Grand Canyon: A Visual Study

photos in this book are very nice, but they're kind of small cuz the book itself is small.

This book is a short visual study of a variety of different canyon moods professional photographers have experienced and recorded. It includes the usual viewpoints from the rim in different seasons and lighting as well as the surprising world of the canyon floor. It is arranged in four sections covering the South Rim, Below the Rim, The River, and North Rim. Each section is introduced by a short piece of poetric prose which hints at both the reflections and intent of the authors as they organized the collection as well as the themes which follow. The book is introduced by a brief collection of quotes which attempt to grasp various aspects of a Grand Canyon experience and put into words some of the emotion the sheer beauty of the canyon creates. The emphasis of the pictures is predominanty one of raw form and texture in the canyon rock, complemented by more subtle beauty in the plant life and water. To me, the most obvious theme is one of stark contrast, either between the rock and fine detail or the rim and interesting weather or lighting in the sky. Several pictures include sheer canyon walls broken by a much more delicate subject, leaving a satisfying mixture of conflicting emotion and impression. Others emphasize vast spaces in wide angle views attempting to convey the awesome physical dimensions of the canyon. The book concludes with a few pages of general notes on the Grand Canyon and Colorado Plateau.I am not sure that the notes are relevent to the subject of the book, but then again the book is marketed towards gift shops and vistor centers. The ideas conveyed by the authors are pretty standard (I assume) for books published by the Sierra Press. The general theme is nature worship, but if that is not your style it does not detract from the overal impact of the visual presentation.I do not have anything specific to compare this book with as it is my only photographic book on the Grand Canyon. That is why I gave it four stars. I enjoy the book for its beauty, but find the outdoor photography composition and technique just as stimulating. I would recommend the book to any outdoor enthusiast who also enjoys fine photography. The book is about 8X8 inches and is ideally suited as a unique coffee table book for any fan of natural beauty. The average picture size is about 5X7 inches. I own the softcover edition but would rather own the hardcover as mine has not handled standard wear very well.