Jan Latta is a wildlife photographer and this is her diary, complete with photos. Jan had planned to do a photo essay on another wildlife photographer, but her initial trip to Africa ignited a passion for capturing wildlife images herself. Her diary spans 12 years and although most of it is in Africa, there are also entries from India and China. Each new chapter page features a border, a country and date stamp similar to a postmasters stamp. Photos fill each opening and the text explores the circumstances in which each photo was taken. There are photos too of the landscape occupied by these remarkable animals and photos of some of the people Jan worked with in gathering the images. Despite challenges with permits, wars, weather and more, Jan has gathered a book-full of wonderful wildlife images.
Many people have been fortunate enough to see wonderful pictures of some of the world’s most amazing animals. These images appear in books, on the internet, on television and in the cinema. Seldom is the opportunity given to discover what’s involved in capturing these images. Diary of a Wildlife Photographer does this. The reader learns of the danger, exhilaration, permits, disappointments, strange nightly noises and insect bites that are part of the search for the best images. There are notes about the behaviour and habitat of some of the animals, but there is no intent to produce a non-fiction textbook. This diary, with its wonderful collection of experiences as well as photos offers the reader an up-close-and-personal look at the world of wildlife photography as well as the world of the wildlife. Recommended for mid- to upper-primary readers, although younger readers will enjoy the images and older readers may enjoy reading the diary entries to see if they have what it takes to be a successful wildlife photographer.
Diary of a Wildlife Photographer, by Jan Latta
ABC Books 2008
ISBN:9780733320408