Whether you are a beginner or an advanced photographer, you are bound to learn something new in this book. For a beginner, this book is particularly great - it starts with the very basics, discusses all the available formats (including digital and large format) and even talks about processing, printing and mounting finished results. This is the first book that I've encountered, that has such a vast coverage of the topic of photography.

You might be taken aback at first by the size of this book. But fear not; the text is so simply laid out and generously peppered with images that you could zip through it without putting the book down, particularly if you are already a photographer and have mastered the basics. In that case, you might slow down when the authors discuss alternative photographic techniques or the history of photography. Perhaps for the next edition, the authors should throw in a brief chapter on the business side of photography as well.

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).