Fine Art Nature Photography: Advanced Techniques and the Creative Process

The author had a n earlier book. So I thought If the first was good so would be the second.However I felt as if I was reading the first. Share to many item from first to second book

One way to analyze any piece of art is from the point of view of form and content. Photography usually seems more concerned with content. Music, on the other hand, having fewer formal counterparts in the real world, seems to place greater emphasis on form. Thus, it came as no surprise to me that the work of Tony Sweet should be a lot more about form than other photographs, because Sweet is a former musician.Sweet's pictures are wonderful. They are rich in color arranged in ways that you rarely encounter in photography. He loves to play with early-morning and late-day light, and mist seems to call him to his camera. His subject is outdoor photography but that just seems to be a carrier for color. Occasionally you will have to look at a picture for a while before you distinguish the content, but while you are looking you will probably be absorbed by the intense tones. You may even look at a picture and say "I never realized the world looked like that!"Each picture is accompanied by a little blurb that tells you what Sweet was trying to capture and the tools that he used to accomplish it. Not all of these tools worked for me. I didn't particularly like the photographs made by making multiple exposures on a single frame and moving the camera slightly between each exposure. On the other hand the greens and blues reflected from a long exposure of falling water made me realize that I ought to be concentrating more on the color in the world around me.If you buy this book hoping it will make you a more creative photographer, then a lot of work will be required. This book notes what the photographer was looking for in his pictures but does not tell you how he got there. You will have to examine the pictures and extract the principles on your own. If you want to develop your creative instincts you will probably be happier with something like Freeman Patterson's "Photography and the Art of Seeing"In today's world there is a tremendous amount of argument about the manipulation of photographs in computer programs. Well, these photographs have been manipulated just as much, but in the camera, through the use of long exposures, light-enhancing filters, and selective focus. If you disapprove of such manipulation, then you may not be interested in these pictures. If on the other hand, you believe with Picasso that "Art is lies that tell us the truth", then you will enjoy this unusual exploration of the visual world.

This is not a book that explains how to use techniques. Basically there is a picture on the right page and an explanation of why the picture was taken on the left page. It does tell what equipment was used along with the descriptions, but mainly this book should be used for inspiration. If you already have most of the technical aspects of your equipment figured out but are still left wanted something more, this book is a nice break from the typical photography book that talks about shutter, aperture, rules, etc. This book also makes a nice coffee table book since you don't have to know anything about photography to appreciate the photos.

The shots are nice enough and Sweet certainly has his technique down pat. However, I really learned nothing from the book.Perhaps I was expecting too much. I've been a serious photographer for nearly 40 years. Not to pat myself on the back, but I know the basics as well as anyone and was hoping for a bit of insight into Sweet's reasons for making certain shots.All this book provides is an explanation of what equipment was used. If you're into using filters for every shot you might learn something here.I think that the money would be better spent on one of John Shaw's books. "Focus on Nature" comes to mind as Shaw really explains his thinking behind each photo and doesn't just list the equipment that he used to make it.

This and his accompaying books in the series are superb. He not only provides an explanation of the technique he employed to create the image, but often also explains the composition or artistic "merit" of the photo. The title is indeed accurate: he does teach the "creative process". While most of the photos were created with film (vs. digital) the instruction is such that translation to the digital world is straightforward, and effective. As you read the text and study the photos, Mr Sweet encourages you to think of why, when and how you would apply the techniques to your own photography. I know that my own skills "jumped" a level after even the firstreading of this book.

There are many extraordinary things about this beautifully published book. The images are so breathtaking that the book would be a must have even without the text. But what makes it even more remarkable is the single paragraph on the opposing page of each image in which Sweet tells you directly and generously without pretense what he was looking for, how he set it up and why he pulled the trigger when he did to arrive at the image you are viewing. It is astounding how much information can be imparted in a succinct statement when the goal is communication instead of self-aggrandizement and pseudo-intellectual mumbo jumbo. This artist does not keep secrets. If you want to learn how the pros do it and take your eyes on a thrilling ride in the process, buy this book.

You won't find Yosemite or the Grand Canyon or other fabulous western landscapes here. Tony Sweet is an east coast photographer and he shows us how it's done -- small landscapes, rich color, close-ups, and great camera work. Highly recommended.

As a relatively new fan of Sweet, I have recently bought his four "Fine Art" books. I have been impressed and inspired by his books on water and flowers, and the pictures in this book are just as good. However, I feel that after having read the two previous books, this one doesn't add anything in particular. By all means, it's a great book, but I would recommend the the two books mentioned above instead of this.

A book with a lot of fine art photographes probably taken using advanced techniques but apart from mentioning if a filter was used or not, not a word about the techniques, lenses, diaphragm,... I bought the book to learn more about the advanced techniques used to produce creative photographs, but this was a disappointment.The photographes are inspirational, that is the reason for giving the three stars, but as for the technique you will have to learn it somewhere else.

Not at all as expected. Photos are poor quality with alarming filters applied. Not what I was expecing at all. Topped off with extremely slow delivery this book was not worth the money or the wait.

This is a picture book with a bit of shooting info on each picture. Rather expensive for the size of it. My first Tony Sweet book. Would want to see a hard copy of any other books before I bought this author again. This can be inspiring, but seriously think it is lacking information about fine art nature photography. Its a nice picture book or smaller coffee table style book.