NATURAL DESIGN: Image Design for Nature Photographers is an ebook and was written for nature photographers of all skill levels. Beginners will learn how to build images from scratch. And self-taught seasoned pros will learn the terminology of the techniques they’ve always used and they will most definitely learn some new tricks and tips. It was written in 2007 and has become a classic, was taught at McDaniel Art College in MD for a decade, and currently countless colleges, workshops and photo classes use it. It has become a must-have on the bookshelf of every nature photographer.

What makes my book different from all the rest are my composition maps. With these I literally map out every feature of the composition and why its elements were placed where they sit. I provide both a map and an unmarked photo of the same scene so the ideas and techniques can be easily studied. Only someone with a solid understanding of image design could create these maps.

Sample Composition Map

Every now-and-again I will throw in some tips from a painter’s perspective. Another thing that gives my book the edge is that I’m a painter too. I know how to build images from scratch and I throw in artist’s tips, explanations and descriptions. You will be making fine art nature photographs by the time you finish this ebook.

This is an e-book that prints beautifully. The book is loaded with large high resolution photographs and diagrams.

Please have a look at the table of contents. I have in-depth knowledge and understanding of a wide range of subjects and when you’re done reading it, so will you.

Table of Contents

About the Author	10
About the Book	10
Chapter One: Design In Nature  Photography	11
The Visual Language	12
The Importance Of Learning Design	13
Demystifying Composition	14
Communicating Without Words	15
Chapter Two: The History of American Nature Photography	16
The Camera In Nature	16
Early Cameras	16
The Handheld Camera	17
The Digital Camera	18
Pioneers and Conservationists	19
Composing the American Landscape	20
Nature Photography as an Important Art	21
Ansel Adams: A Force in Nature	22
Eliot Porter’s Passions	23
Chapter Three: The Visual Experience	24
Approaching The Photographic Image	25
Response to Unfamiliar Art and Styles	25
Beauty In Nature Photography	27
Is It Art?	29
Reading Photographs	31
Evaluating A Photograph	32
Artist’s Intent	32
Emotional Impact	33
Evaluating the Light	34
Structure	35
Execution	36
Advanced Evaluation	36
Evaluation of Wildlife Photographs	37
Evaluating Black and White Photographs	38
Chapter Four: The Photographic Experience	39
The Art of Observation	39
More Than Seeing	41
Preparedness In The Field	41
Organizing The Composition	42
Developing a Personal Style	43
Individual Expression	45
Photograph It Well	46
Evaluating Your Progress	47
Evaluating Your Photographs	47
Chapter Five: Considerations For Purpose	48
Horizontal Or Vertical Format	48
Final Format	50
Contrast and Dimensions	50
Sharpness	50
Mood	50
Visualizing The Composition	52
Chapter Six:  The Physical Photograph	53
The Frame	53
Image Divisions	53
Edges	53
Limbs and Joints on the Edge	54
Chapter Seven:  Designing The Tangibles	55
Subject Matter	55
Define Subject Matter	55
Treatment of Subject Matter	56
The Main Or Solitary Subject	57
Distance and Size	57
Lens Selection	57
The Effects of Distance on Detail and Color	58
Positioning the Main or Solitary Subject	58
Centering the Subject for Emphasis	58
Exaggerated Subject Placement	59
Unwanted Objects In The Scene	60
Focal Points	62
Focal Points and Balance	62
Focal Points and a Visual Path	62
Multiple Main Focal Points	62
Lines	63
Straight Lines	63
Vertical Lines	63
Horizontal Lines	64
Diagonal Lines	64
Converging and Diverging Lines	64
Groups of Lines	64
Arcs	66
Curved Lines	66
Zig-zags and Odd-shaped Lines	66
Repetitive Lines	66
Suggested or Implied Lines	66
Creating Fluidity, Movement, and Motion with Lines	69
Using Lines to Create a Sense of Rhythm	69
Tension Created by Lines	69
Shape And Form	69
Texture of Forms	69
Shapes and Forms as Structural Elements	70
Spatial Organization and the Relationships of Forms and Shapes	70
Shapes and Forms and Balance	71
The Emotional Effects of Shapes and Forms	71
Forms, Shapes and Rhythm	72
Forms, Shapes and Unity	72
Chapter Eight:  Designing The Intangibles	73
Light	73
The Sun’s Trek through the Sky	73
The Effects of the Sweet Light	74
Indirect Light	74
Light from the Sun and Moon	75
Reflections	76
Shadows	76
Direction of Light	77
Front Light	77
Side Light	77
Back Light	77
Top Light	77
Photographing the Effects of Weather	78
Clouds	78
Fog	81
Rain	81
Rainbows	82
High-key and Low-key Images	83
Color	84
Basic Color Terminology	85
Analogous Hues	86
Monochromatic	86
Gradations	86
Complementary Colors	86
Neutrals	86
Creating Color Harmony	87
Color Associations	87
Choose Colors to Influence and Create Mood	87
Color Continuity	88
The Perceived Weight of Colors	88
Space and Depth	89
Negative Space	89
The Picture Plane	91
Line of Sight	91
The Ground Plane	91
Achieving Visual Balance	92
Using the Rule-of-Thirds Grid	92
Using Symmetry	94
Angles and Height	96
Chapter Nine: Considerations For Our Natural Subjects	97
Allow The Subject Room To Move	97
Strive To Capture The Face	97
Using Natural Frames	97
Anticipating Action And Behavior	98
Emphasis On Habitat	98
Animal Portraits	99
Eye Highlights	99
People In Nature	99
Field And Wildlife Ethics	100
Chapter Ten: Popular Composition Styles	101
Bulls-eye Composition	101
Near-Far	102
Layers	102
Large-Scale Landscape	103
Close-up	103
Abstract	103
Chapter Eleven: Composition Maps	104
Map 1:  Value Distribution and Shapes	105
Map 2:  Rule of Thirds Lines and Power points	107
Map 3:  Focal Points and Visual Paths	109
Map 4:  Harmonious Image Division	111
Map 5:  Off-center Placement	113
Map 6:  Balancing Main Focal Points	115
Map 7:  Structure and Content Division	117
Map 8:  Cradle the Subject	119
Map 9:  Cool vs. Warm Hues	121
Map 10:  Head and Shoulders Portrait	123
Map 11:  Frame the Subject	125
Map 12:  Framing and Subject Placement	127
Map 13:  Visual Anchor and Natural Frame	129
Map 14:  Centering and Concentric Lines	131
Map 15: Define Subject Matter	133
Map 16:  Layers	135
Map 17:  Competing focal Points and Image Division	137
Map 18:  Visual Flow	139
Map 19:  Visual Tension	141
Map 20:  Distractions	143
Map 21:  Subject Confusion	145
Map 22:  Compare Compositions	147
Map 23:  Organize Basic Elements	149
Map 24:  Color Schemes	151
Map 25:  Supporting Foreground Elements	153
Glossary	155
Selected Sources	166
Books	166
Online Resources	167
	

Sample Pages

Natural Design as Required Reading

Natural Design: Image Design for Nature Photographers was selected as required reading for Bob Boner’s digital photography course at McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. I was thrilled to learn this news, as well as beaming proud of this my life’s work. Following is a quote from Bob’s wonderful email notifying me of this great honor:

“I was so impressed with your ebook, that I made the students in my January Term photography class buy it as one of the textbooks in the course. It is one of the few books I have seen that focus on composition, and that is the weakest point in beginning photography students. I expect to require it as one of the textbooks again next year.” – Bob Boner, McDaniel College

It was used for about a decade.

More Quotes

” I found your website and am so grateful to you for writing what I am sure will become my favourite and most useful book ever. It is EXACTLY what I was looking for.”

“… I ordered your beautiful Natural Design e-book back in mid-June and think you’d taken e-book publishing to a new high.”

” … one of the best I’ve seen for photographic composition and design. I especially find the various maps very useful. ”

“The book IS great! After I get my chores done today, I will find a quiet, shady spot and bury myself in its pages.”

“Wow, great book worth the wait!”

“I received the download and it is the most beautifully designed
e-book I’ve purchased – ever!”

This book costs $25.00 and because this is an electronic document I offer no refunds. FYI, only a single refund has ever been requested and that was because the student dropped the class that required the book.

Purchasing Natural Design: $25.00

I use PayPal for all financial transactions and have had not a single problem with financial transactions for almost 20 years. Please contact me for invoicing and transfer of the document. gloriahopkins@gmail.com I usually respond almost immediately.

Because this an intangible, electronic document I offer no refunds. You should rest assured, however, because in the past 11 years of selling Natural Design I’ve had a single request for a refund, and that’s because the student dropped his photography class before it ever started. Thank you so much for your interest and attention.