This week's blog might not interest everybody. So what else is new...!
I write off the cuff, meaning I really don't prepare or give it much thought until the deadline looms. This particular blog is the perfect example.
I've always been interested in photography at large but especially the outer rims of the process. Macro photography is one such area. The name can be a tad confusing. Basically it implies that your using a macro lens to zoom in to a specific subject or part of it. It is sort of between regular photography and micro photography which uses a microscope. It falls in a universe all by itself sort of like Pee Wee Herman.
Most digital SLR (single lens reflex) lenses can't focus close enough to give you a macro image. You either need a special macro lens or either a bellows extension device or as in my case a tube extension. This is where the whole thing becomes a bit dicey. A bellows or tube extension will render your camera electronics like focus metering virtually useless. However on the good side, auto exposure will work and you'll be able to review your shot immediately and readjust if necessary.
This first shot is just to show how far into a subject you can go with an extension device. On the left you'll see how close I got to the ruler with my macro lens.On the left is the same ruler but using an extension tube between my lens and the camera.
Pretty powerful..!
Let's put this to work. Obviously I was going to need a lot of light. This is one of the major drawbacks of macro photography. The closer you are to your subject the more light you need. A lot of people use flash for this purpose but to me it looks a bit unnatural. I prefer working in natural light but since I'm getting really close, the slightest movement of either the camera or the subject can result in a total blur.
Just like Lindsay Lohan about to go back into rehab.
This picture is of a flower bud. Don't ask me what flower, I simply don't know not being a very flower knowledgeable kind of guy. You can observe that not to much is in focus what we refer to as depth of field. This can be a plus in macro simply because you can isolate the subject against a mysterious looking background.
This next picture is of a stamen. As you can see, it can easily become an abstraction if it were not for the bare hint of reality showing.
This next one is a shot of the rust on an antique stove we kept in the yard near the stream. Flat and steady surfaces are a great way to get into macro photography. They are abundant and easy to capture. The only thing you have to look out for is not casting a shadow on the subject with the camera or the lens since you're only an inch or two away. A steady tripod and an integrated timer to trip the shutter will help immensely. Or if you prefer, a six pack of Heinekens will steady your nerves.
This pic is of the interior of a computer hard disk. I took it apart to see what it looked like inside, something that got me in trouble on numerous occasions when I was a kid, taking apart all sorts of things, a lot of times, aggravating my parents. The phone incident didn't wash down too well.
Basically, you can have a lot of fun doing this and any subject is fair game. Sometimes it will be frustrating, other times you'll rejoice with amazement at your results. There are a lot of sites on the web devoted to macro. I was somewhat disappointed looking it up because to me, a lot of them are only satisfied with using a standard macro lens which will not zoom in enough to totally immerse you in a place of unseen wonders and awe.
Footnote: Most digital cameras have a macro mode that you can enable in the settings. It won't (depending on the manufacturer) be state of the art macro, but it can get you started.
