The Secrets of Close-Up Photography

by Lou Jacobs Jr.

This book helps photographers of all skill levels go near and come away with exciting, well-composed photographs. Page after page of striking images, plus in-depth information on close-up photography, guides readers though every aspect of this popular photographic art form. Includes 192 color photos by seasoned photographers with captions of how each shot was taken.

Genres: Photography

144 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1997

About the author

Lou Jacobs, Jr. (b.1921) grew up in Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Carnegie Mellon University, a major in industrial design. After serving during World War II, he moved to California where he studied photojournalism at the Art Center College of Design, later working as an editorial photographer. Lou Jacobs describes himself as a designer/painter turned photographer/writer. Jacobs first began taking fine art photographs with a view camera in the 1940's. During this time he became friends with Edward Weston to whom he occasionally showed prints for criticism. Nature plays an enormous role in his work- his more recent collages are based on aerial photographs of land forms. Striving for simplicity in concept, Lou Jacobs hopes ‘that viewers can enjoy and appreciate the clear subjects in my photographs and the juxtapositions of forms and colors in my collages.’ During the 1940s and 50s, he began focusing his camera upon the faces of his fellow artist friends, catching glimpses of the creative genius within the vital atmosphere of time and place, turning ‘artist’ into ‘subject’.

Reviews

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read. Over 10 yrs old, and thus digital photography not discussed. Nonetheless, many helpful suggestions and tricks of the trade.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading to help with yearbook photos. Don't want fuzzy pics like last year's photos.