Seattle's Top Photo Spots - Click image for more information

Seattle’s Top Photo Spots

Many visitors to the Gulf Islands come through Seattle on their way to the islands. I’ve always encouraged friends to spend a few days in Seattle if they have a chance. Seattle is a remarkable city and very photogenic. Shutter Tours in Seattle just released Seattle’s Top Photo Spots, here’s a review.

I have been fortunate over the years to have spent a lot of time in the Pacific Northwest’s jewel city of Seattle. Though most of my time in Seattle has been for pleasure (read Seattle Mariner games, Mexican food and visiting relatives) I’ve done my share of photography as well. With a trip to Seattle coming up in the near future I was thrilled to get my hands on a new electronic book, Seattle’s Top Photo Spots written and published by Shutter Tours.

Purchase a copy of Seattle’s Top Photo Spots for $14.95

As a background for this e-book review, Shutter Tours is the creation of award winning photographer Terry Divyak . He has an interesting concept; while you are visiting Seattle let him or one of his professional team give you a tour of Seattle only the way a photographer could. In other words, learn photography while going to some of the most fascinating sites that Seattle has to offer. This eBook is an extension of this concept offering valuable information that both amateur and professional photographers require to get the most out of their Seattle experience.

Like many large cities Seattle has the renowned scenic views and cultural activities that draw both locals, visitors and in increasing numbers, photographers. Certainly we have all seen photographs of the impressive Seattle skyline with Mount Rainier looming in the backdrop shot from Kerry Park. How often have we seen photographs of Pike Place Market and the Space Needle? Now, have you visited the troll sculpture under the Fremont Bridge or perhaps the gum wall? I certainly have heard of some of these out of the way places but never made the effort to visit them. Seattle’s Top Photo Spots covers over twenty-five of the most interesting photo locations in the city from well-known landmarks to the “it only happens in Seattle” locations.

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Seattle’s Top Photo Spots offers detailed information specifically for photographers, as an example; If you want a nice unobstructed view of Seattle’s first skyscraper, the Smith Tower, they suggest you go to the intersection of 2nd and S. Jackson St. on the southern side of the building and one of the best bird’s eye views of Seattle is from the Bank of America Tower. Want to photograph the gum wall? Try to get there early before the crowds arrive at 10:00 AM. This is the type of information that can take days to figure out on your own and is often difficult to find.

As a bonus, photo tips are located with each of the over 25 locations providing a tip specific to what you are observing. On photographing the fish ladder at the Ballard Locks; “When shooting the spawning salmon, press your lens all the way onto the glass, to eliminate the light reflections from the viewing area”. An excellent tip for better photographs! For users of the web each location has Google Maps Links and Flickr Photo Links as well. It’s pretty cool to see what other photographers have done with the same subject, an approach I often use when setting out on an assignment. A little history thrown in, tips on parking and good food places and all beautifully illustrated with exceptional photography. Time to head back to Seattle!

If you are heading to Seattle or perhaps live there and want to enjoy Seattle from a photography perspective with a professional photographer visit Shutter Tours.

To purchase a copy go to Purchase a copy of Seattle’s Top Photo Spots

Extreme Perspectives, An Introduction to Mountain Photography by Alexandre Buisse

Ebook Review - Extreme Perspectives, An Introduction to Mountain Photography by Alexandre Buisse

Once again a photography book that while not directly related to the Gulf Islands provides wonderful information for both amateur and professional photographers alike. Having photographed from sea kayaks and boats for many years as well as in the mountains I have found that there are many similarities.

I have always admired what many professional photographers will do to get the perfect image and Alexandre Buisse’s Extreme Perspectives, An Introduction to Mountain Photography offers us an inside glimpse into the world of a mountaineering photographer and the associated challenges. The majority of us will never be in a position to photograph any of the intense climbs that Alexandre achieves but I found that much of the technique he discusses can easily be carried over into many other forms of photography. Among them are the choices to be made about carrying equipment and the value of keeping the weight down and making the photography equipment accessible. For instance, he mentions that inaccessible equipment is rarely used, I tend to agree. Safety for oneself and others is widely discussed as well, always in the back or front of the mind as the photographer works around the challenges.

For me the most beautiful part of this book is the photographs. Gorgeous monochrome images are mixed in with colourful rock faces. The majority of the images have a human element, a small figure in a huge landscape, others showing the personal hardship involved in the sport. A few photos look like parts of an alien computer generated landscape, something most of us will never experience except through the eyes of a gifted professional photographer.

Nevado Chopicalqui, Cordillera Blanca, Peru by Alexandre Buisse

All of Craft and Visions books are available for $5 each, an absolute bargain for well written and researched ebooks. Click Here to Get the Book Now

Extreme Perspectives, An Introduction to Mountain Photography by Alexandre Buisse is a collection of amazing stories and beautiful photographs from some of the most breathtaking and remote places in the world. This ebook will inspire and excite photographers from all disciplines, but the avid landscape photographer and adventurer in spirit will be especially intrigued. Alexandre is both a mountaineer and a photographer who takes the reader through some amazing expeditions and reveals the gear and the vision he used when shooting in these spectacular places. The behind-the-scenes action and awe-inspiring visuals make for a great read!

Extreme Perspectives An Introduction to Mountain Photography by Alexandre Buisse

Extreme Perspectives, An Introduction to Mountain Photography is available now as a downloadable PDF for just $5 USD.

Special Offer on PDFs – For the first four days only, if you use the promotional code EXTREME4 when you checkout, you can have the PDF version of Extreme Perspectives for only $4 OR use the code EXTREME20 to get 20% off when you buy 5 or more PDF ebooks from the Craft & Vision collection. These codes expire at 11:59pm PST May 15, 2011.

Darwin Wiggett - Winter in the Canadian Rockies

Winter in the Canadian Rockies by Darwin Wiggett

True, it’s not the Gulf Islands but a review of Darwin Wiggett’s new ebook  has a purpose. Firstly, most of our visitors and locals love photography and this series is an amazing deal for anyone wanting to learn both photography technique and the thought process behind professional photography. Secondly, many of you are from Alberta and we all know how beautiful the Canadian Rockies can be, especially during the winter.

Darwin Wiggett has been a professional photographer that I have had my vision on for a long time. I’m not sure exactly why this is exactly but it likely gets down to “I can relate to what he does”. I spent 8 years living in Calgary with excursions to the Canadian Rockies or Montana many week-ends, almost a religious experience. This is the power these wonderful mountains can hold over an individual whether you are purely a tourist or a photographer. Being a professional photographer, I have also explored these regions and been entirely amazed by the absolute beauty and feeling of the Canadian Rockies. Darwin Wiggett takes it one stage further and shows us the beauty of this area in the winter season, perhaps in some ways the most wonderful season but at the same time for a photographer the most difficult.

Winter in the Canadian Rockies by Darwin Wiggett is now available through the award-winning Craft & Vision website. Click here to view inspiring page samples!

I’ve continually been fascinated in taking a look at other professional photographers work, to some extent for a personal learning experience but additionally from a more “business” sense”. I should mention here that I completely believe in the concept that you are never good enough that you have nothing to learn. I’ll leave that to the arrogant photographers residing in big cities.

What does Darwin Wiggett deliver to us in this ebook? First of all, he talks about the planning behind doing serious photography during the winter. I realize that everyone possesses an “amazing” photo they shot but let’s get realistic; doing photography in winter conditions is both hard on the camera equipment as well as our aging bodies.

Darwin’s photos are an example of a professional photographer that feels entirely relaxed with their surroundings. Believe me, this can be one of the most important factors! He’s a master with the grand landscape but additionally works well with the intimate landscape as well, all this in the harsh conditions that cold weather can bring.

Craft and Vision has published Darwin Wiggett’s ebook as part of a fascinating series, The Print and the Process, all available for $5 making these books one of the best photography technique and experience resources available.

Canadian Rockies during Winter - Darwin Wiggett

Here’s Craft and Visions introduction:

Darwin Wiggett captures the spirit of Canada’s most striking mountain range in this monograph of breath-taking landscapes. Photographers of all levels, and geographic persuasion, will find inspiration and insight in this beautiful body of work, and the accompanying discussions that spans nearly 3 decades.

Darwin discusses in detail the joys and difficulties of working in the cold to capture the abstract and artistic beauty of this magical place. What could be better during these winter months than a great photographer and teacher like Darwin sharing his warm fondness for the coolness of winter?

Special Offer on PDFs

For the first five days only, if you use the promotional code
*ROCKIES4* when you checkout, you can have the PDF version of Winter in
the Canadian Rockies for only $4 OR use the code *ROCKIES20* to get 20%
off when you buy 5 or more PDF ebooks from the Craft & Vision
collection. These codes expire at 11:59pm PST January 22nd, 2011.

I think I’ve really been very fortunate being a photographer in that I have embraced digital technologies ever since the conception of the quality digital cameras. You have to recognize that this is not a number of decades we’re talking about however, in my own situation it is only since 2000 I believe. The particular reason behind the “fortunate” aspect may be two sided, the favorable aspect being that I have used Photoshop as well as Data Asset Management software for many years and they’re simply a natural part of my lifestyle and workflow, the negative aspect being a large number of of my earlier digital pictures are horrible as far as the quality element goes. While they served the function at the time; being able to shoot photographs and e mail them swiftly, at 2.1 fuzzy mega pixels there is not much hope for their long-term use in my personal stock portfolio.

Light and Land, Landscapes in the Digital Darkroom is now available Click Here to Get the Book Now

Having observed a few beginner & pro photographers make the switch to the new digital systems the past few years I have observed a consistent struggle with them striving to determine the most effective techniques to produce the photos they have worked so faithfully for in the photography phase. A few have spent a long time photographing with Fujichrome Velvia, not really a personal favorite but nevertheless a hugely popular roll film. Other individuals have come through the negative roll film ranks where the exposure tolerance is relatively lax and may have been somewhat lazy in mastering this essential technical element of taking pictures. Regardless, what both transparency film and negative film had in common is normally many of us took our film to a photo lab and left the film with their skilled specialists to supply the end results. Sure, there are exceptions, some of us did our own printing, especially with black and white photographs. In our contemporary digital world now “we” are both the photographer and technician.

Light and Land, Landscapes in the Digital Darkroom by Michael Frye is the newest ebook in the Craft and Vision library. Michael, a photographer based at the doorstep of Yosemite National Park, knows his stuff pertaining to inspired landscapes as well as the post-processing strategies that make his vision a reality. Light and Land is written particularly for photographers with an interest in landscapes who want to clarify their own unique perspective. Landscape photography, like other specific genres, features its own challenges with respect to the digital darkroom and this e book will be of use to anyone wanting to take their post-processing one stage further. With equal parts inspiration and instruction Michael goes step-by-step over the aesthetic judgments behind each and every decision, and he unpacks the principles powering the landscape-specific considerations.

While Michael Frye takes us through the developing of five scenery photos the workflow and decisions made will work for just about any photo whether you are a sports photographer, event photographer or perhaps only want to receive the best results you can from your family images. Michael uses Adobe Lightroom for his examples however the same concepts apply regardless of what editor that you are utilizing.

Light and Land is crammed full of information and superbly illustrated with gorgeous photos of Yosemite National Park. The ebook can be purchased now as a down-loadable Pdf file for only $5 USD. Trust me, this e-book is well worth the price, that is not much more than the Starbucks cappuccino that you had this morning!

Special Offer on PDFs

For the first 4 days only, if you use the promotional code LAND4 when you checkout, you can have the PDF version of Light & Land for only $4 OR use the code LAND20 to get 20% off when you buy 5 or more PDF ebooks from the Craft and Vision collection. These codes expire at 11:59pm PST December 19, 2010.

Author: Anne Yeadon-Jones
ISBN: 1570613532
New Prices From :- $64.99 (last updated 16/08/2010@19:08:20)

Product Description

The Pacific Northwest is well known for its spectacular world-class cruising grounds. Authors Anne and Laurence Yeadon-Jones have combed every nautical mile of this area in their 36-foot sailboat, Dreamspeaker, to sketch and write about the true gems in this watery region. Key features include the best anchorages and marinas in each region, unique hand-drawn shoreline plans for each destination, detailed sketch charts, and color photographs. There are also details on approach, hazards and cautions, where to anchor, marina contacts, and US/Canadian customs. In addition, you can find out where to drop a crab pot, pick huckleberries, find a freshwater lake, discover a hidden beach, watch otters at play, or simply take a hike.

Author: S
ISBN: 1570610312

Product Description

From the Best Places editors comes this handy guide, featuring these popular Northwest islands within a stone’s throw of Seattle and Vancouver. From beaches and parks to art galleries or produce stands, no element of this destination is left unexamined. Includes rated restaurants and lodgings.

Average Customer Rating

If your goin get this book !

Keep this book at the top of your pack. All the information is concise and up date. Even though this book is published in ’95 the best places are still there. We refered to it during both our trips and found it a must have. Please have these guys get out to our next destination. They saved us stress and time from where to by dinner to where to sleep they covered it all.

A previous post (Portland Island) covers the history and visiting information for the island. Words don’t do Portland Island justice however so here are some more photographs.

Portland Island, Southern Gulf Islands, British Columbia, Canada

Portland Island, Southern Gulf Islands, British Columbia, Canada

Kayaking at Portland Island, British Columbia, Canada

Hiking Trail on Portland Island, British Columbia, Canada

Hiking the Gulf Islands: An Outdoor Guide to BC’s Enchanted Isles  Author: Charles Kahn Binding: Paperback ISBN: 1550173154 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

Hiking the Gulf Islands: An Outdoor Guide to BC’s Enchanted Isles by: Charles Kahn

Editorial Review:

Nestled in the rain shadow of Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands bask in the mildest climate in Canada, a mini-Mediterranean that fosters an abundance of plant and animal species seen nowhere else. Throw in panoramic views, inviting beaches and friendly hospitality – all just a short ferry ride from Vancouver or Victoria – and you have a hiker’s paradise. Whether your visit lasts a day or a week, Hiking the Gulf Islands is the best guide to exploring the islands on foot. It is the only comprehensive guide with up-to-date information on the recently created Gulf Islands National Park – 33 square kilometres scattered over 16 islands and more than 30 islets and reefs. Separate chapters cover each island – including the often-overlooked Texada, Lasqueti and Thetis islands plus Bowen Island at the entrance to Howe Sound – and even hiking trails in the area’s marine parks. Hiking the Gulf Islands includes: * Maps showing trail locations. * Distance and time of each hike. * Accessibility and degree of difficulty of each route. * Lists of shore and road walks. * Paddling suggestions for kayak or canoe. * What to bring and what to look for.

Similar Products:

British Columbia’s Gulf Islands: Afoot & Afloat by Marge Mueller, Ted Mueller (Paperback)

Frommer’s Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands & the San Juan Islands by Chris McBeath (Paperback) - Usually ships in 24 hours

We also have our 2011 Pender Island wall calendar highlighting the scenery and views of North and South Pender Island.