Photography is for Explorers, Vol. 1

One of the more enjoyable books I've read so far this year is a slim, insightful volume by John R. Stilgoe entitled Outside Lies Magic: Regaining History and Awareness in Everyday Places, which exhorts today's hyperspeed technoworker to, in the words of Simon & Garfunkel, "slow down," and explore the man-made landscape of fences, main streets, rail lines and telephone poles. Sharing similar intentions, retired photographer Vernon Batchelder--a Thoreau-quoting nature walker toting a camera--encourages viewers to re-discover the magic of forests, flowers, mountains and streams. Unfortunately, where the former is infused with a wealth of facts and anecdotes, logically arranged, the latter is repetitive, rambling and peppered with vague aphorisms ("spring, like us, is erratic") and strange locutions ("the reason to indulge ourselves with the true essence of photography is enjoyment"). In addition, I suspect that most viewers who checked out Photography is for Explorers would reasonably expect some instruction on photographing nature; but, except for a few general comments, this is strictly an inspirational, not an instructional video. Not a necessary purchase. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)