Granted, this book was published in 1991, well before the digital age in camera technology but the process is the same process. An image that is well planned for film will be well planned for digital media.

For example, the cover picture highlights a section called “Right Time, Right Place” and a chapter called “The Revealing Winter.” It is from a location west of Celano, Abruzzi in Italy. Waite says, “In the very middle of the winter at the end of the afternoon, I can feel myself still being invited into this picture. It makes you want to walk into it, doesn’t it?”

To me, the picture almost looks like a painting rather than real life. It looks like an artist’s image of what they want us to see. In a real way, that is exactly what it is. What is phenomenal about Charlie Waite is he has a vision in his mind that he is able to convey on film accurately into my mind.

In another section, “Color in its Place,” we are able to view a shed near Vaison-La-Romaine in Provence, France. The spectacular color contrasts between the blue sky and lines of lavender in the field. The sun’s light on the face of the shed and the two trees bracketing the shed makes it a perfect form of composition.

What makes this photo so important, although you would not find this out in this particular volume, is what makes landscape photography important as an art. This picture was created in 1986, almost 30 years ago. When Charlie returned to this location in the early part of the twenty-first century, the shack and the trees were gone. You are no longer allowed a vision of this reality except through the eyes of Charlie Waite.

If you consider yourself a lover of art or a photographer of any form, you should study this book, as it will give you new insights into what makes a great landscape photograph. If you just love the beauty of an image, you will be, like me, the owner of a well-worn book.

You can also buy copies of his prints at Charlie Waite's webpage.