Understanding Close-Up Photography: Creative Close Encounters with Or Without a Macro Lens

Peterson's books on Shutterspeed and Aperature are among the best I've ever encountered so when I saw this book in the soon to be released section I ordered it immediately. After waiting three months, it finally arrived and although I would not put it into the same category as the Aperture and Shutterspeed books, it is certainly a worthy addition. First, I'm not a pro but enjoy close-up and macro probably more than any other type of photography. This book strikes a solid balance between buying advice and explanations sufficient for newbies wanted to get started in close-up or macro and a few creative ideas or style for others with more experience. The emphasis is certainly on close-up above macro but with sufficient appeal to keep both happy. Ample explanations, nice use of comparative photo's and Petersons exceptional style of casual communication that provides insight into the shot itself. Also, he includes wide angle, fish-eye and other less common lens types outside of just the macro itself...for that he gets an extra star as it is a topic rarely included in most close-up discussions. Not every photo is of stellar quality - although there are some beautiful examples. Briefly, topics include equipment, depth of field and aperature, general tips, home studio, framing, magnification ratios, depth of field preview, and other essential information. To sum it up...a worthy addition but not of the same quality or caliber as exposure and shutterspeed. Newbies will benefit the most while more experienced users may pick up a few worthy ideas.

I think the comment on the front of the book pretty much covers it, (Creative close encounters with or without a MACRO lens). I started watching Bryan Peterson's YouTube videos about a year ago, which got me to take a look at this book. I would highly recommend taking a look at some of his YouTube videos also. If you want to be inspired and if you are looking for ideas that lead to other creative ideas, Bryan's books and videos are excellent! He also has many useful tips on using macro lenses, extension tubes and even wide angle lenses in close-up work. His focus is not on trying to document every single detail of how he created each image in the book. I think he is more interested in giving useful guidelines and creative ideas that can be applied to a variety of photography equipment. I will definitely take a look at Bryan's other books and I'm sure I will be referring to this book as needed. I have been dabbling in photography for many years, but I have gotten into it more seriously in the last two years. My current focus is on macro or close-up photography and this book and Bryan's videos have helped me to start getting the kind of photos I was looking for.

Once in a while we find a publication that thoroughly talks to a subject, and really shows you how to do the tasks that are associated with the subject. This book does just that. By a carefully laid out sequence of photographs the author builds on experiences and shows just what to do to accomplish amazing photographs. The 'how to' is expertly and carefully shown with each photo so a student can easily follow up and accomplish a similar task. This author not only supports each photo example with a details 'how-to' but also adds the extra bits of information that make the task both interesting and successful. The audience for this book can be a novice all the way up to an expert, for it covers the entire scope of taking close-up photos. Although this used book it was in excellent condition, a previous 'student' also enjoyed it. So will you if you find another one.

This is one of two books I have read on this topic recently. Looking past the odd sense of humor and toung-in-cheek writing, it mostly revolves around the artistic and compositional aspects of close-up photography. Not that I mind being spared yet another dissertation on the exposure triangle, but it talks little about equipment and technique. The section on equipment has only two pictures of a camera, but many fine examples of what can be done with such equipment. The book has many examples showing variations of the same subject illustrating the principles involved. If you want a more nuts and bolts discussion on equipment and technique, take a look at John Shaw's 'closeups in nature'. These two books together provide complimentary coverage of the topic.

I got this book from Amazon with the intent to learn about macro photography. During this past year, I have been getting back into photography after a 20 year layoff. Never having done any "Macro" photography, other than getting as close as my lens would allow me to do and still stay in focus, I had lots to learn. Wow, did Bryan open my eyes to the beauty of "close up/macro" photography. But MOST important, he really taught me about the Nikon equipment that he uses in his own work. So if you are a Nikon shooter, you will especially appreciate this book. While the concepts apply to all brands of cameras, his examples all include working with Nikon equipment. Except, for the apparently amazing Canon 500D closeup filter. That is a lowcost item that really enhances your macro capabilities without lots of cost. Yes, I just ordered the Canon closeup filter; about $169 via amazon. Have I told you about the beautiful photos in this book? Well, they are spectactular and just rev up your own enthusiasm to jump into the world of closeup/macro photography. Check out that pix of the dragon fly! This is one book that really delivers technically and esthetically.

So easy to understand the author's style.

I used this book for taking photos of many different things.

Ich kann die schlechte Rezension von Bwana Simba "africalink.de" kein bisschen nachvollziehen. 1. die Größe: das Buch ist fast genau so groß wie ein DinA4-Blatt (ca. einen cm kleiner in der Höhe und 0,5 cm breiter). Es hat nur 160 Seiten. Diese Größe kann man hervorragend in jede normale Tasche stecken und auch ohne Tisch gemütlich lesen. 2. der Inhalt: dieses Buch ist kein Anfängerbuch, es wird nicht auf die Basics der Fotografie eingegangen. Und das finde ich genau richtig. Ich möchte in einem Buch über Close-up Fotografie nicht alle Basics durchgekaut haben, dafür gibts andere Bücher (ich empfehle "Understanding Exposure" von Bryan Peterson - super Buch und genau darauf baut dieses Buch hier auf). Peterson erklärt, was Makro und Close-up bedeutet, geht sehr detailiert auf das benötigte bzw. erhältliche Equipment ein (sehr sinnvoll, wie ich finde, denn man lernt, was gut fürs Foto ist und was nur Geldmacherei der Hersteller ist),auf die Aufnahmetechnik und kreative Tipps. Und er gibt sehr viele Beispiel-Fotos mit Exif und Erklärung. Die Art, wie Peterson sein Buch aufgebaut hat, ist mal wieder sehr intuitiv und sehr inspirierend. Für Leute, die kein vertechnisiertes Buch wollen, sondern einfach mit der "Seele" fotografieren und fotografieren lernen, genau das richtige. Und wie gesagt, man muss die Kamera in ihren Grundzügen schon bedienen können.

Ótimo livro, muito didático, como todos os livros de Bryan Peterson

This was a gift for my husband and he really loved it. Thank you!