Macro Photography book review

Macro Photography Photo Workshop
Reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher


***
Strengths: Magnificent layout makes the book easy to read. Superb general examples of photography, close-ups, large screen shots and (Photoshop) screen well done. The author has included many insightful ways of looking and dealing with Macro Photography as well as photography in general. Breadth and depth covered in excellent fashion. This book is Intuitively written and easy to understand.

Weaknesses: This is not a tutorials guide, per se. You have to “digest” the readings slowly step by step like a textbook. The tutorials are learned through these worthwhile readings. If you want a quick guide, this is not for you (but you will miss a great book!).

Introduction

Most of my photography has been with nature, sky and other worldly objects, using telephoto, regular or other lenses. Lately however I have seen objects such as spiders, plants and other objects that show objects close up. Having dabbled in taking close-up pictures of spiders, flowers, moths and more, I thought it lucky that a book called Macro Photography appeared at the right time when I was searching for further information about creating better close-up photographs. And this is why I was happy about finding it.

The author, a freelance writer, has a popular photography blog and is known for his creativity and work with hardware. He also has a good way of using words and I found that his ideas and ways he communicated them within the tutorials and more, a great read. In many ways, I found the “wording” and “ his ideas different then I had ever thought about. I found myself being drawn into the book by this and several other ways.

The author, using expressive words, says that macro photography “has changed over time and that macro photography has changed it even to further”. The 10th chapter spans a wide range of his important insights, reflections and ideas. What is remarkable about this book is the extremely intuitive nature and the clear ideas that are laid out about macro photography.

Instead of regular text laden tutorials, the author integrates detailed examples (photos) with profound statement that are instantly understood. These insights gave me a “new look” on several ideas and included new insights that I could use about photography in general but also macro photography. Instead of stating the obvious or including information that one should just do a task, the author eases the user into understanding and the “why’s and how’s”. This is a refreshing change. His statements are communicated brilliantly and concisely. He also addresses how and what ways macro photography “has changed over time and how digital photography has changed it even more” (page 5). He then continues to introduce you to “the regular topics” used in macro photography and going beyond.

Photos in the book (collected from other photographers) are magnificent and illustrate his “points of view and idea,” too an even greater extent. He also says that while macro photography can be used in many ways, many of the rules that apply to other branches of photography are “meaningless when you start to getting close enough for the results you want” (page 7). I found statements like this and others helped me pay attention even further to the remarkable detail the author has crafted into this book.

Orange box-markers (ref for reference) within the chapters, detail additional ideas regarding instruction, hardware or software. Additional ideas called “notes”, assist with knowing about equipment, learning new ideas, and even include websites for finding additional information. Boxes with “tip” inside yield information about equipment. “Idea” boxes include other websites and resources to search for find additional information.

Chapter 1 eases you into the world of macro photography. This includes basic challenges, working with macros and information about camera bodies for the topic of this book. Chapter 2 focuses more in-depth about equipment, while Chapter 3 includes lighting under many situations (well done chapter and important). Chapter 4 lays the ground work for “ macro opportunities everywhere.” This is followed by subsequent chapters which include techniques and ideas for photographing flowers, textures, insects. Then skills can be practiced with abstracts pictures and art and people. Finally Chapter 10 includes digital darkrooms skills and understanding more “how’s and what’s” which includes Raw information.

In the Appendix A, there are internet resources while Appendix B includes the 10 names of contributing photographers who has some of the books photos utilized in this text. A nice glossary allows for the searching of vocabulary, while the index helps find additional information at your finger tips.

Conclusions

I really found this book insightful, resourceful and a refreshing way to learn about photography. I instantly found more information concerning utilizing my camera for “macro – fun. ” The photos elevated my ideas even further because I literally could look at the photos and tutorial/ readings and instantly get “a-hah (insight)” in my mind how and when to try to use my camera for other close-ups now and in the future.

Recommendation

I think you will be delighted you found this book for several reasons. The price is right and is a great buy. Everywhere you turn in this book, you will learn something new. It looks good and will no doubt inspire you to look at the “the world “ and using your camera in different way.

Anyone who wants to use their digital camera for close-ups / macro activities should take a look at this book. Not only does it expand your thoughts about exploring with your camera but also the best ways to experiment and how. You will also discover some twenty-plus ways to be challenged, how to troubleshoot and use your digital-editing skills to create effects desired. Find and read this book to get as many “ahahs” as I did.

Europe gets the iPhone

first iPhones sold in Germany as 10,000 are sold by 5pm. Each costs $566 to $587.
http://www.kansascity.com/business/story/354686.html

my son bought a macpro laptop - no longer part of the dark side

My daughter ,wife and I have always had mac. Brian went to the darkside as he did not want a mac for his graduation present. (We settled on a Sony laptop). He is now a junior at Juliard School of Music in NYC and said he just bought a macpro white laptop.

This is good !!!

Dr. Eric Flescher, Olathe, KS(dreric1kansas@aol.com)

2007: The Year in Review an eclipse?

from Macworld 12/2007 P.132 " 2007: The Year in Review" by7 John Motlz (crazyapplerumors.com)

middle column

" Truly the "IT" device if 2007- if not the decade, century, millenium, and indeed all of time and space - the iPhone finally arrived on June 29. Its arrival was greeted by a chorus of angels , followed by a solar eclipse , an overflight by a flock of doves , and a dire warning from a strange bearded man who kept mumbling something that sounded like " $200 price -cut."

Hilarious!!

Microsoft can't use market power 80 percent profit margin to harm consumers by killing competition on any market

I have to hand it to Bill Gates and company. They new from the start ,that they would a lot of companies and businesses "by the balls." With the fact that most people did not care of the shoddiness of windows and did not want to buy Apple stuff made it worse. They thought they can do anything they wanted. I commend the European union for finally standing up to them.

Microsoft Yields to European Regulators

the company can no longer use the market power derived from its 95 percent share of the PC operating system market and 80 percent profit margin to harm consumers by killing competition on any market it wishes," Neelie Kroes, the E.U.'sSoftware Giant Ends Years-Long Antitrust Fight

By Catherine Rampell

Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 23, 2007; Page D01

Microsoft yesterday capitulated to European Union regulators, ending a decade-long antitrust battle that some say could shape how U.S. companies operate in Europe.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/22/AR2007102200425.html?wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter

Apple keep on going higher

Apple soars

Apple to Hit $225?

posted on: October 08, 2007 | about stocks: AAPL

Apple Inc (AAPL) has had an incredible run throughout 2007.

MacBook for Dummies REVIEW

All in all I liked the book and what it had “to say.” Novice and intermediate laptop users might like it not only for its good price but also the information it provides.

MacBook for Dummies


reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher, Olathe, KS: (dreric1kansas@aol.com)

Author: Mark L. Chamber
website:
Publisher: Wiley
Released: 2006
Pages: 366
$ USA 22
Canada 26
UK 15
ISBN: 0-470-04859-X
Strengths: The book includes a very introduction. Good screenshots and illustrations including the pointers to specific areas within the illustrations. Five icons help pinpoint helpful information along the way. Chapter 23 “ Top Ten Things to Avoid like the Plague “ is quite good as well as Chapter 22 “ Top Ten Laptop Rules to Follow (which is insightful and well written). Good price, well written and readable.
Weaknesses: Chapters like the ones with iDVD and Imovie have minimal amounts of information. Really these and some of the sections just have the basics. To know and learn more, books that detail more information regarding specific applications should be found besides these basics. the iLife applications, you might want to turn elsewhere. Users who read about “movies,” “projects.” “video clips,” may find the information in this book not well defined, especially concerning when and how the media can be imported, exported and utilized

Novice/Intermediate

Rating: 4.5/5

There are several books on the market dealing with MacBook. Several include not only information about MacBook but MacBook Pro. This is one includes both. I wanted to see what the author had to offer in this MacDummies series related to these laptops. I found the author of this book has previously published the Mac OSX All-In-One desk Reference for Dummies and completed thirty computer books. My wife related bought a MacBook so I decided to research this book to see what it could tell me.
The book covers 366 pages and spans 23 chapters with seven part/ sections. The first part of the book includes a very nice introduction that gives the reader a nice prelude to learning about the laptops but more . As the author says, “ he started with no assumption “ regarding knowledge of the laptop. The book starts “from the ground up” and launches into some interesting ideas that relate to more then the “hardware.” It is nice that in this beginning section, the author pinpoints information about “switchers,” those computer users who are moving into the Macintosh realm from the PC/windows usage (particularly targeting Windows XP users). He also nicely mentions that if you are new to Macintosh and the Apple world, most of the software is in the computer and does not have to be purchased. This is a great tip that probably many PC people still don’t know about even though many Apple users already are mindful about.
While many of the Dummies books vary in their versatility , breadth and depth of the instructional content, this one is solid. While the illustrations are only black and white, the screen shots are readable. Several include pointers to various sections within the illustrations that zone in on the information talked about. This takes away the annoying quess work that I have found in some books that I have read in which “hunting” within the illustrations was a regular and recurring point. There are also five icons that are placed throughout the pages. These (Tip; mark’s Maxim; Technical stuff; Warning!; Remember) serve to include precise additional information that assists along the way regarding the instructions.
The Part 1 includes information pertaining to Mac laptops, turning on and starting with the system and computer. Part focus in on the OSX and operating system while Part 3 launches into the world of connecting and communicating. Part 4 focuses on the iLife applications ( introductory instruction and while the text takes you through each application starting up and using, if you want more in-depth information other books will be needed). Part 5 is sharing access and information while Part 6 deals with important troubleshooting, upgrading information and maintaining your laptop.
Part 7 is called the Parts of Tens. This includes Chapter 22 “ Top Ten Laptop Rules to Follow (insightful and well written) and Chapter 23 “ Top Ten Things to Avoid like the Plague “ (useful for many reasons in your encounter with the internet, applications, hardware and more).
All in all I liked the book and what it had “to say.” Novice and intermediate laptop users might like it not only for its good price but also the information it provides. Readable and you gain insights throughout the book. But especially if you already have a Macbook or Pro and have worked with it and want more information (concerning the iLife applications), you might want to turn elsewhere. Users who read about “movies,” “projects.” “video clips,” may find the information not well defined, especially concerning when and how the media can be imported, exported and utilized.