Book Description

Book Description

Almost everyone can "see" in the conventional sense, but developing photographic vision takes practice. Learning to See Creatively helps photographers visualize their work, and the world, in a whole new light.

Now totally rewritten, revised, and expanded, this best-selling guide takes a radical approach to creativity. It explains how it is not some gift only for the "chosen few" but actually a skill that can be learned and applied. Using inventive photos from his own stunning portfolio, author and veteran photographer Bryan Peterson deconstructs creativity for photographers. He details the basic techniques that went into not only taking a particular photo, but also provides insights on how to improve upon it—helping readers avoid the visual pitfalls and technical dead ends that can lead to dull, uninventive photographs.

This revised edition features the latest information on digital photography and digital imaging software, as well as an all-new section on color as a design element. Learning to See Creatively is the definitive reference for any photographers looking for a fresh perspective on their work.

* New edition of a best-selling title
* Updated to include digital
* All new artwork, and a totally revised and expanded text
* All-new section on color as a design element
* Written by one of Amphoto's bestselling authors ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Chiken Soup for the Photographer's Soul !!
I bought this book expecting to see rules of composition.Apart from one reference to the rule of thirds, I did not find anything. But I did find something else - "The art of looking at the picture through the viewfinder". As I had gotten into using more complex, advanced equipment, I had started looking at the picture instead of seeing. This book will make you think before you take your photographs. Most of the photographs in the book made me marvel at the guy's composition skills..even envy. But now when I take my pictures, some of the pictures from the book come to my mind, and I re-evaluate my composition. If this happens to you...youre well on your way to taking great pictures. The section on exposure is nice. The book is worth every cent you pay for it.

Banish those ho-hum, so-so compositions.
This is the most useful photography book I have read in a long time, and I have read a lot (and taken a few pictures along the way). True this is not a general book and does not cover the basics in film, aperture and shutter speed which of course are important (after all this author has written a book on these aspects), but lets face it there are plenty of these general books around already. What this book addresses in spades is what is often lacking in some others; composition.

If you are a beginner then this is a must read book. If you are more advanced and generally happy with your images then read this book anyway and look again. Were any of you images 'ho-hum, so-so'? Need to move on to the next level?

This is the best book on composition I have read. I believe this book has helped me and can help you improve your images no matter what level you are at. Yes, even if you are a point and shoot photographer. For me this one is a keeper. Enjoy. ASC.

A casual book for novices
Nice photo examples, although neither really inspiring nor stunning.
Technical details are superficial and sketchy.
Not worth keeping it as a reference book.

A must have book for reference, learning and enjoyment!
I own the previous edition of this book, so I waited with anxious expectation for its revision. This is more than a revision, it's a brand new book, a necessary addition to the theory and practice of implementing creative vision in making photographs. I recommend this book to all who wish to receive inspiration and mentoring in realizing their own creative vision in photography and even general artistic picture making. The text is written in Bryan Peterson's inimitable down to earth, friendly yet knowledgeable style. The photographs are truly inspirational. This book is a keeper!

Well worth the wait
When I heard that this book was going to be revised, I waited for it in anxious anticipation - it was well worth the wait!

Sometimes all that is needed to improve a composition is to change one's perspective, which is often pointed out in this book. This is something I'm learning to take advantage of, and can see the improvement in my pictures.

I was also happy to see a section added dealing with color and one on digital imaging.

If you've got a basic understanding of photography behind you, then I'd highly recommend this book! ... Read more

Book Description

Time-tested lighting strategies that will improve the quality of a portrait are detailed in this book for beginning photographers. Terminology used by industry pros is explained, the equipment needed to create professional results is outlined, and the unique role that each element of the lighting setup plays in the studio is explored. Photographers learn how color, direction, form, and contrast affect the final portrait. The concise text, photo examples, and lighting diagrams enable photographers to easily achieve traditional lighting styles that have been the basis of good portraiture since the advent of the art. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Learning from a master
Christopher Grey is a master of photographic lighting, and this expertise shines through in his latest book, appropriately titled, Master Lighting Guide for Portrait Photographers. Grey eases his readers into the topic with a discussion on the properties and quality of light and a review of modern lighting equipment, both store-bought and homemade. Then, after an informative chapter on lighting ratios (a frequently misused and misunderstood term) he embarks on an instructive and comprehensive journey that covers everything from classic lighting styles to the advanced lighting methods used by today's top studio photographers. Beautiful color photos and helpful diagrams complement each scenario.

Grey's writing is conversational and witty, which is a blessing when one is digesting material that, in duller texts, can quickly veer off into technical mumbo jumbo. In addition to his lighting information, he sprinkles every chapter with plenty of useful advice - things he's learned during his 30-year career - for saving money, choosing backdrops, building trust with subjects, capturing better expressions and much, much more. I'd recommend the book to anyone interested in portrait photography. The photographs alone are well worth the purchase price, but the lessons enabling readers to create similarly stunning photos make the book an extremely good value. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

An updated bestseller, this book of extraordinarily beautiful photographs of nature contains state-of-the-art instruction on how any photographer can aim for equally impressive results every time a camera is focused on the great outdoors. Even highly skilled photographers are often baffled by the problems facing them when they work outdoors. But with this exceptional field guide in hand, every photographer-beginner, serious amateur, semi-pro, and pro-can conquer the problems encountered in the field. Using his own exceptional work as examples, the author discusses each type of nature subject and how to approach photographing it. Specific advice and information cover selection of equipment and lenses; how to compose a shot; how to get close ups; and other tips covering a range of techniques to enrich various types of nature photographs. ... Read more

Reviews (44)

Very useful information, irritating style
I've read this book cover to cover several times and I have to say it has greatly improved my understanding the technical aspects of photography and my results have improved rapidly. I highly recommend the book, especially to beginners like me. That said, I have to say that when I'm looking through the book for the umpteenth time for advice and technical information, the condescending, know-it-all tone that the author occasionally adopts to make his point gets really irritating and detracts from my enjoyment of the book. Also, although the brand-specific information is probably useful for Nikon users, and in the cases of some kinds of equipment like tripods, for people with large pocketbooks, it is of little use to people with other systems or limited budgets, and once again this makes me as a reader feel a bit like a second-class citizen. My point is that John Shaw is a very experienced photographer and decent writer who has collected a great set of useful tips into a handy book, but I wish he would stop bragging about himself and his equipment in the process.

Great advice for all photographers
John Shaw is a master photographer who excels at communicating his knowledge in very clear and concise language. This book is a marvel of efficiency as he covers topic after topic in highly succinct fashion. While keeping each section brief, he manages to teach a lot in the clearest way possible.

Many tips on how to get correct exposure and strong composition are in here as well as techniques for macro photography. Also, a significant portion of the book is devoted to considerations when purchasing equipment and the information is invaluable.

As others have pointed out, the equipment he favors is not cheap but some seem to miss the entire point of those chapters. Shaw does not give the reader a shopping list. He discusses the pros and cons of various equipment and encourages you to weigh the trade-offs to develop your own equipment list. Since much of the better equipment is expensive, this may mean rationing your money to get the best bang for the buck.

This is an excellent book. It covers a variety of topics with a rare clarity that makes it a must have for any serious photographer.

Excellent Author
I won't dwell on this topic, but I've consumed many photogrpahy books in recent years and John Shaw is an excellent writer that gets his point across. I wish I had read it earlier than I did because it is fantastic. He writes exceptionally well and drives his point home from multiple angles. He starts with the essentials like exposure and.... I just can't say enough about the way John is able to communicate photographic concepts and photography in general. The best I have ever read. Second to John's book is, Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs With a Film or Digital Camera by Bryan F. Peterson; Bryan is also excellent. If you buy two books, buy these.

Very nice for advanced and beginner
Great information and reference. Yes, the gear he discribes is pricey pro stuff but its guide to what is best, and from there you can judge what you need or can afford. At least you know that you need a ball head, or that composite tripods are really not worth the price, and how to test tripods in a store.
Nice tips on conditions that I did not know even existed, like snow, there are 3 or 4 different ways it will expose film, all different. Snow is not white like you think, it depends on the weather. Great tips through out the book. I don't read it cover to cover. When I pick it up I just open it and read a few pages on that topic. Great stuff and great examples. Shoting images for over 35 years. I have already used some tips and my outdoor pictures are a notch better. And thats the bottom line, right?

Excellent book
A lot of practical techniques, very easy to follow ... Read more

Book Description

A compilation of color nude photos from 20 erotic photographers, introducing a new style of Nude Art: Simple Nudes, focusing exclusively on a model's beauty. The Simple Nudes philosophy is to ""simply"" celebrate the model's beauty, and not subsume the model to any other purpose, not sex, not Art, not commercialism. Like the Dogma film movement from Europe, Simple Nudes are characterized by * the inherent beauty of the model in the natural state * no forced poses * no unnatural styling or props This new, independent form of expression, also named DOMAI style, from the web site which invented and champions it, is not a compromise between Art nudes and sex nudes, but is a true third art of nude appreciation. ... Read more

Book Description

Aimed at photographers who pack away their cameras as soon as light levels fall, this brilliant book shows how, with just a little skill and imagination, even amateurs can produce breathtaking photographs in nighttime or low-light settings.The guide begins with a clear explanation of technical aspects that must be considered, such as the best equipment to use for low-light indoor or nighttime outdoor shots, which color and black-and-white films to choose, how to ensure correct exposure in tricky situations, and details relating to both natural and artificial light. The book then tackles a wide range of themes and lighting situations, presenting specific guidance for shooting low-light landscapes, portraits, buildings, carnivals, fireworks displays, and weather phenomena such as lightning, sunrises, and sunsets. ... Read more

Reviews (29)

Excellent Choice
Must say that this is a very well written book. I am not among the ones who can concentrate enough to complete any book end-to-end, but this one really got me glued on.
The book takes you through the nity-grities of the camera and its accessories like the lens, the filters, the tripods, etc. After this, it has dedicated chapters that will explain shooting techniques in various situations like Christmas, Times Square, Night landscapes, etc. Plus, a good section on painting with Flash light is really interesting.
Been halfway thru the book and already started workin my Nikon in Manual mode with great results.
Proud of myself for having bought this book. ;)

Great book for those starting up in low-light photography
Quite a valuable addition to my photo books collection. For a beginner in the night-time photography, a must have, full of tips, techniques and actual useful numbers, such as shutter speeds, apertures, reciprocity breakdown correction values etc. in different low-light situations. Those guys who say the actual numbers are not there did NOT read the book - they flipped through it without paying attention. To sum up - for a beginner in low-light picture taking, a good buy for the money. (...)

fantastic book
one of the best books on the subject i have come across, very well structured with chapters starting from some basics, passing into the choice of equipment, and films, then a thorough exhusting chapter on exposure and metering, it also contains excellent chapters describing different situations and how to handle them...
the pictures are really stimulating, but in order to get similar results you need a heavy weight pocket, as most of the photos were taken with fast lens that are not cheap basically, but thats not the books' fault!!
i highly recommend it and i am glad i baught it, at a price so low for it's real value.

Not so bad, but there is better
This book has received some flak from other reviewers for being too basic and I can't say that I completely disagree. I think it works well as a complement to Andrew Sanderson's "Night Photography," which I purchased at the same time as this book. When it comes to actually learning about the "How" and "Why" of night photography, this book lacks solid advice about taking quality pictures. If you're looking for those things out of a book, go with the Sanderson book and not this one. My feeling on this book is that it can be a creative tool... something to help get ideas or inspiration, but when it comes to learning new stuff, it falls a little short. I give the author credit because it isn't a terrible book by any means, but I think the title is a little misleading.

Wow
This book is worth the price of admission just as a book of photos. They are fantastic.

But if you are interested, it is full of very practical knowledge of the subject matter. If you take the time to read it all, you're on your way to becoming an expert low light photographer. ... Read more

Book Description

His internationally best-selling Griffin & Sabine saga is treasured for its blend of lyrical storyline and compelling, imaginative art. Now Nick Bantock gives a short course in visual creativity in Urgent 2nd Class. A tour through the techniques and materials which constitute his signature style, Bantock shares with readers numerous ways ways of using old paper ephemera -- maps, letters, postcards, ledgers, scraps, photos, and many more items -- to create their own idiosyncratic art. Written for people of all artistic skill levels, the materials mentioned are all easily found and inexpensive, and the processes are simple enough to do at home (and with access to the most advanced machinery used in the book, a photocopier). An inspirational guide to the simple artistic techniques which can alchemically transform ephemera into remarkable works, Urgent 2nd Class is the handbook for a new generation of visual poets. ... Read more

Book Description

Providing a concise look at the foundations of posing, this guide illustrates the ways in which key posing strategies flatter the lines of the body, creating definition, dynamic lines, and a camera-friendly posture. Photographers learn how to analyze the facial features of their subjects to ensure the most flattering positioning, how to finesse fingers for delicate or strong hand positions, and how to adapt a pose for a man, woman, or child. Strategies for artfully posing couples, large groups, under- and overweight clients, the elderly, and everyone in between are detailed. With techniques and images from nearly 50 of the industry's most notable artists, this valuable sourcebook offers something for every film and digital photographer. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A great instructional book with stunning photographs
Upon opening The Portrait Photographer's Guide to Posing I was presented with a stunning photo of an exuberant bride and I realized immediately that I could learn much from this book. I was not disappointed as I learned many subtleties about positioning the face, placing the hands and fingers and identifying flaws and working around them, etc.

The book is illustrated with extraordinary photography from many masters of portrait photography. The work is so beautiful and the text so insightful that it pulled me along turning pages like it was a new Dean Koontz novel.

I didn't think that posing was a subject that warranted an entire book but I am proved wrong by the Guide to Posing and I look forward to applying what I learned in my work. ... Read more

Book Description

This art book shows contemporary and cutting-edge work as well as historical. It deals with real-life issues of taking pictures and making prints in the practical way working photographers do.Using strong contemporary portfolio photographs, profiles of top photographers with a look at career matters, it includes practical strategies for taking and printing photographs, and a seamless mix of color, black-and-white, and digital technologies.For photographers and photojournalists. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A word from the authors about the revised edition
The second edition of PHOTOGRAPHY isn't a token revision. It's a major update of a book that we had already designed to bring basic photographic instruction into the modern era without leaving the fundamentals behind. It is, unlike most of its competition, a book you can grow with as your photographic skills improve.
PHOTOGRAPHY is really a cross between a how-to book and a coffee-table book. That's one reason it costs more than a regular photo handbook: In addition to hundreds of technical illustrations there are dozens of beautifully reproduced, full-page photographs by some of the leading photographers of our time. You'll find photographs by Annie Leibovitz, Joel Meyerowitz, Sebastiao Salgado, Mary Ellen Mark, Joyce Tenneson, James Nachtwey, David LaChapelle, Matthew Rolston, Mark Seliger, and many others representing every kind of photographic discipline you can imagine. These images, which have been substantially updated in this revision, are interspersed throughout the text. PHOTOGRAPHY also features a series of individual profiles of well-known working photographers, heavily illustrated with examples of their work, and a compact, illustrated history of photography by New York Times critic Vicki Goldberg.
Why the emphasis on big, high-quality pictures? Because PHOTOGRAPHY is meant to inspire as it teaches.
--HENRY HORENSTEIN AND RUSSELL HART ... Read more

Book Description

All of the libraries in the world-whether small or large, public or private-serve the same purpose: to preserve, cherish, or show off the riches of human knowledge. Now, for the first time, an internationally renowned photographer takes the reader on a journey to more than 20 of the most historic of these magical places, all architectural treasures. From the dramatic, baroque Library of the Institut de France in Paris, to the splendid Vatican Library in Rome; from the majestic Royal Library in El Escorial, Spain, to the famed New York Public Library, a Beaux-Arts masterpiece-here are some of the most exquisite libraries of the Western world.

Included are national, scholarly, and religious libraries from 12 countries, which have in common a distinguished heritage and an architectural setting that emphasizes art and culture. The accompanying text traces the history of libraries to the present day, and describes how they came to serve famous personalities and men of letters. Libraries must be counted among civilization's crowning achievements; this elegant book is a fitting tribute to that accomplishment. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Treasure for Bibliophiles and Architecture Lovers
This beautifully photographed book might appear, at first glance, as another "coffee-table book": that is, a book someone gives you as a gift, which thereafter sits on your coffee table unread. That hasn't been my experience. Since receiving it as a Christmas present from my wife, I find myself picking it up every few weeks, reading about how famous book collections were formed, and gazing at the stunning architecture of libraries built as temples to literature (rather than on the how-many-shelves-can-we-cram-into-this-square-footage principle).
There are university libraries (e.g., Oxford, Trinity College Dublin), royal libraries (Vienna, Prague), religious libraries (The Vatican, and several monasteries), and more democratic ones (The New York Public Library). Most of the libraries are European, except for three: New York, The Library of Congress (which is featured on the cover), and the Boston Athenaeum.
There could be more in the text about the contents of these libraries; the emphasis is more on the sheer physical beauty of these places. And beautiful they are, some of them decorated by leading artists.
Some of these libraries are easy to visit; some are accessible only to scholars with appropriate references. Some, like the library of the French Senate (a serene retreat overlooking the Jardin du Luxembourg), are available to a select few. This delightful volume lets us in, for a while. Enjoy. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

I wish I'd known...
This is a very useful book for anyone trying to refine their lighting skills. Each section features a large number of finished shots, and on the opposite page is an easy-to-understand lighting diagram, and a few paragraphs about how the shot was done.

I wish I'd known before buying this book, however, that it includes the complete contents of three Pro Lighting series titles (i.e., Nudes, Erotica and Provocative Shots). The Pro Lighting Series books are great, but you don't need to buy those three if you buy _Lighting the Nude_.

One of the Best in this topic
I like this book very much for several reasons:

1. Great photos - interesting techniques on topics ranging from classical nude to outdoor nude, accessories/props to hair/makeup.

2. Good taste - this is NOT a book filled with sleazy / low-class photos of naked women. I find all of them tending towards modern, fine art types.

3. Superb format - Minimal text with essential descriptions, simple diagrams showing the studio setup, camera settings

4. Good value - Hardcover with 400 over pages (each with clear examples), printed in in full color on glossy paper.

I use this book as a source of ideas and to experiment with different lighting setups.

Comparisions:
There are numerious books on this topic, and I've read many others. This book is similar to "Lighting for Nude Photography" (also by Rotovision) - "Lighting The Nude" is twice as thick and provides more ideas/techniques. If you like Prolighting series books - which has great illustrations and simple instructions, you will love this. But if you like long-winded, text-intensive book, telling you stories about each picture, then this is not for you. Another book I like is "Successful Glamour Photography" by John Kelly but this book is a little old now. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A grunt Marine.........
This is as close as you can get in 2 dimensions to the 'reality' of 'war',words so often used but rarely, and really, never understood by those who have never lived through the experience.
The passion expressed in the photographs and words of the contributors to this work evoke memories to those of us who were there that will never completely fade. The experience has changed us all forever, and that is good. Vietnam was no different than any other war, people die, most innocent, some not, but what have we to gain from it ? ... Read more

Book Description

Now in its seventh edition, View Camera Technique is a unique, comprehensive book that presents clearly and precisely the features, operations and applications of view cameras. It details camera movements, image formation, exposure control, and information concerning lenses and accessories. Diagrams, comparison charts, and more than 500 photographs and illustrations by distinguished professional photographers provide the reader with the tools necessary to analyze a picture situation, set up and manipulate the camera, and portray the subject to meet the expectations of the professional photographer.



This text has been completely revised and updated to include over 100 brand-name view cameras, and offers comparison tables to assist readers in choosing cameras, lenses, and view-camera digital backs. This latest edition offers expanded coverage of the newest technology, including electronic features that simplify the use of view cameras for conventional photography and digital view cameras that eliminate the need for film and make it possible to modify the digital images with image-processing computer software programs

Over 500 photographs and line drawings

Expanded coverage of the newest technology

Updated comparison tables for 111 brand-name view cameras and accessories including over 50 specific features ... Read more

Reviews (6)

THE authority.
This is THE reference standard for view camera photography. Prof. Strobel fully explains the different types of view cameras and how to best take advantage of the bellows and various camera movements. This book first appeared in 1967 and has only gotten better with each printing. Prof. Strobel was one of my professors at RIT 30 years ago and I still find myself using his excellent book as a reference.

Required reading
This is THE work on view cameras. Probably the most comprehensive single-volume work, it should be required reading for everybody.

It does not cover all the latest models (use the internet for that) but view cameras have not changed fundamentally in decades. The work covers all basic and intermediate topics, as well as many advanced techniques.

A book to read and re-read several times.

Not many books on the subject.
There are not many books on the subject and this one is probably one of the best, along with "Using the view camera" by S. Simmons. The camera brands presentation part summs up into a hard to read table, not really helpful; but otherwise, this is a very good book for learning and perfecting large format techniques, even if the inside layout is slightly in retreat from what the cover would let us expect.

Nuts to Bolts - Everything you want know
When anyone asks me what book they should read about how to use a view camera, I recommend Stroebel's View Camera Technique. I have a third edition and the 7th, while maintaining many of the original illustrations, the 7th edition is even better. If you are like me and want to know the how and why of view cameras. This is the book to read.

A great reference source.
An essential reference source, not only for view cameras, but for understanding all types of photography. You will use it frequently. Certainly one to own. ... Read more

Book Description

Dramatic aerial images by renowned photographer Terry Evans celebrate one of the world's foremost cities at the outset of the 21st century. One hundred and twenty sumptuous four-color photographs take the reader on a fascinating tour of Chicago and its environs in all four seasons, revealing its unique features: its incomparable lakefront, cutting-edge skyscrapers, and diverse residential neighborhoods, as well as the lush farms and landscapes beyond the city's borders.

With the population of the Chicago region expected to increase by two million over the next 25 years, ensuring that the city grows in a manner that adds to rather than detracts from its beauty, desirability, and prosperity is essential. In Revealing Chicago, Evans's spectacular photographs and Charles Wheelan's thoughtful text not only tell the current story of the city but also expose the challenges-environmental, economic, and social-it faces with continued development. An aesthetic tour de force, this singular volume highlights the importance of making decisions today that will enable Chicago to sustain its prominence into the future. AUTHOR BIO: Terry Evans, a Chicago resident, is one of the world's foremost landscape photographers. Her work has been exhibited widely and is in the collections of many major museums. She is a recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship. Charles Wheelan, also a resident of Chicago, is the former Midwest correspondent for The Economist and author of Naked Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science. He is a lecturer in public policy at the University of Chicago. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Bitterly disapointed
After scanning a few pages,it became painfully clear that this book did,nt reveal anything new about Chicago,save for a
few shots here and there...Anticipating a fresh,updated ver-
sion of Robert Cameron,s magnificent "Above Chicago",this book has too many steel mills,deserted beaches,generic shots that
could have been taken anywhere for anyone to care.The emphasis SHOULD have been on the skyline and its hundreds of superb photo
ops.
A missed opportunity,misleading effort,a waste of time... ... Read more

Book Description

"The nude has always been a source of inspiration and one of the main themes of photography." The introduction to this small brick-format book—the shape alone already makes it conspicuous—briefly and concisely describes the special quality of this title. Various perspectives of the naked body are presented to the observers’ eyes, representing the diverse interpretations of photographers from all over the world. The motifs Man, Woman, and Pair open up a world of the senses that has much more to offer than just a nude that one can touch. This artful feast for the eyes is a must for everyone. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Woody
This book gave me a bone. Unfortunately, some of the pages now stick together and the only pictures I can still get to are the gay ones. That sucks. Are any of these chicks in videos?

A great collection of nudes from photographys best.
I came across this little book during one of my frequent trips to the photo section of my local Borders and had to pick it up. Mainly due to is very small size.
I was soon trapped flipping through the hundreds and hundreds of pages of beautiful nude photographs, unable to put the book down.
The only text in this book is a bit at the beginning and end and then the name of each photographer before you see their work. Thats it. No rambling text, just great nude photos.
This collection feature many of the worlds best nude photographers and is broken down into three sections. Female nudes, Male nudes, and couple nudes. It really cant get much more simple that that.
The book is printed on good gloss heavyweight paper, as you would expect to find in photo monographs and has a sturdy hardback.
Although a great collection of photos and printed well, I am a bit disappointed in the book size. It only measures about 3inches by 3inches, and because of the large number of photos inside, the weight of the book tends to deteriorate the binding fast if viewed a lot. Also, I have found it hard to find a good place for this tiny book on my shelf. It just doesnt fit in very well. But becuase the book is so good and the downfalls are few, I only took one star.
I still feel that all nude photography fans should purchase this book for their collection at its very cheap price.

High quality paper, beautiful photographs.
The first 60% of this book consists of photographs of women. The next 20% is of males, and the final 20% are couples (gay, lesbian, and straight).

The vast majority of the photographs are black & white and consist of young and beautiful models. There is such a variety of different images, and the same model is rarely used twice. Sexual overtones are definitely apparent throughout the book, along with a few closeups of genetalia.

It is a short book (in terms of height) but it is also quite thick. The photographs take up each entire page and the only text is the artist name at the beginning of each new group of photographs.

Amazing little book
For such a small book -- it measures just over 5"X5" -- this holds a whole lot of great pictures. From the ordinary to the sensual, this book is worth looking at. It really made me want fruit (see pages 28 and 29)!
However, for being a book based solely on perusing, the small size is rather off-putting. It's not the detail that gets lost in translation, but the impact. However, the perfect price for this lets me wholeheartedly recommend this title for those that are interested in photos of nudes. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Comprehensive, informative and readable
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.

An Inspirational Book
This book is worth the price for the breathtaking images alone. More importantly, John Shaw's ability to explain complex photographic issues and techniques with clarity makes this one of the best "how to" books I have ever read on any topic.

Here are a few of the book's features that I especially appreciate with each re-reading:

1. Thorough technical details beside each shot; 2. Emphasis on appreciating nature, and enjoying nature photography; 3. Appreciation of good photo gear for its effectiveness and convenience, combined with suggestions for improvising to reduce expense (such as how to shoot arresting closeups without investing in a macro lens); 4. Lots of Nikon-specific equipment references, but mentions Canon equivalents; 5. Ethical, urging photographers not to harass creatures or damage plants in the wilderness; 6. Did I mention the breathtaking images?

His newer "Nature Photography Field Guide" is also brilliant,and equally full of superb images, valuable tips, and further inspiration. There is little overlap between the two.

"Closeups in Nature" opens up a new world of perception and expression for photographers. Treat yourself or a photographer friend to a copy.

Close up on Closeups in Nature
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
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
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 :) ... Read more