Outdoor Photographer Landscape and Nature Photography with Photoshop CS2

reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher

Graphic-intensive graphic-based books are mostly involved with teaching how to use the software and applications. However, it is rare for an author to go beyond the design of the book that not only provides excellence in learning about graphic artistry and using the applications to make the photos better, but provides in-depth background concerning how to make your photos better first and then enhancing those with the software. Such a book is Outdoor Photographer Landscape and Nature Photography with Photoshop CS2.

Rob Sheppard is the editor of Outdoor Photography and PC Photos magazines. He is also the author of Adobe Camera Raw for Digital Photographers Only and has had photos published in National Geographic. His depth of experience shows in the remarkable detail within the chapters and tutorials.

Fifteen chapters span the contents of the book, including the main topics; outdoor photography, landscape and nature photography. The author eases into the content by focusing on techniques that lays the groundwork for learning about photography in general. What is really nice about the demeanor of the book, is that the author gradually infuses information concerning how to become a better overall photographer.

The first chapter deals with ÒAn Approach to PhotoshopÓ. The author does a beautiful job by giving brilliant examples and thoughtful ideas to make photos better, before and after the images are taken. The second Chapter deals with exposure, film concerns (for non-digital users), sharpness. Other notations are ÒThinking aheadÓ Òvisualizing and compositionÓ and Òcompositions by quotingÓ and using ideas from the famous photographers such as Ansel Adams and other nature, landscape and other photographers, as well as using his own great examples.

Brilliant images of nature are used to show detailed instructions, examples, tutorials concerning how and what ways to make your photos better. Other details that are most helpful are pointers to specific parts screenshots software, pull-down menus showing application capabilities, pro tips, notes, question and answers.

With these tutorials, techniques involving curves, color adjustment, use of layers, use of dodging and burning, cloning and more are used while demonstrating Photoshop software to produce the final intended results. Later working with RAW files is introduced.

More advanced techniques include ÒPutting it all together: AnApproach that worksÓ, integrates many of the found ideas as well as cleaning up images. ÒSpecial techniques for the Nature PhotographyÓ, writes about extending tone ranges, using black and white photography and finishing the image. A chapter is also dedicated on how to make better prints.

Finally the last chapter includes information about Photoshop plug-ins which can speed up or provide more easily techniques. These are described and the ways that the plug-in and can assist with Photoshop techniques more easily. These plug-ins can be purchased through the chapterÕs included websites. A nice glossary includes many of the needed terms and words found in digital and film photography.

All levels of photographers will learn from this book. This book is one of the nicest book that I have found. Not only does the author include great techniques, he provides a clear understanding of using Photoshop. At the same time, you will learn much more about outdoor photography, landscape and nature photography and photography in general. It is a resource guide that you will use for a long time to come. I rate this a best buy, especially if you want to learn more about one or all three of the main topics.