Moments of peak action are well-known in sports photography, but they also happen in nature photography. The light can change within seconds and the best light may occur only long enough for a single frame. To create dramatic images, landscape photographers must first recognize those moments of magic light that get the heart pumping and blood flowing. While the sunrise and sunset hours provide recognized opportunities, the keen photographer will soon see that magic light can also happen at other times of the day. (Have you ever noticed how dramatic the sky can be before or after storm? Or seen a shaft of light shimmering through a snow squall over the mountain ridge?) After identifying the light, capturing the moment requires fast action; often, you need to set up fast and shoot within seconds to get the shot. At every phase of the process, from finding magic light throughout the day to making best use of it when you do, this book arms you with the skills you need to succeed—and use magic light to transform everyday landscapes into ethereal visions.

Landscape photography is a popular photographic genre—and for good reason. The great outdoors is an ever-ready subject. It is variable, as well; it is affected by changing light, decomposition, weather, human interaction, and myriad other factors. Its features range from natural to manmade elements—and many landscapes are comprised of both. Photographers who point their camera’s lens at a scene do so in an effort to communicate their feelings about the landscape. Rather than simply document the scene, they seek to capture the spirit of place—perhaps to tell a story or depict a mood. They aim to share with viewers the ways in which the scene speaks to them. Accomplishing these goals may seem simple at the outset, but the task is rife with challenges. In this book, Gary Wagner shows readers how to create powerful, evocative black & white landscape photographs filled with beautiful light, a full range of tones, and exquisite detail. Beginning with a look at the gear you’ll need to get the best-possible images, Wagner covers cameras, lens types, tripods, and filters. He then discusses the postproduction processes he uses to enhance his images, producing breathtaking photographic records of natural and man-altered locales. Following a run-through of the basic tenets of landscape photography, Wagner presents 60 of his favorite images for review. Readers will find images in six categories: (1) Lakes and Streams, (2) Trees and Rocks, (3) Coastal Seascapes, (4) Winter, and (5) Man-Altered Landscapes. This presentation model allows readers to focus on the aspects of landscape photography that most appeal to them or challenge them most. With each image presented, readers will learn the strategies that went into conceptualizing and creating the shot—from exposure, to composition, to postproduction, and more. With information on every aspect of creating striking, moving landscape images—from choosing gear, to studying light, to calculating ideal exposures, to composing images, to retouching/manipulating the images for breathtaking results, to setting up your workflow to ensure that the printed/output image meets the strictest criteria, this book will prove indispensable to photographers new to landscape photography or those seeking to take their image creation to a whole new level.

The unique artistic vision of Galen Rowell, one of the world's greatest photographers, is presented in these spectacular landscapes. "The viewer's first reaction to these photographs is awe--they are sheer magic".--Publishers Weekly. 80 color photos.

Everything we see is lit by one source or another. The questions are: what and how? That is what this book is designed to teach you. Through Rosanne Olson’s tried-and-true course on lighting principles for photography, video, and art in general, you will discover how the angles and heights of your light sources affect your pictures. You will learn how to work with light modifiers to change the quality of your light, and how to control light to create a feeling of depth and dimension—whether you’re shooting with natural light, continuous artificial light, studio strobes, dedicated flash, or a combination of sources. Assignments are included to help you put each concept into practice as you perfect your skills and train your eyes to see the subtleties of light. You will never look at a photograph or painting in the same way after you read this book!

Bob and Dawn Davis have mastered all genres of photography, from weddings to children to photographing celebrities at special get-away weekends. Bob’s knowledge of posing, lighting, composition and his ability to superbly photograph with the environment in which he is immersed is evident in The Art of Engagement Photography. Bob’s beautiful photographs in this book and his explanations as to how he achieved each one will be beneficial to photographers of all levels of expertise. Do not let the title fool you, his descriptions of how he photographs engagement couples translates to executives, families and children portraits as well. He utilizes cityscapes and non-urban locations not just as backdrops, but also as a compliment to his subjects. By using diagrams and descriptions along with their powerful images, Bob and Dawn explain in simple language how they are able to pose, light and properly compose their subjects, no matter where the location. They state which lens, exposure setting, and main and fill lights settings and positioning work best for each scenario.

Photographing interiors is not as easy as you might think, and it takes a lot of practice to produce consistently strong, high-impact compositions for your clients. Still, there is money to be made in this field, and whether you’re looking to work as a full-time real estate photographer or develop a side-line business, you’ll need to arm yourself to produce client-pleasing photographs. In this book, Ron Castle introduces you to the skills you need to succeed in real estate photography. You’ll gain insight into some basics of the business, and you’ll learn what kind of equipment you’ll need to do the job. You’ll also learn what and what NOT to photograph, work to produce strong compositions, and find suggestions for an efficient and effective post-processing workflow. The later chapters will consist of several sample home shoots. These images and their captions will provide helpful suggestions and perspectives on what a typical “real-world” real estate shoot entails.

It’s been said that, with smartphones, everyone is a photographer. There is a snide implication with that statement—that camera phones aren’t “real” cameras and that the people who use them aren’t “real” photographers. In this book, Robert Fisher proves that today’s Android devices offer cameras that are remarkably powerful and more than capable of producing images that rival those made with more “serious” equipment. In this book, Fisher guides readers through the menus of the Android operating system, helping them to understand how to choose and use out-of-the-box controls for better images. Next, he covers add-on accessories and applications designed to enhance the devices’ capabilities. While the photographic capabilities of the “base” camera are pretty terrific and will meet with rave reviews from many users, the camera really produces images that sing when suited up with DSLR functions, filters, and postproduction effects—all of which Fisher covers with prowess and technical skill.