Wikipedia says that “Macro photography (or photomicrography, or macrography, and sometimes macrophotography), is extreme close- up photography usually of very small subjects and living organisms like insects, in which the size of the subject in the photograph is greater than life size (though macrophotography technically refers to the art of making very large photographs) By the original definition, a macro photograph is one in which the size of the subject on the negative or image sensor is life size or greater. However, in some uses it refers to a finished photograph of a subject at greater than life size.”
The best way to accomplish Macro photography is to use a macro lens, or extension tubes. I do not have either! Macro is a very new genre that I don’t have much experience at doing. Perhaps a macro lens would be a good future investment for me. I know it would’ve made this experiment a whole lot easier. So how did I accomplish it?! I did a reverse free lens with these pictures included in this blog post. For those of you who have no idea what reverse free lensing is (I know a time when I would count myself among you) it is where you take the lens off of the camera body and shoot through the wide side (not the mount side). This allows the lens to magnify what it sees and it gives you just a tiny slice of focus. Kind of scary, right?! Taking your lens off the body does mean you have to be really careful not to let dirt or dust inside. Let me tell you, it is not as easy as it sounds. You have to hold your lens and have very steady hands. I do not have very steady hands.
Here’s a few tips:
Have steady hands! (Prop your elbows on the table and keep the camera close to your body).
Use live view mode! (this will help you see more clearly where your focus is falling).
Make good use of light! (just like any other photo.)
Water droplets add visual interest!
Try your hand with different textures!
I think if you try this technique you just might like it. I am certainly hoping to improve. Here’s to learning along with you!
