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| Mastering Landscape Photography: The Luminous Landscape Essays | 
| Author: Alain Briot
Publisher: Rocky Nook
Category: Book
List Price: $39.95
Buy New: $22.34
You Save: $17.61 (44%)
New (31) from $22.34
Avg. Customer Rating:  20 reviews
Sales Rank: 54674
Format: Illustrated
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 280
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.6
Dimensions (in): 9.8 x 7.9 x 0.7
ISBN: 1933952067
Dewey Decimal Number: 778.936
EAN: 9781933952062
ASIN: 1933952067
Publication Date: December 5, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: All orders ship same business day via standard shipping (USPS Media Mail) if received by 1 PM CST.
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Product Description
Thirteen essays on landscape photography by master photographer Alain Briot. Topics include practical, technical, and aesthetic aspects of photography to help photographers build and refine their skills. Also covered is how to be an artist in business. Alain Briot is one of the leading contemporary landscape photographers. He received his education in France and currently works mostly in the southwestern part of the United States. This book starts with the technical aspects of photography; how to see, compose, find the right light, and select the best lens for a specific shot. It continues by focusing on the artistic aspects of photography with chapters on how to select your best work, how to create a portfolio, and finally concludes with two chapters on how to be an artist in business.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 15 more reviews...
 Mastering Landscape Photography: The Luminous Landscape Essays June 13, 2008
When i first got this book i put it aside but recently I started to read it and it is fantastic, from nuts to bolts you can build a business on it as it takes you through the concept of landscape photography to the actual business plan. 10/10 the title really needs to be changed as it does much more than teach Landscape Photography. It is a persons life planning skills on his passion.
 Should probably have "Southwest" in the title May 31, 2008
A beautiful book with great insights into photography in the southwest. The quality of the printing and phographic reproduction is excellent, as is the author's grasp of landscape photography and his ability to communicate his insights. My only quarrel with the book is that it is too focused on the southwest, especially the red-rock and canyon territory of Utah and Arizona. I wanted more on landscape photography in general. And, although the insights shared here can be taken into other areas of the country, a broader range of photographs would have helped. Also, the author tends to use the same photographe over and over to make his point. Surely he has more images that he could share. And, since most photographers these days use digital photography in 35mm comparable cameras, I wish he had spent less time extolling the virtues of Fuji film in his view camera.
These are somewhat minor quibbling points, however. I really did enjoy the book and recommend it.
A refreshing perspective that may change your life August 15, 2007
25 out of 28 found this review helpful
I own probably 40 books on photography. All were well researched before purchase, so all are good books. Of the 40, 10 were very valuable, 10 more were worth reading, the the other half were not. This is the first that I read cover to cover in just a couple of days. Some mentioned there is not a lot of information in the book. Well, it's not filled with tips and tricks and specifics of how to use a tool or camera. It's more a book on how to approach and think about fine art photography, than how to do it. Meaning you will learn what directions to head in, and be given exercises that if you do them, will help get you there. There is a lot of information about subjects many gloss over, and that lead to a lot of thought and introspection. At least it did for me. Some will say the book is too simple. To me, the simplicity is it's strength. The messages are clear. I took away the sense these are the right concepts to think about to be better at this craft.
Briot makes the point that even in todays apparently saturated market (my words, not his), there is room for hard work, quality, and a clear focus to lead to a successfull business. If that's where you want to go. He makes the point that no matter what you do, to do it well will be a lot of hard work. That's just the way it is. So if that's the case, why not work hard at something you love or really want to do? Rather than work hard at something that will pay you to do what you love in your 'spare time'. I've learned the spare time usually doesn't happen. I've read these words before, as I'm sure you have. But this author makes the point in a way I, at least, related to more than any other author. There are whole books about that one subject, actually. But Alain spends a good chapter on it, in the context of a book on how to approach being a fine art photographer. So that chapter was long enough to say something meaningful, but not so long you lost interest and forgot what the message was about in the end. Each chapter fits that mold. Long enough to convey exactly his message. And no longer. That's why the book held my interest to the end.
Those are not the only insights I got from the book. There were many. They're just the ones I believe will be most important over time for me personally. Many will say "that was obvious, you just didn't get it". That's true of just about anything you want to discuss. Some have already gotten it. Some will get it now. Some may never get it. The measure, to me, is how effectively this book conveys concepts to me that are clear, and that I can take away how I can use them in my own life or work. This book more than any other, gave me a lot of that kind of insight. And most of what he says applies to any endeavor, so whether you're a photographer or not, you'll get something from this book. Possibly I was just ready for his message. It doesn't matter. This book did it for me.
So I have to thank Alain Briot for his insight, and for taking the time to write a book that conveys it clearly and deeply. His writing and his photographs are both examples of how deeply he cares about what he does. They're also clear examples of what dedication to a few things you choose to care about deeply can bring.
A Master Has Spoken July 25, 2007
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Alain Briot has taken great pains to write a book that goes beyond any other Landscape Photography book. His approach is concise; his ability to communicate the message of "light" will serve as an inspiration to everyone who reads this book.
This is not a simple "how to" book.....It's a book with valuable information. "Let there be light"....Mr. Briot teaches us how to interpet light and develop our creativity. This is a must read book for all serious landscape photographers!!
DR Jones
 Very Wordy - Doesn't Say Much! July 13, 2007
19 out of 21 found this review helpful
I was initially offered this book sometime back when it was much more expensive. After seeing it on Amazon considerably cheaper I decided to purchase the book.
I was under the impression by the title that it would cover off on technical and artistic recommendations for landscape photography.
I found the book to be relatively well written, however, very wordy! The author is not succinct and to the point, but rather very long winded. Much of the text is repeated throughout the book as the writer becomes sidetracked - yet again. Therefore, approximately 30% - 50% of the book is extra words and duplicated information. Furthermore, the images in the book do not teach you anything. Many of the images are duplicated in each chapter.
The book is divided into roughly two sections - technical aspects and artistic aspects relating to landscape photography.
I found the technical aspects to be a little lacking. If you are already versed in the basic technically knowledge of photography, you do not require this book. Everything written can very easily be gleaned form other "free" sources. If you are searching for technical aspects - purchase another book.
Art by it's very nature is highly subjective, and it's very difficult to put into words as this author has demonstrated. There are literally pages and pages in which nothing is actually stated - just "mumbo jumbo". Briot goes on endlessly about his success and the reasons for his success. Although interesting in its own right, the book is a photographic book on the technical and artistic approach to landscape photography - not an autobiography! When reading his book I kept thinking to myself, when will it end, what is this guy trying to say, when will he cease to `blow his own horn".
Many reviewers have mentioned that the book was inspiring, and I must agree with them. Briot makes you want to "get out there and give it a go". But this is what autobiographies do - inspire. I bought the book for information which is sourly lacks.
I have a PhD in earth science which focuses my thoughts to the technical side of photography (science is basically technical). I often feel I lack the artistic side required to make images which is why I bought this book. Unfortunately, the book did not convey the information advertised. After reading the book a month ago, all I can remember is the author's personal history. I should be remembering photographic points - not whether he lived in France, Arizona or Colorado, or whether he hired a removal van for 3 days or 6 days, or whether he moved into a house with 3 or four rooms!
I'd suggest borrowing the book from a library rather than purchasing it.
I rate this book as follows:
Readability 2/10
Information 3/10
Biography 9/10
Imagery 3/10I
I suggest you read the follow up comments as well.....
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