Visual Poetry

Today sees the release of the latest book in David duChemin’s ‘The Print & The Process series, and I have to say, this one is an absolute stunner!

I also have to say, the little green-eyed monster of jealousy was trying it’s best to appear as I read this e-book and for the simple reason that not only would I love to spend some time in Iceland, but also because David is one of those photographers who seemingly excels at everything he tries! I mean, here am I spending all my  time (when i’m not in Belgrade) taking landscape photos, and up pops David with his camera and you take one look at the results and think he’s been taking them for years! It’s downright annoying and plain unfair!

Aside from this, what it also is, is a testament to the passion and hard work he puts in to bringing out his vision and expressing it through his craft. It might seem like he’s just turned up, pointed the camera and hit gold, but as you read through this e-book you discover it takes a lot more than just ‘being there’ to create a great shot or moment.

In ‘Iceland – A Monograph’, David takes you with him on a journey through his creative process as he tries to ‘stir the paint’ for his creative muse, and to ’jump some ruts and explore some new visual territory’. It’s something we all need to do once in a while and reading along as David expresses his thoughts and observations is not only inspirational in helping to find our answers, it’s also comforting to know that we all carry the same fears and questions within us. When David says “it’s rare I go on assignment or a trip like this without worrying that I’ve shot my last good image” I can honestly say i’ve heard that voice in my head a thousand times or more!

If you’re new to the The Print & The Process series then first “Where have you been hiding?!” and secondly, what you will find inside the cover is a series of incredibly beautiful images forming ‘The Print’ part of the equation, and then a further almost 30 pages of text explaining the ideas and ‘The Process’ behind the images. These are not small e-books and as such I think it’s fair to say they represent great value for money.

If you’re wondering what ‘The Process’ is, then I should explain that it’s not simply David saying “I did this, I did that, and out popped a great photo!” it’s a deeper explanation of everything that David puts into creating an image that reflects his vision. To say “I shot this with a 700mm F2.8 @ F22′ just doesn’t cut it in these books. You get the information, but you also get the whole nine yards of ‘why?’ and it’s that which is the really important part.

One of the things I really liked about this book (and there was a lot I liked!) is something that may go unnoticed at first, and that’s the weather. Cold, wet, and miserable doesn’t quite describe it. Think of it as being more like a Manchester summer. Have you ever looked out of the window one cold winter morning and thought “Nothing here for me today. I might as well stick the tv on and stay in that warmth because that sky is doing nothing” ? Well, think again. If you ever wanted to know how to work a grey sky then this book is a great insight. It’s a perfect example of how focusing on creating your vision can change your photography. There are no excuses, no caveats about how ‘with better light I could have had a better image’ (and i’m as guilty of rolling that one out as anyone!) instead the images are a beautiful statement that says ‘This is what I saw, and this what I felt’.

Not enough? Ok, how about two free downloadable Adobe Lightroom Presets thrown in as well? and that’s on top of the promotional offer as well!

For the first four days only, if you use the promotional code  ICE4 when you checkout, you can have the PDF version of ICELAND, A Monograph – The Print & The Process for only $4 OR use the code  ICE20 to get 20% off when you buy 5 or more PDF ebooks from the Craft & Vision collection. These codes expire at 11:59pm PST September 12, 2010.

As with all my reviews there are two links here, one is affiliated (you get to contribute to this site) and one takes you direct to “Craft and Vision” (you don’t) and the choice is yours for whichever you use, the price stays the same.

Iceland, A Monograph – The Print & The Process by David duChemin *Affiliated Link

Iceland, A Monograph – The Print & The Process by David duChemin*Non-Affiliated Link

Well, who would have thought it?  August, traditionally something of a quiet month and here we are on the brink of two massive launches in the same week!

The first is something that I’ve been looking forward to for quite some time, and that’s the launch of the International Guild of Visual Peacemakers .

Known also as the IGVP, the International Guild of Visual Peacemakers set out their vision as “visual communicators devoted to peacemaking and breaking down stereotypes by displaying the beauty and dignity of various cultures around the world”. This is no empty statement.  The IGVP brings together some of the leading photographers in the world today.

Some of the names you may already be familiar with from my posts here (Matt Brandon, Gaving Gough, Ami Viale, David duChemin) and from their work in National Geographic, the BBC, et al, but the IGVP isn’t just about being a voice for a select few, it is also about helping other, less well known photographers, to learn from the best and move forward with an ethical approach of respect and understanding.

Pop across to the site and have a look around, then take a few moments to sign up and join in what promises to be one of the most important developments in the world of photography this year.

The second launch I mentioned comes tomorrow. Check back then for all the details but suffice to say, ‘inspiring’, ‘educational’, and ‘passionate’, are all words that come to mind … and did I also mention it will be ‘free’!?! What more could you possibly want!?!