Grand Canyon: A Visual Study

by Lynn Wilson, Jim Wilson, Jeff Nicholas

'Grand Canyon: A Visual Study' is a stunning collection of nearly 100 photographs by 15 photographers, many of whom are Colorado residents, celebrating the beauty of this majestic landscape in all its moods. Each of the portfolios contained herein presents Grand Canyon in all its glory, from the famous landmarks to the subtlest of intimate details. A stirring poetic text introduces each portfolio, hinting at the visual feast which follows.

This is the latest volume in the 'Wish You Were Here' series providing vivid memories to those who have experienced Grand Canyon and enticing suggestions of what the first-time visitor will discover.

96 pages, Paperback

First published December 12, 1992

Reviews

[Gerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost 100 full colour photographs embellish this virtual view of the Grand Canyon. I do believe that one can have too many photographs, however spectacular they may be, because many are much the same except for the shape of the rocks. But at least in a book, one can skip over those that look quite similar to the previous 10 or so you have just viewed. However, I once had an amusing experience when viewing over 500 shots of the Grand Canyon when I could not skip over them s they kept coming! My daughter, Deborah was about seven or eight at the time and in the darkened room she suddenly spoke up with, 'Dad this is boring, can we go home?' I immediately said, 'No it's not Debz, just enjoy it.' It was later when we were going home that she stated, 'Dad, you had been nodding off while that was on and Mum had to nudge you to get you to respond to my remark!'

'South Rim', 'Below the Rim', 'the River' and 'North Rim' are the four sections that the book is divided into and each section is introduced by an appropriate piece of poetry by one of the co-authors Lynn Wilson. My favourite section is 'the River' if for no other reason there is more variety in the photographs than in the other sections plus looking down into the floor of the canyon to see the river rumbling along in the heat of the basement is quite fascinating. And it is the raw, unharnessed power of the river that is responsible, in a large part, for carving the chasms seen throughout the Colorado Plateau region in this 130,000-square-mile geological province.

After all the brilliant photographs, there is a section 'Grand Canyon Notes' that tells plenty about the formation of the area and when one appreciates that some of it was in the Paleozoic era from 250 to 550 million years ago, it puts everything into perspective! Viewing it all in book form is certainly more interesting that watching a lengthy slide show!