macro photography literature?

[tpe]

this was asked on www.digitaldynax.com but i think there is a better chance of an informed reply here. also something that I would very much like to find out too, if anyone has any reccomendations it would be great to hear

"Right - if anyone knows any good informative books on Macro photography I'd be really really grateful if you'd suggest some.

The more technical and historical the better. ie how this evolved, who were pioneers and how the scientific aspects of it work etc.

It's for a 10,000 word dissertation and if we have a list Mr W can order from the college library for the research.

I/we are dead busy at the moment with one thing or another so I hope someone can help? (Whining pleading voice)

Pat"

thanks

tim
_________________
www.scientificillustration.net

[DaveW]

My favourite three are:-

Photomacrography (an introduction) by William White.
Focal Press 1987 ISBN 0-240-51189-1

This has an introductory chapter on the history and background of photomacrography showing some of the early photomacrographic cameras.

Close-Up Photography & Photomacrography (combined 2 volumes in 1)
Kodak 1977 ISBN 0-87985-206-2

Manual of Close-Up Photography by Lester Lefkowitz.
Amphoto 1979 ISBN 0-8174-2456-3 (hardbound) 0-8174-2130-0 (softbound)

DaveW

[tpe]

Many thanks Dave that is brilliant. I will pass the info on, and looks like they should be obligatory reading so will try and get hold of them my self. I am kind of ashamed that I have never read any dedicated macro books so it will be a treat.

Tim
_________________
www.scientificillustration.net

[DaveW]

Watch where you buy it them then, I picked up the William White book mint second hand at a local secondhand book dealers for about £2. Looking on the Web I was amazed at the price variation in these books secondhand. The moral seems to be don't buy your books in Arizona! :-

http://www.alibris.com/search/books/isbn/9780240511894

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0817421300/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used

http://www.alibris.com/search/books/isbn/0879852062

Though you may be able to borrow them through your library service if it is anything like the UK's who will obtain them on loan from universities or our National Library for you.

DaveW

[tpe]

Wow you are not kidding about the price differences. I am in denmark, so the most expencive one is more or less the norm here, The others are a pipe dream for anyone over here. Ordering from the states we get an administration charge of 180dkk for anything outside europe that costs more than 70kr, 180 kr is about 20GBP or 30 USD (very approx). Think i am going to have to get one of those used and slighly drawn in ones. Actually I think it is nicer if the previous owner has taken notes.

Thanks again for the good advice and I have passed it on too.

Tim
_________________
www.scientificillustration.net

[Harold Gough]

Field Photography Beginning and Advanced Techniques by Alfred A Blaker (make sure it has the little Field-Use Data booklet which has all the formulae)

By the same author: Scientific Photography

They used to cost a fortune but can be obtained very cheaply now e.g. from Amazon.com. Don't expect anything about colour or digital, B/W film being the medium but the principles are all there.

They will give all the basics but are not light reading. They will meet much of your request for "The more technical and historical the better." Blaker was a university lecturer on photography.

The Complete Guide to Close-Up and Macro Photography by Paul Harcourt Davies ISBN 0-7152-0800-9 may be a quicker way in.

You may wish to research the history of camera systems, such as the olympus OM one. The modelscope is an interesting device. Take a look here:

http://www.alanwood.net/photography/olympus/

Harold
_________________
Happiness is having the right adapter.

My manual flash setup for high magnification:

http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=117843#117843

[Jim McLeod]

If you tend toward impatience, and find "equipment" immoral, burdensome, constraining, scary, mechanically overpowering, or all of the above, stop right here!

from "The Manual of Close-up Photography" by Lester Lefkowitz

When I read this I knew I was in the right group. Good book so far, recommeded in the first listing above.

I have not gone away, just reading my little (I like to think it is little ) rear end, since I joined this group of folks.
It was like when I retired, the first day, I had nothing to do and the next day, I was two months behind.
Thanks
Jim McLeod

[DaveW]

Do a book search on Google for them in the EU then Tim. They would then just come in by normal parcel post without duty. I bought my Lefkowitz one new in the UK years ago so they must have been on sale in Europe as well as the USA.

You could also do a search on EBAY and then save it and then will be notified by e-mail when anybody posts one for sale.

DaveW

[Harold Gough]

Even better:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=+%22The+Manual+of+Close-up+Photography%22+by+Lester+Lefkowitz+&x=16&y=19

Or, if you prefer:

"1 new from £164.86".

Harold
_________________
Happiness is having the right adapter.

My manual flash setup for high magnification:

http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=117843#117843

[DaveW]

Most in Harold's links are from the US, but there are a couple of UK ones in one link. I just looked up the postage rates for EU here:-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/seller/shipping.html/ref=olp_merch_ship_1?ie=UTF8&asin=0817421300&seller=A13GLD965BVKDR

DaveW

[Harold Gough]

Dave,

I'm not sure where you get the USA factor in my posts but anyway:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Alfred+A+Blaker

Harold
_________________
Happiness is having the right adapter.

My manual flash setup for high magnification:

http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=117843#117843

[DaveW]

I followed the links through to the sellers Harold, and though the first page lists them in UK currency when you get to the sellers page many come from the USA

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/0817421300/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&qid=1251573420&sr=1-1&condition=used

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/0817424563/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&qid=1251573579&sr=1-2&condition=used

DaveW

[Harold Gough]

Dave,

Perhaps a fair point in these examples but, as an occasional to frequent purchaser, only a small proportion (not obtainable from the UK) of my books/CDs come from the USA.

Harold
_________________
Happiness is having the right adapter.

My manual flash setup for high magnification:

http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=117843#117843

[Harold Gough]

Here is another one, strongly recommended in the FM forum:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Close-ups-Nature-Practical-Photography-Books/dp/0817440526/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251794305&sr=1-1

It is another film era book.

Harold
_________________
Happiness is having the right adapter.

My manual flash setup for high magnification:

http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=117843#117843

[Jim McLeod]

Hello,

I am a guy who was fascinated by photomacrography and said, Oh I can do that .

I read or should I say attemped to read Dave's suggestions, and found them enlightening. I've read 10 other books and my wife is about to throw me and my books out. I then picked up John Shaws' Closeups In Nature. Its all about 35mm but at least I understood that difference. I don't know how much the other books had helped but all of a sudden it started to click. I highly suggest it as a neophyte and it may not be bad for some of you scientists and physicist either,

Just a humble opinion.

Have a super day
Jim McLeod