Capturing the Landscape with Your Camera: Techniques for Photographing Vistas and Closeups in Nature

Nature photographer Caulfield appeals to novice and experienced photographers with techniques for photographing vistas and closeups, and a magnificent collection of 200 full-color photos. The text is well written and organized, not overburdened with jargon and instructs with real-life experiences. Cameras and lenses, formats and focal lengths, and basics of light, exposure, composition, balance and framing are covered. Caulfield teaches how to analyze the landscape, or ""to see as the camera sees,'' by concentrating on subjects' shapes, lines and textures, determining scale, and seeking patterns and focal points. It's okay to break the rules (once you know them), assures Caulfield, because composition is ``very personal.'' Appendixes provide technical information on extreme weather conditions, field packs, film and filters. Photography Book Club main selection. (May)