Understanding Close-Up Photography: Creative Close Encounters with Or Without a Macro Lens
by Bryan Peterson
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Book Summary Information
Author: Bryan PetersonEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-03-31
ISBN: 0817427198
Number of pages: 160
Publisher: Amphoto Books
Book Reviews of Understanding Close-Up Photography: Creative Close Encounters with Or Without a Macro Lens
Book Review: just look at the shots - and feel
Summary: 5 Stars
For me, the bottom line is he gets good photos. They are arresting, technically excellent, and creative. At least some of them I would put on my wall. That's actually a very interesting "litmus" test - If you were to look at the "artistic" message you would get from many of these put on the wall at 16x20 size? I find many of these shots very pleasing, and certainly they would make a wonderful "trendy" design motif for any architectural interior. But is it art? I think in Peterson's hands, it is. It is close to some types of avante garde (did I spell that right?) art, or modern art. Its quite abstract, yet there is a visceral impact to the textures, broad soft colors, and complex play of light that fascinates, draws the attention in to another world which we never see in this way. I notice my mind, in writing this, tries to fall back into the truism that "this is just a magnification of small things, just an interesting curiosity is the result - like a strobe picture of a water drop." And then I open the book to "grok" a shot and imagine how it would look on my wall. Holey Moley! Looking at some of these shots does something that great art usually only promises to do - it refreshes the soul, preens the feeling of self-esteem, expands the sensibilities, opens the heart. This is obviously something that defies analysis and buggers description. I notice that any reviews at Amazon, the 5 star kind, may "gush" with praise or say things like "awesome." While often lacking in detail, such reviews may reflect an "enthusiasm of the soul" that gets opened up on an experiental basis. Just look at Peterson's shots and see if you agree, but as for this review in advance of purchase, my vote is that some of them are art you would want on your wall. This is an amazing "plus" for any photo book, to participate in the process of a good, perhaps great, artist at work.
Throw in the detailed usefulness of the mechanics of getting these shots, the skillful manipulation of technology, good writing etc, and you have a winner. You can't lose. This is a gem.
The only question I have is that Peterson uses really good lenses - expensive. I shoot Nikon myself, and with my D300 have a Nikkor 10-24 wide angle that cost around $1000. I have to admit the results seem spectacular and seem to reflect the expense, yet its hard to quantify this. Yet it's there. I don't think you need to spend $5000 to get these results, but it helps.
By the way, if you vote my review helpful, I get a nickel from Amazon for each positive vote. :)
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Summary of Understanding Close-Up Photography: Creative Close Encounters with Or Without a Macro Lens
In his sixth book, renowned photographer, popular instructor, and best-selling author 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 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 untraditional 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.How-to Books
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