The Complete Guide to Close-Up & Macro Photography. [Hardcover]

Paul Harcourt Davies (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1999

Go beyond the familiar--into the hidden world of pattern, texture, and detail that only comes into focus when you go close-up. Every breathtaking color photograph of such glories of the natural world as shimmering ice crystals, the rough flesh of a baby Chinese Water Dragon, and the translucent, colorful wings of a monarch butterfly will inspire you to try some new techniques. All the up-to-the minute information on close-up technology and style is here. Learn about all the tools of the trade, from camera to film to the all-important lenses; exposures; lighting; the range of subjects to choose from (even familiar household items!); and eye-grabbing compositions. You'll want to pick up your camera and start shooting immediately! 160 pages (all in color), 8 1/4 x 11.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Illustrated entirely in color, this solid book provides a fairly comprehensive introduction to the field of close-up and macro photography. In Part 1, the book logically discusses camera systems and lenses, along with special lenses and accessories for capturing flowers and insects in unique miniature worlds. The author then moves on to a discussion of film lighting, exposure, and filters for close-up photography. The third section of the book deals with composition and working in different environments, both indoors and outdoors. Davies concludes with helpful information about organizing one's files, digital photography, and professional work in this fascinating specialty. The appendix features graphs on calculating depth of field, determining exposure values, and other technical information. Beautifully illustrated and clearly written, this book will be of value to both amateur and professional photographers who wish to learn more about the challenges and pleasures of this unique field of photography. Recommended for all libraries.ARaymond Bial, Parkland Coll. Lib., Champaign, IL
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Sterling; First Edition edition (March 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0715308009
• ISBN-13: 978-0715308004
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #369,431 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good advice on every page plus great images, July 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Close-Up & Macro Photography. (Hardcover)

Every page of this book offers good advice and useful tips. While Mr. Davies uses Nikon and Olympus equipment his techniques and suggestions are not brand specific. I could easily identify the equivalent equipment offered by the manufacturer I prefer (Pentax). Before I even finished this book I had tried several of the techniques Mr. Davies demonstrates. I was surprised at how simple taking sharp macro images could be, even using equipment I already had on hand, when following the steps in this book. It is the best specialized photography book I have read in some time. It is now on my reference shelf next to Clive Nichols' Photographing Plants & Gardens.

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful, Excellent Explicit Reference!, June 16, 2000

By 

TC Khoo "Mycroft" (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Close-Up & Macro Photography. (Hardcover)

If many hold that John Shaw's Closeups in Nature is the Bible, then this is an excellent compendium to it!

I found that this book is pegged at the intermmediate to advanced amateur level. The pictorials are lush and the explanation simple, yet giving reference to the more complicated concepts which was what I was looking for.

The pictures are an inspiration - making me want to go out and put in practice what I have learnt. This is the ultimate test of success in any book. Some excellent examples of this come from Art Wolfe, John Fielding, George Lepp ...

If I were asked to name 2 books that top my list (and I have bought or looked through almost all there is - since this is my passion!) which speak of macro, I would name John Shaw's and this one!

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing macro and micro images, December 5, 2000

By 

Darren Chong (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Close-Up & Macro Photography. (Hardcover)

One of the very few books I bought just by looking at the cover (don't you agree the cover is very appealing?) and I'm glad I'm not disappointed (and in hard cover too!), the images are bright and colorful, less focus on flora but it's okay, the techniques are fairly the same.

Much of the technical info can be found in basic photography books but Paul has emphasized certain points for macro work so it can actually double up as one to a certain extent. In fact the chapters are laid out much like a basic photography book.

Simple to understand and yet detailed enough to keep advanced amateurs reading but to really duplicate the efforts one really needs to have the luck and patience. In fact some of the images are micro techniques already.

Unfortunately it did not really enhanced my knowledge on macro (I give 5 stars for the superb presentation and usefulness to a beginner). If you want more technical info on macro like mixing accessories, then read up John Shaw's Closeups in Nature instead. This book is more focused on flora and is also excellent in its own right.