This book is about shooting close-up photography, as the title explains. This is not to be confused with macro photography, which is a specific type of photography done with specialty equipment to get a high magnification. Although Peterson discusses true macro photography, he focuses on close-up photography which includes using lenses that magnify at a 1:4 ratio, using wide-angle lenses, and extension tubes. The text is written in an easy to read, narrative format discussing the various techniques, materials and process of the medium. The photographs throughout the book are excellent examples of close-up photography.

Text: A
Layout: A
Photography: A+
User: Beginning to Intermediate Photographers
(Reviewed by EP April 2009)

When a book is labeled with Focal Press as its publisher, you know it's going to be a quality guide. The way this book is organized makes it useful as a quick reference or a thorough text.  The first part of the book discusses different technicalities of digital cameras like camera menus, exposure and focusing. The middle of the book has chapters based on the subject or type of photography: people, nature, action, and studio. This is a very useful tool for those that want to explore a new avenue of digital photography or want to trouble shoot. The last part of the book focuses on image output: printing, image editing, and quality. Although there is a lot more text than illustrations and examples, it is perfect for those who want a thorough explanation of concepts, rather than a how-to.

This 360 page, softcover book measures 9.7 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches and is and is distributed by Focal Press, an imprint of Elsevier, at www.focalpress.com.  It retails for USD$34.95.
I rate this book: A+ (EP)
(Reviewed May 2007)

Click on the above image to find out current pricing or to purchase this book from Amazon.com

Another great AMPHOTO book that every photographer should have in their library is Understanding Exposure. Correct exposure is probably the #1 factor in making a good image. It can make or break your final results, and almost every situation can have it’s own set of needs. This well done book covers just about every one of them, from daytime to night, indoors and outside, people, nature, wide angle and close ups, and also how your equipment will effect those areas. This 9x11 inch soft cover book has 160 pages retails for US$24.95.      

Both of these AMPHOTO Books can be checked out at  www.watsonguptill.com  
I Rate it:  A++ (Reviewed Dec. 2004)

Bryan Peterson has updated this book which is part of a series on photography techniques. Knowledge of exposure is one of the most important techniques a good photographer can have. Peterson uses outstanding images and interesting captions to explain many compositions. This updated version includes more information on digital photography advances in exposure control: ISOs, High Dynamic Range (HDR), and white balance. To see the original review click here.

Text: A++
Layout: A++
Photography: A++
User: All Beginning and Intermediate Photographers
(Reviewed by EP Nov. 2010) 

Understanding RAW Photography
by Andy Rouse 

Understanding Shutter Speed: Creative Action and Low-Light Photography Beyond 1/125 Second
By Bryan Peterson

This book is written by the same author of Understanding Exposure. There are so many books out there that try to cover everything about photography, possibly narrowing down to only digital photography, for example. It is exciting to see a book that spends time exploring the possibilities of just one tool in the field. The book starts out by talking about shutter speed facts and myths. It is then separated into the potential images of fast and slow speeds. The author spends time on exposure and composition as well. Although the amount of images demonstrating the techniques is somewhat disappointing, the quality of images mostly makes up for it.

RATING
Text: A
Layout: A
Photography: A
User: Beginning to Intermediate
(Reviewed April 2008 by EP)

Books you can learn from are a dime-a-dozen, but books like this that “inspire” are hard to come by!

This hardback book is about 10x13 inches, with 176 pages, retails for US$39.95 - and can be ordered from his web site at www.tomtill.com.  
I Rate it:  A+++ 
(Reviewed July 2007)

 

VIRGINIA contains the images of 34 photographers, and WASHINGTON, D.C. has the images of 20 photographers, with text by Tanya Lloyd for both. Each book includes some history of the various areas presented. Anyone looking to find out what all there is to photograph in the state of Virginia, and its neighbor Washington D.C., will find enough places shown in these two books to keep them in photo trips for years.  You can not only see what is there, but also what spots to shoot from in order to get your own images as good as those shown in these books.  These are some of those few books that will pay for themselves as soon as you use one piece of info from them. Besides both being filled with useful photo locations, they are beautiful picture books, and you will also learn a lot too.

Each of these hardback books are over 10x10 inches, with 96 pages each, and each book retails for US$17.95 – and is distributed by Whitecap Books at   www.whitecap.ca   
I Rate them:  A  (Reviewed Jan. 2006)