We are proud to present this fully revised edition of the classic bestseller The Art of Photographing Nature, in which master photographer Art Wolfe and former Audubon photo editor Martha Hill team up to explain the art of composing images of enduring beauty. Against a backdrop of more than 250 photographs of nature, wildlife, and landscapes, they share insights and advice about what works and what doesn’t, and how small changes can take an image from ordinary to extraordinary.
It has been great shooting in Chile’s premier national park, Torres del Paine, the last few days. In just a few days I will be returning with another group to show them the wonders of this amazing landscape.
It has become a year of firsts for me: in Japan I was able to photograph the Steller’s sea eagles for the first time, and now when I am in Chilean Patagonia, I have been able to photograph Southern South American pumas and their cubs. A couple of these photos will surely find their way into my next book project for 2014.
Only a few days home from a six week long trip and I was growing antsy to get out and photograph. I grabbed a couple friends and we headed north to the George C. Reifel Wildlife Sanctuary in hopes of a snowy owl sighting. We saw only two—the last of the hungry winter migrants from the north. Like me they were antsy to start their own return journey & I photographed one individual testing out its wings. One of the other great charms of Reifel are the resident sandhill cranes. This is where I’ve always had the best opportunity to photograph these beautiful birds up close.
Hokkaido is glorious in the winter. The starkly beautiful landscapes are punctuated with active and athletic wildlife. I have been wanting to photograph the magnificent Steller’s sea eagle for years, even decades, and finally, finally was able to on this trip!
The Japanese have the corner on cute. The snow monkeys are always a treat and great subjects to photograph.
We are just starting out on this workshop and look forward to the many sights of Japan ahead.
There is nothing like setting out to see Indian wildlife from elephant back on a chilly morning.
Here I am in Bandhavgarh National Park again. It is such an honor to be among these big cats in the wild. To travel on the backs of elephants into the bush is to travel back in time. Coming upon a tiger is like nothing else and each time it is still immensely exciting.
I love India and will be posting images throughout my travels, so stay tuned.
Here is a previous post with photos of tigers from a visit to Ranthambore National Park. >>CLICK HERE
Patagonia offers a great opportunity to get close to wildlife. It really delivers the goods in that respect: foxes that walk right up to you, guanacos that are chilled out, and over 300 species of birds native to the region. And they are all surrounded by the really dramatic landscapes that are indicative to Patagonia. Big skies, big mountains, and wonderful wildlife. What more could you ask for?
This is one of the most beautiful and enchanted places on the Earth! I look forward to returning to Patagonia.
One of the things I enjoy most, besides taking photographs, is taking people along with me to some of my favorite locations. Sharing the experiences I love with others is very fulfilling. I’ve been taking small groups of people to some of the locations where favorite episodes of Travels to the Edge took place. As seen in one of those episodes, Japan in winter is simply magical. Much of the wildlife has been habituated to people, and therefore translates into amazing photographic experiences.
First we’ll visit the snow macaques that live in the mountains about two hours west of Tokyo. Here in an isolated steep cut valley with an amazing mountain lodge are three extended families of macaques, numbering around 50. Because they are the most northern primate on earth, they have the longest, luxuriant fur of any primates, particularly in the winter months. They come down from the pine and oak forests and for a couple of hours a day they hang around a natural hot spring. They have been habituated to people visiting them there, so you can photograph from within inches without interrupting their behavior, which is very animated and fun. It is a photographic bonanza.
After visiting the macaques, we will travel to the northern island of Hokkaido. Hokkaido reminds me a bit of Alaska, full of forests of birch, pine and fir with a back drop of beautiful volcanic mountains. There are also large lakes and wild running rivers, and hosts three species of bird wildlife that are extraordinary to photograph. The Japanese Crane has been symbolized in Japanese culture for thousands of years due to its grace and beauty. Giant whooper swans come in the winter months from nesting in Siberia. They have been fed by locals for years, helping them sustain thru the winter, as well as creating an easy and wonderful photographic opportunity for us! And often Steller’s sea eagles will swoop around the same area. They are massive black and white raptors that winter over on the icy shores of Hokkaido.
The days are short in February on Hokkaido, but the beautiful hues of sunrise and sunset are protracted allowing us hours to capture quite stunning images. After sunset we will have time for a hot bath at the lodge before eating a traditional Japanese meal. After dinner we will have time for lectures and critiques before calling it a day. With the abridged daylight, it really allows for a nice schedule to fit everything in and still have enough hours for a good night’s sleep! Since we travel in and out of Tokyo, you will get to experience the surreal and wonderful contrast that Japan has to offer, not only the very modern and bustling city, but the natural and beautiful countryside.
I invite you to explore this unique and rich habitat with us.
