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Summary: Excellent overview of macro techniques for the beginner
Review: I picked this book up by chance just two weeks after buying a 35mm camera. All of the explanations are execellent and do a good job of bridging the gap between a beginner and a more advanced user. He does a good job of describing some of the specialized techniques; including camera tubes, extensions, and bellows. Definetely recommended. I also learned alot about non-macro photography. As a bonus the pictures are outstanding.
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Summary: John Shaw's Closeups in Nature - what a book!
Review: I was a frustrated nature close-up photographer until I got John Shaw's 'Closeups in Nature'. There always was a big element of 'trial and error' in my technique and now I find that I have a high degree of control over my photographic techniques after reading and re-reading [I still refer back to John Shaw's books, often] this book. It is very well written, and proper photographic technique can be learned fairly fast. I would suggest, that all budding nature photographers get a copy of this book - it is invaluable!
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Summary: Great, Easy-to-Read and Friendly
Review: If you are interested at all in nature photography, you will enjoy and benefit from any of John Shaw's works. Shaw is a clear, concise writer as well as a great photographer. My favorite of Shaw's books, Closeups in Nature is a thoughtfully designed and clearly written guide that both inspires and instructs. With warmth and clarity, John Shaw offers tips and explanations that are practical, down-to-earth and truly helpful. He focuses on how to make the most out of one's efforts in macro photography, but the instruction goes a long way farther and helps in many other areas of nature photography. On top of all this, the photos are stunningly beautiful. This is highly recommended.
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Summary: Stunning Photography
Review: If you have read John Shaw before, you will get a lot of the same information on apeture, shutterspeed, film speed, lenses, tripods, etc. However, the photographs in this book are amazing. Shaw's captions tell how he achieved them. It is a beautiful book, and very informative if this is your first read by John Shaw.
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Summary: images of natures tiny subjects
Review: If you're interested in nature photography and especially macro work, get this book before you spend a ton of money on confusing and/or expensive equipment (ie macro lenses, diopter sets, extension tubes, lens reversal rings etc.) John is easy to read and covers about everything you need to know about how to capture natures tiny subjects on film. Although the book is a bit old, basic photo techniques don't change and his love of photography is contagious. Buy this book and you'll be out in your yard within hours, camera in hand. He is a firm believer in the old saying "necessity is the mother of invention". From calibrating your light meter, using the palm of your hand to estimate midtone exposure, making homemade flash brackets or reflectors from coolwhip containers and tin foil, he covers it all. He reviews the basics of exposure, flash, different film pros and cons and explains all the basic macro equipment so you know what lenses and equipment will and won't do for you.
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Summary: Excellent Content -Poor Binding
Review: John Shaw does an excellent job of taking the mystery out of the macro process. His photos are an inspiration and I have already had success with some of his suggestions. The book is worth the price just for his tips on how to calibrate your camera meter.
The binding on the book is very poor and has started to fall apart with limited use. The book will be used as a reference and I'm afraid that I will have to put it in a three ring binder. Mr Shaw should find a publisher that produce a product that will match his excellent content.
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Summary: Great macro/closeup techniques, but a little outdated
Review: John Shaw explains many good techniques for closeup nature photography, which are applicable even in today's digital world. However, this is still a book from the film-era, so anything relatively recent or digital (e.g. magnification ratios for digital cropped sensors, advancements in AF technology, change in lens lineup, etc) is not covered. It is perhaps due for a quick revision to bring it up to date to today's cameras. Also, the photos in this book are good, but perhaps not as striking as the photos in his other book, Nature Photography Field Guide.
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Summary: One of the most inspiring nature photographers!
Review: John Shaw is often considered the modern master of the closeup (in reality he shares this title with George Lepp). The techniques in this book will help anyone interested in closeup photography get started on the road to mastery. I highly recommend this book! The techniques he presents are not new; most are presented in the highly-technical (out-of-print) works of Alfred Blaker, but Shaw is much more readable. The book was published in 1987, so it does not cover the use of more modern photographic equipment. Further, all gear presented is for Nikon systems, so users of other systems may need to do some homework to translate some of the techniques to their systems. Look for updates in his video tapes "Successful Closeups" and Advanced Closeups" available from Kirk Photo website online.. In summary, buy this book, Shaw's video tapes, and the books by Lepp (available here at Amazon.com). Then turn off your computer and start making closeup photographs!
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Summary: Best macro photography book available!!
Review: John Shaw shines in this book. The information is not only helpful, but to the point and direct. Shaw explains everything in detail, but only enough as needed. Truly exceptional book!! It is a must have guide to anyone who wants to delve into the macro photography field. I have been focusing on macro for the last year now. I just recently read the book and it helped me unbelievably. From what tripod to use to what filters (if any), to how to compose that great shot. It is a wonderful book!!
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Summary: Extremely helpful
Review: John Shaw's books are wonderful! Our local library has a wonderful collection of them. After a hiatus in photography of many years, I have jumped back in with both feet. I have found John Shaw's books amazingly helpful! We don't have many scenic landscapes, in this part of the nation :( so I have been focusing on closeup photography. I must say, that John's writing in "Closeups in Nature" has enabled me to produce some great images. I keep rereading the text and captions and continue to learn from them. I really appreciate this book, as well as his newer ones. Thanks, John!
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