{"id":1702,"date":"2010-09-02T13:42:55","date_gmt":"2010-09-02T22:42:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/danbaileyphoto.com\/blog\/?p=1702"},"modified":"2016-12-30T15:36:35","modified_gmt":"2016-12-31T00:36:35","slug":"the-3-best-books-for-learning-outdoor-photography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/danbaileyphoto.com\/blog\/the-3-best-books-for-learning-outdoor-photography\/","title":{"rendered":"The 3 Best Books for Learning Outdoor Photography"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"http:\/\/forms.aweber.com\/form\/23\/73008123.js\"><\/script><br \/>\nI learned a great deal about photography by reading books when I first started out. I used to spend hours on rainy Saturdays at the Boston Public Library in the photography section, poring over books on composition, technique and lighting like they were tomes that held the secret of life. I some ways they were, since my life and livelihood has now become inexorably intertwined with photography.<\/p>\n<p>Although I gathered useful and interesting information from just about every book that I&#8217;ve ever picked up over the years, there are three books on outdoor photography that have influenced me more than any others. As far as I&#8217;m concerned these are the best books on the subject and I&#8217;d highly recommend them to anyone who likes to shoot photos of nature and the outdoors.<\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/0871563673?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=danhbaisadvph-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0871563673\" target=\"_blank\">1. Mountain Light: In Search of the Dynamic Landscape, by Galen Rowell<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/0871563673?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=danhbaisadvph-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0871563673\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/ecx.images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/41vqEEerciL._SL500_AA300_.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"144\" height=\"144\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>A true visionary, Galen Rowell was, without a doubt, the father of the modern day adventure and outdoor photographer. He paved the way for every one of us who are out there tramping around the world, climbing mountains, and exploring the rugged natural places on the planet with our cameras and making a living at it. We owe it all to him. Even after his passing over ten years ago, his work continues to inspire countless photographers, travelers and outdoor enthusiasts.<\/p>\n<p>His book, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/0871563673?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=danhbaisadvph-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0871563673\" target=\"_blank\">Mountain Light<\/a>,\u00a0which was first published by The Sierra Club in 1986, is considered the bible for outdoor, mountain and adventure photographers. It features 80 of his most well known images, accompanied by technical and compositional information, as well as introspective notes about the circumstances and ideas behind each of his shots. He details his methods and approach for a number of different subject types, including mountain landscapes, nature, adventure and expedition imagery and cultural travel photography. If I could only have one book on photography, it would be this one.<\/p>\n<p>Sadly, Mountain Light is currently out of print. If you can find a used copy, grab it and hold onto it as if it were gold. His most recent book, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/1578051150?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=danhbaisadvph-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=1578051150\" target=\"_blank\">Galen Rowell, A Retrospective<\/a>, is also a wonderfully inspiring book to any photographer, and it contains reproductions of many of the same images that appear in Mountain Light.<\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/0817440593?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=danhbaisadvph-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0817440593\" target=\"_blank\">2. John Shaw&#8217;s Nature Photographer&#8217;s Field Guide<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/0817440593?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=danhbaisadvph-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0817440593\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/ecx.images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/510P0%2BE-UkL._SS500_.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"168\" height=\"168\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>John Shaw is an expert on teaching photography and his books are packed with useful information, as well as gorgeous imagery. His\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/0817440593?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=danhbaisadvph-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0817440593\">Nature Photography Field Guide<\/a> is filled with creative methods, technical tips and equipment recommendations that will help any photographer improve their ability to create beautiful and striking images of nature and the outdoors.<\/p>\n<p>He details how and when to apply the different techniques and methods that are essential to working with outdoor subjects in a variety of situations and natural settings.<\/p>\n<p>Unlike some photographers to teach in a very &#8220;preachy, I know best&#8221; style, John explains concepts and photographic methods in a very down to earth and conversational way. He presents the information in a way that makes you really learn and appreciate the technical and artistic craft of photography.<\/p>\n<p>John Shaw actually has a number of books out there about nature photography, and I&#8217;d recommend any of them. However, this book\u00a0brings together a great all around combination of methods, tips and subject matter.<\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/0817463003?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=danhbaisadvph-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0817463003\" target=\"_blank\">3. Understanding Exposure, by Bryan Peterson<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/0817463003?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=danhbaisadvph-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0817463003\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/ecx.images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/51lSKXKxUHL._SS500_.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"173\" height=\"173\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Geared towards the serious amateur photographer who is already comfortable shooting photos in a variety of settings, Bryan Peterson&#8217;s bestselling book, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/0817463003?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=danhbaisadvph-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0817463003\" target=\"_blank\">Understanding Exposure<\/a> teaches you how to deal with light and capture more dramatic and creative images.<\/p>\n<p>Since photography is all about light, learning how to master it is an essential concept towards becoming a better, more successful photographer. Bryan is indeed a master, and whether it be side light, back light or overcast, he shows you how to make the most of any situation and how to use it effectively to capture your subject matter in the (no pun intended) best light possible.<\/p>\n<p>He also helps you get a solid handle on the technical aspects of exposure, camera settings, f-stops, apertures, ISO, color temperature, focal lengths and other aspects of photography, that are not always entirely understood.<\/p>\n<p>The book is filled with full color examples as well as exercises that you can do to help improve your photography and master the concepts that he explains. Understanding Exposure is a great and worthwhile learning tool for any photographer and one of the most popular and enduring books ever written on the subject.<\/p>\n<p>Like what you see here?\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/danbaileyphoto.com\/blog\/subscribe\/\">Subscribe to this blog<\/a> and never miss a post.<\/p>\n<pre>[iframe]&lt;iframe src=\"http:\/\/\/e\/cm?t=danhbaisadvph-20&amp;o=1&amp;p=8&amp;l=as1&amp;asins=1578051924&amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til&amp;fc1=000000&amp;IS2=1&amp;lt1=_blank&amp;m=amazon&amp;lc1=0000FF&amp;bc1=FFFFFF&amp;bg1=FFFFFF&amp;f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"no\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"&gt;&lt;\/iframe&gt;&lt;iframe src=\"http:\/\/\/e\/cm?t=danhbaisadvph-20&amp;o=1&amp;p=8&amp;l=as1&amp;asins=0817440593&amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til&amp;fc1=000000&amp;IS2=1&amp;lt1=_blank&amp;m=amazon&amp;lc1=0000FF&amp;bc1=FFFFFF&amp;bg1=FFFFFF&amp;f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"no\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"&gt;&lt;\/iframe&gt;&lt;iframe src=\"http:\/\/\/e\/cm?t=danhbaisadvph-20&amp;o=1&amp;p=8&amp;l=as1&amp;asins=0817439390&amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til&amp;fc1=000000&amp;IS2=1&amp;lt1=_blank&amp;m=amazon&amp;lc1=0000FF&amp;bc1=FFFFFF&amp;bg1=FFFFFF&amp;f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"no\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"&gt;&lt;\/iframe&gt;[\/iframe]<\/pre>\n<div class=\"AW-Form-1618731582\"><\/div>\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\">(function(d, s, id) {\n    var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];\n    if (d.getElementById(id)) return;\n    js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;\n    js.src = \"\/\/forms.aweber.com\/form\/82\/1618731582.js\";\n    fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);\n    }(document, \"script\", \"aweber-wjs-f36ttfo2j\"));\n<\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"AW-Form-1718621669\"><\/div>\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\">(function(d, s, id) {\n    var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];\n    if (d.getElementById(id)) return;\n    js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;\n    js.src = \"\/\/forms.aweber.com\/form\/69\/1718621669.js\";\n    fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);\n    }(document, \"script\", \"aweber-wjs-ws11v6ldm\"));\n<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I learned a great deal about photography by reading books when I first started out. I used to spend hours on rainy Saturdays at the Boston Public Library in the photography section, poring over books on composition, technique and lighting like they were tomes that held the secret of life. I some ways they were, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6866,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[271,185],"tags":[10,183,98,89,149,525,92],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/danbaileyphoto.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1702"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/danbaileyphoto.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/danbaileyphoto.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/danbaileyphoto.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/danbaileyphoto.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1702"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/danbaileyphoto.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1702\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18492,"href":"https:\/\/danbaileyphoto.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1702\/revisions\/18492"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/danbaileyphoto.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6866"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/danbaileyphoto.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1702"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/danbaileyphoto.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1702"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/danbaileyphoto.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1702"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}