In this beautifully illustrated book, acclaimed nature photographer Scott Joshua Dere gives bird lovers and photographers the tools they need to find and document raptors in their natural habitats. There are many types of raptors to be seen, and each can be identified by its size, colouration, habitat/location, and flight style. Becoming an expert in the birds' unique behaviours is a key factor in optimising the chance of observing an individual species. It's also critical for obtaining great photographs; understanding individual species behaviours allows photographers to optimise their approach style and distance while evaluating their subject's comfort level and watching for pre-flight or stress behaviours. As Photographing Birds Of Prey reveals in incredible detail, the experience of seeing these birds in action is exciting and unforgettable – and their aerial acrobats in particular can stretch the imagination of what is actually possible in the natural world.
At just 13 years of age, Scott Joshua Dere landed his first photography job as an assistant for a local studio. Over the next 17 years, he worked with several professional studios and attended the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, where he received a BFA in Fine Art Photography. Dere's Long Island studio, Art Photographers, focuses on weddings and fine art portraiture – but he also has a passion for nature photography and uses his time traveling in between weekend events to work all season long on creating some of the most amazing images of nature today. Dere has worked with Canon Explorer of Light, Charles Glatzer in Minnesota and Alaska, as well as some of Nikon's greatest talents, including Thomas Mangelsen and Moose Peterson in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Closer to home, he has worked for Canon in Lake Success, NY. In 2015, Dere earned a Master of Photography Medal from the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and a Master Craftsmen award followed in 2018.