There is one outdoor/nature photographer who stands above all of the rest when it comes to teaching. I really don’t mention John Shaw as much as I should. He is the writer of (several) books which may well be the only successful photography “how to” books that were ever written. I have an extensive collection of photography books that were published from the late seventies through about 2002. I have been making serious images since 1971 and those books were purchased mostly for the entertainment value. Each of John Shaw’s books would actually teach me something that I hadn’t thought of. He still writes today although they are sadly e-books. He still teaches workshops and guides photo tours. If you want to learn from the best, John Shaw is the guy. A visit to John’s blog, to learn about photography and to view his recent images, is more than worth the trip. John Shaw Blog.
John has expanded beyond nature and is a travel photographer as well. I would urge you to go to John’s regular website and view his workshop schedule and his bio. His bio is beyond modest.
If you wonder why I have not included any of John’s great images….well you have heard me tell how Art Wolfe is a real pro. John is the consummate pro. He does what he loves but runs it like a business. I would not want to “borrow” any of his images for this blog.
Pat O’Hara has always been my personal favorite large format landscape artist. It is no longer easy to find photographers who are able to see the land both as detail rich and larger than life, and also as an abstract with washes of shape and light. Pat is the best of both worlds.
His book Wilderness Scenario is my all time favorite fine art coffee table book on photography. His imagery in this book is beautiful but it is his amazing and artful use of words that draws me back time and time again.
Unfortunately Pat’s website is partially under construction. Finding a good selection of Pat’s most powerful landscapes, as well as his most evocative abstracts was impossible. With his site only displaying thumbnails, his stock house, Corbis Images and their selection, was all that was to be found. The photos below barely touch the edge of his work. I am however happy to know that places like Corbis still exist. They market high-end images and charge (and pay the photographer) a fair price. I know that Pat has also embraced the digital age and has a portfolio of digital creations. I think that is great as long as he continues to keep them separated from his 4×5 and 35mm work.
Let’s leave behind those “veteran shooters” and close with landscape artist Alex Mody. Alex shoots in the basic style that most landscape photographers use today, but there always seems to be something that separates him from the rest. His imagery is rich and inviting.
Let’s close with a few of my bird pictures. From top to bottom we have both male and female Downy Woodpeckers at a suet feeder, a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and a male Northern Shoveler. I should note that the Grosbeak photo has had two light toned out of focus branches that crossed in the background, removed. I began with one small portion of a branch, and got a bit carried away and removed both branches.
I thank you for visiting Earth Images, and please stop back. Wayne
Earth Images Blog by Wayne Nelson 