This manual of practical advice for the macro photographer considers everything from choice of equipment to optimum workflow techniques. Through color-coded chapters, it distinguishes between the variety of lenses, cameras, supports, lighting, software and studio equipment available to the contemporary digital photographer. Technical aspects of three-dimensional scanning and post-production image enhancement are also covered using precise charts, graphs, formulas, and sample images. A helpful glossary and list of resources are included at the end.
The sensibly structured approach of Adrian Davies' writing is somewhat dry but comprehensible and quite logical. His insight clues us in to how to modify the macro process depending upon the specific type of subject matter being photographed. He manages to de-mystify such concepts as depth-of-field, histograms, image size and camera settings in an intelligible manner. Of particular interest are examples that delineate ultraviolet fluorescence, imaginative backlighting, polarized light, and image sequencing. Whether used by a professional for scientific documentation or by an amateur for purely creative endeavors, //Close-up and Macro Photography// is a valuable reference that could save time, effort and money for anyone involved in this particular field.
Reviewed by Richard Mandrachio Close-Up and Macro Photography
I can't wait to get out and take the pictures of the Spring flowers. This book has many hints that will guide you through the process of taking not good but great macro shots. Before, I used to use a technique similar to "hit and miss" (I think a very popular one when applied to macros) and there were many that I missed. I've learned better now.
Book Review by Thorsten Gohl (member - Vancouver InDesign User Group)
Close-up and Macro Photography by Adrian Davies (Focal Press)
First when I read the title, it seemed to me that it is concentrating on different camera and lighting techniques for macro photography. It includes these topics, but also gives you a greater idea about photography workflow, from the pre-production, set up, shot and post-production. Maybe a little bit too much general information for one book if your focus is the photography of close-up and macro photography.
The layout of the chapters is very easy to follow. It is talking about image chapter, lenses, camera support, lighting, macro studio and workflow. Again, it seemed like there is much too much detail about general photography rather than focusing on more important things and taking to more time explain them. The book is clear and precise, step by step. Like page 21 with the spot metering explanation, it is great for the reader to know that you should focus your meter (in this case spot meter) on the butterfly to get the right exposure. It is explained well and the images help to understand it even more.
Overall, I feel that the book is for beginners with some advanced knowledge. The part about depth of field, the sensor plain, plain of sharp focus, the lighting rays might be a little bit too much for the starter in photograph, but I think it is really interesting and if you want to improve your images by understanding what happens when you click the shutter, even necessary. All in all, I had fun reading it and also got some good reminders out of it.
Close-Up and Macro Photography is a brilliant resource but only really offers a little for those who have been taking photos for a while. I'm a completely self-taught amateur photographer and I, personally, only found helpful info in the chapters on lighting and camera supports (hence my rating of only 3 stars).
For total beginners, however, there's a wealth of information to be found: image capture, lenses, camera supports, lighting, macro studios plus workflow and image processing (including some tricks to enhance photos in Photoshop). Were I beginner, this book would have landed a 4-5 star rating.
This book is good as a reference, I expected more helpful information in regard to practical macro and close-up photography and equipments. I had no experience in macro photography when I read it, It did help me to realise how cool macrophotography is. Book knowledge is different from practice. I am enjoying my taking close up and macro pictures, if anyone is interested, try doing it, you will really enjoy. - Harold Davis - Macro Photography - Equipment - Photography'
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