If you see or hit something at close range or from close range, you are very close to it when you see it or hit it. If you do something at a range of half a mile, for example, you are half a mile away from it when you do it.
He was shot in the head at close range.
McCoist knocked the ball in from close range.
...photographing wild animals from close range.
The enemy opened fire at a range of only 20 yards.