The ability to observe and understand nature is key to making successful photographs of nature. Through constant observation and research, one can understand the various forces of nature and predict which phenomenon can be effectively photographed. Although the ability to observe nature should come from within, it is possible to start training an uneducated eye by pointing out various natural things to look for. Freeman Patterson succeeds in this aspect in his book, "Photography of Natural Things". This book is a comprehensive guide and it will completely prepare an amateur photographer, just starting out in photographing nature.

Starting with the broad areas of classification of natural things (such as earth, water, wind, plants, insects and animals) and finishing up with a detailed coverage of useful photographic equipment, this book covers the entire gamut of nature photography. Freeman Patterson's photographs and detailed text stimulate an excitement in the reader to start observing every event in nature. He correctly points out the importance of photographing nature right where you live, even within the city, without having to spend time and money in travelling into the woods to hone one's skills. As is the case with his other books as well, his pictures clearly convey his photographic vision and one has a lot to learn by simply analyzing them. Unlike his other books, which stay away from the numerical details of metering a scene, "Photography of Natural Things" provides starting points for metering various common situations (such as photographing rain or an object bathed in front lighting).

There is a chinese proverb that roughly translates as follows: If you want to live happily for a week, find a new concubine; if you want to live happily for a month, hunt a pig; if you want to live happily for years, raise a garden. So you live in Canada and want to live happily for years. Is the natural environment conducive to raising and maintaining a garden? "In a Canadian Garden" dispels the myth that a canadian garden is an oxymoron by showcasing some of the finest gardens from around the country, tended by amateurs.

The authors Nicole Eaton and Hillary Weston, amateur gardeners themseles, set out to find well designed amateur gardens across Canada. "In a Canadian Garden" contains a sampling of such gardens that were selected by the authors, based on factors such as aesthetically pleasing designs conceptualized by the respective gardeners, whose passionate visions are seen to fruition in these gardens. Another factor was regional representation and the use of local plant species. One doesn't have to be a gardener to appreciate these gardens, which range in size from ones spanning many acres to modest sized gardens situated in the heart of major cities. Each garden is featured with an essay from the respective gardener describing their visions and how they achieved it in their garden design. If, by chance, you are unable to visualize a garden based on the essay, Freeman Patterson's photographs of the salient features of each garden, would clarify beyond doubt. His images are very thoughtful and sensitive of the visions of each gardener that they complement the essays most effectively.

Under the name of progress, humans have been incessantly and increasingly tapping into the available natural resources. At this alarming rate, even our children would not be able to enjoy oneness with nature at the wilderness areas that exist today, if nothing is done now to stop human exploitation. This book aims to describe the value of our natural resources through very brief essays and to instill in the reader, a sense of urgency in mobilizing conservation efforts, through 140 superb photographs. Many of the short essays were written by the noted photographer and author, Freeman Patterson. The photographs in the book were selected from 9000 submissions by 50 photographer, including some of Mr.Patterson's own work. This book aims to act as a reminder of the magnificience of nature that exists today in Canada. The captions of various photographs hint at how it is affected by or affects the environment.

Only in the last few hundred years, since humans started practicing agriculture and industrialization, have we also started overlooking our ecosystem, exploring means to tap the resources for human benefit. Despite the fact that we've only been exploiting our environment for the past few hundred years, the damage done cannot be reversed. With the destruction of forests come the destruction of plant and animal life that have depended upon it for survival, eventually leading to their extinction.