Product Description

Reissued in celebration of the tenth anniversary of its original publication, featuring a new preface, Mountain Light: In Search of the Dynamic Landscape is the best-selling classic that captures the unique artistic vision of Galen Rowell, one of the world's foremost outdoor photographers.

Galen Rowell has devoted his life to photography, mountaineering, writing, and adventure. A frequent contributor to Life, National Geographic, Outside, Sports Illustrated, and many other publications both here and abroad, his award-winning work has been widely exhibited and praised. Among his many honors is the Ansel Adams Award for his outstanding contribution to outdoor photography. A recent recipient of a National Science Foundation grant to document the Antarctic, he is the author of many celebrated works including: The Yosemite, Mountains of the Middle Kingdom, In the Throne Room of the Mountain Gods, My Tibet, and most recently, Galen Rowell's Vision: The Art of Adventure Photography. He lives with his wife, Barbara, in Northern California.

"One could call Mountain Light the classiest 'how-to' text on landscape color photography ever published. [It] will leave you delighted." The New York Times

"Part personal and artistic biography, part adventure story, part outdoor photography manual, [Mountain Light] is a tour de force. The images are charmed, compelling, imbued with a love of the high and wild."

San Francisco Chronicle

"Galen Rowell has a wonderful combination of qualities -- eye, energy, intelligence, sensitivity, courage both physical and moral, and above all, heart. Very seldom have I experienced so clearly defined the connection between the artist and what he sees, feels, and does with the work itself." Robert Redford

"Combine a devotion to mountains and wilderness, a sensitivity to the special quality of its pristine light, and a desire to communicate the beauty of the natural world, and you'll begin to understand what motivates photographer Galen Rowell .... In [Mountain Light], vision and technique are combined in one long paean to the marvel of the earth's wild places."

Popular Photography

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #49736 in Books
• Published on: 1995-10-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780871563675
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
A leading photojournalist, Rowell here offers pictures of mountains around the world with brief essays describing how the photo was composed and shot. PW's view of these prints was positive: "This is a gem, the perfect gift for camera buffs, nature lovers, virtually anybody."
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Rowell ( Mountains of the Middle Kingdom ) is preeminent among photographers of mountains. His creations carry extraordinary visual impact: the affinity for light that marks his personal vision is supported by superb technical achievement. His abilities as a climber have allowed access to some of the world's most remote landscapes. This book presents 80 of Rowell's favorite photographs, grouped according to instructive similarities ("Light Against Light," "Integrated Vision," etc.). Accompanying descriptions cover not only technical data but the circumstances which surrounded the making of the image. The quality of reproduction is in keeping with the high Sierra Club standards. Necessary for serious photography collections. Jim Heckel, Lewis & Clark Lib., Helena, Mont.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"One could call Mountain Light the classiest 'how-to' text on landscape color photography ever published. [It] will leave you delighted." The New York Times

"Part personal and artistic biography, part adventure story, part outdoor photography manual, [Mountain Light] is a tour de force. The images are charmed, compelling, imbued with a love of the high and wild."

San Francisco Chronicle

"Galen Rowell has a wonderful combination of qualities -- eye, energy, intelligence, sensitivity, courage both physical and moral, and above all, heart. Very seldom have I experienced so clearly defined the connection between the artist and what he sees, feels, and does with the work itself." Robert Redford

"Combine a devotion to mountains and wilderness, a sensitivity to the special quality of its pristine light, and a desire to communicate the beauty of the natural world, and you'll begin to understand what motivates photographer Galen Rowell .... In [Mountain Light], vision and technique are combined in one long paean to the marvel of the earth's wild places."

Popular Photography -- Review

Customer Reviews

Landscapes without Peer
IF you love the mountains and the feeling they give you as you take in their grandeur...or if you love photographing these majestic places, this book will likely become one of your favorites. As a landscape photographer, I've poured over literally thousands of landscape photos - in books, slides and magazines - but the work of Galen Rowell stands alone in the realm of mountain landscapes. As Arthus-Bertrand has mastered photography from above (aerial) and Doubilet from below (undersea), Rowell has mastered the mountains.

If you pay attention to his photos and read what Rowell has to say about the making of each, you will begin to "see the light" - quite literally. No one captures the ethereal like Galen Rowell. He has the rare ability to sense and then photograph those fleeting moments that most (even many photographers) only daydream about. His photos will not only impress your eyes but they will tug at your soul. If ever a collection of photographs defined the majesty and mystery of mountians, this is it.

Appealing to the technician and artist!
I've read probably 20 books on photographic instruction, leafed through at least a hundred more, spent countless hours on web articles, sites, talking to people, and at least as much time taking pictures, but this is first time I can truly say that something changed my perspective of the craft. After reading each chapter I would shoot a roll of film with more confidence and better artistic and technical results.

What is most striking to me is how generous Galen is with information. He explains how things work, not by telling you what to do, but by relating what HE did, which helped me draw my own conclusions and understand the material more thoroughly. For example, most photographers know that polarizers increase color saturation, cut down on glare, etc. but Galen goes the extra step of integrating the explanation with his style of photography and use of light. My appreciation for the utility of polarizers increased tenfold. He does a similar job of demystifing many other aspects of photography.

I really can't say enough about Galen Rowell's messages, whether they are technical, artistic, or even philosophical. Everything made sense. After reading between the lines I realized it's not just for photography instruction, but a way to approach life itself. Read his thoughts about "Luck" and you will know what I mean.

Thank you Galen!

Wow!
Galen Rowell's "Mountain Light" teaches beginning, intermediate and even advanced landscape photographers more about "seeing" than any other landscape photography book I have read. Unlike many other great photographers who cannot explain their craft with great clarity (including the incomparable Henri Cartier-Bresson who simply says it is "geometry"), Rowell is articulate and explains what he is doing technically, but more important artistically. Rowell has often been compared to the American landscape portrait artist Thomas Cole--but Thomas Cole on his best day could never have produced the quality of art that Galen Rowell gives to us every day. A lot of books can teach you technique; Rowell shows technique as a part of art. The art drives the technique and not the other way around. Everyone can learn something useful from this book. A tour de force.