Rating: 
Summary: A very personal view of the view camera
Review: Let me preface my review by letting you know that I do not own a large format camera. However, I am interested in the subject and have spent time looking at large format books, magazines, and internet resources. I was very eager to see this book since I am most interested in learning about using the view camera for nature photography. Jack Dykinga is a well respected nature photographer who has worked closely with the Friends of the Arizona Highway. (...) The book has many nice color examples of Dykinga's work to illustrate the book.What the book does best is present Dykinga's own views about using the view camera in the field. For example, he has very particular preferences for lens sizes based on his expereience as a photojournalist. He details his procedure for focusing the camera in the field. In addition he shows how he has marked his equipment with reminders to help aid in the field. For instance, he has added markings to indicate exposure corrections for bellows extensions right along the rail. He has also marked his lens boards with the amount of rise and fall available with the coverage of the lens. He gives tips on working in bad weather. It is much like getting tips and tricks from an experienced user in a workshop. As a sidenote there is some material on his experience with digital. What the book is not is a comprehensive guide to the large format camera. I would suggest those looking for that see books by Kodak, Simmons, Stone, and others. It will not give an especially technical presentation of the materials. The book did not meet *all* my hopes and dreams. I would have liked some more tips on composition and picking out a view camera. It does not cover black and white. Sometimes his presentation is so personal that it may not apply to how you like to work. However, there are so few books on this subject and most are more like textbooks. You can definitely read this book from cover to cover without being bored. It is a welcome addition to the subject and fills a gap in photography books.
Rating: 
Summary: Currently one of the two best books for LF photography
Review: Thank you Jack for sharing your thoughts, methods, and vision with all of us less talented photographers. This book along with John Fielder's LF book are THE guides for today's LF photographers. Many LF photographers in the past began with Adam's three texts; however, today many have switched to saturated transparency film. Thus, a new reference is needed. And that reference is... Jack Dykinga's Large Format Nature Photography. Buy it, you will not be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Currently one of the two best books for LF photography
Review: Thank you Jack for sharing your thoughts, methods, and vision with all of us less talented photographers. This book along with John Fielder's LF book are THE guides for today's LF photographers. Many LF photographers in the past began with Adam's three texts; however, today many have switched to saturated transparency film. Thus, a new reference is needed. And that reference is... Jack Dykinga's Large Format Nature Photography. Buy it, you will not be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: A great discussion of large format photography
Review: The Art of Large Format Photography is carefully discussed in Jack Dykinga's Large Format Nature Photography. The book reveals the thought and technique behind the creation of Jack's signature images. For those photographers willing to devote the time and effort needed for successful large format photography this book is a must. The reader will learn a great deal about the how and why of equipment selection (even how to carry it), several techniques for focusing the camera, life as a photographer, and most importantly developing a personal vision.
Rating:
Summary: A great discussion of large format photography
Review: The Art of Large Format Photography is carefully discussed in Jack Dykinga's Large Format Nature Photography. The book reveals the thought and technique behind the creation of Jack's signature images. For those photographers willing to devote the time and effort needed for successful large format photography this book is a must. The reader will learn a great deal about the how and why of equipment selection (even how to carry it), several techniques for focusing the camera, life as a photographer, and most importantly developing a personal vision.
Rating:
Summary: Large Format Nature Photography
Review: The book is outstanding both as a learning source for 4x5 photography and as a showcase of Jack Dykinga's photography. Of course many of the photos are designed to teach varying focal lengths, camera movements, exposure, filter effects, etc. Others are simply spectacular in their composition, color, and stunning impact. It's quite inspiring to read. Currently I am using a Linhof Technikardan 23 which uses 120 roll film in the 6x6 through 6x9cm formats. Nonetheless the 4x5 principles apply just the same as the Technikardan is a view camera as well. I must confess that this book has me thinking about moving up to 4x5. Some say once you get this in your mind you will never be satisfied with anything less. Of course roll film is easier to shoot, process, and scan but the size of those 4x5 chromes laying on his light table are something to behold. One might take the book as an endorsement for Arca-Swiss although Jack it not the only one to speak so well of the camera.
Rating:
Summary: Large Format Nature Photography
Review: The book is outstanding both as a learning source for 4x5 photography and as a showcase of Jack Dykinga's photography. Of course many of the photos are designed to teach varying focal lengths, camera movements, exposure, filter effects, etc. Others are simply spectacular in their composition, color, and stunning impact. It's quite inspiring to read. Currently I am using a Linhof Technikardan 23 which uses 120 roll film in the 6x6 through 6x9cm formats. Nonetheless the 4x5 principles apply just the same as the Technikardan is a view camera as well. I must confess that this book has me thinking about moving up to 4x5. Some say once you get this in your mind you will never be satisfied with anything less. Of course roll film is easier to shoot, process, and scan but the size of those 4x5 chromes laying on his light table are something to behold. One might take the book as an endorsement for Arca-Swiss although Jack it not the only one to speak so well of the camera.
Rating:
Summary: A temptation to move to LF photography
Review: This book is currently on my night table, but I am going to change it for something more soothing. As an avid small and medium format photographer, I have been thinking of moving up to large format photography for some time. Dykinga's book does everything to wet my appetite even further. So it's difficult to get to sleep after having indulged once more into these magnificent images. For me the main attraction of this book lies indeed in the quality of the photography, irrespective of the technique used. All photographers, whatever the gear they use, can benefit from studying these masterly landscape pictures. With respect to view camera technique, Dykinga refers to Leslie Stroebel's book for an exhaustive treatment of the subject. I would think Dykinga' book - in its broad brush treatment of technique and LF philosophy - to be especially suitable for readers who have not yet made the jump to working with a view camera. Although I can image that seasoned users can pick up a lot of interesting tips and tricks throughout. Currently this is one of my favourite photography books. It happily strengthens me in my resolve to move to large format photography.
Rating: 
Summary: Not what I had hoped for - but OK
Review: This book is light on technical information unless you happen to use the exact same equipment as the author. This is primarily a personal journal and not really an instructional volume. Pictures are OK.
Rating: 
Summary: Large Format Nature Photography
Review: This book is poorly written and edited. The reader is short-changed by the lack of information presented in the book. Some of Dykinga's better known images are published in the book but without any descriptive information of trials and tribulations encountered in the making of the images. Those descriptions would have made the book more interesting and helped to balance the paltry technical information.
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