Understanding Close-up Photography: Creative Close Encounters with or without a Macro Lens |  | Author: Bryan Peterson
Publisher: Amphoto Books
Category: Book
List Price: $25.95
Buy New: $15.95
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Seller: supermoviedeals
Rating:  29 reviews
Sales Rank: 11385
Media: Paperback
Edition: illustrated edition
Pages: 160
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 11 x 8.4 x 0.5
ISBN: 0817427198
Dewey Decimal Number: 778.324
EAN: 9780817427191
ASIN: 0817427198
Publication Date: March 31, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
In Understanding Close-up Photography Bryan Peterson turns his attention to a topic that is an ongoing favorite with photographers. But where most macro photography books focus on capuring subjects in nature, Peterson promises to go beyond, teaching you to photograph a range of subjects from animals and plants from the garden, beach, or mountains to objects found in the kitchen, supermarket, even the junkyard. In addition to information on equipment, exposure, light, and composition, his book will feature elements of technique that go beyond the norm, teaching you to shoot not just what is generally considered close-up, but to go even closer to the point of abstraction. He will also show you how to produce the intimacy of a close-up within a larger shot--how to capture the look in your subject's eyes without compromising the clarity of the surrounding scene. And as always, Peterson offers his signature touch with his personal terminology: in what he likes to call "Pop Junk" he shows how combining creativity with the right digital technology can turn close-up photos of the most ordinary objects into surprising pieces of art.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 29
 Good Book for Beginner or More Advanced April 1, 2009
javajunki
45 out of 45 found this review helpful
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.
just look at the shots - and feel December 8, 2009
John Brookes (Silicon Valley)
19 out of 21 found this review helpful
For me, the bottom line is he gets good photos. They are arresting, technically excellent, and creative. At least some of them I would put on my wall. That's actually a very interesting "litmus" test - If you were to look at the "artistic" message you would get from many of these put on the wall at 16x20 size? I find many of these shots very pleasing, and certainly they would make a wonderful "trendy" design motif for any architectural interior. But is it art? I think in Peterson's hands, it is. It is close to some types of avante garde (did I spell that right?) art, or modern art. Its quite abstract, yet there is a visceral impact to the textures, broad soft colors, and complex play of light that fascinates, draws the attention in to another world which we never see in this way. I notice my mind, in writing this, tries to fall back into the truism that "this is just a magnification of small things, just an interesting curiosity is the result - like a strobe picture of a water drop." And then I open the book to "grok" a shot and imagine how it would look on my wall. Holey Moley! Looking at some of these shots does something that great art usually only promises to do - it refreshes the soul, preens the feeling of self-esteem, expands the sensibilities, opens the heart. This is obviously something that defies analysis and buggers description. I notice that any reviews at Amazon, the 5 star kind, may "gush" with praise or say things like "awesome." While often lacking in detail, such reviews may reflect an "enthusiasm of the soul" that gets opened up on an experiental basis. Just look at Peterson's shots and see if you agree, but as for this review in advance of purchase, my vote is that some of them are art you would want on your wall. This is an amazing "plus" for any photo book, to participate in the process of a good, perhaps great, artist at work.
Throw in the detailed usefulness of the mechanics of getting these shots, the skillful manipulation of technology, good writing etc, and you have a winner. You can't lose. This is a gem.
The only question I have is that Peterson uses really good lenses - expensive. I shoot Nikon myself, and with my D300 have a Nikkor 10-24 wide angle that cost around $1000. I have to admit the results seem spectacular and seem to reflect the expense, yet its hard to quantify this. Yet it's there. I don't think you need to spend $5000 to get these results, but it helps.
By the way, if you vote my review helpful, I get a nickel from Amazon for each positive vote. :)
Bingo! June 26, 2009
Linda Shapiro (Portland, Oregon)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
Peterson is in fine form here with his trademark style of plain-spoken, practical teaching. He has a way of putting abstract concepts into easily understood, everyday language that leads the reader to truly OWN the idea. And at the same time he nudges along the more experienced photographer to reach beyond the familiar techniques and styles it's so easy to rely on in the myriad artistic selections one makes with every shot. The photos Peterson selected to illustrate his points communicate perfectly everything from the arcane to the simple, and they are consistently beautiful as a bonus!
Understanding Close-up is better edited than his prior books but retains the charming, "note to a friend" voice that typifies Bryan Peterson. As someone who has taken his on-line classes, heard him speak at conferences, and read most of his books, I am clearly a fan, but I'm also a reader and I appreciate the fact that his latest book is fun to read, beautifully made and still causes the little light bulbs to go off above my head!
Opens up an enormous world of photo opertunities May 16, 2009
John D. Klingel (S.F. Area)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful
Bryan Peterson is a great teacher. All of his books are great instructional aids and this one is no exception. A lot of photography books get over technical and dense. Bryan has a real knack for presenting subjects at a level where you can easily pick up the concepts he is teaching. I find that as I get better and more experienced in photography, I keep going back to his books as a referance. I loved his books so much, that I've taken on-line classes from him and have gone on photographic trips with him.
Excellent book with interesting tips October 1, 2009
James Conklin (Hudson Valley N.Y.)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
An excellent book for beginners or the more advanced. Beautiful pictures and clear interesting writing. Also includes great tips on indoor macro photography; setup, technique and ideas. The author covers more then just nature subjects and after reading this book you'll have some interesting creative ideas to work with. He also gives some tips on specific equipment such as closeup lenes.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 29
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