
Professional Nature Photography
- 1st Edition - March 19, 1999
- Author: Nigel Hicks
- Language: English
- eBook ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 0 8 - 0 5 1 5 0 5 - 2
Packed with hints, tips and essential information, this is a practical guide to getting started as a professional nature photographer. Its focus is on how the industry works,… Read more

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Request a sales quotePacked with hints, tips and essential information, this is a practical guide to getting started as a professional nature photographer. Its focus is on how the industry works, recognizing that success in this profession does not rely entirely on your skills of photography, but also on how you organize and market those talents.
Based on the author's own experience of running a successful nature photography business, Professional Nature Photography offers a unique insight into the essential tools and techniques: from the equipment you need, to researching and finding new clients, negotiating contracts, managing finance, working to a brief and an understanding of professional ethics.
Features include:
· stunning colour photographs
· suggested approaches to typical assignments
· realistic, practical advice for professional business practice
· an appendix with addresses for agencies, societies and conservation organisations
The book also includes an overview of specialist skills, such as how to read difficult lighting conditions, shooting from a hide, stalking animals, photographing captive animals, photographing plants and underwater photography. The author sets the subject in context and includes a discussion of the impact of digital imaging, the role of nature photography in society and environmental matters.
Whether you are just starting out as a professional, or wishing to brush up on knowledge and skill, Professional Nature Photography is both an inspirational guide and an essential reference tool for hands-on information.
Nigel Hicks ABIPP, FRGS has a PhD in Biology and runs a successful nature photography business. He has lived and worked extensively abroad as a self-employed photographer and writer, including long periods in Taiwan, Japan, and Hong Kong. His photographs are to be found in many publications and he has undertaken many challenging publishing assignments abroad, such as documenting the diverse range of wildlife in China and the Philippines. He writes regularly for the photographic press and is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, an associate of the British Institute of Professional Photography and a member of the Scientific Exploration Society.
Based on the author's own experience of running a successful nature photography business, Professional Nature Photography offers a unique insight into the essential tools and techniques: from the equipment you need, to researching and finding new clients, negotiating contracts, managing finance, working to a brief and an understanding of professional ethics.
Features include:
· stunning colour photographs
· suggested approaches to typical assignments
· realistic, practical advice for professional business practice
· an appendix with addresses for agencies, societies and conservation organisations
The book also includes an overview of specialist skills, such as how to read difficult lighting conditions, shooting from a hide, stalking animals, photographing captive animals, photographing plants and underwater photography. The author sets the subject in context and includes a discussion of the impact of digital imaging, the role of nature photography in society and environmental matters.
Whether you are just starting out as a professional, or wishing to brush up on knowledge and skill, Professional Nature Photography is both an inspirational guide and an essential reference tool for hands-on information.
Nigel Hicks ABIPP, FRGS has a PhD in Biology and runs a successful nature photography business. He has lived and worked extensively abroad as a self-employed photographer and writer, including long periods in Taiwan, Japan, and Hong Kong. His photographs are to be found in many publications and he has undertaken many challenging publishing assignments abroad, such as documenting the diverse range of wildlife in China and the Philippines. He writes regularly for the photographic press and is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, an associate of the British Institute of Professional Photography and a member of the Scientific Exploration Society.
Inspirational colour photographs show you just what you can achieve
Benefit from a professional's suggestions for approaches to typical assignments
Full of realistic, practical advice for professional business practice to ensure you don't go wrong
Benefit from a professional's suggestions for approaches to typical assignments
Full of realistic, practical advice for professional business practice to ensure you don't go wrong
Primary: Professional fine arts photographers. Advanced photographers or `Beginner/professionals' aspiring to become fine arts photographers.
Secondary: students on BA Hons courses
Secondary: students on BA Hons courses
1 Getting started: What is natural history photography? * Why specialise in natural history photography? * Is there a living to be made? * The basic requirements * Respect the environment, know the law * Summary
2 The natural history 'industry': * Kinds of images * Fads and fashions * Matching your photography to the market * Categories of photo buyers * Searching for your clients * Summary
3 Launching into business: Finding a base * Putting together a portfolio * Approaching potential clients: some general thoughts * Approaching magazines, newspapers and book publishers * Approaching card and calendar publishers * Approaching photo libraries * Selling to CD producers * Approaching public relations, advertising agents and non-Media organisations * Summary
4 Becoming established: Being accepted * Setting up your own photo file * Setting fees * Granting rights * Flexibility and doing deals * Putting your name about * Expanding your field * Summary
5 Taking on the job: You as a service provider * Taking on a commission * Working with photo iibraries * Running your own library * Speculative work * Submitting your finished work * Self-publishing * Summary
6 On the road: Initial steps * Timing * Practical planning * Photographing to a brief * Camera equipment and airplanes * Moving on the ground * The long and weary road * Summary
7 Managing the office: Management from day one * Keeping track * Copyright * Your legal status * Keeping the money under control * Taking on staff * Insurance * The taxman cometh * Summary
8 Getting equipped :The office * Camera equipment * The darkroom * Computer imaging - the digital darkroom * Summary
9 Some special skills: See what your film sees * Landscape photography * Shooting from a hide * Stalking animals * Photographing captive animals * Photographing plants * Underwater photography * Summary
10 Professional issues: The aims * The client * Ethics and the living world
* Photography of captive animals * The digital manipulation war * Facing the competition * Taking sides in environmental issues * Natural history photography in society * Summary
Appendix: Professional organisations * Useful directories & other publications
Index
2 The natural history 'industry': * Kinds of images * Fads and fashions * Matching your photography to the market * Categories of photo buyers * Searching for your clients * Summary
3 Launching into business: Finding a base * Putting together a portfolio * Approaching potential clients: some general thoughts * Approaching magazines, newspapers and book publishers * Approaching card and calendar publishers * Approaching photo libraries * Selling to CD producers * Approaching public relations, advertising agents and non-Media organisations * Summary
4 Becoming established: Being accepted * Setting up your own photo file * Setting fees * Granting rights * Flexibility and doing deals * Putting your name about * Expanding your field * Summary
5 Taking on the job: You as a service provider * Taking on a commission * Working with photo iibraries * Running your own library * Speculative work * Submitting your finished work * Self-publishing * Summary
6 On the road: Initial steps * Timing * Practical planning * Photographing to a brief * Camera equipment and airplanes * Moving on the ground * The long and weary road * Summary
7 Managing the office: Management from day one * Keeping track * Copyright * Your legal status * Keeping the money under control * Taking on staff * Insurance * The taxman cometh * Summary
8 Getting equipped :The office * Camera equipment * The darkroom * Computer imaging - the digital darkroom * Summary
9 Some special skills: See what your film sees * Landscape photography * Shooting from a hide * Stalking animals * Photographing captive animals * Photographing plants * Underwater photography * Summary
10 Professional issues: The aims * The client * Ethics and the living world
* Photography of captive animals * The digital manipulation war * Facing the competition * Taking sides in environmental issues * Natural history photography in society * Summary
Appendix: Professional organisations * Useful directories & other publications
Index
- No. of pages: 182
- Language: English
- Edition: 1
- Published: March 19, 1999
- Imprint: Focal Press
- eBook ISBN: 9780080515052
NH
Nigel Hicks
Affiliations and expertise
Professional nature photographer.