Books you may like to hear about

[Paddy Tobin]

Haven't heard of this one Frazer and imagine I would enjoy it very much. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

Paddy

[Paddy Tobin]

This one was mentioned a little while ago. Paddy

“Macro Photography for Gardeners and Nature Lovers” was recently published by Timber Press and has been the best instructional manual I have read to date though I must clarify immediately that this is instruction lightly delivered and easily digested. The author is a keen gardener and many of his photographs are taken in his own garden, like many of us I imagine, which makes his writing particularly relevant.

The book is in fact two books delivered in a parallel fashion and is very effective in the delivery of its message as a result. There is the main body of the book dealing with equipment, the techniques of taking macro photographs, the management of digital files etc. Parallel to this almost each page has a large photograph or two smaller ones and these are all accompanied by lengthy details of how and why each photograph was taken so that a great deal of information is given with each.

I found the book well organised and particularly well illustrated and recommend it to readers who have an interest in macro photography particularly that of flowers. [Macro Photography for Gardeners and Nature Lovers, Alan L. Detrick, Timber Press, London, 2008, SB, 176pp, £17.99, ISBN-13:  978-0-88192-890-7]

Apologies that the front cover image below is in black and white as this was what was required for our local newsletter here and I had discarded the colour image.

[David Shaw]

I agree with what Paddy has said about 'Macro Photography'.
So far I just read through it as a reading book. If I ever get this d**** kitchen finish then I intend to work my way through it again as a teaching aid.

[Paddy Tobin]

Snap!

David, we are up to our eyes doing up the kitchen at this moment also. Why must women always get this great burst of energy and urgency to have things done for Christmas - and all at the last minute. With me it's school Christmas concert (oh, what torture) during the day and kitchen at night.

Thank goodness for books.

Paddy

[David Nicholson]

Is the book aimed at digital SLR users in particular or would it also be of use to digital camera users in general?

[Paddy Tobin]

David,

It is aimed at digital SLR camera users. The author uses a couple of Canon and with that exception I found his work excellent.

You ask if the book would be of use to digital camera users in general and I would say definitely yes. I would suggest it might prompt you to consider purchasing a digital SLR at some stage as you would appreciate the greater control of image capture which an SLR would give you, putting you in control of the photograph rather than the camera.

Paddy

[David Nicholson]

Paddy, thanks for that. I've considered buying a digital SLR but I have no background at all in photography (never even owned a camera before buying my first digital compact about four years ago) and I would have too much to learn to use one effectively. I think I will stick to 'conventional' digital cameras.

[mark smyth]

My first camera many moons ago was a SLR. I then went to digital compact and what I paid then would buy two Canon 450s today. I badly want to go back to an SLR again

[Paddy Tobin]

David,

I wouldn't baulk at the idea of buying an SLR. Remember that it will also work completely in "Automatic" mode and you can branch out bit by bit to using the other options on the camera then.

Paddy

[David Nicholson]

You have greater faith in my ability than I have Paddy. I have had my Fuji Finepix S5700 for over a year now and still haven't mastered any other function other than auto.

[Maggi Young]

You have greater faith in my ability than I have Paddy. I have had my Fuji Finepix S5700 for over a year now and still haven't mastered any other function other than auto.

Well, you say that, David, but you produce some super photos for us to enjoy here, so I'd be content, if I were you!

[David Nicholson]

Why thank you Maggi.

[David Shaw]

Listen for the loud squelch as I put my foot right in it, again.
David, I thought we both had a digital SLR in the Fuji Finepix S5700 - yes/no?
Fuji describe it as a DSLR having a single 10x optical zoom lens (F3.5). Whilst the camera is at the lower end of the range it has all the facilities of a SLR even though it is an excellent camera in automatic mode.
I have wondered about an extra lens but haven't found anything compatible. I don't know if the camera requires one and, anyway, it is too early for me to seriously worry about this - I can't use the basic camera efficiently yet.

[Maggi Young]

I thought we both had a digital SLR in the Fuji Finepix S5700 - yes/no?

No, David S.... it's a compact digital, not an SLR   
"The Fujifilm Finepix S5700 is an advanced digital compact camera featuring excellent optics, 7.1 megapixel resolution and ease-of-use. It gives you as much technical control as you want, while retaining automatic and program modes. "

[Paddy Tobin]

David,

The "D" in "DSLR" indicates that it simulates through-the-lens viewing as one gets in an SLR. I used a similar Fuji up to a year or so ago and found it an excellent camera. Certainly the SLR has the advantage of being able to interchange lens and have a wide range of lens available even if they are expensive.

Paddy