Life in Color: National Geographic Photographs Hardcover - 2012

Excerpt

We gave out at a vast and ever changing kaleidoscope—life in color—every day. From the filmy pastels of a dream disappearing to the loud shocks of traffic lights, billboards, and fashion, color saturates our existence. Not only is color everywhere around us, but it is also in our minds and imaginations as well, an internal rainbow of appearances and meaning.
 
Color moves and motivates. Color calms and quiets. Color sings, color dances, color takes center stage in the theater of our lives. It is so woven into the fabric of our speech and vision, choice and circumstance that we rarely stop to pay attention.
 
Think about how the hazy blue of early morning street fog compares with the clear blue of a summer sky; how a still lake’s surface, despite all logic, takes on the orange of the setting sun; how green dapples and drenches our world, from the tiny new leaves of wildflowers underfoot to the electric night- time swaths of the northern lights overhead. Realize how red makes a statement— sometimes it whispers, like the spotted carapace of a tiny ladybug; sometimes it flaunts itself, like bright lipstick on a proud woman’s smile.
 
Photographers do notice. They make a business of noticing. In the litany of principles that make a photograph great, color stands near the top of the list, at the service of both content and design. A photographer may look for color with care and attention, or color may burst on the scene as a serendipitous surprise. Either way, it stands as a primary character in many a great photograph.
 
Colors speak directly to our hearts, without words and in many cases without meaning. Although scientists can second-guess the evolutionary advantage of certain patterns and colors within the natural world, many examples seem to defy explanation. What is a dandelion flower saying with its yellow? What do the ruby red throat feathers of a humming- bird signify? There is something primeval and sensuous in paying attention to color. It is a celebration of the native senses without the filter of the intellect.

Media reviews

"The world is a wonder of color. Remarkable images by National Geographic photographers entice us to take notice in a whole new way." --House Beautiful

"...these prismatic, brilliantly composed photographs are exuberant works of inquiry and art, adding up to a book of awe and inspirationthese prismatic, brilliantly composed."  --Booklist

"An exceptional picture-book... a chance to revel in colour and appreciate the kaleidoscope constantly around us." --Daily Mail

"Sumptuous ...Anyone who likes colour, photography, travel, adventure or humanity in general (so that’s everyone then) would enjoy Life in Colour and I know I’d be happy to find it under the tree!." --Outdoor Photography Magazine

"This is a book to be savored slowly, often and in small doses for maximal enjoyment." --Entertainment Today

“This book is a fabulous example of the very best from National Geographic... Highly Recommended!” --Hot Brands, Cool Places

"There seem to be two main concepts behind [this book]: 1.) There's a lot of color in the world. 2.) Nat Geo has great photographers." —Science Friday SciArt blog