The Masters of Nature Photography - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 177085259X ISBN 13: 9781770852594

Publisher: Firefly Books Ltd, 2013

Synopsis

A collection of photographs from winners of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition comes from two venerable institutions of the United Kingdom: the Natural History Museum and BBC Worldwide. For 49 years, this prestigious exhibition has drawn submissions from around the world. Being shortlisted is something to which nature photographers around the world aspire and every year new talent competes with established names for a chance to become Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

The Masters of Nature Photography features ten breathtaking portfolios from ten of the world's top nature photographers: 120 stunning photographs in all. Selected specifically for this book, the images reflect the photographers' unique talents and perspectives and showcase an incredible variety of subjects and styles, from striking animal portraits and arresting landscapes to underwater photography.

The Wildlife Photographers of the Year featured in this stunning book are:

• Jim Brandenburg
• David Doubilet
• Pal Hermansen
• Frans Lanting
• Thomas E. Mangelsen
• Vincent Munier
• Michael 'Nick' Nichols
• Paul Nicklen
• Anup Shah
• Christian Ziegler.

Running twenty pages each, the 10 portfolios includes a profile of the photographer, describing the style of his photography as well as his influences and aims. Captions describe why the pictures are special to the photographer as well as telling the stories behind them. Also including details of the equipment used, this is a sumptuous gift for nature lovers and professional and amateur photographers.

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition is an international showcase for the very best photography featuring natural subjects. It has been the leading event of its kind for nature photographers since it was founded in 1965 with three categories and about 500 entries. Since then, there have been more than 48,000 entries from over 98 countries. The photographs are judged by a panel of experts and the winning and commended selections are exhibited at the Natural History Museum, where over the next year, millions of people will view them. The exhibition tours worldwide, attracting more than a million visitors.

About this title

Review:

A stunning presentation of the photographer's art. Nature photography has always been a wonderful blend of natural science and art, and the arrival of the digital age has changed the illustration of the natural world probably more than any other photographic genre. The images in the book are half film and half digital, resulting in interesting comparisons... At the beginning of each section is a short biography of the photographer. Each picture is accompanied by the artist's recollection of shooting it, along with the technical data of where it was made, the camera and lens types, the shutter speed, and (where applicable) the film type. Many photos also feature quotes from the photographers that reveal the philosophy of their art. As an introduction to the majesty and intimacy of wildlife photography, this book has no peer.--Nancy Bent"Booklist" (12/01/2013)

Ten brilliant photographers open their portfolios and share 20 pages of images each in this incredible collection... Drawn from their entire careers, we are privileged to see what they consider to be their absolute best work. Each photographer provides a detailed description for every image that tells how the picture was taken. There is also the technical info regarding the equipment used and settings. Their comments tell us not just about the accompanying image but also their approach to photography and conservation... The 120 photographs featured in the book offer a magnificent look at some unique animals and also some very common ones. Each subject is perfectly presented through gorgeous lighting and impeccable timing. While the ages may vary considerably between these artists, they stand shoulder to shoulder in their talent.--Terry Peters"North Shore News" (09/27/2013)

Hearing the call of the wild and capturing it on camera are two very different things, as the 10 photographers featured in the new book The Masters of Nature Photography can attest. They sometimes spent months tracking their subjects or stood waist-deep in lakes for hours. Still, nature photography is an underappreciated art, says the book's editor, Rosamund Kidman Cox. 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, says Ms. Cox. But recent improvements in photography, such as larger lenses and digital features, have allowed photographers to get more up-close and artistic.--Alexandra Wolfe"Wall Street Journal.com" (09/27/2013)

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. Technical details, such as camera use, exposure, film type, and lens type are provided for each image. The pages are well laid out and are a delight for the viewer. Libraries will want to add this volume to their general photography collections.--Ralph Scott"American Reference Books Annual 2015" (12/01/2013)

About the Author:

Rosamund Kidman Cox is an editor and writer specializing in wildlife and environmental issues, and with a particular interest in photography. She was editor of BBC Wildlife Magazine for 23 years, and has been a judge of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition since 1981.

About this edition

• Publisher: Firefly Books Ltd
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 177085259X
• ISBN 13: 9781770852594
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224
• Editor: Cox Rosamund Kidman