[DOC] Photographing Indian Country: Where to Find Perfect Shots and How to Take Them (The Photographer's Guide) by Gordon Sullivan at Arts-Photography

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A rare findBy Desert TravelerI am planning my fifth trip to the southwest. the third in the last 7 years. I was not particularly looking for a book on photographing the area. I was more interested in researching the Anasazi/Ancient Puebloans. For some reason I turned to the photography section and this book literally jumped out at me. The sneak peek doesnt tell you much of anything. if wants to sell more. there could be a page or two of the first ruins site.I love this book and so glad I bought it. There were not enough other customer reviews to help me decide. I just knew it would fit into my plans. A lot of ruins sites I have already been to. some of them I didnt go to because of lousy weather during my last trip. Ive planned this trip for mid-summer. and after reading this book. have definitely put several sites back on my itinerary.Since my trip is planned around photography. this book is a must have. The author describes several sites. most of them National Park units. and for taking photos. writes what time of the day would be best for a certain shot. whether or not you should use a tripod. adjusting your DSLR to maximize details of the photo. He makes suggestions for preparing for your trip. These should not be ignored.His list of sites is absolutely top notch. but then Im partial to the several Ive already been to. There are other sites I most definitely want to put on my itinerary if they are close enough. His photography is clear. crisp and has enough detail to give the reader an exceptional view. Along with National Park Service and AAA maps. dont leave home without this book. There are basic directions to each site. but I would recommend the traveler stop at a visitor center to get more detailed information. There are a lot of sites around Moab. and the author does mention going to the visitor center. I do believe the author was definitely thinking about the first time visitor.I have just some negatives. The book isnt long enough. it would have more detail for the beginner. There are other smaller sites that may deserve attention. but Im very happy with what the book does contain. Not everyone knows what an F-stop or ISO is; from a year in photography classes in college. its drilled into my mind to never shoot into the sun; the majority of people taking photos are amatuers still using a camera from 10 years ago or their cell phone; or cant afford all the equipment the author and his wife take along.I am very much looking forward to taking this book along on my next trip.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A concise summary (with ample and excellent photos) of the Sullivans Indian Country book.By J*I discovered the Sullivan photography/writing team when I came upon their Indian Country book in my local library. Buy that book. or this one for a little less money. if you have the time to drive across Navajo country and linger in the US four-corners region. Or buy one if you are an armchair traveler with an interest in the archeology of the American Southwest. A recommended read. but not a one-book-does-all volume. This book is somewhat less helpful than the other book as a highway guide. but neither book will replace some careful trip planning. and good US geological survey maps. These books shine because of the inviting photography of Gordon and Kathy Sullivan. Use them as that and your photography will be inspired.6 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Very disappointing. Try something else.By KesselringI was searching .com for books about photographing the South West and came across the authors other book "Roadside Guide To Indian Ruins Rock Art Of The Southwest" I was going to order it but then noticed they had a newer book coming out. the once Im reviewing right now. Although the books sounded very similar in subject matter I decided to wait for the new book because it seemed more geared to helping a photographer get the most out of ones visit to the south west. Im wishing I would have ordered the other book. In fact as I compare the book Im reviewing to their "Roadside Guide" using s book preview feature I can see the "Roadside Guide" is more detailed and appears to be a more helpful book in finding sites.Photographing Indian Country----------------------------Well...lets begin with the product description as listed her on ."This guide offers beginners and professionals alike key information on how to take the best shots" I would say this book has very little if nothing to offer professional or advanced amateurs. only absolute beginners. The photo advice is very basic and sparse."detailed maps" The only maps in the book are at the front. a two page spread showing the states of Utah. Colorado. Arizona and New Mexico. There is nothing detailed about them. Very general and are of very little use. I expected detailed maps from a book of this nature (and because the description says so). and was hoping to find detailed maps for each state or smaller mini maps for the sites. Scattered on the map are red circles with numbers - the numbers refer to specific sites. not page numbers. For example. if you find Hovenweep on the map (site 29) you have to thumb through the book to find site 29. I think having the page number would have been better. Upon finding the correct site number there is no description or detailed map on how to get there.Likewise there is a cluster of sites around Moab. Utah. sites 12-17. They are all bunched up on the map which is essentially not very helpful in finding those sites. More specifically under the heading of "Moab Rock Art Sites". site 14. it merely states "Courthouse Wash (15). located 4 miles north of Moab. Potash (16) and the Golf Course (17) site just outside town. That doesnt tell me much. If one had never been to Moab is the golf course outside of town on the East? The West? Where?This may seem nit picky but I dont want someone buying this guide thinking they will get detailed maps or even good directions."the best time of day to photograph different spots; and expert advice on equipment and technique to ensure that you will have a memorable portfolio" Not much to say here either. Lets take the example of Hovenweep again. Hovenweep it a really interesting place. Ive only been there once but I was very impressed. There are two paragraphs describing this site. The first paragraph is an historical sketch of the area being designated a National Monument and the photographer who but the place on the map. The second paragraph is just filler essentially. No practical photographic advice. They dont mention that Hovenweep consists of different geographical areas. There is the main group of ruins by the visitor center and other out lying areas with ruins. A map of these areas would have been helpful as well as what to expect as each main cluster of ruins at Hovenweep. To get a better idea of what Im talking about look at the map provided by the National Park Service: [...]Another example of the brevity and lack of detail in the book: Most people have heard of Mesa Verde National Park. The book gives just barely over one column of text on the entire place. and most of that text is too general to be of any benefit.One more gripe. In the section on "How to use this book" it states each site listed in the book will have contact information (phone numbers. websites) and a schedule of when sites are open. I saw no such information. This may seem pointless to mention but there is no index..then again since the book is filled with too many generalities there is no reason to guide the reader to any particular page.While there are some very nice photographs within the book I find the photographic advice and site descriptions too brief and too vague. I suppose if one had no inkling of where any South Western Indian ruins were located this might be a starting point for someone to dig deeper. For example. if someone never heard of Hovenweep. they might come across it in this book and then use the Internet to find out more about it. I think someone would be better served by using the Internet to start rather than use this book. This book offers nothing that cant be found with a little online searching.I give it two stars instead of one because the photograph in the book are nice and the book is low in price.