John Shaw's Nature Photography Field Guide
by John Shaw
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Book Reviews of John Shaw's Nature Photography Field Guide
Book Review: SHAW IS THE BEST
Summary: 5 Stars
Like all of John Shaw's books (yes, I've read them all), this one is a winner.
I have been an amateur photographer for 40 years and have long since learned the basics of exposure and composition. However, my approach, until reading Shaw's books, was quite haphazard.
Shaw and I both use Nikons and have much of the same equipment. Of course, he has about a million times more talent than I do.
In any case, I wasn't getting anywhere near the sharpness that he was until I heeded his most important piece of advice. Buy a good tripod and head and use it for every shot. Since taking his advice, I can now print to the next larger size for almost every shot that I take.
I prefer to continue shooting film which makes Shaw's books perfect for me. However, most of what Shaw writes applies equally to digital capture. Regardless of the media, the basics of good exposure and composition still apply.
If you need information specifically about digital photography, there are plenty of other books available. I would recommend Shaw's "ebook" which is a "field guide" to Photoshop. I don't know if it's available on Amazon, but it should still be available on Shaw's own website.
For anyone serious about their photography and looking to improve it, Shaw's books are a "must read". Much of the material in this book can be found in his others, although each has enough unique material to make it worth the price.
I'd suggest not buying all of them. In addition to this book, I'd recommend "Focus on Nature", in which Shaw explains his thinking and equipment choice for each photo in the book.
Book Review: Best Photography Book
Summary: 5 Stars
I am an amateur photographer who makes a lot of effort (couple of 'L' lenses, over 20 photography books, etc.). This is unreservedly the best photography book I have ever read. I only regret that I found out about the book so late (I have been a photography hobbyist for > 15 years).Most amateur photography books spend way too many pages on generic equipment recommendations, photography basics and other generalities without specific advice. They're usually a major waste of time (& money).
Mr. Shaw's book goes into step-by-step detail and offers extremely practical advice on both equipment & a plethora of advanced photography techniques.
Disregard the word "nature" in the title and read it regardless of whatever type of photographer you are. Sure, the book is geared towards nature photography and it mainly discusses high-end equipment usage. But any discerning reader should be able to tailor the advice to his specific needs. E.g., using slide film requires more effort & cost than I am willing to expend, f/4 telephoto lenses are a lighter/cheaper compromise than f/2.8 (I'm not a perfectionist and I don't use my equipment to build upper body strength while herding my family and the 2x26" Samsonites on vacations.)
The book is not geared only toward professionals but an amateur should have a serious level of interest in the hobby to make the most of the book.
I wish I could find a book as well written as this for travel & portrait photography (My main interests are vacation photography and pictures of my family). This book is hazardous to mediocre photography!
Book Review: Invaluable Photography Lessons even in the Digital Age
Summary: 5 Stars
John Shaw shares his photography knowledge and experiences for almost 30 years in this book. This particular book explains the techniques of taking successful pictures consistently over time in a well-structured manner. As a reader, you can understand his points and vision easily, and learn from them quickly. That is extremely important for the purpose of a field guide. You want to know what the lecturer is doing and why he is doing that. Both parts are essential, since simply copying techniques does not make you a great photographer. You need to have both personal vision and craftsmanship to accomplish that.
The book is written based on a 35mm single-lens-reflex camera system. You may think that the photographic knowledge and experiences are no longer valuable in the digital era. That is certainly not the case. If you want to fully understand photography and take control of the actual photographic process yourself, then read the book and learn to master your photographic techniques. The current digital camera system is still built based on the 35mm single-lens-reflex camera system. Just like in the modern life, we have more conveniences in the kitchen. There are better kitchenwares, but you still need to learn "how to cook".
Give a person the best kitchen equipment does not mean that he or she will be able to make a delicious meal. The same applies for photography. John Shaw shows in his book not only the techniques, but also his passion for nature and the art of photography. Eventually, it is not the camera, but you who makes the pictures.
Book Review: Wish Shaw would issue new DSLR books
Summary: 3 Stars
I greatly respect John Shaw and find inspiration even today in his older book on macro photography. He's thorough and authoritative in his treatment, providing balanced but useful feedback based on his extensive experience. But, he hasn't chosen to do any books since this one a decade ago. I salivate over the thought of a fully updated John Shaw DSLR book and wonder why none has been forthcoming. Is there no longer money to be made publishing books? I know from his (rather primitive and disappointing) website that he is still active.
This being the case, I can't give this book more than 3 stars for the contemporary buyer. I did find some inspiration in the book, but it was annoying to me that it was released right on the cusp of the DSLR era (Nikon's D1 came out the year before) yet makes zero mention of digital as though its a far off invention. For a book published in 2000, there is just too much obsolete material taking up space here on film choice, etc. I recognize this isn't entirely John's fault, although throughout the book I was distracted by thoughts about what kind of conversations he must have been having with his editors at the time. Regardless, in the end, the content of the book simply didn't offer that much value to me today.
I'm really hoping John comes out with something new because I'll be in line to order it.
Book Review: Great content and easy to read.
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought three photo books at the same time. This one was great for understanding the basics again but more in depth. Everything about his discussion on exposure relates to being outside and shooting outside.
This book is a good book to teach from if needed. I found myself highlighting many many statements and excited about reading the next chapter. I will be re-reading this book.
I would have liked to see more on blinds, building them, and stalking techniques. However, the first part of this book is very very good. I was thinking this was all about field techniques for getting close to the subject but there is little about that. However the content about stalking, etc., is very good. Now that I read the book, I see how this is a field guild. Learning how to have correct exposure in the field and get the shot you was wanting.
I really enjoyed the tone of the book. It is low key and easy to follow. Each time there is a term that may be unfamiliar he would define it and use an example. Easy to see John is a good teacher.
This is not an "all in one" book but close. However that is not the aim of the book. This one with another good basics book and I would say someone just starting out could really start taking wonderful pictures that make a mark.
-Jeff
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