Macrophotography: Learning from a Master [Paperback]

Ronan Loaec (Author), Gilles Martin (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2003

This volume is an invitation into the world of close-up photography. The topics covered in the book range from technical advice about the equipment needed to get started (cameras, lenses, film), lighting techniques (flash versus natural light) and accessories to use as your experience progresses or situations arise that demand them (filters, tripods and protective gear for both you and your equipment). The book addresses in detail questions of focus, lighting and exposure. It not only discusses simple solutions and techniques for capturing images, but it also gives advice on aesthetic issues such as composition and colour. Apart from the technical advice, the volume presents images capturing the exquisite detail of flora and fauna: flowers brimming with nectar, the intricate pattern of a butterfly's wings and the eye of a gecko, among many more. The book closes with a discussion of a further photographic frontier for future exploration - microphotography.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gilles Martin has been a photographer for more than twenty years. He has explored all of the continents, photographing nature in all of its aspects and all of its richness. His subjects have ranged from the twelve-foot baleen whale to minuscule insects. His work has appeared internationally in publications such as GEO, Paris Match, Life, and National Geographic. He now also enjoys sharing his expertise by organizing training courses and publishing books on the technique and practice of animal photography and macrophotography. Ronan Loaec is a journalist and the chief editor of the magazine Chasseur d'Images. Passionate about optics and microphotography, Loaec is also a photographer who specializes in subjects such as dragonflies, aquatic insects, and praying mantises.

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams; Second edition (November 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810991179
• ISBN-13: 978-0810991170
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,163,536 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

68 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Stunning Photos, But Jumbled Text, March 17, 2005

By 

Jeffrey R. Elver "jeff82" (Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Macrophotography: Learning from a Master (Paperback)

The photos in this book are superb. In macro photography I'm really attentive to backgrounds, and Loaec has mastered the very difficult task creating colorful exciting backgrounds on high magnification images. The author demonstrates his highly evovled skills time and again with an abundance of awe inspiring photographs.

My disappointment with the book is with the text. Maybe there's something lost in translation, but I find the writing rather stilted, and the information content was sparce. There was very little discussion that helped me understand how he produced his very fine images.

I did note that in many cases he used comparatively low magnifications, and then cropped and enlarged to create his images. This would not be evident, though, to those who are not practiced macro photographers.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good beginner macro book, February 1, 2007

By 

Jeffery Jordan - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Macrophotography: Learning from a Master (Paperback)

The book is full of good information and broken down to understable chunks, with lots of great pics. Some of the equipment he is recommending is very pricey for your average hobbyist, but if you want to learn and see macro photography this is a good choice

25 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best yet!, December 22, 2003

By 

Paul Vecsei (Yellowknife, NWT) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Macrophotography: Learning from a Master (Paperback)

This book not only covers the basics but goes into some very elaborate set ups for doing advanced close-up work. Great printing quality also helps this volume be the number one reference in this field.