for macro photography

Macro Photography Starter

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There is often confusion between the terms Macro photography and Photomacrography. Macro photography is shooting something that has normal perspective and enlarging the result to oversize proportions. A mural is an example of macro photography. Photomacrography is photographing something that cannot be studied in detail with the naked eye; the result is enlarged to normal proportions to view. Macro photography does not make use of special equipment, photomacrography does.

Macro Photography

Micro photography and Photomicrography are likewise confused. Micro photography is yet again shooting something that has normal perspective, but reducing the result so that it cannot be observed in detail with the naked eye. Micro film is an example of this procedure.

Photomicrography is photographing something that cannot be observed at all with the naked eye. This method uses the microscope and an example would be photographing cell tissue.

There are several devices manufactured for photomacrography and a brief description of each follows.

A Reversing Ring is the most low cost way to achieve macro abilities with your existing equipment. The ring is inserted between your lens of choice and the camera. The lens however, is reversed and is fitted by its filter thread. The result is high quality macro photographs.

Macro Lenses allow you to get close enough to the subject to focus at 1:1 or to give you a life size image on the film. Dedicated macro lenses are generally round the 50mm and 100mm focal length. You will also find telephoto and zoom lenses with a macro setting; these are generally in the 70 to 210mm focal length range. A macro setting on the cheaper lenses will normally provide an inferior result to the dedicated macro lens. Continue reading →