Title: Horse Photography: The Dynamic Guide for Horse Lovers
Author: Carol Walker
Illustrator: Carol Walker
Publisher and/or Distributor:
Pages: 112
ISBN: 978-0-9817936-2-7
Price: $19.95
Publishing Date: 2010
Reader: Bob Spear
Rating: 5 hearts
This photography instruction book is beautiful enough to be an excellent coffee table book. The author demonstrates special photographic techniques and tips with wonderful example photos of her own. Her instructions are easy to follow and understand and the proof of their applications is right there in the book. The subject horses, people, and settings are always tasteful and oft times stunning. Even her “How not to do it” examples are lovely, considering they are not optimal. Her 30 years of experience definitely show through, making it all look so simple. As a teacher of the craft, she manages to give wise suggestions, yet leaves application leeway so her readers can develop their own style using her approaches.
This book has artistic value for its pictures and educational value for both beginners and pros. Horse people will adore this collection of outstanding horse pictures. We rated it a high five hearts.
Title: Wild Hoofbeats: America’s Vanishing Wild Horses
Author: Carol Walker
Illustrator: Carol Walker
Publisher and/or Distributor: Painted Hills Publishing
Pages: 160
ISBN: 9780981793641
Price: $29.95
Publishing Date: 2008
Reader: Bob Spear
Rating: 4 hearts
This lovely coffee table book illustrates the plight of wild horse herds throughout Western America and focusing on the Southwestern corner of Wyoming. There is excellent material for everyone interested in the subject. First are the gorgeous pictures which portray the wide variety of wild horses. Although there are the expected telephoto pictures, what is far more impressive are the close-up shots, This author/photographer is an extraordinarily brave lady. She actually got out and walked amongst the herds, sitting down on the ground in front of them, even when concerned herd stallions came charging up to a stop five feet in front of her. They could have easily trampled her to death. She has to have nerves of steel and a sense of equine knowledge and trust far greater than many.
This is further illustrated by her straight forward language she uses to tell the plight of these horses as cattlemen and sheepherders attempt to run the wild animals off the range. Ms Walker explains in detail the day to day lives within the herds, how each is protected by a herd stallion who has to take on all challengers to his breeding rights. She also explains the roles played by various horses within the herds and how nature cuts back the possibility of too much inbreeding. She fairly portrays the various parties involved in the issue of wild equines and their various agendas. The combination of beautiful pictures and cogent writing makes this coffee table book a fascinating read. We rated it four hearts.
Title: The Bittersweet Ozarks at a Glance
Author: Ellen Gray Massey
Illustrator: Various
Publisher and/or Distributor: Skyward Publishing, Inc.
Publisher Website: www.skywardpublish.com
Pages: 219
ISBN: 1-881554-23-6
Price: $39.95
Publishing Date: 2003
Reader: Bob Spear
Rating:
Imagine a project like Foxfire put together and published by high school students on a quarterly basis for over ten years. That publication and project’s name was Bittersweet and it was designed to increase the awareness of Lebanon, Missouri High school students of their Ozark heritage and how best to communicate it to others. This is a delightful coffee table book that opens a window into one of the best-kept community secrets in America. The Ozark region is one of the last places one can get good land at reasonable prices. People there tend to be self-reliant, and yet they know how to take care of a neighbor. This book is a candid view into their society with pictures from the 60s and 70s which depict life then and back in a previous century. The fact that such a sensitive and inclusive record was compiled by teens in a small high school under the tutelage of loving, caring teachers is quite refreshing. We rated this book four hearts.
