Finally, an informative guide to climbing photography
341605
The arrival Jeff Achey's climbing photography guide is a long overdue addition to my burgeoning library of photography and climbing texts.  Upon borrowing a friend's copy, I knew I had to have one.  Concisely written and  densely packed, Achey's guide to climbing photography distills the  information that could be pieced together from several different photo and  rigging guides into one informative volume that will save the beginning or  intermediate climbing photographer much time and effort.  In any event, if  you are interested in improving your climbing photos to impress someone  other than mom, this book is worth consideration.
3863517
The big expedition peaks are usually beyond the reach of most amateurs. However, paying for permits (to the Nepal Mountaineering Association) costing only a few hundred bucks and taking only a few days to process (through a well-connected agency), you can tackle the "trekking peaks" of Nepal. Even though they are called trekking peaks, some of these mountains can pose serious challenges even for experienced mountaineers.

This book is a must for climbing enthusiasts who wish to do trekking peaks either as expeditions or alpine style. There are details on the approach to base camp, the different routes for getting up, the technical difficulty and even some historical information. There are even chapters on first aid, rescue, light-weight expedition planning.

My only complaint is that the "maps" (more like sketches) are a bit difficult to read. The photos are also all in b/w. This book may have "everything" you need to know to climb a trekking peak in Nepal, but guides are still a must, not so much because it's a requirement by the NMA, but some of the info in the book can be readily "outdated" by avalanches, landslides and changes in weather conditions.
203283
Beginning photographers need a book that tells them how to set exposure and focus their cameras. But after they master these skills there is a great deal of information which exists about the different aspects of photography that can help them be better photographers and that is more than just the technique of adjusting the settings on their camera. This information might be considered background but this kind of background deepens the understanding of the photographic process which in turn will help create better images. This book covers most of that information in a comprehensive and understandable way.

The author is most famous for providing specific camera guides that tell photographers how to adjust the settings on specific camera models and a new photographer would benefit from reading such a book before turning to this volume.

The book is divided into three parts. Part one delves into the workings of a digital single lens reflex camera (DSLR). The author starts out by describing what goes on inside the DSLR including an exploration of the camera's sensor. The next chapter describes some of the foibles of DSLRs including the problems of dust and formats like JPEG, RAW and TIFF. The chapter on exposure controls explains tonality and the methods of adjusting it. There is a chapter examining exposure in depth, including an explanation of how autofocus works. Busch then examines the role of the lens, and the uses of different focal lengths. Light is explored in the final chapter of this section. Part II explores newer tools for DSLRs like live view, movies, GPS, Wi-Fi, phone and tablet apps and auxiliary gadgets like filters and even underwater housings. The third part deals with specific genres and their special requirements including travel, people, concert, scenic, wildlife, nature, action and close up photography. Sprinkled through these later chapters is other valuable information. For example the chapter on scenic photography includes a discussion of composition, so the reader would do well to read about all the genres, even if he or she did not expect to practice a particular one.

This information is all what I think of as second-level information, that is, not essential for capturing an image, but useful in capturing a better image. Busch's writing is accessible and easy to understand, even when most technical. I did find that occasionally he was repetitive as if he had gathered information in notes from several different places and not consolidated it, but I found that only mildly distracting.

I suspect that experienced photographers will have encountered most of this material before, and that photographers hoping to work in a particular genre will want to follow up with a book aimed at that genre. However, for the new or inexperienced photographer, this is the second book he or she should read.
2596666
This is the definitive volume on all Colorado 14ers. It includes detailed information from locations of trailheads to routes and photos that will allow even a novice to safely climb in Colorado.
3673535
I have been backpacking, hiking, and climbing since I was little, and I am amazed at how much I have learned from this book about subjects I thought I had already mastered. This is the perfect resource for those looking to go from climbing fourteeners on Class Two routes to fall and winter climbs, couloir ascents, vertical faces, and taller glaciated mountains.

To be honest, certain areas touched upon in this book are more thoroughly covered by other sources. The segment on avalanches is far from comprehensive, for instance, but the book admits very openly when further information is required, and points the reader in the right direction about where to learn more. However, certain users will not find this book very useful because of its focus on attaining summits. If you are looking for a book on hiking and backpacking, the first one hundred pages will be extremely valuable, but the remainder will be too summit-focused and too climbing-centric to be of much use. For those looking for info on skiing, this book has some interesting observations, but largely avoids the subject. To these people, I would recomend they look for more specialized books in their particular subjects until they gain an interest in bagging peaks.

For anybody whatsoever looking to start climbing summits above treeline, performing vertical climbs of any difficulty, reviewing old materials, or looking at improving skills or developing new ones for climbing, this book is absolutely required. No matter your skill level, this book will have useful information to reference, review, or expand upon. There are no other books whose breadth, clarity, and organization match this book's.

To put it poetically, for all aspiring mountaineers, this book is the Regolith upon which your skills should build. It should be the anchor upon which you hang. It will be a compass to those who know how to use it and appreciate its value, guiding you in the right direction. As the old saying goes, there are many paths to the summit, and this book will reveal all the ways to get there.
2377911
I have a new book coming out early next year that will require a murdered partially clad woman on the cover and rather than steal something from the 'Net I thought this book would help me lock in on the pose I am looking to duplicate.

The information on lighting is exactly what I was looking for in that area as was the information on seamless backgrounds.

What I really needed help with was how to find a model and the section on this subject has made me realize it is probably not as hard as I made it out to be.

But the information I found MOST helpful is how to select a camera. I was concentrating on multi-mega pixels, built-in flashes and junk that is really irrelevant. In fact this information is so important I am surprised A.K. Nichols didn't stick in flashing lights. (Oh, if only that were possible with a print book.)

This book is such a complete work that Nichols not only included a sample classified ad that works for him (I am assuming a male photographer) as well as a sample Models Release Form at the back of the book.

Steven W. Johnson
4818431
Enjoying stories about mountain climbing adventures is one thing. Acquiring an understanding of the technical factkrs, processes and equipment is another. This book makes clear the practical skills and procedural options that a climber must possess to raise his level
of climbing proficiency. So it exposes an entirely new level of the sport's complexity that one must appreciate to perform actual climbing
itself or simply enjoy the more educational aspects required of these endeavors.
895477
First of all: I'm not a mountaineer, and don't intend to become one.  I'm an avid hiker and backpacker, and enjoy going into the mountains, and that includes hiking/climbing peaks that do not require technical gear.  This book is geared for the technical climber, emphasizing rock-climbing and snow and ice travel.

So this review is a bit unusual.  Why read this book if you're not a mountaineer?

Well, Part I consists of eight chapters that are relevant for anyone who enjoys the outdoors.  These cover issues such as equipment, conditioning, navigation, leave no trace and stewardship.  The book provides a good discussion of these issues, though it is comparable to many other books on backpacking and backcountry navigation.

Part V would also be relevant for non-mountaineers.  Its four chapters discuss leadership, safety, first aid, and alpine rescue - - only the last of these topics is limited to the technical climber.  Again, the discussion is good, but other books also provide good coverage of these issues.

Part VI examines the mountain environment, with chapters on mountain geology, snow, and weather.  These are the most clear treatments of these issues that I've ever seen.  Here, by relying on contributors who know what they're talking about, the book relies on greater expertise than your average book on the mountains.  Chapter 26 on snow was my favorite - - it's not just Eskimos who have lots of words for snow, so do mountaineers!

That leaves the middle three parts - - Climbing Fundamentals, Rock Climbing, and Snow, Ice, and Alpine Climbing (12 chapters in all).  I read these because I was curious how technical climbing works.  The book did a great job satisfying my curiosity, and I now know how belaying and rappelling work, what aid climbing is, and some of the issues concerning snow and ice travel.  The climbing chapters each go into more detail than I wanted, but the presentation was very clear and started with fundamentals.  I could just skip to the end of the chapters when I'd learned what I wanted to learn.

I also know that I would never rely on this book alone if I wanted to begin rock climbing.  All too often, the authors tell us, "you must be particularly careful to consider A, B, and C, when placing protection under condition X."  OK, then, but what do I do when I'm careful?  Clearly, experience and a good mentor are key, and you can't get either of these from any book.

Also, the authors try hard to draw good pictures of how to make knots, but I think that the task is essentially impossible.  You have to learn knots from someone.

In short: it's obvious to me why this is a classic for mountaineers.  I wouldn't quite call it a "classic" for the rest of us, but it was a very good introduction to the sport for an interested outsider.
1133758
Have other M Horrell's books.  All are entertaining, earthy language is not off-putting to me...the book has detailed descriptions that helps me understand climbing better. Great photos.
3297244
Eric Hatch has produced a most useful and motivating book.  That is, you can put the information to use, and working through his chapters will motivate you to do so.  An excellent balance of practical and artistic advice.  The juxtapositioning of photos showing two approaches to a given subject are really informative and helpful.  The information is also reasonably technical without being obscure, well organized, and up to date.  Anyone investing in photography, time and effort, should invest in Mr. Hatch's book.
4662640
Learning to Rock Climb by Michael Loughman is the best introductory text for any person thinking of taking up rock climbing. The opening chapters rightly emphasize physical technique over equipment. NO amount of bright, shiny, expensive gear will make up for a lack of understanding how to properly use feet, balance and hands (in that order) to ascend a rock face. When I taught rock climbing I made this book a required text for my class. Even though this is an older book, the clothing and gear in the photos do look dated, the concepts and skills in its pages are timeless.
179992
I watched this guide progress from photos to finished product.  The amount of work the author put into this guide is remarkable!  The information it contains is very accurate and easy to follow.  A must have for any  "City" climber.  I wish I had it when I first visted City of  Rocks.
2777500
Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills is nothing else but a must for any mountaineer. It is rightly considered the Bible of mountaineering and contains all the information that you would ever want to know about mountain climbing.

The book is especially easy to read considering the subjects covered. The many pictures are definitely a help and while outdoors experience is really the only way to learn mountaineering, the book is really well written. I especially like the sections on planning trips and expedition leadership, something that is often overlooked. The chapters on weather systems and geology is also fascinating to read and puts some perspective to the feat of mountaineering. The authors write with a clear and concise language with pictures added for extra comprehension.

For any aspiring mountaineer, this is a must to read. I am sure that no matter how many mountains I will climb, I can still return to this book and learn something new.
4368818
This is a very well written and illustrated book on nature closeup photography covering equipment in part and techniques in detail. The how to aspect is the strongest aspect of this book. The author shows how to build pens or staging areas for small creatures for easily photographing them and then returning them unharmed back into their world. He illustrates how to easily do this in the field by the side of a creek or pond or other area. He even included a section on moth traps and other approaches to collecting insects to photograph.

Where the book falls short, though is still OK, is with the equipment and setup for macro photography. He provides a great deal of information for someone with a point and shoot camera or what the author refers to as a "bridge" camera, and also on retrofitted or repurposed use of slide duplicators and microscope stands, but too little on the best approach to take with a modern digital SLR or mirrorless camera and the available flash and bellows systems. At this time there are also more options for Canon DSLR shooters than for people shooting with Nikon or other brands of cameras (as with astrophotography).

For the DSLR owner there is little information on how to best configure a bellows or provide for using current macro lenses or small flash units for macro photography. There are some with very limited funds but others where the limitation is more one of time available for their hobby and spending cash is preferable if it provides for a shorter learning curve and more time actually taking pictures.

The software section that covers focus stacking which is now possible in the digital era and it is very well written and current as of this date and would alone make this book a good buy.

I have purchased over one hundred books on photography over the years and cannot recall one that was better written or illustrated or as informative on a specific area of photography as this one. Highly recommended regardless of your level of expertise or amount of experience.
460659
A superlative guide book!  Spot-on photos and overlays.  Extensive and thorough in it's coverage of all aspects of mountaineering on my favorite mountain.  This guide book is exactly that--a guide.  Great in it's  explanation of the quirky mountain's weather, to route grading and  descriptions, this book covers all the bases.  This guide is especially  useful for all skill levels from remembering the basics to advanced routes.  I found what most guide books fail to mention--team dynamics importance on  success.  The views from both a climber and ranger make this book better  than others.  Finding routes not hammered by guided boot tracks has become  easier!
917755
This book takes you through the process of taking nature photos.  It does not give you in depth theory or step by step instruction on using your particular camera (your manual does that). Instead, you're given an overview of the steps you need to go through and why.  Interspersed with this are tips and techniques from world renowned professionals.  The book is printed on a nice glossy stock with plenty of colored photos illustrating the text.

If you're looking to start taking better nature photos or are moving up from a Point & Shoot camera to a digital SLR, this would be a good book for you. While I've been shooting for many years, I still found it a good read.
2645090
I just bought this in preparation for my first trip to Red River Gorge, and since I haven't climbed there yet, my review is necessarily limited. However, this guidebook is very well organized, printed on glossy paper, and has extremely good photographs throughout. The production quality alone makes it the best guidebook I have in my collection. Information about the climbs is thorough and has allowed me to plan my upcoming trip to get the most bang for the buck.