:: C4 IMAGES & SAFARIS :: Macro Photography
Many photographers whether professional or amateurs enjoy getting up close to their subjects that they are photographing and taking life-size photos of either the whole subject or a part thereof. The art and practice of taking close-up pictures of small things is known as macro photography.
Macro photography is widely used and is not exclusively for nature photography, but is useful when doing nature photography for close-ups of flowers, insects, plants or any other object where the aim is to depict the finer detail than the 'big picture'. However, macro photography is also used for other purposes; it is often used in advertising, medical research and journals, as well as forensic investigations.
What type of equipment is necessary?
Although you are able to do macro photography with a regular point and shoot camera, you do not achieve the same high-quality results as you would with a digital single lens reflex camera. This type of camera allows you to attach a special purpose macro lens and enables you to see how the image will look before you take your shot, allowing you to make any necessary adjustments.
The different equipment that is useful in macro photography is as such:
- The macro lenses specifically designed for macro photography have a long barrel for closer focusing. Some of these lenses can achieve a magnification of up to 5:1, however it is more common for the standard 1:1 lenses to be used.
- An extension tube can be fitted between the camera body and the lens, this means that the lens will be further away from the film or digital sensor. The farther the lens, the closer the focus distance.
- There is also a bellows attachment, this is similar to the extension tube however it is adjustable therefore there is no need to put several extension tubes in a row.
- Telephoto extender serve the same function as a n extension tube but requires a greater exposure time than that required from the extension tube.
- Using a smaller film or cropped digital sensor will also result in macro photography image with little other effort although many debate that this is not true macro photography.
- A reverse ring can be attached on to your camera which will allow you to attach your lenses in reverse. The can result in achieving a magnification that is up to 4x life-size, using fairly 'cheap' standard lenses.
Where can you apply your macro photography skills?
Macro photography as stated above is used for many purposes however the most enjoyable is for recreational purposes such as nature photography. A company such as C4-Images and Safaris can assist you in improving your existing skills and teaching you new techniques when it comes to macro photography.
C4-Images and Safaris offers photographic courses as well as photographic workshops but the most exciting services that they offer is the tours that they arrange. A tour for example such as the Namaqualand daisies tour that is scheduled for August, is the perfect opportunity to practice your macro photography as there is an abundance of floral brilliance to take pictures of as well as other plants. This is not the only tour, every tour has an opportunity to practice your skills, whether it be with the plant-life or the insect life, each is in abundance. The trick behind macro photography is looking closer than the bigger picture.
