Understanding Close-Up Photography [Book Review]

Damien Franco | Jun 29, 2009 | Comments Comments

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Well, I’d have to say that Bryan Peterson did it again. He put together another great photography book that is easy to consume and filled with outstanding photographs as examples. The difference between this book and Understanding Exposure is that you can really get a sense of how much Peterson really loves close up photography.

Understanding Close-Up Photography

A special thanks to the fine folks at Amphoto Books and Watson-Guptill Publications for providing this month’s Photography Book Club Selection Understanding Close-up Photography: Creative Close Encounters with or without a Macro Lens

Bryan Peterson challenges and inspires us to see close-up photography in new ways when we view it through his eyes. You’ve seen the dewdrops, but what about the dewdrops on a bird’s wing or raindrops on a car windshield? You’ve seen the bumblebees on vibrant flowers, but what about the fluid edge of just one petal or the colorful rusting metal at industrial sites? Even when Peterson does capture the more traditional subjects, it’s done in non traditional ways–and often with minimal specialized equipment! Most important, he moves beyond the commonplace to inspire new ways of getting close, using your lenses, and discovering unconventional subjects.

About the Author

Bryan Peterson is a professional photographer, an internationally known instructor, and the best-selling author of Understanding Exposure, Understanding Shutter Speed, Learning to See Creatively, Understanding Digital Photography, and Beyond Portraiture. In addition, he is the founder of the online photography school The Perfect Picture School of Photography. He lives in Chicago.

Breakdown

Introduction
Close-Up VS. Macro Photography
Equipment
Depth of Field & Aperture
Close-Up Tips
Up Close Indoors
Appendices

Introduction

One of the longest introductions I’ve read in an instructional photography book this intro pays homage to the true love of close-up photography held by the author. Peterson always comes across as a genuine photographer who still shows passion for his work even after so many years in the industry. A true professional and teacher that inspires through great examples of wonderful photos and words, you get the sense that this type of photography is what really gets him going.

Close-Up VS. Macro Photography

You can actually look at this chapter as “Introduction part 2″ if you’d like. Peterson immediately dives into defining macro photography and why close-up photography encompasses macro but isn’t always macro photography. This is one of many areas where this photography book differs from most macro photography books and why macro isn’t in the name of the title.

Equipment

Macro, or close-Up photography, is probably one of the most specialized equipment filled genres of photography that there is. So of course an entire, and rather long, chapter is essential. Where Peterson excels is his creative use of many different and “not so specialized” equipment helps him produce wonderful close-up photography with equipment that many purists would scoff at. Everything from macro lenses and extension tubes to reflectors and ring flashes is covered including the use of wide angle lenses in close-up photography.

Depth of Field & Aperture

Close-up photography, especially the macro realm, requires a modified look at how depth of field and aperture relate to the subject and the camera. Exposure is discussed as well along with some creative use of lighting situations.

Close-Up Tips

Our author has long been renowned as a creative explorer in his profession and this chapter really encompasses that creativity. Discussions on how framing and texture can really add drama to your close-up pictures make this chapter complete.

Up Close Indoors

Most photographers think of close-up or macro photography as an outdoor sport. We tend to think of flowers, bees, and other nature inspired excursions. Bryan teaches us that creative control of indoor photography can really help push you to your creative edge.

Appendices

The appendices are actually an important read. Our author discusses the importance of the VR and IS in lenses and also goes into the mechanics and science of macro photography. This is the only part of the book that gets really technical but it’s important when one is discussing macro photography for the purposes of scientific study.

Conclusion

I have to admit that I’ve never really been a fan of “macro photography”. That was before I read this book and spent the last couple of days playing with “close-up photography”. The stark difference was the creative approach that Peterson takes with his writing and the wonderful examples throughout the book. In truth, I’ve done plenty of close-up photography in the past; wedding details, urban details, etc. In fact, some of my favorite wedding images have always been the close-up details, like flower arrangements, rings, and other jewelry. I think they really help to tell a more complete wedding story.

Now, as I work on fine art photography, I can see that the same attention to detail may help me to complete some of the stories I’ve been trying to tell.

I think the lessons and thoughts in this book could help many photographers look at “macro” or “close-up” photography in a different way as well. I like that it isn’t all about flowers and bugs and that there are many different ways to look at and capture close up photography.

This book isn’t a technical look into macro photography so if you’re aim is in the science realm then this book probably isn’t for you.

Understanding Close-Up Photography: Creative Close Encounters With or Without a Macro Lens can be purchased at Amphoto Books or at Amazon.

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