Art Wolfe

I’m Jealous

Art Wolfe gets to fly around the world, rent helicopters, ultrlights, Land Rovers, elephants and people – guides, fixers, whatever – and seek out interesting photo ops. Then he gets to publish his memories in books and show them at exhibitions. This is a terrific life.

Photographs From The Edge is a sort of best of, in which Wolfe went back through the archives and selected about 150 favorites. Each one is accompanied by a story of less than a page, about the shot, the show more context, the weather, the camera settings – whatever is relevant. And he remembers the camera and its settings and those other details going back 35 years.

There are photography tips from Rob Sheppard under each shot as well, so the book is meant to be as much inspiration as eye candy. Wolfe’s training is in art, so he consciously and carefully choreographs his photos, to the point of paying human participants. The result is superb composition, but it’s more impressive to me when it’s spontaneous.

It covers the earth, from nature to man, with an emphasis on lighting and capturing moments. The seconds around a sunset are all completely different from a lighting standpoint. I particularly appreciate that he used to take hundreds of shots and would not know if any of them were worth saving until he got back home to Seattle, sometimes months later. Today, with digital, he can see immediately what he has wrought. He also recommends not buying the top of the line camera bodies, because they are obsolete in a year or two, just like phones. On the other hand, high quality lenses - are forever.

David Winevberg show less

Hard to know how to rate a book sometimes, but I tend to error on the nicer side. This book has great photographs, and if it had stuck with that I would have given it 5 stars, but they they put in text. Maybe for me, because I read so many books on dogs, hearing the same stuff, just seems obvious. Maybe someone who has not read much on dogs, or especially if they were so dense they didn't know how great dogs are, it would be a lot better for them.

They make the point that dogs are the same show more everywhere, and where the book really shines is to show people, places, and dogs from everywhere. Those pictures are great.

There are pictures where I just want to leave the book open to a page on my coffee table so I can look at it as I sit there or walk by. I am glad it is in my collection and will put it with my coffee table and picture books in the hope someone will come over and pick them up to browse and enjoy the pictures. But I would tell them to just look at the pictures, and don't bother with reading the text. show less

Hard to know how to rate a book sometimes, but I tend to error on the nicer side. This book has great photographs, and if it had stuck with that I would have given it 5 stars, but they they put in text. Maybe for me, because I read so many books on dogs, hearing the same stuff, just seems obvious. Maybe someone who has not read much on dogs, or especially if they were so dense they didn't know how great dogs are, it would be a lot better for them.

They make the point that dogs are the same show more everywhere, and where the book really shines is to show people, places, and dogs from everywhere. Those pictures are great.

There are pictures where I just want to leave the book open to a page on my coffee table so I can look at it as I sit there or walk by. I am glad it is in my collection and will put it with my coffee table and picture books in the hope someone will come over and pick them up to browse and enjoy the pictures. But I would tell them to just look at the pictures, and don't bother with reading the text. show less

What does it take to be a travel photographer? Many of us would probably say that it takes the sort of luck that, for whatever reason, we were not blessed with. Can you say dream job?? But what does it actually take? I wanted to know too, and then I came across this book that gives us a look into the answer to that question, and let’s just say it’s not as clear cut as you might think.

For starters, and this should be obvious, you’ve got to be a really, really good photographer. This show more isn’t just “I can take a pretty good picture and post it on Instagram and get a bunch of likes” sort of good, I’m talking willing to sometimes put your life on the line for the perfect shot and still have it come out crisp and perfect sort of good. AKA, the sort of good that many of us are not. But hey, we have a lot to learn!

Anyways, back to my point – I came across this book that is not only one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever laid my hands on, it’s also one of the most informative. As someone who loves capturing moments on film AND traveling to beautiful places, I feel like this book, Photographs From The Edge, is hands down the best merging of those two.


If you’re looking for a book that not only tells you the story behind the pictures you’re looking at, but also gives you tips regarding technique AND equipment, this is the book for you! I’m not even sure what’s more valuable – the pictures or the tips! For example, there will be tips on getting the right angle, interacting with your surroundings, and dealing with less than ideal lighting. Seriously, I’ve learned so much from flipping through it and I know that I’ll be coming back to these lessons over and over again as I strive to get better.

So what if you’re not a travel photographer, you’ve still got the chance to get some truly amazing captures and if you’re looking to learn from the best – well, this is about as close as I think you can get.

**I received this book for free in order to conduct this review. All opinions are 100% my own.** show less