Exploring North American Landscapes is a new title from Rocky Nook. Author Marc Muench, a third generation landscape photographer, tells his readers his stories as well as those of his father and grandfather, discusses the technical aspects of landscape photography, and shares his own stunning images of various iconic locations throughout North America. The 228-page volume sells for $39.95.

Press Release

Exploring North American Landscapes

Visions and Lessons in Digital Photography

Santa Barbara, CA, February 1, 2011 — There are places in America that have become icons of the landscape, almost as though they have demanded to be photographed. The question is asked over and over: What is it that makes your heart beat faster and your blood begin to rush, leading you to reach for your camera? Marc Muench believes the answer to this question is buried in the stories of what landscape photographers have been doing over the past 50 years.

Muench, a third generation landscape photographer, tells us his stories as well as those of his father and grandfather, in Exploring North American Landscapes (Rocky Nook, $39.95 USD). He shares his stunning images and discusses how landscape photography is more than simply an exploration of the landscape—it is ultimately an exploration of oneself.

Muench discusses the technical aspects of landscape photography, including what equipment to use and how to work with environmental conditions. Also included are illustrated step-by-step lessons on image editing using Photoshop and other tools.

Photographers of all levels will learn how they too can find, capture, and process amazing landscape images.

In Part 1 of the book Marc shares:

·      His philosophy about photography

·      Personal stories of growing up in a professional photographic family

·      Methods used in creating his landscape and sports images

·      Stories about chasing down spectacular light

·      Methods for his works in progress

In Part 2 of the book Mark takes you through the technical procedures he uses to:

·      Capture and process a digital image

·      Blend images together into HDR scenes

·      Optimize color digital files

·      Get the most out of Adobe Bridge and Lightroom

Foreword by Katrin Eismann

About the Author

Marc Muench was born in Santa Barbara, California, where he now resides with his wife, Stefanie, and their three children. He has been a professional landscape and sports photographer for over 20 years. After completing his studies at Pasadena Art Center College of Design, Marc immediately began photographing for book publishers such as Graphic Arts Center, Browntrout Publishing, and Time Inc. His photographs have appeared in numerous magazines, books, calendars, and postcards, and in 2003, he was designated as a Kodak Photo Icon.

Marc is now the artist-in-residence at dgrin.com for Smugmug, where he contributes on a regular basis to the “Muench University” critique thread. He is also the photo editor of the National Parks Guide, published by The American Park Network. The guides contain many of his images taken throughout the United States National Park system.

Marc recently completed a year-long video project on Catalina Island for the Catalina Island Conservancy. The five-minute video highlights the new Trans Catalina Trail, capturing dynamic landscapes, wildlife, and hikers exploring their way across the Island.

Marc’s goal is to convey the drama and the power of nature—to share the experience—in his photographic images. And his images show that, without a doubt, Marc has achieved his goal time and time again.

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