1993, 1st edition. 288 pp, 145 color photos. Sixty inspirational and practical essays, that demonstrate the practical and artistic techniques he uses to transform mountains, light and color into vivid, uniquely expressive art. Larger paperback, as New.
GALEN ROWELL and his photographs won many awards including the Ansel Adams Award. His photographs have been exhibited at the International Center of Photography, the California Academy of Sciences, the Smithsonian, the Ansel Adams Gallery, etc. Rowell wrote several excellent books and his work has been published in many prominent magazines. Sadly, Rowell and his wife, Barbara, were killed in a small plane crash in 2002 approaching Bishop, California.
Rowell had an amazing record of climbing and exploration: Over 100 first ascents of routes in Yosemite Valley and High Sierra Nevada. First one-day ascent of Mt McKinley, aka Denali, in Alaska. First ascent of Great Trango Tower in the Karakoram. First ski ascent-descent of Mustagh Ata First ascent of NE Ridge of Amne Machin (second ascent of the mountain by few days). First ski circuit of Denali About 40 expeditions to remote peaks including Nun Kun, K2, Mount Everest, various Karakoram peaks & spires, Patagonia, Kilimanjaro, Gasherbrum II, Alaska, Yukon, Canadian Rockies, etc.
What makes Rowell one of the world's top photojournalists and sets him apart from others in the field? Steve Werner, editor of Outdoor Photographer, says the magazine's most popular columnist pursues his art the way a mountain climber pursues a peak: 'planning the logistics, overcoming the hardships and conquering the unknown.' The text, based on Rowell's monthly column for the magazine, is accompanied by images 'chosen to illustrate concepts' rather than exhibit his best work -- or so he claims. Don't believe him; the pictures will blow you out of the water as surely as a well-placed stick of dynamite.
From School Library Journal
An eclectic collection of 60 essays, based on 6 years of Rowell's columns written for Outdoor Photographer. His erudite selections range from the general and ruminative to the esoteric; they are tied together by the belief that the key to creating great pictures is a photographer's inner vision. While nonphotographers will find his thoughts on foreign cultures, environmentalism, and other topics quite captivating, the book caters to shutterbugs who have achieved a degree of proficiency but who stand to benefit from the author's artistic insights. Anyone, however, should appreciate and enjoy the photographs. Over 140 astounding, full-color shots illustrate the concepts Rowell sets forth and truly give the volume its power.
