It’s been a long time since I have read a book on photography that has left me so pleased, satisfied and eager to spread the word about it. Having just finished “Photographing Nature,” I find myself downright giddy, which is a reaction I definitely an emotion I have never felt in relation to a book covering photographic techniques. Written by the nature photographer Ralph A. Clevenger, “Photographing Nature” is brilliantly conceived and executed, proving deeply insightful on the most difficult topics of photography to cover — the basics. Clevenger’s voice, uniquely lucid and inspiring, stands out sharply in the din that is the increasing numbers of photographers attempting to share their knowledge.
The fact that “Photographing Nature” is (obviously) about photographing nature makes my enthusiastic response all the more meaningful. Birds, bears and brilliant landscapes simply are not my photographic cup of tea — at least in terms of what I chose to photograph. However, although Clevenger has focused on illuminating the fundamentals of nature photography, he does so with such success that “Photographing Nature” offers tremendous value to an extremely wide range of photographers dedicated to improving their craft — from newbies seeking Photography 101 resources unrelated to nature photography to pros needing a boost of inspiration.
The subtitle of “Photographing Nature” is “A photo workshop from Brooks Institute’s top nature photography instructor.” While “workshop” might be a good word to use for marketing it does not suggest the full scope of Clevenger’s book. Clevenger definitely has a way of inviting photographers to take action, learning through a handful of specific assignments he suggests. But ultimately this is a stellar book covering conceptual underpinnings and technical specifics related to any photographic specialities. Clevenger’s unwavering focus on nature adds value to “Photographing Nature,” but considering the universal appeal of this book it might have been more appropriate to title it “The Nature of How To Photograph.”
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