MACRO II – Getting Up Close and Personal

When I began this blog in May, I wasn’t exactly sure what would develop.  I hoped it would become a place where I could learn and grow as a “picture-taker.”  (Funny, I have a difficult time referring to myself as a photographer.)  Was I ever in for a surprise!  In yesterday’s post alone I learned at least two things.  First, there are several people who are seeking similar information and growth.  And second, there are many wonderful, talented photographers out there who are willing to share their knowledge and experience.

If you haven’t read yesterday’s post, you should click here to see it.  When you read it, make sure you browse the comments (they contain a wealth of practical information), and feel free to add to that post by including a comment of your own.  Yesterday, an entire photography community came together to participate in a forum-type discussion about macro photography.  I wish to offer my personal thanks to everyone who added a comment. Some of you are beginning novices, like me.  If that describes you, go ahead and leave a comment today.  Ask a question.  Post a short remark about the photos. Tell us what you’re thinking.  Even if you just say, “Hi,” to let everyone know you’re here – it’s your contribution and it has great value to the overall content of the discussion. Others may be well-experienced, even professional photographers.  Your comments only serve to further our ability to learn and grow in this amazing field. The experience and expertise you share in your comments contribute an element necessary to those of us without that knowledge.

In a similar fashion as the ladybug yesterday, I shot this bee using the same equipment: My Canon 50D and my 28-135 mm zoom lens.  I zoomed in as closely as the lens would allow, and finished the shot you see with a series of post-processing crops.

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I created this flower abstract the same way.

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These shots do provide a good close-up perspective.  But if you’re like me, sometimes you just want to get even closer and capture even greater detail.  But, is that possible without the investment required to purchase a macro lens?  Maybe…

In the strictest sense, true macro photography is achieved when the image projected onto the digital sensor is the same size as the subject – a reproduction ration of 1:1. As with my Canon 28-135 mm zoom lens, sometimes manufacturers describe a lens’ close-focusing capabilities as “macro” even if it doesn’t meet that strict definition. Over time, the term “macro” has gradually come to define the ability to focus on a subject close enough so the image is life-size or larger when viewing a 4″x6″ print.

However we choose to define “Macro Photography” I think we can all agree, it requires the ability to get up close and personal with the subject.  With that in mind, let’s share some information that will help us achieve just that.

If you’re like me and a macro lens is somewhere in your future but you still love to shoot extreme close up shots, perhaps one of the following methods will provide the help you need to accomplish that.

Some manufacturers offer what are typically called close-up “filters” which aren’t really filters at all.  But since they look like filters and attach to your lens in the same fashion as a filter, they came to be known as filters.  They’re actually supplementary lenses that use high-quality optics to shorten your camera lens’ close-focusing distance, allowing you to get closer to the subject without losing the ability to focus. These close-up filters are available in different strengths (or diopter) usually referred to as +1, +2, or +4. For those wanting to shoot macro on a budget, a complete set of three close-up filters should cost around $40.00 – $50.00.

If these filters don’t get you close enough to satisfy that macro itch, you may want to consider adding an extension tube to your existing lens.  Extension tubes provide additional separation between your lens and imaging chip that’s required for close-up photography.  A set of inexpensive extension tubes will only set you back about $85.00 – $100.00.

Now, I’ve never experimented with either of these methods.  But, I wonder if some of you have.  And if so, would you care to share your experience – good or bad.  This is the place to do just that.  Or, are you like me and have even more questions about close-up photography?  Then, this is the place to share those questions.

Let’s open this up for discussion and see where it leads.  Write your comments and questions, share your experiences, and I’ll get them posted so we can unmask this mystery of Macro Photography.

Thanks for stopping by.  I’ll see you tomorrow.

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~ by photographyfree4all on August 28, 2010.