1. Fabio E. Ramirez - December 27, 2009

   In his book, Harold Davis, not only gives advise the reader on techniques, but he also gives a description of the method used of the pictures in his book, like f stop, shutter speed and ISO. Very important information the reader can apply when crating his photo shots.
   Rating: 4 / 5

2. B. Beverage - December 28, 2009

   Harold Davis has taken close-up photography to a new level. The uniqueness of his images cannot help but arouse curiosity. It also rasises the question: “How did he possibly do this?” Not only can Mr. Davis do this, but he spells out in page after page how you can do this also.

   The book is logically laid out with some equipment choices and subjects from artifacts to flowers and water drops. Flowers are a common favorite in macro photography. However, in this work flowers are viewed and photographed in creative ways that are not likely to have been seen before. His work on shooting transparencies–indoor and out–is supreme. Capturing the profound beauty of a single flower is truly a creative act.

   The author has left nothing out as he explores the possibility for creative work through: HDR, focus stacking, selective focus, abstraction, and digital painting. Each method is explained clearly and concisely. Anyone could find a favorite technique here to play with.

   Water drops comprise a large section of the book. The incredible resourcefulness of shooting a single water drop places the results of these photographs in the realm of the magical.

   As a seasoned photographer, I continued to find new ideas throughout the book. On the other hand enough information is given on f/,stops lighting, depth of field, etc. that someone new to photography would also benefit from his methods.

   Harold Davis reminds us that we do not have to travel or search to find new close-up subjects. Everything is right in front or beside us. Make sure a copy of this book is also there to guide you.
   Rating: 5 / 5

3. Jeff R. Clow - December 28, 2009

   Full Disclosure: I have been a macro (closeup) photographer for several years and I was sure I had read all the important books on the subject.

   Full Disclosure #2: I was wrong …. since until this weekend I had not read this book, and thus my macro library was incomplete.

   The author, Harold Davis, has put out a veritable instruction manual for the closeup photographer that is as good as anything I’ve ever read on the subject. His chapters on Focus Stacking and the use of the HDR (high dynamic range) multiple exposure approach are incredibly helpful with step by step guides (and screenshots) that make using these techniques really easy. Although I had read about “focus stacking”, I had never felt comfortable at using this approach because I thought it would be laborious and too time consuming. After reading the chapter on how to do it, I was able to go out in my garden and immediately get good results. Heck, that advice alone is worth the cover price.

   I also found the chapters on Selective Focus and Reflections and Refractions to be very helpful. I had long wanted to get that classic shot of a reflection inside a dew drop on the surface of a leaf, but I could never pull it off very well. With the text and accompanying photos in this book, I found myself able to correct my previous errors and nail the shot I’ve always wanted.

   Mr. Davis writes in an easy to understand style that is both informative and casual. You don’t have to be a pro to understand what he is writing about and his advice resonates like that of a trusted friend who has taken you under his wing to show you all his favorite tips and techniques.

   If you’re the least bit interested in improving your closeup photo work, or if you’d like to venture out into this fascinating field of the world in miniature as seen through a photo lens then I would HIGHLY recommend this book.
   Rating: 5 / 5

4. M. Braun - December 28, 2009

   The emphasis in Harold Davis’s book is definitely on “creative”. If you suffer from a dearth of ideas of macro subjects, this book will start your juices going. Your pots and pans and glassware will all become possible subjects of inspiration. The sections on HDR and HFR are well illustrated with step-by-step instructions. I have two minor caveats about the book. I would have preferred that less space be given to reflections and droplets and it would be difficult not to immediately buy “The Photoshop Darkroom” after seeing the kind of results Harold Davis achieves in Photoshop. I just ordered mine. A highly recommended book.
   Rating: 4 / 5

5. A. Stevens - December 28, 2009

   I found Creative Close-Ups to be an excellent introduction into the wonderful world of macro photography in a concise and straight forward way. Harold Davis provides a good description of the pros and cons of various types of equipment for creating close-ups, and then thoroughly describes how to photograph different types of macro subjects.

   All of the photos in the book provide beautiful illustrations of the concepts, along with all the technical details. I loved the section on how to photograph water droplets and look forward to experimenting with that next spring!

   All in all, an informative and inspiring book for someone that is new to macro photography.
   Rating: 5 / 5

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