| John Shaw's Focus on Nature |  | Creators: John Shaw, L. Harvey
Publisher: Amphoto Books
Category: Book
List Price: $29.95
Buy Used: $3.91
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Avg. Customer Rating:  13 reviews
Sales Rank: 451158
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 144
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.9
Dimensions (in): 11.3 x 8.7 x 0.6
ISBN: 0817440550
EAN: 9780817440558
ASIN: 0817440550
Publication Date: September 30, 1991
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Photographing nature is an attempt to order the chaos around us by emphasizing some aspects of the environment while ignoring others. There is a big difference between the procedures and the process of photography and this book attempts to help the reader recognise the difference. The photographer John Shaw presents many of his most spectacular images and, in addition to explanations of how to create such images, he also explores the reasons why he has photographed certain topics. John Shaw is the author of "The Nature Photographer's Complete Guide to Professional Field Techniques" and "John Shaw's Closeups on Nature".
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| Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
 John Shaw's "Focus on Nature" August 27, 2008
Even though I respect C. Weinstein's comments about John Shaw's amazing book "Focus on Nature" in that I agree that you cannot inherently teach "creativity"
(something it sounds like Mr. Weinstein was looking for), I am glad he didn't overdo such comments.
After capturing very beautiful nature photography myself for many years, I can say that having owned, read and studied John Shaw's "Focus on Nature" helped put me into a higher
level of expertise. John's extraordinary work gives readers a glimpse into the mind of a truly great photographic visionary. One may understand exposure, focal lengths, aperture/shutter speed
relationships, neutral density filtration, the zone system and all the latest digital wizardry, but still may not be able to "see" what other truly great photographic artists can. Indeed, it
is that very essence which the book provided, and helped me greatly improve "seeing" as an artist, and therefore (in my case) DID teach me creativity or at least unleashed that part of my mind and
has allowed me to improve. Shaw's book, and Art Wolfe's wonderful "The Art of Photographing Nature," are the two TOP books I recommend to any upcoming nature photographer on how to improve their
composition. And any great photographer worth his or her salt knows that composition is the most difficult area to learn. Thank you John Shaw for such a wonderful look into your mind's eye.
J.Singley, Pro Photographer
Less Technical Than His Other Books March 31, 2008
This book focuses more on the why and how he took a photo than the technical stuff. Makes a great companion to his field guide.
All of John Shaw's books are great. There is some overlap between them as he goes over the basics but they are all worth a read for any aspiring nature photographer.
 Photography Creative Guidance June 27, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
All of John Shaws books are thoughtfull, well written and aesthetically valuable. This one is specifically oriented towards Shaws photographic values, i.e. what is his view of how to photograph nature. What I took away from reading "Focus on Nature" was the abstract sense of how Shaw dedicates his techniques to achieving high quality photographs. This book does not teach creativity however. That is up to the individual.
 Not Impressed July 25, 2006
2 out of 5 found this review helpful
I was not impressed with this book.
Very little technical data, no data on many of the excellent images in the book.
The writting was flowery and arty rather than concise with information to convey.
If your looking for a book to teach you something, I would not recommend this book.
John Shaw's Nature Photography book is, however, outstanding.
Focus on nature indeed July 6, 2006
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
This book has everything you expect in a John Shaw book and more.
While there are beautiful shots and a detailed descriptions of the equipment, location and the time of that the photos where taken. The book is really more about the thought process that goes into the shot, the hardware involved, lighting, lens focusing, filters types, framing and composition.
The book also details the environment weather it's a desert conditions or lush landscape, time of day and time of season and how to handle lighting, exposure and what types of filters to use based on this.
He reminds us that sometimes there will be a good shot but patience will turn it into a great shot if you a willing to wait for light conditions to change. Look at your framing and composition and deciding what elements to emphasize and what to leave out or minimize. Practicing good stewardship of the environment and making sure to leave things as you found them.
The photography in Focus on nature is breath taking as always. While the book pre-dates digital media it does not detract in any from the book because with the exception of the discussion of film everything else is applicable to the digital and film photographer.
The book cover to cover is hi-gloss paper and all photos are in color and oh-so vibrant.
I own several of Johns books and I would have to say that alll are outstanding and this is no exception.
5 stars and then some.
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