America’s most respected landscape photographers, William Neill. For more than two decades, William Neill has been offering his thoughts and insights about photography and the beauty of nature in essays that cover the techniques, business, and spirit of his photographic life. Curated and collected here for the first time, and accompanying 128 beautiful reproductions of Neill's photographs, these essays are both pragmatic and profound, offering readers an intimate look behind the scenes at Neill’s creative process behind individual photographs as well as a discussion of the larger and more foundational topics that are key to his philosophy and approach to work. Drawing from the tradition of behind-the-scenes books like Ansel Adams’ The Making of 40 Photographs and Galen Rowell’s Mountain In Search of the Dynamic Landscape , Light on the Landscape covers in detail the core photographic fundamentals such as light, composition, camera angle, and exposure choices, but it also deftly considers those subjects that are less frequently portfolio development, marketing, printmaking, nature stewardship, inspiration, preparation, self-improvement, and more. The result is a profound and wide-ranging exploration of that magical convergence of light, land, and camera. Filled with beautiful and inspiring photographs, Light on the Landscape is also full of the kind of wisdom that only comes from a deeply thoughtful photographer who has spent a lifetime communicating with a camera. Incorporating the lessons within the book, you too can learn to achieve not only technically excellent and beautiful images, but photographs that truly rise above your best and reveal your deeply personal and creative perspective―your vision, your voice.

Genres: Photography

288 pages, Paperback

Published August 25, 2020

Reviews

[Rajiv Chopra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book by William Neill is excellent. I did a course with him, on building a portfolio, a few years back. He is an excellent photographer and teacher.

I read this book of his quite slowly. I would also recommend that anyone who reads this book should read it slowly. This is the only way, I feel, you will be able to digest the lessons in the book.

William Neill’s writing style is effortless.

However, a reader will be well advised to take the time to look at the photographs, read the chapter, and then have a second look at the photograph at the start of each chapter.

I enjoyed this book very much. The print version is not yet available in India. I will buy it once it does become available for purchase.

[Niklas Elsenbruch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm just passionately getting started on nature photography myself and was looking for a book to accompany that process. I didn't want a mere technical how-to-guide, but rather a compilation of original photographs that I could learn from and stories to go along with them. With William Neill's book I found what I was looking for: His essays combine anecdotal insight, technical background, different inspiring challenges and most of all reflections on the spiritual dimensions of landscape photography. You can tell that there's a passionate, extraordinarily able and authentic photographer behind this relatable and enriching book, and his pictures reflect that. Some of the essays have more depth than others, so I give it 4/5 stars. Thank you for this work that has become a dear companion to me in a short time.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

William Neill has been a long time favourite photographer. His work is stunning and takes my breath away. I used clip his photos from Outdoor Photography to add to my collection book of beautiful things. There are many of his that are now in this book. Glad to see my choices were some of his favorites too.

[Cameron Copper · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than a photobook, this series of essays brings up so many concepts to consider and ponder. While the imagery is great, the concepts presented between the covers are so much more valuable.

[Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a treasure for non photo folks and photographers!

[Rich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of photos with accompanying essays