This book is about a nature-photographer's 35 years of photo explorations with nature in several countries. Youli Xia is a native of Beijing, China. This book serves as an invitation to the readers and viewers of this presentation- to enjoy some of the most rare sites ever seen by humans. Some of the captured images are what most people could only imagine, in their mind or in a dream. The visual subjects of interest include: animals and wildlife to season transformations to unique building designs and picturesque skylines and landscapes, to name a few. Over the years, Youli has established what he calls a "Spiritual dialogue with nature." That means that he respects and honors the rights to time and space for non-human subjects of nature. For example, he knows that if he expects to capture a truly natural picture of birds mating, he needs to remember that patience is a virtue. Similarly, if he wants to capture that perfect sunset, he has to be in position and wait until it happens. Waiting for a tree to fully transform from budding to blooming flowers to barren conditions, and back to budding requires respect for nature's time and space. So, as you read his scenic descriptions, try to imagine yourself alongside him. Allow yourself to feel some of what he felt. If some of his pictures make you smile, go ahead and smile. If some of his pictures make your eyes water, that's okay because perhaps he had to wipe his eyes also. Finally, as you inspect his pictures, use your imagination and creativity to imagine being there.
As a Nature Photographer, I see photography as a way to capture and record nature, culture and history, by using the camera and lens. In my opinion, the camera and lens have its boundaries and limits. Great photography requires the human eyes, feelings of the heart, as well as skill. These aspects are equally important to the experience, as is the mechanics of a high quality camera and lens. The human eye is what influences what is captured for the record. The feelings of the heart add another feature to what is saved from the moment in time that can never be repeated. Nature photography is a language of its own. Nature alone is beautiful. The photographer needs to have an open heart and open mind, and a willingness to accept nature as is. The photographer should be excited about the energy flow from nature. Nature must be respected without the threat of being altered or controlled. In other words, the photographer must be friendly and kind with nature and nature will remain beautiful. There is a constant dialogue between the photographer and all other features of nature, such as the birds, bees and trees, the flowers, mountains and seas, the raindrops, windstorms, and snowfalls upon the hilltops, and the sunrises during the Summer, Spring, Winter and Fall, when it seems from a distance the wild animals is only two inches tall. Oftentimes the dialogue between the photographer and nature is non-verbal and motionless. Sometimes I must sit with patience and wait for the bird subject to make the perfect pose. Or, I must position myself and wait for the sun to make its final set for the evening. As a Nature Photographer, I see nature as a perfect picture just waiting to be captured. The perfection of nature's beauty has established a high standard of photo capturing for me. In nature's beauty, nothing is planned or rehearsed. So, I have to train and condition myself to be ready to meet nature's beauty and surprises. And when I catch the beauty on film, as a memory of a beautiful moment in time, I will share it with the world, as a spiritual dialogue with nature. And as people from around the world expand their appreciation and dialogue with nature, I believe the world will be a more beautiful place in which to live.
