The Art, Science, and Craft of Great Landscape Photography, 2nd Edition teaches photographers how to convert their visual peak experiences--moments of extraordinary natural beauty that evoke a sense of wonder and awe--into stunning images that elicit the same awestruck emotion in their viewers.
Author Glenn Randall is an experienced wilderness photographer, and whether you want to venture into the mountains for once-in-a-lifetime shots of raw nature, or simply hone your landscape photography skills from the safety of your back deck, Randall explains the art, science and craft behind creating stunning landscape photographs.
This fully updated edition of the best-selling first edition includes nearly all new imagery throughout the book, as well as a new first chapter, "Photographic Essentials," to help beginners to landscape photography get up to speed quickly. Additionally, this second edition takes into account how Randall's techniques have changed and evolved since the first edition published--from photographic practices to how he uses smart phones and apps as important and powerful tools for landscape photography.
After discussing photographic essentials, Randall focuses on the art of landscape photography. He describes his three-step process for composing a photograph and shows how good composition is an organic process that begins with rules but ultimately transcends them. Randall then explores the science behind successful landscape photographs, which requires understanding key concepts from geography, optics, vision, and psychology. These concepts include:
- How the position of the sun at sunrise and sunset varies throughout the year. This will help you plan when and where to shoot.
- Using optics to predict where rainbows will appear, how polarizers will interact with reflections, and where to find spectacular light.
- How to use topographic maps and computerized mapping tools to help you find promising shooting locations in the wilderness.
- Calculating exposures, achieving correct exposure in high-contrast lighting situations, and the best digital darkroom techniques.
With some practice and by applying the techniques that Randall teaches you, you will soon be ready to master the finer nuances of creating magnificent landscape photographs.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Chapter 1: Photographic Essentials
Chapter 2: Landscape Photography Looks So Easy
Chapter 3: In Search of Extraordinary Landscapes
Chapter 4: Visualization
Chapter 5: The Art and Science of Light
Chapter 6: The Art and Science of Composing Compelling Images
Chapter 7: The Perfect Exposure
Chapter 8: Digital Capture and Processing of High-Contrast Scenes
Chapter 9: Take a Walk on the Wide Side
Chapter 10: The Landscape at Night
Chapter 11: The Psychology of the Compelling Landscape
Index
Randall, Glenn: - Since 1979, Glenn Randall has combined his love of the wilderness with his passion for photography to create stunning landscape images. His intimate knowledge of atmospheric optics, weather conditions, and the landscapes he photographs allows him to find an intersection between magical light and stunning subject matter, which results in exceptional images. He is the author of several books, including the best-selling The Art, Science, and Craft of Great Landscape Photography and Dusk to Dawn: A Guide to Landscape Photography at Night.
Glenn's work has been included in calendars for Audubon, Avalanche, Barnes & Noble, Brown Trout, Sierra Club, Nature Conservancy, and Runner's World. His images have been published in
Audubon, GEO, Outdoor Photographer, Outside, SKI, Los Angeles Times Magazine, National Geographic Adventure, New York Times Magazine, and many others. His photographs have also been used by book publishers and corporate clients. At age 56, he has accumulated nearly 1,200 photo credits, including 73 covers, and sold over 10,000 prints. Glenn has authored 200 magazine articles and nine books, including two books of landscape photographs:
Rocky Mountain National Park Impressions and
Colorado Wild & Beautiful, both published by Farcountry Press. He recently completed a seven-year project called
Sunrise from the Summit, in which he shot the sunrise (and occasionally the sunset) from the summit of all fifty-four Colorado Fourteeners (peaks over 14,000 feet).
