Digital Nature Photography: The Art and the Science

208 Pages·2007·83.72 MB·english

by  John Gerlach

Digital Nature Photography
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Digital Nature Photography:
The Art and the Science
John and Barbara Gerlach
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Contents
About the Authors vii
Acknowledgments ix
Preface xv
Chapter 1 The Excitement Over Digital Photography 1
Chapter 2 Developing Your Photographic Skills 15
Chapter 3 Choosing Your Digital Camera 27
Chapter 4 Exposure Essentials 45
Chapter 5 Using Lenses Effectively 63
Chapter 6 Shoot Sharp Images Consistently 81
Chapter 7 The Magic of Light 101
Chapter 8 Composing Strong Images 119
Chapter 9 The Exciting World of Closeups and Macro 137
Chapter 10 Using Flash Effectively 155
Chapter 11 Carrying Your Photography Gear 167
Chapter 12 Final Thoughts 175
Index 183
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About the Authors
John and Barbara Gerlach have been professional nature photographers for more than 25
years. Their beautiful nature photographs are published in magazines, calendars, and books
worldwide. They travel the globe leading photographic safaris to terrific wildlife destinations
and teach field workshops on landscape, close-up, and hummingbird photography. More than
50,000 people have attended their intensive 1-day nature photography instructional seminars.
Both love to teach others how to make their own fine photographs. They enjoy living in the
mountains near Yellowstone National Park and frequently ride their horses in the backcountry to
photograph. For details about their instructional nature photography field programs, please go
to www.gerlachnaturephoto.com
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Acknowledgments
I want to thank my best friend and wife, Barbara who has been my partner in life and business
since the late eighties. Without her help, I doubt I would have ever enjoyed the success that
has come my way. Together we have traveled to remote corners of the world photographing as
a team. It’s been a wonderful life, better than I could have imagined. While I wrote this book, she
helped me every step of the way. Her ability to locate my silly mistakes and her suggestions for
content were invaluable. Half of the photos in this book are hers too. I thought about writing this
book to include her more using we and our, but the editors decided that would make the text a
bit “clunky” to read.
We wish to thank our parents and especially our mothers for putting up with all the mischief
young naturalists heaped upon them. My mother, Donna suffered through countless wild pets
which included red-tailed hawks, crows, raccoons, and “herds” of chipmunks in the basement.
Barbara’s mother Mary Ann endured similar animal misadventures. Since she had a small farm,
it seemed only natural that all lost animals should live there so Barbara brought them home. She
had an assortment of raccoons and skunks for pets, in addition to all of the barnyard animals.
I thank Larry West and John Shaw who changed my life when I attended their weekend
nature photography workshop in the mid-seventies while in college. I thought I was a decent
nature photographer, but when I saw their images, I knew that not only were their photos better
than mine, but I didn’t even know you could shoot photos that good. I have strived to be the
best nature photographer I could be ever since.
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