New West profiles a book of images from Yellowstone, Grand Teton and other scenic-splendor area codes. The author is Edward Riddell of Jackson Hole; comparisons to Ansel Adams are inevitable.

What Adams communicated as a non-verbal linguist proclaiming the moods and majesty of U.S. national parks in the West, Riddell in this book establishes himself as the pre-eminent interpreter of Yellowstone, Grand Teton and the surrounding environs. “I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of natural beauty. Yes, I know this is dangerous ground,” Riddell writes. “Many people see the search for beauty in art as archaic and sentimental. Despite this I continue to be drawn to moments of grace in the natural world. If my search is sentimental, so be it. More than ever before, I believe the world needs moments of beauty, if for no other reason than to keep our lives in balance.”

I like it when people save me the trouble of explaining my urge to take nature pictures. Link via GoBlog.