While I Was Hunting

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

This album of black-and-white and color photographs is the author’s
way of making the point that hunters appreciate nature and are
conservationists at heart. The miniature mushroom, the sunlight on a
tiny twig, the abandoned house—hunters see all these things, and more.
Dickinson’s arresting photos help us to appreciate the beauty of
nature’s details.

The black-and-white photos demonstrate an impressive tonal range and
wonderful control. While the color landscapes are impressive, some of
the color plates exhibit focus and composition problems, and appear to
serve little purpose other than to record the existence of a particular
animal. The brief text accompanying each photo elaborates on the
hunter’s special opportunities to observe and appreciate nature,
whether the big-view landscape or the close-up view of spring flowers,
autumn leaves, and ice formations.

There’s nothing subtle about the message that hunting and nature
appreciation go hand in hand. Just to make sure no one misses the point,
Dickinson includes two photos—one depicting the mounted head of what
was a magnificent buck, the other a gaudy “Bambi” nicknack. Which,
he asks, is more beautiful? With which would you prefer to be
associated?

I don’t think we can assume that no animals were harmed in the
production of this book.