| The world of detail and worlds within worlds have | | | | subject. It requires far more patience than other |
| fascinated people for hundreds of years. The | | | | genres of photography. |
| ability to photograph those worlds was once the | | | | 3. It takes preparation |
| exclusive domain of scientists and professional | | | | Each element of a macro shoot needs to be |
| photographers. The amateur was able to enter | | | | planned carefully. What you are going to shoot, |
| this world at high cost. Now with the advent of | | | | how much light you need, what time of day is the |
| digital, getting in closer is open to all. | | | | light the best and if there is too much light are all |
| First let's dispel a misnomer. True macro is 1:1 | | | | important factors. Will you need a ring flash or will |
| representation of the object you're shooting. That | | | | a fill-in reflector do the job? Should you shoot with |
| is, a bee half an inch in length will be half an inch | | | | you macro lens or is a standard lens with |
| on the frame of film or digital sensor. With digital | | | | extension tubes going to result in a better photo? |
| compact cameras and slr zoom lenses we don't | | | | 4. It takes patience |
| reach those dimensions but we can get in really | | | | I've already alluded to this point earlier on. The |
| close and create a stunning image. So let's take a | | | | waiting game is one played more often with |
| look at close-up photography and macro together. | | | | macro than many other forms of photography. |
| They do overlap in much of what you need to | | | | Often by waiting that extra half hour doing |
| know. | | | | nothing will result in a perfect subject position, just |
| 1. It costs money | | | | the right light or the wind dying down just enough |
| Which ever way you look at it, it's going to cost | | | | to prevent camera or tripod shake. Patience is a |
| money as you learn digital photography. Dedicated | | | | virtue as the old adage goes and is even more |
| macro lenses for DSLRs together with ring | | | | relevant to macro photography. |
| flashes and extension rings all cost money. And | | | | 5. It brings a great reward |
| there are limitations to what you can do with a | | | | A photograph of a large red bus is dramatic and |
| compact camera as opposed to an SLR. What a | | | | filled with great colour saturation and is impressive. |
| compact does do is give you a taste of what can | | | | But, a delicate flower or a shimmering bee shot |
| be achieved with macro. If you like it then spend | | | | really close-up are so often more dramatic. We |
| and if you don't you have lost nothing. So you | | | | tend to be drawn to detail and the final results |
| must understand as with all hobbies you are | | | | are often stunning. There is nothing like an |
| probably going to invest as you learn more and | | | | intimate close-up image with details we rarely see. |
| want to do more. | | | | Great effort brings great reward. |
| 2. It takes time | | | | Macro is my passion. I am drawn to anything |
| The world of detail and close-up takes time to set | | | | small and detailed. I love to view things that the |
| up and often is a waiting game when shooting | | | | eye does usually see from an angle that is most |
| insects and bugs. You probably will need more | | | | often overlooked. Experiment with macro and |
| time to plan and think out your shots because of | | | | you may experience a whole new world that you |
| factors like depth of field, background and lighting | | | | would never have expected as you learn digital |
| which are all more critical the closer you get to a | | | | photography. Happy shooting! |