Birds: Magic Moments
If you ever look at picture credits – even within issues of this magazine – then you will be familiar with the name Markus Varesvuo. As the title suggests, this book is full of magic moments. The talented Finn has pulled together 150 of his best photographs. Each page is adorned with a captivating image, and remarkably, with the exception of a handful of pictures, all have been shot in the last six years. When you look at the range of behaviours Markus has captured, it begs the question whether he ever sleeps!
With a book of this type, the quality of reproduction is paramount and, as we have come to expect from New Holland, this is excellent. Subtle nuances of light are shown to great effect and each image is given at least a page, allowing the picture to breathe and be properly appreciated. Around 50 per cent have been shot in Finland and feature such sexy subjects as Great Grey Owls and Black Grouse. Many other images are taken in Norway. Both countries offer not only great birds, but often beautiful light with snow acting as a giant reflector, something Markus alludes to in a couple of his captions.
My one gripe with this book is that some of the captions are too brief, and with lots of blank space next to the pictures, I was left wanting more. How were some of these remarkable images taken? This is a missed opportunity and would have added much. Location and technical details are included, but on a page at the back, which with all the space next to each photo seems an unnecessary inconvenience.
Minor grumbles aside, this book can be summed up in one word: magic.
• Birds: Magic Moments by Markus Varesvuo (New Holland Publishers, London, 2011).
• 160 pages, 150 colour photos.
• ISBN: 9781780090757. Hbk, £19.99.
Available from Birdwatch Bookshop