My most popular classes on KelbyOne are my two close-up classes, I’ve had thousands of viewers which is really funny when you consider i tried to talk Scott into getting someone else to do the classes!  When I first started getting into nature photography a long, long time ago, I was so fortunate to teach side by side with several of the best close-up photographers in the business, John Shaw, Rod Planck, Cliff Zenor, John Netherton, Bryan Peterson, and Larry West.  I shot close-ups but rarely showed them because I was working with such great close-up artists!  Scott kept insisting I do the classes, I kept insisting I could put him onto some great close-up shooters instead.  Well Scott won, and so did I when I gave in and said I would do it.

When I committed to do the classes I went back to school and reviewed all  the things I’d learned from the great shooters I mentioned above.  Close-up photography, more than most all the other things I do is more science, math and discipline.  It involves some pretty serious fundamentals you must learn and practice carefully if you want to make truly outstanding close-up images.  I believe in learning all you can about a subject before you teach it, and that exercise really helped me get my skills back!  I fell in love with close-up work again and with the help of those great friends, I’m now doing a lot more close-up work, and really enjoying it!

The new book will pass on those critical areas of expertise.  The image below shows the actual size of the 2014 USPS Circus Stamps above.  In the book I will talk not only about the principles of close-up shooting but also the myriad of ways you can get closer!  One of my favorite techniques is the use of diopters!  They are one of the least expensive ways to get into serious close-up work!  They’re easy to carry, and as you can see, work great!

This image (above) was shot with the Fuji 18-55 at it’s closes focusing distance, just the lens alone.  The ruler, which is in inches, let’s you see the approx size area that can be covered at the 18-55’s closest focusing distance at 55mm.

The image at the very top is with the new Fuji 50-140 f 2.8 lens and the Canon 500D diopter at the 140 end’s closest focusing distance!  In the new book we will explore dozens of such scenarios and learn how to get the most out of your close-up gear, be it Fuji, Canon, Nikon or whatever other system you may use!

I hope to release it within the next couple of weeks!

Blessings,

the pilgrim

                            Coming Soon!!!!