Understanding Close-Up Photography

by Bryan Peterson

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.

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction, Reference, Art, Art and Photography

160 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 31, 2009

About the author

Bryan F. Peterson has been a full-time commercial photographer since 1981, shooting assignments all over the world for many of the Fortune 500 companies, including Kodak, UPS, and American Expiress. He is also a contract stock photographer for Corbis and Getty. He has been a contributing editor at Outdoor Photographer Magazine and is currently a contributing editor at Popular Photography and Imaging Magazine. Within the photographic community, he is most noted as the author/photographer of four best selling “how-to” photography books, Understanding Exposure, Understanding Shutter Speed, Learning to See Creatively and Beyond Portraits, with two new books due out in the spring of 2009, Understanding Close-up Photography and The Field Guide to Photography. He is also the founder and one of the instructors at the world’s number one on-line photography school, www.ppsop.net.

Reviews

[Laura Madsen]

Lots of good advice, and options for close-up photography that don't require an expensive macro lens.

***
Reread in 2022. I need to buy more stuff :)

[Juli]

This is a really beautiful book. The layout is clean, the photographs are bright and crisp, the textures are rich and enticing. It was a visual treat.

It was also very well done, from an organizational standpoint. Bryan Peterson did a great job preparing examples not only of his successes, but of the “second best” shot — to give a comparison, or of the “behind the scenes” shot — to show you how he framed up the winning image.

These kinds of comparisons and details make all the difference when you’re trying to learn an art form, especially from a book.

See my takeaways and tips here.

[Jennifer]

I found this book more of a sales catalog or coffee table book. Lots of pretty pictures with detailed captions, but not many useful tips and tricks.

[Florence]

This is an excellent colorful photography book for anyone interested in improving his or her skills in macro or close-up photography. The book is easy to understand and will prompt you to try, or at least take note of the methods, settings, and equipment used in all his wonderful images.
After recommending Bryan Peterson's books to our local library for purchase, I was delighted to see this one arrive.

[Tim Church]

Lots of good ideas in here for a beginner. And lots of beautiful, inspiring photos.
My low rating reflects the fact that the technical info is very outdated and, unfortunately, has outlived its usefulness.

[Karen Soanes]

A nice mix of technical with non-technical explanations and lots of pictures with the metadata attached. Very useful.

[Iantony]

I'm not a photographer by trade nor I'm a professional one. I'm doing toys photography just for a hobby. As you know toys photography involving a lot of taking shots of small objects, thus it would really help if you are well versed at least with the basic of close-up photography. This book is really good for learning the basic concepts and terminologies of close-up photography. A lot of pictures with its metadata included for your references, and you could apply the techniques without using advanced or expensive lenses.

[ctwayfarer]

If you've found the terminology used in closeup photography confusing, then look no further. Peterson does a great job busting many common myths. For instance he talks about the futility of VR and IS on macro lenses when used for closeup photography. Did you know that a macro lens can also be used for regular portrait shots? How do you calculate the magnification factor? What is a constant focus lens? And there are many more gems waiting in this fantastic book!

[Deodand]

This book answered a lot of questions I had about the close-up photographs I have been taking for many years. It straightened out the terminology in my mind. It will also help me when it becomes time for me to move to DSLR and get some proper equipment.

I don't always agree with Peterson's artistic decisions but that's a matter of taste. The text occasionally disappears into jargon but not in an excessively confusing way (as most photography books tend to do).

[T R]

I have read most books of Mr. Bryan Peterson, and I must admit he is my favorite photo writers. This book caught my attention to explore the world of close up photography. As always in all of his books, Mr. Peterson always made it a point to add the camera settings for every photo in the book. His tips are very very generous and practical. Looking forward to apply the techniques learned from him.

Tess Rupprecht

[Keith Furlong]

Another great read.

Bryan Peterson is one of my favourite authors, not only for his in-depth knowledge, but also for the easy to understand way he has of explaining the subject. This is another great book and as long as he continues to write, I will continue buying. His videos are a joy to watch also and any money spent is well rewarded.

[Robert]

Really solid overview of macro and close up photography techniques, with example photographs and explanations of how to get the effects pictured. It slants a little towards Nikon, but does mention Canon in most places it counts.

[David]

another great work by Byran about close up photography..for those who have come to specific interests on shooting close up objects, subjects..the magnificence of blurring out background and solely focusing on the close subjects are also a fine art.

[Jason]

great book, I own a few of his other books and find his explanations easy to understand. he gives you what you need to know without complicating things needlessly. wish he did some east coast workshops!

[Balachandar Radhakrishnan]

My review is available at http://www.brighthub.com/multimedia/p...

[Michele]

Learning more and more about close-up picture taking. I have always loved flowers, now I'm learning how to take better pictures!

[Jbgreendawn]

also re-reading this one again. :) Mostly looking at the photos.

[Carlos Quijano]

A good introduction to close-up and macro photography. Not too complicated and not overly obsessed with gear. There are many practical suggestions to get one started.

[Amy]

Awesome book!!!

[Jonah Andersson]

Great book about close up and macro shots!

[Nick]

Excellent macro book one of the best I have come across.

[Clare Malley]

Another great Bryan Peterson book brimming with enthusiasm.
Explains many different close up photography concepts with clarity.

[Joe Silber]

Very accessible and readable. Gear and technique focused but also some creative ideas discussed

[AC]

OK..

[Rasha Yousif]

Very easy to read .. great tips .. highly recommended

[R. J]

Peterson offers great advice for getting better macro shots, while providing great inspiration.

[Al]

Great book by Bryan Peterson. This is the second one I've read written by him. Highly recommended.