Legendary nature photographer Art Wolfe presents an intimate, behind-the-scenes guide to the experiences, decisions, and methods that helped him capture images from some of the most exciting locations across the globe. In Photographs from the Edge , you'll discover the secrets behind forty years of awe-inspiring photography from around the world. Wolfe takes you from the mountains of the Himalayas to the sandy shores of Mnemba Island, with stops in the crowded streets of India and the alkali lakes of Africa along the way. You’ll learn the equipment, settings, and creative choices behind each photograph. From endangered species to cultural celebrations to natural wonders, Wolfe brings each subject to life through his stunning photography and the stories he shares in this one-of-a-kind photo safari. "Art Wolfe has spent a career mixing his passion for artful photography and his passion for the diversity, nature wonder, and humanity of our world. With this collection we enjoy a grand tour of our world as only Art Wolfe can bring us. In a way, you could call Art the ultimate tour guide." – Rick Steves, travel writer and public television host ART WOLFE’s photographs are recognized throughout the world for their mastery of color, composition, and perspective. He is a recipient of the Photographic Society of America’s Progress Medal, the coveted Alfred Eisenstaedt Magazine Photography Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the North American Nature Photography Association. Wolfe’s award-winning television series, Art Wolfe’s Travels to the Edge , airs on PBS stations throughout the country and worldwide. He is a popular educator and speaker for such companies as Microsoft, IBM, and Sheraton Hotels, and is the author of many books, including The New Art of Photographing Nature and The Art of the Photograph . For more information, visit artwolfe.com. ROB SHEPPARD is the author/photographer of more than forty books, as well as a well-known public speaker, an accomplished photography instructor, and a fellow with the North American Nature Photography Association. He was formerly the longtime editor of Outdoor Photographer magazine, where he is presently editor-at-large. He resides in Lomita, California. Visit him at robsheppard.com. Introduction  All my life I have let my photos tell stories for me. After many years as a professional photographer—sometimes feeling more like a professional traveler—I have come to realize that many people are more interested in the when , where , and how of my photographs than the photos themselves. Question-and-answer sessions in my presentations sometimes feel nearly as long as the presentations themselves. Quite simply, we humans love being told stories, being entertained by others’ exploits (good and bad) and that is what this book is all about.  I have always loved nature, and was an environmentalist and conservationist long before I knew there were words for such things. I spent every spare moment exploring the wooded ravines around my childhood home in West Seattle. When I grew into my teens and had my own car, you couldn’t keep me out of the mountains on the weekends. When I climbed peaks, I would rename them in my own mind, even planting little flags at the summit as if I were the first to set foot there. I explored deep forested valleys, joined climbing clubs, and eventually became a climbing guide, leading clients to the summits of notable peaks around Washington State.  From a very young age, I knew that I would be an artist and earn my living as such. I grew up experimenting with a variety of mediums as a painter; however, I was also very impatient. On more than one occasion, my parents would come home to find me “drying” my oil-on-canvas works in the oven, overwhelming the house with the stink of oil paints. Attending the University of Washington in pursuit of an art degree, I imagined I’d be an art teacher while continuing to do my work on the side. At that time, in the 1970s, photography was not considered “art” and classes were off-limits to all but journalism majors. During my time out in nature, climbing and backpacking, I would take a camera with me on my outings simply to record the landscape as a reference point to then paint from later. With an ingrained drive to work fast and some ever-improving photographic skills (gained through trial and error), I soon realized that the photograph could be my artistic statement and I could create a dozen compositions in a single day with my camera rather than trying to paint them back at home. It was only natural, then, that my early subjects were the beautiful mountain landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. Early in my career, I tried every angle I could to get my photos out into the world. I went to retail stores selling climbing clothing and outdoor gear and lobbied them to display my photos on their walls. They eventually agreed, and years later I would even have my first gallery in the fl