The Masters of Nature Photography
Overview
This extraordinary collection showcases the absolute best work of ten brilliant nature photographers, taking readers from wolves on mountain peaks to stingrays gliding across ocean floors. The book presents a remarkable blend of film and digital photography, offering 120 breathtaking images that capture nature's most magnificent moments.
What Makes This Book Special
Each photographer contributes 20 pages of what they consider their finest work, accompanied by:
Detailed stories behind each photograph
Complete technical specifications (camera type, lens, shutter speed, film type where applicable)
Personal insights into their photographic philosophy and approach
Conservation perspectives
Subject Matter
The collection captures an incredible range of natural subjects:
Galloping horses
Leaping wolves
Hunting sharks
Flapping albatross
Waddling penguins
Trudging elephants
Towering redwoods
Jousting narwhals
Critical Acclaim
"Page after page, will leave you breathless, with nature never having looked so majestic." — Shelf Life (2013-12-01)
"As an introduction to the majesty and intimacy of wildlife photography, this book has no peer." — Nancy Bent, Booklist (2013-12-01)
Historical Context
As Rosamund Kidman Cox, the book's editor, explains: "Because wildlife photography has historically been used mainly to record animals rather than to create art, the job was left to scientists who weren't trying to take something beautiful." However, recent technological advances in photography have transformed the field, enabling photographers to capture more intimate and artistic images.
Technical Merit
The book showcases:
Equal representation of film and digital photography
Detailed technical information for each image
Insights into the photographers' methods and patience (some spent months tracking subjects or hours standing waist-deep in lakes)
The impact of technological improvements, including larger lenses and digital features
Educational Value
The book serves as both an artistic collection and educational resource, providing:
Technical details for each photograph
Well-organized layout
Comprehensive photographer biographies
Valuable insights for aspiring nature photographers
Expert Recognition
"The photographs are stunning displays of nature photography, and in fact some are amazing. The photographers spent many hours waiting for just the right combination of light and wildlife to get these photographs." — Ralph Scott, American Reference Books Annual 2015
This collection represents not just a documentation of wildlife, but a masterful blend of technical expertise, artistic vision, and unwavering dedication to capturing nature's most extraordinary moments.
