My newest book is just about to be released, and there are a couple of ways to get it, including getting one of only 1,000 signed special editions and even picking it up in person if you’re near San Francisco. But give me a moment to talk about the book itself.
Despite the wildlife photographs that illustrate the book, Light, Space & Time: Essays on Camera Craft and Creativity is not about wildlife, per se. It’s not about any one kind of photography at all, really. It’s about you and the making of whatever photographs are most meaningful to you. It’s about the person wielding the camera and what it takes to make photographs that are more than just proficient. Light, Space & Time is a collection of essays about camera craft and creativity (hence the very clever subtitle). It’s about what Galen Rowell once called “the inner game” of photography. It’s about the soft skills that are harder to figure out (but much more important) than the “how to” of this craft.
Michael Freeman, one of my heroes and arguably one of the best-selling and most thoughtful photography authors on the planet, said this about it (which equally thrills and humbles me):
“Very few photographers articulate their craft, and fewer still rise above the mechanics or the well-worn themes. David is not only one of the small elite, but in this lovely book, graced with his very fine (and it seems mainly new) images, uses his considerable writing skills to enthuse and inspire others – and makes a coherent presentation of the elusive magic that we all know is at the heart of photography.” – Michael Freeman
That’s what I want for you with this book: to find that elusive magic. To discover the freedom to find that magic in your own way. To help you find the joy that I have found in this wonderful craft, and yes, to help you make photographs that bring that kind of joy.
So, how do you get a copy? Keep reading!
So, how do you get a copy?
The first option isn’t surprising: you can pre-order a copy through Amazon or anywhere books are loved and sold, and it should ship in North America in early to mid-November (Europe and others, a bit later).
But there is also a signed edition. I’m heading to San Francisco in early October to sign 1,000 copies of Light, Space & Time. This limited hardcover edition is gorgeous, and I’m so proud of it. If you treasure your books as I do, the hardcover is a great option! This special edition comes with a digital copy of the book so you can start reading right away, and will ship immediately after I sign it. And for those who live in the Bay Area, there’s a chance to come by to pick yours up from me and say hello in person!
These signed, hardcover special editions are only available from my publisher, Rocky Nook, and your order guarantees you’ll be invited to join me at the offices of Rocky Nook in San Rafael, California, on Tuesday, October 08, to get your book (you’ll also get a refund on the shipping if you pick it up in person). You’ll receive your invitation once you order your special edition here.
- A note about shipping. In a world where Amazon has created an expectation of free or cheap shipping, we just can’t compete with that and still ship it expedited, protected, and with a tracking number. This is a limited edition so it’s much harder to just replace anything damaged or lost. The publisher very kindly included a copy of the digital edition, which usually sells for the same price as the printed copy, in hopes that this would help reduce the sticker shock. If you would like a signed copy, this is the only way to make that happen. My apologies to those for whom this is out of reach because of shipping costs. I promise the soft-cover is also beautiful and made with love.
It will never go without saying: you are why I do this. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for giving me someone to write for, teach, and inspire. It’s been said that teaching isn’t so much filling a bucket as it is lighting a fire. I hope Light, Space & Time does both for you.
For the Love of the Photograph,
David.
Comments
Hi David,
I thought about making a group order of the limited edition copy with some friends, in order to split the shipping costs (60$ to Europe).
Unfortunately it’s just the same unitary cost multiplied by the number of books. Would you know if there is a way to send them all in a single package please ?
Thanks !
Good morning, Jean-Baptiste, I’ve sent you an email about this.
Ordered my copy as a long time fan, have your books and taken your courses. Would love to get it in person but having surgery the next day. so that is not possible. Oh well, will enjoy the ebook while recovering from surgery. Thanks for doing that and having the ebook included.
Hi Alan, I’ve sent you an email personally, but thank you!
Thanks for creating this book. Including the electronic version with the hardcover book was a nice touch and is appreciated.
Thanks for that, Richard.
Hi David,
I do own a copy of all your books, and l am really looking forward to get this new one, in the limited edition. It will get a very special place on my shelve. Although I love to spend hours in front of a computer screen for processing photographs, I much more enjoy reading books, in particular yours, in a printed version. Looking forward to get your new essays and enjoying the new book with a glass of good wine later this year.
Thanks for all your wise words and truly inspiring texts!
All the best from Germany,
Sven
Enjoying the book with a glass of good wine is the perfect way to enjoy it! Thanks so much, Sven! 🙏
Really excited to read this and take in the photography included in it. I loved A Beautiful Anarchy, both the book and the podcast. Receiving your newsletter is always a pleasure. Thanks for doing what you do.
Thank you for that, Ellen. What a joy to create for such wonderful people.
Like several others, I question the signed copy shipping cost. I don’t particularly care to pay $20 for USPS expedited shipping when it probably won’t be expedited, and I am waiting a month or more to even get the book. Getting the shipping refunded if you attend the signing is not practical if you live 2000 miles away. Is this the only option?
Hi Merrill,
I get it, and I wish it could cheaper. Here’s what I wrote in response to a similar comment:
We had hoped that by including a digital edition, which normally sells for roughly the same price as the printed book, that it would help with some of the sticker shock on shipping. It’s a limited edition book with only 1000 copies so the publisher is sending it with a tracking number and that costs more. Unfortunately if a copy gets lost or damaged it’s much harder to replace because we only have 1000. For those that want the hardcover, the digital edition, and the signature, this is the only way to do it.
The hardcover will be shipped directly from the publisher, expedited with a tracking number, the moment I can get my signature into them in a couple of weeks – about a month before the softcovers will ship from Amazon.
Congrats on another approaching finish line. I pre-ordered this thing last December and looking forward to seeing it.
Thanks, Stephen! Hope you’re doing well.
Hi David, the book looks amazing and thanks for having a book night in Calgary – I got my ticket and look forward to hearing you in person!
Fantastic! Be sure to say hello!
Hi David,
I guess I’m not the only one who would like a signed copy but find the shipping fees to Canada to be too costly. Isn’t there any way to have a signed copy shipped so that it is not so expensive?
Best regards,
Mary Jean
Hi Mary Jean,
Sadly, this is the only viable option. Here’s what I wrote to another in your situation below:
We had hoped that by including a digital edition, which normally sells for roughly the same price as the printed book, that it would help with some of the sticker shock on shipping. It’s a limited edition book with only 1000 copies so the publisher is sending it with a tracking number and that costs more. Unfortunately if a copy gets lost or damaged it’s much harder to replace because we only have 1000. For those that want the hardcover, the digital edition, and the signature, this is the only way to do it. But the softcover is really nice too! And if you happen to live near Calgary there’s a lecture and signing event on December 06 – https://thecamerastore.com/products/light-space-time-essays-on-camera-craft-and-creativity-fri-dec-6
Hi David,
I would also like to purchase an autographed copy of your new book, but unfortunately being from Canada, the shipping cost is almost 75% of the price of the book, and adding the exchange rate to that cost more than doubles the price for the book on Amazon Canada ($60).
So I guess I will wait a bit longer to buy an unsigned copy.
Anne
Anne,
I totally get it. We had hoped that by including a digital edition, which normally sells for roughly the same price as the printed book, that it would help with some of the sticker shock on shipping. It’s a limited edition book with only 1000 copies so the publisher is sending it with a tracking number and that costs more. Unfortunately if a copy gets lost or damaged it’s much harder to replace because we only have 1000. For those that want the hardcover, the digital edition, and the signature, this is the only way to do it. But the softcover is really nice too! And if you happen to live near Calgary there’s a lecture and signing event on December 06 – https://thecamerastore.com/products/light-space-time-essays-on-camera-craft-and-creativity-fri-dec-6
Hi David,
the book looks gorgeous! I would love a signed edition, but shipping to Germany is more expensive than the book itself… Is there another way you could ship it?
Otherwise I’ll have to choose between the German hardcover (although I like the cover layout of the original much more) and the English softcover…
Best regards
Maayan
Maayan,
I believe the German edition is already out! But yes, the shipping is expensive. It’s a limited edition book with only 1000 copies so the publisher is sending it with a tracking number and that costs more. Unfortunately if a copy gets lost or damaged it’s much harder to replace because we only have 1000. For those that want the hardcover, the digital edition, and the signature, this is the only way to do it.
Hi David,
I get that. I ordered it nonetheless and am very much looking forward to holding it in my hands! Although I would have preferred seeing you in person , it is still less expensive than a flight to San Francisco 😉
Take care
Maayan
David,
I’m excited about you new book and would like to purchase a signed hardcover copy.
I went to Rockey Nook web site but didn’t see an option for Signed Edition. Can you help me?
Luis, Thanks so much. Here is the link to the purchase page:
https://rockynook.com/shop/print-limited-edition/light-space-and-time-hardcover-signed-limited-edition/#