Joel Sartore

This lush book of photography represents National Geographic's Photo Ark, a major cross-platform initiative and lifelong project by photographer Joel Sartore to make portraits of the world's animals—especially those that are endangered. His powerful message, conveyed with humor, compassion, and art: to know these animals is to save them. Sartore intends to photograph every animal in captivity in the world. He is circling the globe, visiting zoos...

Take a trip to a beautiful Nebraska Sandhills ranch and watch Professor Sartore overcome visual chaos to capture the drama and action of a day of cattle round ups and branding. Harsh light and fast-moving action challenge you to be at the top of your game.

From dogs and snakes to ducks and zoo animals, discover the secrets of interesting animal photography-the kind that stands out from the boring pet pictures we've all seen before. As you'll learn, the most important aspects of great animal photography are repeated access and plenty of time and patience.

There are average, everyday portraits-and then there are unforgettable portraits. Focus here on candid, environmental portrait photographs outside the studio. You'll learn professional tips that can allow you to create deeper connections between the portrait's viewer and its subject.

For a unique, cleaned-up view of the world, nothing beats an aerial shot. Whether you're planning on photographing large crowds or vast landscapes, learn some tips for getting yourself up off the ground on the cheap (even a roof balcony provides a new view) and capturing fresh perspectives.

Landscape photography may seem easy-just a matter of going outside and snapping away-but there's an art to excellent landscape photographs. And most times, it doesn't require fancy diffusers and flashes. Discover the secrets of expert landscape photographers, including when to shoot and how to frame your foreground.

How do professional photographers capture the "decisive moment" in their work? Find out for yourself in this insightful lesson on how photographers anticipate great compositions, how they know when they've captured that perfect fleeting moment, and tips for reaching this pinnacle in your own shots.

If you're a recreational photographer, chances are you'll be called upon to shoot a family social event or get-together. By photographing the goings-on at a summer solstice party, you'll cultivate the skills you need to record special days and capture delightful memories-all while enjoying the party as well.

Just because you're using a smartphone to take photos doesn't mean you should be satisfied with lackluster shots. Transform how you use your smartphone's camera and work smarter with panoramic shots, different filters, and much more. The end result: photos that stand out from the millions posted online every day.

Fall in love all over again with black-and-white photography, which looks great in just about any light and allows you to create compositions and moods you could never achieve with color photography. As Professor Sartore demonstrates, it's a powerful way of getting to the essence of your subject.