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Derek von Briesen | profile | all galleries >> Covers >> National Geographic Books: Earth: The Biography tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

National Geographic Books: Earth: The Biography




Sometimes you just catch a break!!

Imagine my surprise, my elation, my heart-pounding wondering if it was real, when six months ago I got, simultaneously, an email and a phone message from National Geographic Books in Washington, D.C.
regarding an image of mine ("Illumination") from Antelope Canyon.

Could they use it for a coffee table book---Earth: The Biography---to be released as the companion piece to a serial documentary of the same name, premiering on the National Geographic Channel in Spring, 2008?
Forty thousand worldwide distributed English language copies and maybe a foreign language run as well.

Hmmmmmm . . . .!!! Well let me think on that for . . . about two seconds!! Made the nervous call to a very nice book editor who told me they already had a fully mocked up version I could look at and could I get them
a full sized file ASAP. I guess NG is pretty used to photographers saying yes, what with the cover art already finished, just waiting for my photo permission.

Well, long story short, after a few anxious months during which there was a small chance it could fall through,
final upstairs approval came, later a check, and soon the book released. A working relationship with NG Books, opportunities already for another book cover and submission for the 2009 calendar, representation by the
NG Image Collection stock library, and first name basis with two important book editors at NG!!

Just writing this I still think to pinch myself. I'm a real believer in the old saying "the harder I work,
the luckier I get," but sometimes the universe just does something so unexpected, so wonderful, you just have to stop and give thanks.

Keep an eye out in the bookstores soon and later this spring watch for this extraordinary documentary on the physical forces that have shaped our earth's evolution.

Oh and I need to add here, THEY DISCOVERED ME ON PBASE!! I've told so many students and other intested parties how invaluable my PBASE galleries have been. Such reasonable annual fees have come back so many time to reward me. Many thanks Slug & Emily for making it possible for us all.
g1/10/364410/3/92059595.zFKqZDir.jpg IMG_1034.jpg
IMG_1034.jpg		 Earth Bio cover copy.jpg
Earth Bio cover copy.jpg

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Guest 05-Dec-2013 19:03
Magnificent shot - you deserve the kudos!
William Hartshorn13-Oct-2008 22:20
Congrats Derek!! I'll bet you're still jazzed about this!! I can imagine the adrenalin that was going with this. Keep up the great work!
Yves Rubin16-Jul-2008 23:44
This is a wonderful development, and for sure a superb image! Thank you also for making PBase such a great place to be!
Yves
Stan Parker13-Jul-2008 20:51
Hi Derek, we are all excited and pleased for you. These honors are well deserved and you have every right to be proud of this success. You are one of the best.

Stan Parker
Guest 23-Jun-2008 13:47
Great! You've achieved every photographer's dream...
Sandi Whitteker22-May-2008 15:50
A big congratulations Derek. Beautiful and deserving shot. An encouragement to us all!
Ali Majdfar12-Apr-2008 05:44
You are well deserved for this selection, ~V
Karen Moen02-Apr-2008 21:37
The image is exquisite and I am glad NG recognized your talent. Congratulations!
Carrie F. 19-Feb-2008 23:49
Congratulations, Derek! I am a regular visitor to your gallery and I am so excited! I lived in Arizona for five years. I've been to most of the places in your gallery, including this stunningly beautiful Antelope Canyon (and I know where you got this picture because I failed my attempt of shooting a picture like yours there). Congratulations again! Hope to see more of your works!
Kim 04-Feb-2008 17:22
The giant rain storm we've had in L.A. is really CvB Senior crying tears of joy from Heaven. Knowing the artistic struggles, yours' may be my most favorite success story from the hood. Happy Birthday Derek. Kim Reilich
Guest 31-Jan-2008 03:33
Congratulations...a well deserved honor. I've always wondered why you don't publish a book of your own. All of your photographs are exquisite, and I'm sure there will be more of your work in future NG books. I'm glad I had the opportunity to meet you at Cathedral Rock Falls. I've been a fan of yours since I realized what a talent you are. Diane Goode


Bryan Ramsay26-Jan-2008 01:04
Awesome Derek! This is a spectacular shot! -BJ
NCPhoto25-Jan-2008 18:03
I always enjoy coming to see what is new in your galleries... based on the quality of your work I am not surprised. Congratulations!
Guest 24-Jan-2008 23:43
That is......SOOOOOO....totally Awesome.
Applaud Applaud and more Applaud. Bravo!
You da bomb diggity!
Jola Dziubinska24-Jan-2008 21:01
Congratulations, Derek, it's a wonderful and well deserved success, wow, NG!
Stunning photo, very right for the cover.
Flemming Bo Jensen Photography24-Jan-2008 19:55
Faaaantastic, such a great story and you deserve it! I will definitely buy the book when it's out!
Guest 24-Jan-2008 18:35
Way to go. It's a photographer's dream and now you've realized it. Congratulations! Beautiful photo by the way. I can see why they wanted to use it.
John Carman24-Jan-2008 16:31
GREAT JOB, it’s exciting reading the story! Can’t wait to check it out in hard copy.
Guest 24-Jan-2008 15:28
Congratulations!
Gus Rosenfeld24-Jan-2008 13:57
Congrats' Derek, well deserved. g
Guest 24-Jan-2008 13:40
Derek, this isn't catching a break...it's pure talent. Coming to my coffee table soon :) Congratulations...National Geographic - I can't imagine a bigger honnor!
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