New Zealand's Wild Places is a welcome compilation of Potton's vision of our islands. Comprising fresh images taken during the filming of his television series Rivers and Wild Coasts and a selection of older photographs (rescanned), the book's 150 pages sparkle.
Organised thematically into coasts, forests, mountains, rivers and lakes, each chapter has an introduction including the photographic strategies Potton employs: nothing too technical, more an insight into the challenges of working in the field.
While a couple of the images are postcard picturesque, the rest are outstanding and some (dare I use the ''I'' word) iconic. The stark diptych of Evening and Moonrise at Golden Bay is reminiscent of Pete Turner, the great colour wizard of last century; but for me the forest section was a standout. Working often in tight, dimly lit spaces, Potton's keen compositional sense and technical excellence have allowed these ancient landscapes to breathe.
Richly printed on quality stock, New Zealand's Wild Places will have popular appeal for locals and visitors alike.
- Gerard O'Brien is an ODT photographer.
Win a copy
The Otago Daily Times has five copies of New Zealand's Wild Places, by Craig Potton (RRP $39.99), to give away courtesy of Craig Potton Publishing. To go in the draw to win a copy, email helen.speirs@odt.co.nz with your name and postal address in the body of the email and ''Craig Potton Book Competition'' in the subject line, by 5pm on Tuesday, October 15. Winners will be notified.
