Beyond the Basics: Innovative Techniques for Nature Photography

Even though this book has been around since 1993, which in terms of modern photography, seems almost forever, one often still sees it as a reference for nature photographers. As a nature photographer, I wondered if there was anything in it that I hadn't heard elsewhere. Veteran photographers will recognize Lepp as a monthly columnist for "Outdoor Photographer" magazine. Although his reputation is built in part on his technical expertise, his vision and compositional skills are also amongst the best, and the photographs that he includes to illustrate his points are still top-notch. Even though there is no reference to digital photography here, most of Lepp's ideas have just as much application to the new technology and indeed some may even be easier to apply today. The book is not a beginning to ending guide to outdoor photography. In fact, for some of the points raised by the author, one may already have to have most of the fundamentals down pat. Although the chapters are occasionally linked together, each chapter generally stands on its own dealing with a particular subject. There are chapters dealing with macro-photography, including the use of electronic flash, photographing butterflies, flowers, birds at the nest, captive animals and the use of telephoto and wide angle lenses in landscape photography. There is little of the technical detail found in a book like John Shaw's "Nature Photography Field Guide" or what I consider its modern digital supplement, Rob Sheppards "The Magic of Digital Nature Photography". Rather there is a broad discussion of concepts. Consider the chapter on multiple electronic TTL photography. I had never considered using more than one flash when photographing flowers indoors. Based on Lepp's general ideas I was able to rig up two flashguns to my camera and shoot with them more effectively on a recent trip to the local botanic garden. On the other hand I was able to successfully use one flash as a main and another as fill because of my experience using multiple flashes for portrait photography. However, I wished that I had followed Lepp's advice on cross-polarized lighting. I had never heard of this technique before and it would certainly have helped with some of the specular highlights I created. This is not a book you need to add to your library to be an effective photographer, primarily because most of the subject matter has been written about in more detail elsewhere, and because newer techniques have come into being. On the other hand, if you come on a copy of the book, it probably will be worth the time you spend reading it, particularly when something from the past proves useful to you today.

George Lepp knows nature photography. As the tech guru for OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHER magazine and the editor of THE NATURAL IMAGE, he also knows how to write well. For those who know their way around a camera and understand the basics, this book is an excellent reference to launch out and do something out of the ordinary. Lepp covers special topics with written clarity and excellent photographic illustrations. Want to do something unique in butterfly photography? Try eye popping closeups? Use multiple flash units? Create unique flower photographs? Or experiment with cross polarization? All this and much more is here. After exploring the excellent topics in this book, you can try your hand at more great photo techniques in volume two. The same clear teaching techniques that come across in Lepp's seminars and workshops are also in both of these books. Highly recommended.