Close Up Photography in Nature

Capturing the grandeur of landscapes or mood of a certain natural light is challenging but often the simple details of a texture or color evade photographers most of all. In Close Up Photography in Nature, best-selling authors and nature photography pros, John and Barbara Gerlach, share the tips and techniques necessary to successfully photograph the beauty all around you.

The Gerlachs are celebrated teachers who understand a photographer's mind so they begin this book with a brief overview of the fundamentals before delving into some of the more advanced and unique challenges of close up photography. Topics covered include: advanced flash techniques specific for close up shooting, as well as a discussion on focus stacking strategies and tilt-shift lenses for getting maximum depth-of-field. The Gerlachs also discuss their strategy of mixing flash with natural light when shooting close up, which opens up all sorts of photographic possibilities ? opening up shadows, creating shadows, separating the subject from the background, reducing contrast between the subject and the background, improving the color rendition, shooting sharper images, and much more. This book will change the way you see the world as well as the way you share it through your work! the world through your work!

Introduction

1. Camera and Accessories a. Popular Camera Systems b. Key Camera Features c. Sensor Size d. Camera Batteries e. Memory Options f. Protecting the Camera

2. Choosing and Using Lenses a. Lens Makers b. How Lenses Work c. Image-stabilization d. Lens Choices

3. Mastering Exposure a. Exposure guideline summary b. Exposure Basics c. Understanding the Exposure Meter

4. Conquer Extreme Contrast with HDR a. What is HDR?

5. Shooting Sharp Images a. Hand-held techniques b. Tripod Techniques c. Avoid adding Extra Glass to the optical path d. Optimum apertures e. Focusing strategies

6. Focus Stacking for Incredible Depth of Field a. What it does

7. The Crucial Role of Light a. The Magic of Light b. The Qualities of Light

8. Close-ups and Macro a. Definition of the two b. Ways to Focus Close c. Getting Sharp Images d. Ideal Close-up Light

9. The Power of Flash a. Flash b. Flash Sync Speed c. Using Multiple Flash

10. Developing Your Eye for Composition a. Composition-a definition b. Composition Guidelines

11. Stunning Panoramas a. Opportunities

12. Traveling with Camera Gear a. Camera bags

13. The Equipment We Use a. Camera gear b. Office Gear Sources

are founders of Gerlach Nature Photography, they are professional nature photographers. Their pictures have been published in National Wildlife, Sierra, Natural History, Petersen’s Photographic, Ranger Rick, Birder’s World, Michigan Natural Resources, Audubon, Outdoor Photographer, and Popular Photography, as well as in books published by National Geographic Society, Sierra Club, Kodak, and wrote Focal’s own Digital Nature Photography and Digital Landscape Photography.