Customer Reviews: Read 23 more reviews...
 Comprehensive, informative and readable May 4, 2004
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I found this to a great book for the budding close-up photographer. First, it is very comprehensive, covering all areas of macro know-how in enough detail to get you going. It takes you through, step-by-step how to control your macrophotography to achieve various effects, with lots of sage and practical advice along the way. As other reviewers have noted, his writing is incredibly clear and easy-to-read. I found his explanations to be very intuitive, and several times whilst reading I thought "yeah, but what about...", and, boom, there was the answer in the next paragraph. Impressive. Some suggestion its getting out of date, but really (aside from some equipment examples, which are precisely that anyway) this stuff doesn't get out of date. Its written for film photography, but even if you're doing digital macro, the majority of this book (exposure,tripod use, flash, framing, background control, etc, etc) is still equally relevant. Gripes? Hard on the credit card - I know I need a decent tripod each time I refer to it (and a new lens, and a...)! And spending too much time reading it rather than taking the bloody photos! Its really good.
Close up on Closeups in Nature March 18, 2004
One of the most readable books on closeup photography has to be Closeups in Nature. Each chapter, while dealing with the subject, goes into very understandable detail on how to go about taking photographs of the little things. Each chapter describes using different types of equipment, from the most simple and inexpensive products, to the very precise and obviously costly. Most of us, I'm sure, fall somewhere in between. He also covers not only types of film, but the differences in film brands. If you truly have a passion for this type of photography, Mr. Shaw's book is a "must read."
All you need to know and more August 21, 2003
Like all of his books excellent text with clear, easy to understand concepts and instructions. This has definitely improved my close up work or at least removed several of the mistakes I use to make.
Excellent Book, Well Written, Awesome Photographs May 14, 2003
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
John Shaw's were the first books I read on photography, after the Canon camera manual, and his books are the absolute best you can find.
The photographs are brilliant, no doubt. But what makes this book special is that almost each photograph is explained. You not only get to see great photographs, but also get an insight into what went into the composition of the photograph itself. Small things like using a tripod, not relying too much on filters, and the use of macros rounds off this excellent book.
This book, John Shaw's Landscape Photography, and 'Nature Photographer's Complete Guide to Professional Field Techniques' make it a must-have for any budding as well as experienced photographer.
If you have read some of his other books (like the ones I mention above) you may find some concepts being repeated, but they are so essential to good photography that they are well worth being read and re-read.
Go ahead, beg, borrow, or buy this book. (No, do not steal :)
A new world of photography May 10, 2003
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I have been involved in various aspects of photography for more than 40 years--weddings, newspaper, school yearbook, and others, including 22 years of teaching it and have to say that I learned many new things about the world of closeup photography from John Shaw's book. He tells how to combine lenses, how to use closeup lenses with telephoto lenses and how to reverse lenses. All of this is explained in a straight forward manner that anyone can understand. And, he has actual photos to show the results of the various techniques. He lists his equipment, all of which is available at most camera stores. I plan to add this aspect of photography to my teaching curriculum and use some of John's methods in my syllabus, giving him credit. I recommend the book for anyone interested in a new field of photography. I looked at several other books on the same subject before choosing his and believe I made the best choice. I can't recall anything I did not like about the book.
|
