articles/Nature/macrocloseuplook-page1

Macro Photography - A close-up look - part 1 of 1 2 3

Published 01/12/2008

The talk at the Convention will provide advice and some in depth technical information on the equipment and techniques needed to explore the wonderful world of miniature, using the eye of a Macro Photographer.

Introduction

Definitions.

Macro photography basically means getting close enough so that the subject or object being photographed is approaching life sized and beyond. In practical terms this means for example if an object is 1cm in height then it will be 1cm on the film plane or sensor plane.

Challenges.

The challenges involved in macro photography can be looked at under two broad categories.

1. The aesthetic/composition
2. The technical issues

The aesthetic requires one to capture the uniqueness of the flower or insect being photographed while knowing exactly what to include or exclude in the frame, to achieve this. The technical side requires the photographer to understand the technical limitations and strengths of camera, lenses and media used to capture the photograph.

Overall the macro photographer is able to work in a technical environment and still be able to produce a beautiful macro photograph that will satisfy the viewer on an aesthetic level.

Close-up filters lenses

These lenses are basically single- or dual-mounted lenses that screw into a lens filter thread giving an effect of magnification. The theory is that they allow the photographer to focus closer by shortening the effective focal length of the attached lens. However, you lose the ability to focus to infinity, and optically they are not as good as other methods of magnification. Sometimes they are called 'Dioptre lenses' and come in various strengths.

Extension Rings or Tubes

These are hollow tubes that fit between the lens and camera body. They effectively increase the distance between the lens and film/sensor, and in doing so increase the magnification value. Some advantages are that there are no additional optics so definition is high; also the cost is relatively low when compared to more sophisticated specialist lenses. However, the ability to focus to infinity is again lost, and exposure times are increased due to the loss of effective aperture.

They can be purchased singly or as a set and they can be used in combination

The amount of magnification can be worked out using this equation.

Mag. = Extension ÷ Focal length of lens.

There is a lot more that can be said about extension rings/tubes, but there is simply not enough room for it here.

Reversing Rings

• Macro Photography - A close-up look page 1
  
• Macro Photography - A close-up look page 2
  
• Macro Photography - A close-up look page 3
  

There are 37 days to get ready for The Societies of Photographers Convention and Trade Show at The Novotel London West, Hammersmith ...
which starts on Wednesday 17th January 2024