Creative Close-Ups: Digital Photography Tips & Techniques

This was actually a pretty good book. The only reason I gave it only 4 stars was because it didn't offer any exercises at the end of the chapters. The book would have been much more effective if at the end of each chapter it had provided "assignments" that include a criteria in which to evaluate the results by. But it wasn't intended as a textbook anyhow, it's just like the title says, "tips and techniques". So it's an idea book and it's packed full of them! This book has a very different way to look at photography. The author takes common everyday things and using extreme close-ups with creative lighting, produces true artsy photographs.Creative Close Ups is loaded with beautiful pictures with the author describing how he set up the photos and the equipment he used. He convinced me to purchase a set of lens extension tubes. I've been ignoring them for a long time, thinking they didn't work that well. But after seeing the results that the author got using them, plus the fact that they only cost about $10 for a set, I just had to get a set of my own!I probably won't "read" this book a second time, but I'll definitely be keeping it in my library. I know that in the future I'll be browsing through it from time to time for ideas when doing this kind of photography.

Five stars from me for clarity, thoroughness/details, photos, and suggestions. I'm not a novice when it comes to photography...except when it comes to macro. I'd already purchased a Canon true macro lens a couple years ago, so I decided to take the plunge since I've always had an interest in producing those drop-dead gorgeous shots of flowers. This book was a great choice...at least for me.Davis goes into gear, finding macro subjects, the digital darkroom, aperture and depth of field (for newbies), stacking, high key, and Photoshop...a little but a helpful little for some, no doubt.He also includes shooting flowers, water drops, grains of sand, eyes, and other subjects that you've probably never thought of.I absolutely LOVE that he tells how he achieved each photo and the gear he used. That's definitely a HUGE help! This book is certainly money well spent.BOTTOM LINE: If you have an interest in macro photography but don't know how to do it, buy this book. I don't see how you could possibly go wrong with this purchase.

For close-up photography this is the best book. It goes above and beyond my expectations. Thank goodness I have it, as it fills all my needs. I take pictures for my online store, and need them to look their best. This book helps me achieve that.

This book contains many colorful and striking macro photographs. The author is obviously a very accomplished photographer. However, in my opinion, it is a book for beginners, and folks learning the vocabulary of photography. It is a good first read about macro photography, but the more experienced photographer will be left wanting more substance, techniques, and tips to improve his photography. The text is a little sparse, and the constant references to "as explained/as shown on page ---," leaves the reader constantly turning pages back and forth to see either the photos or the explanations to which he refers. All of that is not to say it is not a worthwhile book. It is - but I wish it had more. For newcomers to macro photography, read this book first to get the vocabulary and basic photography stuff associated with macro, then read the Gerlach's newest book on close up photography for the "how to's" to take beautiful macro pictures.

Unlike too many how-to photo books, this book delivers what the title promises. Yes, he is showcasing his best work likke most photo writers, but he goes into very useful detail. It is not a course on basic photography. I have shot still and movie film and digital for a living for over 60 years. I taught my crews to shoot closeups to master composition and lighting. A refreshing book. I'm going to get more of his books to recommend to budding photographers.

This is a decent book on the topic of macro photography. The book is filled with many wonderful photos by the author, however I find I would learn a lot more if the photos in the book were of the set-up of the shoot rather then the final shot itself. If I could see the placement of the camera, tripod, flashes, reflectors, etc. the learning experience would be more effective. It would be like learning to cook by watching the chef prepare the dish, or learning just by tasting the finished product. I want to see behind the scenes but maybe I'm in the minority. If anyone knows of a book that shows photos of the process please leave a comment and let me know, I'll buy that one. I'm a very visual learner so even an illustration or schematic of the camera/lighting set-up would be valuable to me.

I really do enjoy many of Davis's books. However, this one has a serious flaw with the Kindle edition. Davis has numerous page references throughout the book; however, the Kindle edition lacks page numbers to locate these references. Other books use links to accommodate the Kindle user, but whoever edited this book omitted them.

I have purchased and read several of Harold's photography books and this book is as outstanding as the rest. Combine this with his Photoshop Darkroom book and you have a powerful set of tools to create professional photos and fine art. Harold presents the material in a systematic and approachable manner that is unique and clear. I personally love the layout and design of his books and I particularly like the hand written notes and tips next to many of the illustrations. I possess over 25 years of photography experience and I learned things in this book so I have to assume just about anyone will walk away with some valuable knowledge after reading and adapting some of his tips and techniques.Tim Layton

I have searched for some time to find a macro book that goes beyond the basics and this book is written for the advanced macro photographer. Yes it does cover the basics but it goes way beyond that. The one thing I loved about the book is that it takes you into areas that give your imagination a good boost. This is a very well written and detailed book.

Interested in macro? You may want to know your ABC's ...

Pleased with book.

This book has a lot of info for newcomers to macro photography like me. There are a lot of nice photos, info and ideas that can get you to be more creative and get better macro photos. I would say on the down side that there are only photos of flowers, some of the info is basic and while the author is a great macro photographer, his photoshopped "creative" pictures are awful. Fortunately there arent enough of them to ruin the whole book. Definitely worth a purchase for the nice macros alone.

This is a nice book, but is aimed at those who are just starting close-ups and I never found the depth of the articles within it advanced enough. I bought it for my son and as he is fairly new to close-up work I am sure he will find it a help. I would have given it 5 stars had it been a little more technical and not so dumbed down.