Best Outdoor Action & Adventure Photography Gear for Hiking, Camping & Travel - DSLR Cameras, Lenses & Accessories

I just finished reading (devouring?) Dan's book. I've been shooting landscapes for a few years and am starting to shoot more active outdoor scenes. This book was a like an intensive workshop - full of great insight, practical tips and techniques to help me make that transition. Dan's twenty years of experience in the field and as an instructor come through in his writing. It's like have a pro by your side to walk you through what you need to know - someone who wants to see you succeed.Chapter 1 (On Being An Adventure Photographer) sets the tone with a short intro to outdoor adventure photography and the importance of passion for the genre. The following chapters, then, lead into the "how tos" for facing the challenges ahead and enjoying the rewards.Chapter 2 provides a great overview of gear - from cameras and lenses, to memory cards and packs. Dan provides balanced pros and cons to the different options available (from DSLRs vs. mirrorless bodies to wide angle to telephoto lenses). He includes a look at the different kit combos he puts together based on the type of activity he's shooting. There is a great section of practical field tips for keeping your gear, your models and yourself safe and comfy in the outdoors.Chapters 3 (Technical Concerns) and Chapter 4 (Creativity) make up the bulk of the book. These two chapter alone cover more in-depth guidance on the "art" and "science" of photography than many books on the market. Both chapters are filled with great examples - often side-by-side shots of what works and what doesn't. This is a refreshing (and greatly helpful) departure from other books that feel more like a "best of" gallery with some obligatory text about how the photo was composed.Chapter 3 covers the technical aspects of putting a together a great shot. Composition, framing, exposure, vantage point and lines are discussed. Dan introduces the idea of the "limiting factor" that drives the decisions you make and the settings you choose to get the image you envision. There is an extended section on how the camera works (RAW vs. JPEG, metering patterns and autofocus). I've never come across such detail - and it certainly helps to understand what the camera is doing functionally so you can learn to leverage - or compensate for - your camera's mechanics and software.Chapter 4 highlights different approaches to creativity - how to alter the look and feel of your images. A key idea in this chapter is the anticipation of the shot before it unfolds and how this can make a big difference in the quality of the images you take home. The chapter also includes a great discussion on different techniques to convey motion in a still image. Several ideas here that make for great self-exercises to try out. Another really good section is about "telling the story" - and how to share enough details - but not too many - so that viewers are left to fill in parts of the story themselves. Finally, the chapter concludes with a look at the post-production process (i.e. Lightroom). Several great tips here as well. I share Dan's philosophy of doing the best in the field and minimizing the amount of post-workup.Chapter 5 covers using artificial lighting in the outdoors - a topic I personally find a bit intimidating. But Dan makes it sound pretty easy. He keeps it simple and real - from using small flashes to portable strobes. He provides tips and examples for a flash workflow - from flash settings and placement to shaping the light and triggering the flash(es).Chapter 6 is a look at the realities involved in going Pro. While outdoor adventure photography can be exciting in the field, the reality is that it involves lots of time in the office. Topics like making the jump, marketing yourself, keeping records and working with clients may not be glamorous, but they are the day-to-day stuff if you want to make this a career.The book closes with Chapter 7 - a collection of interviews with several pros including Corey Rich, David Clifford, Dan and Janine Patitucci, Matt Trappe, Trevor Clark and Jay Goodrich. Each was asked the same 10 questions and provide their thots on topics from how they got started, their biggest challenges, what sets them apart from others in the field, their take on social media and the rise of video, and advice for emerging pros.Overall - a TON of great stuff jammed into this book. You'd have to attend several weeks of workshops to get this much info. Personally, I'd like to have read a bit more on topics like working with models and video techniques, but that's nitpicking about not getting a cherry on top of a 1/2 gallon sundae! I'm looking forward to taking all my notes and heading out to the put them into practice!